Binchtopia

The girlies recount the fascinating stories of two famous heiresses — Isabella Stewart Gardner and Patty Hearst. They discuss their tumultuous lives, their complicated legacies, and what happens when white women have an existential crisis. Digressions include a four minute segment about our tits, tradwives stealing valor, and which Instagram accounts you can’t check if you’re ovulating. Support the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/binchtopia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The girlies contend with the complex history of man’s most baffling creation — the sex doll. They unpack the contested history of sailors circle-jerking into homemade wenches, what hyper-realistic silicone dolls are doing to our contemporary beauty standards, and ask an important question: is every man who has ever owned one a sexist pig or are we all Puritans for thinking so? Plus, a discussion about a man, his sex doll wife, and the Instagram account that started it all. Digressions include the most horrific photo that’s ever graced the Binchtopia inbox, the prison break of Eliza’s cats, and an exciting announcement from Julia. Support the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/binchtopiaSOURCES:A (Straight, Male) History of Sex DollsSex Dolls at SeaGuest Lecture by Dr. Bo Ruberg - Imagined Histories of Sexual TechnologiesThe Modern Sex-Doll Owner: A Descriptive AnalysisExploring the Psychological Characteristics and Risk-related Cognitions of Individuals Who Own Sex DollsGendered Synthetic Love: Real Dolls and the Construction of IntimacySex Doll Ownership: An Agenda for ResearchReal Dolls (article)Real Dolls websiteDominance and Affection: The Making of PetsTechnofetishism and the Uncanny Desires of A.S.F.R. (alt.sex.fetish.robots)A Cyborg Manifesto Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Julia reflects on The Weight of It All one year later with musician and breakup bestie Georgia Greene. Plus, we made you a breakup playlist. xoxoCheck out Georgia's band Trousdale here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The girlies break down the complexities of the current writers' strike. With help from film professor Miranda Banks (also known as Julia’s aunt), they delve into the history of the WGA and previous strikes, the alter ego of “W. Hermanos,” and how technology continuously changes the landscape for writers. Plus, we answer the questions you submitted about the strike! Digressions include a mailbox moment titled “BOYFRIEND WANTS TO FUCK HIS DOG???”, the real purpose of The Academy, and Eliza’s 100-year-old piano. Support the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/binchtopia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The girlies tackle the long history and contemporary policy that makes up the American healthcare system. They explain why millions go bankrupt from medical debt, detail the modern process of thotting out your traumas for GoFundMe pennies, and unpack why it doesn’t have to be this way. Digressions include a listener’s glowing testimony for Glossier foundation and how losing your right hand is nepotism, actually. Support the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/binchtopia. Binchtopia has donated $5,000 towards relieving medical debt though RIP Medical Debt. Check out their organization and make your own donation here!SOURCES:The History of Healthcare Quality: The First 100 Years 1860–1960 Ironies of Success: A New History of the American Health Care "System"Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise: How Corporate Power Shaped the Affordable Care ActThe History and Future of Neoliberal Health ReformHistory of Health Insurance in the United StatesFrom Widow to “Welfare Queen”: Welfare and the Politics of RaceWhat Changes Have Been Made to the ACA Under the Trump Administration?Health Plans No Longer Have to Cover All Preventive Care at No Cost. Here’s What to Know.GoFundMe as Health Insurance: Why So Many Americans Turn to Crowdfunding for Medical CareAmericans’ Medical Debts Are Bigger Than Was Known, Totaling $140 Billion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The girlies unpack the history and ontology of the internet’s most misunderstood subculture: furries! Digressions include the horrors of the average Nordstrom dressing room, a mailbox moment entitled “In My Aria Montgomery Era,” and a very special welcome to Binchtopia to our first beautiful Binchie baby. Support the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/binchtopiaSources:Furry Cartography: Performing Species by Marla CarlsonOn having a furry soul: transpecies identity and ontological indeterminacy in Otherkin subcultures by Jay Johnston  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The girlies have an enlightening chat about religious