Not Loveline Podcast: "TURNING DOWN $20,000!?!? + EXPOSING PEOPLE ONLINE!!"
Hosts: Tana Mongeau & Trisha Paytas
Date: March 2, 2026
Theme: The complexities of authenticity, venting, and boundaries online and in real life, plus navigating influencer brand deals, personal integrity, mental health, and pop culture chaos.
Overview
In this candid and highly relatable episode, Tana and Trisha dive deep into the dilemmas facing influencers in 2026: when to call out people publicly vs. keeping it private, the struggle of turning down lucrative but inauthentic brand deals, evolving as creators, and the never-ending pursuit of mental wellness. The duo discuss their growth from online drama generators to more grounded, self-aware personalities—while still loving pop culture mess. They celebrate vulnerability, integrity, the power of real friendships, and the joy of being “too real” both online and off.
1. Turning Down $20,000: Integrity vs. Scarcity Mindset
[04:44], [25:44]
- Trisha shares the stress of refusing a $20,000 brand deal because it felt inauthentic:
"I had to turn down a deal because we just couldn't see eye to eye, and it was for $20,000. And I couldn't sleep. Like, I literally couldn't sleep..."
—Trisha ([00:59]) - She explains her internal debate: gratitude for newfound success, but fear of scarcity based on her past.
- Tana relates, emphasizing the struggle of turning down money versus misleading fans:
"A million dollars, say yes to almost any brand deal, right? ... But my audience will be like, she doesn't like sandwiches."
—Tana ([25:28]) - Both agree that authenticity with their audiences comes before big paydays, even as they appreciate when fans say, “get your bag, girl.”
2. Exposing People Online vs. Real Life Venting
[02:49], [03:16], [06:38], [07:35]
- Shift from online drama to private venting:
"You can vent, you can rant, you can do everything. But it doesn't always need to be online."
—Tana ([03:16]) - They reminisce about their “old selves” who aired all grievances online, noting how personal growth means knowing which conversations to keep off the internet.
- Importance of trusted confidants:
"Because you're one of the only people where I'm, like, gonna come over and... tell you the real honesty and, like, I don't have to... do it on the forefront anymore."
—Trisha ([03:22]) - Therapeutic role of social media—both positive and negative:
"That's why I started YouTube, you know what I mean? I just wanted to feel heard... And it, like, is healing. Isn't that interesting?"
—Trisha ([05:07]) - The double-edged sword of oversharing—personal stories can be freeing but leave lasting footprints.
3. Friendship, Supporting Each Other, and Giving Advice
[09:48], [10:41], [11:35]
- Honesty in friendships:
"If my friend is dating someone and they're venting to me, I'm like, yeah, he's a piece. You should break up with him."
—Trisha ([10:03]) - They compare their approaches: Trisha as the blunt truth-teller, Tana as the "devil’s advocate" or supportive comforter (unless specifically told to be honest).
- Learning when someone wants advice vs. comfort is key.
4. Mental Health Struggles and Medications
[13:02], [14:12], [14:51], [15:21], [16:08]
- Mental health updates:
- Trisha discusses looking for new SSRIs and the unpredictability of adjusting meds:
"It's just so crazy that it's like, yeah, you got to try it for three months and it might not work, and you might be weird as hell..."
([13:27]) - Tana reflects on negative experiences with lithium, how medication changes affect everything.
- Trisha discusses looking for new SSRIs and the unpredictability of adjusting meds:
- The raw reality of sobriety:
"When you are, like, raw-dogging life... you're very much seeing with full, like, clarity or new things develop because of that."
—Trisha ([15:38]) - Xanax/benzos for anxiety: Trisha shares her history, usage, and why she’s cautious due to addiction risk.
- Both emphasize being "hyper-aware" when something feels off mentally.
5. Influencer Brand Deals: The Authenticity Dilemma
[24:15], [25:44], [28:17], [29:04]
- Makoa (Trisha's boyfriend) as a model of creative integrity—takes brand deals seriously and wants them to fit his voice instead of just grabbing the bag.
- Discussion of viral stories (Keith Lee rejecting a $1M McDonald’s deal):
"How special is that level of integrity? And how refreshing is that?"
—Trisha ([25:07]) - Both admit to being less strict:
"I'm picking up the Big Mac, right? I'm not. I'm not sitting here even. I'm not even gonna remotely lie to you."
