Chicks in the Office — Episode Summary

Podcast: Chicks in the Office

Episode: Taylor Swift Is a Genius, DWTS Con + Obsessed With the Winter Olympics
Date: February 11, 2026
Hosts: Ria and Fran (with producer Noah)
Theme: The Chicks break down everything pop culture, from the Winter Olympics frenzy and Dancing with the Stars convention announcement to new music releases from Taylor Swift and Nick Jonas. This episode is laidback and chatty, with plenty of sidebars, fun tangents, and the show’s signature humor.

Main Themes & Purpose

The episode’s primary aim is to keep listeners "in the know" on the latest in pop culture, with a special focus on:

• The communal obsession with the Winter Olympics
• The fun and drama of Dancing With The Stars and its newly announced fan convention
• Taylor Swift’s inventive new music video
• Nick Jonas’s new album, "Sunday Best"
• Playful (and extended) banter about celebrities’ middle names
• Listener hot takes on concerts, pop stars in Olympic ads, and reality TV

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Winter Olympics Fever (01:59–12:25)

• The Olympics Are Back!
  Both Ria and Fran express their love for the Winter Olympics and how it brings people together, whether in offices or at home.

• The Drama of Live Sports:
  Fran: “When you catch a fall live… it’s just drama.” (03:01)
  Ria and Fran discuss the emotional highs and lows of watching events, from triumphant moments to soul-crushing upsets.

• Figure Skating Storylines & Scoring Bias:
  The hosts get invested in ice dancing rivalries (“Apparently we have an evil French duo”) and discuss real-world drama, alleging French judges gave inflated scores to their own team (06:06–06:55).

• Olympic Athletes’ Journeys:
  They shout out U.S. teams, and discuss athlete stories like Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam (and her fiancé Jake Paul), applauding Jutta’s gold medal and record-setting run.
  Fran: “I was really trying to separate [Jake Paul] from the moment… Very happy for her for accomplishing that dream, you know.” (09:47)

• Olympics as a Shared Experience:
  Fran: “Waking up in the morning, you get all the afternoon events...It creates camaraderie.” (02:16)

Notable Quote

• Ria: “But the thing is, anything could happen. That’s, I think, the thrill of it… somebody may be the favorite, but then somebody swoops right in there.” (04:30)

2. DWTS Con — Dancing With The Stars Announces Convention (17:03–25:47)

• Announcement & Lineup:
  Dancing With The Stars Con will be in Palm Springs, CA, July 31 – August 2, featuring numerous pros, past winners, celebrities, and judges.
  Fran and Ria excitedly read the guest list, note the absence of stars like Derek and Julianne Hough, and predict more surprise guests.

• Fan Experience & Critique:
  While some fans are excited, others complain about the convention being harder to get to and more exclusive than live shows. Fran notes: “It’s just a fun way to celebrate all the seasons… You’re not ever going to please everybody when you do a con.” (21:26–22:12)

• The Chicks Want to Host!
  They playfully campaign to host a panel with mock threats:
  Ria: “If you do not have us host a panel, we’re here. We will come for you.” (22:57)

Memorable Moment

• Running bit about “threatening” organizers:
  Fran: “We threaten with love.” (29:09)

Timestamps:

• [17:03] Segment Introduction
• [21:03] Fan accessibility critique
• [22:57] Panel hosting banter

3. Taylor Swift’s "Opalite" Music Video (30:06–35:06)

• Release Strategy & Genius:
  Taylor Swift released the “Opalite” video exclusively on Apple/Spotify first, not YouTube—a clear chart strategy.
  Rhea: “That was very strategic on her part. That’s why…she did it.” (30:25)

• Video Cameos & Concept:
  Set after her Graham Norton Show appearance; includes Cillian Murphy, Domhnall Gleeson, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith, and others.
  Fran: “I loved it. This is one of my favorite videos she’s done in a while.” (31:27)

• Fun Details:
  Video has a 90s vibe, features brown-haired Taylor, and ends with fun behind-the-scenes moments.

• Fan Analysis:
  Hosts and Noah speculate about cameos, and note Taylor’s superfan excitement at getting these A-list stars on board.

Notable Quote

• Rhea: "Still throwing, you know, shade to exes… as you would in a song about, you know, music video like that." (33:43)

Timestamps:

• [30:06] Start of Taylor Swift video discussion
• [31:27] Praise for video
• [32:05–33:43] Cameos and “shade” discussion

4. Nick Jonas’s "Sunday Best" Album Review (37:48–45:46)

• Fran’s Review:
  Fran says this is “some of his best,” highlighting the R&B/gospel/soul elements, the use of choirs, and the personal nature of the lyrics.
  Fran: “This album to me is Nick’s bread and butter. Like, I think he sounds amazing.” (38:09)

• Album Details:
  Includes a newly recorded song Nick wrote at 17 ("London Foolishly") and deeply personal tracks inspired by his wife Priyanka Chopra and their daughter.

