PODCAST · news
The Social Mediators
by Garrett Gooslby &Jillian Parks
Garrett and Jillian grade how well social media gives you accurate information about trending news stories.
Episodes
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Episode 81- Lessons Learned from The Social Mediators
This week we discuss Garrett Goolsby and Jillian Parks through the eyes of social media and a Google Search, respectively. Tune in to the final episode of our undergraduate years as we look back on the insights and lessons that we gleaned from producing 80 episodes of the show.
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Episode 80- Biohacking
This week we discuss the phenomenon of biohacking. Tune in to discover how technology uncovered the benefits of hydrogen water, beef tallow, sleeping enough, and drinking apple cider vinegar.
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Episode 79- Starbucks Policies and Boycotts
This week we discuss the new Starbucks policies and challenging the validity of its connection to the Starbucks boycott. Tune in to hear about free refills, no more free water, and the reinvigoration of Starbucks as a third place.
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Episode 78- Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez Crash Course
This week we discuss the tumultuous rise, fall, rise, fall, and so forth of the relationship between Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez. Tune in to hear how Justin's wife, Hailey, plays into all this, which songs each artist wrote about the other, and, for some reason, a little insight into how...
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Episode 77- Dissociative Identity Disorder
This week we discuss Dissociative Identity Disorder along with the symptoms and cause of the rare disorder (not disease, Jillian...). Tune in to hear about the social media stories that both illuminate and confound the truth of the affliction, the difficulty of diagnosis, and whether or not…
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Episode 76- Squatters' Rights
This week we discuss adverse possession/squatters' rights across the states. Tune in to hear some of the crazy stories that accompany the tricky legislation, timelines and loopholes, and some creative ways to get rid of a squatter, legally.
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Episode 75- 73 Executive Orders and Counting
This week we discuss Trump returning to office and passing what is currently 73 executive orders affecting everything from paper straws to immigration to DEI musicals in Ireland. Tune in to hear about some of his greatest hits, the precedents behind all of this, and where all of this might be going.
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Episode 74- Unpacking the Kendrick Lamar/Drake Beef
This week we explain the feud surrounding Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show between him and Drake. Tune in to hear the timeline of events, the details of the pending lawsuit, and why the Internet took Kendrick's side so decisively.
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Episode 73- South Korea Impeaches Its President
This week we discuss the recent impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. Tune in to hear about democracy in the Eastern hemisphere, the way President Yoon halted the processes of said democracy, and the art of American influencers making this whole thing about them.
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Episode 72- "It Ends With Us" Lawsuits
This week, we discuss the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni lawsuits arising from their new movie, "It Ends With Us." Tune in to hear about celebrities slandering each other, how liberals and conservatives are uniting behind Candance Owen's investigative journalism, and how Ryan Reynolds could be…
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Episode 71- The TikTok Ban (for real this time)
This week we discuss the brief TikTok ban and the future of TikTok in America. Tune in to hear about the winter boot revolution, potential Meta-Trump collusion, and all of the people who have expressed concerns that they cannot live without the app.
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Episode 70- The World of Professional Fighting
This week we discuss WWE, MMA, UFC, and all the other non-acronymed forms of professional fighting. Tune in to hear about how much is theater, the degree of popularity these gladiatorial contests have in our culture, and some of the actors who got their start in the ring.
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Episode 69- The Trump/Hitler Comparisons
This week, we explore a comparison that has gained renewed attention in recent months: Donald Trump and Adolf Hitler. Tune in to hear the key differences between the two figures, some Madison Square Garden history, and whether there’s any validity to the comparisons being made.
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Episode 68- Trump Wins the Election
This week we discuss the recent election results, and social media's surprising reaction to them.Tune in to hear about all the people who are going to die when Trump takes office, a typical Garrett grocery store trip, and us actively discussing what our next episode will be about.
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Episode 67- The P. Diddy Case
This week we discuss the most up-to-date info on the P. Diddy court case, including the reasons for his arrest and the charges against him. Tune in to be bummed out about evil Hollywood and the freaks that run it.
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Episode 66- Black Rock
This week we talk about Black Rock, aka "the company that owns the world." Tune in for financial conspiracy theories, a lucid but apparently irrelevant description of ESG, and a geology lesson!
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Episode 65- Raw Milk
This week we discuss raw milk: is it safe? is it evil? should we even drink any milk at all ever? Tune in to hear takes from the world's best TikTok microbiologists (oxymoron), the how-to on drinking raw milk without instantly dying, and the pros and cons of that raw milk lifestyle.
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Episode 64- The Freemasons
This week we discuss the Freemasons, from the lowest to the highest degree. Tune in to hear some of the conspiracies surrounding the organization and Garrett's artful way of shutting them down. There could still be some sketchy stuff. You'll have to tune in to find out.
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Episode 63- Donald Trump Assassination Attempts
This week we discuss both of the assassination attempts on Donald Trump. Tune in to hear some good ol' conspiracy theories, the little tiny good that comes out of this big terrible bad, and some generally scuzzy social media engagement with a genuinely scary thing!
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Episode 62- Catching Up in the Presidential Race
This week we discuss the current state of the presidential race including the current President, the nominees, and their running mates. Or at least as much as we can squeeze into a 22 minute episode. Tune in to get a reminder of the internet's best (or worst) political jokes and stories from the...
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Episode 61- College Pro-Palestine Protests
This week we discuss the ongoing pro-Palestine protests profilerating across college campuses. Tune in to hear about why these protests are happening (and why people are getting arrested), a non-exhaustive list of campuses involved, and (potentially) the new up-and-coming profession for our…
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Episode 60- Germs and Modern Medicine
This week we discuss terrain theory versus germ theory, which Jillian did not even know was a "theory" until scrolling for this episode. Tune in to hear social media fail majorly, Jillian try her best to engage with scientific theories, and Garrett make a rare mention of his girlfriend whom he…
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Episode 59- The War in Sudan
This week we discuss the civil war that has been tearing apart the country of Sudan for almost a year now. Tune in to hear about the hoops Jillian had to jump through to find any information, Garrett's retelling of Sudan's long, complicated history on a time crunch, and to find out if Jillian and...
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Episode 58- Jojo Siwa Crash Course
This week we discuss the former Dance Moms star and current pop singer who cannot sing: Jojo Siwa. Tune in for an April-Fools-inspired episode structure, to hear the chronically offline Garrett Goolsby talk about bows and internet drama, and Jillian blow everyone's mind (against her will) with…
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Episode 57- Oregon Says "NO!" to Drugs
This week we talk about Oregon's recent legislation that recriminalizes the possession of illicit drugs after their failed legislation to decriminalize them resulted in some major consequences for the state. Tune in to hear some nuanced thoughts and some should-have-stayed-in-the-drafts thoughts...
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Episode 56- Is TikTok Getting Banned?
This week we discuss the bill that passed through the House concerning TikTok's presence in American culture and politics. Tune in to hear social media theories about the real reason the bill is being passed, Jillian's soap box about "old people" communicating with the young, and Garrett to, as...
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Episode 55- Super Tuesday
This week we talk about Super Tuesday and the current trajectory of this year's presidential election. Tune in to hear Jillian know shockingly little about the election until an author from the 90s is mentioned and both Jillian and Garret weigh into the primaries when they don't really have the...
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Episode 54- Plastic-ky Situation
This week we talk about the rules, regulations, and overall scams concerning recycling. Tune in to get Sad (!) about how much actually gets recycled, a new court case that probably won't lead anywhere, and the ultimately fruitless blame game of who is responsible.
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Episode 53- Helen Keller was real.
This week we discuss Helen Keller and the internet's weird obsession with insisting that she is "not real." Tune in this week to get set straight if you think that, hear about how she was able to achieve what she did, and some of the internet discourse that makes Jillian and Garrett sad to be…
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Episode 52- Waldorf Schools
This week, in light of Jillian's recent exposure to them through TikTok, we discuss Waldorf/Steiner schools. Tune in to hear about whether they are cults, why all the rich people are sending their kids there, and cool Waldorf activities involving fire, beeswax, gnomes, and imagination that…
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Episode 51- Trump vs. the Colorado Primary Ballot
This week we return from a long winter break to discuss Colorado's recent court case deciding whether or not Donald Trump's name will appear on the primary ballot. Tune in to Jillian and Garrett struggle through technical abnormalities, Garrett dig through information that is qualified by...
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Episode 50- The War Between Israel and Palestine
This week we discuss the current state of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict in light of the recent cease of the ceasefire agreement and the release of several hostages. Tune in to hear a brief history of the conflict leading up to now, social media's varying attitudes about the Hamas hostages, and...
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Episode 49- Sigmund Freud
This week we discuss some of the perceptions, theories, and methodologies behind the infamous Sigmund Freud. Tune in to hear by far the weirdest episode we've ever done, complete with dream theory, the unconscious, and all of Freud's weird sex stuff.
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Episode 48- Halloween
This week we discuss discuss the history, current trends, and evolution of Halloween ON Halloween. Tune in to hear about how 'trick or treat' got its start, the hooligans that gave it a bad rap, and Jillian's familial connection to little bear suits.
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Episode 47- Actors on Strike
This week we discuss the ongoing actors' strike: what they are striking for, where it's at right now, and how we think it may end up resolving itself. Tune in to hear about how innovations in AI are transforming Hollywood, the studios that are complying and thereby giving actors work, and the...
