PODCAST · society
Imperfect Strangers
by Imperfect Strangers
Amanda, a graphic designer from OH, invited Melissa, a NY stay-at-home mom on her podcast. Melissa, who has been hunkered down for decades after a cool but soul-crushing brush with fame on MTV’s Real World New Orleans, didn’t really do this sort of thing but Amanda seemed nice. They recorded twice due to technical difficulties, but ended up chatting for hours. Who the fuck talks on the actual phone? They do! Two strangers getting to know each other the old-fashioned way. Get to know Melissa all over again as she gets to know Amanda for the first time. Bonus! One’s white and one ain’t.
Episodes
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Bed Rotting
You’re not bed rotting. You’re doing great, sweetie. Amanda and Melissa discuss the social media phenomenon of naming everything to be a negative mental health issue when really bitches just tired.
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She Met Tori
We REVIVE Season 7 with a conversation ripe for eavesdropping. Amanda met [italics, bold, underline] Tori Amos. You already know. She was tripping! And Melissa was like YOU DID THAT, FRIEND! LMAO. *heart emojis*
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Paired
…and we’re back! Welcome to season 7 of your favorite podcast you almost forgot about because these MFs were gone so long we bet you thought there were Problems In The Relationship. See what we did there? Fear not, stranger-friends! The brand is strong! (This was our crap attempt at clickbait....
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Reflections
Amanda and Melissa reflect on the making of this podcast and their subsequent warm and fuzzy friendship as they hit their sixth season finale and 120th episode. This has been a really great run-on sentence. Melissa and Amanda also answer listeners’ unresolved questions from previous episodes....
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Come on Barbie
Man, we feel like women! Don’t listen to this episode if you haven’t seen Barbie yet. Amanda and Melissa unpack this pretty pink masterpiece. Spoilers ahead. Highly recommend. Also, Melissa here with a NY Times Correction: Justin Beck would kill me if I didn’t correct the official record to say...
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The Lorax
Melissa tells Amanda about how she and Justin attended a town meeting to make a noise complaint and as it turns out, it was the perfect date night. Something something something about trees, hence Lorax.
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Bat Mitzvah
The ladies recap their weekend spent together as Melissa became bat mitzvah, including their quick trip to the gorgeous TWA.Warm fuzzies and too-long hugs all around. Ewwww. *hearts emojis*
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Chaverut
Melisser is busy busy busy with her upcoming bat mitzvah service and guess who’s coming? Amander! Melissa is verklempt, actual and genuinely honored. The Hebrew word for friendship is chaverut and wow, what a beautiful and long way these two have come. Elsewhere in this episode, Amanda explains…
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This Podcast Is A Toddler
To celebrate the third birthday (WOW) of Imperfect Strangers, we invited Andy Bellatti of Astrology With Andy to read the birth chart of this show. This podcast is a hardcore Gemini, a sign known for communication and curiosity — a perfect for a show about two strangers getting to know each…
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Romantic Depot
On the eve of Mother’s Day, Melissa implores you to get a Cadbury egg-shaped vibrator with arms for that special lady in your life. Amanda urges you to protect ya neck with wasp spray, but also swords, machetes and motion sensor lights. If the previous paragraph wasn’t weird enough, this episode...
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Xennials
Melissa and Amanda discover the subreddit called Xennials. Hypercolor. Cabbage Patch Kids. Serendipity books! Also, Melissa blames everything bad that happens on perimenopause. Also, men are Mars; women are superior.
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Xylazine
…and they’re back after scrapping multiple bummer recording sessions before finally arriving at this new episode. Melissa is still on the mend from an actual fortnight of sickness, laryngitis and everything. Amanda performed a MAJOR solid by editing out at least 12 minutes’ worth of Melissa’s...
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Ambien Y Tu?
Ever the studious ones fearful of disappointing others, the ladies sit down to record while Amanda is sick with a sore throat. Amanda discusses her hesitation in taking any kind of medication which makes Melissa crazy — just do the drugs! That said, Melissa is an insomniac who 100% cannot be...
