Shows
Thirsty Topics podcastSuper Bowl Ads, Hype, And Reality for 2/5/26Send us a textSuper Bowl ads cost more than ever, yet the creative often underdelivers, while a celebrity lingerie launch, an IVF mix-up, a viral BBQ scandal, and a mid-fight toupee slip test how we judge truth, taste, and trust. We question hype, honor humanity, and look for proof over polish.• Why ad spend outpaces impact and what makes a memorable spot• Teasers and the cost of diluting surprise• Sydney Sweeney’s Siren launch and the product versus perception gap• IVF lab errors, ethics, and safeguards for families• The tenderism controversy...
2026-02-0530 minThirsty Topics podcastGrief, Grammys, And Growing Up; for 2/4/26Send us a textWe honor Catherine O’Hara’s legacy, reckon with an ICE shooting and accountability, sift through Grammys highs and lows, compare Michelle and Melania documentaries, and debate whether a 17-year-old should pay $500 rent. Joy, grief, and responsibility weave through it all.• Catherine O’Hara’s impact across comedy and film• Mourning public figures and checking on friends• ICE shooting updates and training accountability• Safety, civic action, and local policy levers• Grammys highlights, tributes, and missing categories• Industry power, gatekeepers, and artist autonomy• Michelle Obama’s Becoming as leadership s...
2026-02-0440 minThirsty Topics podcastMile-High Vows And Viral Risks for 1/30/26Send us a textWe trade a mile-high wedding story for a sober look at a deadly viral stunt, get honest about halftime politics and representation, celebrate a citywide free-college surprise, and confront violence and leak culture in entertainment. Joy, risk, and responsibility collide across the week’s headlines.• Southwest aisle wedding as joyful disruption• Airline policy shifts and etiquette in shared spaces• Table surfing trend as dangerous incentive loop• Replacing stunts with kindness-based challenges• Super Bowl halftime, politics, and representation• Puerto Rican visibility and mass-appeal bookings• Orlando’s Jones High full-ri...
2026-02-0335 minThirsty Topics podcastFrom ICE Shooting Outrage To Netflix’s Big Bet And A Family Feud for 1/29/26Send us a textWe trace a week where a fatal ICE shooting meets the camera’s truth, then pivot to streaming’s reach, a live skyscraper climb, a family rift under a spotlight, and a film breaking Oscar records. We close with boundaries around surrogacy and a comedy show invite.• Miami reset and small joys before heavy news• Alex Pready shooting, video evidence, legal open carry context• Protest safety, documenting wisely, avoiding escalation• Voting beyond single issues and remembering silent representatives• Beckham family rift, fame, and private boundaries• Netflix at 325 million a...
2026-02-0349 minThirsty Topics podcastFrom Red Carpet Etiquette To Retail Shakeups, the Bears & A$30M TV Mansion for 1/21/26Send us a textA 15-second red carpet clip shouldn’t carry this much weight, and yet here we are. We dive into the viral Glam Bot moment with Jennifer Lopez and ask what audiences really expect from celebrities: composure, kindness, or both. It’s less about one person’s expression and more about the pressure-cooker where human interactions become content and courtesy becomes currency. Cole Walliser’s professionalism offers a counterpoint, reminding us that behind every viral clip there’s a working crew who deserves basic respect.From there we pivot to heart-in-the-throat football: the Chicag...
2026-01-2742 minThirsty Topics podcastWhen Youth Sports Cross The Line: A Viral Hockey Brawl, A Firing On Christmas, And Why 2016 Still Haunts Us for 1/22/26Send us a textA pee-wee hockey “brawl” that looks suspiciously choreographed. A loyal restaurant worker fired right after a Christmas shift. A wave of 2016 nostalgia that won’t let go. We connect the dots between viral outrage, workplace dignity, and the quieter habits that make life feel livable again.We start by dissecting youth sports culture after a full-team dust-up goes viral. Was it staged for clout? We talk safety, incentives, and what kids learn when adults reward spectacle instead of sportsmanship. From there, we move to the human cost of disposable labor, tracing how on...
2026-01-2741 minThirsty Topics podcastMcRib, Bears, Dating, And Beyond for 1/15/26Send us a textA fast-food legend, a very real bear, and the strange state of modern courtship walk into a podcast. We kick off with the McRib lawsuit and what “rib” really signals to consumers, then push past the memes to the real stakes: honest labels, allergy risks, and how much uncertainty we tolerate for convenience. If you’ve ever said “it’s like a hot dog, I don’t want to know,” this segment might change how you read a menu.From menus to crawl spaces, we unpack the saga of a 550-pound black bear liv...
2026-01-2646 minThirsty Topics podcastFrom Shelter Escapes To Skies Too Tight: Compassion, Controversy, And Comedy for 1/14/26Send us a textTwo hosts thread a lively set of stories through one question: are we judging or understanding. From a lock-picking shelter dog to a viral pastor’s wife dress, we push past the headlines and ask what fairness, agency, and compassion look like in real life.• Clean-home self-care and weekend recap• Bears win and the culture of smack talk• Dawson the dog’s escape and shelter adoption bias• Why older and “scary” breeds still make great pets• Alysa Liu’s pause and return to joyful skating• Modesty expectations for a pas...
2026-01-2336 minThirsty Topics podcastBooks, Bias, Bears, and Cake Chaos for 1/8/26Send us a textWe push back on reading snobbery, unpack why Sprinkles shuttered, weigh the ethics of LinkedIn gender “hacks,” celebrate cake-flip chaos, laugh at bear-fight bravado, and break down the promise and limits of new Wegovy pills. Heart, humor, and practical sense all the way through.• why joy-led reading builds real habits• overpriced novelty versus lasting value in food trends• acquisitions and what scale does to craft• LinkedIn language, bias, and the trust line• harmless party fun in the cake flip trend• optimism bias in “I can beat a bear”• Wego...
2026-01-1533 minThirsty Topics podcastLive TV Surprises, Baby Name Trends, And A $600 Tip for 1/7/26Send us a textWe trade New Year comfort food and rituals for live TV’s best moments, then move through a tragic club fire, a high-profile NFL allegation, trending baby names, Taylor Swift’s surprise tip, and the fading glow of 24/7 MTV music channels. Joy, sorrow, and nostalgia sit side by side as we ask what to keep and what to change this year.• New Year traditions, superstitions, and simple joys• Best of Rockin’ Eve and the thrill of live TV• Dancing for connection vs performance pressure• Swiss resort fire, safety design, and by...
2026-01-1531 minThirsty Topics podcastPolitics, Pop Stars, And Public Backlash for 12/31/25Send us a textWhat happens when private choices meet public judgment? We dive straight into the week’s hottest flashpoints, starting with Nicki Minaj praising Donald Trump at a conservative event and the cascading backlash that followed. We talk honestly about fan expectations, platform responsibility, and why political signals from major artists can’t be separated from identity and community. Critique the stance, sure—but where’s the line between disagreement and harassment?From there we shift to weddings and respect. Cake-smashing can be a cute smear or a humiliating slam. The difference is consent...
2025-12-3130 minThirsty Topics podcastWhen Fan Behavior Crosses The Line And What It Costs for 12/30/25Send us a textA quiet holiday catch-up takes a sharp turn into the chaos reshaping pop culture, money, and safety. We start with the viral moment that yanked Billie Eilish toward a crowd and ask what it means for live music: tighter security, fewer intimate moments, and a growing gap between artists and fans. From flying bracelets to full-on grabs, we unpack why parasocial bonds go off the rails and how venues can protect connection without killing the magic.Then we follow the money. Remember those flashy TikToks bragging about a “Klarna glitch”? We brea...
2025-12-3035 minThirsty Topics podcastSnoopy Sold, Cruises Questioned, Pajamas Fly for 12/25/25Send us a textSnoopy has a new corporate home, a cruise tragedy raises hard questions, and travelers are turning pajamas into a protest. We dive into the culture shifts shaping daily life and the quiet choices that reveal who we are as consumers, companies, and communities.We start with Sony’s more-than-$450 million move to take control of Peanuts, the modern calculus behind mega IP buys, and the tightrope between growth and guardianship. What does “doing right by nostalgia” look like when the plan spans films, games, and anniversary merch? We talk licensing power, platfo...
2025-12-2551 minThirsty Topics podcastFrom NFL Sidelines To Viral Kiss Cam Fallout And Why Timing Matters for 12/23/25Send us a textA playoff push, a sideline punch, a farewell that ends in a tap out, and a Kiss Cam that cost two careers—this one moves fast and asks better questions about judgment, restraint, and respect. We open with the Bears’ surge and how one Steelers result set off a chain of stories, then dig into the moment an NFL star crossed the barrier between field and stands. Fans can be brutal, but power includes the power to de-escalate; fines and suspensions don’t just hit a player, they hit a whole team’s season.
2025-12-2345 minThirsty Topics podcastSwift Bonuses, Drone Drops, Early Dinners, And Waymo Woes for 12/18/25Send us a textWe move from Taylor Swift’s record-setting crew bonuses and the ethics of public generosity to the rise of drone contraband in prisons, early-bird dining trends, rising return fees, a chilling Hollywood tragedy, and a Waymo stowaway that spotlights AV safety gaps. Sharp takes, real data, and a few laughs carry a fast, thoughtful hour.• public bonuses as pressure on industry norms• drones delivering contraband and policy gaps• Gen Z and Millennial shift to 5 p.m. dinners• holiday return fees reshaping online shopping• family turmoil and the limits of pr...
2025-12-1938 minThirsty Topics podcastBonus episode of Thirsty Conversations: An Indie Filmmaker’s Global Playbook: Comedy, Grit, And Vision Beyond BordersSend us a textWhat does it take to build a global filmmaking career without waiting for permission? We sit down with New Zealand–born director Samuel Franklin, whose debut feature movie Tropical Snow blends dark comedy, handheld immediacy, and a quietly universal humanity. Samuel shares how a childhood steeped in 90s American cinema, Jackie Chan’s kinetic spirit, and a love for cross-cultural stories shaped his voice—and why he aims for films that feel international without losing heart. Watch the full movie Tropical Snow on elrodtvnetwork.com.• defining a global storytelling voice without chasing...
2025-12-1857 minThirsty Topics podcastBears, Bans, And Butter Knives for 12/17/25Send us a textWe move from Bears rivalry banter to a serious look at Australia’s under‑16 social media ban, a farewell to Tokyo’s panda twins, a Florida plane landing on a highway car, a tragic Brown University shooting, a Michigan coaching scandal, and a viral mugging video that tests the protector instinct. Humor breaks the tension, but the core asks hard questions about safety, responsibility, and how policy meets personal choice.• fandom energy and the Green Bay rivalry• Australia’s social media ban and enforcement doubts• social media harms, self‑esteem, and digi...
2025-12-1742 minThirsty Topics podcastPantone’s “Cloud Dancer,” Melissa McCarthy’s Transformation, A Taylor Swift Wedding Plot, Family Priorities, And The Pizza Economy for 12/11/25Send us a textWe challenge a near-white “color of the year,” weigh the reaction to Melissa McCarthy’s transformation, and unpack a rumored Taylor Swift wedding date buyout. Then we wrestle with partner vs parents priorities, decode pizza as a recession signal, and examine a $50 salon standoff.• why Cloud Dancer sparked backlash and what trends say about taste• bold colors versus minimalism in homes and fashion• public reactions to celebrity weight loss and autonomy• rumored wedding date buyouts and ethics of money and access• who comes first in family dynamics and boundaries
2025-12-1741 minThirsty Topics podcastLikes, Laws, And Holiday Trees for 12/10/25Send us a textA snowy reset, a comedy high, and a fast tour through modern boundaries: when likes become signals, why nursing deserves full professional status, how dystopian art muddies the message, and where pet health and holiday habits meet common sense. We end with a tree debate and an invite to weigh in.• weekend recap and sports frustration• social media likes vs trust and intent• divorce case using likes as evidence• nursing reclassification and loan caps• staffing shortages and access to care• robot dog art, likeness rights, and satire•...
2025-12-1741 minThirsty Topics podcastDriverless Taxi Meets Police Standoff for 12/6/25Send us a textWe move from a driverless taxi rolling into a police standoff to the future of drones overhead, a five-era brain map, the grind behind hand modeling, SNAP funds at risk, and the strange freedom of a 2,000-person nude cruise. Safety, control, and dignity tie the stories together.• Waymo enters active police scene and safety implications• Passenger control, overrides, and edge-case failures• Brain rewiring across five life eras and maturity• Walmart drone delivery trade-offs and privacy concerns• Hand modeling discipline, income, and industry demand• SNAP funding threats, ethics, and...
2025-12-1735 minThirsty Topics podcastThanksgiving, Drama, And A Drunk Raccoon for 12/5/25Send us a textWe trade cozy holiday vibes for real talk on safety, boundaries, and respect as viral pranks, celebrity drama, and corporate candor collide. From a livestreamed arrest to a drunk raccoon, we trace how attention warps judgment and why consent, discretion, and ethics matter.• travel chaos, weather, and seasonal small talk• Ray J arrest, livestream risks, and child safety• the fake turkey trot prank as bullying• hospitality etiquette and criticizing hosts online• Campbell’s controversy, processed food, and class• drunk raccoon break‑in and unintended consequences• Kristen Bell’s rep...
2025-12-1738 minThirsty Topics podcastFrom Ralph Lauren Holidays To Penny Farewells And Retail Smiles for 11/20/25Send us a textWe trade the beige Christmas for rich color and nostalgia, then challenge the quiet creep of rounding as the penny exits. From Target’s 10-4 smiles to a shaky red carpet security moment, viral resumes, robot pratfalls, and an MLB betting scandal, we weigh comfort against trust.• colorful, traditional holiday decor replacing minimalist beige• blending Christmas and Hanukkah with cozy, nostalgic touches• the penny’s production cost and rounding concerns• Target’s 10-4 policy, service warmth versus shopper overload• Ariana Grande security scare and response by Cynthia Erivo• vira...
2025-11-2636 minThirsty Topics podcastSecond Chances And The Weight Of Accountability for 11/19/25Send us a textWhat happens when a former TV star apologizes for real harm, an AI “artist” tops a Billboard chart, and your phone quietly admits you’re glued to it for 21 hours a day? We pull these threads together to ask a bigger question: how do we protect agency and integrity in a world optimized for speed, spectacle, and shortcuts.We start with Allison Mack’s public reckoning over NXIVM and examine what genuine accountability requires: clear admissions, repair centered on victims, and time. Not all crimes are equal, and not all returns to publi...
2025-11-2035 minThirsty Topics podcastPageant Walkout, Public Apology, Private Power for 11/13/25Send us a textA pageant director’s demeaning remarks trigger a contestant walkout and a broader talk on power, accountability, and the strength of public proof. We move from a fatal cargo crash and AI in cars to a “phantom” NFL marriage rumor and practical steps to stop Bitcoin ATM scams.• Livestreamed disrespect and the Miss Universe walkout• Why apologies fail when behavior is on tape• UPS MD-11 crash facts and safety anxiety• What AI in cars should and should not do• Celebrity privacy versus spectacle economics• How Bitcoin ATM scams target s...
2025-11-1833 minThirsty Topics podcastBehind The Smile: Mental Health, Money, And Modern Life for 11-11-25Send us a textWe open with a hard truth about hidden pain as a young NFL player dies by suicide, then move through money ethics, public safety, and the limits of technology with empathy and clear eyes. Along the way we share resources, challenge easy answers, and ask listeners to weigh tough choices.• the gap between public success and private struggle• practical ways to notice and support mental health• 988 lifeline as immediate crisis support• using a child’s savings versus ethical debt options• government shutdown impacts on air travel safety• harass...
2025-11-1741 min