Take It Personal

This week on Take It Personal, we follow one idea all the way through:What happens when the system becomes visible?We start with a conversation about time after Will's article about how something as simple as the clock is actually a system someone chose — and use that lens to unpack what’s happening across sports right now.From there, we get into:The MLB vs WNBA CBA and what players are really fighting overWhy Unrivaled is more than a league — it’s leverageBam Adebayo’s 83-point game and why the reaction split the internetThe bigger question: why the NBA feels harder to watch than it shouldMarch Madness, NIL, and why college basketball feels different right nowThis episode is about power, structure, and who gets to set the terms.Subscribe + follow Take It Personal so you never miss an episode:TIP Website: Subscribe for full episodes, writing, video diaries, and updatesYouTube: Subscribe for full episodes and clips.TikTok: Follow for highlights, hot takes, and between-episode momentsWherever you listen to podcasts: Follow and turn on notifications so new episodes drop automatically

The BAFTAs were supposed to be calm — and then the night went sideways. We unpack the broadcast controversy, what accountability should look like with a tape delay, and what the winners signaled: Sinners, One Battle, plus why Hamnet hit so hard.Subscribe + follow Take It Personal so you never miss an episode:TIP Website: Subscribe for full episodes, writing, video diaries, and updatesYouTube: Subscribe for full episodes and clips.TikTok: Follow for highlights, hot takes, and between-episode momentsWherever you listen to podcasts: Follow and turn on notifications so new episodes drop automatically

Jay-Z’s umlaut shows up again — JAŸ-Z — and Steph and Will treat it like an operator signal: a subtle, coordinated move across platforms that makes the ecosystem react. They connect that kind of “signal” behavior to Ye’s paid Wall Street Journal apology as a premium-room strategy: not optimized for the timeline, but for the financiers, insurers, and gatekeepers who decide what gets funded.Then they bring in Travis Scott as connective tissue, including his proximity to Beyoncé via their 2023 collaboration, to explore how Lane 1 (Trending) and Lane 2 (Premium Rooms) interact when major cultural players are “activated.”Start here if you haven’t yet: Smoke Break Episode 1 (our first processing session on Ye’s paid apology): https://www.takeitpersonalpodcast.com/p/processing-yes-paid-apology-not-aFor more episodes, clips, & articles: https://www.takeitpersonalpodcast.comFollow @takeitpersonal_podcast on YouTube & TikTok

This week on Take It Personal, we’re breaking down Super Bowl night: the game (we’ll be quick), the commercials (why they felt oddly underwhelming), and the halftime show that had us fully locked in.We talk the big ad themes (hello crypto/AI), the spots we actually remember, and the ones that mysteriously didn’t show up. Then we go full deep-dive on Bad Bunny’s halftime performance—sugar cane symbolism, a real on-field wedding twist, surprise appearances (yes, Lady Gaga in Spanish), and the flags finale that gave actual goosebumps.After that, we pivot to the Winter Olympics opening ceremonies: why the celebrity choices felt confusing, Shaun White’s “infomercial energy” in the booth, and the Lindsey Vonn discourse—comeback mentality, risk, crash mechanics, and why the 40+ crowd felt seen.More episodes, articles, and clips: www.takeitpersonalpodcast.comFollow us: @takeitpersonal_podcast on TikTok + YouTube

We’re recording this episode 48 hours after the Grammys, and it’s clear none of us watched the same show.Between the Recording Academy’s YouTube premiere ceremony, the red carpet, CBS, Paramount+, and the group chat, the Grammys felt less like one event and more like five stitched together.In this episode, Steph, Will, and Jamie break down:Why the pre-show and premiere ceremony felt more musically honest than the main broadcastHow the Recording Academy actually works, and why music’s lack of a union still mattersStandout performances from the night, including the Ozzy Osbourne tribute, Lauryn Hill’s R&B legends moment, Reba McEntire, and Tyler, the CreatorWhy the “New Artist” showcase exposed how strange Grammy categories have becomeFashion hits, misses, and Cam Newton cosplayAnd our recurring question of the night: are they okay? — unpacking Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish, and moreFor more from group chat, check us out at: https://www.takeitpersonalpodcast.com.

Sports aren’t just games—they’re emotional, social, and deeply personal. In this episode of Take It Personal crew, dig into the psychology of sports: why fandom becomes part of identity, how community turns wins and losses into shared experience, and why certain sports moments stay with us for life.We talk about:How sports shape identity across different phases of lifeWhy is community the multiplier that makes sports feel meaningfulTeam-first vs athlete-first fandom—and the generational shift behind itThe Olympics as storytelling, politics, and national identitySerena Williams’ dominance and the emotional challenge of “what comes next”How modern media and streaming choices affect how we experience sportsWhy wearing team gear after a loss still mattersIf sports have ever made you feel something bigger than yourself, this episode is for you.More from us at our new site on https://www.takeitpersonalpodcast.comFollow @takeitpersonal_podcast on YouTube and TikTok

