Podcast Without an Audience

Hey Teamsters! It has been a while. Carey Ann and Allison start off this episode with updates. While there is no defined plan for the upcoming year, your fearless leaders are recouping their spoons and taking some time to make sure that the pod is sustainable. While you wait, please enjoy this episode of Chick Shit's podcast episode "Strip Clubs." Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your encouragement, patience, and support. We will be back. If you're out there, keep listening.

It has been a busy holiday season, Teamsters! We are mixing it up a little with this episode and we have answered some of your questions as well as asked and answered a few of our own. Join us for a look into our weird labyrinth mind things.

Tis the season, Teamsters! Time for another holiday mash up. Unlike Halloween, CA definitely got the memo for this special episode. First, Allison gives us a history of the jolly man himself. Carey Ann then shares a new Christmas classic. Is it a cult classic? Who's to say. Happy Holidays! Hope this season brings you joy and rest.

Hello Teamsters! Hard to believe the year is coming to a close! Having a podcast kind of feels like Truman Show Syndrome. There is an audience, we just are aware of being recorded. Nonetheless, podcasts are part of a cultural moment, and well... just stay tuned to figure out why that is relevant. Then, learn about the assembly line, cars, and for better, or worse, the life of a famous white man. Allison's anthem to all is "D-BAD" which is truly something that Mr. Ford could have benefitted from hearing a time or two.

Happy Thursday, Teamsters! Do any of you remember watching a documentary in middle school that said that Nelson Mandela died in prison in the 1980s? Carey Ann sure does! What is this weird phenomenon of false memories that is the Mandela Effect? Speaking of false memories, many people have claimed over the years to be the Grand Duchess Anastasia. Allison takes us on a journey to the past through her life and her last days, perhaps even her last moments. The intersection may be clear, but the rest of it is pretty murkey.

Happy Thursday, Teamsters! We're all mad here, so we might as well go down the rabbit hole... Ready to forever change the way that you think about movies? Carey Ann's topic this week looks at a simple test used to gauge media and unravel the idea that women exist only in their relationships to men. Then, follow AllisonWonderland as she leads us down the rabbit hole that is the life of Lewis Carroll. Feel free to draw your own conclusions, but this story just gets curiouser and curiouser.

Happy Post-Thanksgiving-Warm-Gerbil-Cult-Release day, Teamsters! Welcome back to this weird labyrinth mind thing that we call a cult episode. This week, Allison takes us down a dark and twisted hole with more content warnings than we can begin to name. While "The Ant Hill Kids" sounds cute, be warned this is not a warm and fuzzy cult. Carey Ann juxtaposes all of that trauma with a look at Spirited Away, Japanese culture, and a hint at the cult of Studio Ghibli. There was so much more to say and unpack with this movie; drop a note to the Pod on Instagram with your thoughts and feedback! Join us again on Thursday for your regularly scheduled programming.

Happy Thanksgiving Teamsters!! The Pod without an Aud family wishes you delicious food and time with friends and loved ones. This week's episode is a Patreon pick for CA. Borderline Personality Disorder is widely misunderstood and over stigmatized. Join us as we learn more and unpack some of the misconceptions. Then, meet Typhoid Mary who just wanted to make peach ice cream but accidentally said "eat my sh*t."

Why was Pavlov's hair so soft? All the conditioning... Get it? Hey Teamsters! Where else can we talk about sexually arousing objects, like sexual imprinting and penny jars? This week, Carey Ann covers fetishized objects and body parts and the multitude of theories surrounding fetishes. Allison then covers the strange and unusual world of records that leads us down fun rabbit holes like "who has the longest fingernails?" and the strongest injections.

Happy Thursday Teamsters! Two quotes to spark our topics today: "Shelby was right, it does look like a brown football helmet." and "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free." Do you know where these quotes are from before listening to the episode? Hint: Carey Ann's topic this week is grief and loss, which spans beyond the five stages of grief and goes deep into the nuances of loss. Allison then leads us through the history of the busiest immigration inspection station in our history, Ellis Island. Oh, History! Oh, Psychology! Thank goodness for snacks.

