Chicks in the Office Podcast Summary

Episode: Taylor Frankie Paul Is the Bachelorette, ‘TSITP’ S3 E10 Recap + Shaun White & Nina Dobrev Split
Hosts: Ria and Fran (Barstool Sports)
Date: September 12, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode balances poignant reflection on recent real-world tragedies with signature pop culture banter and reality TV breakdowns. Ria and Fran start on a somber note, addressing recent violence and the emotional toll it’s taken, before shifting gears to dissect the latest in celebrity news, TV recaps, internet culture, and listener-favorite segments. The major topics include the shocking announcement that Taylor Frankie Paul is the new Bachelorette, a full discussion of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” Season 3, Episode 10, the breakup of Nina Dobrev and Shaun White, and a pop culture trivia faceoff.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Reflections: Addressing Current Tragedies

[02:15 – 15:52]

• Heavy Week in the News:
  • Fran and Ria express how recent tragic events (notably, the shooting of political commentator Charlie Kirk and other instances of violence) have created a somber, scary atmosphere.
  • Fran [03:20]: “We’ve reached this point where… this country is so divided now, we’re seeing someone actually be killed for his thoughts and beliefs. ...It is so awful to see, and it’s really scary to see the discourse around something like this.”
  • The hosts acknowledge their show is usually an escape, but they felt this moment could not be ignored. They encourage listeners to process their feelings and prioritize mental health.
  • Both hosts reflect on the 9/11 anniversary and the ongoing, senseless loss of life.

2. Weekend Plans and Personal Catch-Up

[17:02 – 18:46]

• Fran is heading to the Vineyard for her anniversary and 31st birthday, expecting a bittersweet visit since the family dog, Flo, has passed.
• Ria attended a Yankees game — left early “to beat the rush” and to get home for “The Summer I Turned Pretty.”
• Fun banter about Ria’s new nail shape (“square” instead of “almond") which garnered IRL and social media reactions.
  • Ria [21:25]: "The more people DM me telling me not to do it, the more it pushed me to doing it."

3. Celebrity Breakups: Nina Dobrev & Shaun White

[25:04 – 30:18]

• Discuss surprise breakup of Nina Dobrev and Shaun White after nearly a year of engagement.
• Timeline confusion — they’d been on vacation together just weeks ago.
• Theorize about reasons—pushed-off wedding, possible "mutual" issues, but no confirmed details.
• Reflect on how sometimes red flags (like not wearing a ring) don’t mean much in Hollywood, but a pattern can indicate something more.

4. Reality TV Shock: Taylor Frankie Paul Is The Bachelorette

[30:25 – 36:40]

• ABC announces Taylor Frankie Paul, known from “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” as Bachelorette for Season 30 — a huge shakeup.
• Community reactions range from excited to furious, given her controversial reality TV background.
• Ria [32:08]: “If you watch this show for the drama and messiness...we root for madness, and that we will get.”
• Debate on casting someone with a massive social following and rumors about the rules being rewritten for Taylor’s season.
• Fran sees it as an “ABC calculated risk” to boost ratings in a crowded reality TV landscape.

5. Bachelor Nation & Love Island Updates

[36:52 – 40:41]

• Post-Paradise Couples: Fran surprised most “Bachelor in Paradise” final couples are still together.
• Brooks Nader’s rumored flings with tennis star Carlos Alcaraz create social media buzz, helped along by her sister’s tongue-in-cheek confirmations.
  • Fran [42:38]: “It did give me a giggle because...now they have this funny bit that Grace Anne will just tell everyone who Brooks is dating.”

6. Only Murders in the Building: Awkward Fan Encounters

[45:01 – 52:38]

• Ria shares the (failed) attempt to meet her idol Martin Short at an event, with Fran recounting the misadventure and silver linings (“chapter one” in her quest).
  • Ria [51:49]: “It's about the chase...We went to one event with Miley Cyrus, got a picture...That’s a dream come true. It’s nice to have goals.”
• The hosts reflect on how celebrity meetings are sometimes less glamorous in reality and reaffirmed their fandom for the “Only Murders” cast.

