The Gist

Kristen Doute has been called a villain, a truth teller, and a chaos agent. These days, she's adding "new mom" to the list and she's more self-aware than ever. On this episode of The Gist, Kristen opens up about filming The Valley Season 3 with a three-month-old, what she wishes audiences understood about her fiancé Luke's first-year-of-parenthood experience, and why watching herself on camera has always been her biggest tool for growth.We talk about the shift from Vanderpump Rules to The Valley and why The Valley fills a space in Bravo's lineup that no other show does. Kristen shares where things really stand with Janet, why she's giving Jax Taylor grace while being honest about the last five years, and why "hilariously chaotic" is the only way to describe what's still coming this season.Plus: what she'd say to Season 1 Vanderpump Kristen, her clothing line James Mae, a new YouTube project she's been keeping close to the vest, and the one word that sums up her life right now.Kristen Doute. The Valley. Bravo. Vanderpump Rules. Jax Taylor. Janet. Postpartum. New mom. Reality TV. Pop culture podcast.

BBMAK joins The Gist to look back on the whirlwind success of their 2000 hit “Back Here,” touring at the height of the boy band era with Britney Spears and *NSYNC, and what really happened after the spotlight faded.In this exclusive interview, Christian Burns, Mark Barry, and Stephen McNally open up about BBMAK’s rapid rise in the early 2000s, the group’s hiatus in 2003, and the very different lives they built before reuniting in 2018. From global dance collaborations with Tiësto and Armin van Buuren to fatherhood, fitness, and new music, this is the side of BBMAK fans haven’t heard before.If you grew up on early 2000s pop music, TRL, Britney Spears, *NSYNC, and the golden era of boy bands, this conversation is a must-watch.In this episode:The real story behind BBMAK’s “Back Here”Touring with Britney Spears and *NSYNCWhy BBMAK parted ways in 2003Life after the boy band eraBBMAK’s reunion and what’s nextSubscribe for more interviews with the artists and icons who shaped pop culture.Chapters00:00 The Rise of BBMAK00:57 The Rise and Fall of BBMak01:27 Life After BBMak: Individual Journeys01:56 Reunion and Reflections01:59 Nostalgia on Tour: BBMak's Return06:06 The Unique Sound of BBMak11:21 International Breakthrough: From UK to Japan15:14 The Shift in the Music Landscape20:12 Life After BBMak: Individual Journeys23:33 Reunion: The Spark of BBMak's Comeback24:34 Timeless Sound: Revisiting 'Back Here'25:29 The Timelessness of 'Back Here'26:40 Family Connections and Legacy29:08 Reflections on Fame and Recognition31:48 Underrated Songs and Special Performances34:27 Creating New Music and Future Plans35:53 The Pressure of Success and Songwriting39:41 Memorable Moments from the Past44:17 Looking Ahead: The Future of BBMak#BBMAK #BackHere #2000sPop #BoyBands #BritneySpears #NSYNC #TRL #PopMusic #TheGist

Pop culture writer, interviewer, and Shut Up Evan podcast host Evan Ross Katz joins Chris to talk about his journey from superfan to one of the most plugged-in voices in entertainment media. Evan breaks down how he built access in Hollywood, what makes a great celebrity interview, and why he believes revivals and reboots are now a permanent part of pop culture - not a trend.They also dig into the legacy of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the concept behind Evan's famous Chaos Dinners (and how he curates the guest list), navigating friendships with celebrities while maintaining journalistic integrity, and how social media changed what it means to be a pop culture journalist.If you're a fan of pop culture deep dives, entertainment journalism, Buffy, White Lotus, or anyone who has ever gone from obsessed fan to industry insider, this one is for you.New episodes on Tuesdays. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.Instagram: instagram.com/listenitsvetrano YouTube: youtube.com/@listenitsvetrano Website: listenitsvetrano.com

Willa Ford joins The Gist to reflect on her journey from early 2000s pop breakout to creative reinvention. Known for her TRL-era hit “I Wanna Be Bad,” Willa became a defining voice of turn-of-the-millennium pop culture. In this conversation, she looks back at that chapter — and shares what was happening behind the scenes.We discuss the evolution of her public identity (Mandah, Amanda, Willa Ford), navigating fame at a young age, and how trauma, resilience, and growth shaped her return to music. Her new album, Amanda, named after her birth name, marks a deeply personal reset — one rooted in healing, authorship, and perspective.This episode explores:Willa Ford’s early 2000s pop career and TRL era fameThe story behind “I Wanna Be Bad”Reinvention and returning to music after years awayThe making of her new album AmandaCreativity, trauma, and redefining legacyIf you’re a fan of early 2000s pop culture, TRL nostalgia, music reinvention stories, or artist interviews that go beyond the headlines, this conversation offers context and clarity.Listen! It’s Vetrano: https://listenitsvetrano.com/the-gist-podcast/ Instagram: http://instagram.com/listenitsvetranoYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@listenitsvetranoFacebook: http://facebook.com/ListenItsVetrano 

In this episode, Chris Vetrano returns to The Gist after a break, sharing insights on the current state of pop culture, particularly the rise of reality TV. He discusses the evolution of the podcast, emphasizing a more opinionated and engaging approach to commentary. Chris teases upcoming interviews and topics, inviting listeners to join him in exploring the dynamic landscape of entertainment and nostalgia.Listen! It’s Vetrano: https://listenitsvetrano.com/the-gist-podcast/ Instagram: http://instagram.com/listenitsvetranoYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@listenitsvetranoFacebook: http://facebook.com/ListenItsVetrano  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.