Tea & Tangents with Tara

Was the Superbowl "American"?

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 03:04:53 GMT

On this "sports"-cast, Tara hosts Kat and Alvaro to discuss the Super Bowl commercials and the 2026 halftime performance. Why were there AI commercials?

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An Explicit Review of "Blackthorn" by J.T. Geissinger [E]

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Join Kendra, Nicole, and Tara's book club review of "Blackthorn" by JT Geissinger. Maven's dead grandmother's body goes missing after Maven is supposed to attend her funeral. What happened to the grandmother? Does Maven's family hold secrets? Will Maven run into old friends and enemies when searching for her grandmother in her childhood town? Where does the "gothic romance" come in?

More about Blackthorn:

https://www.jtgeissinger.com/project/blackthorn/

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My Experience with Lupus Ft. Deepthy

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 04:29:24 GMT

On Season 3, Episode 16 of Tea and Tangents, join Tara and Deepthy for an honest and heartfelt conversation about Deepthy’s journey with cervical spondylosis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Deepthy opens up about the years she spent feeling unheard and dismissed by the medical system, and the challenges of navigating pain and uncertainty before finally receiving a diagnosis. She shares how living with chronic illness has reshaped her perspective.

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Puerto Rico and (Almost) No Return

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 18:34:03 GMT

On this episode of Tea and Tangents with Tara, Tara is joined by her friends Kendra and Nicole ("Nikka") to share the hilarious surprises from their trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico. From accidentally booking the hotel room to getting locked inside a historic military fort just two hours before their flight, things did not go as planned. They tried local foods like mofongo, went kayaking in a glowing bioluminescent bay, and squeezed in one last ocean swim, just before their flight was delayed (ten times). Listen in for stories we still can’t believe happened.

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Reading Fourth Wing | BookTok

Wed, 21 May 2025 16:35:34 GMT

Nikka and Tara review Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros!

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Secrets of a Security Guard

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT

In Season 3, Episode 13, Josh takes us behind the scenes of life as a theme park security guard. 🎢🚨 What’s it like keeping the excitement (and the chaos) under control at a world-famous park? Tara shares how Josh’s conflict-resolution skills come into play—even when they’re just hanging out with friends. Plus, what tips does Josh have for Tara when handling tricky situations? Tune in for insider stories & security secrets!

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Wildlife, Puppies & Sacrificial Birds?!

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 04:57:00 GMT

Grab a snack and let's discuss all things wildlife 🌿🐾 Would Tara hunt if she had to? Why did the Anhinga that Nicole saw in the Everglades sacrifice their baby? Why did Nicole enter a competitive fishing competition? Should you ride horses without a saddle? Tara and Nicole cover Nicole’s puppy experiencing her first heat cycle and Nicole's new obsession with wildlife photography.

Oh, and what’s a healthy amount of time to spend on FaceTime with friends?

Read more about

The Anhinga: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Anhinga/overview
Natural Horsemanship: https://shopus.parelli.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqmi3baxhy6QFgKyh5LCqnDqnkY3Y5W1zuxxRsLzmk8ukamCmvn

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Spotting Red Flags in Friends

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 04:59:00 GMT

What qualities make for a bad friend? Sit down with Tara, Kat, and Alvaro as they dive into the red flags that result in toxic friendships. From lack of respect to missing accountability, they explore whether "bad friends" might just be a different side of the same coin.

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Traveling alone in our 20's.... and why you should too

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Why should you travel alone?

Derek, Josh, and Tara met in Spain through EF Ultimate Break. When you stay true to yourself and surround yourself with others doing the same, meaningful connections are bound to happen. But how do you go from scrolling travel TikToks to booking the trip of a lifetime? And how do you go from a deathly fear of flying to monthly flights around the world? Solo travel is not about the destination, it's about who you become along the way.

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Hokas, Hot Nights & Parking Fights

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 03:02:21 GMT

Join Tara, Josh & Derek to discuss how they went from meeting in Europe to traveling around the States. Why did a NYC nightclub take away their phones? Do Spanish clubs put NYC nightlife to shame? And what’s the story behind Derek, Josh, and Tara meeting as strangers in Spain?

Let’s talk about seeing Aventura live and Josh’s take on navigating the chaos of city life. Buckle up (or at least park better than Derek) for this wild ride!

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Pura Vida: surfing, surprises and sulfur

Sat, 12 Oct 2024 11:30:59 GMT

On season 3 episode 8, Nikka, Kendra and Tara share their Costa Rican adventures. Each of the girls came out of the trip slightly injured, but changed for life.

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The Next Wave of Minimalists

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 04:00:49 GMT

We’re diving headfirst into TikTok’s hottest new trend: "underconsumption core." The New York Times called it the latest move away from influencer culture, and we have thoughts.

Is underconsumption core the next wave of minimalism? With a juicy tidbit from Brett House, an economics professor at Columbia, Tara explores if this movement is just a response to economic woes.

Join Tara for a lively discussion as she unravels the hype and discovers if underconsumption core is a genuine shift in lifestyle or just another trend in the social media cycle.

Sources

Kondo, Marie. “About the Konmari Method – Konmari: The Official Website of Marie Kondo.” KonMari, 2 Feb. 2022, konmari.com/about-the-konmari-method/.
Martini, Lavinia. “What Is Culinary Minimalism, Anyway?” VICE, 6 Dec. 2023, www.vice.com/en/article/dypzw7/what-is-culinary-minimalism.
Mullen, Lauren, and Kate Huun. “A Sustainable Guide to Thrifting.” Environmental Center Division of Student Affairs, University of Colorado Boulder, 13 Mar. 2024, www.colorado.edu/ecenter/2023/12/15/sustainable-guide-thrifting.
Tumin, Remy. “Tired of Influencers, TikTok Users Try ‘Underconsumption Core’ to Cut Costs.” The New York Times, 25 July 2024, www.nytimes.com/2024/07/25/style/tiktok-underconsumption-influencers.html.
Waugh, Chris. “Corporations vs. Consumers: Who Is Really to Blame for Climate Change?” Global Social Challenges, The University of Manchester, 7 July 2022, sites.manchester.ac.uk/global-social-challenges/2022/07/07/corporations-vs-consumers-who-is-really-to-blame-for-climate-change/.

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I let my ex-boyfriend fly me out

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 17:42:01 GMT

Tara is joined by Annie for a heartwarming and adventurous chat. Annie shares the thrilling story of her first pilot lesson and the unexpected twist of taking to the skies with her boyfriend, who happens to be her rekindled ex.

But that's not all—Annie spills the tea on receiving a surprise photo from her last summer fling and dives into the juicy details of her current relationship. From soaring in the clouds to navigating the ups and downs of love, this episode is packed with excitement, romance, and a few unexpected turns.

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Saddle Up: Near-Death Rides & D1 Dreams with Nicole and Tara

Thu, 30 May 2024 01:00:40 GMT

Get ready for a wild ride as Nicole ("Nikka") joins Tara to share their unforgettable horsegirl adventures. These two have seen it all—from a dangerous experience where they almost lost their lives on a horseback riding trail in the Appalachian mountains, to accidentally becoming Division 1 athletes with barely any riding experience.

Join us as we laugh, gasp, and learn about their journey into the world of collegiate equestrianism. And if that’s not enough, we’ll delve into some bizarre rumors of horses potentially driven mad by illegal dumping. This episode is packed with thrilling stories, unexpected twists, and a whole lot of horsetalk. Don’t miss it!

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We watched Saltburn.

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 04:00:12 GMT

Join Kat and Tara, and let's talk about Saltburn. We'll answer your burning questions. What symbolism is hidden in Saltburn? Who are the real psychopaths in Saltburn? Is Saltburn a love story? How much do we estimate the Catton Family's fortune to be? How did Oliver become so resentful of wealth? Did the audience miss the point of Saltburn?

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"Scammed" becomes the scammer

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 05:01:46 GMT

Join Tara and Abdul as they delve into a shadowy world of online deceit. Abdul discusses a harrowing experience of falling victim to a scam orchestrated by an online employer. The intrigue deepens when Abdul, now at a new job, finds himself accused of scamming a seemingly innocent customer who, as it turns out, is running a scheme against Abdul's company.

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Artificial Intelligence & 10 year olds in Sephora

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 05:00:03 GMT

Happy New Year! On season 3 episode 2, Naomi and Tara talk about why 10-year-olds are shopping in Sephora. Why do middle schoolers have skincare and cups on their Christmas lists? Will artificial intelligence change how influencers create content? Naomi and Tara speak about how capitalism & social media have influenced the development of young people. Naomi goes on to share about the importance of working on "your craft".

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Me and My iPad Against the World

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 06:26:02 GMT

On season 3 episode 1, Tara goes into the most effective way to use an iPad and organization skills for students with and without the iPad. She recently bought an iPad Pro and is in love with how productive she can be with it. Tara is in love with Duolingo and Collanote. Are third-party iPads a sham? Did Tara get scammed by Amazon? How can you save $200+ on an iPad?

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We Competed in the Miss. USA Pageant System

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 03:22:39 GMT

What is competing in a pageant actually like? Do we regret competing? Join the strangers turned roommates, Tara and Emiliann, to discuss competing in Miss. New York USA.

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Emily & Tara: Can we eat cyanobacteria?

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 04:00:03 GMT

As the second part in a two-part series, Emily and Tara make environmental health news palatable and link the environment's health to our own health. “Cyanobacteria are blue-green algae that produce a variety of bioactive compounds" (Zahra et al., 2020). Cyanobacteria have been considered as a potential tool for the energy crisis, food security, disease outbreaks and climate change. Why is the blame for climate change on consumers? How do we support a population of 8 billion people? ----- Can cyanobacteria be the solution?

Source:

Zahra, Z., Choo, D. H., Lee, H., & Parveen, A. (2020). Cyanobacteria: Review of current potentials and applications. Environments, 7(2), 13. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments7020013

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Emily & Tara: Can thunderstorms cause asthma?

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 04:00:18 GMT

As the first part in a two-part series, Emily and Tara make environmental health news palatable and link the environment's health to our own health. Emily will be pursuing her MPH in Fall 2023 and contributed greatly to the research for today's episode. Our first episode focuses on a disease that embodies the environmental health movement: asthma. When discussing environmental triggers of diseases or how public health is impacted by the environment, scientists and researchers have to mention asthma. How can we prepare for climate change's impact on our health?

Sources

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Should Our Trio Break Up?

Wed, 31 May 2023 16:48:03 GMT

On season 2 episode 9, Tara hosts Katerina and Alvaro to discuss if their trio works. Should they break up? Are trio friendships actually genuine?

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To the "Yes" Person, Say No.

Wed, 24 May 2023 04:00:11 GMT

Milgram's shock experiment (1963) demonstrates that under pressure people tended to comply with orders that went against their moral code. This applies to the day-to-day questions that we feel pressured to say yes to. How does one overcome the fear and guilt of saying no? Can saying no really improve your relationships with your friends and family?

Reference:

Encina, G. B., Milgram’s Experiment on Obedience to Authority. Milgram’s experiment on obedience to authority. https://nature.berkeley.edu/

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Culture Shock

Wed, 17 May 2023 04:00:08 GMT

On season 2 episode 8, Tara hosts Abdul and Tyron to answer questions like: What is it like going to a PWI? What is Black culture? How has working in the college food industry changed Tyron's eating habits?

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I'm Graduating!

Wed, 03 May 2023 04:00:46 GMT

An episode from the comfort of my bed-- yes, groggy bedtime voice. With being at this point in life, Tara forgets to appreciate the position she's in. The present is not something we will ever have again. How do we come to realize the true value of today? Does graduating early rob you of the college experience?

Join Tara for a nighttime chat.

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Are You a Product of Your Environment?

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 04:11:45 GMT

In episode 6 of season 2, Tara hosts Ariana, Nicholas, Abdul, and Mathilde to dive into our values with relationships and friendships. Do we become our friends? Do we learn patience from our parents? What are the different immigrant-parent dynamics? Who should you surround yourself with?

