High & Low

An in-depth analysis of Off Campus that focuses on the careful ways that serious issues of sexual assault, domestic violence, and trauma were presented as part of a meaningful love story. It's rare to encounter a show that is presented as thoughtfully and with so many positive messages. Despite its feet kicking elements, seeing main characters face fears, overcome self-doubt, and choose to forego the safety of solitude for the hope of real connection seems to be what has captivated viewers the most. After breaking down multiple ways the characters help each other progress, fellow Off Campus fan Lauren Skae, a.k.a. @thezenblonde joins the discussion. We chat about our favorite moments, point out how Elle Kennedy's books differ from the show, and how we hope the next generation sees the overwhelming desire for masculinity that champions protection, consent, and consideration. TIMESTAMP: Lauren Skae joins at the 1 hour mark. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, contact RAINN 24/7 to connect with a real, live person who is trained to help by phone at 800-656-HOPE or by text to 64673 or via https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/ If you or someone you know has been exposed to domestic violence or abuse, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE, or by text at 88788, or via https://www.thehotline.org/  All opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company, person, or agenda. Information shared is for entertainment purposes only and is sourced via published articles, legal documents, press releases, government websites, public websites, books, public videos, news reports, and/or direct quotes and statements, and all may be paraphrased for brevity, and presented satirically and in layman's terms.Wanna support this independent pod? Links below:Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/cw/BBDBBuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDB

The final reunion for the splintered cast of Summer House ends with a thud as Amanda and West continue to give cryptic and conflicting answers to direct questions. The timeline still doesn't add up, the excuses still fall flat, and the reactions are still beta-blocked. However, the thing that remains clear is the devastating effect their affair has had on a group of people who truly believed they had established a supportive community. After hearing a string of nonsensical answers, the deer in headlights cosplay begins to seem less like a product of pharmaceuticals and more like two more people realizing they failed to manipulate the Bravosphere. All opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company, person, or agenda. Information shared is for entertainment purposes only and is sourced via published articles, legal documents, press releases, government websites, public websites, books, public videos, news reports, and/or direct quotes and statements, and all may be paraphrased for brevity, and presented satirically and in layman's terms.Wanna support this independent pod? Links below:Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/cw/BBDBBuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDB

Reviewing a string of fascist failures; the $1.8B slush fund, Congress not supporting the Iran war, the Senate not passing the Save Act, a Judge undoing the naricisstic rebrand of the Kennedy Center, artists bailing on the White House's Fyre Fest, and a new lawsuit brought by 35 former Federal Judges. Also, reading up on dueling 250th celebrations for America (one congressionally approved, one rogue), learning why Albanians are protesting the aquisition and development of a protected island, and seeing how our tax dollars are paying for petty websites targeting Americans. Then, a look at the hunger strike, protests, and ongoing allegations of inhumane treatment at Delaney Hall, a for-profit Detention Center in New Jersey. Check your voter registration, find your polling location, or contact your representatives via USA.GOV, VOTE.GOV, and/or the "5 Calls" app. All opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company, person, or agenda. This podcast is hosted by a United States citizen, born and raised in a military family that is proud of this country's commitment to free speech. Information shared is for entertainment purposes only and is cited via published articles, legal documents, press releases, government websites, executive orders, public videos, news reports, and/or direct quotes and statements, and all may be paraphrased for brevity, presented satirically, and in layman's terms.“I love America more than any other country in the world and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.” - James BaldwinWanna support this independent pod? Links below:Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/cw/BBDBBuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDB

First, a rant about the cowardly behavior and shocking scandal revealed in the Summer House Reunion Part 2. A scandal that continues to leave the world wondering how so many beautiful women got involved with the same mediocre little mustached man. Then, we get into another unhinged episode of Real Housewives of Rhode Island where Alicia's choice of words to describe her childhood, and JoEllen's attempt to play mediator, triggers Liz so much that she devolves into a possessed state. A chill evening to watch Rosie's husband do his best at singing turns into dinner theater and a soundtrack over whispered fighting, hair pulling, and chair scraping. Events that, in the aftermath, Liz denies ever occurred, leaving JoEllen (and everyone watching) feeling confused and gaslit.All opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company, person, or agenda. Information shared is for entertainment purposes only and is sourced via published articles, legal documents, press releases, government websites, public websites, books, public videos, news reports, and/or direct quotes and statements, and all may be paraphrased for brevity, and presented satirically and in layman's terms.Wanna support this independent pod? Links below:Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/cw/BBDBBuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDB

After questioning the catalyst behind the the blandest couple to ever cause a scandal on Bravo, as seen in Summer House Reunion Part 1 , we dive into recapping episodes 8 and 9 of the Real Housewives of Rhode Island. In episode 8 we see Alicia and her baggie of crackers weather Billy's pressure to overcome her driving anxiety, Kelsey setting up her new apartment while pondering her life and finances, Ashley again hoping Jared trades coffees for content, Jo-Ellen confronting her callous mother about her childhood (FYI I go TF off) , and Rosie's fixation on Kelsey's square footage comments and lifestyle derail their halfhearted efforts to connect. Episode 9 brought so much chaos and joy it ranks off the scales for classic episodes. Alicia finally confronts Billy about her stake in Pizza Mamma, but still can't bring herself to show Rulla the video, and I get the giggles watching the women fight and mock each other in the midst of a trivia game at Aud(b)rey's. All opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company, person, or agenda. Information shared is for entertainment purposes only and is sourced via published articles, legal documents, press releases, government websites, public websites, books, public videos, news reports, and/or direct quotes and statements, and all may be paraphrased for brevity, and presented satirically and in layman's terms.Wanna support this independent pod? Links below:Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/cw/BBDBBuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDB

As we near the celebration of our 250th year, America sets new records for unchecked insider trading and corruption. An IRS lawsuit turned into an attempt to take $1.776 Billion of taxpayer funds from the US Treasury, our impotent Congress is begging for a raise, all as rampant conflicts of interest abound. Plus, updates on a tone deaf road trip, more dramatic firings, and an overpriced, gold phone whose most effective feature is alerting the public of its user's issues. Check your voter registration, find your polling location, or contact your representatives via USA.GOV, VOTE.GOV, and/or the "5 Calls" app. All opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company, person, or agenda. This podcast is hosted by a United States citizen, born and raised in a military family that is proud of this country's commitment to free speech. Information shared is for entertainment purposes only and is cited via published articles, legal documents, press releases, government websites, executive orders, public videos, news reports, and/or direct quotes and statements, and all may be paraphrased for brevity, presented satirically, and in layman's terms.“I love America more than any other country in the world and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.” - James BaldwinWanna support this independent pod? Links below:Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/cw/BBDBBuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDB

The week took an unexpected turn for the legions of people enrolling at fictional Briar University to join characters from a series of books written by Elle Kennedy. Her first book, The Deal, is the basis for the eight episodes of Off Campus Season 1, and it made the best of impressions. Upon first glance, the popularity of the series could be disregarded as another romcom or Young Adult novel trope, but anyone paying attention sees past that veneer. What this series does so well, what sets it apart, is how it makes clear the profound desire for consent, respect, and trust from leading men. It also refuses to conform to the usual normalization of competition and cruelty when two people find themselves attracted to the same person. You won't find women tearing each other down or centering men over their connections, instead, they offer support and positivity to each other in every interaction. Serious issues are handled with care and consideration as characters entering adulthood navigate who they want to be in light of how they were raised or what experiences they've had. Overall, the series feels like a big hug for people raised on classic romcoms, with nods to them along the way, but with a welcome fresh take that leaves problematic storylines where they belong, buried within dusty VHS tapes of the past.  All opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company, person, or agenda. Information shared is for entertainment purposes only and is sourced via published articles, legal documents, press releases, government websites, public websites, books, public videos, news reports, and/or direct quotes and statements, and all may be paraphrased for brevity, and presented satirically and in layman's terms.Wanna support this independent pod? Links below:Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/cw/BBDBBuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDB

Summarizing the glorious women, storylines, accents, and snacks that have made this new Real Housewives franchise a shining star. Plus, recapping key moments and the cliffhanger of S1E7. After describing each new cast member, how they are not each other despite looking similar, and how they know each other, we dive into the major scandals of the premier season. From saying goodbye to sugar daddies, to walking a cat on a leash, to catching a no-good, lying, cheating man in the midst of an affair, this show is top tier. It harkens back to the days of Real Housewives classics, eccentric women of means battling the chaos of their daily lives, Rhode Island is as refreshing as a spritzer on a hot day, with a side of crackers. All opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company, person, or agenda. Information shared is for entertainment purposes only and is sourced via published articles, legal documents, press releases, government websites, public websites, books, public videos, news reports, and/or direct quotes and statements, and all may be paraphrased for brevity, and presented satirically and in layman's terms.Wanna support this independent pod? Links below:Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/cw/BBDBBuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDB