Words With Wista

The world is really glitching right now, so let’s get into it. We’re talking Cuba protests over blackouts and Haiti preparing for its first election in a decade, plus Trump making decisions while tensions with Iran continue despite claims the situation is under control, alongside reports that an additional $200 billion may be needed, and what that could mean for gas prices, travel costs, and everyday life. Then we get into media and entertainment chaos with major cancellations, platform shakeups, and industry drama, along with messy lawsuits and a quick Oscars recap. And of course, we wrap it up with a listener voicemail that sparks a real conversation about modern dating, expensive matchmaking services, and why being desperate for love is never the move, because in this economy we need to have some self-respect. IG: itswista Substack: wordswithwista

EP 200. Ten years, 200 episodes, and a whole lot of growth in between. This one is about staying the course, finding your voice, and building something that lasts. We reflect on the journey, launch the voicemail line so you can call in and spill your tea for advice, and share a message from a special guest. Then we get into the week’s chaos including slipping TV ratings, NYC political shakeups, AI surveillance testing, billion dollar business plays, media controversies, and rap beef that nobody asked for. A decade later and the conversations are still bold, honest, and very much on my terms. IG: itswista Substack: wordswithwista

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

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

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

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

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

This week on Words With Wista, we’re running through absolute whiplash as a tragedy in Minnesota sparks protests, Denmark makes it clear that invading Greenland would be a very bad idea, and global tensions continue to escalate. We also get into a missing Chicago teacher, a heartbreaking family tragedy in South Florida, pastors claiming God wants Venezuela’s oil, and why OF “big checks” aren’t adding up like advertised. Plus, Finesse2Tymes revealing he’s turned to OF to pay his bills, Diddy’s finances coming into question, Spencer Pratt and Michael Rapaport teasing future mayor ambitions, toxic mom-group drama involving Ashley Tisdale and Hilary Duff, and Cardi B stepping in to defend Stefon Diggs. It’s heavy, messy, political, celebrity-filled, and very much a lot, so let’s talk about it. IG: itswista Substack: wordswithwista

New year, same chaos. This episode breaks down reports surrounding Venezuela’s president and serious questions about U.S. involvement, Zohran Mamdani’s first days as NYC mayor and the immediate political backlash, and why the alcohol industry is losing billions as younger generations opt out. We also get into post-holiday layoff warnings, a tragic New Year’s party at a Swiss ski resort, privacy concerns over biometric data in NYC grocery stores, and relationships that take a dangerous turn. Plus, major headlines involving athletes, the end of MTV’s music-only channels, and a celebrity feud fueled by AI. Politics, culture, and consequences all collide to start the year loud. IG: itswista Substack: wordswithwista

This week on Words With Wista, we’re talking federal judges forcing the Trump administration to restore disaster funds to blue states, America living in the United States of Klarna while still spending like everything’s fine, and holiday shopping numbers that don’t match the economic stress everyone swears they feel. We get into Republicans quietly eyeing 2028, DHS offering cash for self deportation, lawmakers side-eyeing Pam Bondi over redacted Epstein files, and small business owners bracing for ACA subsidy fallout. Plus, we say goodbye to the NYC MetroCard, break down New York’s new mental health warnings for social media, Nicki Minaj logging off after peak backlash, Tyler Perry facing another lawsuit, Charlamagne’s $200 million podcast flex causing industry tension, and Timothée Chalamet marketing his way into a Christmas box office upset. A lot is happening, and none of it is subtle. IG: itswista Podcast IG/SubStack: wordswithwista

This week on Words With Wista, we are truly living in a Real Life Hunger Games timeline. Trump announces Patriot Games for one boy and one girl, floats a $1,776 warrior dividend, and slaps his name on the Kennedy Center while Epstein files, photos, and a very uncomfortable Vanity Fair article shake the internet. Meanwhile, Candace Owens drama resurfaces, the CDC ends routine Hepatitis B vaccines for newborns, sickle cell is cured for the first time in New York, and the state moves to legalize end of life care options for terminally ill patients. We also get into a disturbing ER incident involving HIV positive blood, Wiz Khalifa’s Romania weed sentence, a tragic plane crash claiming former NASCAR champ Greg Biffle and his family, major shakeups at Hot 97 with Funkmaster Flex stepping in, Netflix pulling podcasts off YouTube, Ice Spice causing chaos at a SpongeBob premiere, and why 2026 might actually be the year of the cabbage. It is heavy, messy, hopeful, and unserious all at once just how we like it. IG: itswista IG/SubStack: wordswithwista