"I do think... God places people into your life to either teach you a lesson, stay in your life for the rest of your life, be your best friend, teach you what you don't deserve, or teach you exactly what you do deserve; and you learn that as you grow up. You learn as you lose people and as you keep people" - Ariana

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French C*ndoms are Candles

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 06:35:29 GMT

On this wholesome episode, Mathilde tells listeners about the struggles of moving to New York as an au pair from France. Tara picks Mathilde's brain about the differences between being a young adult in France versus New York. Is clubbing in France different? Why do American parties end so early? Are French teenagers more mature than American teenagers?

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My Mom, Marie Curie

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 05:01:54 GMT

On season 2 episode 4, Emily and Tara discuss the obstacles and experiences of being women in STEM. Emily is an environmental sciences fanatic and discusses her inspirations, her collegiate experiences, and how she accidentally got into coding. Why is misinformation profitable? Why is it so easy to believe misinformation on TikTok?

Twitter @teaandtangents

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The Summer I Turned Pretty

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 05:01:02 GMT

Lexi and Tara go on a classic tangent about popular TV shows including The Summer I Turned Pretty (0:00-4:46), Outer Banks (04:46-8:50), and One Tree Hill (around 17:20) and their lives while watching the shows. Lexi dives into what it's like to be an only child (08:50- 11:00) and how playing with dolls alone as a child affected her as an adult. Both Lexi and Tara are about to graduate from college and have very different plans for living out the last semester!

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Lessons from 2022

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 03:23:31 GMT

Tara shares her top ten lessons from 2022 to head into 2023. You don't need your family and friends to agree with your goals, and you can have a new life in just one year.

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My Tinder Date Surprises Me with a 3-year-old

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 05:00:53 GMT

The second season of Tea & Tangents kicks off with the dating lives of Annesha & Divanna, with some commentary from Teresa. Annesha shares what it's like dating in her 30s after being married and divorced. Did she almost become a stepmom from her OkCupid date? Did her date try to convert her to Christianity? Is there a future husband in her life? Listen to find out.

Disclaimer: This 1AM podcast episode is filled with lots of giggles.

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My Best Friend Forgot My Birthday

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 06:37:37 GMT

Episode 20, the final episode of season 1 of Tea & Tangents, features Deepthy and Aleena. Deepthy's best friend and family forgot her 19th birthday. When is it time to end a friendship? Why do some people hate their birthday? Do friendships affect how you value yourself? What does it mean to have chosen family?

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The Ghost of the Radio Station

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 03:54:52 GMT

Sit in on episode 19 of Tea & Tangents with guest podcaster Vincent. Vincent is the program director of the radio station this podcast is recorded at, and he runs his own show (@thisshipslaps on Instagram). Today's guest speaks on the ghost that haunts the radio station, Halloweekend, and the value of being a part of the radio-station-community. How did Vincent get to where he is today? Is there merit in making commitments to passion projects outside of your career path?

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Dan Exposes Himself

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 06:10:13 GMT

Episode 18 of Tea & Tangents Dan, Elma and Sean. As Halloween rolls around, the four talk about haunted houses and whether or not paranormal movies are actually scary. Who peed her pants at a haunted house? Dan and Sean are teammates on the rowing team and spill the tea about what it's like to row for a D1 university. What happened when they flipped the boat last week? What is it like feeling exposed in a unitard? What is Dan's deepest darkest secret?

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Serial Killers are Hot?

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 22:36:12 GMT

On episode 17 of Tea & Tangents, Elma and Sean guest-host on this tangent. Elma, Sean, and Tara discuss the ethics of death and dying from the perspective of pre-health students. Are TV shows about serial killers ethical to produce? How can such a gruesome tragedy be sensationalized?

Sean discusses why he may be turning away from veterinary medicine and towards the developing social media sphere. Is the veterinary field worth going in to? How much of a role does dying play on the healthcare industry?

