Much to Discuss

<p>Steph talks through why we’re seeing so many people crying online and how advice from strangers can provide a sense of comfort in tough times. Kelly mourns Flaco the Owl and talks about why his death is hitting people (ahem… her) so hard. We also talk about which of us would be a better cult leader vs. follower (take a wild guess).</p><p>We discuss the rise of Sephora Tweens and why teenagers are so obsessed with skincare and anti-aging. We also break down the incredible investigative reporting on parent-run child influencer accounts from the NYT.</p><p>We wrap with a trio of great recommendations: a very giftable book on all kinds of love, an article on the endangered languages living in NYC, and a podcast episode with a stress-expert.</p><p><strong>Pop Culture:</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-local-correspondents/mourning-flaco-the-owl-who-escaped">Mourning Flaco, the Owl Who Escaped</a>, by Naaman Zhou for the New Yorker</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.vulture.com/article/kate-middleton-disappearance-memes.html">The Internet Has Theories About Kate Middleton’s Whereabouts</a> by Jennifer Zhan for Vulture</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/26/tuition-free-medical-school-donation-ruth-gottesman-albert-einstein-new-york">$1bn donation means students at New York medical school will pay no tuition</a> by Gloria Oladipo for The Guardian</p><p><strong>News:</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2024/02/sephora-tweens-beauty-culture-shopping/677561/">The Irony of the Sephora Tweens</a> by Elise Hu for The Atlantic</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20240119-sephora-kids-and-the-booming-business-of-beauty-products-for-children">'Sephora kids' and the booming business of beauty products for children</a> by Mia Taylor for the BBC</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/22/us/instagram-child-influencers.html">A Marketplace of Girl Influencers Managed by Moms and Stalked by Men</a> by Jennifer Valentino-DeVries and Michael H. Keller</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://morningconsult.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/The-Influencer-Report-Engaging-Gen-Z-and-Millennials.pdf">The Influencer Report</a> by The Morning Consult</p><p><strong>Content: </strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/57028269">Conversations on Love</a>, book by Natasha Lunn</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/02/22/magazine/endangered-languages-nyc.html">The World Capital of Endangered Languages</a> by Alex Carp for the NYT Magazine</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/6jayiUEdB8nObbxl7RWTUi?si=W71Q5MCMSXWlIduKgvSMUA">Becoming experts on our own stress with stress expert Dr. Aditi Nerurkar</a> by So Into That with Caro Chambers</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://muchtodiscuss.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">muchtodiscuss.substack.com</a>

<p>Should it be illegal for dating apps to waste our time? We dig into a lawsuit claiming dating apps are fueling addiction and discuss how they’re designed to encourage compulsive use and whether they should be obligated to surface better matches sooner. We also chat on what research is saying about Gen Alpha (iPad kids, grown up), based on the life events they’ve lived through so far.</p><p>In culture, we gab about Dakota Johnson’s “I love limes” to “The Goblet of Spiderman” press-interview-pipeline and what could possibly be going on in Tom Sandoval’s brain amidst some shocking comments from his profile with the New York Times Magazine. We wrap up with some stellar recs, including a rollercoaster of a long-read in the Cut from their financial-advice columnist on how she got scammed out of $50,000 cash.</p><p><strong>Pop Culture:</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/cmplxtara-mahadevan/woman-divorce-50-part-who-tf-did-i-marry-tiktok-series">Woman’s Divorce From ‘Pathological Liar’ Inspires 50-Part ‘Who TF Did I Marry?’ Series That’s Taking Over TikTok</a> by Tara Mahadevan for Complex</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.thecut.com/article/beyonc-is-the-first-black-woman-to-top-the-country-charts.html">Beyoncé Is the First Black Woman to Top the Country Charts</a> by Emily Leibert for The Cut</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://time.com/5673476/ken-burns-country-music-black-artists/">Black Artists Helped Build Country Music—And Then It Left Them Behind</a> by Andrew R. Chow for Time</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/19/disney-star-bridgit-mendler-launches-satellite-startup-northwood-space.html">Disney star turned space CEO: Bridgit Mendler launches satellite data startup backed by major VCs</a> by Michael Sheetz for CNBC</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.thecut.com/article/tom-sandoval-oj-simpson-george-floyd-scandoval.html">What is Happening in Tom Sandoval’s Brain?</a> By Tariro Mzezewa for The Cut</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-18/-madame-web-at-26-million-spells-trouble-for-sony-superheroes">‘Madame Web’ at $26 Million Spells Trouble for Sony Superheroes</a> by Thomas Buckley for Bloomberg</p><p><strong>News:</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/feb/17/are-dating-apps-fuelling-addiction-lawsuit-against-tinder-hinge-and-match-claims-so">Are dating apps fuelling addiction? Lawsuit against Tinder, Hinge and Match claims so</a> by Rachel Hall for The Guardian</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.fastcompany.com/91023970/future-of-work-understanding-gen-alpha-now">The future of work depends on understanding Gen Alpha now</a> by Lucy Maber for Fast Company</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/01/gen-alpha-charactertistics-technology-school-climate">"A landmark generation": Introducing Gen Alpha</a> by April Rubin for Axios</p><p><strong>Content: </strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2024/feb/20/jon-stewart-tucker-carlson-putin">Jon Stewart on Tucker Carlson’s interview with Putin: ‘An ally to the right’</a> by The Guardian</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.netflix.com/title/81256740">One Day</a>, Series on Netflix</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.thecut.com/article/amazon-scam-call-ftc-arrest-warrants.html">The Day I Put $50,000 in a Shoe Box and Handed It to a Stranger</a> Article by Charlotte Cowles for the Cut</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CLRQGR5G/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r">Mr. and Mrs. Smith</a>, Series on Prime</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://muchtodiscuss.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">muchtodiscuss.substack.com</a>