In this episode of Words With Wista, we’re unpacking Trump calling the affordability crisis a “hoax” while the data tells a very different story, tourists being asked to submit five years of social media history to visit the U.S., and multiple devastating tragedies from Brown University to Australia’s Bondi Beach that raise serious questions about safety and accountability. We also get into the rising cases of HIV in NYC, Busta Rhymes checking a TikToker, a University of Michigan football scandal that reportedly led to an arrest, and an OnlyFans creator facing major legal trouble overseas. Plus, Jason Derulo rewriting his personal rules post-lawsuit, Beyoncé and friends stepping into Met Gala 2026 leadership, Russell Simmons responding to Kimora Lee Simmons, a jaw-dropping $2.5M NYC restaurant scheme, and the shocking passing of Rob Reiner and his wife. Heavy news, loud celebrities, and the mess in between. IG: itswista IG/SubStack: wordswithwista

In this episode of Words With Wista, we’re unpacking America’s latest circus: the Supreme Court entertaining Trump’s mission to end birthright citizenship, the National Park Service dropping free admission on MLK Day and Juneteenth while adding Trump’s birthday, and Senator Bernie Moreno trying to make dual citizens pick a side like it’s Survivor. We get into Trump vowing to send American companies to Congo and Rwanda to scoop up rare earth assets, Amazon plotting its own postal service, and Klarna rolling out membership tiers that cost more than people’s groceries while Americans juggle $1.23 trillion in credit card debt. Major record labels want pricier streaming, Cinnabon fired an employee after a discriminatory incident caught on camera but supporters still donated over $50K to her, and a TikToker checked a commenter for his prejudiced remark by reminding him his Grindr account exists, that he’s married, and that she will be telling his wife. The Kennedy Center Honors also sparked conversation after Trump presented awards to Sylvester Stallone, KISS, Michael Crawford, George Strait, and especially Gloria Gaynor, with many calling out the irony of the “I Will Survive” icon receiving honors while being a known supporter of the president. Plus, the Streamer Awards imploded under FanFan’s jokes, the World Cup draw turned into a weird PR stunt for Trump, and Haiti lands a dream-but-terrifying group with Brazil, Morocco, and Scotland. A buffet of nonsense. IG: itswista Podcast IG: wordswithwista Substack: wordswithwista

In this episode of Words With Wista, we’re diving into America’s latest plot twists: Trump flirting with Australia’s retirement system while freezing immigration from 19 countries, billionaires donating to Trump Accounts for kids, Halle Berry snatching Gavin Newsom’s presidential dreams after his menopause bill veto, and Sen. Cory Booker rebranding as a married man just in time for 2028. We’ll also cover AT&T dropping DEI, Southwest telling plus-size travelers to “double up,” Modelo and Corona caught in the immigration crackdown, Gen Z and millennials BNPL-ing their way through life, Prada buying Versace like it’s a Zara sale, NYC raising subway fares to $3, and two wild true-crime cases. And of course—Milano Di Rouge calling out copycats, Travis Kelce accidentally retweeting a twerk video, and Kandi Burruss discovering Todd was talking to other women behind her back. A hot mess from start to finish. IG: itswista Podcast IG: wordswithwista Substack: wordswithwista

SNAP benefits are back but a whole lot of folks are about to hit that 80-hour work requirement wall, a child’s birthday party in Stockton turned tragic, and Kash Patel is allegedly earning the “Make-a-Wish Director” nickname with his luxury travel habits. A major winter storm tried to send everyone right back inside after Thanksgiving while consumers still spent a record $11.8 billion on Black Friday like the recession rumors don’t apply to them. Meanwhile, 30% of job listings are reportedly fake, one man committed the wildest “Mrs. Doubtfire” pension scam, and Twitter’s new feature is exposing digital blackface across the platform. Lupita Nyong’o reveals Hollywood only offered her more slave roles after her Oscar win, Blueface says Drake skipped their collab due to “competition,” Topicals is asking for support after focusing too hard on under-eye patches, Summer Walker shuts down side-chick rumors, Garrick from Seeking Sister Wife gets arrested a week after welcoming a new baby, and I share my full thoughts on Joe Dwet Files’ shows and the state of Kompa music. Personal IG: itswista Podcast IG: wordswithwista Substack: wordswithwista

