Not Skinny But Not Fat – Brooks Nader: Reality TV’s Next Kardashians?

Host: Amanda Hirsch
Guest: Brooks Nader
Date: September 2, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Amanda Hirsch dives into the chaotic, hilarious, and refreshingly honest world of Brooks Nader, Sports Illustrated model and star of the new reality series Love Thy Nader. Together, they discuss the making of Brooks’ new family-centered reality show, navigating sisterly drama, Brooks’ romantic misadventures (including her headline-making breakup with Gleb from Dancing with the Stars), and what makes her family the “next Kardashians.”

The discussion is candid, full of laughs, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at reality TV, sister dynamics, and Brooks’ transition from small-town girl to NYC star.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Taylor Swift and Pop Culture Obsession (00:04–07:23)

• Amanda opens with reflections on Taylor Swift’s impending engagement and cultural moments:
  • Quote: "The Internet would not break if [Miley Cyrus] opened her vagina wide on Instagram... However, Taylor Swift does a podcast... Everything she does breaks and shatters the earth." – Amanda (02:11)
• She theorizes that Swift's intense fandom crystalized during the Kim Kardashian feud and ownership battle over her masters.

2. Introduction to Brooks Nader & Love Thy Nader (07:23–10:18)

• Amanda introduces Brooks and her new Freeform/Hulu reality show—a raw, new family reality series compared to the early Kardashians.
• Amanda excitedly notes:
  • "This is reality TV. Like, we're back to basics. We're back to putting it all out there." (09:51)
• Brooks is praised for her openness and humor, confessing to Amanda, "I'm so bad at solo on podcasts. I just say everything." (07:41)

3. Sister Dynamics and Competitive Vibes (10:19–15:23)

• Brooks shares about living with her three sisters post-divorce in NYC:
  • "I can't sleep alone. I get really scared... So you wanted all four of them?" (13:38)
• Living together brings out both support and rivalry, including playful grievances over who “made” whose career.
• On being the breadwinner and caretaker: "Do the dishes, do the laundry. They go, you were literally Cinderella-ing us… I'm like Cinderella." – Brooks (76:50)
• Amanda observes, “It's giving... I got you your careers a little bit.” (12:13)

4. The Gleb Drama from Dancing With The Stars (16:24–37:56)

• Amanda and Brooks deep-dive into Brooks' much-publicized relationship with Gleb, the DWTS pro, and its implosion:
  • Gleb was originally set to be a major part of the reality show.
  • Social media wars, accusations of cheating, and “love bombing” are recounted with candor:
    • “He was a little manic… He continued, I miss you, I miss you... So I never responded.” – Brooks (18:38)
    • “And we were messing with you on the one TikTok I see. But it was a real thing, sadly.” – Brooks (19:23)
  • Brooks on finding evidence of infidelity: "There was a lot of things on the phone..." (32:35)
  • Amanda, on the show’s edit: "You guys dive straight in. It's not even like, get to know the family. It's like straight in to this mess of finding on his phone." (23:08)

5. Public Perception, Internet Hate & Sister Support (37:57–43:41)

• They laugh about Brooks’ DMs ("Your DMs... but you focus on this guy," per Amanda, 38:04).
• Brooks credits “mutually famous” setups, not DMs, for most of her dates post-divorce.
• She opens up about marrying young (met her ex-husband at 19, married at 21) and the confusion of life moving fast ("I'm like, whoa, I hope the wind doesn't blow me into another marriage tomorrow." – Brooks, 41:42).

6. Family & Sister Rivalry on Camera (43:42–58:13)

• The show's appeal lies in the authentic, messy family dynamics:
  • Fierce but loving competition among the sisters.
  • “May the best sister win.” – Brooks (58:00)
  • Brooke’s take on handling sibling competition: "I hope they do [reach my level]... I really do." (53:15)
• Brooks recalls her unconventional route to Sports Illustrated and the family’s humble beginnings.

