Oddly Specific

With tariffs on the rise and the stock market plummeting it's a precarious time for wallets. Most Americans are looking for deal but are dollar stores the solution or do they cause more pain then they are worth? This week on Oddly Specific Meredith welcomes Kennedy Smith, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance whose work on the impact of dollar stores on communities will blow your mind. We also look at some ways...

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The incomparable historian Mary Mahoney (Dolls of Our Lives) is on the pod today to talk all things American Girl, Titanic, and using books as medicine (not in a MAHA way). We unpack how we reflect on national tragedies, the impact of spending your childhood with Greatest Gen grandparents, and why I'm still looking for some just...

Mia Chard, a TikTok content creator and mental health advocate joins me for an honest conversation about loneliness, dating, and the impact of social media on relationships. Together we chat about the cultural influences that make us who we are, personal growth, and the importance of authenticity in connecting with others. Mia's story resonates with many who have experienced similar feelings of loneliness and the pressure of societ...

When wildfires, hurricanes, and other billion-dollar disasters strike, private equity firms aren’t just watching—they’re cashing in. From buying up disaster recovery companies to profiting off the fossil fuel investments that fuel climate change, these firms have turned catastrophe into a business model. But how does private equity work, and what exactly do private equity firms do? In this episode of Oddly Specific, we ...

Mads Mitch knows a thing or two about going viral on the internet. Her "How hard can it be boys do it" gained a life of its own during the 2024 election season catching the attention of the Harris campaign and spinning off a successful merch line. But there is SO much more that happens behind the scenes of content creation and together we break down what inspires Mads to create, how she navigates the misogyny, and what makes us bot...

This week we welcome our pop culture king Blakely Thornton to the pod to talk about Kimberly Noel's Criminal Justice Era. We discuss how the Kardashians have evolved, Kim's journey from Paris Hilton's closet to the White House, and of course a few moments with Kris. Together we unpack how celebrities impact social issues and the nearly impossible task of fixing deep problems in the justice system. 

Check out the episode on Private ...

Fresh off the Eagles win I'm joined by journalist and New York Times best selling author Jo Piazza for a conversation about tradwives, mom influencers, and our changing media landscape. We dig into Jo's own stint as a mom influencer, her writing process, and the economy of internet content creation. 

Jo will be back for a special book club episode of her forthcoming book, Everyone Is Lying To You, pre-order it here. 

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Since time immemorial we have documented our families lives, but over the years birth announcements have evolved from placing a note in the newspaper (we used to do that!!) to filming pregnancy announcements for your family vlog channel in a Target bathroom. But does family vlogging blur the lines on our children's privacy? What are the long term implications of making your daughter's first period into content? This week I welcome ...

What's the deal with TikTok? No seriously, what's the deal with it? This week I invite on social strategist and friend of the pod Vienna DeGiacomo from Good Story Branding to unpack the latest on the TikTok ban. We get into our predictions for the future of the app and what platforms and strategies we are recommending and implementing ourselves. 

It's a candid conversation on all the behind the scenes of content creation that unfor...

Welcome to 2025 and welcome back to Oddly Specific. This week we welcome Dr. JonPaul Higgins, Ed.D. Dr. JonPaul is an award winning educator, professor, national speaker, freelance journalist, thought leader and media critic who examines the intersections of identity, gender and race in entertainment. They share their experience growing up Jehovah Witness, and their path to leaving. We also spend time chatting about their upcoming ...

Private Equity be damned! We need to talk about Christmas sometimes. Meredith welcomes Jenny Chalikian and Erin Judge to the pod this week to discuss their fantastic new comedy album (take that PETE DAVIDSON!!) and their monthly show at LA hot spot The Ripped Bodice. 

We then get to the meat of an unspoken Christmas tinged beef that Jenny and I have had without even knowing it. It takes us from the heart of Medford Square, to the C...

Pets! If you don't have one you probably know one.

In this episode of my podcast, I sit down with Michael Fenne from the Private Equity Stakeholder Project to unpack the growing trend of private equity in veterinary practices—how it affects costs, quality of care, and the future of independent vets. 

PLUS Michael breaks down what the upcoming Trump administration could mean for private equity regulations. 

Follow PESP https://www.i...

It's a two for here at Oddly Specific, first my friend Rob Schulte of Vanderpump Robs joins us to discuss his new podcast about Laguna Beach, a Crocs ban that's SWEEPING the nation (read: 12 schools), and how despite limited internet access Rob and I both knew that weird rumor about Gwen Stefani and Moby in middle school. 

Then we welcome on Bianca Tylek, Founder and CEO of Worth Rises a leading organization dedicated to dismantlin...

In this episode of Oddly Specific, I’m joined by fan favorite Kiki Monique, aka The Talk of Shame, to discuss the notorious Menendez brothers case. We explore the trial's historical context, the media's portrayal of Lyle and Erik, and the complexities of abuse and crime.

Together, we delve into the justice system's role in their case, recent developments regarding their potential resentencing, and what their story reveals about bro...

In this episode of Oddly Specific, I welcome personal stylist Jamie Lewis, founder of JBL Styles. We dive into Jamie's journey from luxury fashion to personal styling, discussing the challenges she faced while building her business during COVID-19 and the realities of entrepreneurship. Jamie shares valuable insights on common wardrobe mistakes, the pros and cons of fast fashion, and the importance of strategic shopping. We also exp...

There is something about New York Mayor Eric Adams. On this episode of Oddly Specific, Meredith is joined by the iconic Kiki Monique aka The Talk of Shame to delve into the complexities surrounding New York Mayor Eric Adams. They explore his background, political ambitions, and the controversies that have arisen during his tenure, including his recent indictments. The conversation also touches on cultural differences between New Yo...

In this episode, I’m joined by Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey to address a crisis that’s been weighing heavily on my mind—how private equity is wreaking havoc on our healthcare system. We’ll explore the fallout from the collapse of Steward Healthcare, a private equity-backed hospital chain that’s left thousands of Massachusetts residents without essential care. Senator Markey and I discuss the heartbreaking stories of staff and pa...

If you have ever watched tv Nell Scovell has made you laugh. The creator of Sabrina the Teenage Witch (TGIF HIVE!), and writer on The Simpsons, Late Night with David Letterman, Charmed, and SO many more Nell paved the way for women breaking into the male dominated world of Hollywood. This week on the pod Nell joins us to discuss her hilarious and honest memoir, Just the Funny Parts that chronicles her experiences in Hollywood, her ...