Girls Gotta Eat – "Five-Year Engagements and 'Millennial Cringe'"

Podcast: Girls Gotta Eat (Dear Media)
Episode Date: October 13, 2025
Guests: Kate Steinberg & Chad Savage
Summary by: Podcast Summarizer AI

Episode Overview

In this engaging, candid episode, hosts Ashley Hesseltine and Raina Greenberg welcome their LA friends and influencer couple Kate Steinberg and Chad Savage. The conversation traverses the couple's unique reality TV origin story, the challenges (and quirks) of a five-year engagement, behind-the-scenes influencer life, and the much-memed "millennial cringe." Kate's viral millennial nostalgia content, boundary setting in relationships and work, therapy, mental health, and the dynamics of posting politics as influencers all get a real talk spotlight, blending humor with authenticity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Taylor Swift Album Hot Takes (03:02–09:19)

• Both hosts share their thoughts on Taylor Swift's latest album, noting its sexual tone shift and upbeat pop sounds.
• Ashley highlights the relatability of Swift's lyrics and theme of self-confidence in love:

  "I found this love that allows me to be the best version of me..." (04:35)

• Quick aside to discuss how artists—and themselves and their own show—evolve, and the importance of letting creators and communities grow:

  "I appreciate that our audience has allowed us to grow up. I hate when people say 'this changed.' It’s supposed to." – Raina (08:12)

2. Healthcare Horror Stories (09:22–19:36)

• The hosts trade stories about getting alarming STD/U.T.I. notifications and mishandled test results—relatable moments of medical anxiety and miscommunication:

  "Don’t get me fucking started on the way they deliver some of this news." – Ashley (11:03)

• Anecdotes about sexual health, reactions from family (in one case, a mother misreading paperwork and declaring chlamydia over the phone), and a comedic reminder to always pee after sex.

3. Chaotic Roommate & Laundry Mishaps (19:36–21:38)

• Rayna shares a story about her friend Jackie accidentally washing and drying an entire pack of cigarettes, spreading tobacco everywhere—a mess that becomes an extended metaphor for adulting disappointment and "nightmares unlocked."
• Laughs about the “anti-smoking campaign” potential of the experience, but affirmation, "I will learn nothing from this." (18:26)

4. Vibes Only Product Launch Announcement (21:38–24:22)

• The hosts introduce their new sex toy (the "Scarlet") and the "Suck and Blow" gel, emphasizing innovation in their brand and participation from their audience in naming products.

5. Introducing Kate & Chad: Reality TV Love Origin (30:20 onwards)

• Their start:
  Kate and Chad met on HBO Max’s "12 Dates of Christmas," a Covid-era reality dating show filmed in Austria (33:36–38:10).
• Notable Quote:

  "I remember going to producers and being like, I don’t want any scenes in bed." – Kate (35:51)

• Unlike many reality TV couples, they avoided physical intimacy on camera, citing family and career reasons, and shared a strong friendship-turned-romance.
• Chad reflects on "forgetting how to talk/eat/walk" from nerves in the beginning and being "grounded" by Kate (33:49–38:31).

6. From Engagement to Five-Year Fiancees (42:49–48:02)

• After the show, they spent months on FaceTime due to lockdown, deepening their connection before living together (42:02–43:08).
• Reflections on the rush of reality TV engagements versus building real-life partnership, therapy, and the honesty of not rushing into marriage.

• "The first engagement was us just really taking a chance on each other. ...Real life hits, and we, like, we've had a ton of ups and downs. ...But the biggest thing that always makes me proud of us is we're still together, and we just, like, make it work." – Chad (43:08–43:44)

• Discussion of pressures over waiting years to formally wed; both reinforce waiting felt natural, especially for personal growth and stability.

7. Millennial Content, Nostalgia, and “Cringe” (54:03–62:46)

• Kate talks about her successful content brand, built on millennial nostalgia (American Girl dolls, Hollister jackets, old snacks, etc.), and how she sources "museum" props from eBay/Poshmark and her parents’ basement (54:47–56:53).
• Navigating “millennial cringe” discussion—Kate's content is celebratory, not mocking, and she shares her thoughts on intergenerational ribbing on TikTok:

  "What am I supposed to be, Beach? I'm trying to act like I'm 22? That's cringe. I'm acting my age." – Ashley (59:42)

• Both hosts and Kate reject the notion of shaming other generations, noting the healthiness of self-awareness, growth, and boundaries.

