#171 - Speed dating

🎵 NEW PODCAST EPISODE Episode 171 – Speed dating Roger opens this week’s episode by detailing his perilous descent into the underground world of rare collectible toys—specifically, an oversized La Boo Boo. From Facebook marketplace meetups that feel like drug deals to AI-powered authentication techniques, it’s a wild ride through the plushie black market. But the episode quickly takes a detour into deeper waters, as the pair unpack an unexpected encounter with cultural beauty standards in Asia. What begins as a comment about powdered white faces evolves into a broader discussion on colonialism, colourism, class, and whether Asian beauty standards are really western ideals in disguise. Later, Andy recounts his and his wife's experience at a “friendship speed dating” event. It’s as awkward as it sounds. The duo unpick modern loneliness, gender dynamics, the impossibility of men and women being ‘just friends’, and what happens when socialising as a couple intersects with post-Tinder confusion. Lizzo also makes an unlikely cameo. Obviously. Hashtags: #LaBooBoo #CollectibleCulture #WhiteBeautyStandards #AsianBeauty #PopMart #FacebookMarketplace #CulturalNorms #SpeedDatingFails #MenVsWomen #ModernFriendship #AndyAndRoger #PodcastChat #TinderFatigue #LonelyPlanet #CouplesThatDateTogether #YellowFeverDebate #CosmeticSurgery #BeautyMyth Engage with us on social media: Website: http://themiddle.site/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themiddlepodcastandyroger Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Middle-Podcast/100089236832534/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheMiddlePC Email: [email protected] Sign up to our subscriber email list: Visit our website: http://themiddle.site/ Or click: https://forms.gle/4qATmU2yiHgjZrej8