In this week’s Trivia Tangents, I’m recapping a humbling (and borderline traumatic) trivia night in San Francisco that perfectly demonstrates the groupthink effect.

We’re talking Sutro Forest tree history, a Gossip Girl lunch location I absolutely overcomplicated, a heated Louisiana vs. Alaska river debate, and a full-on SF geography meltdown involving Moscone Center and Yerba Buena Gardens. In multiple rounds, I either changed the correct answer… or didn’t fight hard enough for someone else’s.

This episode is about what happens when you second-guess yourself, let the loudest voice win, or talk yourself out of your first instinct. It turns out trivia night isn’t always about knowledge, sometimes it’s all down to the psychology of the game. 

If you’ve ever confidently erased the right answer, this one’s for you.

***

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In this first-ever Mini Tangents episode of Trivia Tangents, I’m telling the absolutely unhinged (and very real) story of the time my Toyota Corolla became a home for rats—twice. What started as an innocent Easter-egg chocolate mistake turned into newborn baby rats in my trunk during an 8-hour move from Santa Barbara to Davis, a crowd of strangers offering solutions, a pet snake plot-twist I still think about, and a smell I will never, EVER, forget.

This episode is pure storytime chaos: panic, gross discoveries, bad ideas, worse smells, and the realization that my car may have been cursed—especially in Davis. If you like wild true stories that make you say “there is no way this actually happened,” this one’s for you. Stay tuned for the next Mini Tangent, which somehow involves another car and Hawaii.

***

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In this episode, I sit down with my friend Isabella, co-founder of Kiki & Isa, a children’s clothing brand built from friendship and a shared love of fashion. We talk about how the brand started, what the “Made in Italy” label really means today, and the challenges small brands face in a world of fast fashion (pronto moda). Isa shares what goes into her design process, why comfort and personalization matter so much in kids’ clothing, and how sustainability plays a role in everything they create.

We also get into the surprising impact of Chinese entrepreneurs in the Italian fashion industry, plus some first-hand stories from shopping together in Milan.

Of course, since this is Trivia Tangents, I put Isa’s historical fashion knowledge to the test. We talk about how buttons were once a major status symbol in medieval Florence, which led to something called sumptuary laws — and how people even found creative loopholes, like paying a kind of “frivolity tax” to wear whatever they wanted.

We wrap up by comparing the challenges of fast fashion with more mindful ways to shop, including buying pre-loved clothing — like in Italy, where apps like Vinted are widely used. It’s a fun mix of fashion, history, and real talk with one of my favorite people.

You can find Kiki & Isa here:

• https://kikieisa.it/

• @kikiandisalab

***

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Website: https://triviatangentspodcast.com/

In this episode, I’m weaving into the world of hair with my hairstylist and friend, Kelly! We cover everything from outrageous historical hair trends to celebrity inspo, modern styling advice, and the myths we all heard growing up.

I even put Kelly’s knowledge to the test with some hair history trivia: La Belle-Poule, the invention of hot tools, the iconic shag… nothing is off limits.

Kelly shares pro secrets from behind the chair, including her go-to products, her personal hair routine, and how she gently talks clients out of getting the notorious “breakup bangs.”

This episode truly feels like the way we gab during our appointments every six weeks — fun, honest, and full of great hair tips. Enjoy!

Find Kelly here:

kellysauer.glossgenius.com

https://www.instagram.com/paramourhair_bykelly/

Products mentioned:

Unite Texturizing Spray

Unite Purple Shampoo

Redken All-Soft Shampoo

Amika Hair Products

Sources:

History of Hair

Denver Public Library

Top Hairstyles Through the Decades

Celebs with the Shag Hairstyle

***

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a positive rating, share it with a friend, and follow to get notified when new episodes drop every Thursday!

Have a topic you’d love us to cover or want to be a guest?

Fill out the form here:

https://triviatangentspodcast.com/contact

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triviatangents/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@linabobinalina

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LinaOsofsky/shorts

Website: https://triviatangentspodcast.com/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

03:08 Hair Hot Takes

04:33 Trivia Q1: La Belle-Puole

05:44 La Belle-Poule Patriotic Hairstyle

08:12 From Weird Barbie to Salon Pro

09:42 Bring Back Hollywood Glam Waves!

