Imperfect Strangers

Tori is to Amanda as Mariah is to Melissa. Amanda has a spiritual experience at a Tori Amos concert by herself like a boss. The ladies also deconstruct Alanis Morrisette’s Ironic. None of it is actual irony. *John Travolta confused gif* And finally, this is a Jessica and Ashlee Simpson fan page now. You did it, Joe (and Tina).

It doesn’t even matter that Amanda is trying to get Melissa to do her own gardening. What matters here is that the two have discovered that they disagree on how coffee should be consumed. Amanda is an iced coffee person. Melissa says cold coffee is dark-sided. What say you Stranger-friends? First Crocs, now coffee! Is this relationship doomed? (No).

On this episode, Amanda and Melissa are feeling good, like they should. Amanda’s father is cancer-free and out of the woods. She gets dressed up for a fashion outing, a first for her “post” pandemic. Melissa, while still having some anxiety about being back in the world, is feeling A-OK about her decision to leave her house for Homecoming. Get behind-the-scenes insight on “incoming messages” after you sit through Melissa’s Costco delivery. Enjoy.

In light of the release of Real World New Orleans Homecoming streaming on Paramount+, Amanda explains how she got to know Melissa from her appearance on the original ninth season of Real World and subsequently understood her more through her blog PrincessMelissa. Without those two things, Amanda would have never reached out to Melissa to be a guest on her first endeavor Your Mom Has A Podcast. The ladies discuss parasocial relationship building, early aughts blogging before social media, and how and what this podcast is about. Plus Melissa gives some insight on what it meant to go back and how this new front-facing TV chapter is affecting her IRL family and friends. Season 5, Imperfect Strangers Podcast. Stranger-friends, mount up.

On the long awaited season four finale, Amanda and Melissa reflect on this accomplishment! Eighty episodes and four seasons in, your favorite stranger-friends DID THAT despite various chaotic life obstacles. They powered through like — dare we say — friends?! Listen in as they discuss how Melissa prepared (not really) for Real World Homecoming plus an update on Amanda’s dad’s cancer surgery and recovery. And as you know, the show wouldn’t be complete without some light Covid fear-mongering. Enjoy! Then go binge everything while you wait for season five where, who knows? Maybe these two will meet in real life. Stay tuned!

This episode ain’t about a shoe horn but Melissa is absolutely tickled that Black Benzo uses a shoe horn and so, in his honor, we have the title. This show is about Melissa’s at-home birthday celebration plus a discussion about Euphoria, weed and how Chris is an awesome gift giver. Melissa is still waiting for her purse though, Justin Beck.

Melissa tells a long ass meandering story about being on a competition reality show with other network reality stars including, possibly because she can’t really remember, the winner of The Swan. Amanda takes her kids into Costco which brings forth a discussion on “red or blue” store vibes. Amanda and Melissa only do blue.

Feelings ahead! Ahhh. The episode that almost wasn’t was. We were just gonna stick this whole thing behind a paywall because we’re scaredy cats with all these big feelings as a result of going to “earth school.” Amanda cries happy tears about her dad’s uplifting prognosis. Melissa talks about the emotional trauma of her prolonged hyper-vigilance and anger about the ongoing pandemic. This is a lot of growth for these two people who have only just started getting to know each other last year. Class is in session.

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Melissa insists she has Long Covid as evidenced by her skin’s newfound over sensitivity. Amanda convinces Melissa to make 2022 the year she embraces nature.

Melissa and Amanda await a meteor as they discuss the downfall of society ie “the inevitability” of catching Covid, TikTok, anything young people like, Hype House and BBLs. Stay to the end as we have a special MAZEL TOV to longtime listener KIMBA…