High & Low

As the ladies of Salt Lake City jet off to a lavish Palm Springs vacation, tensions remain high between newly sparring couples. Heather dishes to Meredith and Lisa about her confrontation with Bronwyn, and that conversation serves as a catalyst for issues later in the episode. From the push-fest between John and Justin at Angie's anniversary party, to lingering Alibaba accusations, to the simmering resentment brewing between Lisa and trip host Bronwyn, no amount of custom jewelry could distract the ladies from their ongoing battles. The episode ends on a To Be Continued after Todd and Bronwyn deliver an ultimatum to their guests because he has apparently never seen any Real Housewives show before. BONUS: Telling you about the MARTHA doc I'm currently watching on Netflix and how private equity has come full circle for the SLC husbands All opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company, person, or agenda. Information shared is cited via articles, legal documents, press releases, government websites, public videos, news reports, and/or direct quotes and statements and may be paraphrased for brevity. Wanna support this independent pod? Links below:BuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDB

After a Veteran's Day tirade, and an update on a self loathing elven incel, we get cozy on the couches for Reunion Part 1 for the Real Housewives of Orange County. This episode was packed with confrontations - Tamra's ongoing focus of Shannon's alcohol consumption, Jen's relationship and Ryan's level of involvement with the bookie gambling scandal (that I detailed in my podcast dive on Ippei Mizuhara), Emily's confidence that she figured out something nefarious about Ryan that the FEDS missed, and an attempted hit job on Katie that backfires on Heather and Emily. All opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company, person, or agenda. Information shared is cited via articles, legal documents, press releases, government websites, public videos, news reports, and/or direct quotes and statements and may be paraphrased for brevity. Wanna support this independent pod? Links below:BuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDB

As frenzied incel energy swirls around us, there's never been a better time to learn about the 4B movement, step up your personal safety strategies, and seek inspiration from women who stood up to the same kinds of threats, intimidation, and misogyny - and who ended up becoming historical figures for it. There's also never been a better time to find a good book or show to help soothe the nerves. I review the new series, "Rivals" (on Hulu and Disney +) with a summary of its 1980's English countryside plotline, including my opinions on the draw of its enemies to lovers story, and why it's winning so many people over. Bonus: an excerpt from my latest romantasy book "Steel Heart, Iron Claws" and why you may want to stock up on romantasy books and other goods that may soon be deemed illicit All opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company, person, or agenda. Information shared is cited via articles, legal documents, press releases, government websites, public videos, news reports, and/or direct quotes and statements and may be paraphrased for brevity. Wanna support this independent pod? Links below:BuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDB

The masses made their choice for the next President and I have some thoughts on what that means, what got us here, and what the hell we do now. Whether you focus on misinformation campaigns from foreign governments that cultivated seeds of discontent a la Cambridge Analytica, or core values of racial bias and white supremacy that continue to linger, or the resistance of over 34% of our citizens to realize the power of their vote, there's no shortage of factors that contributed. As an homage to facts and figures, we review key metrics that served as a focus of hate and division in our ongoing culture war before addressing what we can try to do in the coming years to stay safe and sane. All opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company, person, or agenda. Information shared is cited via articles, medical studies, University reports, legal documents, press releases, government websites, public videos, news reports, and/or direct quotes and statements and may be paraphrased for brevity. Wanna support this independent pod? Links below:BuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDB

Hold my hand on election day and listen as I ramble a summary of the latest Real Housewives of Orange County episode between rants. Axe throwing, isometric crunches, and stucco climbing, what doesn't this episode have? As Tamrat switches strategies, Jen's engagement means an engagement party complete with a "tacky 80's bridesmaid's dress" theme brought to us by the mind of Alexis. Drama ensues for every rivalry as Shannon bumps heads with an unexpected challenger - Katie's husband Matt. And no, we don't escape the finale without having to see Johnny Dbags. Bonus: a new IG-esque ending template makes me rage. All opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company, person, or agenda. Information shared is cited via articles, legal documents, press releases, government websites, public videos, news reports, and/or direct quotes and statements and may be paraphrased for brevity. Wanna support this independent pod? Links below:BuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDB

A discussion of the highlights of the third and fourth* books in the series by Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Wings and Ruin and A Court of Frost and Starlight - including a few spoilers! Also, a list of grievances with ACOTAR that have popped up during the dramatic and breathy audiobook. A rundown of updates per character as the series progresses, with an obvious effort to tee up new characters for their forthcoming storylines and spin-offs, yes please. Various theories and possible hidden meanings behind both major and nuanced plotlines are also reviewed. Bonus: the importance of speaking up for people and issues you care about, especially if the only reason you're silent is to avoid or appease bulliesAll opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company, person, or agenda. Information shared is cited via articles, legal documents, press releases, government websites, public videos, news reports, and/or direct quotes and statements and may be paraphrased for brevity. Wanna support this independent pod? Links below:BuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDB

The final days of the London trip come to a chaotic conclusion as Shannon struggles to get feces out of her body - and friend group. The toxic entity that is the Tamrat/Tambat/Tamratputin has regrouped after being read to filth by Jen and recalculated to target Katie and bring up any possible spec of dirt it has on Shannon, regardless of collateral damage. Despite drama involving children, and getting emotional about being perceived as mean, Heather continues to support her new bestie. Jen and Gina shine in their respective moments of acknowledging manipulation, calling out bad behavior, and setting boundaries. All opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company, person, or agenda. Information shared is cited via articles, legal documents, press releases, government websites, public videos, news reports, and/or direct quotes and statements and may be paraphrased for brevity. Wanna support this independent pod? Links below:BuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDB

This episode centers around Angie's 25th Anniversary celebration where the cast takes the opportunity to be in a room with zero sound dampening as their backdrop for multiple confrontations. Bronwyn calls Heather to the mat about her meddling and hypocrisy, Mary and Lisa also air their grievances to Heather, and Britani gets a shock when Whitney's husband decides he wants to get into women's business and stir up mess. The event culminates with Whitney Drew's extensive investigation into Lisa Barlow, including a comprehensive presentation of receipts and evidence, just kidding, Whitney has nothing but the word of a random account so Lisa goes off and calls in her cyber cavalry. All opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company, person, or agenda. Information shared is cited via articles, legal documents, press releases, government websites, public videos, news reports, and/or direct quotes and statements and may be paraphrased for brevity. Wanna support this independent pod? Links below:BuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDB