Characters

We're joined in conversation today by Laura Arden, a creature actor and intimacy coordinator. We speak about developing specialties on film sets, self-advocacy, neurodivergence, and the value in being a multifaceted talent. Spoiler: Laura is also one of my dearest friends, so the conversation is both tender and giggly and so fun. Time stamps: 1:26 Becoming an actor 3:53 Creature acting 12:58 Confi...

Our first Friday content roundup!! We have a lot to discuss about this week on television. We will of course overview Alex Cooper's new reality dating show on Hulu, Love Overboard (actually wild). Also: this season so far on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, including my thoughts on Amanda Frances; and the new series (reboot) Ladies of London: The New Reign and their forced trauma bonding activity...

We're diving into the career, personal life, and lasting legacy of icon Farrah Fawcett. From her early career, to *that* poster, and from her professional pivot after one impatful season on Charlie's Angels. Plus, her relationships with Lee Majors, Ryan O'Neil, and the college boyfriend that reveal their rekindled romance after her passing. PLUS! Exciting news - Characters will now be coming out t...

Holly Madison joins us for a candid conversation about life during and post her seven-year residency at the Playboy Mansion. From the complicated reality of the relationship she was in, to the impact of Girls Next Door on her life (despite not being paid for the show until season five)! Holly opens up about rebuilding her life in Las Vegas, as shared on her spin-off show, Holly's World. She looks...

We're joined today by content creator and screenwriter Tess Higgins! We're talking all things dating shows: from Bachelor/Bachelorette, the Goldens, to Love is Blind, Love Island, and even more. We're sharing our predictions for Taylor Frankie Paul's upcoming Bachelorette season, plus what we think drove Bachelor Nation to this point of "desperation." You can find Tess Higgins on socials at @tessd...

We're joined today by legendary costume designer Mona May! She'a reflecting on the fashion of the iconic film Clueless - we're talking about sourcing and designing the outfits for Cher, Dionne, Tai and Amber; telling stories through costumes; and the impact of the film's fashion thirty years later. We're also speaking about her fabulous work in cult classic films like The House Bunny and Romy and...

We're joined by content creator Kate Riccio for a friendly conversation all about reality television: the evolution from shows like Jersey Shore to Real Housewives, the landscape of performance on reality tv today, and cities we'd love to see on our screens. Plus, our takes on Real Housewives of Rhode Island, the "Housewives to prison" pipeline, the inclusion of bloggers in storylines, and more. Y...

Welcome to Characters!! We are joined on our first episode by Pamela Des Barres, "the world's most famous groupie," for a conversation about her legendary rock and roll memoir, I'm With The Band. Originally published in 1987, I'm With The Band chronicles Pamela's time in the 1960s as a member of the GTOs; friendships and romantic relationships with rockstars like Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page, Gram Pars...

A new show by Laura Diez, on the characters we love to consume. Exploring the portrayals of real people on reality tv, fictionalized women that stay in our memories, and pop culture legends. Characters premieres February 17, 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're comparing passenger train travel between the US and Europe: why does Europe do rail so well? We're overviewing a handful of regional and intercity routes that do train travel well, and pointing out what American communities could learn from - investments, political will, high-speed rail, and much more. We're also discussing scenic routes and trains as part of the trip, rather than simply a m...

Virginia Chamlee is an artist, writer, and author of the best-selling book, Big Thrift Energy. She joins us for a conversation on finding your personal style, the best tips for shopping secondhand for furniture and unique homewares, and curating a home that feels truly *you*. Find Virginia on TikTok @virginiachamlee and Instagram @vchamlee Thanks to our sponsor! Get started at $1.49 per meal at Ev...

We are joined by Katie Gatti of Money With Katie, financial literacy blogger, podcast superstar, and one my favorite people on the internet!! We are discussing today what Katie calls "the hot girl hamster wheel" - the never-ending beauty maintenance that women often feel financially and socially committed to. Today's conversation explores beauty consumerism, female-targeted marketing, and what it...

