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It’s 2024. The aristocracy is no longer cool. Democracy is all the rage. Well, kind of. In addition to our myriad issues in the good ole US of A, we seem to be fascinated with the British royal family. To Jen, this is like a snail having salt fantasies, but to many (ehem, Carolyn), the royal family is an institution to be admired, hated, and dissected. Join Jen and Carolyn as they do a superficial dive into the history of the British royal family and also try to answer the question-why in 2024, are we still so obsessed with what Jen views as an oppressive and antiquated institution? 

British Royal Family Tree - Guide to Queen Elizabeth II Windsor Family Tree
Americans left the British crown behind centuries ago. Why are they still so fascinated by royalty?
The American Media’s Obsession with the British Royal Family | The New Yorker
How British colonialism killed 100 million Indians in 40 years | History | Al Jazeera
Britain ‘not close to being a racially just society’, finds two-year research project | Race | The Guardian
https://time.com/5944613/meghan-markle-oprah-racism/
The monarchy wants privacy sometimes, but not all of the time, for one main reason | Royal | News | Express.co.uk
The Crown: What Really Happened on the Tragic Night of Princess Diana’s Death? | Vogue.
Why are People Obsessed with the Royals-TIME
What constant surveillance does to your brain-VICE
Psychological Impact of Being Watched-AMC Documentary
The denial of reality by Saul Levine

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From Area 51 to Ancient Aliens, the idea of life beyond our planet has fascinated and frightened us for a very long time. Human beings have been pondering the existence of extraterrestrial life since the Middle Ages, but do aliens really exist and if they do exist, are they little green men or tall and hot like the alien race in Avatar? Join Jen and Carolyn as they delve into the mystery of alien life forms on other planets. From ancient Mayan civilization to AlienCon, is there compelling evidence to support the existence of alien life, or is it all the stuff of science fiction? You better beam your ass over to this episode to find out! 

Searching for Cosmic Company: Astrophysicist Jennifer Wiseman on the human fascination with alien life
How Did Our Fascination With Alien Abductions and Flying Saucers Transpire? | Discover Magazine
Area 51 Is the Internet's Latest Fascination. Here's Everything to Know About the Mysterious Site
What Ancient Greece Thinkers Believed About Extraterrestrial Life - GreekReporter.com
Roswell - New Mexico, Alien & UFOs
History of UFOs - Sightings, Timeline & Abductions
Why we want to believe in aliens-BBC
The biochemistry of beliefs
Barney and Betty Hill’s UFO abduction story was more about racism than aliens, a new book says | CNN
Crop circles: Myth, mystery and history | Live Science
Mysterious Crop Circles: Alien Messages Or Hoax?

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Six. Figure. Debt. That’s where both Jen and Carolyn are thanks to student loans plus accrued interest. We know we aren’t alone. Student loan debt is financially crippling an entire generation; trapping us in a seemingly endless cycle of debt and despair. What’s worse-the cost of a college education keeps going up, but wages do not. Join Jen and Carolyn as they rage against the nonsense that is student loan debt. We’ll break down debt stats, look at racial disparities, and try to answer the question-why have so many of us fallen for the erroneous message that one needs a college education to make good money?

Average student loan debt: A breakdown | CNN Underscored Money
College Pays Off. But by How Much Depends on Race, Gender, and Type of Degree.
Nearly half of companies say they plan to eliminate bachelor’s degree requirements in 2024
Is Rising Student Debt Harming the U.S. Economy?
Student Loan Payments Are Back: The Domino Effect On The US Economy
The Biden-Harris Administration’s Student Debt Relief Plan Explained
The Silent Strain: How Debt Takes a Toll on Mental Health-Forbes
How the Coronavirus Pandemic Has Shattered the Myth of College-The New Yorker

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Of all of the fights that seem insurmountable, saving the planet is definitely at the top of the list. Climate change deniers, corporate greed, and general freaking apathy experienced by the everyday person make this fight to preserve our precious planet seem unwinnable. As beaten down as Jen and Carolyn sometimes feel, we aren’t so sure that the demise of earth is a foregone conclusion. Join Jen and Carolyn as they rap about the little things we can all do to ensure that this planet perseveres for generations to come. 

Evidence | Facts – Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet
Six scary facts about climate change – Ecotricity
Top US Food and Beverage Companies Scope 3 Emissions Disclosure and Reductions | Engage the Chain
https://www.nrdc.org/bio/josh-axelrod/corporate-honesty-and-climate-change-time-own-and-act#:~:text=Corporations%20produce%20just%20about%20everything,climate%20change%20was%20officially%20recognized.
Environmental Impacts of Food Production - Our World in Data
Positive environmental effects of the coronavirus 2020 episode: a review - PMC
At the Movies: The Year Earth Changed
40 Unexpected Ways You Can Help the Environment Right Now
What Makes People Stop Caring-BBC
Climate Change in the Age of Numbing-MIT Reader
The Human Cost of Anthropogenic Global Warming

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Dating can be hard, but according to the results of Match.com’s recently released findings from its 13th annual Singles in America study, it may suck a little less now. According to the survey results, singles are now more into “conscious dating” than they are into perpetuating the hookup culture that Jen and Carolyn discussed in their online dating origin episode. And, just what the hell is conscious dating anyway? Join Jen and Carolyn as they break down the results of the Match surveys from both 2022 and 2023 and also attempt to answer the question “has dating really improved following the pandemic?” 

