BETH'S DEAD

EP1 – "You Took Something Away From Me"

Release Date: October 29, 2025
Hosts: Monica Padman, Elizabeth Laime, Andy Rosen

Episode Theme & Purpose

The premiere episode of Beth's Dead introduces listeners to a new kind of true crime podcast: an exploration of parasocial relationships gone horribly wrong. Host Monica Padman (Armchair Expert) begins to unravel the mysterious and abrupt end of her favorite podcasting duo, Elizabeth Laime and Andy Rosen of Nobody’s Listening, Right? (and the “Totally” podcast series). As Monica interviews them in an attempt to satisfy her own years-long curiosity, she stumbles upon a story involving changed locks, the LAPD, and the death of a listener—hinting at a chilling mystery to be unveiled throughout the series.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Monica’s Parasocial Relationship with Elizabeth & Andy (00:38–02:48)

• Monica recounts her early days listening to Totally Lame during a difficult time in LA, describing Elizabeth & Andy as “comfort podcasters” and confessing their show got her through gruelling commutes.
• She frames the podcast’s closure as a personal loss and sets up the central question: why did they suddenly disappear?
  • Quote [02:25]: “You took something away from me, and I never knew why. And so this show is going to explore why. Why you guys went off the air.” – Monica Padman

2. The Rise of the “Totally” Podcast Empire (03:00–06:35)

• Elizabeth & Andy recall starting their original podcast, Totally Lame, in 2010, inspired by public radio and Marc Maron’s early WTF success.
• Monica describes discovering their podcast during her years at UCB, bonding over mutual struggles in LA.

3. Listener/Host Connections: Monica’s Emails & The Nature of Podcast Intimacy (06:35–12:43)

• The trio reads aloud Monica’s original 2015 fan emails, including her request for a therapist (after hearing one on Totally Mommy) and her “proposal” to Elizabeth.
  • Quote [09:42]: “You are Oprah, so I don’t think you need to hold out on meeting her... You’re already there, Monica. Oh my God.” – Elizabeth Lame, quoting Monica’s email
• Monica reveals how these interactions highlight her own intense parasocial attachment, setting the stage for the series’ core exploration.

4. The Podcast’s Format: A Mix of Depth and Humor

a) Intimate Advice, Serious Subjects (13:14–14:55; 19:07–24:28)

• Monica and the hosts play clips from Totally Married and Totally Mommy, illustrating their open, honest, and sometimes raw approach to listener questions:
  • Memorable Mailbag [15:45–18:23][/19:11–24:28]:
    • A gay listener considers offering money for a hug from his straight friend, sparking a nuanced discussion on boundaries, intimacy, and unrequited love.
      • Quote [15:45]: "How ethical is it to possibly ask to pay him money just to hug me? ...Just that. I'd be totally okay with killing the friendship." – Listener letter, read by Elizabeth Lame
    • A woman seeks advice about stepping in when her 15-year-old niece is shamed for her weight by her mother, triggering heartfelt exchanges about body image, parent-child relationships, and trauma.
      • Quote [22:10]: "Your kid is gonna be treated by society however she's gonna be treated. At the very least, you should be supportive." – Elizabeth Lame

b) Humor and Relatability (27:26–30:18)

• The hosts play a lighter clip: a classic listener dilemma about “pee anxiety” in public restrooms and the “bolt technique.”
  • Quote [28:34]:
    • "One is the bolt technique... You stare at that bolt and just say, bolts, bolts, bolts, bolts, over and over in your head. I'm not kidding. And I found that to be very effective." – Andy Rosen

5. The Community’s Growth & The Dark Turn (24:41–27:21; 30:18–31:21)

• Elizabeth & Andy discuss the show’s comment section, the sense of community, and the fulfilling (and ego-boosting) nature of connecting with listeners.
  • Quote [26:33]: "Having people look up to me kind of felt good, I think." – Elizabeth Lame
• Monica points out how similar audience engagement runs through her own work on Armchair Expert.
• The conversation pivots to the central mystery: If everything was going so well, why did it end?
  • Quote [31:19]: "So then why did you suddenly stop?" – Monica Padman
  • Quote [31:21]: "We had something scary happen to us. And it all started actually with an email from a listener..." – Elizabeth Lame

6. Cliffhanger and Series Hook (31:32–31:46)

• The episode ends on a tantalizing cliffhanger:
  • Quote [31:32]: “The subject of the email is: You may recognize my vagina.” – Monica Padman

Notable Quotes

• [02:25] Monica Padman: “You took something away from me, and I never knew why. And so this show is going to explore why.”
• [09:42] Elizabeth Lame (quoting Monica): “You are Oprah...You’re already there, Monica.”
• [15:45] Listener Letter (read by Elizabeth): “How ethical is it to possibly ask to pay him money just to hug me?...I’d be totally okay with killing the friendship.”
• [22:10] Elizabeth Lame: “Your kid is gonna be treated by society however she’s gonna be treated. At the very least, you should be supportive.”
• [26:33] Elizabeth Lame: "Having people look up to me kind of felt good, I think."
• [28:34] Andy Rosen: “You stare at that bolt and just say, bolts, bolts, bolts, bolts, over and over in your head. I found that to be very effective.”
• [31:21] Elizabeth Lame: “We had something scary happen to us. And it all started actually with an email from a listener...”
• [31:32] Monica Padman: “The subject of the email is: You may recognize my vagina.”

Important Segment Timestamps

• Monica’s Introduction & Motivation: 00:38–02:48
• Elizabeth & Andy’s Podcast Origins: 03:00–06:35
• Monica Reads Her Fan Emails: 07:00–12:43
• Discussion of Podcast Advice Clips: 13:14–18:23, 19:07–24:28, 27:26–30:18
• Reflection on Listeners and Community: 24:41–27:21
• Cliffhanger Setup (the Emergency Email): 31:19–31:46

Tone & Language

The episode is conversational, self-deprecating, honest, and emotionally open. There is a playful chemistry and gentle teasing between Monica, Elizabeth, and Andy, balanced with darker undercurrents as Monica hints at a forthcoming true crime/mystery exploration.

Overall Summary

Beth’s Dead launches with a blend of warmth, nostalgia, humor, and unease. Monica Padman sets out not only to uncover why her beloved podcasters vanished but also to dig into the darker side of parasocial relationships and what can happen when those connections spill over in real life. As old email exchanges and fan questions demonstrate the intimacy and vulnerability involved in podcast-listener relationships, Monica, Elizabeth, and Andy’s genial banter is shadowed by hints of an incident that upended everything—leaving the audience eager to hear more about the fateful email: "You may recognize my vagina."