The Internet Friends Podcast

Our season finale covers all things fragrance! Olivia Olfactory joins the podcast to talk about perfume and social media. The creator is chatting about how she reviews scents for an online audience that can’t actually smell them, working with Selena Gomez and Rare Beauty, the connection between gender politics and fragrance, overused and overlooked scent trends, how social media is changing the pe...

Dr. Alix Woolard is here to talk about trauma and social media. The researcher discusses the ethics of ‘trauma dumping’ online, the effects of doomscrolling through triggering content, and the detriments (and benefits!) of TikTok on mental health. Let us know what you think of the episode via @theinternetfriendspod on Instagram and TikTok!

The Aussie Girl Choir are our newest Internet Friends! The viral sensations join the podcast to talk about singing—and how their performances have struck a chord with millions online. We chat about the stories behind their most viewed videos, how social media continues to change the tune of the music industry, and what they plan to do with their new-found internet fame. Let us know what you think...

How do mental health and social media intersect? OCD and anxiety therapist Mary Feldman is here to explain. Mary, whose account ‘OCD Rebel Therapist’ has garnered a large online following, is chatting about intrusive thoughts, Reddit rabbit holes, ego-dystonia, self-diagnosis from online information, and other ways social media can help or harm our mental health. Listen for tips on how to protect...

Michelle Casey has made a name for herself as Australia’s first-ever name consultant, amassing hundreds of thousands of followers on her naming account “Grow Little Wildflower.” Now, she’s our latest podcast guest! The name consultant is discussing all things baby names: trends, regret, inspiration––and how social media is influencing it all. Tune in to learn if ‘grandpa’ names are here to stay, w...

We’re welcoming Leila Makes to the pod! The sewist and blogger discusses building a crafting community online, the ethics of dupes, sewing tips, and social media comparison. Listen now to learn about the best fabrics for beginners, where Leila gets design inspiration, why she avoids the word "seamstress," and more! Let us know what you think of the episode via @theinternetfriendspod on I...

Now in session: our latest episode, “Politics & social media.” Dr. Marlon Twyman from the University of Southern California is here to discuss the relationship between social media and political radicalization, campaigns, and misinformation. The social network expert breaks down the celebrity culture of politicians, social media as a collective memory, and how it democratizes civic information...

Fashion trend expert Sara Ouardi joins the podcast to talk all things style: how social media is reshaping the shopping cycle, the importance of inclusivity and affordability in fashion, which trends she’s loving… and which trends she’s leaving behind. She shares her methodology for forecasting trends, styling tips, and why she thinks personal style will always be in vogue. Are skinny jeans ever c...

Beloved baker Gemma Stafford is on the pod to share her recipes for digital, business, and culinary success! She explains her journey to millions of YouTube subscribers, the story behind her popular website Bigger Bolder Baking, her approach to social media trends, baking tips, and why brand diversification is her secret ingredient. What’s next for Gemma’s baking empire? Press play to find out. Le...

Professor Bronwyn Carlson is the world’s preeminent researcher into Indigenous digital life and Head of Critical Indigenous Studies at Macquarie University. She joins the podcast to unpack the complex role of social media for Indigenous Australians. We discuss discrimination, genuine vs. performative activism, digital colonialism, cultural preservation in a digital world, how allies can support Ab...

As Head of Social at beloved Australian brand The Oodie and a UGC creator herself, Linda Huynh knows how to build a brand––and be one. She shares the strategies behind The Oodie’s many viral moments, tips for getting started as an influencer, and advice for making content that's fun yet still drives results. Let us know what you think of the episode via @theinternetfriendspod on Instagram and...

Professor Frank McAndrew joins the podcast to spill the tea on gossip. The psychology professor from Knox College in Illinois, USA, explains how humans evolved to gossip, and how social media has changed the landscape for it––especially when it comes to celebrity. Listen to learn from Professor Frank! Let us know what you think of the episode via @theinternetfriendspod on Instagram and TikTok!

