Words With Wista

EP 199 - Romance Scams and the Collapse of Common Sense

This week’s episode is a Valentine’s Day warning and a cultural temperature check. Romance scams are surging ahead of February 14, so if he says he loves you but needs a wire transfer, please log out. A year into Trump’s term, some voters are saying Biden was better, while Hasan Piker sparks debate by saying he would vote third party over a Gavin Newsom versus JD Vance matchup. TMZ reportedly received a second chilling note involving Savannah Guthrie’s mom. Canada is reeling after a tragic event at a school and home, and Affirm now wants to offer Buy Now, Pay Later for rent because apparently even survival comes in installments. Gen Z becomes the first generation to score lower on IQ tests than their parents. Super Bowl ratings are strong with a Bad Bunny boost, Britney Spears reportedly sells her entire music catalog, James Van Der Beek passes away at 48 after a cancer battle, and Cardi B steps into her Little Miss Drama era while Stefon Diggs posts cryptic messages after the Super Bowl loss. Love, politics, pop culture, and a gentle reminder to use discernment. IG: itswista IG/Substack: wordswithwista

EP 198: People Are Losing Their Jobs and Their Minds

This week’s episode proves that just because the government reopened does not mean the chaos stopped. Mass layoffs are stacking up with Nike cuts, The Washington Post letting go of a third of its staff, and Bahama Breeze shutting down entirely. Trump stays busy with a billion-dollar IRS lawsuit, the Kennedy Center skipping Black History Month, and immigration enforcement turning its focus toward Haitian communities in Ohio. We also get into Don Lemon continuing his work as a journalist after an arrest, Bad Bunny heading to the Super Bowl after his Grammy win, Grammy season backlash stirring more drama than necessary, Savannah Guthrie’s mother still missing with a reward offered for information, young men losing serious money to sports gambling, and family tea spilling all over the internet. People are losing their jobs and absolutely losing their minds. IG: itswista IG/SubStack: wordswithwista

EP 197 - Leaked DMs and National Discourse

This week is a lot, so naturally, we unpack all of it. From the alleged RFK Jr. messages that should’ve stayed private, to the passing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis following an encounter with federal agents that has sparked protests, outrage, and ongoing questions. We break down record deportations affecting Cuban communities in Florida, Trump’s threat of massive tariffs on French wine and champagne, and France fast-tracking a social media ban for kids under 15. Amazon is cutting thousands of corporate jobs, TikTok is collecting even more user data, and the U.S. nightlife and alcohol scene is quietly collapsing. We also dig into cold-weather tragedies impacting unhoused New Yorkers, Delroy Lindo being mischaracterized in an interview, anonymous Oscar voters shading Ariana Grande, Brooklyn Beckham calling out his parents, Skai Jackson’s baby daddy sentencing, Nicki Minaj vs. Don Lemon, and Cardi B going off over a football pick. Same chaos, new episode. IG: itswista SubStack: wordswithwista

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