My Sister's A Therapist

Can you tell the difference between fear and lust? Between excitement and anxiety? And is make up sex the best thing since Adam and Eve? Find out today!References: Misattribution of Arousal-Schacter and Singer, 1962David Ludden Ph.D.The Psychology of Makeup Sex

What's Laura's beef with Charlize Theron? Why doesn't Virginia get traffic tickets? These and many more questions answered in this discussion on pretty privilege!References:Smartless Podcast: Episode 123: Charlize TheronSmartless Podcast: Episode 266: Jason Momoa A Psychologist Explains The ‘Pretty Privilege’ Paradox: Mark TraversBeauty is in the eye of the employer: Labor market discrimination of accountantsOffer Moshe Shapir, Zeev Shtudiner The impact of attractiveness on employability: Gender differences in peer effects: Zeev ShtudinerThe Effects of Physical Attractiveness in the Health Care Industry: Richard Shane WestfallStudent beauty and grades under in-person and remote teaching: Adrian MehicPretty People Really Do Have It Better: Sable Yong

How did Winston Churchill ruin Laura's life, and why do we hold onto cruel shoes? How the sunk cost fallacy affects jobs, relationships, and even what we wear.References:Why are we likely to continue with an investment even if it would be rational to give it up?The Decision LabSunk cost fallacy: behavioraleconomics.comSunk Cost Fallacy: Why We Can’t Let Go: Jeremy Sutton, Ph.D.

It's been a minute since the girls had a real man-hater episode, but we're back! The topic is: when a groom smashes cake into his bride's face, is it a) funny or b) cause for annulment? On the way, we discuss Jake and Logan Paul, John Gottman, and, of course, our Dad.

In which Virginia invents a new word for what chiropractors do, Laura talks about flip flops and they both talk about what Enclothed Cognition means.

Special guest Courtney Orlando comes on to talk STRESS! Where does it come from? What can we do about it? Find her at https://www.nodalpointenergyworks.com/References: What Are the Impacts of Stress on the Body and Mind?: University of Florida College of Medicine More than a quarter of U.S. adults say they’re so stressed they can’t function: APAStress in America Is EscalatingRita Watson, MPH (master of public health)Most & Least Stressed Cities in America (2025) Adam McCann

Does being famous make you an a-hole, or does being an a-hole make you famous? Virginia bemoans the failures of Neil Gaiman, Bill Cosby, and Armie Hammer. References: A third of male university students say they would rape a woman if there no were no consequences: Jon Stone

How to disappoint others and why it's important! The philosophy of The We Do Not Care Club, The Big Lebowski, and The Former Airport Chauffeur. Sponsored by Function Health! Function Health- Give us your blood!References:Fed Up: Emotional Labor, Women, and the Way Forward: by Gemma HartleyDr. Laurie Santos on The Happiness Lab podcastMerriam-WebsterLearning to disappoint people: Emily LeySelf-Silencing Is Making Women Sick: Maytal Eyal, PhDDon’t let me down: how to get over a fear of disappointing others: Elizabeth PerryWhen You Have a Fear of Disappointing Others: Kate O’Brien, LCAT

Are you your own worst enemy? Learn all the different ways you can trip yourself up- and how to set yourself up for success!

Is gossip all bad? What gave it a bad reputation? Why wouldn't Virginia go back to the 19th century? What's the best gossip from your hometown?Why You Were Born to Gossip: David Ludden, PhDExplaining the evolution of gossip: Michele J. GelfandTHE DIVINE ORIGIN OF THE WORD GOSSIP Written By Sanne Cheney-SteijgerHow the Demonization of “Gossip” Is Used to Break Women’s Solidarity: SILVIA FEDERICI

This week, the girls talk over Little Orphan Annie impersonators, the legality of dome lights, and why parents lie to their children every dang day of the year!