trauma, queerness, and calling men “buddy” in the bedroom with Dr. Dontá Morrison. Digressions include a tale of leprosy cosplay, more haunting Eastern European folklore for children, and the Anne Hathaway Effect. Support the podcast at patreon.com/binchtopia.Find Dr. Morrison on Instagram at @donta_morrison, and check out his website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The girlies do another culture swap to explain the origins of two springtime holidays — Eliza tells the story of Passover, and Julia tells the story of Easter. Digressions include our dream cars (although Julia does not dream of cars), Eliza's annual move, and some very important homework for frat pledges. Support the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/binchtopia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The girlies celebrate their 100th episode by answering 100 listener-submitted questions. Digressions include Eliza’s near brush with death, Donald Trump’s new single, and did you know that there’s a tunnel under ocean boulevard..????? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The girlies explain the movement to Defend the Forest and #StopCopCity in Atlanta and connect it to a broader conversation about the history of civil disobedience in America. Digressions include a recap of our slayful clothing sale, reminiscing about seeing Taylor Swift live in the 2010’s when the tickets were cheaper, and a big congratulations to a binchie for finishing her chemo treatment.SOURCES:Civil Disobedience On A Moral Right to Civil Disobedience by James Lefkowitz As Public Opposition Grows, Atlanta Police Attempt To Begin Work On Cop City, Protestors Occupy Trees Autopsy reveals anti-'Cop City' activist's hands were raised when shot and killed Defend the Atlanta Forest Media Kit Defend the Atlanta Forest FAQ (click here to find info about how to help)What Is ‘Cop City’? The Atlanta Police Center Protests, ExplainedAppalachian Pipeline Blockade Ends With Arrests After 932 Days Police murder protestor in Atlanta Forest Authorities in Georgia have charged 23 people with domestic terrorism How The USA Patriot At Redefines "Domestic Terrorism" Occupy Wall Street: A protest timeline Key Moments In The Dakota Access Pipeline Fight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ladies time travel to the 90’s to discuss the world’s first simulated pets — the Tamagotchi and the Furby — and what lessons they have to teach us about our digital selves online. Digressions include a very “low brow” intro, a Binchtopia spit-take meet-cute, and the discovery that we might be your Tamagotchis. SOURCES:Love It, Feed It, Mourn ItVirtual Pets Are Back and Why We Need Them Most NowLove In The Time of TamagotchiTaken By the Tamagotchi: How a Toy Changed the Perspective on Mobile TechnologyPUBLIC LIVES; Far From the Pleading Crowd: Furby's DadCoded for Cuteness: How the Furby Conquered Hearts and MindsHow to Turn Your Furby Evil by WikiHowA Dark Furby Theory May Reveal Them as Flesh-Devouring PredatorsWhat Happens When Your Furby Becomes EvilInto the Furby-Verse: The Narrative Production of Electronic Companions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The girlies open up their treasure trove of mailbox moments to cackle at more of your embarrassing stories. Digressions include Julia’s recap of Bravo's biggest scandal to date, Eliza’s tour life diary, and a revelation about the mysterious origins of a Godly Wife. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The girlies are joined by podcaststress supreme Lara Marie Schoenhals to discuss the cultural importance of reality tv and its storied history. Digressions include the trauma of eating at Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurants, the horror of forgetting to lock the airplane bathroom, and the importance of taking it to a place of 9/11.Listen to Lara's hilarious work on Sexy Unique Podcast and Too Niche? Follow Lara on IG @larzmarie and on TikTok @sexyuniquepodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The girlies uncover the complicated history of the American nail salon — from the wave of Vietnamese immigration that kick-started the industry to the toxic chemicals and labor violations that lay below the surface. Digressions include a call for a REPUTABLE pet psychic, the deeply spiritual significance of Imodium, and our current Godly Wife name fixations. Support the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/binchtopia. SOURCES:From 3200 B.C. to Today: The Fascinating History of Nail Polish Cutex Hooked Americans on Manicures Celluloid Dreams: The Marketing of Cutex in America, 1916-1935 Author(s): Kate FordeThe Making and Transnationalization of an Ethnic Niche: Vietnamese Manicurists by Eckstein and Nguyen Nail salon workers exposed to high levels of toxic chemicals, new