In this week's shrimp-basket-combo, your fearless leaders combining a regular episode with a cult episode to bring you this version of Frankenstein's Monster. Carey Ann first covers a psychological/sociological look at Edward Scissorhands then Allison introduces us to yet another cult, this one centered around weight loss. Unlike most cult episodes, will your fearless leaders find intersections in this episode, you bet they will!

Happy Halloween Teamsters! Not every episode is bound to have intersections, but when you consider that your fearless leaders both said words that contain letters that are also in "Halloween," it seems pretty clear that they understood the assignment. In true CA and Allie fashion, Carey Ann over-did the costuming for the recording sesh and Allison prepared a spook-tacular Halloween topic for your listening pleasure. Truly, which is scarier the patriarchy or ghosts? Find out in this haunted special! Be sure to leave a five-star review and tell us your favorite Halloween memory!

Intersections by design for this cult episode because who doesn't want to hear about the world's largest alien cult then watch one of the greatest alien cult classics of all time? "It's just a jump to the left" as Carey Ann tries her hand at covering this scientific-athiestic-futuristic cult that started in France in the 1970s and is still around today. "Then a step to the right" as Allison takes us on a strange journey. Rocky Horror Picture Show not only stood the test of time, but it has also truly developed its own cult and culture. Allison gives us a behind-the-scenes peek into the world of Rocky Horror and her time in the shadow cast. "And crawling on the planet's face, some insects called the human race. Lost in time, and lost in space... and meaning."

Hey Teamsters! There are two types of people in this world when you hear the word 'lobotomy', those who think of Sucker Punch and those who think of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Fortunately, your fearless leaders are one of each! This week, Carey Ann explores the dark history of lobotomies. Content warning: this does get graphic. Then, Allison brings us back up with the fun history of the Land Before Time, or rather, dinosaurs. What is your favorite extinction theory?

"This is who I'm meant to be, this is me." In honor of National Coming Out Day, CA covers the history and dangers of conversion therapy. Allison then shares with us the true story of "The Greatest Show."

Hi Teamsters! Welcome to our weird labyrinth brain thing(TM). Carey Ann once again takes us back to ancient Greece then a voyage through time with a brief stop in Austria before making our way to your ears. Narcissistic Personality Disorder goes way beyond vanity and selfies and Carey Ann discusses the nuances, root causes, and treatment options. Allison then finishes up her first two-part series and pulls back the curtain on the Book of Mormon. Needless to say, sometimes answers lead to more questions. These two friends speculate wildly about the church, Joseph Smith, and magic underwear.

Let's shake things up a little this week. Carey Ann covers a history-heavy topic with a fun psychology/sociology spin, as we learn about the CIA's mind-control experiments that may or may not have lead to the counter-culture drug craze of the 1960s. Then, who is this guy "Mormon" and why does he have so many books? Allison begins her first two-part series on the Book of Mormon, the book, not the play. Unlikely storylines and lots of laughter ensue.

Before they get started, it is time for a little walk down memory lane for all the Millenials... Now, back to business. Carey Ann once again does a deep dive into a Freudian theory, this time with greek roots. Allison asks the hard questions [to paraphrase]: "How does he come up with this shit?" For better or worse, Oedipus, Electra, and Little Hans are known for little else than their relationships with their parents and their connection to Freud. In the second half, Allison briefly covers the most fatal epidemic in world history, the Black Death. Admittedly, talking about an epidemic during a pandemic feels eery; but not as uncomfortable as hearing Allison's description of boils or uncovering the meaning of a popular nursery rhyme. This episode is full of throwbacks which just serve to remind us all how far we have come.

Happy Bonus Episode Day!! As usual, Allison picks a cult and Carey Ann picked a cult classic and we don't find intersections. The Unification Church - another audacious cult leader with some strange beliefs and even stranger s*x practices. Seems like there could be a link-up to the cult movie of the week which is a rock musical about a person with a botched sex-change operation who is searching for love and identity. As always, Allison and Carey Ann are so thankful for Patreon Picks, especially when they line up so beautifully with their own cinematic tastes.

