Podcast Summary: anything goes with emma chamberlain
Episode: my ins and outs for 2026
Date: January 1, 2026
Host: Emma Chamberlain
Episode Overview
This New Year’s episode finds Emma Chamberlain kicking off 2026 in her signature candid, thoughtful, and playful style, sharing her predictions for what will be “in” and “out” in 2026. Emma’s “ins and outs” range across culture, fashion, food, wellness, lifestyle habits, and small social trends—plus, she introduces a new “things that are still in, for better or worse” bonus category. With humor, personal anecdotes, and a little existential musing, Emma offers listeners an authentic snapshot of her mindset for the new year, encouraging a more relaxed, lighthearted, and authentic approach to life.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Introduction & Episode Framing
- Emma’s Mood: The episode opens with Emma reflecting on the passage of time and her effort to avoid an existential spiral on camera.
- Notable Quote (00:20):
"It's making me really uncomfortable because I feel like every single year of my life is going by quicker than the last, and I don't like it."
- Notable Quote (00:20):
- Episode Purpose: Instead of diving into existential dread, she shares her carefully-considered “ins and outs” for 2026—a mix of fun, personal, and trending observations, guided by what she describes as “a message from the universe.”
- Structure Preview: Emma reveals she has a bonus “things that you think are out, but are still in” list this year.
2. What’s IN for 2026
(Timestamps reflect starting discussion points)
Playful & Relaxed Fashion
- Toe Rings and Chokers (11:00)
- Emma predicts a revival in playful, casual jewelry: “It’s cute, it’s fashionable, but not taking fashion too seriously... There’s a light heartedness about it.”
- Anklets are also up for potential comeback.
- Personal aside: she considers buying a toe ring for herself.
Bands are Back
- Musical Groups (12:40)
- Emma feels a cultural shift swinging toward bands and away from solo acts:
“There’s something really romantic about a band... Band culture is back and I’m excited about it.”
- She encourages fans of all ages to embrace band posters, even if it feels teenage.
- Emma feels a cultural shift swinging toward bands and away from solo acts:
Non-Stereotypical Personalities
- Embracing Duality (or more) (14:50)
- Emma highlights the newfound appreciation for people who defy single-aesthetic boxes (e.g., goth gym rats, EDM-loving pilates-princesses who smoke).
- Quote (16:42):
“Being dynamic, being interesting, being a combination of a bunch of different things that don’t seem like they’d go together, but they go together because it’s you. I feel like that's in.”
Convertible Cars—As a Vibe
- (17:45)
- Not an actual recommendation to purchase, but a symbol of freedom, fun, and “wind in your face” energy.
Growing Your Vocabulary
- (19:50)
- Emma predicts a rejection of lazy Gen Z slang in favor of sounding smart and expanding vocabularies.
“I think in 2026 it’s in to sound smart. I think people are going to be craving that. Craving vocabulary expansion.”
- Emma predicts a rejection of lazy Gen Z slang in favor of sounding smart and expanding vocabularies.
Food: Peanut Butter & Croissant Sandwiches
- Peanut Butter Renaissance (21:30)
- Emma is excited about a 'return to basics', touting peanut butter’s timeless appeal over recent fads for fancy nut butters.
- Croissant Sandwiches (22:55)
- Croissant sandwiches earn high praise for their balance of flavor and texture.
Connecting and Randomness
- Talking to Strangers (24:54)
- Emma advocates for casual, safe conversations with strangers to combat loneliness and social isolation:
“It is in to talk to strangers... I think we’re all feeling lonely and we’re all feeling isolated due to the age of the Internet. Let’s talk to each other this year.”
- Emma advocates for casual, safe conversations with strangers to combat loneliness and social isolation:
- Utilizing Free Will & Breaking Routine (31:46)
- Paradoxically, Emma suggests that the most liberating thing is remembering we can break out of our comfort zones with small, random acts—trying new classes, restaurants, or travel.
- Quote (34:36):
“When you break routine, you have to be focused, you have to pay attention, and it forces you to be present in a way that I think we’re all craving.”
Effortless, Enduring Beauty
- Lip Stains (28:53)
- Low-maintenance, long-lasting lip stains are on the rise as people want to spend less time reapplying and more time living.
- Pen Pals via Text (38:00)
- Celebrating long-distance, low-pressure text friendships that thrive without frequent communication or guilt over slow responses.
3. What’s OUT for 2026
(Starting at 39:05)
Social & Lifestyle Trends
- Charcuterie Boards
- Despite loving the concept, Emma thinks the cheese board’s peak has passed—too much waste, not enough genuine consumption.
- Quote (39:50):
“I’ve never seen a cheese board that looked ran through... I think cheese boards are really fun to make, but I think oftentimes they’re not properly utilized.”
- Overusing Cuss Words
- Urging for more intentional use to preserve impact and meaning:
“Bad words have lost their meaning. I want to use ‘fuck’ when I want to make a point.”
- Urging for more intentional use to preserve impact and meaning:
- Instagram Captions and Emojis
- Emma’s exhausted by the need for captions that try too hard or emojis with confusing, shifting meanings. She craves just posting a photo sans explanation:
“I just want to post the goddamn photo... and I think in 2026, [emojis] are out.”
- Emma’s exhausted by the need for captions that try too hard or emojis with confusing, shifting meanings. She craves just posting a photo sans explanation:
Identity & Routine
- Having a Favorite Food or Color
- Emma rejects the concept of narrowing yourself to a favorite, embracing shifting preferences as a sign of growth and complexity.
“We don’t need to choose favorite foods anymore. Same thing goes for a favorite color... We’re done with that.”
- Emma rejects the concept of narrowing yourself to a favorite, embracing shifting preferences as a sign of growth and complexity.
