True Friends

Episode 20: Should we stop watching Euphoria?

Kate and EB discuss the ethics of the third season of Euphoria and its creator. We look at research, online discourse, and examine our own opinions about the objectification of women, the beauty standards set for women through shows like this one, and whether Sydney Sweeney has completely sold out. Sources: * Euphoria on HBO Max [https://www.hbomax.com/shows/euphoria/4ffd33c9-e0d6-4cd6-bd13-34c266c79be0?utm_id=sa|22393148778|179900669920|301773105051&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22393148778&gbraid=0AAAAApH9fnqIHkOYNcC4LPLnRHYCZmF7H&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_IXQBhCkARIsADqELbKs-_n6V902B166ZamwofdQRQUqvFdT53-6SQsD-BmrzDqjcYem2TgaAoyeEALw_wcB] * Sam Levinson Wikipedia Page [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Levinson] * Sam Levinson NYT Article [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/08/arts/television/sam-levinson-euphoria-season-3.html] * Euphoria's Descent Into Hell (Fry, 2026) [https://www.newyorker.com/culture/critics-notebook/euphorias-descent-into-hell] * A Guide to 'Euphoria' Creator Sam Levinson's Many Controversies (Sager, 2023) [https://parade.com/celebrities/sam-levinson-controversy-euphoria-the-idol] * Instagram Video from @ebonywarriorstudios1 [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXxMNR9vxvh/?l=1] Questions? Compliments? Criticisms? Email us at: truefriendspod@gmail.com

Episode 19: Should I be a Belieber?

Kate and EB discuss the ethics of speculating on your favorite celebrity, if a woman could have her own Bieberchella and if celebrities owe us a performance. We look at research, online discourse, and examine our own opinions about the value of bringing back the hair swoop. Sources: * Justin Bieber's Coachella performance wasn’t ‘lazy’ – and actually references 50 years of music history (Callander, 2026) [https://theconversation.com/justin-biebers-coachella-performance-wasnt-lazy-and-actually-references-50-years-of-music-history-280463] * Parasocial Relationships: The Nature of Celebrity Fascinations [https://www.findapsychologist.org/parasocial-relationships-the-nature-of-celebrity-fascinations/] * Justin Bieber Wikipedia Page [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Bieber] * Coachella Wikipedia Page [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coachella] * Justin Bieber Performance Coachella 2026 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkTTtSykYUQ] * Sabrina Carpenter House Tour Coachella 2026 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5qCbLcWgps&pp=ygUxc2FicmluYSBjYXJwZW50ZXIgY29hY2hlbGxhIDIwMjYgZnVsbCBwZXJmb3JtYW5jZQ%3D%3D] * Sabrina Carpenter Espresso Coachella 2026 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp5O72WUqTk&pp=ygUxc2FicmluYSBjYXJwZW50ZXIgY29hY2hlbGxhIDIwMjYgZnVsbCBwZXJmb3JtYW5jZQ%3D%3D] * Sabrina Carpenter Sugar Talking Coachella 2026 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Czh7--grltA&pp=ygUxc2FicmluYSBjYXJwZW50ZXIgY29hY2hlbGxhIDIwMjYgZnVsbCBwZXJmb3JtYW5jZQ%3D%3D] * TikTok by newagentp [https://www.tiktok.com/@newagentp/video/7629042730173320479?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7630873569761232398] * TikTok by dijangostruth [https://www.tiktok.com/@djangostruth/video/7628328962082540814?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7630873569761232398] * TikTok by notwildlin [https://www.tiktok.com/@notwildlin/video/7628766216567524621?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7630873569761232398] * TikTok by baileymacconnell [https://www.tiktok.com/@baileymacconnell/video/7630036634297257247?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7630873569761232398] * TikTok by meechski [https://www.tiktok.com/@meechski/video/7630657042017029390?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7630873569761232398] * Reddit thread: Justin Bieber in a cult [https://www.reddit.com/r/Fauxmoi/comments/1ko4nvl/justin_biebers_former_friends_claim_hes_in_cult/] Questions? Compliments? Criticisms? Email us at: truefriendspod@gmail.com

Episode 18: Should we kink-shame Kristi Noem's husband?

Kate and EB discuss the ethics of kink-shaming Kristi Noem's husband. We look at research, online discourse, and examine our own opinions about the value of mocking ICE Barbie's bimbo-fied husband online. Sources: * 10 Things You Shouldn’t Be Ashamed of in the Bedroom (Ferguson, 2025) [https://www.verywellmind.com/kinks-you-shouldnt-be-ashamed-of-11693981#:~:text=5%20Sex%20Languages?-,What%20Is%20Kink%20Shaming?,for%20non%2Dmainstream%20sexual%20activities] * SNL Skit [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jjN4oV8iSs ] * The Bimbofication Fetish Explained By Experts (Foster, 2026) [https://www.forbes.com/sites/rdaniel-foster/2026/04/02/the-bimbofication-fetish-explained-by-experts/] * In South Dakota, Neighbors Feel Sorry for Kristi Noem’s Husband (New York Times, 2026) [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/31/us/politics/kristi-noem-husband-photos-daily-mail.html] Questions? Compliments? Criticisms? Email us at: truefriendspod@gmail.com

Episode 17: When do we intervene when it comes to domestic violence?

Quick Editor's Note: We had some audio and tech issues this episode that were unable to be edited out. Stay tuned for fixes in our next episode. Kate and EB debate the ethics of domestic violence in the public eye. For today's episode, we watched the Secret Lives of Mormon wives and engaged with the online discourse that followed. We discuss our opinions and experiences and debate the role the spotlight plays in DV. Sources: * National Domestic Violence Hotline [https://www.thehotline.org/] * Why is the Bachelorette Cancelled? A guide to the Taylor Frankie Paul controversy (Treisman, 2026) [https://www.npr.org/2026/03/20/nx-s1-5754587/bachelorette-canceled-taylor-frankie-paul-mormon-wives#:~:text=Court%20records%20obtained%20by%20NPR,serving%2036%20months%20of%20probation.] * What Was ABC Thinking? (González-Ramírez, 2026) [https://www.thecut.com/article/taylor-frankie-paul-bachelorette-cancellation-domestic-violence.html] * TMZ live clip [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovjvSgMzHzU] * Celebrities accused of domestic violence [https://www.imdb.com/list/ls025426907/] * Domestic Violence (National Library of Medicine, Huecker, King, Jordan, Smock, 2023) [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499891/]

Episode 16: Should I stop watching reality TV?

Kate and EB debate the ethics of reality TV. For today's episode, we watched Reality Check: America's Next Top Model, the documentary on the infamous reality show. We discuss our opinions and experiences and land on some hard truths about the reality of reality TV. Sources: * Get Real: The Tension Between Stardom and Justice for Reality Television Participants [https://jipel.law.nyu.edu/get-real-the-tension-between-stardom-and-justice-for-reality-television-participants/] * What are the legal rights of reality TV stars, really? [https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20240311-legal-rights-of-reality-tv-stars] Questions? Compliments? Criticisms? Email us at: truefriendspod@gmail.com