The Moment LIVE! Politics & Culture, Explained

This week we welcome our pop culture king Blakely Thornton to the pod to talk about Kimberly Noel's Criminal Justice Era. We discuss how the Kardashians have evolved, Kim's journey from Paris Hilton's closet to the White House, and of course a few moments with Kris. Together we unpack how celebrities impact social issues and the nearly impossible task of fixing deep problems in the justice system....

Fresh off the Eagles win I'm joined by journalist and New York Times best selling author Jo Piazza for a conversation about tradwives, mom influencers, and our changing media landscape. We dig into Jo's own stint as a mom influencer, her writing process, and the economy of internet content creation.  Jo will be back for a special book club episode of her forthcoming book, Everyone Is Lying To You,...

Since time immemorial we have documented our families lives, but over the years birth announcements have evolved from placing a note in the newspaper (we used to do that!!) to filming pregnancy announcements for your family vlog channel in a Target bathroom. But does family vlogging blur the lines on our children's privacy? What are the long term implications of making your daughter's first period...

What's the deal with TikTok? No seriously, what's the deal with it? This week I invite on social strategist and friend of the pod Vienna DeGiacomo from Good Story Branding to unpack the latest on the TikTok ban. We get into our predictions for the future of the app and what platforms and strategies we are recommending and implementing ourselves.  It's a candid conversation on all the behind the sc...

Welcome to 2025 and welcome back to Oddly Specific. This week we welcome Dr. JonPaul Higgins, Ed. D. Dr. JonPaul is an award winning educator, professor, national speaker, freelance journalist, thought leader and media critic who examines the intersections of identity, gender and race in entertainment. They share their experience growing up Jehovah Witness, and their path to leaving. We also spend...

Private Equity be damned! We need to talk about Christmas sometimes. Meredith welcomes Jenny Chalikian and Erin Judge to the pod this week to discuss their fantastic new comedy album (take that PETE DAVIDSON!!) and their monthly show at LA hot spot The Ripped Bodice.  We then get to the meat of an unspoken Christmas tinged beef that Jenny and I have had without even knowing it. It takes us from th...

Pets! If you don't have one you probably know one. In this episode of my podcast, I sit down with Michael Fenne from the Private Equity Stakeholder Project to unpack the growing trend of private equity in veterinary practices—how it affects costs, quality of care, and the future of independent vets.  PLUS Michael breaks down what the upcoming Trump administration could mean for private equity regu...

It's a two for here at Oddly Specific, first my friend Rob Schulte of Vanderpump Robs joins us to discuss his new podcast about Laguna Beach, a Crocs ban that's SWEEPING the nation (read: 12 schools), and how despite limited internet access Rob and I both knew that weird rumor about Gwen Stefani and Moby in middle school.  Then we welcome on Bianca Tylek, Founder and CEO of Worth Rises a leading o...

In this episode of Oddly Specific, I’m joined by fan favorite Kiki Monique, aka The Talk of Shame, to discuss the notorious Menendez brothers case. We explore the trial's historical context, the media's portrayal of Lyle and Erik, and the complexities of abuse and crime. Together, we delve into the justice system's role in their case, recent developments regarding their potential resentencing, and...

In this episode of Oddly Specific, I welcome personal stylist Jamie Lewis, founder of JBL Styles. We dive into Jamie's journey from luxury fashion to personal styling, discussing the challenges she faced while building her business during COVID-19 and the realities of entrepreneurship. Jamie shares valuable insights on common wardrobe mistakes, the pros and cons of fast fashion, and the importance...

There is something about New York Mayor Eric Adams. On this episode of Oddly Specific, Meredith is joined by the iconic Kiki Monique aka The Talk of Shame to delve into the complexities surrounding New York Mayor Eric Adams. They explore his background, political ambitions, and the controversies that have arisen during his tenure, including his recent indictments. The conversation also touches on...

In this episode, I’m joined by Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey to address a crisis that’s been weighing heavily on my mind—how private equity is wreaking havoc on our healthcare system. We’ll explore the fallout from the collapse of Steward Healthcare, a private equity-backed hospital chain that’s left thousands of Massachusetts residents without essential care. Senator Markey and I discuss the he...