7. Brooks’ Career Trajectory & Reality TV Infamy (58:14–65:02)

• From being rejected at modeling agencies to winning the SI open call:
  • “If someone doesn't believe in you, believe in yourself.” – Amanda (59:34)
  • Brooks humorously recounts going on a press tour—originally for being stalked via AirTag (62:15) and how her accidental viral moments led to new levels of recognition.
• Amanda affirms: "We all knew you." (61:42)
• How the reality show came together: Not a recent DWTS-inspired thing, but years in the making with the support of a major Hollywood agent (66:15).

8. Candid Talk: Dating, Sexuality, and Social Media (65:03–69:44)

• Brooks on dating in the spotlight: "I think that they are, like, mutually famous. Okay, so they're not impressed by it or they are... but they're mutually famous." (69:06)
• Amanda prods hilariously for DM gossip and calls out red-flag social media behavior in Brooks' exes.

9. Family Roots and Growth (74:45–77:18)

• Reflecting on her parents' conservative, religious upbringing, and their journey alongside their daughters' blossoming careers:
  • "They're just wholesome and innocent and, you know, they still live in Louisiana and they have to miss. Like, my mom is an elementary school nurse at a Christian school..." – Brooks (76:36)
• Brooks shares about supporting her siblings and the shifting family dynamic as they all live larger-than-life lives together in NYC.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Reality TV Authenticity:
  "This isn’t like, oh, filming a scene at a café... No, it’s like nipples, vaginas, breakups, cheating, Ozempic. Just everything. Everything." – Amanda (05:04)

• On Sibling Rivalry:
  "Well, they are just bullies to me and they're mean. You caught me on an interesting time because we've been together for the last... It's turned physical." – Brooks (11:55)

• On Sister Dynamics:
  "They all gang up on me. There's usually one that's like, wait, guys, come on. So I have offers, you know." – Brooks (15:10)

• On Exposing Her Ex:
  "How is he denying that, then, if you saw it? Hulu put in the disclaimer. It's a thousand times that he's denied." – Amanda (32:39)
  "Well... he denies it as any good liar would, like, deny til you die." – Brooks (32:47)

• On The Origins of the Show:
  "If anyone’s going to get a TV show done, it’s this guy, because he’s a legend… This all came about three years ago." – Brooks (65:24)

• On Men in Her DMs:
  "But I feel like, can't you relate ... like if such and such wants you... but you hyperfocus on one person?" – Brooks (38:04)

• On Family’s Newfound Success:
  "They're living life for the first time too…my dad would, like, alpha two beers, like, at college and get wasted..." – Brooks (75:04)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:04–07:23: Amanda on Taylor Swift, pop culture obsession
• 07:23–10:18: Introduction to Brooks and Love Thy Nader
• 10:19–15:23: Sisterhood, cohabitation, and competitiveness
• 16:24–37:56: Gleb relationship drama, breakups, and reality TV
• 38:04–43:41: DMs, dating after divorce, early marriage
• 43:42–58:13: Family drama, sibling rivalry, and competition
• 58:14–65:02: Brooks’ modeling career, viral moments, and starting the show
• 65:03–69:44: Dating life, sexuality, and mutually famous matches
• 74:45–77:18: Growing up conservative, parents' journey
• 77:19–78:06: Final plug for the show and closing banter

Final Takeaway

Brooks Nader’s debut reality show, Love Thy Nader, delivers raw, unfiltered family drama that brings back the heyday of reality TV with a modern, uncensored twist. Amanda and Brooks’ chemistry is infectious—they dissect the complexities of familial bonds, internet fame, and the pitfalls (and content gold) of messy relationships. Brooks emerges as candid, self-deprecating, and deeply loyal to her sisters, while also unafraid to claim her hard-earned spotlight.

Recommendation:
If you crave new, authentically messy reality TV in the vein of early Kardashians but with Southern humor and NYC edge, Love Thy Nader (all episodes out now on Hulu) is a binge-worthy pick.