Podcast Summary: House of Maher

Episode: "Becca Bastos: Us in 2016, Singles Cruises & Making Men Read Aloud"
Release Date: January 27, 2026
Host: Wave
Guests: Ilona Maher, Olivia Maher, Adrianna “Dre Baby” Maher, and Becca Bastos

Episode Overview

This playful, candid episode features comedic actress and content creator Becca Bastos as she joins the Maher sisters for a sprawling and hilarious conversation. The group spills the tea on nostalgia for 2016, their experience of going viral, cruise ship adventures (and scandals), women’s health, dating fails, and the art of making relatable online content for women. With signature warmth and irreverence, the hosts and Becca trade memorable stories, personal quirks, and sharp-witted takes on internet culture and womanhood.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Welcoming Becca Bastos & Her Internet Legacy

• Introduction: Becca is described as a “type-A planner” whose "chaotic character work" is beloved online, especially her series on women's hormonal cycles ([01:07]–[01:43]).
• Women’s Learning: Becca reflects on educating women about hormonal phases:

  “I got comments recently like, ‘You taught me what the phases are.’”
  —Becca ([01:59])

• Favorite Cycle Phases:
  • Becca is an “ovulation girl” but feels most productive in her follicular phase ([02:19]).
  • Ilona and Olivia love the follicular phase, citing post-period energy.
  • Adriana shares she only recently learned about all the phases.

2. Group Nostalgia: Life in 2016

• 2016 Trends: Everyone discusses what made 2016 iconic (music, Vine’s death, the Rio Olympics, beauty trends, etc.) ([03:54]–[10:09]).
• Vine & Snapchat Addiction:
  • Adriana reminisces:

    “I loved Vine. I had a very bad addiction to it. Almost worse than my TikTok addiction.” ([10:09])

  • Becca and others share old social media habits, embarrassing selfies, and “study time-lapse” videos.
• Makeup & Beauty Throwbacks:
  • The hosts laugh about misguided contouring, old concealer sticks, rarely washed brushes, and the meaning of being “seasoned” (like a cast iron pan) ([13:36]–[14:35]).
• 2016 Media:
  • Tip: “Fleabag” came out in 2016 and is discussed as a major pop culture event ([16:34]).
  • Reflections on the passage of time and viral trends.

3. Cruise Ship Dreams & Realities

• Cruise Ship Fantasies and Experiences:
  • Becca auditioned (unsuccessfully) for theater gigs on cruise ships and shares an embarrassing audition story:

    “Did the worst dance to ‘One Kiss’ by Dua Lipa. … I'll never forget it.” ([18:59])

  • Ilona wants to go on a new cruise; her mom’s wild time on a singles cruise gets retold ([20:59]).
  • Discussion on themed cruises (swinger, “Saw”-themed, gluten-free, etc.) ([21:14]–[26:57]).
• Swingers & The Pineapple Myth:
  • The group laughs about the “upside-down pineapple” symbol for swingers.
  • Becca admits:

    “If I'm 40 years into marriage and I'm a little bored, honey, swing me around.” ([22:08])

• Safety and Jealousy in Open Relationships:
  • General consensus: “You’ll only know if you’re into it when it happens.”

4. Online Personas, Content Creation & Going Viral

• Content for Women:
  • Olivia notes:

    “When I show [Becca’s content] to men, they might not find it as funny. ...To women, the comedy…is so much our lived experience.” ([33:08])

• Making Relatable Videos:
  • Becca crafts scripts based on real-life observations and notes:

    “Even making fun of a gynecologist experience … it’s so comforting to hear that so many women go through the same actually. Well, sad.” ([34:22])

• Filming in Public:
  • Both Becca and Ilona express discomfort and embarrassment about filming skits in public but find the “payoff is great” ([36:58]).
  • Olivia shares:

    “It’s just exposure therapy… I see someone else filming and I think, ‘Go get your bag, girl.’” ([38:01])

5. TikTok Trends, Internet Addictions & Algorithms

• Platforms Discussion:
  • The rise and fall of Vine, TikTok alternatives (Lemon8, RED/小红书), and the group's different algorithmic rabbit holes ([44:44]).
• Content Binging:
  • Becca and others share their current food obsessions, especially viral sweet potato recipes.

    “If I don’t have [the sweet potato with cheese]—bad day.” ([45:40])

6. Health, Hygiene, and Odd Food Habits

• Eggs, Food Trends, and Sweet Potatoes:
  • The group debates how many eggs are enough and the merits of Japanese sweet potatoes ([47:08]–[47:17]).
• Women’s Health:
  • Open talk about yeast infections, proper sleep attire, and tips from gynecologists ([49:04]).
  • Advice is exchanged:

    “You should first off sleep without panties on to let air.” ([49:12])

• Bedtime Routines & Sleep Quirks:
  • From sleep-talking to matching pajamas, discussion of who wears what to bed and mouth guard mishaps ([51:00]).

7. Dating Stories & The Storytelling Process

• Becca’s Viral Dating Story:
  • Becca’s most infamous tale: dating a guy whose mom attended the January 6th Capitol riot ([57:02]).
  • She describes workshopping dating anecdotes among friends before releasing them as content.

8. Try Hard (Lightning Round Q&A, Games, and Hilarious Tangents)

• The hosts pepper Becca with rapid-fire personal questions ([60:24]).
• Topics include:
  • Best coffee order (iced vanilla oat milk latte)
  • “Hear Me Out” (bizarre crushes—Ronald McDonald gets a nomination)
  • Gifts, shoplifting confessions, Norwegian sweaters, and sleepwalking
• Memorable quote:

  “You don’t have to try so hard. …That’s actually not a currency.” - Becca ([64:31])

9. BOOK NOOK: Reading Out Loud, Book Recs & Literary Mishaps

• Reading Out Loud:
  • Olivia brings up the trend of making men read aloud on dates (“it can give you the ick” if they fumble) ([72:07]).
• Funny Reading Mistakes:
  • Alona and Becca trade stories of mispronouncing words in school (“subpoena” as “sub poeta”; “loins” as “lions”) ([73:17]).
• Current Reads:
  • Becca: All Fours by Miranda July & audiobooks on women’s journeys.
  • Olivia: Let Them Theory.
  • Others discuss BookTok’s favorite fantasy series and the upcoming opening of 60 new Barnes & Noble stores.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Women’s Health:

  “I was like, what am I doing right now? I’m thinking. I’m speaking. She’s speaking.”
  —Becca ([06:57])

• On Swinger Cruises:

  “Listen, if I’m 40 years in the marriage and I’m a little bored, honey, swing me around.”
  —Becca ([22:08])

• On Content For Women:

  “To women, the comedy you’re putting out is so much our lived experience.”
  —Olivia ([33:08])

• On the Pressure to Perform:

  “My friends used to say I was always on. ...Not anymore. Thank God.”
  —Becca ([59:08])

• On Reading Out Loud:

  “Have you seen that meme—get a man to read to you on the first date, and how much it can give you the ick?”
  —Olivia ([72:07])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00–01:43: Introduction of Becca Bastos, discussion of her online persona
• 03:54–16:34: 2016 internet nostalgia (Vine, Snapchat, makeup trends, viral media)
• 18:59–26:57: Cruise ship auditions, singles cruises & themed cruises (swingers, “Saw,” gluten-free)
• 32:58–36:40: Becca and Olivia meet, friendship origins
• 36:58–38:01: Filming in public as content creators
• 45:40–47:17: TikTok food trends & sweet potato obsession
• 49:04–51:00: Women’s health, yeast infections, and sleep tips
• 57:02–57:45: Becca’s viral dating “Capitol riot” story
• 60:24–69:17: “Try Hard” Q&A—personal quirks, shoplifting, and more
• 72:07–73:49: “Making Men Read Aloud” meme, reading mishaps
• 76:10–79:00: Book recommendations and BookTok discussions

Tone & Style

The tone is playful, candid, and endlessly self-deprecating. Banter is fast and the hosts lean into personal vulnerability and shared female experience, creating a sense of camaraderie and inside jokes. The conversation moves seamlessly between serious topics (body image, women’s health, societal pressures) and absurd, laugh-out-loud asides.

For Listeners New to the Show…

This episode offers a vibrant window into the dynamic, fast-paced humor and non-judgmental openness of House of Maher. Even if you haven’t followed the viral trajectories of the Maher sisters or Becca Bastos, you’ll laugh at the specific-yet-universal stories of 2010s nostalgia, embarrassing makeup phases, dating disasters, and female friendships.

Highlights & Action Items

• Becca Bastos covers relatable content creation for women, cruise ship adventures, and celebrates her transition from “trying so hard” to living for her own joy and community.
• Group deep-dives into online trends (from Vine to BookTok), the realities of internet fame, and the comfort of shared female experience.
• Memorable moments include discussion of swinger cruise lore, making men read aloud on dates, and confessions of odd bedtime and beauty routines.
• The episode is especially recommended for fans of “girl dinner” feminism, nostalgic internet humor, and anyone wanting to hear women’s stories told with candor and fun.

Listen for:

• [22:08] “Honey, swing me around.” (Becca on “what if you meet swingers”)
• [33:08] “To women, the comedy … is so much our lived experience.” (Olivia on Becca’s content)
• [57:02]–[57:45] Becca’s infamous “dating the son of a Capitol rioter” story
• [64:31] “You don’t have to try so hard. …That’s actually not a currency.” (Becca’s life lesson)
• [72:07]–[73:49] The viral “men reading aloud on first dates” trend

House of Maher continues to be a one-stop shop for hilarious reflections, genuine friendship, and navigating the internet age as a thoughtful, funny woman.