Girls Gotta Eat: The Snack – Epstein Emails, Taylor Swift’s Bridesmaids, and Bravo Drama

Podcast: Girls Gotta Eat
Episode Date: November 20, 2025
Hosts: Ashley Hesseltine & Rayna Greenberg
Duration: ~56 minutes

Episode Overview

A classic Thursday “Snack” episode blending darkly comedic commentary on hard news (the Jeffrey Epstein email and files release), pop culture dish (Taylor Swift’s alleged bridesmaid squad, BravoCon chaos), hot takes on celebrity and politics, and recs for TV and movies. Ashley and Rayna jump between serious, absurd, and intimate – serving their signature blend of irreverent humor, cultural critique, and friendship banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Epstein Emails and Congressional Fallout

Timestamps: 00:15 – 24:51

• The hosts discuss the House voting overwhelmingly (427-1) to release the Epstein files, poking fun at the lone dissenter, Rep. Clay Higgins (“Clay’s a pedophile, is what Clay is.” – Rayna, 00:44).
• They riff about why anyone would vote against revealing such documents, joking Higgins must be “in the files.”
• Transition into the actual Epstein emails, mocking their lack of sophistication (“You thought these people were like, the most brilliant, and it’s like, they’re disgusting. Absolutely not.” – Ashley, 13:16).
• Rayna's shock at amateurs using email for criminal dealings ("You're emailing this?!" – 13:18), emphasizing how such carelessness exposes their true lack of intelligence/morals.
• Speculate on the juiciest rumor: an email alluding to Trump and Clinton (“BJ Clinton”) in a sexual context, and Putin blackmailing them (“All I would ever want is for that photo to drop like the hottest album.” – Rayna, 14:49).
• Both express disgust at the degree to which these men allegedly operated without consequence, and how the right-wing media (Megyn Kelly in particular) rationalizes or minimizes predatory behavior.
• Rayna calls out Megyn Kelly's semantics on ages of victims (“She said it as in, we all knew this and it wasn’t a big deal because they’re not five. Fuck you.” – 18:41).
• The hosts debate political hypocrisy: “If my favorite politician was in the Epstein files, lock them up. I’d switch up my team.” – Rayna (20:43).
• The segment ends with Ashley decrying continued Trump support ("Even if you don't believe it, just shut the fuck up!...Risking your reputation for someone who doesn't know you exist." – 21:10).

Memorable Moments

• Discovery: Clinton’s middle name is “Jefferson” (“BJ Clinton” – 11:01).
• Satirical walk-through of the emails and possible blackmail.

2. Listener DM: Eagles Game Gone Wrong

Timestamps: 01:11 – 05:18

• Brief detour to a listener angry about a bad experience at an Eagles game, which she blames on Ashley for “overselling” it on the podcast.
• Blisteringly funny breakdown of the entitled message, suggesting the woman brought “bad energy” and is probably difficult in other settings ("She Yelp-reviewed you in the middle of the game." – Ashley, 03:27).
• Existential question on how anyone could live up to her expectations.

3. Show Announcements and Holiday Shows

Timestamps: 05:40 – 08:15

• News: LA holiday show postponed, with apologies; NY holiday show is still on (details and encouragement for holiday costumes/themes).
• Banter about their personal outfit crises for the show (Ashley: “It was so unflattering. I looked like a big Christmas tree.” – 09:16).

4. Taylor Swift Bridesmaids Draft: Gossip & Media Speculation

Timestamps: 28:52 – 35:22

• Breaking down rumors of Taylor Swift’s “bridesmaid draft” – media circulating names as if it’s the NFL, with Gigi Hadid, Sabrina Carpenter, Selena Gomez and others speculated.
• Witty banter about the weirdness of being a “civilian” friend in this celebrity girl gang (“I can’t picture a bridal party for someone this famous...but Taylor really is ‘just like us’ at heart.” – Rayna, 32:04).
• Absurdity of media reading into every Swiftie dinner as a bridesmaid “proposal.”
• “If there was ever a celebrity that was gonna do this, it was Taylor Swift. She loves a girl gang.” – Ashley, 32:37.
• Smackdown on Brittany Mahomes’ standing in the squad, and more Kelsey family digressions.

