Rom-Com Rescue

The Wrong Paris: Fake Fairytales, Cowboy Abs & the Truth about Reality Dating Shows (with Nick Thompson from Love Is Blind)

Any takeaways from this episode? [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2300876/open_sms] Down-on-their-luck artists, reality dating chaos, mean girls and sabotage—The Wrong Paris has all the ingredients of a romcom…and almost none of the actual love lessons. This week on RomCom Rescue, Kira and Dr. Isabelle break down the 2025 Netflix romcom The Wrong Paris starring Miranda Cosgrove and Pierson Fodé—and they’re joined by Nick Thompson from Love Is Blind Season 2 and president of the UCAN Foundation (Unscripted Cast Advocacy Network). Together, they pull back the curtain on reality dating shows and ask: Are these setups actually about love—or just entertainment dressed up as a fairytale? In this episode, we get into: * The Wrong Paris recap * Reality dating shows vs real love * Manipulation, archetypes & editing * Women competing vs actually connecting * Paradox of choice & dating apps * Avoidance, independence & self-protection * Will Dawn & Trey make it? * Nick’s reality check on “success stories” Guest Spotlight: Nick Thompson Nick Thompson is a former cast member from Love Is Blind Season 2 and the President of the UCAN Foundation (Unscripted Cast Advocacy Network), a nonprofit that supports reality TV contestants’ mental health, rights, and wellbeing while advocating for industry reform. Watch & Connect * 🎥 Watch: The Wrong Paris — currently streaming on Netflix * 🧠 Learn more about UCAN: Go to the UCAN site [https://theucanfoundation.org/] to support their work with reality TV cast members. * 💌 Share your hot takes: * Was The Wrong Paris relationship goals or a walking red flag parade? * Vote in our Instagram polls and DM us your thoughts. Come talk with us about your favorite rom-coms on instagram [https://www.instagram.com/romcomrescue], tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@romcomrescue], & youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzeJfFKkhok2z-TVi5dbJoA] and Bluesky! [https://bsky.app/profile/romcomrescuepod.bsky.social] Get show notes, transcripts, and more information on at Rom-ComRescue.com [https://romcomrescue.com/]

Interfaith Couples, Romantic Nightstands & Why You Shouldn’t Date Your Therapist: Nobody Wants This (Season 2)

Any takeaways from this episode? [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2300876/open_sms] Underwhelmed and a little fired up: we unpack Season 2’s recycled arcs, interfaith stalemates, weaponized ‘good guy’ energy, and a wildly unethical storyline. Spoiler alert: We spoil Season 2 of Nobody Wants This (Netflix). Proceed caffeinated. This week Kira and Dr. Isabelle dive into Season 2 of Nobody Wants This with Adam Brody and Kristen Bell—and why, despite stellar performances, the story stalls.  We break down the interfaith impasse (values vs. pressure), Noah’s performative “good guy” pattern, and how a nightstand somehow became peak romance.  We also cover Esther/Sasha’s whiplash baby talk, Morgan’s messy choices, and the biggest red flag of all: a therapist who dates a (very recent) former client. We talk power dynamics, love-bombing, and why “leaving an abuser” scenes on TV skip the most dangerous part in real life.  Bright spots? Joanne’s divorced parents modeling mature, joyful post-marriage connection—and Rebecca living her best life.  Tacos were stingy this week, but the conversation’s meaty. Come talk with us about your favorite rom-coms on instagram [https://www.instagram.com/romcomrescue], tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@romcomrescue], & youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzeJfFKkhok2z-TVi5dbJoA] and Bluesky! [https://bsky.app/profile/romcomrescuepod.bsky.social] Get show notes, transcripts, and more information on at Rom-ComRescue.com [https://romcomrescue.com/]

College Friends, Lousy Exes & “You Don’t Own Me” — The First Wives Club (1996) | Diane Keaton Tribute

Any takeaways from this episode? [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2300876/open_sms] To celebrate the incomparable Diane Keaton, we’re revisiting the friendship-forward classic The First Wives Club (1996) starring Diane Keaton, Bette Midler, and Goldie Hawn—a sharp, funny heist-of-the-heart about loyalty, divorce, and getting your voice back. We unpack what still works, what didn’t age well, and the modern love lessons anyone can use. In this episode you’ll learn: * Why friendship is a legit love story (and how to nurture it) * What self-abandonment looks like (and a simple test to catch it) * How “cool-girl” ambiguity creates heartbreak—and a one-line clarity script to prevent it * Money, power, and ‘90s gender roles (plus: “where were the lawyers?”) * Spot-the-red-flag therapy ethics from a wild plotline * Confidence vs self-worth (and why external validation backfires) * Aging, attraction, and building relationships that fit your life Hosts: * Kira Sabin — Healthy dating educator, certified coach, positive psychology practitioner * Dr. Isabelle “Izzy” Morley — Licensed clinical psychologist, EFT-certified couples therapist Where to watch the movie: Free (with ads) on Pluto TV and YouTube (availability may change). We talk about: * Friendship as a love story * Self-abandonment: signs, costs, and repairs * 90s gender roles, money control & legal realities * Ethics corner: the therapist subplot (red flags to know) * Confidence vs self-worth (and how to build the latter) * Clarity over “cool-girl”: the one question to ask * Aging & attraction: making love on your terms *  Favorite lines + what still holds up * If they were our clients: tailored homework * Ratings & takeaways  Come talk with us about your favorite rom-coms on instagram [https://www.instagram.com/romcomrescue], tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@romcomrescue], & youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzeJfFKkhok2z-TVi5dbJoA] and Bluesky! [https://bsky.app/profile/romcomrescuepod.bsky.social] Get show notes, transcripts, and more information on at Rom-ComRescue.com [https://romcomrescue.com/]

Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner: The Real Love Lessons Behind Dirty Dancing (1987)

Any takeaways from this episode? [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2300876/open_sms] Welcome to Rom-Com Rescue—where we break down the best (and most questionable) love lessons from your favorite romantic comedies. Our 80s Series (Big Hair, Bigger Feelings) continues and this week, we’re diving into the sweaty, sultry, dance-heavy world of Dirty Dancing (1987), starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. It’s adult summer camp meets coming-of-age meets… wait, is this even a rom-com? In this no-holds-barred episode, Dr. Izzy (Team Nostalgia) and Kira (Team Harsh Truths) debate: * Was this true love or just Baby’s first crush/sexual awakening? * Is Johnny Castle actually romantic—or just emotionally dysregulated? * What’s the real takeaway from the abortion subplot, class dynamics, and power imbalances? * And does grinding in the woods count as character development? Expect giggles, gasps, and group therapy vibes as we talk sexual awakenings, bad boy tropes, and whether this iconic film deserves all the love it still gets. 💬 Topics Covered: * Baby's identity, idealism, and fixer tendencies * Johnny Castle's hot body... and red flags * Power imbalances, age gaps, and gender roles in 80s rom-coms * Abortion, classism, and privilege wrapped in a nostalgic dance movie * Whether they'd actually make it in real life (spoiler: probably not) * Iconic lines, fun trivia, and hot takes galore * The real difference between love and infatuation 📌 Movie Details: 🎬 Dirty Dancing (1987) 🎭 Starring: Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Cynthia Rhodes, Jerry Orbach 📺 Currently streaming: Available to rent on Amazon Prime; sometimes free on Hulu 💡 Love Lessons (Healthy & Not-So-Much): ✔ The myth that love can "save" someone ✔ Rescuing people ≠ real intimacy ✔ How first loves can blur the line between desire and connection ✔ The importance of emotional regulation and self-worth ❌ Power imbalances and class divides in relationships ❌ Red flags ≠ romance ❌ Punching car windows is NOT hot. (Okay, maybe just a little...) 🎤 About Your Hosts: Kira Sabin is a healthy dating educator, certified coach, and positive psychology practitioner. Dr. Isabel Morley is a licensed clinical psychologist and EFT-certified couples therapist. Together, they help you laugh, learn, and rewire your rom-com brain so you can create your actual happily ever after. 🔥 Call to Action: 📲 Follow @romcomrescue on Instagram for behind-the-scenes takes, polls, and more 80s rom-com debates. 📝 Love the show? Leave a review—it helps more rom-com lovers find us!   📺 Next Week: We’re rewinding to Some Kind of Wonderful (1987) with Mary Stuart Masterson, Eric Stoltz, and Lea Thompson. Stream it on Pluto for free and get ready to swoon… or scream. 💃 And remember... We've had the time of our life. (And we never felt this way before.) Come talk with us about your favorite rom-coms on instagram [https://www.instagram.com/romcomrescue], tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@romcomrescue], & youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzeJfFKkhok2z-TVi5dbJoA] and Bluesky! [https://bsky.app/profile/romcomrescuepod.bsky.social] Get show notes, transcripts, and more information on at Rom-ComRescue.com [https://romcomrescue.com/]

Fake Dating, Suede Disasters, and the Patrick Dempsey Glow-Up: Can’t Buy Me Love (1987)

Any takeaways from this episode? [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2300876/open_sms] In this episode of RomCom Rescue, we rewind to the 1987 teen rom-com classic Can’t Buy Me Love, starring a baby-faced Patrick Dempsey and the effortlessly iconic Amanda Peterson. It’s got it all—$1,000 suede outfits, fake dating contracts, high school cliques, and the infamous African Anteater Ritual dance. Kira and Dr. Izzy dive into: * Why Ronald might actually be the real villain  * Whether Cindy’s kindness makes up for Ronald’s total lack of a redemption arc * The very real 80s trope of choosing fake dating over… talking to your mom * Female friendships in the 80s vs. now  * The moment Patrick Dempsey went from geek to Grey’s Anatomy god Real-life lessons we unpack: * Be who you are, not who you think others want * Your “type” might just be your trauma with better hair * And yes: if someone steals your poem to hook up with someone else…they’re not your person Plus: 👀 Behind-the-scenes trivia (Gerardo? Paula Abdul? Tucson extras??) 🧠 Pop psychology meets teen rom-com tropes 🎤 Kira’s soda jerk origin story & Izzy’s illegal cocktail making at 16 If you ever idealized a crush from afar, regretted your high school fashion choices, or just love a good Patrick Dempsey glow-up—this one’s for you. 🎧 Stream now on all major podcast platforms. 🎬 Watch Can’t Buy Me Love (1987) on Tubi for free or YouTube. 🗳️ Vote on our Instagram polls: Was Ronald redeemable? Did Cindy forgive too fast? 📩 DM us your hot takes on instagram: @romcomrescue Next week: We break down Dirty Dancing and ask the age-old question—does a boombox cure emotional avoidance? 👉 Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, and leave a review if you’re loving this nostalgic, neurodiverse, and sometimes messy journey through romcom love lessons. Because at the end of the day... We believe you create your own happily ever afters. And maybe don’t wear white suede to a high school party. Just saying. Come talk with us about your favorite rom-coms on instagram [https://www.instagram.com/romcomrescue], tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@romcomrescue], & youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzeJfFKkhok2z-TVi5dbJoA] and Bluesky! [https://bsky.app/profile/romcomrescuepod.bsky.social] Get show notes, transcripts, and more information on at Rom-ComRescue.com [https://romcomrescue.com/]