Friends By Chance

Natalie brings Wylie from All My Friends Are Reading back to the pod once again to finally tackle our long awaited Benedict Bridgerton episode! The pair have mentioned in multiple episodes how they feel this book is under-appreciated, so they get together to chat and predict where the season will go and how the show plans to adapt "An Offer from A Gentleman"! Need a refresher before tuning in to the new season? You have come to the right place. This episode discusses the characters, where storylines left off, and more! Other topics of discussion include Natalie's boyfriend watching Twilight for the first time in his life, the podcast website Riverside, and Heated Rivalry.Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok!If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for editor notes and bonus episodes HERE: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

Welcome to Season 3! Natalie shares her tale of woe from the past few months, and a few other life updates. From there, she goes over alllll of her favorites from 2025. Songs and albums! Movies! Books! We chat over it all. Also Obama still apparently likes [REDACTED]. It's comforting to know that some things never change.Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok!If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for editor notes and bonus episodes HERE: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

Natalie continues her exploration of Falsettos with her high school friend Madelyn, who just recently graduated with a BA in Acting! Woo hoo! Together, the two unpack Act 2 and why it is such effective storytelling as well as the impact it has had on the pair. Natalie also addresses the long-standing rumors that she dated Madelyn's brother, Ian, in high school. Many, many giggles are had in the process.Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok!If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for editor notes and bonus episodes HERE: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

Happy pride! To celebrate, Natalie wanted to do a 2 part series for her favorite production of all time, the 2016 Broadway Revival of Falsettos! In this episode, she invites her friend Sydney to chat all things Act 1. We discuss the show, the music, the costumes, the WORKS! Sydney also throws in some delightful theater industry tidbits and Natalie is simply dumbfounded at how far the two have come since meeting online as teenagers.Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok!If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for editor notes and bonus episodes HERE: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

Happy one year of Friends By Chance, Season 2! To celebrate this milestone, Natalie reflects on the past year. She also explores recession indicators and her favorite musicals. Da Pope was announced halfway through recording the episode -- so there's plenty of chat on that as well. Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok!If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for editor notes and bonus episodes HERE https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

The Cowboy Carter episode is finally here! Natalie dives deep into all the necessary lore leading up to Cowboy Carter and why Beyonce winning Album of the Year this year was such a big deal. She concludes the episode analyzing the album, with plenty of quips and tangents along the way. Did you know that Fannie Mae and Fannie May are two different companies!?Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok!If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for editor notes and bonus episodes HERE: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

Natalie discusses the media she consumed and enjoyed for the week. Other topics include: CPR/AED training of yesteryear (vs now), the economy, and hobbies! Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok!If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for editor notes and bonus episodes HERE: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

Hello Friends By Chance Nation!!! Welcome to the new (ideally) weekly mini-series, "Thought Daughter!" Partially utilizing her monthly favorite episode format, this is Pop Culture Happy Hour but at home and the generic brand. Natalie discusses Sunrise on the Reaping (and has to refrain from spoiling), and chats about Lady Gaga's Mayhem and Rhythm Heaven Fever. And also high school? Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok!If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for editor notes and bonus episodes HERE https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

It's March! Natalie turned 25! But more importantly, Sunrise at the Reaping releases this month! Natalie invites her friends Jordan and Marissa and together the three gals discuss what we know about Haymitch so far, and make predictions for what awaits us in the book. Is Haymitch's girlfriend a descendant of The Covey? Is Mr. Everdeen? What are Katniss's parents names, anyway?! We ponder these questions while singing praises to our queen, Suzanne Collins. Content warnings: brief mention of trafficking, violence, murder, traumaJoin the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok!If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for a monthly bonus episode and editor notes HERE: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

Natalie invites Wylie from All My Friends Are Reading back to the podcast to chat about movies that originated as Harry Styles fanfiction. Exploring the After series and The Idea of You, they ponder the ethics of writing fanfiction about actual people, and what it may suggest about the artist and their fanbase as a whole. Lots of One Direction chat too!Content warnings: discussion of SA, abusive relationships, and predatory behavior.Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok!Check out Wylie's podcast:https://open.spotify.com/show/45KLHEkIpiQAswCJMqLTui?si=b5645fd648804abbIf you're feeling extra generous:subscribe to the Patreon for a monthly bonus episode and editor notes HERE: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

Friends By Chance welcomes you all to 2025! To start the year, Natalie brought her friend Amber back to discuss Squid Game - the pair reminisce on the first season and the era of its release, and then dive into the new second season. Spoiler warning for both seasons of Squid Game (obviously). Other topics of conversation include homemade pasta, knitting, the 15-hour Tik Tok ban, and astrology of course! Content warnings include discussions of violence and oppression throughout the episode, both fictional and non-fictional. Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok! If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for a monthly bonus episode and editor notes HERE: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

Natalie wraps up 2024 by going over her favorites of the year: movies, music, and books, oh my! She also takes a look at the year's full moons and the events that took place. Lastly, she goes over what she looks forward to in 2025 and what January will look like. Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok! If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for a monthly bonus episode and editor notes HERE: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

Natalie invites her friend Madeline along to explore the Winter Solstice and how it relates to the holidays and spiritual practices. We learned a lot, and had a great time doing it! Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok! If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for a monthly bonus episode and editor notes HERE: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

First solo episode in a while! Natalie catches everyone up on her current lore and explores the idea of "movies that are associated with holidays that may or may not actually be about those holidays." Her cat, Gonzo (the diva in question), clearly had several opinions as well, as the mic picks up several very loud meows from him and it was cute so now he's the offical episode guest. Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok! If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for a monthly bonus episode and editor notes HERE: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

The long-awaited episode featuring "friend of the podcast Jordan" is finally here! Natalie and Jordan discuss Netflix's most iconic seasonal trilogy, The Christmas Prince movies. There is a lot to unpack, and they did not leave a single stone unturned. Sprinkled in between is the story of how Natalie and Jordan met during recruitment, their shared water sign identity, and many more gems. Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok! If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for a monthly bonus episode and editor notes HERE: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

Natalie brings back her friend Marlene to chat about Stuck in Love, the ultimate messy family Thanksgiving movie. The two talk through the movie beat by beat and discuss why it continues to be a comfort movie for them 12 years since it was released. Content warning: brief discussion of physical abuse, drug abuse, brief discussion of SA Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok! If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for a monthly bonus episode and editor notes HERE: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

Natalie invites her friend Amber (@spukhaus) to come back to the pod and explore the world of surrealist internet horror, primarily through the lens of Too Many Cooks and Don't Hug Me I'm Scared. The episode happened to be recorded 2 days after the U.S. election, making this the Post Election Episode (trademark), and the pair spends the episode processing the results and connecting its themes to the topic at hand. Accompanying playlist of each video mentioned will be available on Patreon via editor notes. Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok! If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for a monthly bonus episode and editor notes HERE: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

In the Twi-Tober Finale Episode, Natalie's friend Becca joins her to tackle Breaking Dawn. 2 movies. 1 book. 700+ pages. And we had a lot to say. We provided plenty of anecdotes along the way, such as the story where Becca was high at youth group, or when Natalie played the wife of a mass shooter (TWICE) in high school. Also, the 9/11 of it all. So many gems in this episode. Content Warnings: brief discussion of incest (this episode truly does cover it all) Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok! If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for a monthly bonus episode and editor notes HERE: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

Natalie's friend Addy returns to the podcast for episode 3 of Twi-Tober and together they attempt to tackle Eclipse. There's a lot to discuss, such as the weird casual racism in the backstories, and the Jacob Black of it all. That man should be in prison. This episode features more direct quotes from the text than any other, because summaries do not do these questionable plotlines justice. TW: racism/general stereotyping of POC (specifically indigenous communities, but some other examples sprinkled throughout), assault, manipulation Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok! If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for a monthly bonus episode and editor notes HERE: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

