Well-Informed Girlfriends

This week, Sam and Tiege explain how incel slang like “looksmaxxing” went mainstream, people are bringing their AI companions out on the town, and how the newly-coined dating term “ghostlighting” is a trend as old as time. Plus, an explanation of the escalating U.S. - Israel - Iran conflict and what it could mean for gas prices, cyberattacks and the political fight over presidential war powers.

This week, Sam and Tiege dive into the moment Former President Obama seemingly confirmed he believes aliens are real and what that actually means.Then they unpack whether AI is slowly dulling our minds (are we outsourcing our thinking a little too much?) and break down how the latest jobs report is really playing out in today’s workforce.Plus, what the kids are calling “regular-maxxing” and why it’s trending, why millennials say they’re cheating less than previous generations and yes… cuffing season is officially over. What now?

This week, we’re unpacking layoffs across industries, how people are actually spending right now, and the easiest (least miserable) ways to save money this year. Plus, we zoom out to talk about the "polycrisis" and why it feels like every headline is competing for our last brain cell.We also get into why “critical ignoring” might be the only way to survive 2026, what podcasts are doing to our brains, and the rise of "hot take dating."

This week on Well Informed Girlfriends, Sam and Tiege break down why major news outlets aren’t repeating viral Epstein accusations and what responsible journalism actually requires. We also dig into a new lawsuit challenging the “black box” of AI hiring tools, a landmark social media addiction trial and why weight-loss drugs could quietly reshape air travel.Plus: a disturbing IVF mix-up raising ethical questions, Elon Musk’s claim that saving for retirement may soon be pointless, the rise of “shift sulking,” film students who can’t finish movies and two brutal new dating terms... Banksying and roaching. And finally, we debate whether the Harry Potter generation needs to grow up.

This week’s episode is packed. Sam and Tiege break down what TikTok’s ownership change really means for U.S. users, dive into the rise of AI-powered disinformation swarms (and why they’re so hard to detect), and talk about why people are suddenly feeling hopeful about money again in what’s being called a “financial resolution rebound.”Plus:• Why everyone’s craving “competency porn” TV right now• The friend group fallacy and why most adults don’t actually have a crew• The newest dating term you’ll wish you didn’t relate to: humiliationship• Talking to your water (yes… really)• “Burping” your home for better healthThere’s also… a lot going on in the world right now. If you’re feeling anxious, we share science-backed ways to calm your nervous system, limit information overload, and ground yourself.🎧 Listen now and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

This week, Sam and Tiege break down why 2016-style optimism is suddenly cool again and why everyone wants to just log off the internet. They unpack Gen Z's "Great Meme Reset" and so-called empathy perception gap. Plus, how more men are getting "brotox," the rise of rejection therapy and the latest red-flag dating trend: "future faking."

This week, Tiege and Sam break down the U.S.’s revamped food pyramid and looser alcohol guidance, California’s new IVF coverage mandate, Trump’s proposed cap on credit card interest and why more millennials are getting cancer earlier. They also unpack Hollywood’s growing AI backlash and reveal the new name that’s replacing “Karen.” Plus, a fun trend called “friendfluence” is changing how people are dating.

This week, Sam and Tiege break down the latest U.S. jobs report and why economists say high interest rates — not AI — may be driving the white-collar hiring slowdown. They also talk about California’s new "data delete button" and how restaurants are shrinking menus for the Ozempic era. Plus, it’s officially Dating Sunday… right as new data suggests many women are emotionally checking out of modern dating just as the apps hit peak traffic.

This week's special holiday episode breaks down a wave of cultural shifts, from Australia’s under-16 social media ban and rising pressure to looking “hot” at work.

Sam and Tiege also discuss a slightly toxic new dating trend called “sledging” and women quietly quitting marriages rather than divorcing.

The girls also dig into why so many women want to leave the U.S., how “admin nights” and how doctor's prescriptions for social activities signal deeper economic and loneliness crises.

This week, the girls discuss the latest on the government re-opening, Epstein emails and how SNAP benefits could be permanently changing soon. They also chat about pennies being cancelled, the myths men tell themselves that keep them single and why so many main characters on TV just feel lackluster these days. All that and so much more on this week's episode of Well-Informed Girlfriends!