<p>Today’s episode includes a sweet lil storytime on how Valentine’s Day is the reason why we became friends! </p><p>We unpack how important protected nonworking time is for mental health, following Australia’s new legislation protecting workers’ right to disconnect, and are chatting through the trade-offs present in Biden's decision to join TikTok.</p><p>We also discuss the accouterments and best bits of Super Bowl Sunday: Usher’s roller skates, Beyoncé’s new music, a surprise celeb MARRIAGE after the big game, and more. We wrap up ranking some recent rom-commy content (P.S. are good romcoms finally making the comeback we all deserve??) and continue to unabashedly fawn over Cillian Murphy following his profile in GQ.</p><p><strong>Pop Culture:</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/09/well/live/hanging-out-adult-friendships.html">Why Don’t We Hang Out Anymore?</a> by Jancee Dunn for the NYT</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-68282519">Super Bowl 2024 was most watched US TV broadcast since 1969 Moon landing</a> by Emma Saunders for the BBC</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.npr.org/2024/02/11/1230788187/beyonce-new-music-texas-hold-em">Beyoncé releases two new songs during the Super Bowl, teasing more to come</a> by Rachel Treisman for NPR</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://pagesix.com/2024/02/12/entertainment/usher-girlfriend-jennifer-goicoechea-marry-in-las-vegas/">Usher and Jennifer Goicoechea marry in Las Vegas wedding ceremony during Super Bowl weekend</a> by Francesca Bacardi and Desiree Murphy for Page Six</p><p><strong>News:</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/08/world/australia/right-to-disconnect-law.html?te=1&#38;nl=your-places%3A-global-update&#38;emc=edit_ypgu_20240208">Australia Introduces Workers’ ‘Right to Disconnect’</a> by Natasha Frost and Isabella Kwai for the NYT</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/12/us/politics/biden-tiktok-super-bowl.html">Biden’s First TikTok Post Jokes About Super Bowl Conspiracy Theory</a> by Reid J. Epstein and Sapna Maheshwari for the NYT</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@bidenhq/video/7334529963066019114">Joe Biden’s first TikTok</a>, by bidenhq on TikTok</p><p><strong>Content: </strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://shityoushouldcareabout.substack.com/p/you-didnt-read-that-you-saw-it-on-c1e">"you didn't read that, you saw it on TikTok"</a> by Luce for shityoushouldcareabout</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.netflix.com/title/81256740">One Day</a>, Series on Netflix</p><p>Anyone but You, Movie in Theaters</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Upgraded/0SRZMXANJ8LEB1XKPEMSLI8O9T">Upgraded</a>, Movie on Prime</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.gq.com/story/cillian-murphy-gq-cover-story">Cillian Murphy Is the Man of the Moment</a>, Profile by Daniel Riley for GQ</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/muchtodiscusspodcast?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&#38;igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==">Instagram: muchtodiscusspodcast</a></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://muchtodiscuss.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">muchtodiscuss.substack.com</a>

