Black People Love Paramore — "Spring Break"

Release Date: April 17, 2025
Host: Sequoia Holmes
Co-hosts: Ryann Graham (Jewel Wicker absent)

Episode Overview

This lively and humorous episode explores the culture, evolution, and sometimes wacky stories of "spring break"—particularly how the tradition has shifted for Black people and beyond. Sequoia and Ryann swap anecdotes ranging from wild college days to recent adult escapades, examining why spring break feels different for millennials and Gen Z. They also dive deep into the pop culture moments, music, and media that defined spring break across eras, while keeping things honest about safety, self-consciousness, and growing up.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Spring Break: A Shifting Cultural Moment

• The Decline of "Classic" Spring Break:

  • Sequoia's first-ever spring break at age 30 prompts a reflection on how the tradition has faded.

    "Shockingly, it was a lot of people's...first time doing spring break. Like, we interviewed a lot of the influencers there. And lots of folks were like, oh, it's my first spring break." — Sequoia (03:35)

  • Ryann notes that with social media, anonymity is gone, making people more anxious about wild behavior being documented and shared.

    "You kind of have anonymity in a way. Now if you're on spring break, your spring break is broadcast to everyone. And so I think you're just more anxious." — Ryann (05:05)

• Gen Z's Different Approach:

  • Gen Z drinks less and is more cautious due to constant surveillance, which might explain the declining interest.

    "I'm sure the anxiety that Gen Z experiences probably prevents them from doing stuff like spring break." — Sequoia (05:31)

• Geographic Differences

  • California spring break culture is different from Florida; SoCal offers year-round beach access, so the "destination" aspect is less pronounced.

    "How did Florida beat out California for spring break city?" — Sequoia (12:21)
    "The Pacific Ocean is cold...it's more likely to be warm in Florida." — Sequoia (11:51)

2. MTV, Girls Gone Wild, and the Media’s Influence

• Media’s Role in the Spring Break Image:
  • Ryann recalls the heyday of "MTV Spring Break," "Girls Gone Wild," and similar shows, connecting their raunchy, male-focused energy to the popularity of spring break trips.

    "The man show...those shows that were very like...raunchy comedy things. Spring break came out of that." — Ryann (08:13)

  • As media focus shifted away from objectifying women and evolved culturally, so did spring break habits.

    "Now we live in an era much more...focused on, like, women not being objects in terms of media." — Ryann (09:30)

3. Spring Break Anecdotes: Wild Stories & Growing Up

• Ryann’s Frat Days and Wild Stories (15:00 – 18:32)

  • Sneaking into hotel basements, cramming into two-bedroom suites with 10 people, risk-taking and drama.

    "I've always wondered, like, because I'm from Missouri, we'd go to the south...meet up with the southern schools..." — Ryann (10:50)

  • A memorable (and traumatic) spring break moment:

    "A girl we had met at spring break was like, 'I have a gay friend.' ...This man walks into the room, he looks at me and goes, 'No,' and walks out of the room. Traumatizing." — Ryann (17:59)

• Sequoia’s Birthday Blackout Story (18:39 – 21:46)

  • Pre-gaming at home, blackout at the bar, Uber ride drama and public nudity on the highway, all accompanied by hilarious "friend cover-up" tactics.

    "[I] get out of the car, go up into...the embankment or whatever, take off my entire onesie...so my whole titties are out...on the side of the freeway." — Sequoia (20:45)

• Adult Spring Break & the Unwell Trip (Miami)

  • Jewel surprises Sequoia, recent Miami spring break stories, with Ryann as the “only person” to boldly jump into the pool at a party.

    "Jumped into the pool. At the party, the only person in the pool, literally...no one else jumped in..." — Sequoia (15:06)

4. Spring Break Music: The Anthems Across Eras (28:18 – 34:49)

• Black Spring Break Vibes:

  • "Rock the Boat" by Aaliyah, "Oh Baby" by Ashanti.

    "Rock the Boat gives spring break to me a lot." — Sequoia (28:54)

• Millennial/Early 2000s Energy:

  • "Thong Song" by Sisqó ("that song is camp," "he is honestly a drag queen" — 30:06)
  • Kesha's "We R Who We R" and "Blow" embody the raucous, wild, white spring break energy.

• Honorable Mentions:

  • Will Smith’s "Welcome to Miami"

    "He made event music." — Sequoia (34:14)

  • Reflections on different pool party and beach anthems.

