Unpacking the ‘personality type’ obsession

Summary

Style-ish Podcast Ep. "Unpacking the ‘Personality Type’ Obsession"

Host: Shameless Media
Date: November 25, 2025
Guests: Joanna Fleming (soon-to-be bride), Annika Joshi Smith

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Overview

This episode of Style-ish blends lighthearted pre-wedding celebration and fashion/beauty chat with a deep-dive into the internet’s current fixation on personality types. Hosts and guests trade hilarious bachelorette anecdotes and swap practical beauty recommendations before digging into why we love sorting ourselves—and each other—into boxes like “Type A” and “Type B” (and C, D, etc!). The episode also addresses thoughtful audience questions about baby shower gifting, weaving in relatable and often laugh-out-loud realness throughout.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Hen's Party Highlights & Wedding Prep Vibes [00:21–07:13]

• Joanna Fleming shares her hen’s experience: unconventional, no bridal party, fun Italian lunch at Pepe’s in Melbourne with secret plans and a pink Hummer limo to a rooftop after-party.
• Despite her “Type A” reputation (“the most chill I’ve ever been about anything in my whole life” – Joanna, 04:57), Jo is taking a relaxed approach to wedding-week unpredictabilities.
• The team sets an enthusiastic, giggly tone, celebrating friendship over the typical wedding tropes.

2. Skincare & Beauty Product Swaps [07:13–14:56]

• Jo’s recommendation: Rejuran Skincare ampoule and sheet mask (“this is one of the things that I’ve been using… my skin feels really smooth, really calm.” – Joanna, 10:37).
• Annika’s recommendation: The Little Company’s Living Skin oil cleanser; extols the joys of double cleansing for easy makeup removal and skin clarity.
• Mads’ swap: instead of unnecessary gift purchases, advocates the Kmart Wishing Tree for donating gifts to families in need, sharing a poignant family tradition (“…it means way more than any overpriced onesie that I can drop off” – Mads, 36:15).

3. Skin Prep Before Big Life Events [11:03–12:47]

• Start skincare routines ideally nine months out, but three months is “achievable” for noticeable benefits.
• Realistic expectations: Topical treatments won’t provide the same effects as injectables, but can significantly help with texture/hydration.

4. Society’s “Personality Type” Obsession [14:56–27:20]

• Internet trend: people publicly claim Type A/B/C/D traits—often as virtue signaling or as building in-group identity.
• The panel breaks down the types (see below) and listens to a viral clip illustrating “type B” behaviors.
• Panel finds the trend both relatable and reductive—real people blur the lines (e.g., “I’m a type A with a type B rising!” – Madison, 19:13).
• Memorable moment: “Are humans really that simple? Like, we’re such complex creatures. How can it really just be, like, that simple? You’re this or that...” – Annika, 22:29.
• The group notes the comfort people find in community and belonging, but warn of the risk in using labels as bragging or as relational boundaries.

Personality Type Definitions (17:16):

• Type A: Competitive, ambitious, impatient, highly organized

• Type B: Relaxed, patient, easygoing, adaptable

• Type C: Conscientious, detailed, logical, sometimes reserved emotionally

• Type D: Dependable, often anxious, dislike change

• They play a comedic podcast clip (Amy Poehler x Kate McKinnon) which hilariously demonstrates the modern penchant for rapid-fire self-categorization.

5. Real-Life Complexity vs. Internet Labels [19:55–26:35]

• Hosts reflect on personal examples of “mixed” type behaviors—high-pressure work lives with mess rooms at home, Type B chill in personal life vs. business hustle.
• Discussion of how maturity and life events (e.g. pregnancy) can shift personality strategies and priorities.
• Ultimately, they see the popularity of the trend as about “craving community and connection and kind of wanting to feel like they’re part of a little club that not everyone gets to be in.” – Mads, 26:44.

6. Listener Dilemma: Baby Shower Gifting [28:14–39:55]

Submission:

Imani writes in worried about “how much” to spend on baby shower gifts, especially given she might not want to have kids herself (“Am I bitter for feeling a bit put out by this?” - 28:02).

Panel Responses:

• Registry is queen: For non-parents or low-experience people, registries take the guesswork out (Jo: “As a woman that doesn’t have babies, I don’t know what the fuck to buy.” – 31:32).
• Joint gifts: Joanna’s friend group does pooled gifts for first babies and smaller subsequent gifts.
• Practicality and sentiment over designer excess: Passing down baby clothing with meaning is valued; group agrees expensive baby clothes are silly (“Often, like, no offense to anyone who’s bought me baby clothes… we’ve got a vibe going on over here.” – Annika, 32:05).
• Thoughtful gestures count more than money: Food, time, and care matter more than flashy presents (“It means way more than any overpriced onesie that I can drop off…” – Mads, 36:15).
• Show up for all life milestones, not just traditional ones: Suggest celebrating promotions, business launches, and other “non-traditional” milestones for friends not wanting kids/marriage. (“As a society we tend to over-celebrate traditional life milestones like babies and weddings and we under celebrate the non-traditional things like getting a promotion…” – Joanna, 30:15).
• Emotional support is invaluable: Validating new mums with supportive texts/calls has bigger impact than expensive gifts.

7. Wrapping Up & Notable Moments

• Loads of in-jokes about bridal accessories (“I never thought I’d get to see Joanna Fleming in Hobby Hot pink and a bedazzled bridal cowboy hat, iconic, sucking a dick straw.” – Mads, 41:03).
• Heartfelt well wishes for Jo’s wedding week (“We adore you and we love Adrienne and we wish you nothing but health and happiness. Dare I say it? No rain, perfect hair…” – Mads, 06:45).
• Teasing about returning with a “wedding report card” and drunken exploits (“Who got the drunkest? Spoiler: It’s Maddie.” – 41:26).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Joanna on wedding mindset:
  “This is probably the most chill I’ve ever been about anything in my whole life. I feel like… I’m just so sure about it. I have nothing to be concerned about. If it rains, whatever. Can’t control that.” – [04:57]

• Mads on personality boxes:
  “You’re allowed a junk drawer. You’re allowed a junk room. You can be someone who’s perpetually three minutes late and still be an incredibly organized, goal-oriented, your life and your shit is together person.” – [20:58]

• Annika on online tests:
  “Are humans really that simple? …We're such complex creatures. How can it really just be that simple? You're this or that, which is kind of like what I don’t like about it.” – [22:29]

• Joanna on gifts and villager philosophy:
  “There’s this sentiment going around online …that everyone wants a village, but they don’t want to be a villager… You’ve got to show up for your friends for them to show up for you as well. Like, it’s a very reciprocal thing.” – [31:00]

• Mads on meaningful gestures v. gifts:
  “I really want to be a villager, but I don’t think that has to mean spending money. …Finding time to drop off a chicken sandwich…means way more than any overpriced onesie that I can drop off.” – [36:15]

• On being seen:
  “It’s not about platonic love, it is that to be loved is to be seen. And so there is no designer swaddle that you will be given at your baby shower that will make up for the girlfriend that answers your phone call at 8 pm if you’re having a shit night and who drops off Bolognese in the morning.” – [38:35]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Hen's Party Recap & Bridal Vibes: 00:21–07:13
• Skincare & Beauty Swaps: 07:48–14:56
• Personality Types Trend Intro: 14:56
• Type A/B/C/D Deep Dive & Critique: 17:16–27:20
• Listener Dilemma: Baby Shower Gifts: 28:14–36:50
• Genuine Friendship, Non-Traditional Celebrations: 36:50–39:55
• Fun Closing, Pre-Wedding Hype: 39:55–End

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Final Thoughts

This episode is a fun, candid mix of insightful advice (on skincare, friendship, gifting) and playful reflection on pop psychology, all wrapped in the warm, irreverent “girls’ group chat” energy that defines Style-ish. The takeaways: people—and personalities—are more complex than any label, showing up for friends matters more than any price tag, and community isn't about keeping score, but about being seen and cared for, through every life milestone.

Transcript

[A]

Shameless media.

[B]

This episode of Stylish is made for summer, not sun damage. Let's stop normalizing sun tanning and end the trend.

[A]

This is Stylish, the podcast for all things fashion, brand business, beauty, dick straws, brides, hence parties. Yes, tv. Today I am joined by Annika Joshi Smith.

[C]

Hello.

[A]

And our soon to be wedded Joanna Fleming. Now, you might not know this because this is a podcast, but you can probably tell by my voice. I have absolutely had a glass of champagne. We are in the studio dressed in, quite frankly the most ridiculous bachelorette friendly paraphernalia I've seen in stock.

[B]

The most heinous things you could imagine.

[A]

Oh, Jo's like having allergic reactions. There are so many. I don't know if the pink sash is in her color palette, but she's wearing it.

[B]

It's not, but here we are.

[C]

You're honestly like rocking the look so well. She's like the hottest little bride to be. Cowboy, rodeo, queenie.

[B]

Our senior producer Kate surprised us with all of the hens merch.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

She brought it all out, unpacked it all and we've just gone with it. And we've really gotten into it today. We've got the dick straws out in our champagnes and we're ready to go, ready to party. I feel like one of our best episodes is when I got engaged. We had the champagne out.

[A]

Jo, I'm laughing because this is a contrast to. I know the rules and regulations that were provided to your friends and family.

[B]

My actual hands planning hens.

[A]

Tell us how was the hens? We want to hear everything brighter.

[C]

I need every detail, please.

[B]

The hens was great. I did mention on two weeks ago, I think I said about breaking in my shoes, which I'm wearing again today. Actually I wanted to get another wear out.

[A]

We love a Costco wear coming down.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

So the hens was really good fun. My friends did a fantastic job and my sister in law of organizing it. So probably a key thing to mention is I'm not having a bridal party.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So I decided that very early on. Didn't want a bridal party. Didn't want to have to worry about anyone else. I've obviously got a lot of, you know, very close friends and my sister in law that I would have had in my bridal party.

[A]

But of course, us as your bridesmaids, naturally, you know, flower girls and the.

[B]

Tiaras today for it.

[A]

I think that that would say that we're bitches because we thought we were the brides.

[B]

No, I Wanted you to wear a veil again.

[A]

Don't. We set off air. We were outside popping the bubbles, and I said, oh, not my first time wearing one of. And I went, jo goes, say that on air. And I said, no, I can't, because people will think that I'm trying to, you know, be, like, all cynical. And Jo's like, no, but I know that it's funny. And I was like, all right, so if Jo says yes, you can all back off. It's fine.

[B]

But obviously not having a bridal party. It's like, well, who does your hens? But my friends just took it on board, and we love that they made it happen. So I had my hens at a restaurant in Melbourne, very popular restaurant called Pepe's. It's an Italian restaurant. They have a private room out the back. I had about 25 people there.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So I really wanted it to be like a little lunch and then whatever from there. So I actually didn't know the details of my hens. It was all kept a secret. So I didn't know anything that was happening. I just knew that it started with a lunch. So I obviously knew it started at lunchtime. So I had to book my makeup for, you know, the morning to have it done, which I almost. I did not realize that it was Derby Day because I don't personally go to the races. So I didn't realize until a few weeks beforehand that I was like, oh, my God, all the makeup artists are booked.

[A]

Oh, shit.

[B]

So I almost did my own makeup. I did do my own hair, though.

[C]

Your hair looked great.

[B]

Yeah. So my friends organized a really beautiful day. We started at Pepys. We went to a rooftop. After that, they brought in a pink Hummer, which was against code. I did specifically say no tacky paraphernalia. I don't want a sash. I don't want dick straws.

[C]

You need something.

[B]

I don't want any of that. But then they were like, you know what? We gotta have something. And I loved it. That limo ride, the Hummer ride, was probably one of my favorite parts of the day. We had all of the bangers going. Everyone was, you know, drinking. Everyone was having a really good time. Everyone was singing. That was really fun.

[A]

There is something about putting on a great playlist and driving suburban streets that really sets you alive.

[B]

Yeah, it really did. It really set the tone.

[C]

It's the ultimate throwback. Like, get some bangers going. All of, like. I think Ashanti. Like, it just. It takes me there.

[A]

I don't know why it's also just for, like, the prom time, we never really got. Cause it's not really a thing here. But I don't know know, there's something about every teen movie I've ever watched.

[C]

Oh, my God. I actually had a hummer Zane for my. We didn't have a prawn, but, like, whatever.

[A]

Zane. Is that what you just called it?

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

I've never heard that.

[B]

I also think she just called a prom a prawn.

[A]

Okay, Jo, we are five days out. And by we, I mean you. Yeah, Hanukkah and I are also going.

[B]

So we are five days out.

[A]

How are you feeling?

[B]

Good.

[A]

You feeling good?

[B]

Good. I will say the last few weeks before are a little bit stressful, but I would say in tying into the theme of this episode, which we will get into being a Taipei person, this is probably the most chill I've ever been about anything in my whole life. I feel like. I don't know, it's one of those things. I'm just so sure about it. I have nothing to be concerned about. I'm like, well, if it rains, whatever. Can't control that. There's an indoor option. Lots of fat energy. Yeah.

[C]

What are you most type B personality coming through. Is it in there?

[B]

It could be.

[C]

It's giving up.

[A]

You know how I feel about this. We'll get into that. But, Jo, what are you most excited for?

[B]

I am most excited to see Adrian at the end of the aisle. I'm most excited to be at the end of the aisle, ready to walk down.

[C]

That's.

[B]

I'm most excited for myself.

[A]

Oh, my God. I just got goosebumps and tears. I'm sorry. Now people are going to know. I'm feeling.

[B]

Guys, every time I go to write my vows. I'm not a crier. You need to know this about me. It is very hard to make me cry about anything. I probably cry once every six months to a year.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, just not a very emotional person. Oh, actually, sorry. I do cry at a few tiktoks, but every time I've gone to write my vows, I ball my eyes out and I'm trying to get it out of my system so that I don't cry on the day.

[C]

Oh, my gosh.

[A]

I reckon you're gonna cry.

[C]

I think so. Time preparing myself. Like, let's practice shoes. You and I will cry, and I'll be weeping.

[B]

A lot of people have said that. A lot of our friends are like, oh, I'm gonna bawl my eyes out. I'm like, oh, okay.

[A]

I'm gonna be like Melissa McCarthy and bridesmaids being like look away, look away.

[B]

I thought you mean with the Labradors.

[A]

That too. Okay. Well, Jo, I mean it's safe to say if the paraphernalia doesn't say it enough. And the champagne giggles. We are so excited for you. It's no secret Annika and I are Adrienne's biggest fans.

[B]

Their guest.

[A]

We're just going to do a little in studio.

[C]

Cheers.

[B]

Let's do a little cheers.

[A]

But Jo, we adore you and we love Adrienne and we wish you nothing but health and happiness. Dare I say it? No rain, perfect hair. Most of all, we just hope you have the best day and the most fun.

[B]

Thank you so much because you guys deserve it.

[C]

It's going to be perfect.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

A little chin chin.

[C]

Cheers.

[B]

Cheers guys.

[A]

Woo. They just pretending to chip. Okay, but this isn't the bridal offset series so we will get back to regular programming.

[B]

It will be one though. Oh yeah, it's coming, don't worry.

[A]

Oh that. Giving you a little pre teaser there guys. One shares brain and she's living secrets. But we are back with opinions please today and this time we're answering a listener's query about how much to spend on a baby shower gift. God, we're really doing all life's milestones today. Then we're talking all things personality types including where we fall. Even though Jo gave a precursor type A, type B, C and one that I didn't even know existed. D Before we do that though, let's get into the swap, Jo.

[B]

So today I am swapping in something that I have been gatekeeping from everybody for a number of weeks slash months. I actually told you about this early days, Mads.

[A]

So this I just pretended I was.

[B]

You were one of the special people that I personally told about this particular product. So this is a skincare product? Yeah, it is from the same brand that do Rejuran. So this is Rejuran Skincare. They have a turnover ampoule and sheet mask. I have been thrashing both of these things pre wedding. I feel like they're really good.

[A]

Also Jo's eyes just animated like she had just. She was like a three year old that just saw a show bag at the Royal Melbourne show.

[B]

Well, I get gifted a lot of skincare. This is my job to try the best and tell my clients about it and be like I think you should be using this. I should think you should be using that.

[A]

I got leftovers would.

[B]

Yeah, noted. But I have specifically Bought these products because I was having a treatment and the therapist doing my treatment was like, hey, have you tried the Rejuven skincare? Because I was saying how I was getting a third Roger in under my eyes before the wedding, and I was like, no, I haven't. I didn't even know they had a skincare brand. Then she was like, I tried their sheet mask. It's really good. You have to get it. I ordered immediately as I was lying on the bed. Ordered it immediately. Ordered the ampoule. Have been using them for probably three months, I would say. Got my sister in law onto it. Got my girlfriends onto it. Got you onto it, Mads.

[A]

Yeah, I know. I was saying I'm gonna have to buy it ASAP Rocky, before this episode goes live. I can't believe I just said ASAP, Rocky.

[B]

Specifically why I was gatekeeping it because I didn't want to sell out for the wedding. But I've got backups.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

So I'm okay now.

[A]

Important question. How much is it?

[B]

Oh, it's like 60 bucks on Amazon.

[C]

I was actually telling my facial therapist about wanting to get like the salmon sperm under my eyes. Sorry, don't know the real name. And she was the one. She just said it that.

[B]

That.

[C]

I swear I'm not drunk. It's like secondhand. But she was telling me about this exact product and she was like, annika, you need to get this, like, let's start here. And so now I'm literally going to go on add to cart. Buy it all before you bitches get onto the show.

[A]

All right, well, we could do a group order and you don't have to steal from.

[C]

Oh, my God. Christmas present.

[A]

We are doing bad Santa in the shameless media table.

[B]

Ooh, that'd be a good one.

[A]

Yeah. I've got a $30 budget, though, so maybe decant half sample from me.

[B]

Yeah, you might have to. Or just do one sheet mask.

[A]

Oh, yeah. Nice.

[B]

Oh, yeah, they're quite affordable. What? I will say, you will not get the same results topically as you will from an injectable product. I need to make that very clear to people, have realistic expectations. But this particular product or the ampoule and the sheet mask, they have the CPDRN in it, which is basically like the topical version of what they do in the injectables, but it's not really the same thing. So this is a marine based growth factor. It's a salmon DNA. It's in a serum or sheet mask version, and it's. You'd want it to be marine based. So this is more of a reparative ingredient topically. So it's really nice for texture. I've found it great for hydration. I really feel like my skin's agreeing with it. My skin feels really smooth, really calm. I do use a lot of other skincare, to be honest, but it's one of the only things I've really stuck to the last few months and osmosis rescue. I've really tried to kind of pare back the actives. Cause my skin just wasn't really agreeing with everything that I was using. So I've been really, like, careful about what I've used so that my skin's in like perfect condition for the wedding. And this is one of the things that I've been using.

[C]

Can I ask how early did you start using this in your skincare? Like, prep and later before the wedding?

[B]

It was only like three months ago. Okay, that's good.

[A]

That's achievable if someone's listening to this.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I can't stand when people are like. And when you're 12 months out, it's like, well, what if you get on the train too late? What's left?

[B]

I have this conversation constantly. And yes, you do need a lot more lead time. I'm sorry, but we've got to be realistic about what we can achieve. Okay. Okay. You do need nine months.

[A]

All right.

[B]

Don't come and see me three months beforehand and want me to transform your skin. I can't do it.

[A]

Takes nine months to grow a baby and nine months to get your skin ready for a wedding.

[B]

Exactly.

[C]

There you go.

[B]

All right, who's next? Annika, do you want to go?

[C]

So I have been going to the little company actually ever since my wedding. And so that must be like, what, three years ago now? And they tailor made my skincare. They actually. I had eight weeks prep time, so we really did some hard stuff.

[B]

Not enough for me.

[C]

Yeah, not enough. Not quite enough. But I've got to say, I look quite nice on the day.

[B]

So you got beautiful skin.

[C]

Anyway, thank you kindly. But they're in house line. It's the living skin range. And they stock everything from like, Sudashi to some other really beautiful brands. But they incorporated their oil cleanser into my skincare routine, and it's something that I absolutely love. I was so late to the bandwagon of double cleansing. Like, I actually can't believe how it took me so long to start double cleansing. Mainly because I'm lazy. But I love the feeling of putting on Your oil cleanser, massaging it into your face, and you actually feel everything lift. Yeah, like, that's one of my favorite things to do in the evening. And this oil cleanser does that. It's $58. It's actually on sale at the moment with all the Black Friday sales and everything going down. So jump on board. But it melts everything away. It even gets, like, tubing mascara off, which sometimes I really struggle with. Yeah, it's the perfect base for when you want to then do your second cleanse. Or you could probably just do as is if you wanted to.

[B]

But I love this product.

[C]

I mean, I love the range.

[B]

Love a double cleanse.

[A]

Love that look, guys, mine's not, like, happy and jovial, but I'm gonna give it because it's an important one. I know that at the moment, everyone's talking Christmas party, right? There's a lot of Kris Kringles flying around. The girls group chat, might be having lunch. You might be doing family Christmas. Maybe you've got to work one. I'm working with a brand at the moment, and we're doing a Christmas party, and I was like, no one needs 30 worth of junk. Sorry, you just don't. So we are going to do the Kmart wishing tree. And if you haven't heard of the Kmart wishing tree, you go in, you can buy a toy for a young child. You could buy a grooming pack for an older gentleman, and you pick how much you want to spend. Obviously, you attach it to a gift tag and you put it in there. So it's in collaboration with Salvation Army. Do you know what we all laughed about My mum and the G String story we did ever. But I spent a number of years with my mum being a single mum. And every Christmas we would go to Kmart and mum would let me pick something for a little girl my age. And we would always have to pick an older a gentleman, because that is often the most forgotten age group. And we would go and buy two gifts and leave them under the Kmart tree. I really love that my mum did that tradition for me. And I'm going to take my niece and nephew Christmas shopping, and I'm actually going to go and make sure that they buy something for someone their age as well. Like, I know that a $30 gag gift is so fun, but do you actually need it? And can your $30 be spent better, or can you just go to Kmart and maybe spare $20 this Christmas season?

[C]

That's pulled on my heartstrings. I'm like your emotional wedding prep like that in itself is just so sentimental and beautiful and like you always hear about it. But like sometimes I think after the holidays people go on spring clean and they do all these things after Christmas, but do it now. Get rid of those old toys. Get rid of all the old things that you don't even have. Donate them.

[A]

It's a really good point because yes, there's the Kmart wishing tree, but also if you've got old toys, books, do that all before Christmas because a lot of people go to op shops and opportunity centers to go and collect items to repurpose and package up for Christmas. So I just think, do you need another $30 girls? KK, you know, great swap.

[B]

Next we will be exploring our obsession with personality types and how it's playing out online. But that will be right after a word from today's sponsor and after a top up from Kate. Yeah, As a serious sun safety enthusiast, you won't catch me without my daily SPF 50. But if you're not as dedicated as me, here are a few facts that help you form the habit once and for all. Did you know that two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime? How about that? A whopping 80% of visible aging is due to sun exposure. We're so lucky to live in Australia, but our sun is so damaging. The silver lining though is that you can start protecting yourself from the sun today. Literally right now, sun protection should be a non negotiable part of your self care routine. One that helps you avoid skin cancer and premature aging. Because let's be real, you can have the best skincare regimen in the world. But if you're not applying slip slopes, slap, seek and slide, your skin is at risk. It's especially important when the UV is 3 or above. So a great hack is to check this daily and slip on a long sleeve shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a wide brim hat, seek shade and slide on a pair of sunglasses. Together we can end the trend of skin cancer. Thank you so much to the Cancer Council and the Australian government for making this episode of Stylish possible. You might have seen videos on social media lately where people, usually women, reveal whether they're type A, B, C and D and the things that they do that relate to their personality type. I actually didn't know that A, C and D existed. I thought it was just type A and B, but here we are. Often the videos are type B women sharing the type B things she does that would send a type A person into a coma or vice versa. We've actually got an example we're going to play from a type B person, just in case you haven't seen this trend playing out online.

[D]

Number one, when I lose my debit card, which is about once a month, I don't cancel it. I don't even usually look at the bank account. I know it will show up within the next, like day weeks, it'll show back up, so I don't cancel it next. I don't charge my phone before I go to bed.

[C]

I just forget.

[D]

So usually every morning I start my day off with about my phone percentage of 13%. I do not delete photos on my phone. So I currently have 50,692.

[B]

So if you aren't familiar with these personality types, I'm just going to summarise them for you so that we know what direction we're kind of heading in. So type A are normally competitive, ambitious, impatient, highly organised people. Type B tend to be relaxed, patient, easygoing, adaptable. Type C are conscientious, detailed and logical, but they may have a bit of difficulty expressing emotions. And type D are dependable and trustworthy, but often anxious and dislike change. Our obsession with personality types, I think, speaks to a broader obsession we have with categorizing ourselves, whether it's our Myers Briggs personality type or our star sign, which Mads and I personally both love.

[A]

Myers Briggs for me, star signs for you. Let's get that straight. Relax.

[B]

We have a strong desire to attach ourselves to a specific label or group or just to understand ourselves more. We actually have another clip to play. This one is from Amy Poehler's podcast Good Hang, where she interviewed comedian Kate McKinnon and they really summed up this fixation on self categorization. What is your sign? Virgo. Got it. Capricorn. Oh, of course. Good.

[C]

Finally.

[B]

Finally a reasonable person. And you're Myers Briggs entj. Got it. Good. What's yours?

[C]

Good.

[B]

Infp.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Your definite I.

[A]

Good.

[B]

And also your enneagram. Four Wingfung. Of course.

[D]

You're a four.

[B]

What are you? I'm an eight. Why does that sound like an episode of Stylish?

[C]

I know. Me and Mad's going back.

[A]

Oh, yeah, of course, of course. Do you know what? I have seen that clip. I've only seen the star sign portion of that clip. That's clearly been cut down. Yeah, Amy and I are the same. Raspberry. This may be the best day of my life. I love her so much.

[C]

She's iconic. So are you. There we go.

[A]

No, I'm getting emotional.

[B]

I think we know what personality types we are.

[A]

I think we know. Yeah, we know.

[B]

We've worked together long enough that we know Annika is a type B. Yeah, I am. Madison is a type A.

[A]

Okay, agree. Yes, type A. But I definitely have a type B rising.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

And I've got to say, I'm definitely type B in my personal life, but professionally, way more type A.

[B]

Are you?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay, interesting.

[A]

You're obviously an off the charts type A, Jo.

[B]

Yeah. But I've just learned that there's type C and D. Now I'm like, oh.

[C]

Actually type B, C, D, A, C. Yeah. And type See? Maybe.

[B]

But see, I'm a type A, but I have a mess room at home that is just full of crap and I can't bring myself to organize it because I don't have time to do it. I need that to just be my area where it's allowed to be out of control. Yeah. Everywhere else needs to be tidy and organized and otherwise I can't function. So I can't live in mess. I will have, like a breakdown about it.

[A]

I actually spoke to my psychologist about this and I remember when I was like, in the thick of just having the shittest time of my life and I was like, I cannot keep my house clean. I am so clean and tidy. I define as two different things. Yeah, you can be tidy without being clean. Like you can put things away, but you don't clean as clean. I was untidy is what I would say.

[C]

I get it.

[A]

Anyway, my psychologist had this really interesting thing because I was like, I'm just so organized and like, I just can't get my shit together here. And she was like, you are operating in a really high pressured job. And I was at the time. I love how I said I was. I still am, unfortunately. I really look forward to the day that I'm not high pressure. I think even in the nursing home, I'll be on the social committee feeling the stress up here. But honestly, she was like, your brain needs reprieve at some point and it's finding it here. And I think I really struggle with that because to me, to have that kind of tendency felt lazy or disorganized or chaotic. And I don't ever want to be described as any of those things. A lot of people would call me chaotic, though, just as an energy. But I was like, I don't want to be those things. And that's. I think that's Why? I was like eye rolling a little bit at this because I think if in a job interview someone said, oh, what type personality do you think you are? And you said, I'm type B. That assume you never check your emails. You never know where anything is. You, you know, and I'm like, you're allowed a junk drawer. You're allowed a junk room. You can be someone who's perpetually three minutes late and still be an incredibly organized, goal oriented, your life and your shit is together person.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Which is.

[A]

I call myself out on my BS here because I love Maya Briggs. So I love putting you in one of 16 categories. But I think where I struggle is when we define people more closely in your one or the other.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And I know the irony is that, Maya Briggs, you are one or the other for, you know, one of four categories. But it kind of forms a whole being rather than going, you're an extrovert or an introvert.

[B]

See, I think this whole trend online is about people wanting to position themselves in a certain way without bragging about the things that they like about themselves.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So I see this as like, type B. Like, I'm so chill and relaxed and I don't care and I just go with the flow. Like, that's what a type B wants to be. But like, in this trend, that's what they want to be perceived as. And a type A wants to be perceived as. I have my shit together. I know exactly what I'm doing. I'm like, better than everyone else. That is.

[A]

My calendar's color coded.

[B]

Yes. Like, that is the vibe of this trend is like, I'm better than you because I am XYZ and I'm a type B. Or I'm a type A.

[C]

Are humans really that simple? Like, we're such complex creatures. I'm like, how can it really just be like, that simple? You're this or that. Which is kind of like what I don't like about it. And even when we were off mic guessing or not guessing, saying what we think each other are, it's like there are so many synergies between all of these different A, B, C, D, S. D's didn't even know existed. Not that D, but anyway, still wondering.

[A]

If that D exists too.

[B]

Speaking of D over it, what do you think James is? Type is.

[C]

Oh, my God, he is so type A.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

With soft type B tendencies. Right?

[A]

Oh, my God, you got a friend, Jimmy.

[C]

He is an empath, like everything. He's such like a empathetic thinker. Everything Is, like, so considered, thoughtful.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

And, like, how he operates, though, like, this man, like, if he is cooking, he will step away from the stove, the house will be on fire, and he will have a deep, connected conversation with you. And I'm like, in the background, like, dude, alarms are going rep. That's hard. Yeah. Cannot multitask to save himself.

[B]

Interesting.

[C]

Adrian.

[B]

Yeah. He's a type B for sure.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Yep.

[A]

But the man cooks and does the grocery shop.

[B]

This man has never exercised an ounce of haste in his life.

[C]

I thought you were about to say exercise and I was like, our firefighter.

[B]

No, no, no, no, no. He does, like, never rushed anywhere in his life. Never felt anxious about anything. Just never been worried. He does not know what that feels like. He's just the most. Oh, it must be lovely. I say to him all the time, like, you must be the only person that has never experienced these feelings.

[C]

Ultimate Chella.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Though, like, I really. I sit back now, and as a point of self reflection, kind of as you say that, I think Monday to Friday, I'm still super type A, but I really, really have done a lot of work to really be able to have those type B tendencies of just being able to be relaxed. And if someone changes a plan or says they're not up to it, that I'm not like, oh, my God, my whole weekend's in disarray, and I've planned everything around that, and now I'm too late to book into the bloodies. Like, I was such an anxious person three, four years ago, and maybe that was a condition of my climate and where I was at in my life, but I really relish in now kind of being like, I set it free or like, it's not that deep. It doesn't matter. I considered a wine bar and a girlfriend be 25 minutes late, and I can also be 20 minutes late knowing that girlfriend at the wine bar is okay. Like, shit happens.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

I love that.

[A]

It's nice.

[C]

Yeah. Do you want to know something crazy?

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

So I am so tight B most of the time, like, especially in my personal life. But when you get pregnant, there's this thing that kind of comes over you, which all of my friends and everyone close to me has been speaking about lately. You are so focused on protecting, like, your peace that anything that would maybe bother you or set you off, you could not give a flying fuck about. Like, my nonchalance.

[B]

Ness.

[C]

Yeah. My nonchalanceness. Chalantness nonchalance. My nonchalance. My nonchalance. Am I drunk? My nonchalant Yep. My nonchalant nonchalance.

[A]

Nonchalantness on your nons. You're drunk.

[C]

My nonchalanceness on my nons.

[B]

Sure, sure.

[A]

We'll roll with it.

[C]

Anyway, that is just. It's wild. Like, I just. Things that would really bother me previously. Like, even, like, I don't know, the smallest things. I don't sign up to the drama. I'm not interested in anything. I really don't gossip. Like, my mum will call me for a cheeky little gossip session and I' just, like, not interested. Wanna, like, yeah, I'm not here for it.

[A]

Take your burn book elsewhere, Mum.

[C]

Literally, she's like, who else can I talk to? But it's just so funny how, like, everything changes and your priorities shift and, like, I'm so intrigued just to see, like, if this continues post pregnancy. Because, like, your mindset and everything just shifts as well.

[A]

I mean, it's so funny as well. Cause, like, we've got A, B, C and D and like, we didn't even know C and D existed. I'd say I've got. I'm probably A B and C. I'm definitely not D. You've lost me at the often anxious and disliked change.

[C]

Oh, but you're very trustworthy and dependable.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And this is my thing. It's just all a bit of everything. But I do think ultimately, Joe, back to your point and just to round it all out, it comes down to either wanting to be like, I quite like this about myself.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Or going, well, I kind of want to find my people. And am I a bit weird for doing this, or is there someone out there that does it with me? Or am I a little bit proud of this, but I shouldn't be.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And maybe if I find my people. Cause I have an affinity. When I've spoken about Myers Briggs, if I meet someone and they're like, I'm an entj, much like that clip with Amy, I go, oh, my God. And what do you like at this? And what do you do that? Yes, I. The same way that when an Aries meets a Sagittarius, they're like, of course. You know, it's like when star signs meet. I feel a bit like that. So I think ultimately this trend has come out of people just, again, craving community and connection and kind of wanting to feel like they're part of a little club that not everyone gets to be in. Yeah, it's like, like community, connection, but also exclusivity.

[B]

All right, well, next we'll be answering a listener's dilemma about baby shower gifts. But that will be right after a word from today's sponsor. Quick question. Are you wearing your SPF today? If not, go and do that right now. While you're at it, grab yourself a long sleeve shirt, wide brim hat and sunglasses because here's the harsh reality. Two in three Aussies will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime. 80% of visible aging is due to sun exposure and it takes to just 15 minutes in the sun for damage to start. Sun safety should be the very first step of your self care routine. If you're still sun tanning, let this serve as your reminder to not just rely on spf, but to slip, slop, slap, seek and slide every single day. Thank you so much to the Cancer Council and the Australian government for making this episode of Stylish possible. All right, it's time for opinions please. Which is where someone might send in a dilemma and we get to talk about it here and tell them the experts.

[A]

We are after a couple of glasses of champagne.

[B]

I don't know if we're that reliable.

[A]

Today, but anyway, Annika might be better to answer these than Joanna.

[B]

Who have we got today? Mads?

[A]

We have a lovely submission from Alyssa Imani. She says hi. Stylish. So a close friend of mine is pregnant. Congrats. She's the first friend of mine to get pregnant and she has her baby shower coming up. I've never been to a baby shower before and I'm a little unsure what the expectations are present wise. Is there a certain amount you're expected to spend on baby shower presents like there are with wedding gifts? I've heard some friends talking about buying the baby a designer T shirt, which personally I think is a bit silly given they're going to grow out of it so fast. My friends have also been thinking about asking us all to chip in on some pre baby prep for her like cooking meals for the freezer, which I think sounds lovely. It's all got me thinking about how many baby shower presents I'm going to have to buy over the next few years. As a 29 year old and as someone who is undecided about having children, I know I might not ever get anything back in return. Am I bitter for feeling a bit put out by this? Any advice would be so appreciated. I like the emphasis on all the O's there, Imani. And I love that you signed off with Love Imani. Rapid Fire. What do you think is a good amount to spend on a baby shower gift? I Feel like I'm setting you both up to fail here.

[C]

I know, I'm like, oh, I love a registry.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

I'll tell you that much. I love a registry. I think it's going to depend on how close you are with that person. I think you can set a specific amount. Like we've said with weddings before, like if it's a really good friend, you might give them a lot more than you would give an acquaintance that you maybe worked with three years ago. Yeah.

[A]

And as we've also said, it depends on where you're at in life. Have you got a full time job? Are you partnered in sharing the rent or the mortgage or are you by yourself? Are you paying for something expensive at the time?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Like fitted sheets that George keeps ripping up every time you go out.

[A]

I was gonna say the divorce, but I love that you went with the shade society sheets. Let me tell you, this sheets are bloody bargain compared.

[B]

What I want to say to Imani is like, as a society we tend to over celebrate traditional life milestones like babies and weddings and we under celebrate the non traditional things like getting a promotion and starting a business. And like, I know that she mentioned that kids, she doesn't know that she's interested in having kids right now. And like that has kind of, you know, put a little bit of a bee in her bonnet over spending all of this money on baby shower gifts. There's this sentiment going around online at the moment that everyone wants a village, but they don't want to be a villager. And I think this really ties into Imani's question here. It's like, well, you've got to show up for your friends for them to show up for you as well. Like it's a very reciprocal thing. And also maybe you need to be a little bit more explicit about what you want to be celebrated for in future because it may not be as obvious to your girlfriends that you want to celebrate a promotion that you got at work and you want to go out for dinner and drinks with them to celebrate that or you want to be recognized for the fact that you got an award or that you started a business or whatever it might be if you're taking a non traditional path and you don't intend to get married or have children and be celebrated for those things. So I think that's maybe an important consideration here. But to go back to what I said earlier, love a baby shower registry. Cause as a woman that doesn't have babies, I don't know what the fuck to buy.

[C]

So I will absolutely be having a registry.

[A]

Great.

[C]

Absolutely.

[B]

Awesome.

[C]

And I think the best thing about them as well, like, I have been to baby showers where there is kind of no registry, no rules. Just, like, you know, bring whatever. And the number of swaddles and baby blankets that these people have gotten and the number of, like, times the girls have been, like, I've actually returned those. Thank you so much. But, like, a gift voucher would have been better suited. Practical gifts are great gifts. Often, like, no offense to anyone who's bought me any baby clothes. Like, thank you kindly. But, like, we've got a vibe going on over here.

[B]

I wouldn't ever buy your baby clothes. I'm gonna be honest.

[C]

I know, like, we have such a vibe going on.

[A]

Actually, I would back myself in because when I was doing a shoot at Chadstone with Ray, I spotted these tiny little New Balances that you had, and I was like, okay. I backed myself that this is the vibe.

[C]

She's got them.

[A]

Oh, yes.

[C]

I know she's got them. You know, I know she's a type.

[A]

B and know the baby's style.

[C]

So just like, off another side note. But I always sing Madeleine. Oh, Madeleine to Mad. That's not her name. It's Madison. But when I was.

[A]

Thank you.

[C]

I didn't know that when I was in Paris, you honestly. People are going to think my baby's Parisian because I got the cutest little, like, Madeleine outfits. So I feel like you'll be coming through on her. And she got her first ballet slipper.

[A]

Oh, my God. I do feel like it would be wrong for me not to get her a red cable knit sweater over the shoulders. She needs to match.

[B]

I think Princess Plowman is going to need an ltk. I'm going to be honest.

[A]

I think she's going to need a color analysis.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

She might claim to fame. She's just going to pop off a little bit.

[A]

Look out, Pixie Jasenko. We're coming.

[C]

But sorry, going back to the question, Registries are great and all of those things as well. You need, like the dummies, you need the sterilizer things. If you're going down that path, you need all of these unsexy gifts that sometimes the mum and dads or mums and mums and dads and dads don't want to buy themselves. So I am all for it. They can be high, low. You can also do so many other things like sentimental gifts if you're on a low budget. One of my girlfriends, Hannah, she actually had her beautiful kids probably at the start of everyone's pregnancy journeys and our friendship growth. Her little daughter Veda was actually my flower girl, and she's the best, but she does this thing where she will hand down one of the pieces of clothing from each of her babies when they were a newborn or little. So she just gave me the cutest romper, which I remember dressing Vada in, playing with her in. And, like, there's just that sentimental value. So when I give that to my little one, you know, I just feel like there's that kind of tradition passing on. And it's something we've started in our friendship group, which is nice.

[A]

Nice.

[C]

So lower budget.

[A]

I love that.

[C]

Easy ways to be resourceful.

[B]

In my friendship group, we decided that we would do a joint present for everyone's first baby. So there would be more that you would put in for that present for the first baby. And they would maybe buy, like, a key item, like a rocking chair.

[C]

Oh, that's good.

[B]

So that's what we did. And then just like, you know, a smaller gift when the next babies are born, like when you go over to visit.

[A]

Yeah, I love that. Okay, so bonus. Swap. A girlfriend of mine, Kate, owns the Memo, which, like, you could easily be mistaken for thinking you'd stepped into, like, a mecca, because those stores are so beautiful, and their website's great and the staff are amazing. So a lot of the time I'm in there being like, what are these flowers? And they're like. They are breast coolers. And I'm like, beautiful.

[B]

I know the exact things you're talking about.

[A]

Beautiful. I mean, they look quite chic. That's why I was like, oh, my God, this is so cute. These, like, for the wall baby's room. So I'm okay from a budget perspective, going like, okay, are we all gonna put in and buy, like, the $400, really chic, you know, baby carrier that they might want, or are we gonna all go and buy something individual? So, you know, it might be a couple of bottles or it is a swaddle or, you know, like, beautiful linen for the baby bassinet. Where I struggle, which Imani didn't mention, is how many gifts. So when a friend tells you they're pregnant.

[C]

Good one.

[A]

Do you buy the gift?

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And then if they have a baby shower, do you buy another gift?