<p>Steph is moved into her new home (!!!) and Kelly is officially 30 (add-ons of flirty and thriving are TBD). We’re mostly grappling with whether professional color analysis would transform us into the most beautiful girls of our respective continents. If you’ve done it: please report back ASAP.</p><p>In today’s episode, we talk about thank yous from women to their female friends that pull at our heartstrings: from Taylor Swift at the Grammys to Dolly Alderton in the acknowledgements of her new stunner of a book, Good Material. We also discuss our weariness towards Apple’s IR/VR VisionPro… don’t we all want to be more offline?? </p><p>In news, we take a dive into 2 topical public announcements: 1. What was included and left out of Buckingham Palace’s announcement that King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer and 2. What the UMG/TikTok feud means - for artists and TikTok users.</p><p><strong>Pop Culture:</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.thecut.com/2024/02/professional-color-analysis-review.html">My Professional Color Analysis Told Me I Can Still Wear All Black</a> by Hanna Flanagan for The Cut</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/grammys-2024-recap-taylor-swift-sza-miley-cyrus-1234961256/">Taylor Swift Makes History, Miley Cyrus and SZA Clean Up: The Grammys Were for the Girls</a> by Jon Blistein for Rolling Stone</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://pagesix.com/2024/02/06/entertainment/bachelor-joey-graziadei-confuses-gypsy-rose-blanchard-rbg/">‘Bachelor’ Joey Graziadei confuses Gypsy Rose Blanchard for Ruth Bader Ginsburg</a> by Nicki Cox for Page Six</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.thecut.com/article/watch-the-best-2024-super-bowl-commercials.html">The Best Superbowl Ads… So Far</a> by Olivia Craighead for The Cut</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2024/02/videos-images-of-people-using-apple-vision-pro-in-public.html">People Are Doing Some Interesting Things With the Apple Vision Pro</a> by Chas Danner for Intelligencer</p><p><strong>News:</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/06/world/europe/king-charles-cancer-privacy.html">King Charles Has Cancer. Here’s What to Know.</a> by Mark Landler for the NYT</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://time.com/6691853/king-charles-cancer-diagnosis-royal-family/">What King Charles’ Cancer Diagnosis Means for the Royal Family</a> by Armani Syed for Time</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/universal-music-group-pulling-songs-tiktok-licensing-deal-1235892437/">Universal Music Group Warns It Will Pull Songs From TikTok After Deal Expiration</a> by Todd Spangler for Variety</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/5/24062260/tiktok-universal-music-group-audio-removal-ruining-viral-trends-thirst-edits">TikTok’s fallout with Universal Music Group is ruining viral trends and thirsty fancams</a> by Jess Weatherbed for The Verge</p><p><strong>Content: </strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/96177629">Good Material</a>, Book by Dolly Alderton</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/how-to-lose-a-guy-in-10-days-with-elizabeth-sankey/id1444729607?i=1000643725774">Sentimental Garbage</a>, Podcast by Caroline O’Donogue</p><p>Seb’s Taylor Swift Crossword for Kelly’s Birthday (find in our IG stories)</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/muchtodiscusspodcast?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&#38;igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==">Instagram: muchtodiscusspodcast</a></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://muchtodiscuss.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">muchtodiscuss.substack.com</a>

<p>Lots of great convos in today’s episode: the consistent desire to fit in during middle-school (we present: Livestrong bracelets), conflicting opinions on the viral Pookie/Jett videos and when #TradWives-esque content can turn harmful, how deepfakes work and are being used, and why continued layoffs in the news industry give us a sinking feeling.</p><p>In more “woo-woo” chatter, we explore our astrological compatibility and talk about what our approaches to haunting would be if we were ghosts.</p><p><strong>Pop Culture:</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.thecut.com/2024/01/stanley-cup-bullying-middle-school.html">The Stanley Cup: A 40 ounce bully?</a> By Julia Reinstein for The Cut</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-kansas-city-chiefs-play-super-bowl-1234955730/">Travis Kelce’s Chiefs (and Likely Taylor Swift) Are Going to the Super Bowl</a> by Althea Legaspi for Rolling Stone</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://people.com/sofia-richie-video-sex-reveal-baby-girl-tiktok-8551115">Sofia Richie Shares Video of Moment She Learned She Is Expecting a Baby Girl: 'I'm So Excited'</a> by Esme Mazzeo for People</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.bustle.com/life/pookie-is-looking-fire-today-campbell-jett-puckett-tiktok">Pookie Is Looking Absolutely Fire Today</a> by Alexis Morillo and Sarah Ellis for Bustle</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://annehelen.substack.com/p/tradwife-life-as-self-annihilation">#TradWife Life as Self-Annihilation</a> by Anne Helen Petersen for Culture Study</p><p><strong>News:</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/26/arts/music/taylor-swift-ai-fake-images.html">Explicit Deepfake Images of Taylor Swift Elude Safeguards and Swamp Social Media by Kate Conger and John Yoon</a> for the NYT</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/12/technology/deepfakes-cheapfakes-videos-ai.html">Making Deepfakes Gets Cheaper and Easier Thanks to A.I.</a> by Stuart A. Thompson for the NYT</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.npr.org/2024/01/23/1226406586/a-look-at-the-wave-of-layoffs-hitting-the-news-industry">A look at the wave of layoffs hitting the news industry</a> by David Folkenflik for NPR</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/25/media/news-industry-future/index.html">News industry off to brutal 2024 start as mass layoffs devastate publishers, raising questions about the future of journalism</a> by Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino for CNN</p><p><strong>Content: </strong></p><p>Strife, Series on Apple TV (AU)</p><p>Ghost Story, Podcast by Tristan Redman for Wondery and Pineapple Street Studios</p><p>Chicken Shop Date with Paul Mescal, YouTube Series by Amelia Dimoldenberg</p><p>Past Lives, Movie by A24</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://muchtodiscuss.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">muchtodiscuss.substack.com</a>