LAYERED & LOUD

By Oni

This podcast explores the messy, magical and meaningful parts of being human, from identity and emotions to sports and friendship. Each episode dives into different aspects of modern life, told ... more

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FAQs about LAYERED & LOUD:

How many episodes does LAYERED & LOUD have?

The podcast currently has 27 episodes available.

LAYERED & LOUD episodes:

July 29, 2025 Ep 27: The Art of Small Talk
This episode explores the surprisingly rich and essential role of small talk in human connection. We trace its origins back to our survival instincts, where brief, polite exchanges helped signal safety and trust in early communities. What seems trivial commenting on the weather or asking about someone’s weekend is actually a deeply social ritual that helps us read cues, build rapport, and create safe openings for deeper interaction. We unpack how small talk acts as a gateway to emotional check-ins, tiny flashes of belonging, and spontaneous moments of joy. Rather than dismiss it as awkward or shallow, we reframe small talk as a vital social art form one that’s unscripted, low-pressure, and rich with human potential. From grocery lines to office elevators, it's these tiny conversations that keep us tethered to each other in an increasingly disconnected world.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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17min
July 25, 2025 Ep 26: Birthday Blues: Why the Happiest Day Feels So Heavy
Birthdays are supposed to be magical right? A celebration of your life, your people, your progress. But behind the candles and captions, there’s often a mess of pressure, anxiety, and unmet expectations. This episode dives into the complicated emotional terrain of birthdays why they can trigger stress, disappointment, and even sadness instead of joy. We unpack the cultural chaos that surrounds the day, from childhood party trauma to adult milestone dread, and explore how social media, performance culture, and comparison games make birthdays feel more like emotional audits than celebrations.

With a mix of honest storytelling and cultural reflection, we ask the big questions: Why do birthdays make us feel like we’re being graded? Why is it so hard to feel genuinely celebrated? And how can we reclaim this day as something meaningful, without the pressure to be perfect?

Whether you’ve always loved your birthday, always hated it, or find yourself somewhere in between, this episode is for you. Because underneath the glitter and the group texts, there's a very human story about needing to be seen and trying to make sense of another year around the sun.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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23min
July 22, 2025 Ep 25: Why do we clap?
Why do we clap? It seems simple, even automatic but behind every round of applause is a strange, fascinating story. In this episode, we dig into the cultural history of clapping, from ancient rituals to Roman emperors, from paid audiences in old opera houses to political rallies and global traditions. Along the way, we explore why clapping feels so satisfying, how it spreads like a social wave, and what it really means when we bring our hands together in sync.

Is it instinct? Is it learned? Is it just noise or something deeper?

This episode travels through awkward silences, heartfelt performances, sacred spaces, and standing ovations to uncover how applause became a universal expression of connection and gratitude. Whether you’re a full-throttle stadium clapper or a quiet golf-clap kind of soul, this one’s for you.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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27min
July 18, 2025 Ep 24: Gossip as a survival skill
So, what did we learn? Gossip isn’t just a guilty pleasure or a toxic habit. It’s a deeply human behavior rooted in survival, shaped by culture, and powered by our need to understand the people around us. From early human tribes to Slack channels, from harmless chatter to harmful rumors, gossip is how we bond, how we learn, how we enforce unspoken rules, and sometimes, how we protect one another. It can connect us or divide us, depending on how we use it. But the core truth is this: talking about others especially when they’re not in the room isn’t just what people do. It’s what people have always done to make sense of the world and their place in it. Gossip isn’t the problem. Thoughtless gossip is. And thoughtful gossip? That might just be a survival skill we’re not giving enough credit.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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28min
July 15, 2025 Ep 23: Read Me Wrong: The Science (and Chaos) of First Impressions
In this engaging and reflective episode, we dive deep into the psychology and real-life messiness of first impressions. From that one time someone ghosted after a “perfect” first date to misjudging a future best friend based on an awkward hello, we explore how quickly our brains form judgments and how often they're completely off. Blending science with personal storytelling and pop-culture-worthy observations, the episode unpacks why we get stuck on initial vibes, what those impressions really say about us, and how to navigate the social world with more grace, curiosity, and second chances. It’s funny, a little chaotic, and surprisingly hopeful because even when we mess it up, there’s always room to see someone (or be seen) more clearly the second time around.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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21min
July 11, 2025 Ep 22: Generation Ghost: People Who Have No Digital Footprint
In this episode, we dive deep into the eerie, intriguing, and oddly enviable world of people who leave no trace online what we’re calling “Generation Ghost.” You know the ones: no Instagram, no TikTok, maybe not even a LinkedIn. We explore what it means to live without a digital footprint in an age where everyone else is chronically online. Through personal stories, quiet existential spirals, and a hilarious attempt at unplugging, we unravel why these "ghosts" feel both threatening and aspirational. Is it rebellion? Is it peace? Is it just not needing constant validation from strangers on the internet? We reflect on how our digital selves have become entangled with our identity, and why logging off even just a little might be the most radical act of self-connection left
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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21min
July 08, 2025 Ep 21: Why celebrity breakups feel like personal betrayals..
Why does it sting when two celebrities who’ve never met us call it quits? This episode dives deep into our emotional attachment to celebrity couples and why their breakups feel like personal betrayals. Through a fun and honest storytelling lens, we explore how our parasocial relationships blur the lines between fandom and friendship, hope and heartbreak. You’ll hear a relatable story about growing up emotionally invested in famous couples, the spirals that follow their splits, and how those breakups reflect our own insecurities, beliefs about love, and need for emotional stability. In the end, it’s not just about them it’s about the way we connect, dream, and process loss, even in the pop culture realm.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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24min
July 04, 2025 Ep 20: Creating Boundaries with People You Lowkey Still Want Validation From
This podcast episode explores the emotional complexity of creating boundaries with people whose validation you still secretly crave exes, former friends, family members, or emotionally unavailable crushes. Through a relatable story and inner monologue-style narration, the episode dives deep into the rollercoaster of unspoken hopes, personal growth, and emotional withdrawal. It captures the messy middle of holding space for your own healing while resisting the urge to break boundaries just to feel seen.

Listeners are taken on a journey of recognizing codependency in the need for external validation, realizing when someone’s approval comes at the cost of self-worth, and learning how to stand firm in boundaries without villainizing themselves. With humor, vulnerability, and hard truths, the episode ends with a powerful reminder: real peace comes from choosing yourself even when it’s the loneliest option.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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23min
July 01, 2025 Ep 19: I Wrote It But Should I Send It?
In this heartwarming and fun episode, we dive into the messy, beautiful, and hilariously awkward world of love letters. From middle school confessions to accidental email sends, we explore how writing down our feelings whether sent or hidden shapes our relationships and our courage. With a relatable story of a modern-day “emotional risk-taker” and reflections on vulnerability, this episode uncovers why the lost art of the love letter still holds power in a swipe-right world.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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22min
June 27, 2025 Ep 18: How do you get over regret?
This podcast episode explores the deeply human experience of regret how it lingers, how it evolves, and how we can live with it without letting it define us. Through a heartfelt personal story about a lost friendship and a missed chance for reconciliation, the episode unpacks the emotional layers of regret, from guilt and self-blame to the longing for closure that never comes. It reframes regret not as a life sentence but as a tool for growth and self-awareness. Listeners are encouraged to face their past with compassion, rewrite their self-narratives, and use regret as a guide toward more intentional living. This episode is a candid, relatable journey through pain, healing, and ultimately, self-forgiveness.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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23min

FAQs about LAYERED & LOUD:

How many episodes does LAYERED & LOUD have?

The podcast currently has 27 episodes available.