5. Spring Break Then & Now: Differences by Region and Race

• Southern vs. West Coast Spring Break:

  • In the South, everyone descended on beaches in Florida or Texas; West Coast kids might have headed to Mexico (Cabo/Cancun), as depicted in shows like "Laguna Beach".

    "USC kids probably went to Cabo." — Sequoia (33:11)

• Lack of “Spring Break Culture” at Certain Colleges:

  • Sequoia’s school (UC Santa Cruz) lacked the Greek life and party culture that typically fueled spring break trips.

6. Performance Anxiety, Race, and Social Pressure

• Freaknik & Self-Consciousness: (35:00 – 37:31)
  • Neither host has experienced Freaknik (the iconic Black spring break), but Sequoia feels anxiety around dancing in public/party settings.

    "I don't like clubs. I don't like parties that don't have a purpose...it always feels like the pressure to perform." — Sequoia (36:56)

  • Ryann notes that alcohol used to reduce self-consciousness.

    "When I was drinking, I didn't have this at all...I can't find her when I'm sober." — Sequoia (37:37)

7. Would You Rather & The Wild Side of Travel (38:08 – 47:08)

• Travel Dilemmas:

  • 10 people in a two-bedroom vs. a possibly haunted Motel 6 on the beach
  • Making out with a rundown strip club dancer vs. taking a mysterious pill from a stranger

    "I'm a convenience girl. Deeply." — Sequoia (38:40), picking the Motel 6 by the beach
    "I've been that girl before..." — Ryann, on taking random pills in Barcelona (41:01)

• $500 for a Wet T-Shirt Contest Vs. Yacht Weekend with a Russian Billionaire:

  • Both grapple with potential consequences and internet immortality, reflecting lightly on the risks of youthful (and not-so-youthful) impulsiveness.

8. Reflections on Growing Up & Final Thoughts

• Regrets and Missed Experiences:
  • Sequoia wishes she had more spring break (and study abroad) experiences, but notes she didn't have the stereotypical college setup for it.
• Advice for Listeners:
  • Go make memories, but be safe, have people’s locations, wear protection.

    "Lots of life memories have been made...this was a fun time." — Ryann (49:10)
    "Be safe at all times. Don't black out." — Sequoia (48:56)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On spring break’s evolution:

  "I think the social media of it all...when I went on spring break...we had Facebook and Instagram, but it wasn't the way it is now." — Ryann (04:43)

• On why spring break gave way to Florida:

  "If you want underage drinking and wild, unadulterated sex...it definitely gives Florida." — Sequoia (11:37)

• Classic millennial core memory:

  "We would sell books to go to spring break." — Ryann (13:45)

• On the gendered objectification of "party TV":

  “It is more focused on, like, women not being objects in terms of media.” — Ryann (09:30)

• Cultural Pop:

  "Thong Song...The passion behind baby—wow, wow." — Ryann (30:21)
  "Spring break in human form is Kesha." — Sequoia (31:03)

• A spring-break horror story–someone getting stranded with no money:

  "I don't think I would ever get on a plane without money. It's a safety hazard." — Sequoia (27:47)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Spring Break: Then vs. Now — 03:30–06:00
• Media’s Impact: MTV, Girls Gone Wild — 08:12–10:16
• Regional Differences & Partying in Different States — 10:48–12:39
• Anecdotes: Wild Spring Break Stories — 15:00–21:46
• Spring Break Anthems Across Eras — 28:18–34:49
• Performing Fun & Party Anxiety — 36:56–37:37
• Would You Rather (Spring Break Edition) — 38:08–47:08
• Closing Thoughts & Looking Forward — 48:39–49:46

Tone & Style

The hosts keep the tone playful, self-reflective, and candid, frequently breaking up serious points with jokes, asides, and cultural references ("Frank Ocean," "Dragons from Kim Possible," "Laguna Beach," etc.). The vibe is open, inclusive, and celebrates the idiosyncratic interests and experiences often overlooked in mainstream portrayals of Black life.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

Whether you came for nostalgia, musical throwbacks, or new perspectives on traditions, this episode will make you feel both seen and entertained. The hosts blend their own stories with sharp observations on generational and cultural shifts, making this a must-listen for anyone reflecting on why “spring break” once mattered, and what it means for Black communities and pop culture today.

Stay tuned for more slice-of-life recaps and side-splitting realness from Sequoia & the crew on Black People Love Paramore!