In this short “Smoke Break” episode, Steph and Will process Ye’s decision to publish a long, paid apology as a national newspaper ad.Recorded the same day the statement dropped, this conversation captures the immediate emotional, cultural, and strategic questions raised by the apology — without rushing to a verdict.Topics include:Why the apology feels unusually polished and strategicThe difference between explanation and accountabilityHow different communities were addressed — and what was missingWhy timing matters, including the drop landing just days before the GrammysThis episode is about processing, not concluding. What comes next matters more than what was said today.For more episodes, articles, and videos, check us out at: Take It Personal Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | TikTok | RSS

Some shows don’t just end; they betray you, and suddenly the whole series becomes impossible to rewatch.This episode started with Will’s Substack piece on “unrewatchable TV,” and we take it from there: why How I Met Your Mother feels like a trust fall that never got caught, why Game of Thrones is still rewatchable for some people even after a rushed finale, and the three big ways a show becomes unrewatchable:The ending breaks trust,The show crosses a “trauma threshold,” orIt ages so poorly you can’t unsee it.We also get into the peak-end rule (your brain remembers the emotional peak and the ending), why reboots like the upcoming Harry Potter series feel personal, and what we’ll always rewatch when life is doing the most.Discussed: HIMYM, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, House of the Dragon, Cheers, Buffy, Firefly/Serenity, Succession, Schitt’s Creek, Steven Universe, Broad City. Plus a quick tease for a future Stranger Things episode.Fo more check us out on our Take It Personal Substack | YouTube | TikTok

This week on Take It Personal, Steph, Will, and Jamie unpack Netflix’s Sean Combs: The Reckoning — and what it feels like to watch a documentary when you already know too much.Steph comes in with a long memory (and a clipboard), Will is hit with visceral nostalgia and discomfort, and Jamie watches once as a bystander and again as a skeptic. Together, they trace how Bad Boy Records shaped an era — and how power, contracts, charisma, and silence shaped what came next.The conversation moves from vanished artists and exploitative deals to damning Miami footage, jury bias, cult-leader dynamics, and the uncomfortable truth that celebrity doesn’t just distort justice — it can become the strategy.This isn’t a recap. It’s a systems conversation about abuse, authorship, nostalgia, and what happens when the mythology finally collapses.Related reading: Steph explores these themes in greater depth in her Substack essay, “No Way Out, No Way Back,” which reflects on growing up during the Bad Boy era and reckoning with what that legacy means today: More from us at our new site on https://www.takeitpersonalpodcast.comFollow @takeitpersonal_podcast on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube

YouTube is the super-app that has already won the streaming wars. Jamie, Steph, and Wil dig into watch habits, Shorts vs. long-form, creator economies, live sports, policy risks, and why YouTube feels like “groceries” while prestige TV is dessert.Segments00:03:00 YouTube as a media “super app” (UGC + TV + music + rentals + podcasts)00:10:00 Social detox → intentional YouTube viewing vs. doomscrolling00:14:00 Modularity: Shorts, 10-min vids, 2-hr essays, and live streams00:18:00 Are creators the new networks? (Terrell Grice, Hot Ones)00:25:00 The live-sports moat; “Venue” bundle shoutout00:27:00 Global scale: India, U.S., Brazil user bases00:33:00 Money talk: asset-light payouts vs. studio risk; Alien Earth cost example00:37:00 Policy & platform risk (FTC fines, FCC attention)00:40:00 Public pressure & corporate modulation (Kimmel/Disney, Target)00:49:00 Would-you-rather: Gen Z feed for a year vs. never rewatch again00:51:00 Boycotts & ethical consumption (Nicki Minaj, MJ, R. Kelly feature control)00:56:00 Beyoncé x Ivanka gala seating kerfuffle (light; meta branding chat)00:58:45 Wrap + follows: @takeitpersonal_podcastLinksThe Terrell Show — channel home | Coco Jones — comeback vlog | PerformancesYouglish — youglish.comYouTube Premium / Music overviewYouTube TV — NFL Sunday Ticket

We’re kicking off our new one-topic deep-dive format with the obligatory (!) Taylor Swift episode. Will argues that much of Taylor’s catalog reads like fictional storytelling rather than diary pages, Steph pushes back (All Too Well hive, rise), and Jamie brings the generational context — from Harry Chapin to how upheaval fuels creative renaissances.What we coverThe format change (single-topic episodes moving forward)Taylor as a fiction writer: with nods to Dennis Linde’s “Lindeville” world-buildingFolklore/Evermore, as explicitly fictional case studies, the ‘gym teacher/English teacher’ captionWhy the Eras Tour felt like a template for fan reinventionVegas residency speculation, The Sphere, and business tie-ins with TravisArtist archetypes: Taylor’s approachability vs. Beyoncé’s aspirational mythosHot takes: a coming music renaissance; and why Cardi B can drop fewer albums and still eatChapter markers00:00 — Intro: New one-topic format00:38 — Icebreaker: Predictions that aged poorly06:35 — Hot take: ‘Diary of a Showgirl’ as last album? + Vegas residency09:20 — Main thesis: Taylor as a fiction writer16:13 — Folklore/Evermore as fictional; engagement caption talk22:15 — Eras Tour = fan reinvention template31:32 — Vegas, The Sphere & business tie-ins33:32 — Theater ‘release party’ discussion45:40 — Jamie’s hot take: creative renaissance incoming46:19 — Steph’s hot take: Cardi B’s quality cadence48:41 — Wrap + where to followFolllow Us On TikTok/IG/YouTube: @takeitpersonal_podcast / @takeitpersonal_podcast / youtube.com/@takeitpersonal_podcastShow hub: https://linktr.ee/takeitpersonal_podcastCreditsHosts: Steph, Will, Jamie | Producer: LindsayNotesOpinions are our own. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists mentioned.