The news was messy this week and I’m here to unpack it all so you don’t have to pretend you understand what’s happening. Trump signs the Epstein files bill, giving the DOJ 30 days to release sensitive documents, then drops support for Marjorie Taylor Greene, and fresh details surface in Matt Gaetz’s controversial case. Elon Musk claims his robots could replace surgeons and revolutionize healthcare, while the Dept. of Education proposes removing graduate nursing and other health programs from professional degree lists. The Trump administration plans SNAP reapplications to curb fraud, and a pardoned Jan 6 rioter faces new legal trouble. We cover major legal developments, including O.J. Simpson’s estate paying $58M to Ron Goldman’s family, and high-profile arrests like RHOP alum Mia Thornton allegedly stealing $11K in furniture. Plus, Porsha Williams involved in a Delta flight altercation, Nicki Minaj speaks at the UN regarding Nigeria while the U.S. military operations impact Trinidad, her home country, and Haiti’s historic return to the World Cup after 51 years. Tune in for a whirlwind of current events. IG: itswista Podcast IG: wordswithwista SubStack: wordswithwista

The feds finally crawled back to work after a 43 day shutdown, and somehow the world is still wild. We got Kristi Noem tossing TSA workers ten thousand dollar “my bad” bonuses, Epstein emails flying around with Trump’s name all in the mix, Kim catching heat because North got a finger piercing at twelve, and a man ordering a forty-dollar drill set but getting a photo like Amazon is trolling for sport. Vine is rising from the dead, Klay Thompson is calling out Pat Bev over Megan, Ariana Grande got ran up in Singapore like Wicked turned wicked, a TikToker now owes 1.75 million for messing up a marriage, Cardi B and Stefon Diggs had a baby boy, Charlamagne and Roland Martin are beefing, and Rory from that podcast got exposed for talking spicy about Beyoncé. A mess. A cute mess. A delicious Friday mess. IG: itswista Podcast IG: wordswithwista Substack: wordswithwista

Zorhan Mamdani is officially NYC’s new mayor, Nancy Pelosi is finally clocking out of Congress after 40 years, just in time for the youth to start taking over. Flights are getting cancelled thanks to the shutdown. The government might actually pay SNAP this month (miracles happen), JD Vance is out here talking about converting his wife, hugging other women, and still somehow trending, and Nicki Minaj is entering her political era?? Plus, layoffs are wild, a teacher wins $10 million after being injured by a student, Offset is dissing Cardi and Stefon Diggs, and Starbucks apologized because y’all broke the internet over bear cups. Yeah… it’s been that kind of week. IG: itswista Podcast IG: wordswithwista Substack: wordswithwista

This week’s episode is a certified circus. The government said “figure it out” as SNAP benefits vanish but DoorDash said “we got you” with free meals. Paramount’s restructuring again by cutting jobs, China wants influencers to have diplomas now, and Luigi Mangione is a Lil Durk fan. Drake and Stake are getting sued for “deceptive gambling”. A couple robbed a bank on their first date, love that for them. Oh, and Diddy’s got a release date and Stefon Diggs allegedly has twins on the way, because apparently everyone’s making headlines but the government. IG: itswista Podcast IG: wordswithwista Substack: wordswithwista

This week’s episode is a hot mess buffet. Trump’s turning the White House into a luxury event space, the government’s playing games with people’s groceries, and the Louvre apparently lost more than art—it lost security. The NBA’s looking more like Vegas after a few players got caught up in a gambling mess, Cardi B’s dragging Armon Wiggins, and there’s another blackout protest coming (are y’all actually participating this time?). Meanwhile, Nicki’s got sheriffs at her mansion, and Keyshia Ka’oir is offering mental health consultations without a medical degree… maybe we all need one after this week. IG: itswista Podcast IG: wordswithwista Substack: wordswithwista