Virginia and Laura talk about a disturbing new corporate trend, Morrissey and KDGE, and why they don't want cutesey phrases written on their Starbucks cups.References:‘Forced Joy’ Is a Miserable Corporate Trend: Beth KowittJapan supermarket chain uses AI to gauge staff smiles, speech tones in quality service push: Fran LuTiffany Workers Mock Forced 'Joy' That Exacerbated Staff Exits: BloombergAre You Happy Yet? The Dysfunction Of Forced Joy And Toxic Positivity: Vibhas Ratanjee

This smells like....a cult? This week, we discuss religious cults, and whether or not MAGA qualifies as a cult. On the way, we talk about bikini coffee places, Saturday's Warrior, and how to deprogram someone on the cheap.Steven Hassan's BITE ModelSolution to Our Political Cults | Public Square MagazineExplaining the Trump loyalty cult phenomenonSaturday's WarriorDoes it matter how much Democrats and Republicans hate each other? Yes, it does- David Andreatta Carnegie Endowment for Political peace- Polarization

A listener asks: when should I stop trying to save everyone? Is it OK to look for friends that have also tried to improve themselves? And the sisters ask, where did that bottle of peppermint schnapps go, is it under the bathroom sink?

Look out, Virginia's reading a book about Socrates. Let's talk about it. Why are we so stubborn about schedules? Why were Summers longer when you were little? What is Cher's life philosophy? What were Joseph Smith's last words? Find out now!References: Open Socrates- Agnes CallardFreeing Your Child From Anxiety-⁠Tamar Chansky, PhD⁠

Incredible comedian, podcaster, and record producer Brandie Posey joins us to discuss her experiences with aphantasia, and how it has shaped her creativity and life. Virginia also explains where left handed people come from. Brandie Posey is part of the stunning Lady To Lady podcast, she is a touring national headliner, and she manages her own record label, Burn This Records. Laura Ryan is a licensed marriage and family therapist, she has a beautiful singing voice, and tried out for The Voice once but they didn't take her which is , frankly, their loss. Virginia Jones has appeared on Portlandia, at the San Francisco Sketchfest, and in the hearts and minds of little children everywhere. References:What is the relationship between Aphantasia, Synaesthesia and Autism? CJ DanceI can’t picture things in my mind. I didn’t realize that was unusual: Shayla LoveAUTISM AND APHANTASIA: A SHARED NEUROLOGICAL THREAD? Capstone Mental Health 

Frequent and beloved contributor Wells suggests this week's topic, workaholism, which we take as a good reason to swap Dad stories and stuff we learned from bad bosses. Also, don't be a workaholic, it's probably the dumbest kind of aholic. References:FORBES: 7 signs you may be a workaholic- Amy MorinAbout Schmidt

This week, Virginia and Laura respond to listener Zach's question about divorce, and on the way they discuss Debra DiGiovanni's new album, Honorable Intentions, wasp stings, and why divorce is dangerous for your health!REFERENCES: Facts About Divorce in America 2024: Terry & Roberts Law The Real Long-Term Physical and Mental Health Effects of Divorce- Ann Gold Buscho Ph.D.Gender Differences in the Consequences of Divorce: A Study of Multiple Outcomes-Thomas Leopold Knowing This One Thing Helped Me Recover Faster from My Divorce-Carol Madden

Laura and Virginia take turns crying, comforting each other, and talking about their favorite dead people, and how to get through losing people you love.

This week, we discuss fame, that elusive and desirable mover of men- why you should, or shouldn't, follow your dreams. References: Why Some Dreams Should Not Be Pursued: Mark MansonThe Problem with “Follow Your Dreams”Is this self-help classic really that helpful? : Melissa KirkUS Weekly: Celebs’ Career Backup PlansPeople: 15 Celebs Back Up Career If They Were Not FamousThe Chive: Celebs that had some interesting backup careers before fame6 Reasons Pursuing Your Dreams Is The Only Thing Worth Doing53 Celebrities You Forgot Were ‘Nepo Babies’ From Famous Families: Kristyn Burtt, Delilah Gray