Riff: Off the Cuff Conversations

Well, as Boyz II Men would say, we've come to the end of the road. In this bittersweet final episode, Paige and Blythe discuss how this podcast has evolved from an almost scripted show about raw topics to authentically off the cuff, what the audience has meant to us, and what's next. Join us one last time, we've loved having you here. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

So we were a bit grumpy the last time we talked about the holidays, let's remedy that a little. Join Paige and Blythe as they discuss Christmastime performances, goofy songs, and the need for more savory treats this season.

With all of the rhetoric around the pandemic and lifestyle choices, there seems to be a lot of focus and priority put on personal rights. While they (reluctantly admit) they are Americans in the land of the free, Paige and Blythe analyze and even criticize what comes from the constant pursuit of having it your way. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Ah, romanced yet again by the animated characters of our childhood, we find ourselves twitterpated. Join Paige and Blythe as they question what could possibly attract us to cartoon animals and swoon over the likes of Simon the Chipmunk, Aladdin, Officer Li Shang, and uncover a disturbing realization about Disney films.

We may be winter holiday curmudgeons, but we do have some thoughts on what might make the season more palatable for those of us who aren't so keen on the traditions. Blythe and Paige discuss how changing up the activities we do and the expectations we have for this time of year can give us some relief in dealing with tense situations, allow us some comfort, and heck, maybe even provide a taste of holiday spirit.

What's up with all of those Instagram graphics telling us to buy face masks and bath bombs? In this episode, Paige and Blythe discuss what it means to truly practice self care, the capitalist skew of finding personal wellness, and some tips on what they do to stay sane in this completely insane world.

Still haven't caught up on the films that have shaped whole generations? Well, you better wise up, Janet Weiss. Rocky Horror Picture Show, Labyrinth, and The Big Lebowski are all on the agenda for this episode of lauding and analysis of their genius.

Hi!!!! We're Paige and Blythe! What's your name? Really?! You sound so cool! Well, I hope you're ready to play because today, we're talking about all of the embarrassing and frequent school rollerskating parties, sock hops, fields days, and highly inappropriate classroom activities you could ever dream of! Let's go, everybody!

RENT, Les Mis, In the Heights, oh my! Paige and Blythe dive back into their musical theatre nerd days and analyze the eccentricities of fleeting yet memorable characters, bombastic songs, and angsty dynamics. The show must go on!

We all have lyrics that get stuck in our heads, but what about the ones that dig into our psyches with their absurd genius? Paige and Blythe review Justin Timberlake's questionable monologue interjections, "Can You Stand the Rain"'s double entendres, and the unintentional hilarity of MC Yogi's "Elephant Power" album.

Are you a Midwest biddy who loves watercolor wallpaper and wood paneling or a stark minimalist who's in their element living in a concrete Zen garden? Blythe and Paige elaborate on their love of interior design and the inspiring experience of home remodels. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

We gotcha BAH-GAINS, we gotcha DEALS here! Paige and Blythe bring you some of the best overstock and dollar stores to grace America and dig into why we're so resistant as a culture to discounted goods. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Wanna know some weird animal facts and relish in the oddness of human courtship? You've found the right discussion! Paige and Blythe explore the societal expectations of romantic relationships and their own feeling on them in his enamored episode.

It seems that no matter if your interests are a certain celebrity or your own art practice, there's no escaping the need to incorporate these things directly into the way you live daily life. From the not-so healthy, capitalistic way this has been adopted to a more activist-based and creative way of living, Paige and Blythe explore each angle of this new societal phenomenon. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welp, I guess we'd better talk about this before supper. Paige and Blythe discuss the quirks they've noticed in returning to their home state of Missouri, including "friendly" spats between strangers, questionable COVID protocol, people's widespread love of wild birds, and dialectical oddities. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Rampant misinformation, conservative extremism, boomer memes; Facebook has become an online sinkhole for many of our nightmares. Paige and Blythe discuss their history with this social media platform and what has seems to have gone wrong. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

There's still a LOT to cover on the youth literature front, so we're back again with the likes of James Patterson's unruly range of novels (looking at you, Daniel X series.... and you, Sundays at Tiffany's), Patricia Polacco's heart-wrenching and nostalgic stories and illustrations, the stress and wonder of bookfairs, and the Borders versus Barnes & Noble ultimatum. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

What books did you enjoy most growing up? Who are some of your favorite children's/teen literature characters? This week, Paige and Blythe look back on the books and series that defined their childhoods, and how reading shaped their perspectives on everything from what it means to be a funny woman to how to avoid toxic relationships with vampires. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Kind words go a long way in boosting spirits, so why are they sometimes so scary to give and receive? Blythe and Paige do some investigative work in debunking their trepidation around compliments to fully appreciate their genuine nature. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Summer-lovin' is alive and well, but frankly the feeling isn't mutual. Paige and Blythe give some thought to social mores around hugs with random acquaintances, the audacity of couples touching intimately in public, and whether fondling it really is an affront to passersby. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

After yet another cross-country move, Paige and Blythe reflect on the lessons each place they have called home has brought them, including Missouri, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and California. From evolving ethics to fashion choices, our lives definitely mirror the shifting geography.