Brooke Thomo, Cedar, and Sprinkle are our newest Internet Friends! The Italian Greyhound, border collie, and momager trio join the pod to discuss dog tricks, talking buttons, and the prominence of pet accounts on social media. Can dogs really understand human language? How can you profit off your pet content? Why did Brooke choose the name Sprinkle Margaret Jean? Tune in to find out. Let us know w...

Skin-positive beauty influencer Melodie Perez, AKA Diary of Troubled Skin, is our first guest of season 2! The skinfluencer breaks down breakouts, her personal Accutane journey, her must-have products for healthy skin, working with Scarlett Johansson, and promoting skin positivity online. Let us know what you think of the episode via @theinternetfriendspod on Instagram and TikTok!

Australia's most followed TikTok creators, X and Ivy, join the podcast for our season finale. The DJ duo discusses how they quickly gained 20 million followers through their viral "Fact or Cap" life hacks, the craziest food combinations they've tried as part of their "Snack or Yack" content-turned-cookbook venture, and how they're pivoting their social accounts to focus more on their original pass...

Journalist Judith Nwandu joins the Internet Friends Podcast to discuss all things The Shade Room. She explains the popular publication’s inception, creating content for the African American community and millennials, and how TSR spearheaded new and innovative ways of finding news stories through social media. Judith also recounts her journey to “politiculture,” a mix of political and pop culture r...

Influencer Robin Wilson is our latest guest! She takes a walk down memory lane to discuss the small town where we were both raised, and she shares how growing up in a tight-knit community affected her relationship with social media. Robin also talks about her experiences as an influencer: dealing with haters both IRL and online, gaining a following through Barstool, and why she feels constrained b...

Fashion influencer T.h.e. Staples joins the podcast to discuss current trends, her experience with internet trolls, and the work that goes into content creation. She shares insights into how she grew her following and why she ultimately decided to step away from the account she put so much effort into building. Let us know what you think of the episode via @theinternetfriendspod on Instagram and T...

Sex worker, sober person, content creator, entrepreneur, writer, runner, and Virgo Addis Fouché is our latest Internet Friend! The creator discusses how she uses social media to humanise sex work, how her previous career in advertising helps in her current industry, tips for going viral online, finding community on Reddit, quality pick-up lines for sliding into the DMs, and her popular blog-turned...

Christian Brown is the cofounder of influencer marketing management platform Glewee and a member of the Forbes Under 30 class of 2023. We talk about his introduction to entrepreneurship in high school through Ohkay Worldwide, the founding of Glewee, how he landed a spot on Forbes Under 30, the ins and outs of influencer marketing, his thoughts on current trends, and his social media-loving grandma...

YouTube’s Maggie Suszka joins the pod to discuss the intersection of artificial intelligence, social media, and music. She sheds light on the opportunities AI presents creators, addresses common fears surrounding the topic, and explains Dream Track, YouTube’s new AI music incubator. She also discusses her journey with “digital wellness” both personally and professionally through nonprofit Half the...

Journalist, Food Network cohost, and USC professor Sophie Flay joins the podcast to discuss food, how social media both complements and complicates reporting, designing curriculums for the ever-evolving social media landscape, what Sophie's algorithm serves up, and social learnings imparted by her parents. Let us know what you think of the episode via @theinternetfriendspod on Instagram and TikTok...

Model and influencer Liv Mangrum joins the podcast to discuss how she approaches the topics of her faith, modelling career, and relationships on social media. She talks about sharing her relationship with Jesus with her online following, why she refrains from oversharing content about her marriage, the evolution of beauty standards in the modeling industry, whether follower account affects booking...

TikTok creator, musician, and comedian Fia James kickstarts the podcast as our inaugural guest. We chat about the Vine days, Fia’s recent breakups, 'internet humor,' moving to New York City, and music. The "Citgo Sign" singer shares tips for going viral on social media and healing from a breakup, and she reveals her surprising 2023 top Spotify Wrapped artist…Let us know what you think of the episo...