What’s the Verdict? with Nick Reit and Jess Jones

It’s the realest episode yet, with actor, writer, creator, and filmmaker, Albert Garrido! After analyzing how “real” BeReal actually is, Albert speaks with Nick and Jess about “Wasted Talent”, a project he developed with co-creator Celeste Maldonado-Green that will be featured in Miami Web Fest and Katra Latinx. He discusses bringing himself to his work, highlighting specific Latinx/immigrant narratives, and the power of not caring. Tits and Tats highlight plenty of “delicious contrast”...from celebrity casting choices, to ranking the best cold air, to Albert’s gym bravery. The verdict? This episode is as real as it gets, okay?! Follow Albert on Instagram and TikTok @albyxalberto and stay tuned for “Wasted Talent” by following @thewastedtalentofficial on Instagram!

Happy Belated Nick’s Birthday, Beyoncé single, and Las Culturistas Culture Awards to one and all! Jess and Nick give and receive in their 69TH EPISODE (hehehe) with thoughts on roller skating, the Tayla Swiff Award, Austin Butler’s Elvis impression, IPAs, and summer gatherings/bodies of water. Then, teams are established in the whole Lea Michele, Beanie Feldstein, Julie Benko Funny Girl debacle. Who is the next Fanny Brice? What even is a canker sore? Will there be a live What’s the Verdict one of these days?! Follow us @theverdictpod on Instagram and Twitter and subscribe wherever you listen to make sure you never miss the hottest takes on it all! 

 Hydrogen. Helium. Tits. Tats. Closed circles. It’s all discussed this week on the pod with Oratorio for Living Things cast member and singer-songwriter, Kirstyn Cae Ballard! Oratorio superfan Nick and audience proxy Jess are joined by Kirstyn to discuss her journey with the show, how it has affected her own music writing and perceptions of existence, and manifesting emails on the toilet. Recommendations for natural deodorant and lip masks are made and Oatly’s oat tree “myth” is debunked! For more Oratorio news and creative updates from Kirstyn, follow her on Instagram @kirstyn.cae, and be sure to check out her music, including “Poltergeist” and the UPCOMING (July 1, hunnies) “Mine Again” by searching “Kirstyn Cae”!

 While Nick is away (and hanging out with Meredith Marks), Jess will make the episode alllll about Tay! With guest host and bestie of the pod, Haley White! Along with their live studio audience of one, Jess and Haley dig into their personal Taylor Swift vaults to discuss the Top Taylor Tits, including their personal favorite albums/songs, things Taylor Swift invented, best eras, and saddest lyrics. The conversation with friends turns into a conversation between friends about Conversations with Friends, and Haley’s Stranger Things Tit is brought straight to the Upside Down with Jess’ Tat. Oh, this episode? It’s really somethin’…some would say, it’s...fearless? Follow our lovely guest host Haley on Instagram at @haley___white and on Twitter @_haley_w! 

Not trying to brag, but your hosts are world elite cardholders AND five star Lyft passengers! Nick and Jess outsource the Judgies (and channel celebrities on Reddit) to answer fan submitted questions. Tomatoes or onions? If they could be a sea creature for a day, what would it be? Which actors are getting sent to Nick Reit bootcamp in The Search for the Next Nick Reit series? The answers may shock you. Judge Booty also doles out verdicts on the ~drama~ surrounding the great skin care myth/mystery, and Nick and Jess have a very controversial Tat spat. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Twitter @theverdictpod for more antics and submit YOUR drama to be read on the pod via email ([email protected])!

 Music for a Sushi Restaurant? Try music for theater kids in the kitchen! Nick and Jess are “raising their glasses” this week with the one and only 32 Bar Chef, Elissa Hickey! Elissa shares her journey from working at a grocery store at the start of the pandemic to reaching 20,000 followers on TikTok by combining her passions for musical theater and cooking. Hear about how she selects songs and recipes, the behind-the-scenes work that goes into her weekly videos, and what it’s like to go viral in 2022. She shares a few *trade* secrets and hints at her upcoming videos! For more recipes and joy from the Elissa, check out @32BarChef on TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram, or by searching 32 Bar Chef on YouTube or Facebook!

We’re speaking up and saying yes and no this week on the pod! Nick and Jess are joined by actor, musician, intimacy choreographer, and Madewell jeans expert, Becca Canziani, to discuss the ever-growing importance of having an intimacy professional in every production, consent education and its life applications, and the shape of balloon jeans. Becca shares what it’s like to be the only person in the world who can say they willingly ate a chicken caesar wrap in every European airport, Nick weighs his haircut options, and Jess learns that she doesn’t want to make plans anymore. For more updates from Becca, follow her on Instagram @beccacanzi and check out her tunes on Spotify by searching Becca Canzi!

In this BONUS EPISODE of What’s the Verdict, your favorite top flops have arrived on the red carpet to cover the Met Gala, Jess’ COVID, and Nick’s love of “Hold My Hand” three weeks later! Met Gala winners and losers are crowned, the perfect theme is pitched, and Nick and Jess draft their dream table. The Tits shoutout to friend and guest of the pod Tim Janovsky on his debut novel, Never Been Kissed (which you can buy everywhere now!), while Tats shed light on a major issue plaguing expensive pants everywhere. If you too stared camp in the eye, follow us @theverdictpod on Instagram and Twitter, and don’t forget to follow, like, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

Put a finger down if you are setting boundaries. Put a finger down if you think the social media pendulum is starting to swing back. Put a finger down if you love doing hobbies for you. If you put three fingers down, you’re a Judgie who will ALSO love this episode, featuring actor-musician, Camille Seidel!  Camille sits down with Nick and Jess to discuss reclaiming your creativity in capitalism, TikTok as ground zero for becoming too aware of our own consciousness, and how “Imagine” by John Lennon is objectively not as good as Phoebe Bridgers. For more post-genre music from east coast blonde, stream the EP ‘strange horizons’ everywhere (and follow @eastcoastblondetheig on Instagram) and find Camille’s hot takes on Twitter @itmecamille!

Hey all you birds, melting smileys, Lorde Gourds, coastal grandmothers, and PuthHeads! Nick and Jess are back and catching up on what’s new in the world, on their phones, and at Coachella. Celebrities’ queerbaiting, plus the principles of all celebrities being hot and/or beautiful are dissected, and Nick lays bare a cold, hard, Puth. A NEW GAME, “Judge Booty” (werking title), analyzes ~drama~ and encourages participation from YOU, the beloved Judgies! Follow us @theverdictpod on Instagram and Twitter, and submit your drama stories to us on social media or via email