Eco Chic

We're discussing what it means for a beloved icon from many of our youths to show up as her full, adult self. I'm sharing my experience seeing Hilary Duff on her Luck or Something tour - her outfits, the stage, and the audience! We'll discuss the very mature themes of her most recent studio album and the honest journey she's shared in rebuilding her confidence performing at arenas. Plus, how public figures like Hilary Duff and Miley Cyrus have in recent years very publicly embraced the characters that brought them to the masses. Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Financial conversations have always been part of shows like Real Housewives, documenting the aspirational lives of real women. And over twenty years, the lesson of Housewives seems to be: life goes on! Financial security storylines have varied significantly over the years and franchises, allowing audiences to learn from and see themselves in unique situations. We'll go through some recent financial stories we've heard: Atlanta's Pinky Cole declaring bankruptcy; RHOBH's Dorit Kemsley's divorce; and RHORI's Alicia's demands for stake in her fiance's businesses. We'll dive deeper into prompts around what a Housewife may feel she deserves (or doesn't) from her romantic partner, and how participating in a show in itself can be the prompt that both casts and audiences are seeking. Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're examining the spectrum of how reality television shows today handle the "performance of reality." From casts opening acknowledging that they're filming a show, like Real Housewives of Atlanta and Potomac ... to shows that grow alongside their casts' rising fame, like Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. We'll touch on Hulu's new show, Million Dollar Nannies, as a case study in performative reality: are these nannies truly paying rent, competing for jobs, etc? We'll also touch on the shift from aspirational, Kardashian-style wealth to these more relatable, conflict-drive casts, like Real Housewives of Rhode Island and Love Island USA. How much longer are we going to pretend that being on reality tv is not a career in itself? Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sol's elimination, the couples we think are totally mismatched, and what we need to see from Casa Amor ..... we are recaping Week 2 of Love Island USA S8, through episode 14, with Jaz Henley-Brown (@jhenleybrown)! Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 01:07 Jaz Henley-Brown 02:43 Season 7 vs Season 8 04:28 Sol's Dumping 09:00 Couples that should explore 10:03 Aniya and KC 13:18 Trinity and Bryce 16:12 Kayda and Zach 17:43 Female Friendships 22:56 Winning 24:24 Predictions for Week 3, Casa Amor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discussing the finale episode of the Real Housewives of Rhode Island's first season! The major storyline was Rulla's husband's alleged affair, which it seems like we finally see her acknowledging with the group on the closeout trip to Block Island. Plus, Rulla and Jo-Ellen's resolution. We see Alicia being re-proposed to - I'm sharing my thoughts on how we've seen her relationship grow over the course of the first season. Plus, the resolution of Kelsey and Rosie. Such a great first season - and I can't wait to see them pick right back up after that final scene of Rulla separated from her husband after he was found guilty of tracking her. Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 00:43 Rulla, Brian, + the video 02:37 Rulla and Jo-Ellen 04:47 Rulla's husband's DV charge 06:52 Alicia and Billy 09:43 Rosie and Kelsey 10:10 Block Island Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're reflecting on the first seven episodes of Love Island USA with my friend and fellow creator, Jackson Strike (@jacksonstrike)! We talk about who we'd like to see the newest bombshells couple up with, our favorite couples, individual Islanders that are really standing out so far, and our predictions for the next elimination from the villa. Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The unlikely friendship of Marilyn Monroe and Ella Fitzgerald, and the phone call that helped quietly boost one of the greatest careers in music history! We're covering one of my favorite Marilyn stories after last week's episode - the story of her calling up Hollywood's Mocambo night club to lobby on behalf of Ella Fitzgerald's residency, and how Ella Fitzgerald credits Marilyn to her "never playing a small club again." Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's talk about the first episode of Love Island USA! We're overviewing the intro package themes - a lot of mentions of marriage, babies, and the narratives of being "lovers." Plus, the maturity and weight that is implied by people coming in with regular jobs. Plus, the disconnected initial couples - where two of the five already not interested in continuing to "date" because of a trait they would not pursue in the real world. I loved the fun of leaning into "Love Island norms," like making breakfast and comments as the cast explores the villa. Lastly: are people just here for fame? And if so - who cares? Find me everywhere: Linktr.ee/literallylaurad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the week marking what would be Marilyn Monroe's 100th birthday, we are revisiting (and reframing) one of the most famous brand relationships she was understood to be a part of: Playboy Magazine, serving as their first ever cover model. We'll overview the story of why Marilyn posed nude in the first place, how Hugh Hefner got his hands on the rights to those images, and her own reflection on how she was used to generate millions (with not even a thank-you note). Plus, the follow-up invitation to pose for the magazine, after she posed unclothed in a swimming pool on the set of Something's Got To Give - photos that ended up in Life Magazine, successfully generating buzz for her career again while Fox poured money and attention into Elizabeth Taylor. The Playboy "invitation" came on her last day alive. Finally, we'll overview another Playboy model's celebrated "kinship" to Marilyn, Anna Nicole Smith, and our understanding of how Marilyn was used as a template for the magazine's next 60+ years. Find me every