With all the stigma that comes attached to discussions around mental health, it's about time we dive in to debunk and defend the conversation around psychological issues. Paige and Blythe discuss the packaged social media perspective of mental illness, the taboo around medication, and more in this heady episode. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

THESE hhh .. KIDS,, JUST WANT TO, .. MAKE UP THE RUESL.. .,, , .h Blythe and Paige ask why millennials are insistent on using exclamation points, what makes boomers lose control of their keyboards, and why there's such overwhelming judgment of the younger generations when it comes to having families and navigating the workforce in 2021. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Having grown up in a spiritual household, Paige and Blythe critique the community and pseudo devotional practices within it from insider perspectives. From toxic positivity to downright manipulation, this aura reading may not have the flowery words white people with dreadlocks may hope for. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

It's safe to say that many of us, especially those who are female-identifying, have had some uncomfortable to outright disturbing interactions with men throughout our lives. Paige and Blythe discuss some of their own experiences and how society lets the actions of these men slide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Whether taking turns or splitting a meal evenly, Paige and Blythe have been life-long sharers, but what does sharing mean in the broader sense, and are there downsides? Your hosts explore the ethical basis of going fifty-fifty and how the sense of individual self plays into the practice. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

We all have little things we hate to love, but what's the harm in loving them after all? Blythe and Paige own up to watching some pretty wacky British reality television and being devoted nappers while questioning who's really judging us for our guilty pleasures.

Ever felt the need to double-take, or suddenly felt like you've been dropped into a David Lynch script? We sure have! Paige and Blythe explore some of their weirder moments on this earth and what it's like to witness the unusual. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Vitals! Oxygen! Unjustly high medical bills! In this episode, Paige and Blythe dive into their own experiences in the medical industry from childhood check-ups, ER stints, and hospital stays.

Ah, the memories of being a fast-food frenzied vegetarian kid addicted to the Cheesy Gordita Crunch™. Paige and Blythe fondly remember the thrill of drive-thrus and give piping-hot takes on the evolution of infamous pizza chains, the day-in and day-out of working in the food industry, and the best sandwich bread to grace the Earth. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Boy, being a creative person certainly isn't as free-flowing and easy as society makes it out to be! Paige and Blythe converse about their own struggles with their artistic processes, what it means to be inspired, and finding community in the arts world. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Whether asking for a cup of sugar or just passing each other on way out the door, neighbors always provide entertainment in our lives. Paige and Blythe discuss their various neighbors throughout the years and how they informed each place that they've called home. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

During this holiday weekend, Paige and Blythe explore religion in how it has appeared in their cultural upbringing, the detriment of literalism, and their own beliefs about this wild wild world. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Whoops, I guess we failed to throw the salt over our left shoulders or notice the black cat. Paige and Blythe discuss a trend of poor luck, especially in the vehicle department, and their realizations as circumstances have taken a tumble. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

We never suspected we'd become podcasters, but look at us go; we've been doing this for a whole ding dang year! Blythe and Paige share what inspired Riff, their journeys with the content and making of the episodes, and other behind the scenes tidbits. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Your Honor, we have many questions and we're going to get to the bottom of them. Asking each other about the minutiae of childhood spats and the nail-biting decisions of favorite condiment, Paige and Blythe take on the hot topics in these personal interrogations. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

What would make the world better? Well, peace and equal chances for sure, but in this episode, Blythe and Paige dig a little deeper into their values and just some personal preferences (watch out Nice Guys™). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

So what is up with America's obsession with leadership, anyway? Paige and Blythe discuss the problems that come with everyone striving to be at the forefront, some nightmare work scenarios, and the qualities they think are best in altruistic leaders. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Ah, the charm of Gene Kelly and the Golden Era greats! Oh, the allure of punky, French, early 2000s musical renditions of Romeo and Juliet! Whether it's humor or angst that floats your love boat, a good romantic story will always be cherished. Join Blythe and Paige for a twitterpated episode in the spirit of Valentine's Day. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Even with our introverted natures, we're missing those wild get-togethers right about now! Paige and Blythe discuss eccentric wrap parties, Midwestern birthday bashes, and all of the things that come with in-person celebrations. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

A little dust or being oddly-misshapen was never a deterrent, it's simply added character! Blythe and Paige explore the fabulous thrift threads, family relics and New York curb finds that they love dearly. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

It's a Snow Day without the wherewithal to do much of anything! Ugh! While in the midst of their own sick days, Paige and Blythe reminisce about comfort foods, horrendous PBS Kids' weekday shows they watched in bed when staying home from school, dig deeper into the cultural pressure to continue life as usual despite illness, and issues around loose protocol in curbing the COVID-19 pandemic. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Food is one of the great equalizers, but what about making it? Paige and Blythe discuss their own histories with cooking, some of their favorite culinary shows, go-to dishes, and how cooking can be therapeutic. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

It's been a rough week for many, including us! Paige and Blythe discuss their habitual coping mechanisms and also share tools that they use to get through hard times. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

What better way to start off 2021 than with some deep, personal questions to make us consider what's meaningful? In typical Blythe and Paige style, we get analytical with a select few of the New York Times "36 Questions to Fall in Love".

An acid trip and sleep paralysis horrors wrapped into one, Paige and Blythe discuss their thoughts on the horrifying design choices, iffy performances, and confounding direction that make up Tom Hooper's CATS. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

After lauding favorite protagonists, it's time to pick out the bad apples. Paige and Blythe bring out the waggleberry (translation: wheelbarrow) full of some of their most despised or problematic characters from shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Orange is the New Black, and Sex and the City. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

With the holiday season in full-swing, Paige and Blythe go back to the toy box to rank the likes of Koosh Balls, quarter-machine wonders, semi-terrifying animatronic pets and the very-2000s make-it-yourself kits. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In a world where the word "sexy" is considered swearing and Ginuwine flosses while eating Tostitos, Blythe and Paige explore their previous bouts of naivete in this episode about misconceptions. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In honor of Thanksgiving, Paige and Blythe discuss the history around the holiday, their own personal experiences celebrating, and the oh-so garish American ideas of gratitude. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Digging into the archives, Paige and Blythe revisit journal entries and stories they wrote in their early days. From magical tales to deceptively cheery field day memories, this trip down memory lane is full of literary quirks and questionable spelling. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app