Intelligentsia

(Not) live from New York—it’s Intelligentsia's season finale! This week, we break down the legacy, chaos, and cultural chokehold of Saturday Night Live—from its scrappy 1975 debut with Lorne Michaels and the “Not Ready for Prime-Time Players” to the comedy powerhouse that launched icons like Eddie Murphy and Tina Fey.We debate whether SNL still hits, make the case for our all-time casts, revisit legendary hosts and less than legendary musical guests, and pitch our own unhinged sketch ideas. Plus: the show’s massive impact on politics, pop culture, and what the future looks like post-Lorne.

You asked for it: this week, Intelligentsia dives into the dark, weird, and wildly fascinating world of serial killers for our “listener’s pick” episode. We trace the history—from Jack the Ripper to America’s “golden age” of murderers like Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and John Wayne Gacy—and unpack how they became cultural obsessions. Where the true crime girlies at?We also get into Hollywood’s fixation on killers (Dexter, Monster, American Psycho), the psychology behind psychopathy and trauma, and the bigger question: why can’t we look away? Dark history, pop culture, and true-crime brain rot—welcome in.

From AIM away messages to the algorithm, the Intelligentsia squad is unpacking the evolution of social media—and how it went from harmless fun to full-blown industry. We revisit Myspace and THE Facebook, then dive into how platforms reshaped connection, identity, and influence for those of us who came of age in the social media eraPlus: social media’s impact on TV, politics, and fame (The Social Network, reality TV rivalries), and a candid conversation with content creator AJ Hernandez on what it actually takes to be an influencer today and where it’s all headed next.

Bonus content! A little quip about the Intelligentsia's true feelings about bad service in a restaurant.

From first sips to daily rituals, we’re diving into all things coffee—how we take it, why we love it, and how it became a global obsession. We trace coffee’s journey from Ethiopian goat herders to European Enlightenment fuel, break down how it’s produced and consumed around the world, and debate the essentials: hot vs. iced, and Dunkin vs. Starbucks.As always, we’ll chat iconic coffee moments in pop culture, our favorite small chain coffee spots, and why coffee might be the ultimate social glue—from work catch-ups to “let’s grab a coffee” culture.

Therapy is having a moment—and we’re unpacking all of it this week. A warning though: apparently we’ve got a lot of baggage, so it’s a long one. We break down how therapy evolved from the ancient Greeks to Freud and modern-day CBT, we share our own experiences, debunk common myths, and spotlight iconic on-screen therapists like Dr. Melfi and Robin Williams’ Oscar-winning performance as Dr. Shaun McGuire in Good Will Hunting. Then we get into the bigger picture: why millennials and Gen Z are leading the therapy movement, the male loneliness epidemic, and whether everyone really should be in therapy. Hot takes ahead!

This week, the Intelligentsia is gearing up for a workout — reluctantly. We're talking about the evolution of working out from OG fitness icons Charles Atlas and Jane Fonda to SoulCycle, Barry’s Bootcamp, and the Peloton boom, and how we’ve gone from in-person community to at-home everything, and now back into the pilates studio. We swap our own fitness journeys, call out a few iconic pop culture workout moments (Brooke's Butt Buster, anyone?), and ask: what do we actually want from a workout now? Plus, we bring in three real live NYC fitness instructors for an inside look at the post-pandemic scene, what’s changing, and where NYC fitness culture is headed next. So, put your mind to it, go for it, get down and break a sweat with us!

It’s no secret that Intelligentsia is a millennial podcast, so this week we are unpacking what it actually means to be a millennial - and we’re going to take our sweet time doing it! (It’s a long one.) We’re diving into the generation that grew up analog, came of age online, and somehow ended up burnt out, overeducated, and still splitting rent. From being told we could “have it all” (lol), we unpack the reality of millennial life—plus how we stack up against Gen Z, Boomers, and the forgotten middle child, Gen X. Then we are asking you to indulge us in our full nostalgia spiral: from the Nickelodeon glory days, SNICK, slime, and the absolute bangers that raised us. This one is equal parts cultural deep dive and group therapy. Millennials, this one’s for you. (pssst, they’re all for you!)

From a 15-minute dinner in 1929 to what has become Hollywood’s biggest night, the Intelligentsia crew is breaking down the history, drama, and chaos of the Academy Awards. We cover iconic wins (and losses), legendary Oscar champs like Katharine Hepburn and Jack Nicholson, and the milestones that changed the ceremony forever. And since we're not "movie people" we are going to dive into this year’s nominees with a special guest, debate snubs, and revisit the most jaw-dropping Oscar moments. Hollywood history, hot takes, and plenty of awards-season chaos, here we come!

From Martha Washington to modern power players, this week the Intelligentsia crew is diving deep into the history, influence, and pop-culture legacy of America’s First Ladies. We break down how the role evolved—from Dolley Madison setting the blueprint to Eleanor Roosevelt redefining it with advocacy and press power—plus the initiatives that shaped presidencies, from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’ White House restoration to Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign - not to mention a slippery little rumor about Nancy Reagan. Plus: iconic inauguration fashion, standout screen portrayals in John Adams and Impeachment: American Crime Story, and why the East Wing (RIP) might just be the real power center of the White House.

Love is in the air, Intelligentsia! Love it or hate it, Valentines Day is right around the corner, and we're going in deep this week with the help of some guest stars. For this very special occasion, we have our first ever panel of experts, Emily, Haley, and Janae, who will tell us all about how they "celebrate" the big day. And if you're looking for a little education, we've got a little history, some fun facts, and some personal anecdotes you won't want to miss. Love you, mean it!

The Super Bowl takes center stage this week as the Intelligentsia crew breaks down the biggest night in football and pop culture — from football basics to iconic halftime shows and unforgettable commercials. Tara and Joey lean on Ryan’s Straight Guy Perspective to unpack Super Bowl history, key players to watch, and game predictions. They also dive into Super Bowl parties and food, billion-dollar host city impact, and the rise of sports betting culture. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just here for the halftime show and commercials, this episode gets you game-day ready.

We're baaaack! That's right, we have been renewed for season 2! After a short break, the Intelligentsia crew is back in your ears weekly, and we're starting with a  BANG: music we consider canon (get it?) Joey, Tara, and Ryan debate what makes an album legendary, break down the Rolling Stone Top 500, and share hot takes on classics like Rumours, Jagged Little Pill and more — plus spicy opinions on what is happening with music today. From millennial pop and Woodstock icons to divas, TikTok music, and Spotify Wrapped, we're covering it all - or at least as much as our attention spans can handle.

Bonus Episode Alert! Apparently the end of the year is a time for reflection, so in this bonus ep, the Intelligentsia crew is reflecting on Variety's Best Comedy Movies of All Time. From Bridesmaids and Legally Blonde to Mrs. Doubtfire, When Harry Met Sally, Annie Hall, and more, we swap first-watch takeaways, debate hits vs. misses, weigh-in on some shocking omissions, and pick the next movie each of us is finally committing to watching, so we can do Intelligentsia proud and all be better educated movie-viewers in 2026.

It's a Christmas miracle - our gift to Intelligentsia, a bonus episode! The crew reunites for a lively debrief on Joey's recent nuptial celebration, featuring NYC's own Reverend Tara. Come relive the the food, the music, and the magic moments with us. It'll make those of you who were there wish you could do it all again, and those of you who weren't feel major FOMO. So come on, say "I do" to some off season content.

Have you ever wondered what it would sound like if we strung together all of the times Joey sings on the pod? Wonder no more, Intelligentsia! Your Joey singing compilation has arrived. Happy wedding weekend, Joey!

It’s our season finale, and what better way to go out than with a big wedding episode, just like all our favorite tv shows? Joey’s wedding is on the horizon, Tara’s officiating, Ryan, father, is here to dish on his experience from his own big day. We’re talking about our favorite wedding scenes in movies and TV, royal weddings, the outrageous costs, and ugh, the societal expectations of it all. Plus: a little Chappell Roan, a little song and dance, and a lot of love. That’s right, we went to see Chappell and now we’re going to the chapel!

It’s September which can only mean one thing: back to school! This week, Intelligentsia heads back to high school. Joey and Tara swap stories about their very different high school experiences from underage clubbing to house parties, before diving into pop culture’s greatest takes on teen life—from Mean Girls and its cafeteria cliques to the cult classic Freaks and Geeks and the drama of Gossip Girl. We’re talking high school athletes, theater kids, prom culture, and why high school might just be one of the most fascinating shared experiences in TV and film.

Okay hear us out, this one may sound a bit self-indulgent, but this week Intelligentsia is talking friendship - theirs, yours, and everything in between. Joey and Tara break down their top 3 must-haves in a friend, swap stories about their own friendship history, and dig into how television and music have shaped the way we see our closest bonds. From Broad City to Golden Girls, “Wannabe” to “You’ve Got a Friend,” and famous friend crews, we’re asking what makes a friendship last, what can sink it, and unpacking the viability of the old friends with benefits scenario. So grab your bestie and sidle up!

We could lie and say this episode is your comprehensive guide to the history and lore of the Emmys—but really, it’s just an excuse for Joey and Tara to gush about their favorite big noms this year - which are, spoiler alert, Hacks and The Studio. Along the way, we drop some Emmy trivia, dish on record-breakers like Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Lorne Michaels, and debate the biggest snubs and play a round of love-or-hate: winners. Plus, predictions, controversies, and a few unforgettable Emmy moments. Roll out the red carpet and join us!

From Tiger Beat to full-blown college heartaches and work crush chaos, this week we’re talking crushes. Tara spills on her early Rider Strong obsession, Joey weighs in on growing up gay without a “traditional” crush culture, and together we revisit the heartthrobs of the 90s (Leo, Hanson, Freddie Prinze Jr., and the eternal JTT vs. CMM debate). We swap top celeb crushes, gush over favorite crush songs including our top 5 Taylor Swift picks, and unpack everything from awkward schoolyard flirts to the messy magic of catching feelings as an adult.

Back and refreshed from our week off, Intelligentsia takes on the American presidency—from Tara’s history obsession and Joey’s childhood memorabilia to the bizarre history of presidential street names and fun facts (spoiler: Harvard really knows how to crank ‘em out). We dive into pop culture’s take on the Oval Office (we’re talking Veep, The West Wing, Air Force One and more), presidential dynasties, and the chaos of impeachment. Plus, Ryan helps us crown our “Most Evil President” as we tackle the big questions: has the office lost its reverence, should it really be two jobs, and will we ever see a woman president in our lifetime? No, but really - will we?

This week we're bringing you a special bonus episode of Intelligentsia so that we can properly say adieu to the girls - Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte. With the end of And Just Like That, it is (once again) the end of an era. Join us on this special homage to Sex and the City as Joey and Tara recount their favorite SATC moments, and Ryan basically just crushes on Carrie.

This week, on Intelligentsia we’re talking all things pets—from our childhood companions, Tara’s “brother” Tiger the hamster, Joey’s dog Diver, and Ryan’s whole menagerie, to Joey and Tara’s current furry friends and most perfect angels, Archie and Stevie. We’ll reminisce about presidential pets, iconic pets in pop culture, debate the merits of various TV and movie animal sidekicks, and discover Joey’s shocking lack of Air Bud knowledge. Plus: dog bite drama, dog vs. cat people, and find out which side of the adopt vs. shop debate we fall on. Meow.

This week, the Intelligentsia go to a concert! We’re spilling everything from our first concerts, to Tara’s definitive take on the age-old question: does John Mayer wear boxers, briefs, or boxer-briefs? Joey shares his traumatic turn as a Spice Girl boyfriend, and we relive our favorite shows, not to mention counting down the top 5 sickest moments from our night at the Eras Tour. We unpack iconic concerts we missed (rude), the best venues we’ve set foot in, and deliver our point-blank-period take on festivals. Plus, fan culture, ticketing chaos, and 34 Phish shows later... let’s jam.

Pack your bags—this week we’re talking travel (and seeing how many times you can tolerate Joey and Tara singing the Go-Go’s “Vacation”). From childhood trips to Disney, Myrtle Beach, and Maine to more recent—and occasionally regrettable—adventures, we cover it all: cruises (never again), the highs and lows of all-inclusives, and pop culture detours like vacation-movie trivia and a spoiler-filled deep dive into White Lotus. We wrap with a few hot travel takes—gate lice? “Raw-dogging” flights? No thank you. Buckle up and keep your seatbelt fastened; there’s some turbulence ahead!

This week, we’re serving up a three-course episode all about our relationship with restaurants—from childhood Olive Garden outings to navigating New York’s white-hot (and absurd) reservation scene. We share our fast food favorites (we see you Crunchwrap Supreme), and the origin story of our Dinner Club - NOT Supper Club! Finally, it wouldn’t be Intelligentsia if we didn’t get into the pop-culture of it all. We dive into iconic television and movie scenes set in restaurants and ponder why group dinners bring out the best and worst in people. We’re talking the virtues of a round table, the ideal party size, splitting the check, and more. Spoiler alert: there is more than one hill we’re willing to die on here. Pull up a seat and let’s dine-in. See what we did there?

It’s our birthdays (literally) and whoa, also America's! And wait, also our podcast's?!  This week in Episode Two, our nascent pod goes in on all things 4th of July. In this festive episode, we reflect on our childhood Fourths, the strange foods you may or may not find at Midwestern backyard BBQ's, and some really real feelings on fireworks. Plus, we dive into patriotic songs, and what Independence Day discussion would be complete without pondering whether our Founding Fathers underwear choices? And was Ben Franklin the OG Intelligentsia? Probably. Tune in, you may learn something - just not what Poor Richard's Almanac is because we're still scratching our heads on that one.

Welcome to Intelligentsia! In this inaugural episode, Tara and Joey go deep into their lifelong love of television—where it all began, what they're watching now, and why certain shows have stuck around. They share their top five dramas, debate the power of ensembles in comedy, and discuss what makes a show truly revolutionary. From The Sopranos to The Bear, they cover the shows that shaped culture and changed TV forever, and take you through some hits and misses from Variety's Top 100 list (found here: https://variety.com/lists/greatest-tv-performances)Plus, there's even some trivia - that's right, you may even learn something! As always, we wrap with a curated rec from the Intelligentsia crew.