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Monica Comes to America

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 04:52:31 GMT

On episode 16, Monica shares her experience with coming to the United States from El Salvador when she was only a toddler. She takes Tara and Genesis through her life from meeting her mom for the first time, to being an undocumented college student. Genesis graces the episode with her presence and adds her thoughts on the importance of taking advantage of opportunities. Stay til the end to hear driving stories :)

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The Commuter Life

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 04:00:55 GMT

Anna, a 19-year-old student at Florida Atlantic University, talks about what it's like living at home during college. Tara and Anna have been friends for 8 years now, and share a very real episode session about the reality of commuting to college and finding your people. Teresa jumps in to mention what she spent $1k on before the start of school.

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Femininty

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 04:00:41 GMT

What is femininity? Did I misunderstand feminism growing up? How does the "pink tax" relate to the role of capitalism in femininity? Listen in to episode 13 of Tea and Tangents to find out.

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Drama Straight Out of a TV Show

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 04:00:00 GMT

On episode 12, Nylah spills why she has been M.I.A the entire summer after graduating. From a new girlfriend to getting caught by her parents on prom night, there is a LOT to unpack. Join us on Tea and Tangents to hear why Nylah ended things with her best friend of almost 7 years.

This episode contains explicit language.

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How to Survive Freshman Year

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 04:00:52 GMT

Episode 11 of Tea and Tangents hosted by Tara features guests Kat and Alvaro sharing college tips. From academics to partying, listeners will get a full rundown on the do's and don'ts of college. Should you room with your high school friends at college? How should you choose your roommate? How do you stay safe at off campus parties?

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Why We Should Stop Liking Dear Evan Hansen

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 04:00:38 GMT

Episode 9 features guests Kat and Alvaro discussing the controversy surrounding the 2015 musical "Dear Evan Hansen". Why is this musical so well liked when its protagonist is such a "bad character"? What are musicals that have good queer representation? Kat shares what queer representation should look like in the media. Join us on this theatre nerd tangent.

Spoiler Alerts for: Riverdale, Love, Simon, One Day at a Time

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Can Free Will Exist?

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 04:00:25 GMT

On the episode 8 of Tea and Tangents, Mickey joins the podcast to discuss whether or not free will can exist in a society/government with so many limitations. Are limitations set out to protect us? Can anyone have free will if inevitable consequences exist? Join us to find out.

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Romance in the Workplace

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 15:33:17 GMT

Episode 7 features Annie, who returns to the podcast to discuss the importance of having personal space, and to answer questions about dealing with inappropriate situations. How does she deal with an obsessive line cook? Is it ever okay to make explicit jokes in the workplace? What goes on behind the scenes in the catering hall business? Join us on this episode to find out.

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Moving and Quitting Your Job

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 03:50:35 GMT

On episode 6, Grace hops on the podcast to discuss moving, quitting her job, and different therapies. Grace gives advice on when to quit a job and when she knew enough was enough. Tea is spilled on what goes on in her university's dorms and why she's getting a single next semester. Grace and Tara have been good friends for about 6 years and their communication consists largely of breaking out into giggles.

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Crossing the Line

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 04:00:41 GMT

Knowing when to cross the line from friends to lovers with someone can be a tough cookie, especially if you aren't sure if they like you. On episode 5, Annie shares her personal friends/lovers stories and we talk about why enemies to lovers may not work in real life. Teresa sits in as a live listener and commentator.

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How to Be a Beginner

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 04:00:57 GMT

Why is it so hard to start something new? Have you ever felt intimidated by trying something? "You have to be a beginner before you can be anything else" so let's talk about how to be a beginner.

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Wedding Mistakes & Regretting Children

Tue, 12 Jul 2022 03:08:31 GMT

On Episode 3, Hailey and Tara speak about several situations posted to Quora. The discussion includes red flags during a wedding, regretting having children, and lawyers telling clients to run. Tune in to hear our reactions and opinions.

Disclaimer: We do not own any of the stories shared.

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Burn Out

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 04:00:46 GMT

How does ambition relate to burn out? Join the discussion about the realness of burn out.

“I honor him but as he was ambitious, I slew him.” - Brutus, Julius Caesar

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Am I an Adult Yet? My First Episode

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 04:00:44 GMT

What defines adulthood? Does independence really equate to being an adult?

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