If you have ever watched tv Nell Scovell has made you laugh. The creator of Sabrina the Teenage Witch (TGIF HIVE!), and writer on The Simpsons, Late Night with David Letterman, Charmed, and SO many more Nell paved the way for women breaking into the male dominated world of Hollywood. This week on the pod Nell joins us to discuss her hilarious and honest memoir, Just the Funny Parts that chronicles...

You know Billie Lee from her breakout role in the hit Bravo tv series Vandepump Rules, but there is so much more to her than what you saw on the screen. Billie joins me today to chat about her fantastic new book, Why Are You So Sensitive? Navigating Everyday, Unintended Microaggressions. We discuss what microaggressions are and Billie shares how they impacted her experience in the reality tv world...

Once upon a time Bob Costas arrived at the Olympic bright eyed and bushy tailed only to be faced with the reality of an eye infection that launched a million Facebook posts. We have Meredith Constant in the house to chat all things Bob, Blake Lively, and bad Royal Family PR. Digressions include the Medford Boat Club, Tim Walz, and Texas politics. We will be back real soon with a private equity epi...

It's a bonus episode at Oddly Specific with comedian Juli Polise. A Jersey princess by birth and LA queen by choice Juli is making her own damn box (Thomas Markle) in the HollyWEIRD comedy scene. Learn about life with a famous influncer mom, why I'm envious of her First Holy Communion fit, and why you should come see us THIS Saturday, August 17th at the Crow in Santa Monica.  Buy tix to Laughaholi...

Once upon a time 55 land owning white guys decided how our country was going to vote and it wasn't a great plan. This week on Oddly Specific we welcome Kristin Foster and Jaylon Lambert from Get Loud Arkansas on to the podcast to talk about voting access in Arkansas and how their state has valuable lessons we should all be listening to. Digressions include, my Dad's fear of data mining (VALID), Je...

One of the questions I often get is, what can we do to push back against private equity? My guest this week Brendan Ballou has more than a few concrete ideas. We discuss his book Plunder: Private Equity's Plan to Pillage America, the PE nursing home crisis, the waiver I had to get to pass college math, and SO much more.  Follow Brendan on X  Buy Plunder: Private Equity's Plan to Pillage America  h...

There are two things that are hot this summer, the concerning temperatures bearing down on the United States, and the WNBA. Both things many have tried to tell you about for years. This week on a surprise drop of Oddly Specific I welcome Shanteona Keys, a WNBA analyst, and host of my new favorite podcast Genuinely Curious. We chat alllll things WNBA, the Olympic selection, the Cailtin Clark of it...

This is one for the ages, first I welcome Carrie Sun who worked in private equity and wrote the most compelling memoir about her experience. It's Devil Where's Prada meets Succession and we contemplate if unlimited yoga pants are worth not knowing peace. If you're dealing with burnout at work I think you will get a lot from this conversation. THEN we have Van from the Best Week Ever Podcast who jo...

Ok you little ROCK lobsters, you asked for a Red Lobster private equity deep dive and you're getting it. I welcome journalist Amy McCarthy (eater.com) who gives us a fantastic download on pe in fast casual dining and the future of Red Lobster.  I then welcome media critic and fellow Meredith, Meredith Constant to get oddly specific with the series premier of Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Digressions...

We're back! Libraries, we love them, we need them, so why are they the source of so much debate? We welcome Huntington Beach City Councilor Rhonda Bolton to discuss the book censorship that is upending their library and the move to potentially privatize the library services to a private equity backed company.  Then we welcome stand up comedian and writer Katy Flaherty @katyflahertycomin to get Odd...

Oh my goodness, oh my goodness! This week we have Senator Elizabeth Warren talking all things private equity in particular the role of PE in healthcare facilities, it's an important conversation you won't want to miss. Then we welcome Laura Tretter (American Girl Women) for a LIVELY conversation about the musical Annie and an oddly specific series of events from the late 90s. We also  contemplate...

Join TikTok sensation Meredith Lynch for the first episode of Oddly Specific! We welcome Michael Fenne (Private Equity Stakeholder Project) to give us a crash course on why we need to care about private equity. Later we are joined by Christina Catucci to discuss why John Mayer is perhaps just as dangerous as corporate greed. Notice the pod is ad free? Subscribe to the Patreon and help us keep it t...

Oddly Specific is your new pop culture podcast hosted by TikTok sensation Meredith Lynch. Covering everything from climate change to the Kardashians, you won't want to miss a moment of Oddly Specific.