Episode two of Perfectly Untrue titled “The Friendship Recession” dives into the challenges of friendships particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of workism culture. Host Asia Au-Yeung reflects on how social isolation during the pandemic and the increasing pressures of modern life have made it harder to maintain genuine, non-transactional friendships. The episode explore themes such as the impact of social media on real-life connections, the growing trends of low maintenance friendships, and how they negatively impact the conception of a “genuine relationship,” highlighting the over romanticization of romantic relationships over platonic ones, as well as the rise of superficial, aesthetic-driven friendships. Overall, the episode urges listeners to invest in meaningful, authentic friendships that are not driven by convenience or external pressures.