Some things are hard: growing up, our foster care system, and knowing who to trust with your money... This episode covers a broad spectrum of emotions and lived experiences. Carey Ann explores a mysterious name written at the top of a piece of paper in a child's file. The story of Willie Monteith had a lasting impact not only on those who knew him but children in the foster care system for years to come. Update: Willie Monteith passed away in 2020. Allison does not only give us the history of Ponzi Schemes, and explains the differences between these and pyramid schemes, she also shares the story of one of the most well-known Ponzi Schemes. From vintage get-rich-quick schemes to Wall Street, this Patreon Pick was a great topic to unpack.

Time for a light and fun episode, at least in the first half. Carey Ann explores a strange phenomenon where some people taste words, feel sounds, or like Allison, can see time in space. Allison then takes the charge and tells us the more graphic details of where babies come from. Moral of this story: "The world would be a better place if we could experience other people's experiences."

Carey Ann winds up her first three-part series with an analysis of 'freeze' and 'fawn' using the ever-popular [and super traumatizing] TV show, Grey's Anatomy. Allison then jumps in with an equally traumatizing true story of the Challenger Explosion, complete with a surprise ending that wasn't taught in schools. In addition to intersections, and with all that is going on in the world, your hosts would like to remind you to take care of yourselves this week.

In part two of CA's trauma and fear response series, she ironically uses the movie Frozen to talk about the flight response. Stick with us here, it fits surprisingly well. Then, let's come together for Allison's coverage of John Lennon and his unfortunate demise. The moral of this story, we get by with a little help from our friends. What intersections can you find?

Join our heroes this week as they talk about other heroes. In part 1 of a trauma response series, Carey Ann lays some groundwork about brains and trauma then we get nerdy with The Hulk. What superhero doesn't have some childhood trauma? Bruce Banner has it in spades, as evidenced by occasionally turning green and smashing things. Then, Allison shares exciting news about Rhiana becoming the wealthiest female musician in the world, which led her to ask the question: who was the first billionaire? Hint: he is "way less cool." Keep listening to find out if they find intersections in the Vinn Diagram of trauma and success.

Tune in to find out how long it takes Allison and Carey Ann to have the realization that they could have used Fight Club for dual purposes this week and wouldn't have had to say anything because we all know the first rule of Fight Club. Instead, Allison covers Our Lord Righteousness Church, aka Strong City; a doomsday cult inspired by the doomsday episode. Carey Ann covers everything about Fight Club except the psychological and mental health needs of our narrator. Let Allie and CA know if you find any intersections!

Blood, Bile, and Phlegm, Oh My! Wait, wrong episode. Oz was last week (check it out, if you haven't already). This week, Carey Ann revisits our dear friend Hippocrates and what led to one of the original theories about personality. Allison shares the story of Sally Hemings one of the "most famous - and least known - African American women in history." Stay tuned as they lead us through thousands of years of history and intersections.

Apocalypse, dystopia, and doomsday, oh my! This week, Carey Ann takes you on a journey into a bunker as we learn about what attracts people to an unfortunate, but perhaps inevitable, end. Allison shares the dark history of a beloved classic tale and reminds us that there's no place like home. Unfortunately, this isn't a reality we can click our heels three times and get out of. Will our hosts find intersections this week? Stay tuned to find out.

Pulling your hair out is no joke. CA seeks to explain causes, systems and treatment for body-focused repetitive behaviors. Then, Allison covers Black Market Babies, specifically through the lens of the "Hicks babies." Intersections are found in unlikely places.

Does language impact our perspective of reality, or does our perspective of reality form our language? Regardless, seeing all the shades of gray helps us remain open to the opportunity to discover new things. This week, Carey Ann and Allison have a little fun as they do a little unpacking of ways their brains work and marvel at the complexity of life. Then, they jump into the origin stories of two common medicines, one of which Carey Ann is currently trying to recreate in her kitchen.