We got our first glimpse of the new cast of the world's biggest reality show, Love Island USA! We'll overview today what we know so far about the twelve OG Islanders entering the Villa. Plus, I'll share some of my predictions for this upcoming season and what I *do not* want to see! For the Love Island USA season, I think Friday episode of Characters will be focused on overviewing the happenings and ongoing discussions of the previous week on the show (so we can continue the real-time conversations we'll be having on social media!). Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show has been one of the highest viewed fashion moments since its television debut in 2001. We're overviewing the history of the fashion show: from the modest first show in NYC in 1995, to the sensational show in Cannes in 2000, and the history-making first broadcasted show in 2001. We're zooming in on one of my favorite pop culture moments: the 2004 Angels Across America Tour, when in lieu of the cancelled show, the brand sent Heidi, Gisele, Tyra, Alessandra, and Adriana to four cities in five days. The 2004 tour changed so much about how the brand was recognized and related to by the everyday consumer - VS became the most aspirational mall brand. We'll talk about the fashion of this tour, its impact, and what people mean when they say "they want the OGs back." Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Time stamps: 00:00 Intro, Casting Calls in 2026 02:22 Early VS Fashion Shows (1999-2000); First Angels 05:37 2001 First Televised Fashion Show 06:23 Who are the Angels?

Was the fight between Kelsey and Rosie *really* about the square footage of Rosie's home? Let's unpack that altercation... that I feel will be a foundational conflict in this franchise's next few seasons. After Kelsey arrives at Rosie's home, with sirens, announcing "house police" (allegedly a joke) .. the scene almost instantly becomes an altercation attacking insecurities around notoriety, sense of accomplishment, and local celebrity status. What do 30-something women want from being on a Real Housewives? Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cher is one of the most iconic figures in modern fashion. We are overviewing the milestones in her fashion history of consistently pushing the envelope on what's accepted, what's allowed, and what is celebrated. We're of course discussing her longtime friendship and partnership with costume designer Bob Mackie, and sharing the stories behind some of her most monumental looks. From baring the first navel on national television, to outfits that defined eras! The "naked dress" at The Met Gala is 1974; her Academy Awards "revenge dress" in 1986; her Oscar-winning gown in 1988; and bonus! the insane costume on the set of a Navy battleship for her "If I Could Turn Back Time" music video. Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Time stamps: 00:00 Intro: The Met, 1974 02:18 Bob Mackie 03:36 Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour 05:22 Censorship - The Navel Wars 08:04 The Met, 1974, "The Naked Dress" 11:30 Academy Awards, 1986, "The Revenge Dress" 13:35 Academy Awards, 1988, Moonstruck Win 14:42 "If I Could Turn Ba

I've been noticing lately reality casts being prompted to "open up" - from Ladies of London to the most recent episodes of Real Housewives of Rhode Island. We're talking about these "forced trauma bonding" activities - what they do to actually bring casts together, and what they do to humanize the "characters" to the audience. We'll also reference Real Housewives of Atlanta and Beyond the Villa as we question: how much performance is necessary on shows today? How much "opening up" really must happen on television today? Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Time stamps: 00:00 Intro to "trauma prompts" 02:10 Ladies of London - Misse 04:35 RHORI - Liz's unmasking dinner (ep 6) 08:41 RHORI - Alicia and Jo-Ellen's walk (ep 7) 09:30 Audience impact 11:35 RHOA - Pinky Cole 11:57 Preforming for TV - Beyond the Villa 12:28 Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tippi Hedren infamously had a full grown, 400-pound male lion named Neil living in her home for years in the 1970s. As she and her then-husband Noel Marshall set out to make Roar, a film that would hopefully support big cat conservation, they began acquiring big cats themselves (and living with one). Photos in Life Magazine of Neil the Lion sleeping in bed with her daughter Melanie Griffith still live in our imaginations. Roar went on to be what is today referred to as the most dangerous film ever produced - with over 70 cast and crew members injured by the 40+ exotic animals on set. We'll discuss today the film, the chaos, and Tippi Hedren's big cats today at Shambala Preserve. Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 01:26 Tippi Hedren 02:23 Tippi and Noel Marshall go to Mozambique 03:37 Roar concept 04:48 Life magazine photos 07:13 Roar production 09:52 Roar release 11:11 Shambala Preserve 14:00 Reflections Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/

