We Just Like to Talk

Kara and Becky bring you a two-part episode about social media. Inspired by recently watching The Social Dilemma on Netflix, they discuss how social media networks influence us. We talk about the algorithm, the dopamine, and the screen time—lots of stuff you already know, and maybe stuff you didn’t.

Here’s the article about the coronavirus hoaxes spread on Facebook Becky mentions in the episode.

Kara and Becky revisit the topic of adulting, which they first discussed back in episode 9. In the year and a half that has elapsed, Kara broke her elbow and realized she’s trans, and Becky has had some new roommates. Both have embarked on projects to improve their living spaces too.

Check out Becky’s blog post about part of her sprucing up of her terrasse!

Makeup. A lot of us wear it! Becky has worn it for years, but with the pandemic upon us, she is wearing it less often. Kara, on the other hand, had almost never worn makeup until last February. Listen to a cis woman and a trans woman discuss their respective personal journeys with makeup.

Note: Kara would like you to know that she has improved significantly at eyeliner since recording this episode.

That’s right, Kara and Becky are back at it again with another recommendations episode! Hear Becky drop some psychology knowledge as she explains why 2 personality tests are her favourites right now. Then get yourself some culture through the TV shows, books, and music we’re loving. Finally, both Kara and Becky independently decided to recommend self-care tips!

Things recommended in this episode:

• 16 Personalities Test
• The Four Tendencies Quiz by Gretchen Rubin
• TV shows: Good Girls, Younger, Love on the Spectrum
• Books: Of Human Bondage, Unacceptable, and The Story Graph website.
• Music: “WAP” by Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion, “Levitating” by Dua Lipa feat. Madonna and Missy Elliott, Taylor Swift’s folklore
• Self-care: cook good meals and take time to exist without a to-do list

Kara has new book reviews website! https://kara.reviews/

We hit 1000 downloads back in July, and we did an Instagram Live to celebrate. This is that Live … only it’s not live any more, of course. Kara edited it. The audio quality is rougher than usual. Listen to Kara and Becky talk about a variety of subjects, from the origins of this podcast to their neighbours to a Holly Bourne book and more!

Kara and Becky continue their discussion of Come As You Are, by Emily Nagoski, which they began in the previous episode. In this episode, we get a little more personal. We discuss what we hope our friends and loved ones will take away from this book if they read it.

Kara gave Becky Come As You Are, by Emily Nagoski, for her birthday. This book is about sex, specifically female sexual response! Now Kara and Becky will talk about what each of them learned from the book, as well as how it relates to their own experiences and their understanding of sex and sexuality.

Also check out Kara’s review of Come As You Are.

Kara interviews Becky about being a blogger. Becky talks about the origins of her blog, what it’s like being a blogger in Montréal versus Thunder Bay, and what she has learned in the three years that she has been blogging.

Surprise, Kara is transgender! But that’s not what this episode is about. Or is it? A lot is happening to us in 2020, both personally and globally from, you know, this whole pandemic. Becky and Kara talk about how they’re holding up, and what they are enjoying and not enjoying about the strange plot twist that has started off this new decade.

Mentioned in this episode: Oprah and Deepak Chopra’s Hope in Uncertain Times meditation series.

You can also read the episode transcript.

Recommendations: they’re the bread and butter of a lot of online content. But if you spend all your time recommending, do you ever actual check out those recommendations? This episode discusses the phenomenon of the modern recommendation in general before getting into some specific recommendations from your hosts!

Important Note: Since recording this episode, Ben has come out as transgender with new pronouns (she/her) and a new name (Kara). Please refer use this name and those pronouns when discussing this episode, and all past episodes, instead of her old name.

Books mentioned in the episode:

Girl, Wash Your Face

Full Disclosure

You can also read the episode transcript.