PODCAST · news
Well-Informed Girlfriends
by Tiege Dooley-Panko and Samantha Kubota
Well-Informed Girlfriends breaks down today's news, gossip and unsolicited hot takes weekly. Hosted by former Today Show journalist Sam Kubota and author and host, Tiege Dooley-Panko, this podcast breaks down everything you need to know to stay informed and in the loop each week - with a smart, entertaining twist.
Episodes
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Why Dinner Parties Are Dying, Quiet Cutting & Can Saunas Cure Depression?
Are dinner parties officially dead? And is your boss secretly trying to make you quit? This week on Well-Informed Girlfriends, Tiege Dooley-Panko and Sam Kubota are unpacking the trends, workplace drama, and wellness news everyone should be talking about.
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Gen Z Is Leaving College After 2 Weeks — Plus Gen X Drinking and Why The Vibes are Off At Work
Some Gen Z college freshmen are moving back home just weeks into their first semester, reopening a bigger debate about mental health, discomfort and whether the traditional “college experience” is still worth it. This week on Well-Informed Girlfriends, we’re also talking about Gen X drinking more...
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Kids Can’t Do Laundry, Young People Are Lonely & Finding Love at Costco
Are parents so focused on raising successful kids that we're forgetting to teach them how to actually take care of themselves? Why are young adults spending more time completely alone? And has Costco somehow become America's new social club?We’re digging into the debate over kids and basic life...
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Are Teens Getting Dumber? and the Rise of Woke 2.0
Are teens actually getting dumber? Is “Woke 2.0” upon us? And are millennial moms collectively having a midlife crisis? This week, Sam and Tiege are breaking down falling teen test scores, the left’s new focus on class and why women might actually be too good at persevering. Plus: South Korea’s...
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Instagram’s New Teen Rules, “Lake America” and the Fake 49ers Dating Scam
What do Instagram’s new teen restrictions mean for TikTok and YouTube? Why does Google Maps suddenly say “Lake America” instead of Lake Ontario? And how did a man allegedly scam women out of $1.3 million by pretending to be a San Francisco 49ers player? This week on Well Informed Girlfriends, Sam...
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Why Women Are Leaving the Workforce, College Kids Aren’t Hanging Out & Bumble’s Big Flip
AI is making work weird. This week on "Well-Informed Girlfriends," we’re talking about the rise of AI-generated “workslop,” why coworkers are starting to judge each other for using AI, and the surprisingly insulting new workplace habit of telling someone to “ask AI” instead of asking you.Plus…
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The Dating Recession, Skillcations & Why We May Rent Forever
Is Gen Z giving up on dating or has dating simply gotten too expensive and exhausting?This week on Well-Informed Girlfriends, Tiege & Gabi (@tiegedp & @itsgabiconti) talking about the growing “romance gap,” why some young people are approaching relationships in terms of return on emotional...
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Attention Span Class Divide, America's Fun Shortage and Dating for Housing
This week, Sam and Tiege break down the biggest stories shaping culture, technology and work: the growing attention-span divide, California's new data delete law, America's "fun shortage," more seniors returning to work, ghosting long-term partners, the rise of "naked dressing," whether Gen Z is...
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Brag Folders, How Complaining Affects Your Brain & The Invisible String Theory
This week, we’re talking about America’s explosive diarrhea summer, how the measles season is breaking a bunch of records no one wanted to break, and how the biggest winner of Trump's second term might be Donald Trump's business portfolio.We’ll also be chatting about keeping a brag folder, what...
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Hollywood Slop Face, Red Pill Guys and The End of Reading
This week, we’re talking about "Slop Face" in Hollywood, the end of reading and signs your man has been "red pilled." We’re also breaking down a new dating app where AI is your matchmaker, grocery stores being a new hot spot for singles and millennials gentle parenting their dogs.
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Instagram Plus, Friction-Maxxing & Ask the Doctor
This week, Tiege and guest host Gabi Conti unpack Instagram's controversial new paid features, the rise of "friction-maxxing," why more Gen Z adults are living with their parents and replacing full meals with snacks. Plus, they interview a very well-informed guest, Dr. Ryan Stancil in a new...
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The Infinite Work Week, AI Girlfriends and Kittenfishing
This week on Well Informed Girlfriends, we're diving into the idea that AI might be creating an "infinite workweek." We unpack why workers are feeling more exhausted than ever, despite all the promises that AI would make life easier. Also, teen boys are forming relationships with AI girlfriends,...