10:58 The "Karen"

13:38 Trivia Q2: 1920's Beauty Parlors

14:43 The 1920's Rise of the Beauty Parlor 

16:47 Current Hair Trends and Personal Preferences

18:50 Hair Myth Busting

20:24 Go-To Products

22:08 Haircare Routine

24:15 Affordable Hair Products for All

26:30 Why Lina Started Trivia Tangents

27:06 Trivia Q3: The Shag

30:36 The Allure of the Shag Haircut

32:10 "The Rachel" Haircut Requests

33:24 Nostalgic Hairstyles We Want Back

35:36 Hairstyles We Hope Stay in the Past

37:06 Breakup Bangs

40:52 Conclusion

41:42 Where to find Kelly!

In this episode of Trivia Tangents, I sit down with Konstantin Guericke, Co-Founder of LinkedIn, a Stanford mentor and community organizer, and someone who has spent decades thinking about how trust, technology, and human connection shape our careers.

Konstantin shares his path from growing up in Germany to landing in Silicon Valley, and we talk about what professional networking looked like before the digital era changed everything. We dive into the early inspiration behind LinkedIn, how the team imagined the platform would be used, and the surprising ways people use it today.

We also explore the realities of entrepreneurship, the importance of solving problems that truly matter, ethics of modern networking and how transparency online affects our behavior. 

And because this is Trivia Tangents, I challenge Konstantin with a few trivia questions along the way—covering the early days of recruiting, the launch of the LinkedIn job site, and the evolution of reference checks before and after everything went digital.

Topics Discussed:

✨ How LinkedIn’s original vision shaped its early design

💭 Konstantin’s entrepreneurship advice

📜 What networking looked like before digital tools existed

💯What you should actually be sharing on LinkedIn

🔍 Trust, transparency, and ethical dilemmas in modern networking

💬 The impact of online visibility on professional behavior

🧠 How public achievements influence self-comparison and mental health

🤝 Balancing in-person trust-building with online connection-making

***

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a positive rating, share it with a friend, and follow to get notified when new episodes drop every Thursday!

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Website: https://triviatangentspodcast.com/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Konstantin Guericke and LinkedIn

01:56 Journey from Germany to Stanford University

05:58 Navigating Early Career Challenges in Silicon Valley

07:49 Building Professional Relationships for Career Advancement

12:09 Trivia Q1

13:24 Trivia Q2

14:51 The Original Vision Behind LinkedIn

19:30 The Role of Trust in Professional Connections

21:40 Influence of 'Free Agent Nation' on LinkedIn's Concept

25:57 The Importance of Trustworthy Connections

29:24 Reflections on Potential Failure

31:52 The Importance of Solving Personal Problems in Entrepreneurship

33:45 LinkedIn's Original Name

36:28 How LinkedIn Has Changed Over Time

41:40 Unexpected Features and User Engagement

45:05 LinkedIn's Exponential Growth

46:31 LinkedIn's Early Competitors

50:10 Fishbowl Networking

52:40 The Role of LinkedIn in Today's Professional Landscape

55:08 Trivia Q3

56:28 Reference Checks

58:34 Game Theory

59:56 Reference Checks (continued)

01:03:28 Ethical Behavior In A Non-Anonymous World

01:05:49 Mental Health and Social Media Impact

01:10:49 How You SHOULD Be Posting On LinkedIn

01:12:52 Balancing Online vs Offline Connections

01:17:40 Who You Should Be Connecting With On LinkedIn

01:21:40 Future Predictions and Societal Changes

In this episode of Trivia Tangents, I chat with Aimee Lucido — a former software engineer who turned her love of puzzles and trivia into a dream career writing games for Bloomberg and crosswords forThe New Yorker, and The New York Times.

Aimee shares how she made the leap from tech to creative writing, how a pandemic hobby with trivia flash cards snowballed into her role as Bloomberg’s Quizmaster for Pointed, and why she believes the best trivia questions have a game hidden inside them. We talk about her time on game shows, our shared obsession with Codenames, and the release of her new book Words Apart, which explores the relationship between two sisters through poetry, crosswords, and art.