For episode 2 of Twi-Tober, Natalie invites her friend Marlene to discuss New Moon. The pair reflect on becoming friends through the internet, and where they are now. No stranger to their own mental health struggles, they reflect on how New Moon may offer one of the most accurate protrayals of a depressive episode in media, and how this is the only story that primarily focuses on Bella and her coming of age. Potential TW from discussion of mental health struggles and suicidal ideation, as well as some conversations on consent and how New Moon begins to set up some very unpleasant themes to come in future books/movies. Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok! If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for a monthly bonus episode and editor notes HERE: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

Natalie welcomes you all to Twi-Tober, where we will be covering every Twilight book every Friday in October. Up first, of course, is TWILIGHT. Joined by her college friend Marissa, the pair dissect the original novel and Stephanie Meyer's obsession with re-writing it, and then tackle the iconic blue-tinted film and how a female director (Catherine Hardwicke) brought the elements of feminine gaze and camp, which is noticeably missing in later movies. Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok! If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for a monthly bonus episode and editor notes HERE: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

To celebrate the end of the season, Natalie reflects on Brat Summer and deep dives into the Charli Xcx album it was named after. She explores the history of the word "brat", and the graphic design of the album before finally going through each track and giving her thoughts on the album, life, and everything in between. Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok! If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for a monthly bonus episode and supplemental materials HERE: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

Natalie is joined by Wylie of the All My Friends Are Reading podcast and together the two explore the Rich (Usually Masculine) + Poor (Usually Feminine) romance trope! Through this lens, Natalie finally gets to dive into some narratives she's been wanting to cover: Saltburn, The Raven Cycle, Mara Dyer, and Pride and Prejudice! The two also bond over their shared love of Benedict's Bridgerton book (an opinion that some would find controversial) and talk lots about the patriarchy and how money controls everything. Listen to my episode on Wylie's podcast HERE: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2alQyb1l3Feikrk870zUFg?si=cde7e8c155b8437b Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok! If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for a monthly bonus episode and supplemental materials HERE: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

Natalie is joined by her best friend, Jolie, the original Friend By Chance. Together they discuss the story of how they met (Natalie was a weirdo, as usual) and the books they both were assigned to read for school. They reminisce on Uncle Jesse's cameo in the Raisin in the Sun movie (this is real I Googled it after), their disappointment towards Frankenstein, and so much more. A lot of lore is dropped in this one. Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok! If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for a monthly bonus episode and supplemental materials HERE: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

Natalie takes and discusses some internet quizzes that she believes to be iconic- the character alignment quiz, the Rice Purity test, and two general "Am I Gay?" quizzes. She discusses how these quizzes have offered insights to her personality that make sense to her neurodivergent brain, and also talks about being a late bloomer and her past habit of using the Rice Purity test to track that journey. Also thrown in: Election talk! Job search talk! Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok! If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for a monthly bonus episode and supplemental materials HERE: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

Natalie and her friend Addy get together to discuss their shared experiences with grief. They chat about the people they have lost, what they remember about processing the loss, and how they cope. A more serious episode, but plenty of laughs were still had. Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok! If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for a monthly bonus episode and supplemental materials HERE: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

Natalie is joined by her friend Emily and together they tackle DANCE MOMS! Primarily discussing seasons 1-4, the pair discusses favoritism in the arts, as well as how the show contributes to more serious topics such as racism, exploitation, and abuse. The two also air out some grievances from their shared music major pasts. Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok! If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for a monthly bonus episode and supplemental materials HERE: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

Natalie wakes up to the news of the Haymitch book and immediately records her reaction for the podcast. After freaking out for a hot second, she then transitions into discussing the MEDIA THAT SHAPED HER (part 1 ;))!! Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok! If you're feeling extra generous: subscribe to the Patreon for a monthly bonus episode and supplemental materials (got some good stuff for this episode!) HERE: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance

Welcome to the first bonus episode! Normally these will live on Patreon, but I thought that since there were 5 Fridays in May, I would post the first episode here! Enjoy! Link to the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FriendsByChance Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok!

Natalie is joined by her friends Jaz (@purely.rosie) and Amber (@spukhaus) and together, they unpack their collective trauma of growing up during the peak of Superwholock and reflect on what it means for them now, and how it shaped who they are today. If you're a Moffat fan...maybe skip this one. Join the fun, and follow @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok!