• "I’m a millennial. I'm proud of the life that I built...and I am older than Gen Z and I'm proud of it." – Raina (59:06–59:40)

8. Influencer Couple Life: The Good, The Boundaries, The Anxiety (63:59–76:54)

• "Influencer in the Home" viral content: Chad’s viral series parodying influencer/partner dynamics is discussed, along with the importance of finding humor and balance.
• Candid stories about filming dangerous viral challenges (Nicki Minaj, Bugatti, etc.), boundary issues with work-life ("phones down by 7pm"—never really works), and the value/struggle of collaborating as a couple.
• Therapy and open communication highlighted as crucial tools.
• Both share struggles with anxiety, especially around negative feedback/social media, and note how they support each other and create space to process online challenges.

  "I have anxiety all day. Like, all day, all day long." – Kate (75:29)

9. Posting About Politics & Authenticity with a Platform (69:10–73:53)

• Chad shares the couple's careful approach to speaking on serious issues, balancing positive vibes with authentic, necessary statements ("love, kindness for everyone"). Kate expresses pride in Chad for taking a stand, and the group reflects on bravery and responsibility when influencing online.

  "It can be really hard to do that when you also have another person...and your livelihood depends on each other now." – Raina (72:34)

10. Adopt, Don’t Shop: The Animal Rescue Plug (81:55–83:17)

• Kate shares her passion for pet adoption and highlights dogs in need from the Lang Foundation, especially 14-year-old beagle Brady.
• The show's closing message:

  "Adopt, don’t shop is the best, best message that we could end on." – Ashley (83:42)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "You're still a slut." – Ashley to Raina, about evolving show content, (08:11)
• "There was one time, like, the cameras were down, and I had a quick second to tell him...I really like you, but my brothers are watching. And that's how he knew." – Kate (36:45–36:57 & [top of episode])
• "It's brutal. This is what I imagine having children to be like. Just every day, something expensive is broken." – Raina (18:57)
• "This is a sign from the universe...to not let Jackie do my laundry." – Raina (18:30–18:33)
• "We are one of the very rare couples...It’s real, people do stay together." – Kate, on surviving reality TV (42:30)
• "We were pass holders. We can lay one down." – Chad, re: Disney expertise (40:15)
• "If there’s a core to most religions, it’s be kind, treat others well. You guys embody that." – Ashley (71:41)
• "I want people to know—99% of the day, I think I'm a squid. I'm really hard on myself." – Kate (76:54)
• "Adopt, don't shop. That's my big mission in life." – Kate (83:07)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Taylor Swift Album Reactions: 03:02–09:19
• Medical Mishaps & UTI/STD Stories: 09:22–19:36
• Laundry/Cigarette Disaster: 16:38–19:36
• Vibes Only Product Launch: 19:38–24:22
• Kate & Chad Introduction & Reality TV Backstory: 30:20–43:08
• Life Post-Engagement & Reality TV: 42:49–48:02
• Millennial Nostalgia Content/Cringe: 54:03–62:46
• Influencer Couple Dynamics & Mental Health: 63:59–76:54
• Posting about Politics & Authenticity: 69:10–73:53
• Adopt-Don’t-Shop & Pet Rescue Spotlight: 81:55–83:17

Final Thoughts

The episode weaves comedy with vulnerability, offering an honest look at evolving in public—whether in relationships, careers, or online personas. Kate and Chad's relationship is both a reality TV rarity and a modern love story, marked by transparency, therapy, and mutual growth. The hosts and guests are unafraid to poke fun at themselves, reject generational shame, and advocate for self-acceptance and animal rescue.
Listeners can find Kate at @itskatesteinberg and Chad’s watches at danielsavagewatch.com.

Message to Listeners:
“Adopt, don’t shop. Be proud to act your age, evolve with your friends, and don't take yourself too seriously—except when it comes to being kind.”