I'm loving Netflix's Running Point , which just aired its second season. Kate Hudson stars as Isla Gordon, the president of her family's professional basketball team. We're talking today about the real woman who inspired the character of Isla - Jeannie Buss, former president of her family's organization, the Los Angeles Lakers. We're overviewing the parts of Jeannie's life that loosely inspire the show, and what she has said about serving as Executive Producer on this Netflix show. We're also getting into what I think makes this show so great - the humor, the family dynamic, and the representation of an unapologetic woman in charge. Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 01:21 Jeannie Buss, re: Isla Gordon 05:13 Isla Gordon, flawed characters 06:52 Sibling dynamic 08:41 Relationship with media 09:01 Engagement storyline 10:29 Humor 11:26 Friendship with Ali Lee (Brenda Song) 12:16 We need more Islas 13:09 Favorite characters - Links mention: ESPN, 2017: How did

The first season of Ladies of London: The New Reign has just wrapped with glowing reviews! We're digging into what made this reboot so well-received: the strong ties among the group, friendships arcs, and the value of cast connections over wealth. We're also discussing the origin of the "light" conflict (the spiraled, into Margo vs Mark) and the resolution of Kimi and Misse's dispute. This show feels oddly nostalgic because everyone seems to be having fun! Would love to hear your thoughts on what made the first season of this reboot so great. Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 00:59 Drivers of Success 02:48 Emma 04:02 Martha 05:47 Cast trip to Longleat 09:04 Is Margo performing for cameras? 09:40 Conflict, the need for a "common villain" 12:11 Friendship arc: Margo and Martha 13:45 Friendship arc: Kimi and Misse 16:43 Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In celebration of The Devil Wears Prada 2's release this weekend, a sequel twenty year after the original release, we're revisiting Miranda Priestly's "cerulean blue sweater" monologue. The scene serves as our lens to understand the themes of the original film: ambition, identity, and conformity, during the height of the girl boss era. We're discussing how our reception of these themes and the characters have changed in twenty years - when did the "real villain" become Andy's boyfriend, and the tyrannical boss become an icon simply of a competent woman working hard? How much of ourselves must we truly give up to get ahead in the workplace? Plus, I am sharing my thoughts after seeing the sequel! The decline of print media, callbacks to the original film, and what the film says today about how much "choice" we truly have. Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Miranda Priestly's Cerulean Sweater monologue linked here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rDTRuCOs9g Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 00:41 Y

From hidden cameras in Fiji to the "performance" of a reality show... Beyond the Villa is a social anthropological document of the impacts of a rabid fanbase on the regular people who were cast on the insane global stage that is Love Island. We're asking ourselves: have the new fans "ruined" Love Island USA? Or is some level of social media infamy just part of the risk one takes when joining a dating competition show? We're talking about how Beyond the Villa actively breaks the fourth wall in a perhaps progressive take on the concept of a show about the impacts of another show. Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hulu announced new concepts and updates to their unscripted television this week at their "Get Real" live event - and I have *so many thoughts*. We are overviewing the highlights and I am giving my takes on the most interesting new concepts, the more confusing announcements, smart crossovers in the Hulu universe... and more. Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Time stamps: 01:39 Hulu Get Real event overview + announcements 03:03 Dancing With The Stars 04:06 DWTS x Project Runway 04:42 Khloe Kardashian's "The Girls" (and "the fall" of the Kardashians) 08:52 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway (vs Victoria's Secret Fashion Show) 11:39 Get Real Podcast 16:08 Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Orange County Hulu press release linked here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices