335: Timothée Chalamet Angers the Arts, Netflix Drops Meghan Markle’s Brand + Ballerina Farm Conspiracy Theories

Summary

Pop Apologists – Episode 335 Summary

Episode Title: Timothée Chalamet Angers the Arts, Netflix Drops Meghan Markle’s Brand + Ballerina Farm Conspiracy Theories
Release Date: March 11, 2026
Hosts: Lauren and Chandler

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Episode Overview

In this lively episode, sisters Lauren and Chandler put aside recent heavy topics to dive into celebrity news and internet drama. They dissect Timothée Chalamet’s controversial comments about classical arts, react to Netflix dropping Meghan Markle’s “as Ever” brand, and wade through speculation and conspiracy around Ballerina Farm and its recent pregnancy announcement. As always, their signature blend of wit, sisterly ribbing, and sharp hot takes brings humor and candor to each story.

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1. Administrative Updates, Personal Thanks, & Emotional Reflections

[00:00–09:01]

• Epstein Deep Dive Update: The sisters announce a pause on Epstein coverage, with a plan for parts three and four to release next week (one free, one behind a paywall).
  • “We can only handle a certain pacing... it’s been nice to unplug from that and think about Timothee Chalamagoo and his comments and, you know, Kevin Costner and Brooks Nader.” (Lauren, 01:44)
• Fertility Journey Thanks: Lauren expresses gratitude for support after sharing her fertility journey with listeners in a paywalled but currently free episode.
  • “The outpouring of love has been truly healing for me.” (Lauren, 05:36)
• Listener Connection: Both hosts mention how tough it is to keep up with direct messages, emphasizing email as the best way to reach them.
  • “If you, if you really need to get some words in front of us or if you need to get a message through, I think the best way to do it is via email.” (Chandler, 07:34)

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2. Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds: The “Staged” PDA

[09:01–19:43]

• PDA at Wrexham Soccer Game: Discussion begins with the couple’s public appearance and affectionate photos.
  • Chandler is skeptical: “I am happy to see that they are putting on a united front... but I have a lot of skepticism about the timing of these photos. I think... this is pretty staged.” (13:23)
  • Lauren agrees, noting the photos look “potentially retouched” and “ravishing”, and posits they're “a Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, you know, fed story to Page Six.” (15:06)
• Relationship Dynamics: Both express they don’t root for a breakup, recognizing the implications for the family.
  • “I don't think we need four children to have their parents divorce as the cherry on top of this total show.” (Lauren, 14:19)
• Notable Quote:
  • “Let the narcissists ruin each other’s lives rather than bulldozing the emotional inner life of someone with an actual, like, just secure attachment style.” (Lauren, 18:30)
• Reflection: Both hosts call for context and empathy, reminding listeners there are “real monsters out there”—by comparison, these celeb antics are minor.

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3. Timothée Chalamet’s “Opera & Ballet” Controversy

[19:43–29:08]

• Context: Discussion of Chalamet’s Variety interview with Matthew McConaughey, where he offhandedly diminished the importance of ballet and opera, saying,
  • “...I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera or, you know, things where it’s like, hey, keep this thing alive, even though no one cares...” (Chalamet, 21:11)
• Reaction:
  • Lauren: “I do not think that he should be crucified… but it reveals something about him that maybe is not totally aligned with the brand he’s tried to create for himself.” (24:59)
  • Chandler notes Chalamet’s family background in ballet makes the comment more “cringe” and off-brand.
• On Chalamet & Kylie Jenner:
  • Lauren: “This is way more aligned with someone who’s chosen Kylie Jenner as his life partner... I think Kylie is amazing... but she is not the choice for a guy who is just obsessed with his art above all else.” (25:43)
• Cultural Takeaways:
  • Both hosts critique “Club Chalamet’s” idolization and agree Chalamet is “revealing that he’s a little more shallow than he lets on.” (Lauren, 27:46)
• Memorable Moment:
  • Chandler, incredulous: “Did you know his mom danced with the New York Ballet? ...He comes from... this culture, steeped in it.” (24:59)

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4. The Ballerina Farm Phenomenon & Conspiracy Theories

[29:08–50:47]

• Pregnancy Announcement & Video:
  • Hannah Neeleman reveals ninth pregnancy in a highly produced ad for her protein powder (“the stage may change, but the strength remains the same”).
    • Lauren: “I found it reassuring… she’s creating some boundaries and keeping the sacred away from the profane on social media.” (36:10)
• Conspiracies & Timing:
  • Chandler brings up speculation that the announcement buried a recent raw milk scandal: “I wonder if it was like, let's get away from this scandal and let's release this video.” (37:20)
  • Lauren agrees, calling the move “shrewd, strategic.”
• Art Direction & National Discourse:
  • The sisters discuss the intentional, almost “Handmaid’s Tale”-like aesthetic, and accusations that Ballerina Farm pushes a conservative or “quiverful” agenda.
    • Lauren clarifies, “I just don’t agree... she’s from a huge family, he’s from a huge family. They have a ton of money... I think they’re happy.” (47:13)
• Notable Quotes:
  • “She has made her life a stage by making her private life moments so public.” (Lauren, 48:35)
  • “Given the works of our podcast the last few weeks, I just really think, like you said, there are like actual monsters… And this is just like, I'm channeling my rage towards yeah. Bigger things these days.” (Chandler, 49:07)
• Personal Experience:
  • Lauren shares impressions from meeting the children at a farm event: “Could not have been lovelier, sweeter, more well-behaved... I was so impressed.” (49:56)
• Meta Commentary:
  • Both hosts joke about their obsession ("Why does she captivate me so much? It’s just, like. It’s crazy.” – Lauren, 50:16)

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5. Meghan Markle’s “as Ever” Brand Dropped by Netflix

[51:00–64:11]

• News Recap:
  • Netflix has pulled out of Meghan Markle’s “as Ever” lifestyle brand. The official line: Markle will “continue growing the brand and take it into its next chapter independently.” (Lauren, 53:58)
• Hosts’ Reaction:
  • Chandler checks the as Ever website live: “The Go To Hostess gift set, $132. That's like three jams and a couple of teas.” (55:34)
  • Lauren is appalled at the price point: “This really pisses me off because she’s like… woman of the people bullshit… and she's selling jam for… Even this price point… I want to call the Better Business Bureau on as Ever.” (55:48)
  • Comparison with Goop: “Gwyneth Paltrow is famous for saying, ‘I can’t pretend to make $25,000 a year.’ She’s authentically selling expensive stuff. With Megan, it just comes off… inauthentic.” (Lauren, 57:52)
• On PR Spin:
  • Both are incredulous at the claim it was “always the plan” for as Ever to continue without Netflix.
  • “It’s always in reverse. You get the booming business, and then Netflix is like, let’s make a TV show about you.” (Chandler, 59:27)
• On Royal “Tours”:
  • Lauren calls future Australia tour “attention grabby” and criticizes their ongoing quest for headlines.
  • “They’re clearly not good at business… Just be private. Just be a family. Take the money… and invest it wisely and live in privacy.” (Lauren, 63:39)
  • Chandler adds: “I don’t think she wants to be a normal girl.” (64:11)

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6. Lighter Moments & Pop Culture Musings

[66:13–end]

• Names You Can’t Use in 2026: Chandler and Lauren lament that names like Kate, Gwyneth, Hannah, and Taylor are now too loaded to use for their (hypothetical) future children due to celebrity oversaturation.
• Teaser for Next Episode:
  • They promise in Friday’s premium episode to talk about Jesse from “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” and her plastic surgery saga, the Daryl Hannah NYT interview, Beverly Hills, Britney, and more.
  • “I want to literally play the video. I have so much to say.” (Lauren, 67:47)
• Affectionate Closing:
  • Lauren: “Thank you again for all of the… thoughtful messages. Truly adore you all. Thank you for being Pop Apostles.” (68:23)
  • Chandler: “Love you, Pluto.” (68:44)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Chalamet’s Comments:
  • “He’s fighting for his life by the end.” (Lauren, 22:55)
  • “He doesn’t want to be out there... begging people to come to his shows to, like, save his art.” (Chandler, 28:05)
• On Blake and Ryan:
  • “Let the narcissists ruin each other’s lives rather than bulldozing the emotional inner life of someone with an actual, like, just secure attachment style.” (Lauren, 18:30)
• On Ballerina Farm:
  • “She has made her life a stage by making her private life moments so public.” (Lauren, 48:35)
• On Meghan Markle/Netflix:
  • “It’s always a virtue signal... People can always sniff out inauthenticity and when you’re inauthentic, things fail.” (Lauren quoting a message, 60:28)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |-------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00–09:01 | Admin, fertility journey, gratitude, listener engagement | | 09:01–19:43 | Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds PDA, celeb PR analysis | | 19:43–29:08 | Timothée Chalamet & the ballet/opera dustup | | 29:08–50:47 | Ballerina Farm: pregnancy ad, conspiracies, social impact | | 51:00–64:11 | Meghan Markle, as Ever brand, Netflix split, Australia tour | | 66:13–68:44 | Names, pop culture as identity, preview for premium ep |

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Tone and Style Notes

• The sisters keep things fast-paced, snarky, and highly self-aware, with plenty of mutual teasing and pop culture references.
• Humorous asides, running jokes (“Chalamagoo,” “woman to blame”), and “meta” moments (joking about their own obsession) keep it light even when discussing serious internet outrage.
• Listeners are made to feel like insiders, with casual (but careful) explanations for deeper online conspiracies or references.

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For listeners and non-listeners alike, this episode is a sharp, funny, and insightful ride through the week’s strangest and juiciest celebrity and social media stories.

Transcript

[Lauren]

It's just, it's attention grabby. It's wanting. It's wanting to be in the headlines. You know, we're going to see all the outfits. It's good for our business. But I just think that since they're clearly not that good at business, they should cool it a little. Like just be private. Just be a family. Like take the money that you've made and invest it wisely and live in privacy. Why invite all this, like all this speculation and chatter?

[Chandler]

I don't think she wants to be a normal girl.

[Lauren]

No, I mean, normal woman doesn't.

[Chandler]

And he doesn't know how to be normal, obviously.

[Lauren]

Well, well, well. We are back. Chandler. Another episode of Pop Apologists. Can I tell you, I'm so happy because we have a whole outline in front of us. A truly stunning outline of many celebrity topics I am like dying to discuss. None of it related to Jeffrey Epstein.

[Chandler]

Yeah, I'm gonna, I'm gonna keep it real. I'm gonna keep it 100 with everybody and say that on Friday night, maybe it was Thursday night after we got done with part one and part two of the Epstein deep dives. I like had a small emotional moment. I could say breakdown, but a small moment. I think I even talked about this in the episode. Anyway, I was just very emotional and I felt like everywhere I looked online, it was just like more of this really scary information, really dark information. And so anyway, it has been very nice to sort of unplug from that and to, you know, to think about Timothee Chalamagoo and his comments and, you know, Kevin Costner and Brooks Nader.

[Lauren]

Exactly. Timothy Chalamet Chandler, please, if you will. I couldn't agree more. I feel like it was a lot to immerse ourselves in and it was a lot to put our listeners through. Sadly, the numbers say that people want that content and those episodes are, are not disliked by people, but we can only handle a certain pacing of them. And so just a quick administrative update for everyone. We are obviously taking this week off Epstein, and we are going to release parts three, three and four next week. And we are hoping to conclude the Epstein files deep dive next week with those parts. Part one, if you didn't listen, it just went over Jeffrey Epstein's life in a nutshell. Just a primer on who he was. And then part two, we got into the actual real life victims who tried to warn the world about what he was doing and who are victims of record. It's definitely a much more harrowing part. That part was behind a paywall. But we did feel it was very important information. And so we did activate the free trial so anyone who wanted to listen could listen. And then if they want to cancel, they can do that. So that is that. I also want to share that parts three and four will follow the same cadence. Part three, we are going to be actually diving into what's revealed in the files. And you can expect what the files say. Exactly. And prove about known people. Part four is where we're going to be diving into the crazy conspiracies. And it's going to be the darkest episode, and that will be behind the paywall because it will be our Friday episodes. We put out two episodes a week. So that is how things are going to unfold. Any comment, Chandler?

[Chandler]

Oh, yes, definitely. Okay. No, really, the only comment I have is that, yes, it is heavy information to sift through and heavy information to, you know, to speak about and talk about, you know, for.

[Lauren]

For a length of time.

[Chandler]

But it's an important work. So we're going to, you know, finish out this series and then obviously, if new information breaks, we'll cover that as well.

[Lauren]

Yeah, definitely. But okay. So the other thing I wanted to share is really quick. I also had an update on my fertility journey that I shared on Premium as well. I did not do that to, like, sensationalize something and get more subscribers. I did that because it's just a private experience. And I'm actually really grateful that we had the free trial going during that time and we still do, because if someone wants to hear about that, it could be sensitive for you or it could be helpful. Goes either way. I don't want people to feel like that's paywalled. I also don't want to hoist, you know, my own turmoil, my own stuff on all of our listeners who, many of which are here for more of the Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift updates. But anyway, that is there if you would like to listen. And I want to say a quick thank you. I have received so many comments. I've received so many comments on Patreon, on Spotify, emails, DMs. I am just like, the outpouring of love has been truly healing for me and I can't describe how much it means to me. I feel so loved and liked by our listeners. Both things, two things that matter a lot to me. And it was kind of unforeseen. I didn't. I didn't think about that when I shared all of that. And so I just want to say thank you to Every single person who wrote in something lovely and supportive, who shared what happened to them with me. Any message that you sent, I am reading. I am trying to personally respond to everyone because it just matters to me, but it's definitely taking me some time. I'm just basically blocking off a set amount of time daily to thoughtfully reply. And so if you haven't heard from me yet, it's just because I. I just want it to be from me and from the heart. But I can really only kind of like, go there so much at a time. So that is that. And the. The other thing. Sorry, one more thing here. DMs often get buried. And so I'm going to do the absolute best I can to respond to all the dms. And. But they're just the hardest to stay organized. And so if you did send me a heartfelt DM and you didn't get a response, feel free to send it to my personal if you want to make sure I see it. Like, I just don't want anyone to feel unseen here. And I just appreciate you all so much.

[Chandler]

I really was so touched by all of the words from people and, like, on your behalf, I was touched.

[Lauren]

Yeah, it was. It was just so lovely. I mean, I got really personal and vulnerable. And I. I also said some things, like, I was very nervous about, you know, being very real about. And the response I got, it just has, like, healed a part of my soul. So I just want to thank you all so much. And, yeah, thank you, Chandler too. Because people were just so lovely about. About the way you showed up for me emotionally, you know, in that episode.

[Chandler]

It's funny, I, like, was listening back and I feel like I had 18,000 other things that I wanted to say that I wish I could have said too. I don't know, it's just. I'm glad that you felt that way. But I was listening back and I was like, oh, I wanted to say this and this and this.

[Lauren]

But anyway, no, people get to bear witness to the true beauty of your soul. And it's way more profound than that. But we have, you know, we got ballerina farm to get to, so I'm going to. Well, I was going to say you

[Chandler]

could go on about. About that subject if you'd like.

[Lauren]

No, I just think it's a big blessing. Oh, yeah, it's a big blessing for me that people get to bear witness to the kind of sister you are. Because I'm sure it's inspiring for people to be great sisters and beautiful souls. So anyway, that Is what would you like to say? It is also your show just on a.

[Chandler]

On a very clerical note, we get just like so many lovely messages from people. And the DMs can get very disorganized. I mean, Instagram, like, sorts them for us, and I don't understand the system at all. So if you, if you really need to get some words in front of us or if you need, you know, to get a message through, I think the best way to do it is via email. Or our personals are also, like, those have a better chance of being opened and read and responded to and, you know, in a timely way.

[Lauren]

Yes. And our emails are chandlerapologist.com and lauren popapologist.com and last thing also, I just want to say, I feel like the whole. Like, we get so many DMs, it's just crazy. It's a lot. Like 90% of our DMs are reaction emojis to celebrity news. It's not like we get fan mail constantly. That's not that I'm trying to transmit. So I think Chandler was. And I want to bring you down back down to earth.

[Chandler]

Well, I mean, I, I didn't want to share this with you, but I get a lot of fan mail to my personal DMs. Actually, people don't even bother. It's going to get buried there. No, it's a lot of slow news days in those inboxes, I'll be honest.

[Lauren]

Oh, my gosh.

[Chandler]

Okay. All the caveats aside, how are you doing today?

[Lauren]

How.

[Chandler]

How are we?

[Lauren]

I'm doing good. I'm. I'm doing good. I'm so excited to get into this content. I. I truly am. Because, like, every story is a 10 today.

[Chandler]

It's a lot of good ones. There's a lot of hits.

[Lauren]

There's a lot of hits. So should we dive in, or. I mean, I haven't asked you how you are. How are you? Can you make it quick?

[Chandler]

You weren't going to. You weren't going to. The only time you ask me how I'm doing is right after I've asked you, and you're like, oh, well, here I go. And I gotta do the obligatory and how are you?

[Lauren]

Why? Okay. Is that, Is that. Is that true for real life? 50% of the time that was a pregnant pause.

[Chandler]

Well, yeah. Cause I had to think about how, how much you actually asked me how I'm doing.

[Lauren]

I literally think I check in on you daily.

[Chandler]

I mean, you do check in on me. You.

[Lauren]

You do.

[Chandler]

You do in fact, yesterday, I shared with you some fears about just general world chaos, and you sent me, like, 18 videos, tried to, like, spell my fears, and I actually thought I was like, oh, wow. I. My nerves are really her constant companion.

[Lauren]

Yeah. All these years. Thank you, Jane Austen. Oh, my gosh. You never asked me how I am. Okay, well, you do really need to set the record straight.

[Chandler]

The thing is, on the podcast, you're not totally interested in my. Sort of in a daily check in via the podcast. But that's okay. You're more excited to get to celebrity stuff.

[Lauren]

You know what? I'm like Ramona Singer. I'm a work in progress. I need to nail that, like, line because it's always funny to me in my head, but I'm not nailing it. What was her tagline? It was something like. Something. Some people say I'm a piece of work, but really, I'm a work in progress. I don't know.

[Chandler]

You need to be, like, blinking more, and then you'll get the intonation right. Like, you need to be blinking more during that with crazy eyes. Yeah, exactly. Okay, enough about us. Enough about literally anything else. Let's get into celebrity news. I want to talk first and foremost about Blake Lively. And I almost said Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds.

[Lauren]

You're like, oh, I did with Blake and Justin. And I literally messaged you, and I'm like, do you mean Blake and Ryan? And then I questioned it, and you never responded.

[Chandler]

Sorry.

[Lauren]

So, see, when I asked Chandler, my brain is including how she's doing. You guys, like, she doesn't even see it.

[Chandler]

No, my brain is broken because I'm so used to saying Blake and Justin, not saying Blake and Ryan. Right?

[Lauren]

Yeah.

[Chandler]

That.

[Lauren]

It's.

[Chandler]

It's hard for me. It's. It's like, you know, it's. It's a learned, learned behavior. But everybody just, oh, my gosh. Ryan and Blake were out and about last week at a soccer slash football game, you know, set in Wales. So I think they would call it football. They were seeing Wexley, I think is the team Wembley. Wexley. I think it's Wexley.

[Lauren]

Don't know, don't care.

[Chandler]

Don't know, don't care. And these two, yeah, they were spotted canoodling. And we got a Page Six article about it. And I have thoughts. I have thoughts.

[Lauren]

Okay, well, can I share mine before you jump in really quick?

[Chandler]

Please tell us about your thoughts about Blake and Justin.

[Lauren]

Oh, all I will say about Blake and Ryan is that I'm Actually really sad. This is not Blake and Justin. Because if this was Blake and Justin, the food that would be put on our table today, I would have flown to New York for an in person on camera episode.

[Chandler]

So.

[Lauren]

So I could clip us talking about Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni making out at a football game or a soccer game. Like, can you imagine the Internet? Chandler would explode.

[Chandler]

That would be a blessed day indeed. Um, and all I could hope for is, you know, if the two of them are caught kissing, that we would get a close up shot of her shoes. That's the only thing I would.

[Lauren]

I would hope for, truly. Oh, my gosh. Yeah, we have to Capture the. The $5,000 shoes, you know, because you know what? Blake has money. And that's. That's her right. That's her right.

[Chandler]

She let. She let her own clothing to the wardrobe. No, everyone, let me actually correct myself really quick. I was wrong on both fronts about the name of this soccer team. It's Wrexham. It's neither Wexley nor Wembley. Wrexham. So it is the soccer team that Ryan owns. And yeah, they were. They were standing in what looks to be like a box with other, you know, other. Other big fans, and they are just packing on the smooches. They're holding each other. And let me just read to you the. The Page Six article headline. Okay. Are you ready for this?

[Lauren]

Oh, I'm so ready.

[Chandler]

PDA goals. I just have to say this writer needs to read the room because I don't know that anything about this couple right now is goals.

[Lauren]

Yeah. Please continue. I'm ready for your full thoughts before I literally torpedo and commandeer.

[Chandler]

My full thoughts are really that I. I am happy to see that they are putting on a united front. I think I have a lot of skepticism about the timing of these photos. I think people were kind of wondering where he was at with her court appearances. You know, where was the PDA goals then? So I think a part of me feels like this is pretty staged, especially

[Lauren]

like, oh, you don't.

[Chandler]

But this is where my take is. And I feel like you've said this before. I do not want Ryan to flip forsake her. I am not looking for Ryan to just, like, totally, you know, divorce her ass and move on. Like, I like the fact that they are still together because at least they're, like, together on their own. Delulu Craziness. Annoying world.

[Lauren]

Yeah, I. I don't think we need four children to have their parents divorce as the cherry on top of this total show. Okay.

[Chandler]

Exactly.

[Lauren]

Like, I don't Wish for that in the world. So I'm with you. Um, I'll tell you how I know this is completely staged. She looks like a gorgeous. She just looks so stunning in every single photo. And they just look so potentially retouched to me, you know, so that's like me, the biggest. Yes. Look at how, like, spectacular and smooth her skin looks. I swear her lips are popping in each one. Which one?

[Chandler]

Which one? The one where like, like he's holding her and her, like, faces to the side.

[Lauren]

No, that's the least clear one. The one where she's behind both. Where she's behind him. She just looks ravishing. It's just giving that. These were sent to potentially an editor on staff before they were sent to Page Six.

[Chandler]

I mean, potentially, this one needed to slap on a Hollywood one filter there.

[Lauren]

I don't know how there's a little bit brighter light on her face than everyone else's in the shot. In the shot. I also could just be hallucinating, but to me, this is a very clearly a Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, you know, fed story to Page Six.

[Chandler]

Yeah, absolutely. We. We can definitely agree on that. I mean, I'll just say maybe she

[Lauren]

also happens to look beautiful.

[Chandler]

You know, she is a beautiful woman.

[Lauren]

She is. She is.

[Chandler]

She. You know, but I also don't think that the paparazzi are just always like hanging around whales, catching your best angles. Yeah.

[Lauren]

I don't know about you guys, but March can be when I feel like

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[Lauren]

All of a sudden, you know, we're

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[Lauren]

It is a lot.

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[Chandler]

So anyway, that's kind of my take on this. I think it's seeing people in the comments saying, like, you know, I'm happily married and I never make out with my husband. Like, comments like that are bothersome to me because I think that just because a couple is being affectionate in public doesn't mean that it's completely performative. Like, I do think that this was staged, but they could also be sharing romantic moments.

[Lauren]

Yeah, I mean, I like this other comment better.

[Chandler]

This.

[Lauren]

This person said, I absolutely do do believe that they are in it together and love each other as best as two narcissists can. The texts show that they are true partners, and I'm not even mad at that. Your spouse should be equally yolked to you and your values should be aligned. Two things can be true about this evil pair. They genu. Genuinely love each other, and this photo is a photo op of desperation. Chandler, they're equally yoked narcissists. Okay, and that's. That's kind of good news on this. On this Tuesday afternoon.

[Chandler]

I mean, and isn't that what we want, Two narcissists to be with each other versus with, you know, just a.

[Lauren]

That's true.

[Chandler]

Pedestrian who could be preyed upon.

[Lauren]

That is such an excellent point. It's like, let the narcissist ruin each other's lives rather than bulldozing the emotional inner life of someone with an actual, like, just secure attachment style.

[Chandler]

So I agree. You know what, Lauren? Let them. Let them. Let the narcissists find each other.

[Lauren]

That was beautiful, Chandler. A poem written by Chandler. Chandler Manning.

[Chandler]

Thank you. Yeah, they definitely feed into each other. We saw that very much so in the text. They kind of match each other's freak. So anyway, we can move on from this. But I'm, you know, I just always want to bring a. As unbiased of an approach as possible to this situation because so many people just truly hate her with every cell in their body. And I. I don't know, I can't bring that energy to. To the story anymore. Especially after like, you know, we spend a week doing the Epstein stuff and I'm like, there are real monsters out there in this world.

[Lauren]

Again, we don't get into politics on the show. Just literally, like gripping. I don't know the roller coaster as I say that. Just my teeth chattering. Okay. Wind blowing through my cheeks. But I'll just say we got bigger fish to fry. Okay, so let's just kumbaya about Blake and Ryan.

[Chandler]

Honestly, something has broke within my brain where like, like, literally my. My friend group chat was talking about Timothy today and like the drama which we'll get into, and I was just like. I was like, you know what? It's honestly been very entertaining to me given what my. What the other things on my Instagram feed.

[Lauren]

Exactly. And speaking of, should we, should we dive into Timothy Shalom?

[Chandler]

Please, please, please.

[Lauren]

For anyone who is not in on that joke, we always called him Timothy Shalamagoo because his last name is kind of funny. And basically I ignorantly, literally thought because there's an E on the second E

[Chandler]

before the last, just dig yourself. Dig your grave, baby. Go ahead and dig it.

[Lauren]

I literally thought his name was actually pronounced Timothy.

[Chandler]

Timothy.

[Lauren]

Timothy. I don't think I ever said Timothy. I said Timothy. And for years on the show, Chandler thought it was like a bit that I was just adding on to the Shaolin McGow, but it would kind of

[Chandler]

check out like, he's such like a, you know, like such an artiste. I'm just going to go ahead and go out on a limb here and give a hot take if your man has an accent mark on his name. Yes. I don't think you him. I think it's a no. I think it's like, it's a big red flag. It's like this guy's gonna want a lot of attention.

[Lauren]

Yes. Buckle in and, and buckle in because that's exactly what he has revealed. And I, I have so many thoughts about this and I'm excited to get into it.

[Chandler]

So.

[Lauren]

Timothy Shalom Magu took part in a live conversation with Matthew McConaughey for Variety in February, during which the pair discussed competing with audiences ever shrinking. So should we play that clip? Chan, play the clip.

[Matthew McConaughey]

I want to speak for people that are here that are younger than me, where people desire, are desiring things that are more patient and that pull you in. I just saw another article that says Gen Z is a bigger movie going audience than a millennial audience. You know, I feel like a fucking grandpa saying that. No, but point being, I think even Like Frankenstein, which is, like, a hugely popular movie this year. I didn't think that pacing was extraordinarily fast or anything, but it pulled people in, you know? But it does take you having to wave a flag of, hey, this is a serious movie or something, and some people want to be entertaining quickly. I'm really right in the middle, Matthew, because I admire people and I've done it myself. To go on a talk show, hey, we got to keep movie theaters alive. You know, we got to keep this genre alive. And another part of me feels like if people want to see it, like Barbie, like Oppenheimer, they're going to go see it and go out of their way to be loud and proud about it. And I don't want to be working in ballet or opera or, you know, things where it's like, hey, keep this thing alive, even though no one cares about this anymore. All respect to the ballet and opera people out there. I just lost 14 cents in viewership, but damn, I just took shots for no reason.

[Sponsor Voice 2]

That's not a shot.

[Chandler]

I hear what you're saying.

[Matthew McConaughey]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Lauren]

So sorry.

[Chandler]

Whew.

[Lauren]

I mean, talk about getting himself in hot water.

[Chandler]

I think that you see him sort of scramble his way through this.

[Lauren]

He's fighting for his life by the end.

[Chandler]

Fighting for his life. And I think I saw someone online say, like, Matthew McConaughey just saw the iceberg.

[Lauren]

Oh, my gosh. It's so funny.

[Chandler]

You see Matthew McConaughey, like, his eyes widen. So, yeah, this was definitely not well received by the opera and, you know, professional dancers, and I guess that sounded like strippers.

[Lauren]

Oh, Chandler, show some respect.

[Chandler]

The opera and ballet communities are up in arms over this.

[Lauren]

They are. People are really, really upset. There are some reels I've seen where people are like, we are very much alive, Timothy. You know, come see us in Berlin at the. The symphony plays, you know, a part of something, and it's lovely, real. I've seen beautiful. Okay, so I'm just going to launch into my thoughts on this. I do not think that he should be crucified for his comment. I think that it reveals something about him that maybe is not totally aligned with the brand he's tried to create for himself. But I don't think that he should be completely vilified. In my opinion, what he is saying is, I want my work to have higher stakes. Okay? I want it to have different stakes, potentially. I want it to be seen by more people, and I don't want to work on something that has a Smaller audience. Right. He wants. He wants fame. He wants the financial rewards of being a movie star versus just acting, you know, in one man shows, you know, an obscure, I don't know, Copenhagen performance houses. And I just think that that's okay. It's okay for him to. To want those rewards, but he's not being forthcoming about it. He's kind of just, like, throwing shade on this whole community and belittling these very profound art forms in the process by being very flip. And it's rightly not landing well.

[Chandler]

Definitely not landing well. Did you know that his mom danced with the New York Ballet? His sister danced with the New York Ballet, and so did his grandmother. So he kind of comes from, like, he's. He's was raised in this culture, steeped in it. And so I. I kind of interpreted this as. Well. First of all, I guess I agree with your take. It definitely is not harmonious with, like, the serious artist brand that he, like, puts out there. You know, he really wants to be like Daniel Day Lewis, serious artist boy. And so I think to kind of also act a little, like, cringe or too cool or too good for, like, a specific art. Art community is just, like, not going to play well for him and for the, you know, the very serious people in the club Chalamet of the world.

[Lauren]

Yes. And also, I will say that this is way more aligned with someone who's chosen Kylie Jenner as his life partner.

[Chandler]

Oh, it's Kylie's fault. It's fucking Kylie's fault. It's always the woman's fault.

[Lauren]

I would love to blame the woman in this situation. I just feel like that's something that.

[Chandler]

Is there a woman here we can blame? Like, I just feel like there's not a woman here.

[Lauren]

I just want to. I want to try something new, okay. For just people in general and find a woman to blame. No, I just feel like, okay, clearly this guy is not a pure artiste who is trying to just devote his life to his art form. He doesn't care about money. All he cares about is art. Because I will tell you, if you're that person, okay? And all you care about is art. You know what? You know who Daniel Day Lewis married? Arthur Miller's daughter, the daughter of a playwright.

[Chandler]

Okay, what did Arthur Miller write?

[Lauren]

Rebecca Miller, Death of a Salesman.

[Chandler]

Okay, well, we're not gonna get into that play.

[Lauren]

Oh, yeah, we're not. But when you are trying to devote yourself to an art form, your partner is your primary interlocutor.

[Chandler]

It's the.

[Lauren]

The person you, you are in constant conversation with. This is the person who is going to enrich and inform your mind. And I promise you that that is how those type of people think. And I, I think Kylie is amazing. I love the relationship. I don't think that she is the choice for a guy who is just obsessed with his art. Above all else. I'll say it. I said what I said, Camille. Grammar, style.

[Chandler]

Yeah, I mean, I think, I think. I think Timothy seems to have a sparkling personality. I think he's a great time. He seems to be funny and like somebody you actually maybe want to sit next to at dinner. Maybe not ballet people or opera people would agree. But, yeah, I mean, I think that it's. It's a. It's definitely. I think the two of them are a personality fit. And, yeah, I, you know, love Kylie. She's super talented, she's obviously successful and smart, but she's not the starving artist.

[Lauren]

No, correct. I also just think that when it comes to Timothy, really what this is about is he is just revealing that he's just a little more shallow than he lets on, you know, And I think that Club Chalamet wants to admit to themselves.

[Chandler]

Thank you. So I also interpreted this comment as like, he doesn't. He doesn't want to be out there, like, begging people to come to his shows to, like, save his art. Right. Is that. Do you think that's a fair interpretation?

[Lauren]

I feel like that's completely fair to say.

[Chandler]

You know, in all fairness, I've never even been to an opera. Have you been to an opera?

[Lauren]

Of course you have.

[Chandler]

I'm sure you have.

[Lauren]

That's where I had my first sip of champagne. Carmina Barana at 19.

[Chandler]

Unfortunately, this episode is camera off because we are remote, but I'm rolling my eyes so hard right now. Yeah, I've never been. Never been to an opera. I think I've. In terms of ballet, I think I've seen. Seen the Nutcracker. So I, like, I need to just stick and stay in my own swim lane because I'm really not qualified to

[Lauren]

speak on these subjects fair and honestly. I just want to say only good things for Kylie, who I'm sure is listening and really gives many shits about what the publicists have to say.

[Chandler]

And only good things for the. For the opera folks who for sure listen. And the ballerina folks who for sure listen. Speaking of ballerina.

[Lauren]

Yes. Finally. Finally, you know what?

[Chandler]

I'll actually say I'm a total patron of. Of ballerinas, because there's one ballerina and, you know, among them all that I really like to pay attention to.

[Lauren]

Chandler, you're a patron of the arts. It's actually really impressive just with the views you give. Hannah Nealman. Yes, we are talking about Hannah Nealman, everyone. Hannah has given birth to her ninth child. Hannah and Daniel Neeleman have welcomed a new baby girl into the family. This is their sixth girl in a row. Pretty wild, fun fact. They have two daughters who were born on this daughter's due date, and they had the baby a day later. So they did not have three girls with the same birthday, which I think is a recipe for hell in a household.

[Chandler]

Hell. I mean, the idea of having to share my birthday with another person in my immediate family. I mean, you think I cry on my birthday now?

[Lauren]

I have felt bad for twins. I've thought about it. Not every day of my life, but I should, because that would be a horrible situation.

[Chandler]

August 22nd is my day and my day alone. Absolutely.

[Lauren]

So, anyway, this daughter thankfully has her own blessed day just to herself. She was born, she announced the pregnancy, which we never even got to because we were covering Epstein. But Hannah finally announced the pregnancy. I did suspect it. I also received many DMS of people suspecting it. I will say so I suspected it on my own. I do want to give myself a little pat on the back, but then I would get a DM that's like, I saw her in the grocery store. So let's just say by the time I kind of said on the podcast that I thought she might be pregnant, I had been tipped off.

[Chandler]

Okay. Also, people are speculating in the comments of a lot of her videos.

[Lauren]

Yes, yes, yes. So anyway, it was literally the most unoriginal prediction. But I think everyone who has given me my flowers and people are like, you called it, girl. Loved those emails.

[Chandler]

Keep them coming.

[Lauren]

Yeah, please.

[Chandler]

Okay, be honest. Have you also been seeing stripes, linen, and that very I summer in a seaside town energy everywhere lately? Because I swear my entire feed has turned into people pretending that they've just stepped off a yacht.

[Lauren]

Absolutely. It's giving effortless chic coastal. And apparently this is a spring trend. And let me tell you, everyone, Macy's style experts and trend forecasters, they called it classic coastal. And now it makes sense why we're seeing clean stripes, nautical details, and preppy but modern pieces everywhere.

[Chandler]

Classic coastal is basically inspired by coastal living. It's calm, clean, and thoughtfully put together. It's that luxury lifestyle feel. But it's wearable for normal life.

[Lauren]

Exactly. And Macy's is making it accessible, which I really appreciate because I want to look like I have a house by the water while I'm literally sitting on my couch. At Macy's, Classic Coastal isn't about dressing like you're permanently on vacation. It's about bringing that ease into your everyday life.

[Chandler]

You know, it's like the relaxed energy of, I don't have very much to do. I've got my life together, and that is aspirational for me. And at Macy's, you can find pieces that fit that trend without it feeling like a total costume. Think linen, breathable fabrics, Lightweight, airy, Perfect for that awkward spring transition when the winter heaviness is still clinging to you emotionally.

[Lauren]

And the clean lines and stripes. It's very I just stopped off a yacht. Preppy east coast energy. Even if the closest you've been to the ocean is a screensaver on your

[Chandler]

laptop, it's those nautical details that really make it all feel intentional. Rope, belt, woven textures, and bold metals. These little touches really make an outfit feel styled and not like you're trying too hard.

[Lauren]

Which is my favorite kind of styling. Low effort, high impact, but okay. Real talk. How do you take a trend like Classic Coastal and make it your own? Because I don't want to look like I'm cosplaying a catalog model.

[Chandler]

For me, it's really all about the accessories. I keep the base of my outfit pretty simple. Linen pants, maybe a striped top or a simple white tee. And then I make it my own with my jewelry, my signature scent, and maybe some new spring shoes. That's how I stop it from feeling way too nautical and more chan. But coastal, Okay, I love that, because

[Lauren]

accessories can really do so much heavy lifting. A bold shoe can completely change the vibe of an outfit. Same with jewelry. Some gold hoops, layer necklaces, something with texture. And honestly, scents are so underrated as

[Chandler]

part of a look.

[Lauren]

A good perfume makes the whole outfit feel intentional.

[Chandler]

And even if you threw it all

[Lauren]

on in five minutes.

[Chandler]

Exactly. It's like I didn't just become a new person with a new look. I just, you know, accessorized. And Macy's has done the work of curating the pieces so that you can actually pull this off without, you know, spiraling through 10 different websites trying to build this full coastal wardrobe, which is

[Lauren]

such a relief, because decision fatigue is real. Macy's fashion experts are literally translating Runway energy into wearable styles. So when you walk into Macy's, you're getting the trend just in a way that makes sense for real life.

[Chandler]

I love that Classic coastal Macy's isn't just about vacation dressing. It's about looking put together for everyday life. You can wear this to a brunch, errands to work, to a casual dinner. Anywhere you want to feel like you have it all together.

[Lauren]

Even if you don't, we cannot stress enough. From crisp stripes to bold accessories, Macy's has curated the most wearable, effortless pieces. So you can feel like you're on vacation when really it's just the weekend or on a random Tuesday.

[Chandler]

And honestly, if an outfit can make a Tuesday feel like a weekend, I'm in. So if you've been seeing the classic coastal trend everywhere and wondering how to actually pull it off without looking like you're trying too hard, Macy's has you

[Lauren]

covered clean, calm, thoughtfully put together Coastal Energy, but make it every day. That's the vibe shop now in stores or@macy's.com. okay, what did you think about the announcement?

[Chandler]

Oh, I want to talk about the video first. I want to settle into this conversation.

[Lauren]

Do we want to play it really quick?

[Chandler]

It's long. We can actually play it if you'd like. But, I mean, I watched it today in preparation for this or rewatched it.

[Lauren]

I watched it a couple times, probably more than you.

[Chandler]

Ah, you probably did. Like, you're more of a patron of the arts than I am. Exactly. So it is an ad for their protein, and it is also a pregnancy announcement.

[Lauren]

Yeah, yeah.

[Chandler]

That to me is.

[Lauren]

That's. Yeah, like, that's where the rubber hits the road. I don't know what I'm trying to look for here, but that's what I didn't love about it. And then I'm like. I'm telling myself, I'm like, she's a CEO. She's a female CEO. She's a girl boss. Why can't she announce her pregnancy and promote her product?

[Chandler]

Right.

[Lauren]

So I'm questioning my own criticism.

[Chandler]

I think combining the two objectives of announcing your pregnancy and promoting your protein powder, it's. It's smart. It's also a little bit ruthless, I'll say.

[Lauren]

Yeah.

[Chandler]

You know, if you want to get those clicks, you want to get those

[Lauren]

clicks, it shows a priority. And one thing I will say that I like is that we didn't see the birth. A criticism I have had about Ballerina Farm for a long time is I think we see too much of the children online, especially for how public where they live is and for. For security purposes. I don't love. I don't love it for them. And Just how famous this woman is. It's absolutely insane. And so I found it to be quite reassuring that we did not get a birth video. Like, I feel like she's creating some boundaries and keeping the sacred away from the profane on social media, which I really appreciate.

[Chandler]

Yeah. And I think some people, you know, wanted to speculate about whether it was a birth at home or whether it was a birth at the hospital. I don't really care, to be honest.

[Lauren]

Yeah, yeah. There are people that are like, she gave birth two months ago. That's a two month old.

[Chandler]

Oh, my gosh.

[Lauren]

No. You didn't see that?

[Chandler]

No, I didn't see that.

[Lauren]

I mean, we thought there were conspiracy theories about the Epstein files, but then Ballerina farm gives birth and Reddit pages are born.

[Chandler]

I will say I have a little bit of suspicion here about the raw milk scandal that sort of happened because they released like a video responding to the raw milk scandal, and then three days later, she announced her pregnancy with this video. And I just, I wonder about the timing there. I wonder if it was like, let's get, let's get away from this scandal and let's release this video that we, you know, that was, that's like, was clearly produced. You know, it wasn't like something they

[Lauren]

put together in a day or was

[Chandler]

it all just a part of the buzz? You know, let's just keep the buzz going.

[Lauren]

So I think that this video obviously took more than a month of planning, most likely. It's so highly produced, it's casted, it's beautifully shot. It's. It's gorgeous. The concept was there. It was done by the time the scandal happened, in my opinion. But I do think that maybe they just released it a little bit sooner than they thought they would, because, like Heather McDonald said on juicy Scoop recently, like, nothing buries a scandal like a woman who's pregnant. Like when Stacey, you know, kind of went to the gas station and was pregnant after her cancellation and then was very widely, publicly forgiven.

[Chandler]

So it's.

[Lauren]

It is a shrewd, strategic move. And you know what? Hannah Neeleman is a smart woman.

[Chandler]

Absolutely. So let's talk about the video because it follows to me, like a very clear ad school thing. It honestly gave me a little bit of ad school trauma, like flashbacks to where we would just like, sit in a room and watch Nike commercials all day and just be like, what's our version of this?

[Lauren]

You know, like, what is the version of this for Baby bell cheese? Honestly, I can understand how that would be so annoying. And so traumatic to look back on all of those experiences.

[Chandler]

This is a quick aside, but there was a time in my life when I was entering an ad competition. And, like, basically all these ad competitions, they, like, give you a brief, and then you're supposed to just, like, come up with whatever your creative ideas for your creative solution. And, like, the brief at one time was like, rebrand the Crown Plaza Hotel. And I remember it was like, 3am 3am I'm up late with my, like, art director, like, with all of the people on my team, and we're just, like, literally racking our brain for how we're going to rebrand the Crowne Plaza Hotel. I can't drive by a fucking Crown Plaza Hotel without thinking about how I needed to rebrand it and.

[Lauren]

And, like, resurrect it anyway.

[Chandler]

So I have a lot of trauma there.

[Lauren]

You're also, like, I'm 21, okay. Like, I'm also just, like, I have $11 in my bank account, okay. Because I spent too much at H and M yesterday in Orem. Like, what? Rebrand the Crown Plaza hotel.

[Chandler]

I'm making $25 transfers from my savings to my checking to literally pay for my gas.

[Lauren]

So funny. Oh, my gosh.

[Chandler]

But, yeah, I mean, did you. Did you enjoy the video? Were you moved by it? Yeah. We should probably talk about the video.

[Lauren]

So the whole messaging of the video is basically these young ballerinas, and it's all about how, like, ballerinas are associated with so many things. Discipline, you know, elegance, grace, beauty, X, Y, or Z. But a thing that we don't think of them as being associated with is strength. And actually being a ballerina is something that requires immense physical discipline and strength. And while some people may disagree this. And while some people may dis. Shut up. I literally have to. Literally. I literally have this.

[Chandler]

It's a really good, like, monologue you've got going. Keep going.

[Lauren]

Okay. And while some people may disagree, the stage may change, but the strength remains the same. That was it.

[Chandler]

That was it. That was it. I just had a sharp inhale because it was so moving. I was just, like, lost my breath.

[Lauren]

And you see basically the ballerinas on the stage as she says, the stage may change, that fades away. And you see Hannah, the view of Camus behind her as a gorgeous backdrop, and she looks with a steely gaze into the camera, you know, and she says, the strength remains the same, actually. Yeah. And then she walks out drinking the raw milk.

[Chandler]

Yeah.

[Lauren]

Or no.

[Chandler]

Or.

[Lauren]

Or a shake.

[Chandler]

It's debatable. So it's very debatable about what type of dissolvent was used.

[Lauren]

Yeah. And I'm just. I just was thinking. I guess it doesn't matter if she did the strawberry or the chocolate, because no matter what, people would be speculating if it was mixed with raw milk or pasteurized milk. And I think we all know. We all know the answer.

[Chandler]

The beverage was white, so there's no.

[Lauren]

Yeah, exactly.

[Chandler]

We know. We know. It couldn't have been, like. I mean, I guess it could have been water, but anyway, this is how. This is. Our brains are sick. Our brains are sick, and we need help.

[Lauren]

I'm the one who just recited the commercial from memory. Okay, you think your brain is sick. I was, like, so embarrassed. I wasn't remembering the turn of phrase for the last line. I'm like, I'll just let Chandler take it from here.

[Chandler]

Like, you really did. You must have watched this, like, at least three times. No, that was giving, like, Rachel McAdams, like, audition tape for the Notebook, like, level of. Of effort. It was really great. Really great.

[Lauren]

Is that your commentary on the commercial?

[Chandler]

No, no, it's really great.

[Lauren]

Really great. Oh, no, sorry.

[Chandler]

That was my commentary on your reenactment of it that you just did.

[Lauren]

Oh, thank you. Thank you.

[Chandler]

Yes. So the video was a nice ad for the protein powder and for. And for the product. Unfortunately, all, like, female empowerment advertising is so boring to me and is so actually, like, negative moving to me at this point that I was not moved by this.

[Lauren]

Chandler likes ads with weak women. She prefers oppression. I mean, let's blame people.

[Chandler]

Let's blame a woman anymore. That's what I'd like to see.

[Lauren]

That would be a fresh take. That would be like, a fresh spin.

[Chandler]

Yes.

[Lauren]

And that's a big thing in advertising. I think we should talk about the conversation online, that this is, like, an advertisement for Christian nationalism and, you know, birthing all of these children. Is this political statement? Obviously, the tinfoil hat people are saying that the Mormon Church is funding her to inspire people to live this lifestyle. Chandler, I don't know.

[Chandler]

You just had, like, a.

[Lauren]

A look in your eyes. Are you part of that community?

[Chandler]

I mean, you.

[Lauren]

You might have seen some of my comments on.

[Chandler]

On a few Reddit boards.

[Lauren]

No, it's not.

[Chandler]

I'm not a part of that community. I don't think the Mormon Church is funding this lifestyle. I think we actually know exactly who's funding this lifestyle.

[Lauren]

Well, now it's all of us buying all their crap, so. Yeah, before it was David Neilman.

[Chandler]

Yeah, I just Like, I don't have crazy, profound thoughts on the video because it's just. It wasn't that profound to me. But I think that I see what they're doing with their brand. I mean, we. We saw like their other ad where they, like with the horses and stuff. Like, they're kind of trying to do this very artful approach to, to all of their marketing, you know.

[Lauren]

Yes, they are. And I do think actually that people don't give her enough credit for. For kind of the vision that she has for all the, I don't know, just the aesthetic of their. Of their world that they inhabit. Like, they work with. I believe they work with Pearson Ward for their interior or the architect that works with Pearson Ward. It's not amateur hour over there. I do think that everything is very, very considered and some people would disagree, but I actually think that just aesthetically, from the social media to their interior to everything that they do, it's all. It's all very intentional.

[Chandler]

Yeah, agreed. I will say I think some of the coloring in the video did not help the Handmaid's Tale accusations. Like, the stylization was very dramatic. And I think that did. That did give it a little Handmaid's Tale feel.

[Lauren]

I don't know. I guess I just feel like,

[Chandler]

okay,

[Lauren]

there are many truths that can be true. For example, there can be these Quiverful families where the mother is completely overwhelmed and it is just chaos and there's not enough energy for all the children. And it's. It's really not healthy or good. But yes, that exists. I also think that there are 100% huge families that love it, that it works for them. They're good. Like, they loved growing up that way. And I think her sister is the same way. And I'm just. I'm not ready to be in the camp of, like, she shouldn't have had this ninth baby at all.

[Chandler]

This is not a new thing that people kind of like, enjoy watching or enjoy like, seeing. I mean, think about, like 19 kids and counting.

[Lauren]

Like, it's not.

[Chandler]

This is not a new thing. So. Yeah, I'm also not. I don't know if they wanted to have another baby. They can have another baby. They clearly have a very successful life and they make it work for themselves. Even if it's not my style.

[Lauren]

Yeah, it's not our style. I will say that someone recommended, and it's on my list, a well Trained wife. It's a memoir of a woman who was basically raised in that. In the Quiverful cult.

[Chandler]

Oh, I don't know anything about quiverful. I just. I don't know what that word means. Is that a proper noun or it or an adjective?

[Lauren]

Okay, so quiverful is this religious community that's like. I don't know that much about it. What?

[Chandler]

Just like picturing, just like a woman quivering. Like someone's like quiverful. Like they're just like. And so when you're like, you know, there can't be these quiverful families. Just like I was trying to. Yes. And there hardcore.

[Lauren]

Okay, so did you just look up what it is? I did, yeah.

[Chandler]

The Quiverful capital Q. The Quiverful movement is a conservative evangelical subculture promoting large families, unconditional rejection of birth control and strict biblical patriarchy.

[Lauren]

Yeah. So it's a. It's basically a cult and women are highly oppressed in it. And it's what the end game, I think of the tinfoil hat people about Ballerina Farm say she is after and I guess the Mormon church writ large. And so. Yeah, I just don't, I don't agree. I think that she's from a huge family. He's from a huge family. And they have a ton of money, you guys, So I think they're happy.

[Chandler]

Also, she's at the center of all of this. Like, she's the star of this commercial. It's not like she's just like in the, you know, in the back room birthing children non stop, you know, not to be seen or heard.

[Lauren]

Yes. And she also admits her life is a stage. Right? Like, that's a pretty bold admission to say everything you're seeing, like, this is a stage.

[Chandler]

I don't know that I fully interpret that as like her saying, like, this is all smoke and mirrors. This is all just like a performance for you.

[Lauren]

I'm not saying that she's saying this is all fake in a performance, but she has made her life a stage by making her private life moments so public. And we could literally talk about this forever, but by bringing in. I don't know what it is. What is it? 20 million followers at this point across Instagram and TikTok into her home, seeing all of their children's faces, like that's a stage of sorts. And it. Yeah, it has far bigger reach than any other stages.

[Chandler]

Also, this is going to be a theme for this episode. But you know, given the works of our podcast the last few weeks, I just really think, like you said, there are like actual monsters or actual things to demonize in our culture. And this is just like I'm channeling my rage towards yeah. Bigger things these days.

[Lauren]

Yeah. And can I just say, having met their children, because we went to their farm opening, we've met some of their children. Like, I have my nieces and nephews. I have Kagan's nieces and nephews. Gorgeous, amazing children. My friend's children. Amazing. These were also amazing children. Like, could not have been lovelier, sweeter, more well behaved. And I don't even like talking about other people's kids, so I should just leave it there. But I was so impressed when I walked away after having met her children.

[Chandler]

Yeah, agreed.

[Lauren]

Agreed.

[Chandler]

Okay. Well, that was just another classic go at, you know, at Lauren and Chandler talking about Ballerina Farm, where it took about five times as long as it needed to. But, you know, we clearly had a lot to say.

[Lauren]

I mean, I could continue, but we should move on.

[Chandler]

And I could, too.

[Lauren]

We're sick. Why does she captivate me so much? It's just, like. It's crazy. It's crazy.

[Chandler]

I just think, you know, they're continuing. They continue to give us new things to, like, partake in. And I will say, I did order the bone broth hot chocolate that our dear friend Marion recommended, because I want to try it.

[Lauren]

Stock.

[Chandler]

Interesting.

[Lauren]

Okay.

[Chandler]

I want to try it.

[Lauren]

Keep. Keep us posted.

[Chandler]

Okay, moving along. Everybody, please, let's just. For the. For the love of God, let's move on.

[Lauren]

Kate, can I just give one more thought?

[Chandler]

I know if another 15 seconds, like, goes on, we will have a new thought to share about this, and we'll be right back to square one.

[Lauren]

I mean, we did do an emergency episode for her.

[Chandler]

I know. Lauren, just stop talking about it.

[Lauren]

It's just like we did. We absolutely did.

[Chandler]

Okay, I want to talk about Meghan Markle.

[Lauren]

Let's please. Oh, my gosh. Yes.

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[Lauren]

You guys.

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[Lauren]

No, I'm not.

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[Lauren]

Sadly that is not happening. No. I am celebrating my friend's bachelorette and what do you think is coming in

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[Lauren]

Okay And I just think they have amazing swim looks, they have amazing going out looks. I feel like if you're going to

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[Lauren]

So happy shopping. Do you want me to share a synopsis or would do you want to just dive in?

[Chandler]

No. Please share a synopsis.

[Lauren]

So Page Six has released the following article. The title is Netflix Dumps Meghan Markle in Latest Blow to Troubled as Ever Brand so Netflix has officially cut ties with Meghan Markle's polarizing lifestyle brand as Ever. Page Six can confirm her show did not go on as it did not make sense to continue the partnership, an industry source exclusively told Page Six. A Netflix spokesperson said Megan's passion for elevating everyday moments in beautiful yet simple ways inspired the creation of the as Ever brand and we are glad to have played a role in bringing that vision to life as it was always intended. Megan will continue growing the brand and take it into its next chapter independently and we look forward to celebrating how she continues to bring joy to households around the world. A source close to the matter tells Page Six it was always the plan to get as Ever running on its own two feet. And we can expect to see seasonal specials of With Love Megan in the future. An as Ever spokesperson told Page Six that the company is grateful for Netflix's partnership throughout the launch and our first year. And then they basically say the same thing. Like, this was always the plan from the very beginning.

[Chandler]

Okay, would we say that as ever is on its own two feet? Is running on its own two feet?

[Lauren]

I mean, can you buy products on the website right now?

[Chandler]

I'm literally on it right now, and I actually am going to answer my own question and say that it has, like, a full swath of products.

[Lauren]

You can.

[Chandler]

You. You can currently buy the entire jam set known as the Complete as ever pantry for $295.

[Lauren]

Oh, my gosh. No.

[Chandler]

Lauren, go. Look at how expensive this shit is. The Go to Hostess gift set, $132. That's like three jams and a couple of teas.

[Lauren]

Stop.

[Chandler]

There's a Hold that thought. Leather bookmark for $20.

[Lauren]

Okay, this actually really pisses me off. This really pisses me off because she's like, has her woman of the people bullshit, you know? She's like, no matter what price point that a person can shop at, I want them to have a piece of my brand. And she's selling jam for 200. Like, I. I know how to make a bad financial decision, okay? Ask my husband when my packages come. And this. Even this price point, to me, it's just like. It's.

[Chandler]

It's.

[Lauren]

What's the word that they use? Like, I don't know. I want to call Better Business Bureau.

[Chandler]

Yeah, it's predatory.

[Lauren]

I want to call the Better Business Bureau on azap.

[Chandler]

You call that Better Business Bureau, bitch. No, I mean, I'm just looking at this. The Heritage Library set, which comes with the hold that Thought bookmark, some teas, and then the Honey Duo gift box, which is two different types of honeys. That's $174. And there's a limit to six per person.

[Lauren]

I'm sure that's really necessary. Wow.

[Chandler]

No, it is predatory. I mean, this is some of the cheapest shit you can get at the grocery store.

[Lauren]

Yeah, this is price gouging. This is so sick and weird. Okay. Oh, I wish I didn't see this because I would have more charitable assumption about Meghan Markle right now. And just. I don't Know, I feel like I would have less criticism. I would be less blaming the woman.

[Chandler]

Is this different from goop? Okay, there's also the. As ever, wines are a little bit more, like, are a little bit better. Lauren, we should get this. The as ever Sauv Blanc is. Is $35. The rose is 35. The brew is 90. Like we should. We should try this.

[Lauren]

The problem is, is I would prefer the wine be a hundred dollars. And when I buy it, I think it's going to be, like, really high quality even. It's. If it's BS in my brain, than 42. 42 jam. Okay, $42 for three small things of jam. Because jam, just the essential quality of jam.

[Chandler]

It's.

[Lauren]

It's sugar and fruit and preserves.

[Chandler]

Like, it's a spread. So why don't you just go ahead and restate that? It's a spread. It's a preserve.

[Lauren]

I just feel. I feel frustrated by that because it just straight up shouldn't cause that much, and that bugs me. And I feel like the difference with GOOP is Gwyneth Paltrow is famous for a quote of saying, you know, I can't pretend to make $25,000 a year. She's famously a snob, and so she is authentically selling really expensive stuff. And I feel like, Megan, it just comes off the heels of a lot of women of the people messaging in her interviews. I'm literally referring to an interview she did with the BBC where she was talking about how she really wanted that little, like, girl at home who is a middle schooler who wants a piece of as ever to be able to buy from it. That's why this bothers me.

[Chandler]

Well, that girl can. Can save and get the book.

[Lauren]

I mean, save.

[Chandler]

She can babysit. She can get up and work.

[Lauren]

That's so true.

[Chandler]

I just think it's funny that.

[Lauren]

That this is being spun as, like, you know, this was the.

[Chandler]

Netflix was just her launching pad for, you know, $200 box sets of jam. And now that's just fully, fully, you know, off to the races.

[Lauren]

Like, she can.

[Chandler]

She can leave behind Netflix.

[Lauren]

Yeah. I think that the funniest part of this entire spin is them trying to sell the public on the idea that Netflix, a publicly traded company, would like to part ways with a booming business. Like, that is a good decision for them. And we've discussed this before, but it's

[Chandler]

like, it's always in reverse. It's like you get the booming business, and then Netflix is like, let's make a TV show about You.

[Lauren]

Right, right. Yes, exactly. It's Netflix. Being like, this was our charity project. We just wanted to help Megan get this off the. Off the ground. But now that it's going really well, we don't need to, you know, reap the rewards. Like, where's the fiduciary responsibility to everyone who owns Netflix stock?

[Chandler]

Yeah. I mean, my other gripe is just that she's like, the most annoying person on International Women's Day. Like, I don't know why that holiday feels so chuky to me now, because it is.

[Lauren]

It's super chuky. It is.

[Chandler]

And you guys know we're feminists. We're girl bosses in our own right. But I, I kind of just like. Like, the only time we hear from her is when it's like, International Women's Day.

[Lauren]

Is it International Women's Day?

[Chandler]

Yesterday was. And she, like, posted a picture of, like, her and the daughter, like, from behind, obviously.

[Lauren]

Is that rude that I saw that?

[Chandler]

And I was like, of course. Of course we get our IWD posts from Meghan Markle.

[Lauren]

It's always a virtue signal. And I got a message from a fun person on Instagram who I love and I probably shouldn't share, even though I don't think she would care. But one of my. One of my icons on IG messaged, and she said this is because basically people can always sniff out inauthenticity and when you're inauthentic, things fail. And I think that just is it in a nutshell.

[Chandler]

Talking about this Netflix deal, like, you know.

[Lauren]

Yeah. Talking about the fact that Netflix dumped the partnership with us ever. Yeah.

[Chandler]

And I mean, I guess like that that movie that they promoted at Sundance, that they. That the movie that they were a part of has not been picked up at all by any streaming services. Oh, yeah. So it hasn't been bought by a distributor or streamer.

[Lauren]

It's called Cookie Queens. It's a documentary that Meghan and Harry, I guess it cost $3 million to make. They premiered it at Sundance. Meghan and Harry were the executive producers and Archell production.

[Chandler]

You know what it's about.

[Lauren]

So it's about a coming of age documentary about Girl Scout Cookies season. Following four girls ages 5 to 12 and their families as they navigate the annual whirlwind of selling, striving, and succeeding. The girls are competing in a cookie sales industry worth $800 million. Apparently it's personal to Megan because the project, she was a Girl Scout in California with her mother Doria, serving as a troop leader. So does that Sound like something you'd rush to the theaters to see.

[Chandler]

I mean, I love a Girl Scout cookie, but just damn, like, man, they just like, don't know how to pick a project that's going to hold the, the audience's interest.

[Lauren]

Yeah, it's a bummer. And I think it brings us to the next story, which is apparently that they're doing another Australian tour in April. And I look at that and I'm just like, okay, you guys are clearly not good business people. Okay? You're just not.

[Chandler]

So Wait, why do you say that?

[Lauren]

Why are they not good business people? Because they don't know how to, you know, create a film that they can sell to a district.

[Chandler]

No, I just mean why does the Australia thing make you think they're not good business people?

[Lauren]

The Australia thing? I think what I would say to them is quit it. Quit with the faux royal tours. You can't keep up this lifestyle. Like, this is just. This to me is too much. Like, you've got to bring down expenses, pare back your life, and we don't need to do this huge tour. I don't know, maybe. I clearly don't have insights into their exact P and L, but there's something about, like them going on a, like a tour where they're going to meet with, you know, philanthropies and they're going to meet with dignitaries and they're going to be like faux royals and they're going to a part of the commonwealth. I thought they were stepping back. Yeah, and that's expensive. With all their security. How are they fronting the money for that?

[Chandler]

It's one thing to be like, they're going to go visit Australia, they're going to take you in a family vacation to Australia or whatever. But it's like, it's very much so. Like they're going to be visiting, like, here come our dignitaries. Like, let's, you know.

[Lauren]

No, exactly.

[Chandler]

Let's start. Get the parades in order.

[Lauren]

It's just, it's attention grabby. It's wanting. It's wanting to be in the headlines. You know, we're going to see all the outfits. It's good for our business. But I just think that since they're clearly not that good at business, they should cool it a little. Like, that's my advice to them. If they're looking for advice, just be private. Just be a family. Like, take the money that you've made and invest it wisely and live in privacy. Why invite all this, like, all this speculation and chatter.

[Chandler]

I don't think she wants to be a normal girl.

[Lauren]

No, I mean normal woman doesn't.

[Chandler]

And he doesn't know how to be normal, obviously.

[Lauren]

Yeah, no, she definitely doesn't. So their privacy tour will continue in Australia.

[Chandler]

It absolutely will. I mean, I will say I do think a Harry and Megan moment with. With, you know, acting royals would really distract from this Prince Andrew stuff. Like that would be good.

[Lauren]

That is good.

[Chandler]

I think that would be like. That would, that would definitely be like. Okay, turning the page. I agree with that.

[Lauren]

It would definitely be helpful for a few week news cycle. But I honestly, I literally don't even think it's worth Charles. It's worth it to Charles Williams to debase themselves in that way by publicly affiliating themselves with Meghan Markle to dilute attention away from the Epstein stuff. Like, I personally think that they hate her so much, it's literally. They don't care.

[Chandler]

There's no road while she's in the picture.

[Lauren]

There's no road. There's no road.

[Chandler]

Wow.

[Lauren]

Especially with these fake royal tours. I mean, I can just imagine the eye rolling going on, you know.

[Chandler]

Oh.

[Lauren]

Oh my gosh.

[Chandler]

Wait. I literally. I'm being reminded. Kate Middleton was in my dream last night and I was hugging her. I think I was apologizing and hugging her.

[Lauren]

You're. Oh, wow, that's sweet.

[Chandler]

But also it was like, it was all good. Like she was good and I was good.

[Lauren]

We'll meet her someday in the next life and she'll be like, you know what, girls? Chandler could quit her job. You. You didn't know. You literally didn't know that. We didn't know.

[Chandler]

We thought we were freeing you. We literally thought you were like locked away and we were like giving you

[Lauren]

like Ariel like her voice, 1 million percent. She will tell us the truth about Rose. She'll be like, actually, you help me. You helped me with my negotiations. I don't know that that's untrue. So yeah, in the next realm and the next.

[Chandler]

Can I tell you, have that conversation

[Lauren]

that is not going to happen for a future daughter for me and Kagan should we ever be pregnant.

[Chandler]

Ghislaine. Kate.

[Lauren]

Because.

[Chandler]

Oh, okay.

[Lauren]

So I think Kate Atkinson is just very pretty and I think it's like, it's just very, just stately. It's beautiful. It's like clean. It's just.

[Chandler]

Yeah.

[Lauren]

Something about it that's crisp. Kate Atkinson. Yeah, I think.

[Chandler]

I don't know.

[Lauren]

She's just, ah. She's just. People are besotted by her.

[Chandler]

I'LL tell you one thing about Kate Atkinson. She's got blonde psychosis.

[Lauren]

She do Kate. Kate Atkinson might literally be insane and just the worst. And yeah, you're right. Anyway. But I really like the idea of Kate Atkinson. But I'm just. I just was like, no, that's off the table. That would be insane.

[Chandler]

It's off the table. That would be sick. I know. Anyway, so no Kate, no Gwyneth, no Hannah, no Taylor. No Taylor. Like, those are all off the table for us.

[Lauren]

I know. It's really troubling. I mean, my middle name is Marjorie after our late grandmother who we were very close to. And I feel like I can't even

[Chandler]

use that because it's too tailor coded now.

[Lauren]

Yeah, I think you could. I just can't be institutionalized against my will because people are like, she's taken the love for Taylor too far.

[Chandler]

Honey, there's a lot of other reasons you might be institutionalized against your will.

[Lauren]

That's true.

[Chandler]

And I'll leave it at that.

[Lauren]

Okay, well, do you want to get into anything else today or shall we just, you know, shall we leave?

[Chandler]

Oh, I want to talk about Jesse.

[Lauren]

I would love nothing more than to discuss that. That is something I have a lot of thoughts about. So Jesse from the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. She basically had 25k of plastic surgery. And it was kind of the saga on social media where she was like, don't worry, guys. The swelling's going down. It's gonna be fine. And now she has come out and she's like, no. Like, I hate the results. And it's horrible. And she is. She's just in it right now. And we will share our thoughts about that. I want to literally play the video. I have so much to say. We're gonna share our thoughts about that on premium on Friday. We're gonna get into Beverly Hills. We.

[Chandler]

I mean, we need to talk about

[Lauren]

the Daryl Hannah interview in the New York interview. The. The article in the New York Times. Brittany. So it's gonna be a packed premium episode on Friday, so if you wanna listen, that will be available to you and then. Yeah. Love you guys so much. Thank you again for all of the. All of the thoughtful messages. Truly adore you all. Thank you for being pop apostles. Love you, Chan.

[Chandler]

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[Lauren]

Pluto TV.

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