Off Topic with Kyra and Jess

Kyra and Jess are back just in time with a new episode of the Off Topic Pod! Listen while you practice your social distancing! We offer some ideas for activities to do from home such a Coronavirus Thanksgiving dinner with that free turkey from Giant you probably forgot was still in the freezer. Next we recap the finale of the Bachelor and dish on all of our opinions. We have a lot of 'em. And yes...we talk about BARB! Finally we compare Love is Blind to the Bachelor and discuss if the Bachelor is losing its appeal. Enjoy!

The pod rings in the new year by taking a look back at the last decade. To begin, we play another round of "Askhole" and cover topics such as beef consumption and physics, and answer the question, "would you date yourself?" Then we launch into a review of our past decade by looking at our Facebook profile pictures from 2009. What a doozy! Jess and Kyra manage to run through the last decade of their lives each in under 8 minutes. We end the episode by looking forward to the next decade and dreaming of the future. Happy New Year!

Guess who's back? Back again! We couldn't end 2019 without an episode for you guys! We know we've taken a mysterious leave of absence since June but we are back and more ready than ever to dive into off topic conversations just for your enjoyment. We begin by switching up our 3 Questions by playing a few rounds of "Askhole" - a game that advertises itself as "guaranteed to ruin any dinner party" so you know it's gonna be good. Askhole leads to many topics such as designer babies, polygamy, ghosting, and more. We then briefly update you all on the last six months of our lives and then Jess quizzes Kyra on 7th grade English material. The episode wraps up with a story of why not to peak in high school. Merry Christmas from Kyra and Jess!

Buckle up - Episode 13 is a wild ride. We spend an inordinate amount of time talking about our previous pets (RIP) and Kyra finds out that Jess had a pony at one point as well as a ducky named Lucky who met a very unlucky ending. Listeners will also be informed of other fun facts from Google like the average child bearing age in the United States, the first cat launched into space, and the rumored number of Charlie Sheen's paramours. We share our thoughts on this season's Bachelorette villain, Luke P, and discuss the difference between being controlling and fighting for your girl. Enjoy!

Previously we did a Bachelor contestant preview so we thought it would only be fair to do a Bachelorette contestant preview for this upcoming season. Before we get started on that we find out who Kyra would be if she was a Game of Thrones character, what Jess would say to Carrie Underwood in real life if she got to meet her, and other extremely important topics that we know you are dying to hear about. We then review all the contestants, trying our best - but failing, to not be super judgmental. We pick our favorites and wonder why most of these guys can't dress themselves normally, so many of them are from Florida, and why in the world we can't ever find an Asian contestant on this show. Follow along with us here: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/g26834762/hannah-brown-bachelorette-contestants-season-15-2019/

On Episode 11, Kyra and Jess welcome a very special guest, Jess’s friend, Allie. We know we’re not supposed to pick favorites, but this episode just may be our favorite one to date. Allie lives with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and came on the podcast to share her story and bring awareness to CF. But before we dive into all that we play a round of 4 questions (that’s right, 4 not 3 because we were feeling crazy) with Allie in which we learn that all three of our first concerts were to see Disney star teen sensation, Hilary Duff! Allie shares about her background and what it was like to grow up with CF. She sheds light on what it’s like to live with an invisible illness and the fact that we never know what someone else is going through just by looking at them. Other topics include: relationships, treatments, careers, and travelling. Whether you’re living with CF, someone you love is living with CF, or are just a citizen of planet earth, Allie’s story will inspire you. She sure inspires us. Check out Allie’s Instagram blog about CF @cysticwarrior65 and donate to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation here: https://www.facebook.com/donate/826127531055183/

We're back after a hot minute (or a fiery 60 seconds, as Kyra prefers to say) with Episode 10! The episode kicks off with a retelling of Jess's adventures from that one time she went on a spring break trip. Then in honor of our 10th episode we make random lists of our Top 10s. Jess teaches Kyra about EDM artists (who knew Illeniun wasn't a prescription drug???) and we unpack why Shake Shack just doesn't live up to all the hype. Speaking of burgers, Kyra then discovers the chain is called Whataburger and NOT Waterburger. We then give a painfully honest review of Washington DC's Cherry Blossom Trees and totally make a historically incorrect statement about their history (Japan gifted the Cherry Blossom Trees to the U.S. in 1912 NOT after WWII). We end with a harrowing tale of bicycling through DC. Enjoy!

On Episode 9 we have a very special guest! Jess's childhood best friend and badass young mama, Amanda, joins us to gab about all things Bachelor. But before we get to that, Jess and Amanda entertain Kyra with a harrowing tale of a camping trip from hell, and it is revealed that Jess used to pet bumblebees. There is also a friendly debate about the correct pronounication of "bagel". Then we launch into this season of the Bachelor and dig into how "readiness" is always brought up on the franchise. Does readiness for marriage always correlate to one's age? We discuss that and Amanda gives us her prediction for how the season ends. Additionally we talk about the whole Khloe Kardashian/Jordyn Woods/Tristan Thompson/Kylie Jenner fiasco and contemplate when America will stop caring about the Kardashians. Finally we end with Amanda sharing with us what made her ready to get married. It's a special episode. Enjoy!

Episode 8 kicks off with the revelation that Kyra's voicemail is the entire message Pam has to record for the Michael Scott Dunder Mifflin Scranton Meredith Palmer Memorial Celebrity Rabies Awareness Pro-Am Fun Run Race For The Cure. Office fans will appreciate it. Call Kyra to hear the message. We're sure she probably won't pick up so you'll get to hear it. Other highlights from 3 Questions include Kyra and Jess talking about how they are bay side people versus ocean side people (it's a thing!), Jess having to pick between three very famous Chris's, Kyra's dream of a Netflix show about transracial adoption, and Jess's personal slogan. We then get into a long discussion about Marie Kondo's Konmari method and the downsides of Millennial "self-care" and individualism. If you ever felt pressure about discovering and living out your passion or felt anxious about whether or not you're doing "the right thing at the right time" you'll enjoy this episode. We end with advice we'd give our tween/teen selves. Enjoy!