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One Long Cornrow
Shabbat Shalom! This episode is out of control. The friendship has reached a dangerous level of familiarity. We’re talking imaginary prison barbers, shitty legs, suppositories. And half of that is just Melissa telling Amanda about very awkward times where she was recognized from that reality…
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Closed Doors Open Windows
Amanda’s 16-year-old dog Cocoa died. Thug down. Melissa’s husband sold his 22-year-old business. Thug down. Might need Kleenex for this one but not for long. After the musical break in the middle, join Melissa for a night out at a 90s R&B dance party, Covid be damned. #PMA #SF
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Modern Etiquette
Melissa and Amanda respond to The Cut’s article on etiquette for the modern world for what they call “life after Covid.” After? OK, but we get the gist. It’s arguing time (in the most loving way). Do you cancel plans willy nilly? Do you trip when you see a famous person? Do you pretend you’re not...
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When In Vermont
Melissa is about to take a road trip to Vermont to visit Danny. We all know she is not a nature lady, hence why she prepared for the visit with a trip to the beauty supply. Amanda regales us with her expertise in a new segment called Old Lady Gym where Melissa gets to ask questions about health…
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Tattoos And The Internet Are Forever
On this episode, Amanda and Melissa chat about the permanence of both tattoos and sharing yourself on the Internet. Wanna know what’s not permanent? Melissa’s eyelash extensions and Amanda’s Botox. Very exciting discourse on youth maintenance.
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Fraught
Amanda had a tough week with her sick dog Louis. Melissa, now an athlete, is having a harder time getting her heart rate up because she might be fit! Elsewhere in the episode, Beyoncé (always the winner), MGK and Jonah Hill. Plus, a little chat about the monetization of vulnerability. It’s like...
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Roses and Thorns
Every rose has its thorn. On this episode, Melissa and Amanda share the highlights of their weeks. For Amanda, her son earned his black belt. For Melissa, she’s closer to becoming bat mitzvah. Then, in a dreadful turn of events, the ladies overshare about the stuff that gets on their nerves on...
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Wow! What a Difference
Melissa might finally understand Amanda’s fitness thing because she is now a member of @OrangeTheory. Is this real life? Melissa also discovers the riveting new show #TheTraitorsUS and that Amanda is also an Alan Cumming fan. Plus, an update on Melissa’s journey with hot yoga. WOW! What a...
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Not Yoga
On this episode, super-smeller Melissa explores hot yoga and well, she can’t quite quiet her mind or control her wandering third eye so. You know, it’s a no. Let’s say it’s 100% NOT YOGA. Also, Melissa gives Amanda all the tips and tools she needs to get the softest feet ever because Melissa’s...
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A Mouse In The House
Welcome to season SIX (WOWZERS) of Imperfect Strangers! The podcast where two people who’ve never met *strikethrough* — have met IRL — but continue to get to know each other over the phone every week. This week, on the season premiere and one-hundred-and-first episode, Amanda and Melissa usher in...
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Nice To Finally Meet You
WOWZERS. Strangers no more, but the podcast shall live on! For the grand finale of the fifth season, Melissa and Amanda meet in person! Hear all about Amanda’s family trip to NYC where she takes a detour to meet Melissa for the first time IRL. Subways, potted meats, Covid, a very weird Airbnb —...
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Fab Furs
On this ninety-ninth episode (!) of Imperfect Strangers, Melissa and Amanda plan an imaginary, luxurious (but totally possible) trip to Cincinnati because Melissa needs a fake fur — we repeat, a FAKE fur — and wouldn’t you know it? Ohio has that whole market on lock. Shout out to Donna Salyers....
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Stranger Friend Scary Stories
On this very special FINAL spooky episode this season, we invited our Stranger Friend Patrons to share their ghost stories with us. Thank you to Sharon, Natalie, Kendra, Nicole and Gregory for sharing AND recording your stories!