7. Pop Culture & Streaming: Love Island Games, Prince Harry & King Charles

[60:58 – 75:03]

• Love Island Games Season 2: Disappointment over the announced cast vs. rumored cast (thanks, “NASCARguy69”), and debate about who might come in as “bombshells.”
• Prince Harry & King Charles reunion: After 20 months, they meet for tea, with emotional speculation over protocol (hugs, bows?), familial rifts, and importance of reconciliation.
  • Ria [72:33]: “You know, you don’t want to... if you’re Prince Harry, part of you is like, I need to see my dad before anything were to happen.”

8. TV Recap: The Summer I Turned Pretty – Season 3, Episode 10

[79:55 – 99:47]

• Viewer Reaction: Audience split; some thought the episode was a letdown, others loved it.
• Major plot threads: Belly's journey, Paris storyline, tension around her relationships with Conrad and Jeremiah.
• Concern about pacing—too little time left for narrative resolution.
• Book differences: Discussion of the use of Conrad’s letters and changes in the TV adaptation.
• Theorize on finale (“will there be a surprise episode 12?”), hope for a proper concluding arc, and the show's reliance on Taylor Swift songs.
• Fun aside about the best "Conrad sweater" yet — green cable-knit.

9. Other Streaming: My Life with the Walter Boys

[94:49 – 97:47]

• Fran recaps her disappointment with the “Walter Boys” Season 2 finale (“waste of time”), given it retreaded Season 1’s arc and non-progressive love triangle.

10. Pop Culture Trivia Game

[101:53 – End]

• Fran. Ria, and Noah play their “Beat Ria and Fran” trivia game with listeners.
• Includes questions across TV, music, movies, and some classic reality shows.
• High-spirited teasing among the hosts, a running joke about cohost Noah tuning out, and playful threats over editing gaffes.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Discussing Tragedy:
  • “As much as we always want to keep it light and discuss our nails and our haircuts... it feels as if we are stuck in a very, like, violent cycle right now. Scary.” — Fran [02:47]
• On Pop Culture Escapism:
  • “We want to be an escape for everybody and we’re not ignoring what’s happening.” — Ria [14:36]
• On Celebrity Relationships:
  • “You begin to wonder, when they make the step of getting engaged... what happens so much that they call off the engagement? ...If you’re calling off that engagement, boom, it’s over.” — Ria [28:32]
• Taylor Frankie Paul as Bachelorette:
  • “Never did we ever think they’d bring someone outside the franchise to do Bachelorette. ...It is Taylor Frankie Paul—controversial, entertaining, but messy.” — Ria [30:54]
• Meeting Martin Short Mishap:
  • “Not only did he not look at me, he almost looked away... I don’t want people getting mad at him, oh, you ignored Ria. Don’t do that... this is just chapter one!” — Ria [50:23, 52:09]
• On TV Tropes:
  • “Nothing bothers me more than a female lead that’s like: I can’t be with you because you make me feel like I lose control.” — Fran [96:05]
• On “The Summer I Turned Pretty”:
  • “I have concerns about the last episode... I like having something like this to discuss, to have fun banter about... not ready for it to end.” — Ria [93:00]

Memorable Segments & Timestamps

• Addressing Recent Violence & 9/11 — [02:15–15:52]
• Nina Dobrev & Shaun White Breakup — [25:04–30:18]
• Taylor Frankie Paul Announcement — [30:25–36:40]
• Bachelor/Bachelorette Nation Updates — [36:52–40:41]
• Martin Short Story — [45:01–52:38]
• Love Island Games Cast Reaction — [60:58–69:10]
• Prince Harry & King Charles Reunion — [69:27–75:03]
• TSITP S3 E10 Recap — [79:55–99:47]
• My Life with the Walter Boys Commentary — [94:49–97:47]
• Trivia Game with Listeners — [101:53–End]

Tone & Style

• Direct, conversational, self-aware; frequent banter and playful teasing.
• Vulnerable and empathetic when discussing tragedy; light and quick-paced when switching back to pop culture and reality TV recaps.
• Occasional explicit language; inside jokes with listeners.

Final Comments

For listeners looking for both thoughtful cultural commentary and a fun, in-depth dive into the week’s reality TV and celebrity news, this episode showcases exactly why “Chicks in the Office” is beloved: authenticity, relatability, humor, and a finger on the pulse of pop culture.

For more, listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube, and visit barstool.link/chicks-in-the-office.