Words With Wista

EP 196 - 2016 Was Not That Girl and We Know It

This week on Words With Wista, we’re unpacking why the internet is suddenly romanticizing 2016 like it wasn’t a collective mess, while Trump casually floats skipping elections and his agriculture secretary explains how Americans should survive on a $3 meal. We get into a New Hampshire lawmaker advocating for divided schools, new U.S. visa bans, St. Kitts agreeing to take U.S. migrants while explicitly excluding Haitians, and growing FIFA World Cup boycotts tied to immigration concerns. Plus, Florida floats a new OF tax, Saks files for bankruptcy, Pat McGrath Labs may be up for sale, a Chicago teacher’s disappearance ends tragically, a disturbing alleged crime involving manipulation and control, NYPD OF drama circulates, Farrah Abraham wants to be mayor, Ludacris exits Kid Rock’s festival, Nicky Jam admits to faking a Jamaican accent, Clarissa Shields calls in as a “fan,” and Mattel’s autistic Barbie somehow sparks outrage. Same chaos, new week. Let’s get into it. IG: itswista SubStack: wordswithwista

EP 195 - Pyramid Schemes and Your Favorite Couple Is Getting Divorced

This week on Words With Wista, the scams are scamming, and the timeline is spiraling. We break down a $25M pyramid scheme that took thousands for a ride, influencer divorce news that didn’t shock me but sent their followers into a tailspin, and the growing dangers of parasocial relationships when people confuse internet access with real life. On the political side, the Nobel Institute says no to prize-sharing, the Smithsonian quietly edits impeachment history, Minnesota’s SNAP funding gets frozen, and world leaders reshuffle a major global meeting because a UFC fight took over the White House. Add in RFK Jr. playing nutritionist, Paramount Skydance layoffs, monkeys allegedly loose in St. Louis, Blade possibly being scrapped, and Cardi B shutting down the “revenge baby” chatter. Chaos everywhere, accountability nowhere. IG: itswista SubStack: wordswithwista

EP 194 - A Tragic Loss, Political Fallout, and a Chaotic News Cycle

This week on Words With Wista, we’re running through absolute whiplash as a tragedy in Minnesota sparks protests, Denmark makes it clear that invading Greenland would be a very bad idea, and global tensions continue to escalate. We also get into a missing Chicago teacher, a heartbreaking family tragedy in South Florida, pastors claiming God wants Venezuela’s oil, and why OF “big checks” aren’t adding up like advertised. Plus, Finesse2Tymes revealing he’s turned to OF to pay his bills, Diddy’s finances coming into question, Spencer Pratt and Michael Rapaport teasing future mayor ambitions, toxic mom-group drama involving Ashley Tisdale and Hilary Duff, and Cardi B stepping in to defend Stefon Diggs. It’s heavy, messy, political, celebrity-filled, and very much a lot, so let’s talk about it. IG: itswista Substack: wordswithwista

EP 193 - Global Arrests, NYC Power Shifts, Industry Collapses and Public Meltdowns

New year, same chaos. This episode breaks down reports surrounding Venezuela’s president and serious questions about U.S. involvement, Zohran Mamdani’s first days as NYC mayor and the immediate political backlash, and why the alcohol industry is losing billions as younger generations opt out. We also get into post-holiday layoff warnings, a tragic New Year’s party at a Swiss ski resort, privacy concerns over biometric data in NYC grocery stores, and relationships that take a dangerous turn. Plus, major headlines involving athletes, the end of MTV’s music-only channels, and a celebrity feud fueled by AI. Politics, culture, and consequences all collide to start the year loud. IG: itswista Substack: wordswithwista

EP 192 - The Klarna Economy, Political Whiplash and Celebrity Fallouts

This week on Words With Wista, we’re talking federal judges forcing the Trump administration to restore disaster funds to blue states, America living in the United States of Klarna while still spending like everything’s fine, and holiday shopping numbers that don’t match the economic stress everyone swears they feel. We get into Republicans quietly eyeing 2028, DHS offering cash for self deportation, lawmakers side-eyeing Pam Bondi over redacted Epstein files, and small business owners bracing for ACA subsidy fallout. Plus, we say goodbye to the NYC MetroCard, break down New York’s new mental health warnings for social media, Nicki Minaj logging off after peak backlash, Tyler Perry facing another lawsuit, Charlamagne’s $200 million podcast flex causing industry tension, and Timothée Chalamet marketing his way into a Christmas box office upset. A lot is happening, and none of it is subtle. IG: itswista Podcast IG/SubStack: wordswithwista