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Golden Record
Amanda asks Melissa if she believes in aliens and if so, what would she leave for them to understand the best of the human condition. The ladies share their top five best experiences and delete two of the worst. You know, just in case aliens touch down and wanna know what’s what. Become a Patron…
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Solid Gal
Amanda celebrated another wedding anniversary in a tiny house which sparked conversation on what makes a long-lasting marriage. Elsewhere in the episode, EW! Cheating on your pregnant wife. Melissa is not a fan of corny sext messages. Plus, the part of the Venn diagram where imposter syndrome…
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Pet Peeve
We open this episode with non-controversial non-hot takes that may be viewed as such simply because they’re spoken aloud on America’s Black Princess. A glimpse into the day to day analysis that keeps BRPR (Melissa’s imaginary biracial public relations firm) running. Elsewhere in the episode…
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Wives + Knives
Amanda and Melissa dial each other up to discuss the ongoing, everlasting mom struggle in doing it all. Working and making a podcast is quite a feat these days but these two still find time for skincare. They also go off on various tangents like thyroid issues, class action lawsuits, Life360,...
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Coughing in the Museum
Melissa goes to the museum. A little girl coughed. Nah. Elsewhere in the episode, Melissa’s kids gotta use the public restroom. Also nah. Amanda cannot understand how it’s possible to avoid public restrooms but Melissa Explains It All and mid explanation realizes she sounds crazy as hell. Since...
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Algorithm
Melissa and Amanda have grown weary of the Internet and social media but still continue to “dumbscroll” ™. It’s addictive, what can you do?! The two also spend some time deciding who’s the a-hole on Reddit’s AITA. Shout out to Serena Williams’ husband. Reddit is a wonderful invention.
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Good Talk
We know that there is pain, but ya hold on for one more day and ya break free from the chaaaaainz. Kids and moms got issues and it helps to talk these things out. Join non-experts slash just-moms Amanda and Melissa on this here therapeutic couch. There’s a lot going on and we all need a little…
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Dishwasher
Aaah. Another non-negotiable. The ladies disagree on how to wash the dishes. Melissa washes the dishes before washing the dishes. Amanda lets the dishwasher be the dishwasher. Both agree that Marilyn Monroe was too depressed to do either though.
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Hamster
The most controversial episode yet! Amanda returns from her family’s summer vacation in New Orleans! Melissa melts down about Lloyd the hamster’s smell which leads to a conversation about cats vs dogs. Amanda is a dog person as evidence by the fact that she has two. Shout out to Cocoa and Louis....
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Raspberries
This episode, Amanda shares her gift of gab in an insightful discussion on the importance of staying the hell outta women’s bodies and business. Melissa explains why she respects Calvin and Hobbes cartoonist Bill Watterson. Amanda initiates a conversation on instilling confidence in girls when we...
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Botan Rice Candy
Melissa gives ASMR and a too-deep explanation of Botan Rice Candy after receiving tons of it in a giant tooth-shaped piñata sent to her with love from the best stranger-friends ever. Amanda and Melissa also take you into the fascinating, weird, narc ass world of Te*l Sw*n. Lastly, Melissa shares...
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It's Not Ironic Though
Tori is to Amanda as Mariah is to Melissa. Amanda has a spiritual experience at a Tori Amos concert by herself like a boss. The ladies also deconstruct Alanis Morrisette’s Ironic. None of it is actual irony. *John Travolta confused gif* And finally, this is a Jessica and Ashlee Simpson fan page...
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Natural Born Gardener
It doesn’t even matter that Amanda is trying to get Melissa to do her own gardening. What matters here is that the two have discovered that they disagree on how coffee should be consumed. Amanda is an iced coffee person. Melissa says cold coffee is dark-sided. What say you Stranger-friends? First...
