Podcast Summary: De-Influenced with Dani + Jordan

Episode: The Summer Jordan Was Jealous of Conrad Fisher
Date: August 28, 2025
Host: Dear Media
Main Hosts: Dani and Jordan
Guest: Ellie (recurring contributor, joins midway for key discussions)

Episode Overview

This episode of "De-Influenced with Dani + Jordan" is a lively and candid deep-dive into everything from pop culture fandom (with a special focus on The Summer I Turned Pretty and its characters) to true crime documentaries, podcast production drama, marital dynamics triggered by fictional characters, and a spirited debate on the emotional impact of "yearning" in media. Dani and Jordan oscillate between humor and introspection, discussing generational obsessions, relationship health, the rise of AI in therapy and the workplace, and classic influencer culture gossip.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Pop Culture & True Crime Hot Takes

Timestamps: 02:06–11:30

• Big X The Plug’s Arrest:
  Jordan brings up the news that his favorite rapper, Big X the Plug, was arrested for marijuana possession in Texas, prompting a discussion about legal inconsistencies and targeted policing.

  “I thought it was legal to have pot now.” — Dani [02:18]
  “It feels a little targeted to me.” — Jordan [02:34]

• Menendez Brothers & True Crime Misconceptions:
  They discuss the Menendez brothers’ parole denial, noting the court system’s frustration with true crime documentaries swaying public opinion.

  “True crime is like the PR spin of criminals.” — Jordan [04:47]
  “Karen Reed... she had a mistrial... without all the press, she probably would have been found guilty.” — Dani [05:00]

• Ethics in True Crime Fandom:
  Dani jokes about wanting the crowd-sourced defense if she ever gets in trouble, but admits she’s “kind of straight edge these days.”

  “I really won’t do anything illegal unless my mom gives it to me.” — Dani [05:24]

2. Scams and Underground Journalism

Timestamps: 07:28–11:30

• New Mexico Rehab Center Fraud:
  Dani details an NPR exposé about scam rehab centers targeting Native Americans for insurance fraud, fueling a tangent about exploitative industries.

  “These ‘rehabs’ are charging millions... it added up to $20 billion.” — Dani [08:35]

• Journalist Mariana van Zeller & Cartel Hitmen:
  They discuss Theo Von’s interview with NatGeo’s Mariana van Zeller, host of Trafficked, who embeds with dangerous figures like hitmen in South America/Mexico.

  “She goes and meets up with these hardcore assassins... she never has security, because she needs these people to trust her.” — Dani [10:09]
  “You can hire a hitman in South America for like a thousand dollars.” — Dani [11:22]

3. Podcasting, Theo Von, & Parasocial Relationships

Timestamps: 11:30–22:23

• Versatility of Theo Von:
  Dani admires Theo Von’s relatability with certain guests, while Jordan finds his awkwardness “cringe.” They argue about his production setup.

  “When he interviewed Mark Zuckerberg... that was a hard one.” — Dani [11:46]
  “It just doesn't feel like he's picking his guest list... it feels like a production with a mind of its own.” — Jordan [13:45]
  “I know that I’m right, I listen to every episode.” — Dani [13:35]

• Podcast Guest Dynamics:
  There’s a playful comparison between comedy podcast teams (e.g., Bad Friends) and how male podcasters operate.

• Shifting Fandoms:
  Dani says she’s “kind of sick of Dax [Shepard]” these days, preferring Theo’s authenticity.

4. The Summer I Turned Pretty: Obsession, Yearning & Marital Jealousy

Timestamps: 21:20–56:40 (most of the heart of the episode)

• Generational Fandom:
  Dani passionately explains her obsession with The Summer I Turned Pretty (SITP) and the character of Conrad Fisher, noting its emotional impact on millennial women.

  “When I watch the episode, it will bring me to tears. What I'm feeling...” — Dani [24:32]

• Plot Recap & Love Triangle:
  An in-depth explanation of the show’s timeline, love triangle between Isabel (“Belly”) and brothers Conrad and Jeremiah, the emotional stakes, and the moments that set social media abuzz.

  “Conrad... he’s like dad material, you know? All us millennials... are like, this man should be your baby daddy.” — Dani [23:04]
  Key Scene: Conrad begs Belly not to marry Jeremiah, showcasing the show’s emotional high point. [36:01–37:46]

• Fan Edits & Social Media Fervor:
  The hosts and Ellie laugh about fan edits, meme culture, and the intense online reaction to SITP’s latest twists.

  “Instagram is just... seven versions of him washing this dish.” — Jordan [27:53]

• "Yearning" & Nostalgia:
  There’s extensive discussion on why millennial and Gen Z women are obsessed with Conrad Fisher, using words like “yearning,” “nostalgia,” and “first love” to describe the emotional pull.

  “It’s a yearning.” — Ellie [42:42]
  “I think deep down in every girl's heart we just want somebody to... feel that yearn.” — Ellie [42:51]

• Comparison with Men’s Fandoms & Emotional Safety:
  Jordan compares female emotional investment in SITP to men’s ties to sports, posing questions about whether such emotional engagement is healthy, especially in marriage.