We're rewinding on one of our most buzzy topics: fast furniture. When did we start thinking of furniture as disposable? Today we're discussing the under-exaggerated problem of fast furniture: cheap, low quality, and mass-produced pieces designed to be dumped. We're breaking down (ha) two iconic fast furniture items, and exploring tips for your next point-of-purchase furniture decision. More for yo...

We're joined by Shannon McNamara of Fluenty Forward for today's profiling of Les Wexner: the billionaire businessman behind *all* the mall brands. Wexner is credited with mainstreaming fast fashion marketing techniques, and targeted consumers through his ownership and acquisition of brands like The Limited, Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, Abercrombie & Fitch, and many, many more. Wexner also...

In our final episode for 2023, we're reflecting on the "ins" and "outs" for the year: the themes we hope continue strong and those we're happy to see go! Reflecting on how our conversations have shifted this year around conscious consumption, personal climate action, and mental health, today's conversation hopes to refresh and reset as we enter the new year, eco chic. For episode recaps of the yea...

The world's biggest climate change conference recently wrapped, and we're excited to speak today about the successes of the historic two weeks! We're joined by Charly Frisk, Director of Climate Action at Time for Better, to discuss the on-the-ground energy in Dubai, the outcomes, and how mainstream media can continue community building around historically exclusive climate events. Thanks to our sp...

Why is everyone healing their gut? Tina Anderson, CEO and co-founder of Just Thrive, joins us to talk all things gut health: from Big Pharma to modern agriculture. Today’s conversation explores connections from the gut to chronic disease, our moods, and cognitive health. We’re discussing the science behind spore-based probiotics, and how natural remedies and modern medicine can go hand-in-hand for...

It is less common that ever to be a "regular" - which feels so good to be, because it means you're a stable fixture in a community. If your home and workplace are your first and second places, respectively, what can you call your third place? Today, we're discussing some of the reasons we've seen a rapid decline in third places (is it social media? affordability? the suburban dream??) and better u...

Data time - we’re revisiting some of our most shared, most loved, + most viral conversations from the year! 2023 was such a special year of growth, learning, + reflection. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to engage in these!!  Total Ethics Fashion | Emma Hakansson, Collective Fashion Justice Imperfect Environmentalism | Megan McSherry Urban Revitalization + Sustainable Development | Alan S...

Our Black Friday episode this year is an opportunity for us to indulge in pop culture - we're discussing how some mega-celebrities have made sustainability such a central part of their platforms. It's like a new take on the tabloid classic series, "Celebs, They're Just Like Us!" - we all care about the planet, and it's so cool to see people platforming causes they're passionate about. We're overvi...

Green jobs are a huge discussion already on the presidential campaign trial - and young people have never been more motivated to secure a job ensure a climate-positive future. We're breaking down what a green job even is, and why we want to invest in them. We're also overviewing the American Climate Corps, a green job training program funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Infl...

Without even realizing, sustainability can quickly slip from our priority list around the holidays. We're walking through some frameworks to consume more consciously throughout the season, and walking through my sustainable gift guide: from experience-based giving, to thoughtful physical gifts. This episode will hopefully allow us to go into this season, typically overflowing with hyper-consumptio...

When we think of fast fashion, we probably think of the online mega-retailers (cough cough, SHEIN). Fast fashion has become such a norm of consumption that we sometimes fail to recognize brands that are employing the same techniques, ignoring the ethical and environmental wrongdoings, to produce obscene amounts and turnover inventory quicker than ever before. Today we're exposing some "secretly" f...

Actress and comedian Cheryl Hines joins us to share her personal sustainability journey: from humble Florida childhood to stretching every dollar as an aspiring entertainer, sustainability was an unconscious way of life. She shares with us her new brand, Hines + Young, founded with her daughter Kat: an everyday luxury brand, plastic-free and all natural. We discuss how her awareness of environment...

The thrift queen is here!! Macy Eleni (of @blazedandglazed) is a content creator, internet personality, soon-to-be-published author, and the ultimate secondhand fashion superstar. Today we discuss her early exposures to the fashion industry (do you remember Teen Vogue University??), her thrift philosophies, and her upcoming book. We also discuss our qualms with online pressures of hyperconsumption...