This is the free edition of Rich Text, a newsletter by Claire Fallon and Emma Gray. Rich Text is a space for the indulgent and the incisive, for witty and wistful explorations of the cultural, the personal, and the political in both written and audio formats. If you like what you see and hear, consider becoming a paid subscriber. Rich Text is a reader-supported project — no ads or sponsors!

It’s been a minute since we’ve podcasted, so this week we’re trying something a little bit different. There’s so much in pop culture world we want to talk about and dissect — sometimes in obsessive detail. And we’ve absolutely loved getting to expand beyond “The Bachelor” here on the newsletter.

That’s something we will continue to do on “Rich Text,” in both audio and written formats. Some episodes, like this one, will be public. Others will continue to live behind a paywall, for subscribers only.

Today’s episode is all about The Kids (sort of). First, we talk about Pilot Pete and Kelley Flanagan, who can’t stop giving long-winded, extremely vague podcast interviews (well Pete’s was really just a monologue on his own podcast) about the messy end of their relationship.

Then we really get into The Teens with a discussion of Freeform’s soapy, ‘90s-set, teen thriller, “Cruel Summer.” Beyond just being a fun watch, the show is really a meditation on the power and danger of being a teenage girl, dressed up as a fast-paced, nostalgic mystery.

Finally, we dive into Olivia Rodrigo’s debut album, “Sour.” Is it creepy that adults — like us! — have been listening to it on repeat? What does it say about our culture that even we adults form obsessions over the things teenagers produce? Should we all just stop worrying and give into the ecstasy of playing “traitor” and “good 4 u” at high volume while dancing around our living rooms and/or driving down the highway?

Happy weekend, and please enjoy our (slightly long, extremely fun) conversation about Kids These Days!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claireandemma.substack.com/subscribe