  “It's like emotional porn.” — Dani [54:22]
  “I'm loyal like a golden retriever... making you chicken and dumplings for breakfast.” — Jordan [54:36]
  “If you explained the show... you've got a guy doing all the right things, in med school, and then you've got this toxic guy... Yet, people root for the underdog.” — Jordan [47:29–48:08]

• Double Standards:
  A tongue-in-cheek debate about whether men would be allowed the same “emotional crush” behavior.

  “If we did it, it’s adultery. But when you guys do it... it’s innocent, like we’re high school girls.” — Jordan [53:00]
  “Sorry, we suck.” — Dani [53:58]

5. Real-Life Tangents, Parenting, Names & Bodily Issues

Timestamps: 56:39–68:10

• Pregnancy & Baby Gender Debates:
  Dani and Jordan banter about sonograms, gender predictions, and how family and friends react to baby names.

  “I already call Stella and Stratton the same name... I forget his name, like, every other day.” — Dani [66:04] “People are so protective about names.” — Jordan [65:16]

• Personal Hygiene Science:
  A curious segment about Botox for armpit sweat, magnesium sprays for BO, with Ellie adding real-life accounts.

  “Apparently it makes you not stink anymore.” — Danny [58:10]
  “My best friend's doing all that... she had to use men's deodorant.” — Ellie [59:51]

• Names With Unique Spellings:
  The trio commiserate about growing up with “quirkily” spelled names and never finding their names on keychains.

  “I never got my name on a keychain either, and I'm still pretty petty about that.” — Ellie [67:59]

• Ethnic Names & Misconceptions:
  Jordan touches on people’s reactions to his last name "Ramirez," given his complexion.

  “The nurse was like, I’m looking for Jose. And I’m like, ah, that's not me. I'm sorry.” — Jordan [69:01]

6. AI, Therapy, and Work Automation

Timestamps: 69:24–79:20

• AI Confidentiality & Usage:
  Discussion on Sam Altman’s (OpenAI CEO) warning that ChatGPT has no user-privacy guarantees, especially for those using it as a therapist or life coach.

  “People talk about the most personal shit in their lives to ChatGPT.” — Dani [69:43]

• How Jordan Uses ChatGPT:
  He uploads finances, gets macro meal plans, uses it for workout and life management—almost hitting the limits of its memory.

  “I just ran out of memory in ChatGPT... I had to go and delete memories.” — Jordan [71:04]

• AI Impact on Careers:
  Dani reads out a list of jobs least and most likely to be replaced by AI—nurse practitioners, choreographers, and therapists (least); interpreters, translators, and telephone operators (most).

  “You can never figure out how the barcode reads... always struggling right there.” — Jordan [79:58]

• The Limits of AI for Therapy:
  They discuss the potential (and pitfalls) of AI therapy, echo chambers, and the continued need for human counselors.

  “We as humans thrive and want human interaction... AI therapist is still not enough.” — Danny [73:46]

Notable & Memorable Quotes

• “Connie baby hits different than Theo.” — Dani [21:28]
• “I truly feel like I could hang out with Theo Von one-on-one and it wouldn’t be weird.” — Dani [21:39]
• “It’s almost cruel and unusual punishment what they’re doing to us.” — Dani on The Summer I Turned Pretty [22:40]
• “It gives the obsession you only have one time in your life. You relive it.” — Ellie [43:54]
• “It's like emotional porn.” — Dani [54:22]
• "If we did it, it's adultery. But when you guys do it... we're just high school girls again." — Jordan [53:00]
• "I could see how for some, this would be unhealthy... but for me, it's like men's obsession with sports—skin in the game, but it doesn't affect me." — Dani [48:28]
• “You're my Conrad.” — Jordan, mock-exaggerating Dani’s fandom [55:51]
• “Sam Altman warns there's no legal confidentiality when using ChatGPT as a therapist.” — Dani [69:43]
• “If I smelled a can of Axe right now, I would go back to middle school and feel all the same things.” — Jordan [60:10]

Additional Memorable Moments

• The group laughs about never finding their names on customized keychains due to unique spellings.
  [67:59]
• Jordan’s ongoing (and good-natured) jealousy toward Conrad Fisher and millennial women’s fandom.
  [46:51, 55:15]
• Dani’s empathy for Conrad—a fictional character—sparks a long, nuanced marital conversation about jealousy, attraction, and the difference between fantasy and reality.
• The back-and-forth on whether men could get away with similar emotional fixations on fictional female characters.
  [52:28–54:08]

Takeaways

• Pop culture phenomena like The Summer I Turned Pretty are not just entertainment—they evoke deep emotions, nostalgia, and even marital debates.
• Media, AI, and influencer culture are increasingly intertwined with daily life, shaping how personal and social relationships play out.
• There's humor and real insight in how couples process jealousy, fantasy, and emotional safety, with a willingness in this episode to interrogate generational double standards.
• The episode is a fast-paced blend of genuine pop culture critique, personal storytelling, and relationship banter—unfiltered, relatable, and at times, hilariously meta.

Recommended Listening for Timestamps

• True Crime & Rehabilitation Scams: 02:06–11:30
• Theo Von, Podcasting, and Parasociality: 11:30–22:23
• SITP Obsession and Yearning: 22:23–56:40
• AI in Therapy/Jobs: 69:24–79:20

This episode is essential listening for anyone curious about why millennial women are currently obsessed with Conrad Fisher, as well as for those interested in thought-provoking takes on internet culture, relationships, and the intersection of fandom and real life.