This week on Take It Personal, Steph, Will, and Jamie discuss the platforms they trust—and how podcasts have become the most influential mic in the room. From Taylor Swift’s 12th album release via Travis Kelce’s podcast to Marc Maron’s impact and the decline of traditional media, the hosts examine the cultural shift toward unfiltered voices. Then, things get personal. Jamie shares about doing bedtime math and realizing he might be losing 200 days with his partner. Will reflects on his 40th birthday and Marcus Aurelius. Steph talks about how losing her parents early made her more direct—and more liberated. The group discusses physical changes, weight gain, old routines, and how mortality affects your mindset.Finally, the episode ends with a local report from D.C., commentary on political theater, and the return of the Take It Personal “What We’re Looking Forward To” roundup. For More From T.I.P. Crew, check us out on TikTok & YouTube. https://linktr.ee/TakeItPersonalPod

This week on Take It Personal, we’re talking about what real power looks like. From WNBA players rewriting the rules to a dead uncle’s cookbag going viral, we’re unpacking culture, chaos, and clarity. We break down the Stud Budz livestream, NIL power moves, why gas stoves are canceled (per Will), and why the new Clipse album might just be scripture for grown folks. Oh—and someone definitely got caught cheating on a kiss cam. It’s a little messy, a little meaningful, and always personal.

This week, we’re talking about change—when it’s freeing, fake, messy, or just weird. Steph unpacks two Beyoncé concerts, from pit seats to suite tears. Jamie’s colonoscopy prep collides with right-wing outrage over Superman’s immigration status. Will introduces us to “Chit,” a viral TikTok series that might be the future of sitcoms. We get personal about JoJo Siwa, Billie Eilish, queer identity, and how hard it is to figure yourself out online. Also: AI, NVIDIA, and wombats playing tennis. You know, just another episode of Take It Personal.

In this episode of Take It Personal, things become raw, quirky, and almost sacred. Steph, Jamie, and Will explore the grief of losing Jamie’s foster dog Mugsy and ponder big questions: Do animals have souls? Can grief be sacred? Should we trust advice from genuinely caring people? They also discuss Tina Knowles’ memoir Matriarch, the pain and awkwardness of past journal entries, and the excitement—and fear—of making friends through online gaming. A lively debate about Tolkien versus Harry Potter, a summary of political narcissism and taco diplomacy, and a sidetrack into NBA 2K Discords and petty college football rivalries are included. Plus: Bible verses, Kraft cheese, and a bold opinion on why Big T might finally crack. Enjoy the jokes and group chat therapy—this one’s dedicated to Mugsy. Follow us on TikTok | YouTube

In Episode 2 of Take It Personal, Steph, Jaimie, and Will dive deep into everything from the NBA playoffs to the ethics of separating art from the artist. It’s a wide-ranging and heartfelt conversation on reality TV, political corruption, housing market chaos, and cultural accountability—with plenty of laughs (and gasps) along the way.Topics include:Jason Tatum's legacy and the Celtics' identity crisisChrisley pardons, Below Deck, and reality TV rabbit holesThe ridiculousness of the housing market in ATL and DCCrypto corruption and what it means for democracyWrestling with childhood memories in the wake of Diddy allegationsShould art made by problematic people be archived or erased?Plus: conspiracy theories about Stone Mountain, Top Chef nostalgia, and a 200-pound dog named Pickle.This episode is a messy, meaningful, and very personal exploration of how we make sense of our culture—and our place in it.

In the debut episode of Take It Personal, Steph, Will, and Jamie bring their group chat to the mic. From the absurdity of grief to Beyoncé’s new era to childhood movies that made us feel too much — this is what it means to process life out loud. Come for the jokes, stay for the catharsis. Follow the Take It Personal Pod on TikTok and YouTube for daily videos and clips from the episode.0:00 – Intro: Meet Steph, Will, and Jamie | 3:00 – Why we started this podcast | 8:15 – Processing grief through absurdity | 15:40 – Beyoncé, Cowboy Carter, and the art of emotional dissonance | 22:50 – Met Gala looks we loved | 35:10 – Learning to feel again (and other small miracles) | 42:00 – Thank yous + what’s next