Giggly Squad

Episode: Giggling about couples counseling, clams, and condoms

Hosts: Hannah Berner & Paige DeSorbo
Date: February 17, 2026

Episode Overview

In this lively and characteristically unfiltered episode, Hannah and Paige tackle subjects from relationships and couples counseling, to pop culture flashpoints, trenches in Fashion Week, reality TV trauma, and the seemingly eternal oyster-vs-clam debate. As always, the hosts dissect their own lives with self-deprecating humor and share their unfiltered takes on the week's pop culture and personal happenings, joined at moments by their friend Ali. Expect chaotic giggles and candid confessions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Couples Counseling, Relationship Red Flags, and Hot Takes

• The squad dives into the world of relationship advice, critiquing popular intimacy “rules” and therapy for couples under 30.

  • Ali: "If you're under 27, you should not be going to couples therapy. Get a new man." (03:06)
  • Hannah: "I think going to couples counseling or therapy even, like, before you're married is like, a little bit of a red flag." (03:12)
  • Light-hearted admissions about needing a bit of drama in a relationship:
    • Hannah: “I have to slam at least once every fiscal, like, quarter.” (03:54)
    • Ali: “You have to threaten... You have to just keep them scared.” (04:04)
  • Touches on the generational and personal differences in what defines a “healthy” relationship dynamic.

2. Pop Culture Catch-ups: Cheating Olympians, The Trials of Bronze, and Viral Guilt Confessions

• Discussion of a Norwegian Olympian who publicly confessed to cheating, sparking a mix of incredulity and giggling judgment.
  • Hannah (Reading): "I had a gold medal in life... I hope that committing social suicide like this might show her how much I love her, which, that's just like, insane." (05:16)
  • The group jokes about the lack of prestige for a bronze medal in the context of public redemption.
  • Winter Olympics vs. Summer Olympics: Assessing risk, job-juggling athletes, and the insanity of double luge.

3. Fashion Week & Trench Coat Obsessions

• Fashion Week recap: attending Christian Siriano and Michael Kors and the joys of a trench coat.
  • Ali: “There’s something about a trench. It really makes you... you feel investigative.” (12:42)
  • Hannah: “Trench also gives, like, lost baby or dog... if you’re lost, you’re going up to the person in a trench.” (13:14)
  • Ali recounts a humorous incident with photographers and Facetiming her mom mid-paparazzi moment. Lois (Ali's daughter) makes a cameo as a pint-sized fashion critic: "She goes, 'I’m concerned.'" (14:22)

4. Cardi B, Reality TV Crossover, and Football Cheating

• Cardi B's career trajectory from reality TV to global superstardom, and football drama.
  • Ali: “Cardi B was on Love & Hip Hop, and now she’s the number one selling rap artist. ...we're both from New York.” (22:15)
  • Discussion on cheating amidst busy, public careers, referencing Stefan Diggs’ infamous “let me heal you” moment. (23:02)
  • Hannah: “How do you find time to cheat during football season?” (23:15)

5. America’s Next Top Model Documentary Recap & Reality TV Reckonings

• Ali deep-dives into the new ANTM documentary:
  • The show’s darker legacy, Tyra Banks’ complicated narrative, and the psychological toll on contestants.
    • Ali: "Tyra is, like, narrating, but it's kind of a hit piece on Tyra, and Tyra doesn't know." (25:19)
    • Hannah: “I always thought she was just the host... she, like, pitched.” (26:42)
    • Jaw-dropping moments: forced dental work for makeovers, the “bagel narrative,” and post-show trauma.
    • The big disconnect between reality TV edit and real life:
      • Hannah: “With reality tv, people can't do that... you did that... but I didn’t edit it like that.” (31:22)
    • Triggering moments highlighted, like exploitation of contestants' real traumas for TV.
      • Ali: "There's a power dynamic where these girls are not actors... you're just being forced around." (33:14)
    • Realization that very few reality stars transition into mainstream celebrity.

6. Olympics Gossip: Condoms as Souvenirs

• The squad uncovers the reason behind the infamous “10,000 condoms at the Olympics” myth:
  • Ali: “Apparently, there's boxes around. ...The Olympians take it to, like, give it as gifts to people. Like, it's like a souvenir.” (36:02)
  • Also discusses superstitions about sex before sporting competitions.

7. Clams vs. Oysters: The Seafood Smackdown

• An impassioned and hilarious defense of clams over oysters ensues:
  • Ali: "Oysters have incredible PR... but I would argue I like clams better." (54:10)
  • Debates about aphrodisiac reputations, PR status (“oysters are nepo babies, clams are commercialized!”), and culinary versatility.
  • Hannah: "If it smells like a clam, go to your doctor." (55:45)

8. Cooking Updates, Family Dynamics, and Gossip Logistics

• Paige cooks bolognese for Hannah’s husband, Des, leading to jokes about “sharing a husband.”
  • Reflection on home-cooking struggles and passing down family recipes.
  • Strategic, “chess-like” methods for gossip distribution:
    • Ali: “You have to know in your gossip like webs, what hits a dead end. Like, you're a dead end for me. Like, once I tell you, it dies there.” (48:38)
    • Hannah: “If I want someone to know something... That’s like strategic gossip.” (48:46)

9. Live Show Antics & Nana's Cameo

• Hannah recaps her chaotic Long Island stand-up show, audience participation, and family in attendance.
  • Ali: “So everyone’s staring at my parents while I'm making, like, insane jokes about sexting... my nana's there, and at one point, I just have to shout it out, and everyone starts chanting, 'nana.'” (52:21)
  • Nana emerges as an honorary squad icon, with protective fans and inside jokes about Threads drama.

10. Classic New York Moments

• After the Michael Kors show, a random NYC encounter highlights city life:
  • Ali: "I'm standing there looking gorgeous in my trench coat and some guy on a bike... he goes, 'Where were you?'... I was at the Michael Kors show. And he goes, 'I love Michael Kors. What a great performer.'" (56:41)
  • Hilarious confusion about designer vs. musician, culminating in a quintessential “only in New York” goodbye.

11. JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Show

• The latest miniseries gets a quick review:
  • Hannah: “The aesthetic of the show is phenomenal. Like, you very much feel like you’re in New York City in the 90s.” (58:42)
  • Buzz over actor portrayals, the “blonds only” bachelor, Jackie O references, and dreamy Manhattan nostalgia.

12. Final Notes: Books, Cooking, and Giggler Connections

• Paige discusses attempting to finish "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" and laughing about her reading level, with input from listeners and a “legitimate literature teacher.”
• Jokes about “sharing a husband,” giggler family bonds, and love for the community.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ali on Couples Therapy:
  “If you're under 27, you should not be going to couples therapy. Get a new man.” (03:06)
• Hannah on Drama:
  “I have to slam at least once every fiscal, like, quarter.” (03:54)
• Ali on Clams vs. Oysters:
  “Oysters have incredible PR...but I would argue I like clams better.” (54:10)
• Hannah on Strategic Gossip:
  “If I want someone to know something...that’s like strategic gossip.” (48:46)
• Nana's Cameo:
  “And then I have to shout it out, and everyone starts chanting, 'nana.'” (52:21)
• Ali's NYC Encounter:
  “‘I was at the Michael Kors show.’ And he goes, ‘I love Michael Kors...what a great performer.’” (56:41)

Major Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:04] — Hot takes on couples counseling
• [05:16] — Olympian’s dramatic public cheating confession
• [12:42] — Trench coat fashion analysis and Fashion Week stories
• [22:15] — Cardi B’s fame and inspirational arc
• [24:09] — ANTM documentary breakdown and reality TV trauma
• [36:02] — The real story behind Olympic condoms
• [54:10] — Oysters vs. clams debate
• [56:41] — Michael Kors/Michael Bolton mix-up — peak NYC moment
• [58:42] — JFK Jr. series review & 90s NYC nostalgia

Takeaways

This episode is a perfect snapshot of Giggly Squad's signature dynamic: unfiltered, ping-ponging between self-mockery and sharp cultural commentary. From dispensing semi-serious relationship advice to reminiscing over pop culture artifacts, Hannah, Paige, and Ali invite listeners into their friendship’s inner sanctum—complete with Nana tributes, strategic gossip, and deeply held opinions on everything from clams to clothing.

For Giggler fans and anyone who missed out, this episode is peak chaos, cackling, and cultural catharsis.