study reveals Nail salon workers say proper ventilation can protect their reproductive healthPerfect Nails, Poisoned WorkersThe Price of Nice Nails Nail salon sweeps in New York reveal abuses and regulatory challenges How Black Women Pioneered Nail Art Manicuring Race, Gender, and Class: Service Interactions in New York City Korean-owned Nail Salons by Miliann Kang Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The girlies answer love-related queries from the second annual Binchtopia Valentine Hotline. Queries include: how can I make my anti-capitalist boyfriend treat me like a princess on Valentine’s Day? Should I marry my boyfriend even though he’s in love with his roommate? How can I ensure that my ex wakes up every day in psychological pain? And more. Digressions include Eliza’s doomsday prep, MeganGK’s turn for the worse, and whether or not Peeps are an acceptable favorite candy. Support the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/binchtopiaSee CharityWatch’s list of the best charities to donate to for earthquake relief in Turkey and Syria Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The girlies revive a classic Binchtopia format — talking about whatever they want. If you can make it through the intro about buying new pants and free-bleeding, you’re a real one. They review the most contentious etiquette rules from The Cut, check in on the Transformed Wife’s Husband, and discuss Armie Hammer's dispatch from the crypt to lament on why “cancelled” men can never shut the hell up! Digressions include the trend of deinfluencing and a shocking revelation about scurvy. Support the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/binchtopia. Buy tickets for our first live show in LA at https://www.squadup.com/events/binchtopia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The girlies explore homesteading. Starting from the Ballerina Farm TikTok that first piqued their interest, they delve into the long history of women’s work, examining the myth of Republican Motherhood and the idea that women have always loved to labor for free. They further investigate the spiritual sexism and “divine feminine” trope to understand why even left-wing women fall down the gender essentialist and trad-wife pipeline. Digressions include Eliza’s unfavorable acupuncture experience, letting men throw us into the air, and the realization that we need a third pair of pants. Stream friend of the pod DivaJ's music here. Sources:The Edenic Allure of Ballerina Farm The Age of Homespun: Objects and Stories in the Creation of An American MythModern Homesteading in America: Negotiating Religion, Nature, and Modernity The Crunchy-to-Alt-Right Pipeline Spiritual Misogyny is Flourishing on TikTok  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The girlies unpack fatphobia and the history of fatness. They discuss the racist roots of modern-day body standards, how we can think about anti-fat bias through the lens of eating disorder recovery, and lament the failings of the American medical system (again). Digressions include very little because we are serious researchers and get straight to the point this time.Sources:Fearing the Black Body by Sabrina Strings What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat by Aubrey Gordon "You Just Need to Lose Weight" by Aubrey Gordon Belly of the Beast by Da'Shaun L. Harrison Maintenance Phase  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The girlies reflect on life without social media and read some listener emails from binchies in arms who valiantly joined us in our challenge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The girlies ring in the new year by investigating what plagues us all - smartphone addiction. They look into the research surrounding smartphones and social media to answer the important questions: Why are they so addictive and what are they doing to our brains? What would Karl Marx say about digital social capital? And most importantly.. why aren’t the teens having sex like they used to? Plus, they reveal the first ever Binchtopia experiment. Support the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/binchtopia.Sources:Social Media Fact SheetPutting Your Phone Down May Help You Live LongerPhantom vibrations among undergraduates: Prevalence and associated psychological characteristicsHave Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?Panicking About Your Kids’ Phones? New Research Says Don’tTaking Away the Phones Won’t Solve Our Teenagers’ ProblemsSmartphone Addiction and Associated Health Outcomes in Adult Populations: A Systematic ReviewSocial Capital Online: Alienation and Accumulation by Kane X. Faucher (book)The Screenic Image: Between Verticality and Horizontality, Viewing and Touching, Displaying and Playing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.