Surprise! Getting ready for the weekend, listen to Cult Episode #4! In this episode, Allison covers a small, contemporary cult. Spoiler alert: if someone professes to have been reincarnated 500 times over the past 19 billion years, and you believe them, you may be in a cult. Carey Ann covers a movie about a failing drama teacher who writes an original play as a sequel to Hamlet -- yes, Shakespeare's "Hamlet" -- that also features Jesus, Polonious, Hillary Clinton, and Albert Einstein. At the end of this episode, do yourself a favor and go listen to "Rock Me, Sexy Jesus." You won't be sorry!

This week, Allie and CA break it down and build us back up with an unexpectedly positive intersection between their two topics. But first, when the military funds a prison experiment, what could go wrong? A lot, apparently. Carey Ann explores power dynamics, prison abolition/reform, and where this experiment went wrong. Allie recounts the lives of Mildred and Richard Loving and how their love truly changed the nation. If it's not already there, put Loving Day on your calendar for next year! There is so much more to unpack here about systemic racism, restorative justice, and resiliency, but this is a good jumping-off point.

This week our fearless leaders talk brains, mental health, and connection; though, they didn't find these intersections until after recording. Carey Ann highlights a Patreon pick about The Chameleon Effect and how mimicry can both improve likeability and be a coping mechanism. Allison once again takes us down a dark path to recount one of the deadliest school shootings in American history and debunks some of the misinformation that was circulated at that time. Do you remember that one Flyleaf song?

This week is full of ups and downs and two hosts who refuse to find an intersection between their topics. Carey Ann starts us off by answering the questions: what about our brain chemistry and hormones motivates us, keeps us going, and makes us do silly things like taking cold showers? Also, why does it feel so good to make eye contact with your pets, and do they enjoy it too? (Spoiler: they do!) Allison brings reminds us that history isn't always happy. This "hot for teacher" story of Mary Kay Letourneau, inspired by GLEE and Van Halen will leave you at the intersection of 'icky' and irate. Content Warning: Statutory R*pe

This week, Allison breaks the rules and sneaks a peek at CA's notes, resulting in an episode full of magic. Carey Ann examines three common psychological phenomena around fortune-telling, not to mention discussing tarot cards, crystals, runes, and tea leaves. Allison puts some of these modes of fortune-telling into a historical context with the story of the Pendle family witches and how they came to their untimely demise. Moral of the story: don't steal a goat and play hooky from church on the same day.

Kimberle Crenshaw, a black feminist, civil rights activist, and leading scholar of critical race theory, coined the term "intersectionality" in 1989. It has been defined as the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and independent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.

Hi Teamsters! Thank goodness we now have ethical practices that keep psychologists from instilling fears into young children without parents' consent; unfortunately, Little Albert was not so lucky. Carey Ann explores one root cause of fears and phobias as it relates to classical conditioning. On a lighter note, Allison recounts the causes of the Great Depression locally and worldwide. Stay tuned! Free recipes this episode that are sure to become a family favorite ... or not?

Who knew that Carrie Fisher and Aileen Wuornos would end up in a podcast together? This week, Carey Ann explores the history of electroconvulsive therapy (electro-shock therapy) and how media representations may not be quite as accurate as you'd expect. Allison has researched the last words and meals of some of our favorite serial killers and inmates. Will they find intersections?

Our heroes bring us a new cult and cult classic movie this month in what has quickly become everyone's favorite bonus series. Allie does a deep dive into the first international cult featured on the pod, which truly has a little bit of everything that we love to hate about cults. CA's cult classic movie examines the unconditional nature of true love, even when you're a teenager whose brain has been implanted into an animatronic t-rex. This episode has twists and turns that no one saw coming.

Happy Pride Month, Teamsters!! This week is dedicated to the foundation of love and equality that we all deserve. Join Carey Ann and Allison as they discuss the history of gaybies, same-sex parenting, and queer representation in media. Are you part of the alphabet mafia? How many LGBTQ+ references could you count in this episode?