Singles in America: Match Releases Largest Study on US Single Population for 12th Year
Singles in America
Dating Statistics In 2024 – Forbes Health
How AI Is Changing the Way We Date | TIME
Back to Life, Back to Reality: No, It’s Not Just You ... Dating Really Sucks Right Now
Dating Is Hard — but Here’s How to Not Make It Harder in 2023 | by Anggun Bawi | Hello, Love | Medium
COVID pandemic led to positive changes in dating culture in young adults, researcher finds
How Dating Has Changed Through History

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Like Carolyn and Jen, I’m sure you can name at least 10 serial killers in under 30 seconds. However, how much do you know about traits and characteristics that are supposedly shared by most serial killers? If you’ve watched Mind Hunter, you know that there is A LOT of science that goes into profiling, catching, and studying killers. Join Jen and Carolyn as they break down something called the Macdonald triad, discuss the various types of serial killers, and try to answer the question-are there really personality traits universally shared by serial killers as some experts purport or is it more nuanced than that?  

https://www.healthline.com/health/macdonald-triad
https://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/serial-murder
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/a28710489/mindhunter-netflix-true-story/
https://www.newsweek.com/mindhunter-netflix-true-story-serial-killers-holden-crimes-fbi-profiler-real-1438648
The Personality of Serial Killers | Hogan Assessments
Myths about Serial Killers-Psychology Today
From Abused Child to Serial Killer: Investigating the Nature vs Nurture in Methods of Murder

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Angry. Frustrated. Appalled. Those are just a few of the adjectives Carolyn and I would use to describe the way we felt while watching the Netflix documentary American Nightmare. From horrific home invasions to kidnapping and sexual assault, this story takes the viewer on an almost unbelievable journey into scenarios that are typically reserved for our worst fears. What happens when the unthinkable occurs and the police, who are sworn to protect the public, not only dismiss a victim’s story, but claim that the victim actually made the whole horrific story up? 

‘If the Police Don't Believe You, They Might Prosecute You’: How Officers Turn Victims of Sexual Assault Into Suspects - Reveal
NAMI
A Crime Beyond Belief - The Atavist Magazine

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Thrifting…so hot right now. But long before Macklemore quite literally sang the praises of procuring second hand treasures, many of us were already in the picking game. Whether you’re a high school kid looking for “vintage” 90s gear or a person on a budget looking for a sweet deal, thrifting is a great way to acquire what you want and need without ridiculously high retail mark ups. Join Jen and Carolyn as they discuss the art of thrifting as well as the phenomenon of virtual thrifting. We’ll also talk about the impact that buying brand new vs buying used goods has on the planet.  

History of Thrifting
5 Reasons to Shop at a Thrift vs Consignment Store
From Goodwill to Grunge: A History of Second Hand Styles and Alternative Economies
5 Reasons Why Thrifting is an Addiction - Sammy D. Vintage
Always Looking for a Bargain? This Trait May Be Inherited | Psychology Today
17 Most Worrying Textile Waste Statistics & Facts [2024]
Forbes Article
Motivational Reasoning

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Drag has been in the news a ton lately and for all of the wrong reasons as far as we’re concerned! The right has, and continues to, vilify drag artists, claiming that these beautiful performers are out to do serious harm to our children. Well, honey, not only are we here to tell you that this isn’t the case, we’re also going to drop a little history on you all. Join Jen and Carolyn as they discuss how an art form that started in ancient Greek theater has become the subject of an Emmy winning show as well as one of the right wing's favorite groups to hate. 

From police raids to pop culture: The early history of modern drag
‘Subtle and sinister’: Republicans’ anti-drag crusade seen as assault on LGBTQ+ rights
https://www.hrc.org/magazine/2023-spring/fighting-back-against-anti-drag-bills
https://action.aclu.org/give/support-drag-defense-fund#:~:text=Drag%20performers%20and%20the%20LGBTQ%2B,protection%20of%20all%20our%20rights.
The Psychology of Drag
Is RuPauls Drag Race The Most Radical Show on TV?
The Joy of Drag
The Batman Effect
Finding Support-The Trevor Project
Drag Queen is Not a Mental Disorder

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So, you think you’re too “smart” to ever join a cult? Maybe you are and maybe, just maybe, if the messaging were right and the leader was charismatic enough you’d drop everything and move to a commune in the desert! Join Jen and Carolyn as we break down the reasons why people join cults (which has nothing to do with intelligence) and what makes so many cult leaders so damn charismatic. We'll also discuss how ideas that start off as beautiful and inclusive can end in something as horrific as the mass suicide/murder of close to 900 people. 

6 of the Most Infamous Cults in History
How Do Normal, Successful, and Smart People End Up Joining a Cult?
What Is a Cult? 10 Warning Signs
How to identify a cult: Six tips from an expert - CBS News
Are Cults Legal? - HG.org
14 Characteristics of A Cult Leader-Psyc Mechanics
The True Story of Brainwashing and How it Shaped America
What is Cognitive Dissonance
Festinger, L. (1957). A Theory of cognitive dissonance. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
BITE Model by Steve Hassan
Cult Recovery Resources