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And then when you go and visit them or when they have the baby, you usually send flowers or food. And then your first visit, I kind of feel like you have to have a gift as well. Now let's say you conservatively spent $50 at all of those things. We're looking at 2, 250 already. Yeah. So for me, I'm like, I always want to be a villager. I remember doing an exercise called Find your why It's Simon Sinek. A lot of businesses will do it and it's like, what's the business's purpose? Actually did it with an employer. And then I thought it was a personal exercise. So I said, I'll go first. Really proudly, I'm ready to go to be the best possible friend and family member that I can be. That if I can just go to God with just having been 10% better. He was referring to the brand. Very embarrassing moment. Enlightening moment for me nonetheless in my personal life about bettering myself. So I really want to be a villager, but I don't think that has to mean spending money. So my girlfriends now I'm like, I'm busy, I'm time poor. But finding time to drop off a chicken sandwich for us to grow halves in in a coffee means way more than any overpriced onesie that I can drop off. So I think don't feel like the gift equals that. I think where it becomes an issue is when you're at a baby shower and all the gifts are being opened in front of people, it's a real. It's like show and tell of who's got the most cash or who is being perceived to care the most. And I don't love that.

[C]

Yeah, I'm not into that. That will not be happening at my baby shower.

[A]

I want to go back though, to if you're not having kids because interestingly, this conversation actually came up about a month ago with two separate girlfriends. One of who's not sure she wants kids and one who is like held to the no. Now the friend who's the held to the no. I make a really big deal of her birthday. I will intentionally probably spend three times as much on her as any other friend. Because Miranda, sorry, Miranda really out of you here. Hi, Miranda, who has been a swap on this show before. Actually, Miranda's probably had more shout outs than anyone. I said to her, I probably should stop shouting you out. And she went, oh, no, don't. I love it. I love people who own their truth.

[C]

I've never met her, but I can hear it in her voice as well. I'm like, I love her.

[A]

Just, she's the best. But like Miranda, I bought quite an expensive candle. I took her to one of my favorite Restaurants. And Miranda is the epitome of a villager. And I'm like, I don't know if she'll ever get married. I think she would like to, but it's like kind of not the highest thing on her needs state right now or want state. Maybe her needs date's probably food and shelter. But I'm like, she's not gonna have kids, so I want her to know I really value her friendship, I guess. How do you show up? And maybe it's something for me to think about too. How do you show up for those friends who might not but go to all this effort? You can't exactly be like, hey, I'd love you to take me for dinner or to go and, you know, buy me a nice bunch of flowers. Cause I've had a big work thing.

[C]

I think that's it though. It's just showing up. Like, I think that in itself means so much more. It's the text messages, it's the checking in, it's when you're in the car giving them a call. It's like if you know they've had a bad day, they've got got a big promotion or an interview coming up at work. Just knowing those touch points, like those people that show up for me in my life, I reckon I've got two best friends, we just know that we are that person for each other. And I think that speaks volumes in itself, 1,000%.

[A]

I think it comes back to that whole saying, it's not about platonic love, it is that to be loved is to be seen. And so there is no designer swaddle that you will be given at your baby shower that will make up for the girlfriend that answers your phone call at 8pm if you're having a shit night and who drops off Bolognese in the morning. Yeah. Because that, that level of care, which, look, it will probably be store bought. Blake away, by the way, if it's from us. Like I actually do cook a really good spaghetti Bolognese.

[B]

Adrian's example, but you know, so don't.

[A]

Be mad if we buy it from Blake away or we call in reinforcement. But that stuff that matters so much more.

[C]

Yeah. And it's like the coffees, it's the smoothies, it's something being dropped on your doorstep that to a time poor sleep deprived mum I'm sure will mean the world.

[A]

Yeah. Also just the text late at night. You're doing a really good job.

[C]

You're doing great, sweetie.

[A]

Yeah. I've got a girlfriend who's Got a four month old shout out to Freddie, the love of my life. But I, every time I see Cad, I'm like, you are doing amazing. She is genuinely doing really well, which is so lovely to see because it's not always the case.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

But I'm like, I don't know, one day she might sit there and pretend that she is doing really well. And if she's having a tough day, like, I'm like, you are just. She's like a duck to water. She's such a beautiful mom. And I'm like, every time I go, it's just words of affirmation for her because like, she just is. Love that. Yeah.

[C]

There's a few heartstrings been pulled over here.

[B]

I know.

[A]

Thank you very much to you both. But you, Joanna Fleming, you're going to have a well deserved little week off to enjoy the bridal bubble.

[B]

I am?

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

I'll miss you guys, but I'll be.

[C]

Sharing for all of the content.

[A]

You are going to miss us?

[C]

Yeah. You will not even be thought of.

[A]

If you think about us on the Monday. I will be gravely concerned. I hope all you're thinking about is what you're ordering at McDonald's because you've got a killer hangover.

[B]

Probably hash brown.

[A]

Thank you also to you, Annika Doshi Smith. Glad we had a soon to be mother while we were talking about baby showers because I'm like, oh, where's the grog? Kidding. Someone's got to be the fun drunk, huh?

[C]

Like we can't forget me. So George and Axel.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, George's seventh birthday party. See you there. Remember, you can drop us an email anytime at style-ishameless media.com or you can slide on into our DMS over at Stylish Pod. Thank you very, very much to head of podcast Lucy Hunt. But thank you even more to senior podcast producer Kate Emmerburg. I am so glad. I never thought I'd get to wear a veil again. And I never thought I'd get to see Joanna Fleming in Hobby Hot pink and a bedazzled bridal cowboy hat. Iconic sucking a dick straw.

[C]

But.

[A]

Yeehaw. I did make Joe. I want you to do like the like finger guns. We'll film that as a TikTok outside. That's how you know we've had more than enough to drink. All right, we will be back with you next Wednesday. We might even give you a report card of how great the wedding was. We'll be like, who? Who got the drunkest spoiler It's Maddie.

[C]

I will literally be the reporter. I'll see everything and remember everything.

[A]

Uh oh, signs away. Phoneless wedding.

[D]

Right.

[A]

Go forth and be a bride, Jo.

[B]

Bye.

[C]

Bye.

[A]

We'll see you next Wednesday. This podcast was recorded on Wurundjeri land.

[B]

Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.