A Couple of Brain Cells

9. Ruby Franke and Eight Passengers

This week Kyle and Amelia talk about the rapid rise and fall of Ruby Franke including her arrest and sentencing. WARNING: This episode contains talk of harm to children. See more from this week and keep up with us here: https://linktr.ee/acoupleofbraincells Sources: Lambert, Olly. “Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke.” Hulu.  “Ruby Franke.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruby_Franke [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruby_Franke] “Jodi Hildebrandt.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jodi_Hildebrandt [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jodi_Hildebrandt]

8. Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson

This week Kyle and Amelia revisit Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson's whirlwind romance. See more from this episode and keep up with us here: https://linktr.ee/acoupleofbraincells Sources: Hurtado, Alexandra. “Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson’s Relationship: A Look Back.” People Magazine, https://people.com/music/pete-davidson-ariana-grande-relationship-timeline/ [https://people.com/music/pete-davidson-ariana-grande-relationship-timeline/] “Roast of Justin Bieber - Pete Davidson - Comparing Fathers - Uncensored.” Youtube, Uploaded by Comedy Central, March 20, 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOKVHvjQ1Gc [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOKVHvjQ1Gc]  “Ariana Grande.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariana_Grande [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariana_Grande] “Pete Davidson.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Davidson [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Davidson] TMZ Staff, “Ariana Grande and Mac Miller Split.” TMZ, https://www.tmz.com/2018/05/09/ariana-grande-mac-miller-split-breakup/ [https://www.tmz.com/2018/05/09/ariana-grande-mac-miller-split-breakup/] “Pete Davidson: A Complete Dating History,” celebdeepdives.com, https://celebdeepdives.com/2022/01/24/pete-davidson-a-comprehensive-deep-dive-into-his-entire-dating-history/ [https://celebdeepdives.com/2022/01/24/pete-davidson-a-comprehensive-deep-dive-into-his-entire-dating-history/] Haskell, Rob. “Ariana Grande on Grief and Growing Up.” Vogue, https://www.vogue.com/article/ariana-grande-cover-august-2019 [https://www.vogue.com/article/ariana-grande-cover-august-2019]

7. Kierra Lewis and BookTok

This week Kyle and Amelia dip their toes into the vast world of BookTok. Specifically, they discuss the major controversy around the "Queen of BookTok," Kierra Lewis. See more and keep up with us here: https://linktr.ee/acoupleofbraincells Sources: TikTok. “The Power of BookTok: Why TikTok’s Book Community Is Driving A New Era In Publishing.” Forbes Magazine, https://www.forbes.com/sites/tiktok/2025/04/21/the-power-of-booktok-why-tiktoks-book-community-is-driving-a-new-era-in-publishing/ [https://www.forbes.com/sites/tiktok/2025/04/21/the-power-of-booktok-why-tiktoks-book-community-is-driving-a-new-era-in-publishing/] Simon, Scott. “A surprising genre of romance novels is gaining popularity.” NPR, https://www.npr.org/2024/06/08/nx-s1-4977771/a-surprising-genre-of-romance-novels-is-gaining-popularity [https://www.npr.org/2024/06/08/nx-s1-4977771/a-surprising-genre-of-romance-novels-is-gaining-popularity] "How BookTok's thirst invaded a family's life: the drama between Seattle Kraken and romance readers." Youtube, Uploaded by readwithcindy, August 7, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6ZpCqQAfZ8&t=1485s Kierra Lewis's entire TikTok Page. https://www.tiktok.com/@kierralewis75?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

