Debrief Sesh

Pre-debrief:
We’ve got a bit of Johnnys… uh, Starto (still getting used to that name) news for you! Unfortunately, Ae! group fans were hit with some sad updates: Richard was arrested on suspicion of public indecency, took a brief hiatus, and Starto has now announced his decision to leave the group. Meanwhile, the Heisei Kings KAT-TUN held their post-disbandment farewell concert… RIP. Also, are people still calling them Johnnys? Would we get cancelled for that? Starto? Both? We’re confused too.

Main Topic:
Ah yes… the Friendzone. Being friendzoned is awkward, and friendzoning someone is equally painful. We talk about the subtle things we do when we’re trying to friendzone someone; calling them “bro”, avoiding one-on-one hangouts by suddenly turning it into a group activity, or replying to texts like we’re writing a formal business email: “It was very nice meeting you as well. Hope all is well.” We also share our many stories of being friendzoned ourselves… including our personal favorite: the infamous Disneyland story. Shooting your shot and failing is part of life, so we’re putting our embarrassing experiences out there in hopes you’ll laugh with us, relate to us, or maybe learn a thing or two along the way.

Pre-Debrief (プリブリ):The annual 紅白歌合戦 (Kohaku Uta Gassen) lineup is finally out! Japan’s biggest New Year’s Eve music show is back with a stacked list of artists, including the reunion (kind of) of King & Prince and number_i, Hannah’s fave group &Team, Chanmina, and the queens Aespa… and the rumors that ARASHI might appear for their final Kohaku performance?!

Main Topic:Should the guy pay on the first date? We share our unspoken rules and awkward encounters when it comes to money in dating and relationships. From the guy who pulled out coupons on the first date, to the mega-rich dude who wouldn’t shut up about his career while manspreading his takes on the current market - we’ve seen it all. And of course, Stacy brings another chaotic “would you rather” that ends with us split again.

Pre-Brief: Hannah’s deep in her Fit Girl era after signing up for Hyrox…but the training’s brutal. Will she make it? TBD. Stacy’s cheering her on (from the couch, naturally). The duo also dives into Vogue’s viral piece, “Is Having a Boyfriend Embarrassing?” (Spoiler: it kind of is…)

Main Topic: The glow-up is real. Stacy and Hannah reflect on growing out of their awkward phases both inside and out. From better skincare and style to stronger mindsets and post-breakup reinventions, they’re sharing the habits, mindset shifts, and mini transformations that helped them level up. Tune in for the ultimate glow-up guide!

Pre-Debrief:
Stacy has a major friend update (iykyk - go back to Ep 17)! She somehow made a new friend overnight?! Hannah couldn’t be prouder. Meanwhile, Hannah shares a bittersweet life update: she’s officially moved out of her very first apartment in Japan. From navigating complicated moving logistics to saying goodbye to her first home, it’s a real grown-up moment.

Main topic:

Happy Halloween!  We’re keeping it festive with some of our own “scary” stories: letting a random stranger into your house (why did young Stacy think that was okay??), waking up to your mom wedged between you and your boyfriend in bed, catching ringworm from a makeout gone wrong, ikemen sleep paralysis, and more. 全部のオチ：「こわ〜〜〜いw」

Pre-brief:

Watch Stacy gush over the new Netflix J-drama "Romantics Anonymous" because not only is it a great rom-com, but it stars none other than Heisei kings Oguri Shun and Akanishi Jin as romantic leads!! So sexy that we can't stop screaming like teenagers. Speaking of sexy - Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2025 was absolutely stunning, and Hannah gives us the rundown of all her favorite moments (like the OG angels reuniting!!)

Main Topic:

Goodbye hot girl summer, and hello cuffing season

Stacy just got back from her annual girls trip with her college besties, and she’s sharing the deets. Her 10-year friendversary consisted of lots of tears, and apparently a surprise strip show starring hot Korean men? 改めて、girlhood最高 <3

Main topic:

We’re breaking down the biggest red flags we’ve seen in men, and why you should never ignore them. We cover all the greatest hits: raised voices, weaponized silent treatment, hot-and-cold behavior, animal haters, unsolicited advice…the list goes on. For our girlies: take this as your sign to RUN. And for anyone who feels like they’ve been called out, yes you are the problem.

Cultural Digest:

We get into Taylor Swift’s new album - before Swifties come for us, let’s be clear: we are not haters, just…observers 😇. We talk about how the lyrics feel a little too TikTok-coded, and honestly, some of the negative feedback might be kinda valid. We also dive into the Japanese idol scandal involving a member of Aえ! Group arrested on a public indecency charge. Some fans say he was framed, others think he was just being drunk and dumb- but after seeing his emotional apology video post-release, we can’t help but wonder if there’s more to the story.

Main topic:

We’re getting real about cosmetic surgery and the evolution of beauty standards in the US and Japan. We spill about the procedures we’ve had done plus our honest advice from our experience. We also unpack how beauty ideals have shifted - from the “big booty” era to the current Ozempic slim phase.. and how celebrities are suddenly so open (or suspiciously not open) about getting work done. And of course, we compare it all with Japan’s high beauty standards and what we specifically do now that we didn’t care about when we lived in the US.

Cultural digest:

Japan's latest trend: a romance-focused personality test called "Love Type 16" (ラブタイプ診断)  - basically MBTI, but for your love life (spoiler: Stacy and Hannah got the exact same result…which means we prob need to retake this lol). Plus, we reveal our current celebrity obsessions (which honestly changes almost weekly): Hannah's crushing on Dylan Efron, while Stacy’s deep in a Tyriq Withers rabbit hole.
 
Main topic:

Making friends as adults is fricking hard!! We talk about what it’s like trying to build friendships in Tokyo, how our approaches totally differ (Hannah’s a social butterfly, Stacy…is trying), and how we’re navigating awkward convos, friendship breakups, and even what we'd do if we crush on the same guy. 
Also, new club starting soon? Tennis? Books? Cooking? We don't know yet but we have a new goal for Stacy: make one new friend by the end of the year. Let’s hold her accountable.

Cultural Digest: This week we’re diving into the very messy cheating scandal shaking up the Japanese entertainment world - starring none other than Kentaro Sakaguchi, his former hair stylist, Mei Nagano, and Kei Tanaka. These A-listers who referred to each other as “big brother and little sister”were apparently getting a little too close behind the scenes…

Main Topic: We asked our listeners what little things guys/gals do that instantly catch your attention (shoutout to everyone who sent in answers - thank youuu!!) and we also share our own takes. From the way men adjust their hats, the confidence of a good driver or that one-hand-on-the-wheel move… to escalator etiquette and that signature f***boy cologne we secretly can’t resist. We also specifically get into the party/club scene: smooth moves that make guys stand out and is super attractive, our picks for the best clubs in Tokyo, and of course, why dance-floor makeout sessions remain undefeated.

Cultural digest:

We don’t usually weigh in on politics, but we felt it was important to briefly acknowledge what’s happened recently — in short, he was a hateful person who met the fate of his own rhetoric, and empathy can only stretch so far.

Main topic:

Ah, the things we do when you’re down bad for someone. Camera roll full of screenshots of convos, asking your friends “what it means”, full-blown FBI-level background checks, walking the long way home just to have more time w him, whipping up baked goods to prove you’re “wifey material” (even though you never bake...) It’s all the slightly embarrassing stuff we’ve all done when we’re wayyyy too into someone… but sorry we can’t help it??