Natalie reflects on the show's two-year hiatus and tries to catch up the girlies up on the lore (buckle in, folks). She then maps out what she wants the show to become and her manifestations and aspirations for the future, and slips in some rapid-fire pop culture takes that felt relevant at the time of recording. CONTENT WARNING: In this episode, Natalie discusses some serious topics, such as struggles with her physical and mental health.

There is a new Percy Jackson which means it is time for the long-awaited Percy Jackson episode! Kayla and Natalie discuss the books, the movie, and the musical! Ooh la la! We also learned how our godly parents are! Other non-Percy Jackson topics include Lent, our littles, RuPaul's Drag Race, Natalie's graduation preparations, and more! Follow us on social media! @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok, @fbchancepod on Twitter!

Kayla and Natalie discuss the Grammys, the rise of book to TV show adaptations, sneak in some book talk, and then get read for absolute filth by their results of the four most common personality tests: Astrology, Enneagram, Myers-Briggs, and Hogwarts House. Also, Natalie tells a public transit story. Follow us on social media! @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok, @fbchancepod on Twitter!

In this week's episode, we discuss The Slap Heard Around the World (we recorded it on Monday before the discourse spiraled out of control sorry lol), we catch up on what The Hunger Games cast is up to these days, make way too many pop culture references, react to what movies are coming in the month of April, and finally finish it off with our Barbie movie tier list.  This episode also accidentally features Natalie's roommate talking in the background throughout. Friendly reminder that we are not professional podcasters ;) Follow us on social media! @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok, @fbchancepod on Twitter!

The first film in the Hunger Games franchise turns 10 this week! HUH?! To recognize this truly momentous occasion, Kayla and Natalie reflect on how the series shaped our culture and our personal lives. We discuss the books, the movies, the prequel, the game (if anyone knows who developed The Hunger Games Adventures, please tell us so Natalie can beg and plead that it be brought back), and more! Other topics include yet another sorority sister reunion, middle school, and roommates.  Follow us on social media! @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok, @fbchancepod on Twitter!

Natalie and Kayla realize they can't make a March Madness bracket because it's too early. Clearly big sportsball experts over here. So, instead, they dedicate the episode to the Grey's Anatomy Tragedy Bracket (patent pending). And good thing they did, because they had a LOT to say. Also, big spoiler alert for Grey's Anatomy.  Follow us on social media! @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok, @fbchancepod on Twitter! 

It was Natalie's birthday this past week! Wow! She went to Applebees! Double wow! On top of Natalie's birthday (there may be a quiz involved...), Kayla tells of her new apartment and Natalie plays a voicemail her father left her in response to Episode 2. Natalie also tells a story she's a little embarrassed by and censored out certain words. You decide what those words are!!!! Follow us on social media! @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok, @fbchancepod on Twitter!

Natalie prepares for a surprise guest as she and Kayla read their Twitter drafts. This leads to Natalie telling the story of her first kiss. Which was kind of perfect, since the episode is about dating apps. We totally planned that. Other topics: Amtrak (again...), figure skating, and reflecting on the launch of the podcast. P.S. Sorry about the thudding noise throughout honestly no idea what that is. Spooky! Follow us on social media! @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok, @fbchancepod on Twitter!

Natalie and Kayla discuss fellow baddie Ms. Green M&M's deyassification, Natalie contemplates whether or not to go on a questionable date (she didn't), and then Natalie presents Kayla her groundbreaking, world-altering research on whether or not the models of the first eight cycles of America's Next Top Model are still modeling in 2022. Also included: a formal apology from Kayla for misidentifying the podcast as a Leo. Follow us on social media! @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok, @fbchancepod on Twitter!

In the first episode, Natalie and Kayla introduce themselves, badly attempt to explain how sorority families work, and accidentally identify the podcast as a Leo (and then while editing realize it's actually a Libra). Follow us on social media! @friendsbychancepod on Instagram and Tik Tok, @fbchancepod on Twitter!