6. The Rise and Fall and Rise (?) of Game of Thrones

This week Kyle and Amelia go full nerd to discuss the legacy of the television show, Game of Thrones. See more from this week on our social media: https://linktr.ee/acoupleofbraincells Sources: “A Game of Thrones.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Game_of_Thrones [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Game_of_Thrones] “George R.R. Martin.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_R._R._Martin [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_R._R._Martin] Macdonald, Fiona. “Who inspired the Game of Thrones Creator?” BBC, https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20140826-who-inspired-george-rr-martin [https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20140826-who-inspired-george-rr-martin] “Game of Thrones.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_of_Thrones#cite_note-54 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_of_Thrones#cite_note-54] Grossman, Lev. “The American Tolkien,” TIME, https://web.archive.org/web/20081229125934/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C1129596%2C00.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20081229125934/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C1129596%2C00.html] Grubbs, Jefferson. “‘Game of Thrones’ Had a Tough Path To The Screen.” Bustle, https://www.bustle.com/articles/138322-how-did-game-of-thrones-become-a-tv-show-george-rr-martin-tried-to-write-an [https://www.bustle.com/articles/138322-how-did-game-of-thrones-become-a-tv-show-george-rr-martin-tried-to-write-an]  “Pilot (Game of Thrones).” Game of Thrones Wiki, Fandom.com [http://fandom.com/], https://gameofthrones.fandom.com/wiki/Pilot_(Game_of_Thrones) [https://gameofthrones.fandom.com/wiki/Pilot_(Game_of_Thrones)] “How the Game of Thrones Ending Forces the Viewer to Re-contextualize the Entire Story,” Medium.com [http://medium.com/], https://wethrones.medium.com/how-the-game-of-thrones-ending-forces-the-viewer-to-re-contextualize-the-entire-story-d63bf11cab3e [https://wethrones.medium.com/how-the-game-of-thrones-ending-forces-the-viewer-to-re-contextualize-the-entire-story-d63bf11cab3e] Wired Staff, “Game of Thrones’ Biggest Losers Were the Fans.” Wired, https://www.wired.com/story/game-of-thrones-finale-disappointment/ [https://www.wired.com/story/game-of-thrones-finale-disappointment/]

5. Scandals of The Bachelor Franchise

In this longer episode, Kyle and Amelia discuss some of the biggest scandals to come out of The Bachelor and what those scandals say about the franchise as a whole. Follow us on our social media! https://linktr.ee/acoupleofbraincells Sources: Strause, Jackie. "The Bachelor Franchise Controversies: A Timeline of Bad Behavior and Scandal." The Hollywood Reporter, https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/bachelor-scandals-a-timeline-paradise-lincoln-adim-1120729/ Jacob, Arushi, Turkeltaub, Payton, and French, Kennedy. "Biggest Bachelor Nation Scandals: From Taylor Frankie Paul's Domestic Violence Video to Firing Chris Harrison Over Racist Remarks." Variety, https://variety.com/lists/bachelor-bachelorette-scandals-taylor-frankie-paul-chris-harrison/abc-cancels-taylor-frankie-pauls-bachelorette-season-after-domestic-violence-video-surfaces/ Konopka Alonzo, Michelle. "Scandals and Controversies That Hit Bachelor Nation Like a Wrecking Ball." The List, https://www.thelist.com/2135659/scandals-controversies-hit-bachelor-nation-hard/ "The Bachelor (American TV series)." Wikipedia, Wikimedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bachelor_(American_TV_series) Russian, Ale and Beard, Lanford. "Bachelor in Paradise Suspends Production Over Alleged 'Misconduct' - Find Out What Happened." People Magazine, https://people.com/tv/bachelor-in-paradise-suspends-production-over-alleged-misconduct/ Strause, Jackie. "Bachelor in Paradise Star Says Scandal Wouldn't Have Happened If He Were White." The Hollywood Reporter, https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/demario-jackson-interview-what-happened-at-bachelor-paradise-1030267/ TMZ Staff. "The Bachelorette Star DeMario Jackson; 2 Women Sue For Sexual Assault." TMZ, https://www.tmz.com/2022/09/20/bachelorette-demario-jackson-sue-sexual-assault-bachelor-in-paradise/?adid=social-twa "Bachelor Arie Luyendyk Jr. Breaks Up With Becca." Youtube, Uploaded by tvtymes, March 6, 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qJG9FPxw14 Schmidt, Mackenzie and Tracy, Brianne. "Bachelor Nation Dans Buy Hilarious Anti-Arie Billboards That Say What Viewers Are Thinking." People Magazine, https://people.com/home/bachelor-fans-buy-hilarious-anti-arie-luyendyk-jr-billboards/ "Tha Bachelorette (Season 14)." Bachelor Nation Wiki, Fandom.com. https://bachelor-nation.fandom.com/wiki/The_Bachelorette_(Season_14) "Colton Underwood." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colton_Underwood Wagmeister, Elizabeth. "Inside 'Bachelorette' Star Hannah Brown's N-Word Controversy." Variety, https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/hannah-brown-n-word-controversy-1234609829/ "The Bachelor (American TV series) season 25." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bachelor_(American_TV_series)_season_25 "Chris Harrison & Rachel Lindsay Talk 'Bachelor' Contestant Rachael Kirkconnell." Youtube, Uploaded by extratv, February 9, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hmY1gSAuRk Patten, Dominic. "Chris Harrison Exits 'Bachelor' Franchise; Rose Withers on 19-Year Run As Hose After Racism Controversy." Deadline, https://deadline.com/2021/06/chris-harrison-leaving-the-bachelor-franchise-controversy-1234771200/