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Are Smartphones the New Birth Control? Plus Why So Many Adults Still Get Money from Mom and Dad
This week on Well Informed Girlfriends, we're talking about the SpaceX IPO, why inflation is hitting Americans' wallets again and the growing number of adults still getting financial help from their parents.Plus, could smartphones actually be the most effective birth control ever invented? We get...
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Your Brain on Ozempic, Anti-Vax Dating Apps and 'Wild-Flowering'
This week Sam and Tiege discuss if Ozempic is changing our bodies AND our brains, Trump signing an executive order that could change how AI is regulated in America, anti-vax dating apps and a new dating trend called “wildflowering,”
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Iran War's Effect on Diet Coke
This week, Sam and Tiege are talking about the latest on the Hantavirus, RFK Jr.'s push to get Americans off of anti-depressants and the death of Spirit Airlines. They're also diving into about another side effect of the Iran war and this time, it’s affecting Diet Coke. They also break down...
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Killer Robots, 'Micro-looting' and Passport Bros
This week, Sam and Tiege are talking about how the future of war is…killer robots, the impact of the Iranian war on certain bedroom-related goods beyond just gas prices and why law breaking in the U.S. is on the rise.The girls are also talking about "hetero-flexibility," passport bros going…
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Gen Z's Religious Awakening, "Frenemies," & Luddite Boyfriends
This week, Tiege and Ashley Holt are talking about Gen Z...how they’re getting more religious & how they are rage quitting smartphones and getting flip phones and typewriters. They're also talking about how to spot a "frenemy," the benefits of dating a luddite, and they debate when it’s time to...
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Trump's Threat to Iran, AI Job Cuts and the 'Morgue Gaze'
This week, Sam and Tiege are breaking down Trump’s escalating threats toward Iran, why thousands of tech jobs are disappearing as AI spending explodes and what’s behind the spooky new beauty trend called “morgue gaze.” Plus, Cuba’s deepening crisis, the rise of cougars and two new dating terms:...
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Big Tech on Trial, Iran Tensions Rising and Gen Z Explains Everything
This week, Sam and Tiege break down rising tensions in Iran and a landmark lawsuit holding Big Tech accountable for addictive platform design. They also get into how inflation is hitting unexpected places, Gen Z trends like “looksmaxxing,” and why everyone is suddenly obsessed with an AI dating...
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America's Money Blind Spot, China-Maxxing and 'Swag Gaps'
This week, Sam and Tiege break down the latest in Iran and why gas prices are so high…and, a new viral trend: China-maxxing. Plus, America’s money blind spot, "swag gaps" in relationships and a new dating trend called “sweeping,” just in time for your spring cleaning.
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Recent Jobs Report, Dunkin' Debate & Boy Kibble
This week, we’re talking about the latest news out of the conflict in Iran, how the latest jobs report might indicate the US is moving into a new hiring era and the data behind Gen Z’s so-called “dating recession.”Plus, why RFK Jr. is going after Dunkin' and Starbucks, how what you eat can affect...
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Looksmaxxing, Ghostlighting and Bringing AI Companions On An IRL Date
This week, Sam and Tiege explain how incel slang like “looksmaxxing” went mainstream, people are bringing their AI companions out on the town, and how the newly-coined dating term “ghostlighting” is a trend as old as time. Plus, an explanation of the escalating U.S. - Israel - Iran conflict and...
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Aliens are Real, AI is Affecting Our Minds & 'Regular-Maxxing'
This week, Sam and Tiege dive into the moment Former President Obama seemingly confirmed he believes aliens are real and what that actually means.Then they unpack whether AI is slowly dulling our minds (are we outsourcing our thinking a little too much?) and break down how the latest jobs report…
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The Polycrisis, Critical Ignoring and Hot Take Dating
This week, we’re unpacking layoffs across industries, how people are actually spending right now, and the easiest (least miserable) ways to save money this year. Plus, we zoom out to talk about the "polycrisis" and why it feels like every headline is competing for our last brain cell.We also get...
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Epstein Files, AI Lawsuits and the End of Retirement?
This week on Well Informed Girlfriends, Sam and Tiege break down why major news outlets aren’t repeating viral Epstein accusations and what responsible journalism actually requires. We also dig into a new lawsuit challenging the “black box” of AI hiring tools, a landmark social media addiction...
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TikTok’s Power Shift, AI Swarms, and "Humiliationships"
This week’s episode is packed. Sam and Tiege break down what TikTok’s ownership change really means for U.S. users, dive into the rise of AI-powered disinformation swarms (and why they’re so hard to detect), and talk about why people are suddenly feeling hopeful about money again in what’s being...