5. BravoCon Recap: The Messiest Moments

Timestamps: 35:22 – 40:46

• Juiciest rumors: Alleged Sheena (Vanderpump Rules) altercation with someone from Southern Charm, Orange County’s OG Vicki Gunvalson returning, Lindsey Hubbard (Summer House) screaming at Tom Sandoval, and more.
• Teresa Giudice’s major reconciliation with Melissa and Joe after years of family reality TV feuding.
• Drama around Kyle and Amanda’s possible split (“They’re the epitome of ‘may this love never find me.’” – Ashley, 37:25).
• Shep Rose filmed drunk in a hotel lobby, yelling about Paige and Craig’s “fake” relationship and “biting the hand that feeds her” – Rayna claps back (“She should stay with somebody she doesn’t want to be with? Exactly.” – 39:26).

6. TV & Movie Recommendations + Book Recs

Timestamps: 42:43 – 53:19

• Eternity (A24): Early screener review. Hosts loved it (“I laughed, I cried, I really did not know how they were going to end this movie.” – Rayna, 44:17).
• Books: Taylor Jenkins Reid’s One True Loves (Ashley) and Freda McFadden’s The Boyfriend (Rayna).
• TV Shows:
  • All’s Fair (Hulu): Mixed reviews—enjoy plot and “divorce case of the week” structure, but acknowledge weak writing/acting. “I am willing to overlook the writing and the acting because the plot is so good.” – Ashley, 48:01.
  • I Love LA (Rachel Sennott’s new series): Both recommend (“Gen Z iconic show” with broad appeal).
  • Selling the OC and Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (esp. Season 3): Rayna touts the vulnerability and drama – “truly the one reality show where being a reality show is part of the plot.” – 51:45.
• Upcoming: Tell Me Lies returns January 2026.

7. Pop Culture Quick Headlines

Timestamps: 53:51 – 56:13

• Pennies Canceled: Federal Reserve ends penny circulation (“Basically, stop being poor.” – Rayna, 54:09).
• Cher on SNL: Her first appearance in 40 years joining Ariana Grande.
• Devil Wears Prada Sequel Trailer: Hype for 2026 release. “Anne Hathaway hasn’t aged a day.” – Ashley, 55:40.
• Playful closing, back to making fun of Rep. Clay Higgins.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the Epstein Files Vote:
  • "Who's the 1? Representative Clay Higgins, thanks for asking...Clay's a pedophile is what Clay is." (Rayna, 00:44)
• On Clinton’s Middle Name:
  • “Did you know Bill Clinton’s middle name is Jefferson, which makes him BJ Clinton. How does the most famous blowjob enthusiast in American politics have those initials?” (Ashley, 11:01)
• On Trump’s Alleged Crimes:
  • “Even if you don’t believe it, even if you’re like I still support him. Just shut the fuck up…” (Ashley, 21:10)
• On Megyn Kelly’s Defense of Epstein:
  • "She said it as in, we all knew this and it wasn't such a big deal because they're not five. Fuck you." (Rayna, 18:41)
• On Taylor Swift’s Potential Bridesmaids:
  • “This bridesmaid selection is like the NFL draft. We’re getting bridesmaids one by one.” (Ashley, 29:03)
• On BravoCon:
  • “Shep Rose from Southern Charm was caught in the lobby…just drunk, yelling at the top of his lungs.” (Rayna, 39:10)
  • “They’re the epitome of ‘may this love never find me.’” (Ashley, 37:25)

Episode Highlights at a Glance

• 00:15: Deep dive into Epstein emails, political hypocrisy, and the lone ‘no’ vote.
• 14:32: The Trump–Clinton (BJ)–Putin–Epstein rumors.
• 18:23: Megyn Kelly controversy and pedophilia semantics.
• 28:52: Taylor Swift’s all-star “bridesmaids” speculation.
• 35:22: Wildest BravoCon rumors and Bravo relationships analysis.
• 42:43: Longform recs: Eternity (A24), top TV, and reality show picks.
• 53:51: Headlines—farewell to pennies, Cher returns to SNL, and Devil Wears Prada sequel tease.

Tone & Style

• Voice: Fast-moving, irreverent, acerbically funny, and occasionally serious.
• Language: Candid and explicit, especially when dissecting politics/abuse.
• Approach: Blunt social commentary, pop culture obsessiveness, and bff-level banter.

Who Should Listen

If you love the intersection of hot topics, pop culture, and no-bullshit feminist diatribe—delivered with zingers—it’s a must.
Those squeamish about R-rated jokes or political hot takes beware.

For more: Follow @girlsgottaeatpodcast, get tix for the NY Holiday Show at girlsgottaeat.com, and catch new episodes every Monday and Thursday!