The Stories We'd Tell in Bars Podcast

In the words of the world renowned philosopher DJ Lee Farmer: "Love is all you need... but hate'll get you through." Nothing motivates us more than whatever it is we despise.   That's why Chicago media personality Gina B. and New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster pay tribute to hate on this podcast.  They discuss that which they loathe, that which lights a fire under their collective asses, that which makes them strive for change, for a difference. Oh, okay, let's be honest.  They just complain about stuff that annoys them.   And that's cool, too.

"Let's face it; no kid in high school feels as though they fit in." - Stephen King If you describe high school as "the best four years of my life," skip this episode, it's not for you. For most of us, high school was an interminable slog of waiting for our lives to begin.  The uncertainty... the acne... the Algebra II.  No, thanks.  Even though few of us relished the experience, those times are something we'll never forget.   But, why?   Join Chicago media personality Gina B. and New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster as they recount the best--and worst--of their high school years, and explain the factors at work that keep those memories so damn indelible. Is this episode better than a wedgie from a bully?   Hell, yeah!   Better than pizza day in the cafeteria? That's debatable.  

Is the idea of Prince Charming riding up on a white horse to rescue the damsel in distress terribly romantic? Yes. Is the idea of Prince Charming riding up on a white horse to rescue the damsel in distress horribly outdated and entirely unrealistic? Hell, yes. Let's be honest, fairytales are pretty messed up, giving generations of women expectations that are borderline dangerous.  The only thing you're going to end up with if you kiss a frog is lip herpes.  And don't even start us on the serious #metoo of some stranger kissing us awake from a coma, or seven small dudes watching us sleep. That's why New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster and Chicago media personality Gina B. debate how writers have given women impossible standards to meet for years and what we can do to counter them.   Does that mean you don't deserve your happy ending?   Of course not. But unless you're Meghan Markle, please accept that ain't gonna be in a castle. 

"Two weeks." Those were the words that nearly pushed Tom Hanks's character over the edge in the movie The Money Pit.  Until your hosts underwent their own home renovations, they thought this film was a comedy. ​Now they know it was a cautionary tale. ​That's why New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster and Chicago media personality Gina B. are delighted to welcome author/home renovation expert Stacey Ballis to this episode of the show!  They'll discuss her FOUR YEAR renovation project... and how no one got murdered during the process, not even a little bit.    So join the girls as Stacey shares her best, hard-won advice on all things home renovation!     The life you save may be your own.

Jim Morrison once said, "Some of the worst mistakes in my life were haircuts," and he died in a bathtub.  (Let that soak in for a second.)  Hair is our crowning glory, a means of expression.  We hide behind it, or shine beneath it.  Long, beautiful, steaming, gleaming, flaxen, waxen... we all adore hair.  That's why the average woman spends almost two hours a week styling her hair.  By the time we're 65, we'll have devoted SEVEN FULL MONTHS to working on our coiffs.  And that number doesn't include all the days/weeks/months we've spent in debate over whether or not to cut bangs. (Spoiler alert: never cut bangs.)  Hair?  It's a big honkin' deal. So, join Chicago media personality Gina B. and New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster as they get to the bottom of what constitutes good hair (and reminisce about all their tragic styles along the way).  

Pet peeves - we all have them.  Some of us have more than others.  Some of us didn't know we had more than others, until they recorded this podcast.  (AND THAT IS OKAY.)   What gets you?  The coworker who insists on sharing his sneeze with the world?  The spouse who returns a carton with single swig of milk in it back to the fridge?  The gum snapper in the grocery store?  Who's being rude here, them or you?  (Spoiler alert: it's them.) Join Chicago media personality Gina B. and New York Times bestselling author as they break down exactly who's bothering them today (Jeannie.)

"Are Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, etc. really social, or just a terrible facisimilie?" "Does social media enhance our lives, or does it make us feel worse?"   "Are we addicted?  If so, how do we break away?" "And are we part of the problem by using social media to promote a podcast about how social media makes us crazy?"   These are the questions New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster and Chicago media personality Gina B. ask themselves this week.  Join them as they break down everything that's good, bad, and patently insane about connecting with others via social platforms! 

Join New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster and Chicago media personality Gina B. as they raise their glasses to the cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems.

With Valentine's Day looming, relationship columnist Gina B. and general know-it-all Jen Lancaster share their best romantic advice to get you successfully coupled up by 2/14.  Let this be the last V.D. where you have to buy your own damn chocolate heart!   For those already in a relationship, their advice on this episode can help you *stay* happy as a couple. Providing the color commentary on this podcast are their significant others, and, honestly... it's kind of a shitshow.   So, if nothing else, maybe you'll think, "Yeah, being single?  Not so bad!" after listening.  Everybody wins!

Chicago media personality Gina B. and New York Times bestseling author Jen Lancaster talk comedy in this episode!  From describing their own first experiences doing stand-up to breaking down the genius that is Dave Chappelle to examining how political correctness is changing the face of what's okay for society to find funny, this podcast is a tight five.  (Plus, like, another forty.)

The holidays are over and New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster and media personality Gina B. are back in action, opening the 2018 season in style... well, in their style, anyway.  Join them as they kick off their fitness challenge before discussing America's second favorite hobby/second most-visited category of websites!  (Spoiler lert: it's not porn.)   The best news is that, much like Black Mirror, The Stories We'd Tell in Bars episodes are stand-alone and self-contained, so if you're new to the podcast, you can jump in wherever you damn well like!   (Point of clarification: that is the only way in which this podcast is similar to Black Mirror.)   (Second point of clarification: Jen has recently become obsessed with Black Mirror and now works it into every conversation.  She is sorry and promises this phase will pass soon.)