This episode is full of insight, laughter, and the kind of tangents that make trivia so much fun. Aimee reminds us that sometimes the boundaries that keep us stuck are the ones we’ve built ourselves — and that curiosity really can lead you anywhere.

Topics Discussed:

🧩 How Aimee transitioned from software engineering to creative writing

🧠 The puzzle-like logic behind great trivia questions

🎧 How pop culture and current events inspire her work

🎮 Her experiences competing on game shows

🎲 Why Codenames is the ultimate friendship test

📚 The inspiration behind her new book, Words Apart

Find Aimee Lucido here:

• https://aimeelucido.com/

• Bloomberg News Quiz: Pointed

• The New Yorker Crosswords

• The NYT 60 Seconds With Aimee Lucido

***

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Website: https://triviatangentspodcast.com/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Aimee Lucido

04:11 Transition from Tech to Creative Writing

17:32 Incorporating Software Engineering into Writing

21:01 Overcoming Feelings of Being Stuck

23:18 Advice for Aspiring Writers and Puzzle Makers

24:15 Trivia Question 1

28:54 Cultural Influences in Puzzle Making

30:16 Pop Culture and Puzzle Inspiration

34:07 Sources of Puzzle Entertainment

34:38 Favorite Words in Puzzle Making

39:37 Board Games and Puzzle Dynamics

43:17 Trivia Question 2

45:42 Game Show Adventures

49:54 Strategies for Trivia and Puzzle Solving

54:43 Trivia Games and Creative Questioning

58:45 The Quizmaster

59:45 Writing for Children

01:03:52 Introducing 'Words Apart'

Ever wondered what actually goes on in the world of personal training beyond the gym selfies and fitness fads? In this episode of Trivia Tangents, I’m joined by Sulyn Harvey, a personal trainer living in Europe, to talk about all things health, wellness, and the science behind staying strong.

We kick things off with some fitness trivia (because of course we do 😏):

• Who was the real “Godfather of Fitness”?

• What’s the molecule that powers your every move?

• And how many calories are really in a pound of fat?

But as always, the trivia is just the start. Sulyn shares her journey from UC Davis to Germany, what inspired her to start her own online training business, and how she helps clients build healthier relationships with food, movement, and themselves.

Expect laughter, myth-busting, and a few spicy tangents (literally, she’s obsessed with mouth-numbing Sichuan food 🌶️).

🎧 Tune in for:

• Fitness facts that actually make sense

• Honest talk about the fitness industry

• Why your scale doesn’t tell the whole story

• And what real, sustainable health looks like

Links:

Sulyn’s business: Catalyst Coaching

Sulyn’s Instagram: @sulynharvey

Sulyn’s TikTok :@sulynharvey

***

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a positive rating, share it with a friend, and follow to get notified when new episodes drop every Thursday!

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TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@triviatangentspod

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Website: https://triviatangentspodcast.com/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction 

01:17 Meet Health & Fitness Coach, Sulyn

04:54 The Godfather Of Modern Fitness

08:23 Sulyn's Fitness Journey

16:31 Transitioning from In-Person to Online Coaching

24:14 Understanding Energy in the Body

28:17 Nutrition Beyond Calories

31:04 Reframing Food Relationships: 80/20 Rule

34:57 Cultural Perspectives on Diets

37:45 Quality of Food: US vs Europe

39:50 Lifestyle, Work-Life-Balance, Walkable Cities: US vs Europe

42:38 Szechuan Comfort Food

46:49 Understanding Weight Loss & Calories

48:08 Debunking Myths: The Scale and Body Fat Loss

51:20 The Importance of Muscle

56:00 The Misconception of Cardio vs. Strength Training (EPOC)

57:22 The Reality of Weight Loss Fads

01:00:13 Mindset and Self-Compassion in Your Fitness Journey

01:03:21 Conclusion

In this episode of Trivia Tangents, I quiz my little brother on his absolute favorite show: BIG BROTHER. He’s basically a walking encyclopedia of the series: he knows every winner, watches the live feeds, and can break down the most complex strategies like a true superfan.