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Is 2016 Back? The Return of Millennial Optimism and the Push to Feel Human Online
This week, Sam and Tiege break down why 2016-style optimism is suddenly cool again and why everyone wants to just log off the internet. They unpack Gen Z's "Great Meme Reset" and so-called empathy perception gap. Plus, how more men are getting "brotox," the rise of rejection therapy and the…
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New Food Pyramid and Friend-Influenced Dating – Here’s What’s Shaping Health, Money and Middle Age Now
This week, Tiege and Sam break down the U.S.’s revamped food pyramid and looser alcohol guidance, California’s new IVF coverage mandate, Trump’s proposed cap on credit card interest and why more millennials are getting cancer earlier. They also unpack Hollywood’s growing AI backlash and reveal…
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Officially deleting your Internet data, how Ozempic’s changing menus and the best time to join the dating apps
This week, Sam and Tiege break down the latest U.S. jobs report and why economists say high interest rates — not AI — may be driving the white-collar hiring slowdown. They also talk about California’s new "data delete button" and how restaurants are shrinking menus for the Ozempic era. Plus, it’s...
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Teen Social Media Bans and Quiet Quitting Marriage: Trends Reshaping How We Live, Love and Work
This week's special holiday episode breaks down a wave of cultural shifts, from Australia’s under-16 social media ban and rising pressure to looking “hot” at work. Sam and Tiege also discuss a slightly toxic new dating trend called “sledging” and women quietly quitting marriages rather than...
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The Epstein Files, Food Stamps and Lame Main Characters
This week, the girls discuss the latest on the government re-opening, Epstein emails and how SNAP benefits could be permanently changing soon. They also chat about pennies being cancelled, the myths men tell themselves that keep them single and why so many main characters on TV just feel…
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Ozempic for All, Women in the Workforce & Stack Dating
UPDATE: Since recording this episode, the U.S. government is *much* closer to reopening. Late Sunday, a group of Senate Democrats voted with Republicans to reopen the government and fund most federal agencies through January. That said, the short-term spending agreement will not become law until…
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SNAP showdown, government shutdown and whether or not it's cringe to have a boyfriend?
This week, we dive into the SNAP showdown amid the month-long government shutdown, Trump’s call to kill the filibuster, and how delivery apps might be ruining restaurants. Plus, whether having a boyfriend is cringe these days, how family sizes are shrinking and evidently, even the way millennials...
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Government Shutdown, Le Heist Latest and AI in Your DMs
From stalled paychecks and food aid to a very expensive surprise White House makeover, Sam and Tiege dig into the real-world fallout of Washington’s funding fight. Then they discuss the latest on the wild Louvre jewel heist and dive into a bleak white-collar job market. Plus how AI might be in…
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Jimmy Kimmel, Fed rate cuts and all-consuming crushes
This week on Well Informed Girlfriends, we’re diving into the fallout from Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension after his controversial remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death — and what it means for free speech. We’re also breaking down the Federal Reserve’s first rate cut in nearly a year and how it could…
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Political Violence, a Cooling Job Market, and Why Dating Apps Are Over Dogfishing
This week on Well Informed Girlfriends, we break down the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and what it says about America’s rising political violence. We also dig into the job market: unemployment looks low, but more Americans are underemployed and struggling to find full-time work....
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Dismal Jobs Report, Redistricting Battles and How Science Says Men Evidently Need to Lower Their Dating App Standards
This week on Well Informed Girlfriends, we’re unpacking what the latest disappointing jobs report says about the U.S. economy, how Texas and California are waging a redistricting battle and dig into the decline of reading. We also check in on whatever happened to the TikTok ban and unpack about…
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Rate Cuts, No Contact with Parents & Shrekking
This week, your Well-Informed girlfriends are breaking down the EPA’s latest rollback and what it means for the environment, potential rate cuts from the Federal Reserve and why U.S. immigration numbers are declining.Plus, Ashley and Tiege chat about the newest (and weirdest) dating terms and the...
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Tariffs, Taylor Swift and a Romance Recession
This week, we'll dive into Trump and Putin’s Alaska summit flop, the tariff extensions, and why Americans feel stuck in place. We also break down Silicon Valley’s “hard tech” shift, Gen Z’s $0 dating budgets, and the newest trend—flocking (aka TRAVEL instead of a dating app). Plus, an economist’s...
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Tsunamis, Trump, and “Man-Keeping”
This week on Well-Informed Girlfriends, we break down what to do in an earthquake or tsunami (yes, really), why Trump just fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and what “man-keeping” and “hetero-fatalism” say about modern dating. Plus: golden passports, rising birth rates among women...
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Epstein Files, Vogue’s AI Controversy and the Rise of Quantum Dating
This week on Well-Informed Girlfriends, Sam and Tiege unpack the mess behind the newly revealed Epstein files — including Trump’s latest lawsuit and Ghislaine Maxwell’s possible testimony. Plus, Vogue’s AI-generated model stirs up beauty standard backlash, quantum dating might actually make…
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Cookie-Jarring, Co-Worker Drama and P Diddy
Tiege and Ashley break down the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” that just passed Congress, the devastating Texas floods, and the dramatic conclusion of P Diddy’s high-profile trial.We’re also diving into a new dating term called “cookie jarring” 🍪, how to talk money with your new boo 💸, and...
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No Kings Protests, Military Parade Birthday Parties and (possibly) World War III
This week, Sam and Tiege are breaking down the No Kings Marches that took over cities across the country this weekend, the military parade in Washington DC, and asking the question on everyone’s mind — is World War 3 brewing… or not? 👀Plus:✨ Why more parents are preferring girl babies✨ The do’s...
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Trump’s (possible) master database, Lizzo’s WeHo Pride breakdown, and whether or not you should ask AI if you're hot
This week, Sam and Tiege dig into Trump’s possible new data plans, Lizzo’s emotional return to the stage at West Hollywood Pride , and how people are letting ChatGPT rate their looks (uhmmmm and whether or not you should!) Plus: the Job Corps shutdown, zebra striping your drinks, and a weirdly...
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The MAGA economy, junk food filling our brains with microplastics and so-called "dry texting"
This week, Sam and Tiege are talking about Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill passing the House — and what it means — plus why the MAGA economy is thriving and the latest in the Diddy trial. They're also chatting about money dysmorphia, junk food filling our brains with microplastics, and what the kids…
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Latest on the Diddy trial, dating coaches, and how older first-time moms actually live longer
This week, Tiege and Sam break down what the latest Supreme Court decision will mean for the Trump deportations, the latest on the tariff drama, and the Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial. They also get into the high cost of dating coaches and how older moms live longer. Plus, they're visited by a…
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Real IDs, fake friends and cancer in your conditioner
This week, the girlfriends are talking about the new potential tariffs on Hollywood, how AI could be your new BFF, and apparently, your shampoo might be giving you cancer. There's also more on the nationwide pivot to Real IDs and the latest on the equally real American Pope!
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Recession Indicator or Not? (And Other Signs of the Times)
From new tariffs and the situation at U.S. ports to the growing concern over microplastics, there's no shortage of news this week. The girlfriends also debut a fun new game: "Recession Indicator or Not?" Plus, they're spilling the tea on the ups and downs of dating a co-worker. All that and so…
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Tariffs, TikToks and Toxic Guys
We're back! This week we're talking about Trump's tariffs and the TikTok trends we're both obsessed with and horrified by. We're also discussing the ongoing "vibe-cession" and what it means to marry "down." Plus, some personal news!
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Diddy is in HOT water, Kim Porter might have written a memoir, America's young men could be falling behind and men are putting themselves on billboards to get dates
Today we’re talking all about the latest in the Diddy controversy and breaking down what’s inside Kim Porter’s possible memoir. We also take a look at how America’s young men are allegedly falling behind and why so many northerners are going to college in the South these days. All that and more…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Well-Informed Girlfriends breaks down today's news, gossip and unsolicited hot takes weekly. Hosted by former Today Show journalist Sam Kubota and author and host, Tiege Dooley-Panko, this podcast breaks down everything you need to know to stay informed and in the loop each week - with a smart, entertaining twist.
HOSTED BY
Tiege Dooley-Panko and Samantha Kubota
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Well-Informed Girlfriends have?
Well-Informed Girlfriends currently has 83 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Well-Informed Girlfriends about?
Well-Informed Girlfriends breaks down today's news, gossip and unsolicited hot takes weekly. Hosted by former Today Show journalist Sam Kubota and author and host, Tiege Dooley-Panko, this podcast breaks down everything you need to know to stay informed and in the loop each week - with a smart,...
How often does Well-Informed Girlfriends release new episodes?
Well-Informed Girlfriends has 83 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Well-Informed Girlfriends?
You can listen to Well-Informed Girlfriends 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 Well-Informed Girlfriends?
Well-Informed Girlfriends is created and hosted by Tiege Dooley-Panko and Samantha Kubota.
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