Giggly Squad — "Giggling about hunger strikes, purity rings, and the opera"
Hosts: Hannah Berner & Paige DeSorbo
Date: March 10, 2026
Episode Overview
Hannah and Paige deliver another signature episode filled with witty banter, personal stories, and sharp takes on pop culture, lifestyle, and societal norms. This week, they riff on a wild array of topics—cat hunger strikes, influencer crackdowns abroad, routines, fashion, pop culture drama, dating insights, naming conventions, and the state of women in comedy and beyond. Comedic, fast-paced, and honest, the episode weaves personal experiences with social critique and plenty of friendship dynamics.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Influencer Crackdowns Around the World
[01:37 - 03:58]
- Paige shares a news bit about countries restricting influencers:
- Bans target influencers discussing topics outside their expertise (China), child influencers (Australia), fast fashion (France), online gambling promotions (Netherlands), and selfie tourism (Spain).
- Both hosts argue the responsibility should lie more with corporations, not individual influencers.
- Notable quote: “If you're banning influencers promoting fast fashion, stop blaming influencers. Go for the source, not these girls who are just trying to make a buck. Go for the fudgeing billionaire who owns it.” — Hannah [03:05]
- They acknowledge their own love/hate relationship with fast fashion.
2. Cat Chronicles: Butter’s Hunger Strike
[04:09 - 06:47]
- Hannah tells a detailed (and hilarious) story of her cat Butter refusing to eat while left with a sitter, suggesting Butter is on a "hunger strike" due to missing her owners.
- Paige compares cats’ behaviors to their owners’ quirks and depressive tendencies.
- Notable quote: “I think Butter’s on a hunger strike. … Well, don’t count Butter out.” — Hannah [05:46]
3. Routines, Lotion Debates, and Basic Hygiene
[11:21 - 14:29]
- Paige brings up a viral internet debate: do you put on lotion after every shower?
- She admits she always does, while Hannah says she never lotions her body and feels fine.
- They connect routines and self-care to childhood structure, sharing personal family routines.
- “I love structure in anything. I’m a structured person. I need structure.” — Paige [14:43]
4. Festival Feelings and Event Avoidance
[08:26 - 10:43]
- The duo discuss festival FOMO (Coachella, Stagecoach, etc.), with both emphasizing they’ve never attended and don’t feel compelled to.
- “If I want to listen to a song... I’m not like, let’s invite a crew.” — Hannah [10:17]
- Preference for watching sports/concerts at home vs. enduring crowds and heat.
5. Astrology, Quirks & Childhood Stories
[14:48 - 16:35]
- They trade stories about astrology ("you have Virgo in your chart, don't you?"), personality quirks, quirky friendships, and being “the Labrador” to their intimidating BFFs.
- Funny insights into Hannah’s difficulty transitioning from cozy to dressed, leading her mom to put her in outfits the night before.
6. Parenting, Routine for Kids, and Generational Shifts
[16:44 - 17:43]
- Both hosts reflect on maternal instincts and the importance of structure for kids and themselves.
- Share a story about Hannah’s mom giving structure to a child about how many TV episodes they can watch.
- Discussion on “seasoned wedding guest” life milestones kicks in.
7. The Influence of Fathers: Raising Sons and Relationships
[21:14 - 23:39]
- Hannah and Paige discuss the impact of fathers on sons’ behavior, especially how men treat women.
- Paige details her own history with abusive relationships and connects it to patterns she believes stem from the partner’s father.
- “Someone said that the way guys treat women is a direct reflection of how their dad treats their mom.” — Hannah [21:40]
8. Pop Culture: JFK Jr., Lookalike Contests & Toxic Relationships
[23:46 - 31:33]
- Coverage of the JFK Jr. lookalike contest and related pop culture nostalgia.
- Reflection on celebrity purity culture (Brooke Shields, Jonas Brothers, Britney Spears).
- Notable moment: “That was religious trauma.” — Hannah on purity rings [29:07]
- Debate about the myth that men like women who “don’t like them” and unhealthy relationship dynamics.
9. Dating Wisdom: The Chase, Obsession, and Engagement Speeds
[31:33 - 34:09]
- Paige's core dating philosophy: women should expect serious early interest— “If you’re not obsessed with me at the first time we've met... I’m not interested. 1000%.” [31:53]
- Hannah shares her parents’ whirlwind blind date–to–engagement story (including a legendary breakup-during-a-date scene).
- “He drove her to the date, let her walk in, tell the guy I'm seeing someone else, get back in the car with him, and take her to dinner.” — Hannah [33:33]
10. Timothée Chalamet, the Opera, and Double Standards
[34:09 - 39:06]
- Discussion on Timothée Chalamet’s controversial comments that “no one cares about the opera or ballet.”