Even though I’m the one asking the questions, he ends up teaching me so much about the show — from what a “backdoor” is to why being the first houseguest is actually a curse. We get into competition strategies, iconic Big Brother lingo, and how you’d even begin to train if you wanted to be a contestant yourself.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or have no idea what Big Brother is, this episode is full of fun facts, wild strategies, and plenty of sibling banter.

So grab your key, take a seat in one of the orange chairs, and let’s dive into the world of Big Brother trivia with my little brother.

Topics Discussed:

🎯 HOH Competitions

👑 The First HOH “Curse”

🧠 Game Strategy 101

🚪 What It Means to “Backdoor” Someone

💔 Showmances and 🤝Alliances

🎭 Throwing a Competition

🏆 Iconic Winners: Derrick Levasseur and Dan Gheesling

***

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Website: https://triviatangentspodcast.com/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Big Brother

03:40 Trivia Warm Up

04:56 Types Of Comps

11:43 How To Train For Comps

13:11 Head Of Household (HOH)

17:37 Throwing A Competition

21:55 Cody Calafiore and Game Strategy

24:27 The Dynamics of Big Brother Alliances

27:26 Favorite Big Brother Winners and Their Strategies

28:30 What Makes a Great Big Brother Winner?

32:01 Navigating the Block: Timing and Strategy

33:42 What It Means To "Backdoor"

36:37 Showmances: The Double-Edged Sword

45:06 Current Season Insights and Predictions

This week on Trivia Tangents, I sit down with my Auntie Sarah, who has lived in Waikīkī, O’ahu for the past six years, to explore some fun and fascinating pieces of Hawaii’s story. From blockbuster movies filmed on the islands, to the fiery legends surrounding volcanoes, to the controversial history behind Hawaii’s most famous fruits — it’s a mix of trivia and deeper conversations.

But this isn’t just a postcard version of paradise. We also look at the bigger picture: how movies often overlook native culture, why the pineapple industry was problematic, and the spiritual significance of the land itself. Sarah shares her enlightening experiences as a non-native Hawaiian resident, and we talk about the importance of cultural education, environmental awareness, and supporting community initiatives like Farm Link.

Hawaii is more than beaches and resorts — it’s a living culture with values rooted in respect for the land (mālama ʻāina). Come for the trivia, stay for the reminder that we can all learn something from the Hawaiian way of caring for community and environment.

✨ Topics Covered in This Episode:

🎬 Movies filmed in Hawaii (and how they often overlook native culture)

🌋 Pele, the goddess of fire, and the spiritual side of volcanoes

🌱 Living in Hawaii and raising environmental awareness

🥭 Local fruits like lychee and mango (plus the controversial pineapple industry)

🗣️ Hawaiian Pidgin and the art of “talk story”

📚 Why cultural education is so important for kids in Hawaii

🤝 Community initiatives like Farm Link that support local agriculture

🌈 Respecting the land (mālama ʻāina) as a core Hawaiian value

⛔ The forbidden island of Niʻihau

😷 Hansen’s disease (previously known as leprosy) in Moloka’i 1800’s

A note on language:

We do our best to honor Hawaiian language and names in this episode. We know we won’t get everything perfect, but our effort comes from a place of respect. If you have corrections, we welcome thoughtful feedback shared with kindness — it helps us to keep learning. You’ll also hear me briefly use the phrase “mainland” in this episode; since recording this in June 2025, I’ve learned that “continental U.S.” is a more accurate and respectful term, and I’ll be using that going forward.

Links

• Finding Ohana Netflix Film

• Moloka’i novel by Alan Brennert

• Maia Kealoha (Lilo actress) with Hawaii’s Gov. Josh Green Article

• Hula novel by Jasmin Iolani Hakes

• Hawaiian grocery delivery service Farm Link Hawaii

• Best Lychee In O’ahu Sun Chong Grocery

***

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a positive rating, share it with a friend, and follow to get notified when new episodes drop every Thursday!

