Giggly Squad: "Giggling about butt pads, lawyers, and lisps"
Hosts: Hannah Berner & Paige DeSorbo
Date: February 20, 2026
Episode Overview
In this lively episode, Hannah and Paige are joined by Des and Gary, diving into their signature mix of humor and candid conversation on everything from reality TV drama and fashion hacks (butt pads and bob haircuts) to the realities of dating, aging, and being a woman in the public eye. The conversation zigzags from pop culture critiques—like Tyra Banks’ recent documentary—to generational differences, personal boundaries, and the importance of owning your narrative, all delivered with the classic "Giggly Squad" unfiltered sass.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Fashion & Self-Expression: Clips, Feathers, and Butt Pads
- Amazon Prime "Quick Fixes"
- Paige raves about Amazon Prime for last-minute gift buying and impulse fashion inspiration (00:00).
- Gen Z Influence
- Bob haircuts and hair clips sparked by Gen Z trends (02:16, 02:28).
- Newsletter Fashion Picks
- Hannah mentions adding hair feathers to their newsletter, embracing "main character energy"—the spirit of trying “random” accessories until you regret it (02:52).
- Butt Pads & Shapewear
- In a closing gag, Hannah shares plans to use a Skims butt pad for an upcoming red carpet, inviting Des to try it too for fun (59:15).
“Imagine me with a butt pad. We can go to my apartment, you could try it on.” – Hannah (59:23)
2. Reality TV Critiques: Tyra Banks, America's Next Top Model & Love is Blind
- Tyra Banks Documentary
- Hannah and Des dissect Tyra's image in a recent documentary, calling out perceived inauthenticity and the lack of accountability over past reality TV manipulations (04:03–10:28).
- Behind the Scenes of Reality TV
- Both hosts share their own experiences with manipulative producers, highlighting the emotional aftermath for participants (06:32–07:44).
- Emphasize the lack of social media during early 2000s reality TV, leaving contestants voiceless and “invisible” post-show (10:45–11:18).
- Modern Dating Shows: Love is Blind
- Observations on shifting expectations: men wanting to be chased, unattractiveness double standards, and the lack of name labels on reality show participants (11:32–14:37).
“They didn’t have Instagram. …She just had to go back to Walgreens and she could not have a voice." – Des (10:46)
3. Dating, Standards & Self-Respect
- Dating Up, Down, and Setting the Bar
- Candid talk about the dangers of "dating down" and the value of admiring your partner. Advice includes always maintaining high expectations and zero tolerance for disrespect (16:21–17:34).
- Paige shares wisdom from her grandmother: Would you be proud if your son was exactly like your boyfriend? (16:40)
- Influencer Culture & Men Online
- They break down "red flags" of men who want too much visibility on your Instagram, and why true partners maintain privacy and support off the grid (50:07–51:46).
- Generational Shifts in Women’s Agency
- Celebrate younger Giggly Squad listeners who are empowered to leave relationships not serving them: "No girl has ever broken up with a guy and regretted it." (47:21–48:01)
- Marriage, Motherhood, and Public Perception
- Fears and realities of losing respect (and career momentum) after marriage or motherhood, calling for the normalization of being multifaceted women (49:03–49:40).
"If you have high expectations, that’s what you’ll get. If you have low expectations, that’s what you’ll get." – Hannah (58:06)
4. Pop Culture, Legal Drama, and Nepo Babies
- Viral Moments: Tom Brady vs. Logan Paul
- Recap of a viral post-Super Bowl exchange: Tom Brady dismisses Logan Paul's "athlete" credentials, drawing laughs and empathy (28:54–29:50).
- Wagatha Christie Scandal
- Des gives a dramatic rundown of the British WAGs (wives and girlfriends of athletes) Instagram leak and subsequent legal battle—paranoia, detective work, public call-outs, and the real cost of revenge (30:18–38:09).
"She thought she was getting justice... and the next three years of my life were the worst years of my life and millions of dollars spent in legal fees." – Des (38:07)
- Nepo Babies Revelation
- Discuss the phenomenon of “random” Nepo babies (children of celebrities), with Lily Collins (Phil Collins’ daughter) as a surprise to some (40:05–40:26).
5. Generational Differences & Mentorship
- Life Advice for Gen Z
- Hannah encourages a Gen Z college mentee to relax about not having everything figured out, emphasizing learning and self-exploration in early adulthood (46:14–47:21).
- Both hosts reminisce about how fast time has gone, joking about their real age vs. “New York 26” (46:10–46:28).
- Women Supporting Women
- Cheekily reflect on the power and agency of the next generation of women (“no regrets” breakups and prioritizing self-worth) (48:01–49:03).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Reality TV Manipulation:
"It's crazy that they call it producing, but it's actually manipulating. ‘I'm gonna produce her. Watch this.’” – Des (07:08) - On Influencer Couples:
“If a man is telling me he wants to be in my Insta story, red fucking flag.” – Des (51:01) - On Boundary-Setting:
“I don’t block people because, look—you’ve got to see the whole movie. You can’t stop in the beginning of the movie when things are hard.” – Des (39:05) - On Self-Acceptance in Relationships:
“If you feel like you have to be anything other than yourself, that’s the red flag.” – Des (53:58) - On Marriage and Respect:
"One of my biggest fears of getting married is that I will lose respect. It's horrible for the brand." – Hannah (49:03–49:09) - On Women’s Advancement:
"Not discounting the things that Tyra Banks has done for Black women, women, curvy women in modeling, opened so many doors—totally. But...she said, 'I want my legacy to be ice cream.' I said, we're done here." – Hannah (08:38)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Amazon Prime / Amazon Fashion Finds: 00:00–03:15
- Tyra Banks Documentary & Reality TV Analysis: 04:03–11:18
- Love is Blind & Dating Standards: 11:32–16:33
- Advice from Grandma & Dating Up/Down: 16:40–18:12
- Tell Me Lies Series Discussion: 18:12–19:39
- Influencer Couples, Men and Instagram: 50:07–52:22
- Wagatha Christie Documentary Breakdown: 30:18–38:09
- Empowered Gen Z Listeners & Breakups: 47:21–48:49
- Marriage, Respect, and Professional Identity: 49:03–49:40
- Butt Pads & Red Carpet Prep: 59:15–59:29
Flow & Tone
The episode is fast-paced, irreverent, and deeply self-aware. The hosts blend snarky pop culture commentary with genuine vulnerability, offering both comedic relief and thoughtful takes on the unique pressures women face. Laughter, personal anecdotes, and sharp social observations keep the conversation flowing, making it both entertaining and insightful for listeners of all ages.
Perfect for listeners who love unfiltered girl talk, pop culture deep-dives, and the satisfaction of high standards and real friendship.
