Young girls are increasingly drawn to pricey skincare products, influenced heavily by social media. The phenomenon of 'Sephora kids' highlights how cosmetic obsessions can affect self-worth. Brands like Drunk Elephant target tweens, raising concerns about their marketing and the impact on self-image. There's a push for better media literacy and parental guidance around skincare use. The discussion also emphasizes challenging harmful beauty norms and encouraging natural appearances, especially during the holiday season.

Let's escape December's darkness with a mental vacation to some exotic travel locales. Tulum! Bali! Lisbon! Millions of people visit these popular tourist destinations, but why? Is it for personal growth and discovery, or are we just chasing social rewards by notching another iconic photo on our Instagram page? Maybe it's both!  The idea that "social media has ruined travel" gets brought up a lot by grumbly Internet curmudgeons, but is it true? Bridget took a look at what social science has to say about it and discussed what she found with Producer Mike.  Read the research article by Drs. Lauren A. Siegel, Iis Tussyadiah, and Caroline Scarles https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2022.2086451  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last year Bridget hosted a roundtable on racialized disinformation attacks with three incredible experts. They talked about the long historical foundations that bad actors have built on to amplify divisions and racial divisions, and the ways tech platforms and other institutions have been used to not only perpetuate disinformation but also make record profits doing it. While marginalized people are disproportionately at risk, disinfo affects everyone. These narratives were a huge problem leading up to the election, and I'm sad to say they will remain a huge problem going forward. The roundtable was part of a video project with the great production company Exposure Labs. We're grateful to them and showrunner Josh Clark for the opportunity to be part of it, and for DCP Entertainment for making it possible.  And special thanks to the incredible panelists for sharing their prescient insight: Jessica Ann Mitchell Aiwuyor, Founder of the National Black Cultural Information Trust; Liz Lebron, Founder & President of Blue Nexus Group; and Jaya Savita Aiyer, Director of the Asian Pacific Islanders Civic Action Network. Check out the entire Disinfo Dialogue here at DCP Entertainment: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRl4XDBfORqgbg7vB_I1JrJnrQxw-EDqgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bridget shares her personal journey after a difficult hiatus, highlighting her struggles with grief following her mother's passing. The conversation shifts to AI-written obituaries, probing their ethical implications and emotional toll on families during their darkest moments. Bridget expresses frustration over the exploitation of personal loss for profit, particularly by digital scammers. The podcast raises critical questions about technology's role in mourning and the need for genuine tributes that honor the deceased, rather than automated messages.

An update about Bridget and the show. TLDR: We're going on hiatus for a bit while Bridget focuses on some family matters, but we'll be back with new episodes soon! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazon responds to Shein and Temu threat with new low-price storefront: https://www.techspot.com/news/103565-amazon-responds-shein-temu-threat-new-low-price.html Fast fashion retailer Shein’s brand trip didn’t quite go as they planned. They sent a group of influencers to China to tour their facility after a bunch of bad press, but now those influencers are facing backlash themselves, and renouncing their partnership with Shein. The whole thing raises questions about the ethics and harm of fast fashion, as well as the influencers who shill for it. Aja Barber wrote the book on consumption. She explains why it’s about more than just Shein. Aja is the most stylish person I know! Follow her on Patreon for sustainable style insights: https://www.patreon.com/AjaBarber Check out Aja’s book Consumed: https://www.ajabarber.com/bookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want to write a book, be a musician, or be a podcaster? You’d better also be a social media branding expert, too. Bridget joins writers and creatives Yvest Jeffcoat and Katie Mitchell from the podcast On Theme to dive into why social media has turned everyone into personal branding experts and why it can sometimes be so exhausting.  Everyone’s a sellout now: https://www.vox.com/culture/2024/2/1/24056883/tiktok-self-promotion-artist-career-how-to-build-following LISTEN TO YVES AND KATIE'S PODCAST ON THEME: https://www.ontheme.show/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s the Deal With ‘Hawk Tuah’ Girl? https://www.thecut.com/article/hawk-tuah-girl-viral-tiktok-video-explained.html  Exposing Cheaters Isn’t Always a Flex https://www.thecut.com/article/man-cheating-on-flight-tiktok.htmlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Judd Legum, founder of Popular Information, dives into the recent fallout from Congressman Mike Collins' racially charged comments and the media’s lack of accountability. They discuss the dangers of superficial political reporting and the need for deeper narratives about democracy. Legum highlights the troubling ties between corporate influence and political actions, examining how this dynamic shapes decision-making. The conversation sheds light on the normalization of racism in politics and the critical role of engagement and investigative journalism in fostering a healthier democracy.

Friend of the show Abbie Richards explains why low effort AI generated conspiracy theory content is all over TikTok right now and who is profiting from it.  With TikTok creator program, AI-sped misinformation pays: https://www.axios.com/2024/03/26/tik-tok-creator-program-ai-misinformation Follow Abbie Richards on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tofologySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.