Could you live in the woods in a foreign country for eleven years, or imagine being confined to one room for your entire life? What do the stories of feral children teach us about humanity? This week Carey Ann discusses these topics and takes a close look at Marie Le Blanc, the feral child of Champagne. Allison serves a lighter topic and does a deep dive into the life and death of William Shakespeare. So many questions are left unanswered. In an episode where finding an intersection is a little tricky, what could these two stories have in common? Keep listening to find out.

This week, join Carey Ann for a little pop psychology fun as she unpacks and debunks the impact birth order may or may not play on your personality. Allison then explores the career of the executioner in the Middle Ages, specifically looking at Franz Schmidt, one such man. Unfortunately, no one knows his place in the Schmidt family birth order.

Starting off with "p*rn," you'd believe that finding an intersection would be easy this week, and you'd be both right and wrong. Carey Ann dives deep into the topic of disability and refers to an expert, the late Stella Young. We discover that there is indeed more to disability than "a bad attitude." Allison leads us through the life and legacy of Hugh Hefner and the history of the iconic "men's lifestyle" magazine, Playboy. Aside from the obvious, how else do these topics intersect?

Welcome to the second cult episode! This month, Allison dives deep into a self-help/multi-level marketing sex cult. Spoiler alert: the heroes of this story are once again, women. Carey Ann spends the majority of the episode talking about David's Bowie, a topic she never thought she would be discussing in such a public forum. Stay tuned as they go from nerdy, to awkward, and just downright weird.

This week, Carey Ann explores the origin of Stockholm Syndrome as well as the Disney movie that may have contributed to an entire generation romanticizing a buffalo. A tale as old as time, true as it is creepy. Next, Allison reminds us to continue to question everything including "dead" celebrities, birds, and if a former president was actually an alien. What is apparent is that there is more to humanity than meets the eye. Tune in for what has been called "their funniest episode yet!"

In this episode, Carey Ann flies planes and is playing around with the title of her first book. Allison talks about the best-selling book of all time. Books aren't the only intersection they find in their topics. Join our heroes as they explore the complexity of the personal, political, and spiritual and follow along for useful tips for how to live by their personal philosophy: D.B.A.D. (Don't be a d*ck)

Hey Teamsters! What does a test about lines have to do with a lack of proper sex ed and the age of consent, listen and find out! This week, Carey Ann explores the Asch Conformity Experiment and Allison tackles the topic of Child Marriage in the United States. At the very least, tune in to hear Allison's poetry straight out of 2005; a true gift for your ears. Content Warning: sexual assault, physical abuse, and child marriage.

Join our heroes this week as Carey Ann unpacks the completely abridged and troubling history of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders complete with dialogue around gender, race, and disability. Allison explores the fear of the dentist as all of us immediately develop a new phobia around worms being pulled out of cavities. Will they find how these topics intersect? This one might be a stretch, stay tuned and keep listening!

Surprise! Carey Ann and Allison bring you April's bonus cult-adjacent episode. Once a month, Allison will get to present first as she highlights an actual cult. Carey Ann follows up with a movie that has a cult following. How do these topics intersect? We will let you figure this one out. This episode, Allison covers the Church of Euthanasia **content warning: suicide**. After which, Carey Ann covers the cult classic movie "But I'm a Cheerleader." How many lesbian references can you find?

This week, Carey Ann and Allison realize that Adverse Childhood Experiences and traumatic events are just the tip of the iceberg. Who doesn't love a good metaphor?

Join Carey Ann and Allison this week as they discuss cultural appropriation in developmental theories and all the ways that well-intentioned people could have prevented accidents. Stay tuned for a mermaid being pulled out of a hat.

Hi Teamsters! This week, Carey Ann and Allison find the intersection between their two topics with ease! Carey Ann explores Spoon Theory and the complex nature of disabilities while Allison shares the story of King Tut, a disabled pharaoh.