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Everything Feels Amazing
On this episode, Amanda and Melissa are feeling good, like they should. Amanda’s father is cancer-free and out of the woods. She gets dressed up for a fashion outing, a first for her “post” pandemic. Melissa, while still having some anxiety about being back in the world, is feeling A-OK about her...
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The Ripple Effect
In light of the release of Real World New Orleans Homecoming streaming on Paramount+, Amanda explains how she got to know Melissa from her appearance on the original ninth season of Real World and subsequently understood her more through her blog PrincessMelissa. Without those two things, Amanda...
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Fin
On the long awaited season four finale, Amanda and Melissa reflect on this accomplishment! Eighty episodes and four seasons in, your favorite stranger-friends DID THAT despite various chaotic life obstacles. They powered through like — dare we say — friends?! Listen in as they discuss how Melissa...
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Shoe Horn
This episode ain’t about a shoe horn but Melissa is absolutely tickled that Black Benzo uses a shoe horn and so, in his honor, we have the title. This show is about Melissa’s at-home birthday celebration plus a discussion about Euphoria, weed and how Chris is an awesome gift giver. Melissa is…
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The Swan
Melissa tells a long ass meandering story about being on a competition reality show with other network reality stars including, possibly because she can’t really remember, the winner of The Swan. Amanda takes her kids into Costco which brings forth a discussion on “red or blue” store vibes.…
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Earth School
Feelings ahead! Ahhh. The episode that almost wasn’t was. We were just gonna stick this whole thing behind a paywall because we’re scaredy cats with all these big feelings as a result of going to “earth school.” Amanda cries happy tears about her dad’s uplifting prognosis. Melissa talks about the...
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Walking Stick
Melissa insists she has Long Covid as evidenced by her skin’s newfound over sensitivity. Amanda convinces Melissa to make 2022 the year she embraces nature.
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Meteor
Melissa and Amanda await a meteor as they discuss the downfall of society ie “the inevitability” of catching Covid, TikTok, anything young people like, Hype House and BBLs. Stay to the end as we have a special MAZEL TOV to longtime listener KIMBA…
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Melissa Got Covid
Motherf*cker.
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Hump Day
Warning: Two middle-aged women talking about scheduled sex. *screwface emoji* LOL. But let’s discuss. What say you tired people? Are you making time for making love? Ew. That’s a real sentence on the Internet now. But seriously. Spontaneous or scheduled? WFT for real?
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Chat Roulette
On this very special episode Melissa and Amanda, who is living her best life and checking boxes off her bucket list, sit down with the lovely Roz Hernandez also know as super talented drag comedian Roz Drezfalez. Roz, host of Ghosted! by Roz Drezfalez, a podcast exploring all things paranormal,...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Amanda, a graphic designer from OH, invited Melissa, a NY stay-at-home mom on her podcast. Melissa, who has been hunkered down for decades after a cool but soul-crushing brush with fame on MTV’s Real World New Orleans, didn’t really do this sort of thing but Amanda seemed nice. They recorded twice due to technical difficulties, but ended up chatting for hours. Who the fuck talks on the actual phone? They do! Two strangers getting to know each other the old-fashioned way. Get to know Melissa all over again as she gets to know Amanda for the first time. Bonus! One’s white and one ain’t.
HOSTED BY
Imperfect Strangers
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Imperfect Strangers have?
Imperfect Strangers currently has 125 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Imperfect Strangers about?
Amanda, a graphic designer from OH, invited Melissa, a NY stay-at-home mom on her podcast. Melissa, who has been hunkered down for decades after a cool but soul-crushing brush with fame on MTV’s Real World New Orleans, didn’t really do this sort of thing but Amanda seemed nice. They recorded twice...
How often does Imperfect Strangers release new episodes?
Imperfect Strangers publishes regularly with 125 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Imperfect Strangers?
You can listen to Imperfect Strangers on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Imperfect Strangers?
Imperfect Strangers is created and hosted by Imperfect Strangers.
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