—Trisha ([25:17]) - Sometimes, you just love a brand and will post for free—Domino’s and makeup get shoutouts.
6. Personal Growth, Nostalgia & Finding New Directions
[29:04], [31:57], [34:20], [35:15], [36:14]
- Embracing new creative opportunities: Trisha’s acting in commercials, considering more scripted work if it’s authentic to her ([29:04]).
- Tana’s shift toward speaking engagements, college events, and feeling “not articulate anymore,” only to thrive regardless ([32:11]).
- Both talk about embracing vulnerability and nostalgia:
"...that full circle, cozy feeling."
—Tana ([34:53]) - Trisha announces exciting prospects: She's been approached about writing a show or movie about “an influencer having a convention” (aka, a potential Tanacon musical/show!):
"Literally on the call I say, I don't mean to, like, break the wall here... but Trisha Paytas has been telling me for so long..."
([35:16])
7. Internet Trends, TikTok Monetization, Hair Extensions & Body Dysmorphia
[46:53], [49:51]
- They discuss TikTok trends (viral toothbrush moments), monetization rumors (spoiler: neither make real $$ from TikTok Shop or Creator Fund as much as people think), and frustration with others using their clips for affiliate links.
- Vulnerable talk about body image and hair:
- Trisha debates returning to extensions even if her real hair is healthy, citing struggles with “dysmorphia” and self-image.
- Tana acts as hype woman and offers gentle realism.
8. Pop Culture, Recent Media, and Iconic Moments
[43:22], [45:33], [67:35]
- Deep-dive into movies (Eternity, Wuthering Heights), comedies that are really tragedies, and being devastated by misleading marketing.
- The viral Jake Webber toothbrush TikTok—was it real or a stunt? Both are skeptical but love the harmless, collective outrage online.
- Fuller House, nostalgia for classic TV, and disappointment at real-life personalities behind favorite characters.
9. Safety, Partying, and Scandal at The Abbey
[74:39], [75:42]
- They discuss Lisa Rinna’s claim of being roofied at The Abbey in WeHo, expressing shock at online victim-blaming:
"I hate the Internet sometimes. The amount of victim blaming, victim shaming, disbelief I’ve seen..."
—Trisha ([75:51]) - Both share stories of friends being drugged at The Abbey and urge listeners to stay vigilant.
- Support for survivors and frustration at the enduring lack of safety for women in party environments.
10. Closing Notes: Merch, Organization & Everyday Life
[80:16]
- Moses surprises them with Target “Loveline” merch—sparking playful banter about possible copyright issues and how much they love the nod to their podcast.
- They compare their ongoing struggles with home organization, storage, and “hoarder life.”
Notable Quotes & Moments
- On old drama:
"That Tana's not dead. She's just dormant." —Trisha ([03:37])
- On venting:
"Just some things don't be online... But I do love when people get messy on TikTok." —Tana ([07:57])
- On manifesting:
"You're the queen manifester." —Tana to Trisha ([39:08])
- On The Abbey:
"I don't know why we're having anything at The Abbey in 2026, in my opinion. Allegedly." —Trisha ([78:47])
- On integrity:
"I've had to turn down a deal because we just couldn't see eye to eye, and it was for $20,000. And I couldn't sleep." —Trisha ([00:59])
Key Timestamps
- $20K Brand Deal Rejection: [00:59], [25:44]
- Venting & Drama Boundaries: [03:15]–[04:29]
- Mental Health & Medication: [13:02], [15:21]
- Integrity in Brand Deals: [24:15]–[26:52]
- Body Image & Extensions: [49:18]–[50:49]
- Lisa Rinna/The Abbey Scandal: [74:51]–[79:47]
- Tanacon Broadway Manifestation: [35:15]–[37:32]
- Closing Nostalgia/Storage Conversations: [80:16]–[81:10]
Final Thoughts
This episode is a whirlwind of real talk, messy internet moments, and meaningful reflection. Tana and Trisha model a new era of influencer authenticity—balancing viral chaos with honesty, kindness, and growing up. Whether it’s turning down money, navigating mental health, or figuring out who to trust with your mess, there’s wisdom, humor, and a lot of heart throughout.
Memorable, quotable, and a must for anyone interested in creator culture, self-improvement, or just two friends keeping it unfiltered.