Could it be true that in this fast-paced technological era, the best way to forge a real connection is by creating a fake girlfriend? We're not entirely sure — but it turns out, there's an app for that. Hosted by Eric Brandner and Davin Coburn, the Underscore is a podcast exploring and explaining the quirky side of American culture. On this episode, we go behind the curtain of the Invisible Girlfriend phenomenon, speaking to the people who actually power a text-based imaginary-partner service — and looking at what keeps its users coming back. ***POD EXTRAS*** Visit theunderscore.net for a slew of podcast extras, including: --Creating a girlfriend from scratch is a lot harder than it looks. Here's what we came up with for our invisible girlfriend Trudy Elizabeth Beckensale: --How does a conversation with an invisible girlfriend flow? Here are examples of the good, the bad and the bizarrely bacon-based. --Sadly, Meatball is not a real bulldog. The pooch's inspiration, however, is real. ***GUESTS*** Thanks again to Digg editor Steve Rousseau, Crowdsource COO Erin Steinbruegge and freelance writer and editor — and sometimes invisible girlfriend — Laura Harper for joining the podcast. ***MUSIC*** The Underscore's theme music is a mashup by Gunnbladez and Stereo Surgeon.