- Paige defends performing arts, noting opera ticket scarcity in NYC.
- Hannah critiques Chalamet’s motive: “Being an artist isn't about the applause... He's basically like, I do this because I can make millions of dollars and people like it.” [36:09]
- Paige points out gendered double standards: if Margot Robbie made such comments, she’d be “stoned.” [38:05]
- Both agree on handling overexposed celebrities and the distorting effects of fame.
11. Child-Free Women and Who Gets to Comment
[39:08 - 40:51]
- Strong stance: men have no standing to opine on women having (or not having) kids.
- “Until you can have a baby, don't talk about it 100%.” — Paige [40:08]
- Hannah: “Did your butthole and vagina rip into one open sore? … I don’t need your opinion.” [40:18]
12. FamilySearch Deep Dives & Dreamy Italian Names
[45:26 - 48:33]
- Hannah chronicles a marathon ancestry search (reaching the 1400s in Sicily!), riffing on heritage, family names, and the Sicilian commitment to never leaving home.
- Funny name favorites: Nunzio, Vita, Erasmo Pipitone, Vincenzo.
13. Naming Kids & Unisex/Feminist Naming
[48:33 - 50:46]
- Discussion about naming children and pets after ancestors; the appeal of unisex names.
- Hannah expresses “Amber” or “Lucy” energy and mild dislike for the name Hannah.
- Paige: “Paige is so—it just, I feel like, truly encapsulates who I am.” [50:06]
14. Women in Comedy, Workplace Dynamics & Girl Boss Disappointments
[58:15 - 63:00]
- Hannah spotlights the increased (but still limited) presence of women on top comedy podcast charts.
- Conversation about competition among women—why girls are conditioned to be competitive, and how scarcity of female roles amplifies this.
- Both reflect on times women bosses were the “worst,” breaking the stereotype that they’re always more nourishing than men.
- “You need to make sure there’s another woman there that you helped get there.” — Paige [58:27]
15. Tennis Throwbacks & International Women’s Day Moment
[54:57 - 56:48]
- Hannah describes a full-circle moment reuniting with a tennis rival (now a journalist), illustrating how women can transform rivalries into adult friendship and mutual respect.
- “...this beautiful International Woman's Day moment.” — Hannah [56:48]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Influencer Crackdown — “It is giving a little… we don’t want women working.” — Hannah [02:39]
- Cat Drama — “She’s like, I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor, and I’ll pick rich every time.” — Hannah [06:29]
- Lotion Routine — “Now that I have this information, can I get my response?” — Hannah (dramatically) [12:26]
- Parenting Insight — “The way guys treat women is a direct reflection of how their dad treats their mom.” — Hannah [21:40]
- Dating Philosophy — “If you’re not obsessed with me the first time we’ve met… I’m not interested 1000%.” — Paige [31:53]
- Opera/Chalamet Drama — “Being an artist isn’t about the applause… you went to LaGuardia!” — Hannah [36:09]
- Childfree Women Rant — “Until you can have a baby, don’t talk about it 100%.” — Paige [40:08]
- Workplace Girlboss Woes — “I’ve had some female bosses where I’m like, holy. Well, you might be one of the worst people I’ve ever met in my goddamn life.” — Paige [60:50]
- Comedy & Women — “Of the top 10 comedy podcasts, the women we are representing…” — Hannah [58:27]
- On Boundaries — “Anytime there’s something I don’t want to do… I remember, oh, I’m an adult and I’m leaving. Bye.” — Paige [64:40]
Additional Highlights & Fun Segments
-
International Tennis Gossip: [54:57 - 56:48]
- Hannah finally gets closure with a former tennis rival, sharing a moment of friendship and support.
-
Name Game: [47:44 - 50:47]
- Delightful detour on best/worst names for girls and unisex/feminist names for girls.
-
Charli XCX Movie Reaction: [51:50 - 53:10]
- Both watched the Charli XCX movie independently and share critical yet affectionate takes on its comedic/serious mix.
Flow, Tone & Structure
The dynamic between Hannah and Paige remains their superpower: fast, self-deprecating, playful yet incisive. They oscillate between silly stories, friendship confessions, pop culture debates, sharp feminist takes, and the occasional personal vulnerability. The vibe is intimate, irreverent, and inclusive—like a private sleepover shared with thousands.
For Listeners Who Missed It
This episode delivers classic Giggly Squad: equal parts comedy, catharsis, and cultural commentary. Listeners will laugh, rethink lotion routines, reflect on gender norms and work culture, and come away with newfound appreciation for cats, choreography, and authentic female friendship—plus plenty of quotable moments and real talk for modern women.