Happy Wife Happy Life - Episode 52: Is Social Media Helping or Ruining Your Love Life?

Release Date: February 17, 2025

Hosts: Kendahl Landreth and Jordan Myrick

Overview: In Episode 52 of "Happy Wife Happy Life," hosts Kendahl Landreth and Jordan Myrick delve into the intricate relationship between social media and modern dating. Through personal anecdotes, analysis of social media trends, and listener questions, they explore whether platforms like TikTok and Instagram are enhancing or hindering romantic relationships.

1. Origins of Their Relationship Through Social Media

Kendahl and Jordan begin by sharing how their own relationship blossomed online, emphasizing the role of social media in connecting them.

• Meeting Online:

  • Kendahl (02:00): "We met on the Internet."
  • They recount meeting through mutual friends on Instagram, comparing themselves to a typical TikTok couple despite not heavily using the platform initially.

• Early Interactions:

  • Jordan (04:00): "I was more bold in general, but I was more bold."
  • Kendahl reflects on their initial direct messages (DMs), highlighting moments that felt awkward yet endearing, such as discussing astrology and love languages.

2. The TikTok Ban and Its Aftermath

The conversation shifts to the recent TikTok ban and its impact on social media dynamics, particularly for creators.

• TikTok Ban Reversed:

  • Jordan (07:00): "They made the TikTok ban happen. TikTok went away. Everyone I follow posted videos of themselves crying."
  • The ban's reversal is discussed, with Jordan noting the fickle nature of platform policies and their continued reliance on TikTok for income.

• Monetization Issues:

  • Kendahl (07:22): "I don't think people know that Instagram is not monetized."
  • They lament Instagram's lack of monetization options for creators, contrasting it with TikTok's more lucrative opportunities.

3. TikTok as a Dating Hub for the LGBTQ+ Community

Kendahl and Jordan analyze TikTok trends, particularly how it serves as a dating platform within the lesbian community.

• Lesbian Couples on TikTok:

  • Jordan (08:04): "For the gay community, TikTok feels like it's almost become a dating app."
  • They observe the prevalence of lesbian couples using TikTok to connect, share their lives, and even prank each other, citing couples like Leah and Caitlyn as examples.

• Favorite TikTok Couples:

  • Kendahl (12:22): "Rose and Rosie are my favorite lesbian couple of all time on the Internet."
  • The hosts share their admiration for various TikTok couples, discussing the authenticity and entertainment value these couples bring to the platform.

4. Listener Questions and Relationship Advice

The hosts address listener-submitted questions, providing insights based on their experiences.

a. Holding Soft Spots for Broken-Up Couples (03:00 - 18:44)

• Discussion:

  • Kendahl and Jordan debate the ethics of feeling fondly towards public couples who have separated, especially when their content continues to generate income.
  • They express empathy for content creators who share personal relationship struggles online, highlighting the potential negative impact of public comments wishing for their reconciliation.

• Notable Quote:

  • Jordan (16:31): "Don't comment. When I see people commenting on old videos of couples who aren't together anymore, they'll leave comments like, wish you guys were still together. I'm like, that is unwell."

b. Making the First Move with an Instagram Crush (30:05 - 35:28)

• Advice:

  • Kendahl and Jordan suggest being bold and clear in expressing romantic interest through direct messages (DMs).
  • They emphasize the importance of ensuring mutual follows to avoid messages landing in hidden folders and advocate for straightforward, unambiguous flirting to prevent confusion.

• Notable Quote:

  • Kendahl (31:14): "You have to make it clear, because that makes them think you're just normally talking to them."

c. Social Media Launches: Hard Launch vs. Soft Launch (32:55 - 35:28)

• Hard vs. Soft Launch:

  • A hard launch involves publicly announcing the relationship all at once, while a soft launch entails gradually sharing aspects of the relationship over time.
  • For individuals not reliant on social media professionally, Kendahl suggests that a hard launch may be more straightforward and less labor-intensive compared to the deliberate nature of a soft launch.

• Notable Quote:

  • Jordan (34:38): "I think a soft launch feels like a lot of work, leaving little crumbs, little tastes of your relationship."

d. Managing Partner’s Excessive Phone Use (36:57 - 45:20)

• Approach:

  • The hosts recommend addressing excessive phone use through "we" statements and offering actionable solutions, such as setting aside phone-free times for activities like movie nights or dinners.
  • They highlight the importance of communicating feelings without making the partner feel attacked, fostering a collaborative effort to reduce phone dependency.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Jordan (43:32): "Use we words, offer suggestions."
  • Kendahl (40:28): "I think there's a middle ground."

e. Partner's Perception of Social Media as Fake and Performative (46:47 - 49:24)

• Strategy:

  • Kendahl advises expressing the personal significance of sharing moments online, emphasizing that social media can be a genuine way to connect with friends and family.
  • Jordan suggests articulating why posting is important to foster understanding and compromise within the relationship.

• Notable Quote:

  • Jordan (48:54): "Hey, I wanna post more pictures of us on social media because you bring me so much joy."

5. Reflections on Social Media’s Role in Relationships

Throughout the episode, Kendahl and Jordan reflect on the broader implications of social media in romantic relationships, weighing its benefits and drawbacks.

• Connectivity vs. Distraction:

  • They discuss how social media can both connect partners and serve as a distraction, impacting the quality of in-person interactions.

• Representation and Authenticity:

  • The hosts express fascination with how social media provides representation for LGBTQ+ relationships while also grappling with the authenticity of online personas and content.

• Impact on Relationship Dynamics:

  • Social media trends influence how relationships are formed, maintained, and perceived, particularly within niche communities like lesbians on TikTok.

6. Conclusion and Takeaways

Kendahl and Jordan conclude the episode by reiterating the importance of balancing social media use with genuine, in-person connection. They encourage listeners to thoughtfully navigate online interactions and prioritize meaningful relationships over digital distractions.

• Final Thoughts:
  • Kendahl (49:24): "I do think if you post those damn photos."
  • Emphasizing honesty, clear communication, and establishing healthy boundaries as key to maintaining strong relationships in the digital age.

Key Insights:

• Social Media as a Double-Edged Sword: Platforms like TikTok and Instagram offer unparalleled opportunities for connection and representation but can also introduce challenges related to authenticity, monetization, and relationship dynamics.

• Effective Communication: Addressing issues like excessive phone use or differing views on social media requires open, compassionate dialogue and collaborative problem-solving.

• Representation Matters: For marginalized communities, social media serves as a vital space for visibility and connection, fostering a sense of belonging and community.

• Balancing Online and Offline Life: Maintaining a healthy relationship in the era of social media necessitates conscious effort to prioritize in-person interactions and limit digital distractions.

Notable Quotes:

• Jordan (07:17): "I'm still posting on TikTok because it pays money and I need money."

• Kendahl (16:31): "I think the person who comments, that is bizarre. I've never, like, wished a couple I don't know would get back together because..."

• Jordan (34:38): "I think a soft launch feels like a lot of work, leaving little crumbs, little tastes of your relationship."

• Kendahl (40:28): "You aren't doing this for me. I think you're better to answer this because maybe I probably haven't always asked you."

• Jordan (48:54): "Hey, I wanna post more pictures of us on social media because you bring me so much joy."

Conclusion: Episode 52 of "Happy Wife Happy Life" offers a candid exploration of social media's influence on love and relationships. Through personal stories and practical advice, Kendahl and Jordan provide valuable insights for listeners navigating the complexities of digital romance.