True Friends

Episode 23: Are you getting the villain edit? (Summer of Love Series!)

Kate and EB discuss the compulsory sexuality of reality TV, white girl "main character syndrome," and whether the "nice guy" act is really just red-pill behavior in disguise. Our artifact for the next few weeks will be Love Island USA Season 8! We debate our opinions about the ethics of production encouraging contestants to engage in sexual behavior, the hierarchy of beauty standards, and whether Zach is really just an evil twink. Sources: * Love Island USA Season 8 [https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/love-island?cid=2606orglius8pkpdsearch313479&utm_campaign=2606orglius8&utm_source=pk_ggl&utm_medium=pd_search_acq_srcpy&utm_term=23883678603&utm_content=203728128704_810700694128&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23883678603&gbraid=0AAAAACqYaJrKouBpcKRas4kLB20JxyODv&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0JnRBhDJARIsALobnXZvuaXag6kq4ER4U7-AfYrPse8yNWopZecceBvfu29UQS91K63CyZEaAugqEALw_wcB] * @notwildlin on TikTok Questions? Compliments? Criticisms? Email us at: truefriendspod@gmail.com

Episode 22: Should I quit my job for Love Island? (Summer of Love Series!)

Kate and EB discuss the benefits of quitting your job for reality TV. Our artifact for the next few weeks will be Love Island USA Season 8! We debate our opinions about the legitimacy of a reality TV career, the online discourse surrounding this year's islanders, and the cost of making money off of being hot. Sources: * 10 most successful Love Island USA contestants who turned their villa time into real careers. [https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/tv-shows/1705138-successful-love-island-usa-contestants-turned-villa-time-real-careers/] (Muhonji, 2026) * Reality TV MD Fandom Love Island [https://reality-tv-md.fandom.com/wiki/Love_Island] (2026) * Love Island USA Season 8 [https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/love-island?cid=2606orglius8pkpdsearch313479&utm_campaign=2606orglius8&utm_source=pk_ggl&utm_medium=pd_search_acq_srcpy&utm_term=23883678603&utm_content=203728128704_810700694128&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23883678603&gbraid=0AAAAACqYaJrKouBpcKRas4kLB20JxyODv&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0JnRBhDJARIsALobnXZvuaXag6kq4ER4U7-AfYrPse8yNWopZecceBvfu29UQS91K63CyZEaAugqEALw_wcB] Questions? Compliments? Criticisms? Email us at: truefriendspod@gmail.com

Episode 21: Is it pick-me behavior to marry a murderer?

Kate and EB discuss the cost of male attention when it comes to the safety of women. Our artifact this week is the Netflix documentary "Should I Marry a Murderer?" We debate our opinions about the pressure society puts on women to be chosen by a man, the responsibility of women when it comes to breaking out of the cycle, and the many ways in which the justice system fails victims in their time of need. Sources: * Netflix Series: Should I Marry a Murderer? [https://www.netflix.com/title/81924891#:~:text=A%20fianc%C3%A9e%20turned%20key%20witness,him%20in%20this%20documentary%20series.] * Should I Marry a Murderer? Reddit thread [https://www.reddit.com/r/netflix/comments/1sz7cgl/should_i_marry_a_murderer_doc_series/]  Questions? Compliments? Criticisms? Email us at: truefriendspod@gmail.com

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