• Deluxe Album Trend:
  The group discusses the oddity of deluxe albums dropping almost simultaneously with main releases (39:57–40:34).

• Running Joke:
  Extended tangent about Nick Jonas’s middle name, "Jerry," which sets off a half-hour of middle name guessing later in the episode. (39:11–46:43)

Notable Quote

• Rhea: “This is a grown ass man. This is a husband. This is a father. Yes.” (45:34–45:41)

5. Middle Name Guessing & Celebrity Banter (46:43–63:15)

Possibly a new segment is born, as the Chicks and Noah spiral into a hilarious and increasingly elaborate guessing game about celebrities’ middle names—Jonas Brothers, Bradley Cooper, Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Denzel Washington, and more.

• Fran: “Middle names, they don’t get talked about enough.” (56:35)
• Rhea: “New segment: Guess the middle name!” (58:20)

Memorable for fans of the show’s loose, conversational style—this segment shows the hosts at peak chemistry and humor, riffing and failing at geography just as much as showbiz facts.

6. Pop Corner — Listener Hot Takes & Voicemails (65:17–87:59)

Key Topics & Insights:

• Harry Styles & Olivia Dean’s "Situationship":
  Discussion of fan rumors that Harry Styles and Olivia Dean had a brief, not-serious fling, and whether her song "Man I Need" is about him.
  Rhea: “…Are they just saying that there’s Olivia songs about Harry because it’s the only person we know Olivia Dean has dated publicly?” (67:52)

• Artists Announcing Tours Before Album Release:
  A caller laments buying expensive tickets “blind.” Fran and Rhea admit it's risky but sometimes the live show can redeem mediocre albums.
  Fran: "I do think that sometimes you can even listen to an album… but go and see it performed live and it changes your opinion." (73:09)

• Tate McRae & Dua Lipa in Olympic Ads — Nationality Controversy:
  Caller questions why non-U.S. pop stars (McRae is Canadian, Dua Lipa is British) front U.S. Olympic promos. The hosts basically shrug off the drama, but see why some Canadians are annoyed.
  Fran: “If I was Canadian, maybe it would bother me.” (81:00)

• Breaking Off an Engagement (Southern Charm’s Olivia Flowers):
  A caller asks if it's possible to call off a wedding but stay together. Both hosts agree: hard no; Fran calls the idea “bizarre.”
  Rhea: “If you’re breaking off the engagement…there’s a reason. I wouldn’t do that.” (84:08)

Notable Quotes & Highlights

• Fran, on the Olympics camaraderie:
  "It creates a camaraderie…you can throw it on and just stay in tune." (02:16)
• On Taylor Swift’s video:
  Fran: "This is one of my favorite videos she’s done in a while." (31:27)
• On Nick Jonas’s album:
  Fran: "This album to me is Nick’s bread and butter." (38:09)
  Rhea: "This is a grown ass man. This is a husband. This is a father." (45:34)
• The DWTS Con pitch:
  Rhea: "If you do not have us host a panel, we’re here. We will come for you." (22:57)
• On engagement breakups:
  Rhea: "If you’re breaking off the engagement…there’s a reason. I wouldn’t do that." (84:08)
• On middle names:
  Fran: "Middle names, they don’t get talked about enough." (56:35)
• Playful sign-off:
  Rhea: "We love you guys so very much. Reminder: tickets are on sale and we want to see you there. Big smooches!" (88:14)

Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------|---------------| | Olympics chat | 01:59–12:25 | | Chit-chat, plans, dog talk | 12:25–17:03 | | DWTS Con segment | 17:03–25:47 | | Taylor Swift’s "Opalite" video | 30:06–35:06 | | Nick Jonas album review | 37:48–45:46 | | Middle names guessing game | 46:43–63:15 | | Listener voicemails ("Pop Corner") | 65:17–87:59 |

Tone & Style Notes

• Authentic, energetic, and playful. Ria and Fran riff freely, react in real time, and occasionally veer into tangents and inside jokes, which fans of the show will love.
• Candid and sometimes irreverent. The banter is friendly, with light diet-coke “threats” to industry figures and open laments over pop culture gripes (tickets, conventions, rumors, etc).
• Accessible for casual pop fans but also peppered with detailed references for super-fans.

Summary Takeaway

This episode of Chicks in the Office is a classic blend of pop culture rundown and unscripted comedy, moving from sports to music to TV — all through the distinctive, lively voices of Ria and Fran. If you want a friendly, knowledgeable, and always entertaining breakdown of trending topics (with a healthy dose of laughter and inside jokes), this episode is a must-listen.