On Episode 7 of Off Topic with Kyra and Jess we dive into the Fyre Festival and how it connects to the broader issues that come from the world of Instagram and social media. But before that, Jess fills us in on her trip to California and her time on the Ellen Show! We briefly bemoan the Eagles' loss and the fact that the Patriots are in yet again another Super Bowl. During 3 Questions, Kyra comes to self-realization that she is indeed bougie in many ways. Jess describes what essential oils are to Kyra. And then we launch into a lively discussion about our reaction to the Fyre Festival documentaries on Netflix and Hulu. We commentate on the power of "influence" and social media influencers and worry about the effect Instagram influence has on women, especially young girls growing up. Ads that target women are called out as well as the DMs that prey on women. Ever gotten an annoying DM about weight loss or accountability? Then this one is for you! We want all women from babies to grandmas to know they are uniquely and wonderfully made. There is nothing wrong with you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhqIkoZS_WE (1:42 to see Jess do the baby shark dance) https://media.giphy.com/media/xVlgCpYkRuVmyMN4KS/giphy.gif (also look at a this gif of Jess doing the baby shark dance)

On Episode 6 Halie is back by popular demand and joined by Kyra's Australian friend, Jasmin, to discuss all things Australia with Kyra and Jess. But first a serious question is posed during 3 Questions: Would you rather spend your whole life only being able to eat Cool Ranch Doritos or poop every time you said the word "like"? We also check in on Jess and Halie's workout regimens that were mentioned last episode and find out why Kyra's catson is named Sirius Grey (@siriusgreythecat on Instagram). Halie goes on to claim the podcast is sponsored by "tampons". We are not. Then we have a LIVE VEGEMITE TASTING! Jess tries Vegemite for the first time and gives us as play by play reaction to this Australian staple food. Since Halie is about to leave on a 9 month work trip to Australia, Jasmin answers all her burning questions and gives her some advice. Enjoy!

On Episode 5 of Off Topic we bring on two of our long-time hometown pals to tackle to subject of adulting. We wonder aloud if there was some manual on how to be adult that we somehow missed out on and discuss the trials and tribulations on growing up while drinking boxed economy wine in Jess's parents' basement (could we be more millennial??) If you ever struggled or are struggling with how to find your place in the world as a young adult, this one is for you! Other topics covered include but are not limited to: lactose intolerance, how frequently to wash one's hair, Amy Adams' age, the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (aka the worst road ever), Wawa, the ideal number of children to have, etc. We also discuss a hot topic: who is hotter, Liam or Chris Hemsworth??? And for New Years, we share our resolutions. New Year, New Us? Enjoy!

In Episode 4 Kyra and Jess embark on a journey of the Bachelor contestants for this season! Come along with us as we make judgmental statements about women we've never met before in our lives. We discuss the plethora of 23 year old women vying for Colton's heart from the "sloth girl" to the "Cinderella" to the girl who has never been kissed. And if you're not into the Bachelor, never fear! The first part of the episode we sit back on our Millennial rocking chairs and talk about kids these days and their dependence on social media and technology. We also touch on why animals (both human and other) do not eat their own offspring. What more could you want??? If you want to follow along during the Bachelor contestant part here is the link: https://www.etonline.com/bachelor-colton-underwoods-contestants-revealed-meet-the-30-women-vying-for-his-heart-114568

In episode three we cover the plight of being an alto singer, the fact Kyra can never be President, bras, Freeboobing (it's like freeballing but for boobs), Carrie Underwood's discography, and much much more! Then we dive into the Kevin Hart Oscar controversy which leads into a discussion about the wage gap and how to negotiate your salary as a woman! It's a good episode and we're not just saying that cause we made it, it may be THE BEST EPISODE YET! (A note from Kyra: I said that Jamie Foxx tweeted about the Kevin Hart Oscar issue but it was actually Nick Cannon...my bad)

We're back with Episode 2! Thank you very much for everyone who listened to our first episode! For those who aren't Grey's Anatomy fans, this one is for you. We don't even mention Grey's in this episode (shocker). We start out playing 3 Questions...that's right, not 20 but 3 and then launch into a story about our dining experience at Gordon Biersch and a deep dive into dining etiquette and how to treat your server (aka you better be tipping). If you ever wanted to hear about Jess's thoughts on Free Willy, Kyra's dream dinner guests or just enjoy long stories about dining experiences gone wrong, listen!!! Or just listen cause you love us or hate us or just want some white noise in the background of this journey we call life.

We talked so much we had to make a part 2 :)

Hey y’all and welcome to the first episode of Off Topic with Kyra and Jess. This episode was completely spontaneous and manifested on a wonderful November Sunday afternoon in Kyra’s studio apartment in Washington DC. We jump around to many different topics (hence, Off Topic)... we start by trying to decide what jingle we can use for our new podcast, then we discuss our hometown of Bucks County, PA and what makes a Philly accent. We then do a deep dive into Grey’s Anatomy deaths and finally move into discussing thanksgiving and cooking a turkey in the microwave. We hope you can embrace and accept our randomness and relate to our millennial lives. PS if you don’t watch Grey’s Anatomy you may want to skip through 10 minutes in the middle of the podcast. Sorry not sorry. Enjoy!