Giggly Squad Podcast Summary: "Giggling about Bullies, Blind Spots, and Red Carpets"

Release Date: July 22, 2025
Host/Authors: Hannah Berner & Paige DeSorbo

1. Overcoming Fears and Passing the Driving Test

In this episode, Hannah Berner shares her personal journey of conquering a significant fear: driving. At 33 years old, Hannah recounts the challenges and emotions she faced while preparing for and ultimately passing her driver's test.

• Facing the Fear:
  Hannah opens up about her long struggle with driving, highlighting that she initially passed her test at 24, only to have her confidence shattered after a minor accident. She admits, "I passed my driver's test at 33. I. I am an inspiration in that..." (03:05).

• The Day of the Test:
  Hannah describes the intense pressure during her driving test, especially when faced with a red light scenario that left her feeling paralyzed. She humorously reflects, "I keep people on their fucking toes. Just when you think you get a hold of me, I've changed and I've evolved." (03:38).

• Instructor Interaction:
  The interaction with her driving instructor added to the stress. After a series of successful maneuvers, the instructor ambiguously informed her, "We don't tell you if you passed or failed. You'll see it online tonight at 6pm..." (15:17).

• Emotional Rollercoaster:
  Despite the anxiety, Hannah emphasizes the importance of perseverance. "If you failed, at least it would be good content for Giggly Squad," she quips, turning a stressful experience into a humorous anecdote (14:04).

2. Navigating Car Shopping and Vehicle Preferences

Post-driving test, Hannah and Paige delve into the topic of car shopping, debating the merits of electric vehicles versus more traditional, larger cars like Hummers.

• Electric vs. Hummer:
  Hannah expresses her preference for electric cars, pondering, "Why am I with the Kia?" (22:24). Paige humorously counters, suggesting a 2016 Hummer as an ideal choice, despite acknowledging its impracticality in urban settings.

• Practical Challenges:
  The duo discusses the difficulties of driving and parking larger vehicles in cities like New York. "Try parallel parking with that," Hannah jokes about the Hummer's size (23:27).

3. Supporting Family Amidst a Busy Summer

Balancing personal aspirations with family responsibilities, Hannah shares her experiences supporting her mother’s play in Shelter Island. This segment underscores the importance of familial support and the hectic nature of managing multiple roles.

• Suburban Motherhood:
  Hannah describes her summer as the busiest yet, filled with galas and supporting her mother's artistic endeavors. "I'm a suburban mother, and I... have the busiest summer I've ever had in my life," she admits (20:08).

4. The Dynamics of Sibling Relationships and Bullying

Hannah and Paige explore the complexities of sibling relationships, particularly focusing on how bullying within the family can shape personal growth.

• Personal Anecdotes:
  Paige reflects on her brother's influence, stating, "My brother has literally, like, in my almost 33 years of knowing him, he has been able to, like, change the course of my life with one word" (47:35).

• Growth Through Conflict:
  The hosts emphasize that experiencing bullying, especially from those who know you well, fosters resilience and personal development. "If you haven't been bullied... they're not fully developed," Hannah asserts (46:25).

5. Pets: Cats vs. Dogs

Shifting gears, Hannah and Paige discuss their experiences with pets, highlighting the distinct personalities of cats and dogs.

• Fostering Cats:
  Hannah shares her fondness for cats, describing one as "the most outgoing cat I've ever met" and another as quietly introspective. She contrasts this with dogs, remarking on their incessant barking and the challenges it poses, "The fact that they bark is, like, should be illegal. It's noise pollution." (60:07).

• Pet Personalities:
  Paige compares dogs to children, highlighting their need for leadership and constant attention, whereas cats are depicted as more independent and mysterious. "She is the table. A marble tablescape," Hannah humorously illustrates a cat's aloofness (62:20).

6. Health Trends and Personal Habits

The hosts reminisce about past health fads like juicing and share their current health routines, offering humorous critiques of wellness trends.

• Juicing Fads:
  Reflecting on the popularity of celery juice, they mock the excessive sugar content and the questionable health benefits, stating, "At least do a fruit... balance," (37:39).

• Modern Health Choices:
  Hannah talks about her reliance on plant-based meal shakes from Kachava, integrating them seamlessly into her hectic schedule. "Fuel your daily adventures with Kachava," she encourages (29:31).

7. Music and Pop Culture Insights

Paige and Hannah delve into the realm of music, specifically discussing Justin Bieber's latest album and its reception.

• Justin Bieber's Album:
  Paige praises the album, noting, "I'm obsessed with him. I think he's also, like, a genius," while Hannah appreciates the album's suitability for activities like Pilates, remarking on its motivational qualities (41:05).

• Generational Differences:
  They touch upon how different generations perceive Bieber's evolving music style, with millennials more receptive to his latest works compared to older listeners (42:39).

8. Manifestation and Positivity Techniques

The conversation shifts to the power of positive thinking and manifestation, with both hosts sharing their personal practices.

• Phone Backgrounds as Manifestation Tools:
  Hannah discusses setting affirmations as phone backgrounds to reinforce positive thoughts, "Set positivity. Don't pick a bad color. Don't pick a bad image," she advises (44:33).

• Writing Down Goals:
  Paige shares her experience with writing down manifestations, highlighting the subconscious benefits of verbalizing and visualizing goals (45:02).

9. Reflections on Growing Up and Nostalgia

Nostalgic moments emerge as the hosts reminisce about past activities and cultural shifts.

• Missing Toy Stores and Movie Rentals:
  They lament the disappearance of traditional toy stores like Toys R Us and the communal experience of renting movies with friends, recognizing these as significant yet lost joys (50:02; 51:25).

• High School Memories:
  The theme of high school summer resurfaces, symbolizing a desire to recapture youthful experiences despite the present realities (66:18).

10. Conclusion: Embracing Change and Staying Humble

As the episode wraps up, Hannah and Paige emphasize the importance of humility and adapting to life's unpredictable moments.

• Embracing Imperfection:
  Hannah concludes with a heartfelt message, "Whether I failed or passed, we giggle," highlighting their commitment to finding humor in every situation (68:45).

• Community Connection:
  They encourage listeners to share their summer stories for a chance to win exclusive merch, fostering a sense of community and shared experiences (66:35).

Notable Quotes:

• "I keep people on their fucking toes. Just when you think you get a hold of me, I've changed and I've evolved." — Hannah Berner 03:38

• "If you failed, at least it would be good content for Giggly Squad." — Hannah Berner 14:04

• "The fact that they bark is, like, should be illegal. It's noise pollution." — Hannah Berner 60:07

• "I'm obsessed with him. I think he's also, like, a genius." — Paige DeSorbo 41:05

• "Whether I failed or passed, we giggle." — Hannah Berner 68:45

Timestamps Reference:

• 03:05
• 03:38
• 14:04
• 20:08
• 22:24
• 23:27
• 29:31
• 37:39
• 41:05
• 42:39
• 44:33
• 45:02
• 46:25
• 47:35
• 60:07
• 62:20
• 66:18
• 68:45

This episode of Giggly Squad offers a heartfelt and humorous exploration of personal growth, overcoming fears, and navigating the complexities of adult life. Hannah and Paige's candid conversations provide relatable insights, blending real-life stories with their signature comedic flair. Whether you're grappling with your own fears or simply in need of a good laugh, this episode delivers on all fronts.