Beauty & Overthinking
- Perfume Obsession
- Extensive perfume layering, scent “personality curation,” and the cult of signature fragrances are out. Emma confesses to a more laid-back approach:
“I think we’re entering into a far more nonchalant time period where we’re not overthinking small details of our daily routine.”
- Extensive perfume layering, scent “personality curation,” and the cult of signature fragrances are out. Emma confesses to a more laid-back approach:
- Mascara
- Predicts “mascara-free looks” are on the rise for their softness and ease.
- Mind Games
- “Playing hard to get”, overthinking communication, and emotional “cruft” is out in favor of bluntness:
“It’s in to be like, ‘let’s go on a date, please.’... I just want it to flow out of me.”
- “Playing hard to get”, overthinking communication, and emotional “cruft” is out in favor of bluntness:
- Hating Your Ex
- Letting go of bitterness, even if it feels justified, is the new standard:
“Hating things, hating people only hurts you long term.”
- Letting go of bitterness, even if it feels justified, is the new standard:
Work & Social Media
- Working From Home Every Day
- For Emma, and likely others, being stuck at home has gotten isolating; she encourages more hybrid work and getting out.
- Multi-part TikTok Story Times
- Refers to “40-part TikTok stories” as officially over; brevity and content that doesn’t require endless “part twos” is in.
4. Still “IN” for 2026 — Whether We Like It or Not
(Begins at 50:16)
Trends with Staying Power
- Pilates (and Yoga, Hiking)
- Despite cultural discourse, the routines themselves aren’t going away.
- Cigarettes
- Emma doesn’t condone smoking, but observes the trend and nicotine’s staying power, citing culture and addiction.
- Stanley Cups
- The insulated cup craze isn’t over, although the collection mania is fading.
- Elaborate Skincare Routines
- Home skincare—many steps and serums—will linger, even as some extremes (like sleeping in face masks) fade.
- Micro Trends
- Internet-fueled “micro trends” will only grow more niche and short-lived for at least another year.
- The “Bowl”
- Build-your-own bowls (grain, salad, etc.) aren’t going anywhere as a food staple.
- Avocado Toast
- Now a breakfast classic, destined for longevity beyond its “trendy” origins.
- Protein Obsession
- Food products and culture remain fixated on protein-boosting everything.
Emma’s Personal Persisting Trend
- Dating Musicians
- With comedic honesty, Emma admits she can’t seem to shake her attraction to musicians:
“There’s just something about a man who can pick up a guitar and strum it a little. I don’t know. And I think it might still be in for me in 2026.”
- With comedic honesty, Emma admits she can’t seem to shake her attraction to musicians:
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On evolving personality aesthetics:
"We’ve been so obsessed with putting ourselves in boxes… why can’t somebody who’s cottagecore also be obsessed with drinking a dirty martini?" (15:38)
-
On letting go of mind games:
"If I want to text my ex and be like, how are you? I’m going to do it." (45:01)
-
On Instagram captions:
"Just let the photo speak a thousand words. I’m done with Instagram captions." (43:33)
-
On honest bluntness in relationships:
"I just want to say what I’m thinking. I don’t want to censor myself. I don’t want to play games. I don’t want to overthink. I just want to live." (45:35)
-
On staying lighthearted this year:
“I really hope it’s a wonderful year, a lighthearted year, a fun year. I feel that, and I hope for that, and I manifest that.” (end of episode)
Timeline of Key Segments
| Timestamp | Segment | Highlight | |-----------|--------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Intro & Existential Dread | Emma sets up the episode's purpose | | 11:00 | IN: Casual Jewelry | Chokers & toe rings return | | 12:40 | IN: Bands | Musical groups cultural comeback | | 14:50 | IN: Non-Stereotypical Personalities | Celebrating complexity, duality | | 17:45 | IN: Convertible Cars | “Top-down” energy as a mood | | 19:50 | IN: Vocabulary Expansion | Smart-sounding over tired Gen Z slang | | 21:30 | IN: Peanut Butter | Renewed love for classic, no-fuss spreads | | 22:55 | IN: Croissant Sandwiches | The sandwich upgrade | | 24:54 | IN: Talking to Strangers | Restoring friendly, casual communication | | 28:53 | IN: Lip Stains | Low-maintenance beauty | | 31:46 | IN: Utilizing Free Will | Rediscovering freedom & randomness | | 38:00 | IN: Pen Pals via Text | Embracing low-pressure friendships | | 39:05 | OUT: Charcuterie Boards | The decline of the party cheese plate | | 43:33 | OUT: Instagram Captions/Emojis | Just post the photo & use words | | 45:35 | OUT: Mind Games | Bluntness and honesty are the new charm | | 50:16 | Still IN: Pilates/Yoga, Cigarettes | Trends that persist despite controversy or fatigue | | 54:30 | Still IN: Bowls/Avocado Toast | Food fads become staples | | 59:20 | Still IN: Protein | The high-protein wave continues | | 1:00:23 | Personal: Dating Musicians | Emma’s own “trends she can’t shake” | | 1:04:00 | Wrap Up & Well Wishes | Emma’s closing thoughts and hope for the new year |
Emma’s Tone & Lasting Takeaways
- Conversational, humorous, unfiltered, and relatable—a mix of self-aware sarcasm and considered observation.
- Emphasis on lightheartedness, authenticity, and human connection.
- A call to embrace change, fluidity, and gentle self-acceptance as the year begins:
“That’s 2026 through Emma’s eyes. We’ll see what this year brings.”
For new listeners or regulars, this episode is an uplifting, self-reflective ride through Emma’s cultural compass for 2026, packed with relatable experiences, playful advice, and the characteristic Chamberlain charm.