#26 Elephant In The Room: Tom Schwartz’s Brothers

This week, Sami, Jordana, and Aleen are back to talk about the most impactful pop culture, technology, and media changes they experienced in their early years. They start off talking about just how different communication was back in college with Blackberries and BBM pings, and how annoying it was to not be able to turn off read receipts. They also discuss how complicated it was to invite people to parties back then, and how they would deal with the clean up afterwards by invoking the famed “Threshold Rule.” Next, they talk about a few apps that completely changed the way they interacted with their phones and each other, including Instagram, Venmo, and Spotify. They also talk about the advent of streaming services and remember the first shows that made them get a Netflix subscription. After that, they get into a listener email about the world’s obsession with the Royal Family and whether it’s really worth our attention. Is the British obsession with them the same as the American obsession with the Kardashians? To end the show, they play a round of Succession Trivia, where they put their knowledge to the test about some lesser known behind-the-scenes facts about the show and the people involved in it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11 Maj 20211h

On this episode, Jordana, Sami, and Aleen go all into one of their favorite activities: Traveling. They start off with their study abroad experiences during college, and why Aleen couldn’t join them on their adventures. They reflect on the culture shock that they experienced at that age, and how it would later feed into the satirical content they would make at the very beginning of Betches. Then, they get into post-college trips and how different they were from their college era-travels, discussing family trips, honeymoons, and Aleen’s near-encounter with future president Joe Biden on a trip to Capri. After that, it’s time for the Dear Betches email for the week, where a listener writes in about struggling to plan her best friend’s destination bachelorette party as the Maid of Honor. How do you balance the lofty expectations of the bride while being considerate of the costs and logistics for all of the guests? To end the show, they play The Layover Game, where they have to decide which attractions in famous cities around the world they would either visit, check out, or chuck out of their itineraries altogether. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4 Maj 202159min

Today’s episode is all about how the Betches founders first got into podcasting, with stories of how Jordana, Sami and Aleen each came to host some of your favorite shows. They begin by listening to a brief clip of their very first podcast discussion way back in 2016 (spoiler: Rob and Blac Chyna were still relevant at the time). They reminisce on how Betch Slapped first got started, and what led them to launch a number of other podcasts including U Up?, Diet Starts Tomorrow, and more. They also discuss what it means to have a “vulnerability hangover” after a podcast recording, the unique feeling of baring your personal life to a huge audience, and the perils of handing out advice to strangers. Then a listener writes in to ask whether or not she should offer some unsolicited dating advice of her own to a friend who’s struggling in the romance department. Is it ever okay to offer guidance unprompted, or is it always best to keep it to yourself? Finally, they pay homage to the first game ever played on the podcast by having a “verbal smackdown” style debate about a very important subject: What is the definitive HBO show? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

27 Apr 20211h 2min

This week is all about how Sami, Jordana and Aleen each met their significant other. They start with the story of how Sami was first introduced to her husband Avi, and why it took so long for them to actually start dating after their first encounter. She tells us how they eventually got serious, decided to get engaged, and had a wedding ceremony in the exact same location where they first met. Aleen explains the way she found her husband Rusty (even though they technically went to high school together) and how their relationship progressed over time, culminating in a two minute dance routine to Mumford and Sons at their wedding. Jordana tells us about getting set up with her now-fiancé Mike and where their upcoming wedding will be. Plus, they tell the story of the time they all did a paper-burning ceremony in Montauk that led them each to find lasting love. Then an emailer writes in to ask if she should stick with her longtime boyfriend for the sake of having children before it’s too late, even though their communication style doesn’t seem compatible. Is it better to stick it out for the sake of your life plans, or is it better to call things off now? To close the show, they play a Newlywed-style game featuring detailed responses from Avi, Rusty, and Mike, proving once and for all who knows their significant other best. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

20 Apr 202157min

Jordana, Sami, and Aleen start the fifth episode of the season exactly where we left off last time, with the story of Sami’s little-known *gasp* first engagement. She tells us all the details about how she ended up in Israel during her mid-twenties, almost fell into an orthodox lifestyle, and met the guy who would eventually become her ex-fiancé. They talk about how easy it is to feel lost in your twenties, and why we make decisions out of confusion and uncertainty. Aleen and Jordana share some of their biggest mistakes from the past, and talk about why it’s hard to feel regret about experiences that shape you. Then a listener writes in to ask if she’ll ever find closure after a devastating breakup from her first love. Do we idealize our past relationships too much? Finally, they close the show with a game of Red Flag or Deal Breaker: Mistakes Edition, featuring some dating faux pas and a conversation about how you would react if your partner said someone else’s name during sex. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

13 Apr 202148min

In episode four of the new season, Sami, Aleen and Jordana are talking all about moving to New York City and what it was like being broke and single in their early twenties. They start with stories from their first apartments in the city, including their battles with cockroaches, gas leaks, and Murray Hill bros. They tell us about the pre-Tinder dating scene and recall in detail the moment dating apps took over (like literally, the actual day the swiping started). They also highlight some of the biggest differences between the city today and what it was like 10 years ago. Then a listener writes in to ask for advice when it comes to leaving your hometown for the first time and moving to the big city. Where do you even start, and how do people make new friends? Finally, they play an NYC-themed game of Never Have I Ever all about of the most common things people do when they visit New York. Visit affirm.com/betches to shop the latest in electronics, fashion, and more! Or download the free Affirm app. For eligible customers only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6 Apr 202143min

In episode three of the new season, Aleen, Jordana, and Sami are talking all about the humble beginning of Betches. They explain what the social media landscape was like at the time, and how they went from an anonymous Twitter account to a bustling website that kept growing and growing. Then explain how they managed to monetize a company without ever raising any capital, and what the process of growing the business was like in the first few years. They talk about their ‘fake-it-till-you-make-it’ approach to pitching and acquiring clients, and the breakthrough that helped them land their first major deal. Then they dive into the Dear Betch email for the week, all about career choices and new beginnings. A listener writes in about feeling unsatisfied in her current career path and looking for the best way to explore new options. They round it all out with a game of Workplace Would You Rather? where they face some difficult decisions on everything from annoying co-workers to the ideal office environment. Visit affirm.com/betches to shop the latest in electronics, fashion, and more! Or download the free Affirm app. For eligible customers only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

30 Mars 20211h 5min

Aleen, Jordana, and Sami are back for episode two of the new season, and this week they’re talking all about their college days together. They tell us how they ended up going to the same school (it was a lot like an MLM recruitment) and why they each chose their majors. They talk about what dorm life was like, dating in college, and what led them to join a sorority together. They explain the sorority rush process, and why it felt more like high school than actual high school did. Plus, they explain how their feelings about the toxic elements of Greek life helped shape the Betches brand in the first place. We hear the story of when and where Betches was born during their Senior year, including what their headspace was like at the time. Then they dive into the Dear Betch email of the week, all about the bonds you form in school and when it’s time to admit a friendship has run its course. A listener writes in to ask why a close friend has fallen further and further out of touch, and whether or not she should just move on altogether. Finally, they play a game of “Senior Superlatives” where they hand out awards to one another based on what they were really like in college. Visit affirm.com/betches to shop the latest in electronics, fashion, and more! Or download the free Affirm app. For eligible customers only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

23 Mars 202154min