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Episode 46- Seed Oils
This week we discuss the hotly contested topic of seed oils, and the people who say they are good, bad, and everything in between. Tune in to hear both sides, an interesting algorithmic detail, and Garrett explain science in a way that makes sense even to Jillian.
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Episode 45- Canada Honors a Nazi (on accident)
This week we talk about how Canada managed to honor a former solider of the Nazi regime in their House of Commons, resulting in the resignation of their Speaker of the House. Tune in to hear some of the potential reasons that this happened, weird comment section conspiracies, and for one more...
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Episode 44- Why Men Think About The Roman Empire
This week we discuss the recent phenomenon in which women ask men how often they think about the Roman Empire-- the answer is often some variation of "frequently." Tune in to hear about how often both Jillian and Garrett think about the Roman Empire, the psychological reason behind why, and the...
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Episode 43- Burning Man Festival 2023
This week Jillian and Garrett discuss this years' Burning Man Festival in Black Rock Desert, Nevada. Tune in to hear the 10 principles of the festival, some dramatic interpretations of events, and Jillian declare a national emergency.
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Episode 42- Elon Musk's Twitter Rebrand
This we week we discuss Elon Musk's recent upheaval of the old "twitter" branding and launching of his new app, X. Tune in to hear a (very condensed) bio of Elon's start and obsession with the letter "x", Garrett's mild criticism of the confusing character himself, and some good ol' fashioned,...
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Episode 40- Bud Light Campaign Controversy
This week we try to illuminate some of the conflict and aftermath of Bud Light's campaign with transgender woman Dylan Mulvaney. Tune in to hear about the VP of Marketing's reason for the campaign, the current state of the stock, and the inevitable reminder that capitalism remains the driving…
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Episode 39- Michi-Gun Laws
This week we discuss the consistent social media conversation around gun violence and its recent real-world consequence: six new gun laws in the state of Michigan. Tune in to hear about the scope of the universal background checks, the definition of safe storage, and some unfortunate…
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Episode 38- Apple Software Updates
This week we discuss the most recent IOS 16.4 update, and the process and idea behind these consistent updates. Tune in to hear Jillian's philosophical extrapolations, Garrett's explanation of the boringest parts of the update, and a return of the chronically online segment for the week.
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Episode 37- The Possible Arrest of Donald Trump
This week we talk about the reasons, motives, and conversation surrounding the potential arrest of Donald Trump. Tune in to hear some of Jillian's favorite tweets on the matter, Garrett's tutorial on the inner workings of catching a politician in an act of crime, and both of their exhausted...
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Episode 36- Taylor Swift Crash Course
This week we discuss Taylor Swift since the cancellation of her Lover Fest including all of the projects, lore, and conspiracy theories that have burgeoned and circulated in recent years. Tune in to hear Jillan exercise her extensive encyclopedia of Swiftie knowledge and Garrett go on four…
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Episode 35- Chinese Spy Balloons
This week we discuss the recent flying objects that have entered U.S. airspace, balloons and other objects yet to be illustrated definitively. Tune in to hear about the funky flying shapes, Twitter's most and least creative conspiracy theories, and a couple discussions about alien life.
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Episode 34- The Super Bowl
This week discuss the history, results, and discourse surrounding the Super Bowl this year and years prior. Tune in to hear Jillian's feelings on Rihanna's halftime show, the origin of the phrase "wardrobe malfunction" at the 2004 Super Bowl. and Garrett's cascade down a mountain.
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Episode 33- Medicare and Medicaid
This week we talk about another semi-depressing but highly educational piece of subject matter: Medicare and Medicaid. Tune in to hear Jillian's stolen memory device for remembering the difference between the programs, Garrett talk about Canada, and discussion about this long-standing, nuanced...
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Episode 32- The National Debt and the Hypothetical Ceiling
This week Jillian and Garrett discuss the national debt, and the mood of the episode expectedly dips after Jillian realizes how hopeless it all looks. Tune in to hear the gems of optimism throughout the episode including Garrett's trip to Frankenmuth, Jillian's analogy between Garrett and Gaston,...
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Episode 31- George Santos
This week we look into the New York Congressman George Santos and his shocking yet entertaining lies. Tune in to unpack what those lies actually consist of, some updates on Jillian and Garret's winter breaks, and just general politician lore.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Garrett and Jillian grade how well social media gives you accurate information about trending news stories.
HOSTED BY
Garrett Gooslby &Jillian Parks
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Social Mediators have?
The Social Mediators currently has 60 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Social Mediators about?
Garrett and Jillian grade how well social media gives you accurate information about trending news stories.
How often does The Social Mediators release new episodes?
The Social Mediators has 60 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Social Mediators?
You can listen to The Social Mediators 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 The Social Mediators?
The Social Mediators is created and hosted by Garrett Gooslby &Jillian Parks.
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