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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@linabobinalina

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LinaOsofsky/shorts

Website: https://triviatangentspodcast.com/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Trivia Tangents and Hawai'i

01:18 Hawai'i Disclaimer

05:08 Movies Filmed In Hawai'i

09:34 Lake Tahoe Giving Island Vibes

10:25 Live Action Lilo & Stitch

12:17 Sarah's Fav Movies

14:37 Living In Hawai'i

15:20 Bug Tangent

17:17 Diving into Hawaiian Mythology

17:43 Pele The Goddess of Fire

24:26 The Legend of the Naupaka Flower

26:59 Nature and Spirituality in Hawai'i

29:56 Sustainable Living and Local Initiatives

33:01 Fruits of Hawai'i

34:27 James Dole Controversy

35:53 Banana Tangent

37:23 The Evolution of Pidgin Language

39:55 Lychee or Lychee

41:27 Mango In Hawai'i

42:30 The Concept Of A "Beach Mango"

44:21 Sarah's Fav Fruit

46:55 Hawai'i's Forbidden Island

50:05 Conclusion

In this episode of Trivia Tangents, I sit down with Aumi (my favorite Lagree Pilates instructor at Core40) and ride into the world of Lagree. If you’ve ever wondered how Lagree is different from traditional pilates, why the Megaformer machine costs over $18,000, or which celebrities swear by it, this episode is for you.

We talk about Aumi’s journey into Lagree, starting with her search for a low-impact workout after struggling with high cortisol levels, and what it really took to become an instructor — from the rigorous certification process and mentorship, to the licensing required to teach this method. Aumi also shares thoughtful advice for aspiring instructors based on her own training experience. Along the way, we discuss Sebastian Lagree, the inventor of the method, and his journey on making his at-home practice into the workout that has a chokehold on everyone and their mom. 

In this episode we cover:

🏋️‍♀️ How Lagree Pilates stands apart from traditional Pilates

🎓 Aumi’s path to teaching and advice about: certification, mentorship, and licensing

🌎 Sebastian Lagree’s story and how the method began

💰 Why the Megaformer comes with an $18,000 price tag

🌟 The influence of celebrity endorsements on Lagree’s rise

🫶 The role of community, feedback, and connection in teaching

Beyond the trivia, we dig into the heart of teaching: the community, the personality an instructor brings to every class, and the behind-the-scenes work that goes into playlists, class design, and responding to client feedback. For Aumi, that’s where the sense of purpose lives — in the connections she builds and the community she helps create.

Whether you’re a Lagree regular, a curious Pilates fan, or just here for the tangents, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for this high-intensity, low-impact workout.

Sources:

https://www.lagreeacademy.com/the-evolution-of-lagree-fitness

https://pilatesmatters.com/products/lagree-fitness-m3s-megaformer-machine-pre-order

https://www.theflowspace.com/physical-health/prevention-longevity/lagree-pilates-guide-2960866/

https://www.lagreefit415.com/blog/celebrities-love-lagree-fitness

***

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a positive rating, share it with a friend, and follow to get notified when new episodes drop every Thursday!

Have a topic you’d love us to cover or want to be a guest? Fill out the form here: https://triviatangentspodcast.com/contact

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TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@triviatangentspod

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LinaOsofsky/shorts

Website: https://triviatangentspodcast.com/

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

00:33 Guest Intro: Aumi!

02:06 Understanding LaGree Pilates vs. Traditional Pilates

04:31 Hot Take: Sticky Socks or Bare Feet

06:24 Trivia Q1

07:04 Sebastian Lagree

08:26 Origins of Lagree

10:03 Aumi's Journey Into Lagree

13:15 Teacher Training and Certifications

19:09 Trivia Q2

19:32 Megaformer and Class Prices

23:51 Crafting Routines and Fire Playlists

29:20 Don't be 'That Person' with the Springs

30:59 Celebrity Influence in Fitness Culture

33:56 The Appeal of LaGree Pilates

35:34 Building Community Through Fitness

37:50 The Instructor's Perspective on Teaching

43:04 Finding Purpose in Teaching

47:09 Guys Doing Lagree

48:19 Come to Aumi's Class in SF!