Chicago media personality Gina B. and New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster end their first podcast season with neither bang nor whimper, but in a cloud of smoke.   Join the ladies (and their special guests!) as they discuss marijuana culture and debate the issue if it's always 4:20 somewhere.  (Spoiler alert: the uptight person is exactly who you'd guess and she even manages to nerd-up the idea of weed.) Jen and Gina will return with an all-new season in January, 2018!

It's the most wonderful time of the year... or is it?  Are you so bogged down in seasonal stress that you're ready to hibernate from now until spring?     Oh, honey... you're not alone. And that's why Gina B. and Jen--along with their special in-studio holiday elves--are here to share how to reclaim your happy, happy and your merry, merry this holiday season.   So spike your egg nog and tune in - we're here to help.

Whether you love them or hate them, it's impossible to avoid them.   Today, the Stories We'd Tell in Bars team covers the ubiquitous Kardashian clan.  Join Chicago media personality Gina B. and New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster as they break down all things Kardashian/Jenner, from Kris Jenner's master plan to Blac Chyna's long game.   And bring your tinfoil hat - you'll need it for Jen's conspiracy theory.

Gina and Jen dish up their heaviest episode ever as they delve into diet, exercise, and exactly what it might take to stop hating those numbers on the scale.  Listen in as they share their favorite healthier-living tips, tricks, and cheats.   Pour yourself a sparkling water with a lemon wedge and settle in as the girls discuss all things weight-loss-related.   Or, listen with a slice of pie... because this is a judgment-free zone.  

In practically every way, New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster and Chicago media personality Gina B. are of one mind until it comes to Gina's best and Jen's worst holiday of the year.   Listen in as they break down everything that's wrong with Halloween (children's pimp costume, we're looking at you) and what's right (hello, full-size candy bars).  Then shit gets real as they discuss that which is never okay, and why. So, join the ladies for all of the treats and none of the tricks!  

Unemployed?  Underemployed?  Or just ready for a change?  Then today's episode of Stories We'd Tell in Bars is for you!  Join New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster and Chicago media personality Gina B. as they tap into Gina's vast expertise as an executive recruiter, discussing the best - and worst - practices in landing a new gig.   (Spoiler alert - manners count and recruiters never want to see pictures of your junk.)

We are living in the golden age of television!  With the advent of streaming services and so many new networks, options, and ways to watch, it's almost impossible to not find a program you'll love.   Join your hosts Chicago media personality Gina B. and New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster as they explore both the fall TV season and old favorites, discussing everything that's fit to watch Because, let's be honest, no one reads anymore.  (Jen's note: FML.)

Every week Chicago media personality Gina B and New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster claim that they're going to cover their favorite topic, but this time they really mean it.  Join them as they share their favorite pet stories and they try to determine which one of them is more insane when it comes to four-legged friends.  (Spoiler alert: it's Jen.) Just know this - crazy pet peole are made, not born.  

There's one thing that draws us together as a country, one truth we hold self-evident, one point on which every one of us, no matter race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, age, or sex can agree - and that's our belief that every homeowner on Love It or List It is an asshole. Join Chicago media personality Gina B. and author Jen Lancaster as they discuss the factors driving the rise of HGTV and why we as a nation have such a love/hate relationship with it.   P.S. to new listeners - if you're looking for a podcast with an open concept living area, is close to transportation, and won't break your budget, then welcome home.

Today, Gina B. and Jen Lancaster delve into one of their favorite topics - the price of beauty.  Dun-dun!  (Jen thought this seemed like the right place for a dramatic sound effect.) Join them as they discuss all things health-and-beauty-related, from cultural standards of what's attractive to low-cost beauty solutions to how to tell if a celebrity has had work done - BAD work.   Apologies in advance if they make you laugh because laughter causes wrinkles.  Ain't that a bitch?

In the 1970s, one in ten American women were childfree.  Today, that number is one in five here in the US... and one in four in Italy.  Is remaining childfree still considered a radical act?  What are the drawbacks - or benefits - of the decision to not reproduce?  And how do you respond to those who deride your choices? Join cohosts/cohorts Gina B. and Jen Lancaster as they discuss eveything that's right - and potentially wrong - with opting out of the family plan. (Spoiler alert: most of the childfree remain child-friendly.  Except possibly on airplanes.)

What's been proven to lower your stress level, fight agaist heart disease, improve your cognitive ability, strengthen your bond with your partner, AND aid the economy? That's right... travel! Join Gina B. and Jen Lancaster as they give the skinny on vacationing like pro.  They'll share their best -- and worst -- travel tales, as everyone knows bad trips make for the best stories.  So now please adjust your seat to the upright position and secure your tray table as you prepare to take off with Jen and Gina!

Millennials and Generation X - we don't speak the same language.  But should we?  Can we find a way to cross the generational divide?  Can we ever get along? Join New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster and Chicago media personality Gina B. on their inagural podcast as they share their stories about what's wrong -- and what's right -- with kids today.

Everyone has an origin story.  Peter Parker got his start when he was bitten by a radioactive spider.  Bruce Wayne and Hary Potter both had their parents meet tragic ends.  For Gina and for Jen, their origin stories each began with a cup... filled with very different contents. So pour yourself a cold one and tune in - because you're in company with friends now.