Podcast Summary: Tall Blonde – "Things We're Leaving in 2024 (Men & Relationships)"
Presented by MBHTV | Release Date: January 17, 2025
In this candid and introspective episode of Tall Blonde, host Sarah Lauren teams up with her roommate and best friend, Amy Brown, to dissect and reflect upon the tumultuous year of 2024, particularly focusing on men and relationships. Through a blend of personal anecdotes, unfiltered discussions, and relatable insights, Sarah and Amy navigate the complexities of urban dating life, personal growth, and setting intentions for the future.
1. Reflecting on 2024: A Brain Fog
Sarah Lauren (A) and Amy Brown (B) kick off the episode by characterizing 2024 as a year shrouded in uncertainty and chaos.
- Sarah: "[00:00] To me, looking back, it's a brain fog."
- Amy: "[01:05] Hectic."
They acknowledge the fast-paced nature of the year, highlighting how quickly life can change and how memories from the early months are often overshadowed by later events.
2. Navigating Major Life Changes: Amy’s Breakup
Amy shares her significant life event of going through a major breakup in August 2024, detailing the multifaceted impact it had on her personal and social life.
- Amy: "[01:43] I went through a big breakup... [02:03] it was someone that I lived with... had to find a new place... emotional stress."
Sarah emphasizes the profound changes that come with such a breakup, including shifting social circles and the dismantling of intertwined lives.
- Sarah: "[02:25] ...change your life around."
Despite the hardships, Amy reflects positively on the aftermath, noting personal growth and newfound happiness.
- Amy: "[02:26] ...the last four months after we broke up, best four months of my life."
3. Dating Wrap-Up: Highs and Lows
Transitioning to their dating experiences, Sarah and Amy delve into the highs and lows of 2024, offering a comprehensive wrap-up of their romantic endeavors.
- Sarah: "[04:45] So I think we need to go through our 2024 dating wrap."
They pose questions to each other, assessing the number of exes, kisses, dates, and situationships, providing a transparent look into their dating lives.
4. Worst and Best Dates of 2024
Amy's Worst Date:
Amy recounts a particularly unsettling date where her friend betrayed her by flirting with her date, leading to the end of their friendship and raising red flags about the man’s character.
- Amy: "[16:23] ...friend was grinding on the man I went on a date with."
- Sarah: "[18:21] ...relationship has never been the same ever since."
Sarah's Worst Date:
Sarah shares her experience of a chaotic date at a Knicks game that took a bizarre turn when her date exhibited inappropriate behavior alongside her friend.
- Sarah: "[14:30] ...you have to try it before you buy it."
- Amy: "[12:16] ...more questions, too, personal questions, too."
Amy's Best Date:
Amy describes a delightful evening at a speakeasy in Toronto, culminating in a memorable private burlesque show that added an unexpected yet enjoyable twist to her first date.
- Amy: "[28:38] ...we had a great time, having oysters, drinking, laughing."
5. Situationships and Friendships Post-Breakup
The duo explores the concept of situationships, with Amy defining them as relationships without a clear title and Sarah sharing her numerous casual encounters throughout the year.
- Amy: "[20:27] ...long distance relationship, obviously that's different."
- Sarah: "[07:08] I had eight situationships."
Amy discusses the emotional toll of such relationships and the difficulty in forming deep connections post-breakup, leading her to block numerous male acquaintances who were once considered friends.
- Amy: "[23:44] ...probably like 10 at least."
6. Navigating Modern Dating Challenges
Sarah and Amy address the evolving landscape of dating, noting how conversations have shifted from light-hearted topics to more serious discussions about careers and future goals.
- Amy: "[10:45] ...people are a lot more serious now."
- Sarah: "[11:27] ...it's like an interview."
They emphasize the importance of persistence in dating, encouraging listeners to continue putting themselves out there despite setbacks.
- Sarah: "[09:26] ...don’t hesitate."
7. Setting Goals for 2025: Balance and Self-Improvement
Looking ahead, Sarah and Amy discuss their aspirations for 2025, focusing on achieving a balanced lifestyle that harmonizes personal growth with social enjoyment.
- Sarah: "[38:30] ...we put it down to one night a week we go out."
- Amy: "[40:14] ...small changes that aren't going to drastically change anything in your life."
They advocate for gradual implementation of goals to avoid burnout and maintain mental well-being, highlighting the value of mutual accountability.
- Sarah: "[41:00] ...it gives me motivation to do it."
- Amy: "[40:46] ...we hold each other accountable."
8. Fun Segment: "Don't Cancel Me"
Injecting humor into the episode, Sarah introduces the trending TikTok segment "Don't Cancel Me," where she and Amy share pet peeves and firm stances on various topics, particularly focusing on men's fashion and behaviors.
- Sarah: "[43:09] ...Ankle socks for men should be never worn in 2025."
- Amy: "[44:42] ...Men who vape, not allowed."
They playfully debate standards and expectations, reflecting on societal norms and personal preferences.
- Sarah: "[44:35] ...Why are you biking with a backpack on?"
- Amy: "[44:40] ...Why are you vaping?"
9. Rapid Fire: Personal Anecdotes and Lessons
In a rapid-fire Q&A segment, Sarah and Amy share quick anecdotes and lessons learned from their experiences in 2024, offering listeners bite-sized advice and relatable stories.
- Amy: "[49:10] ...ghosted me now after that."
- Sarah: "[53:00] ...got away with that unscathed."
They discuss topics ranging from ghosting encounters to fashion preferences, providing a light-hearted yet insightful closure to the episode.
10. Closing Thoughts
As the episode wraps up, Sarah and Amy offer final tips for listeners transitioning into 2025. They emphasize clarity in personal goals, self-confidence, and the importance of gradual self-improvement.
- Amy: "[59:04] ...be clear about what you want the year to look like."
- Sarah: "[59:26] ...follow your goals and not your mood."
Their encouraging words serve as a motivational call to action, urging listeners to pursue their aspirations with determination and self-assurance.
Notable Quotes:
- Sarah Lauren: "What the literally fuck happened in 2024." ([00:47])
- Amy Brown: "The last four months after we broke up, best four months of my life." ([02:26])
- Amy Brown: "Working out and eating healthy, like, that's going to be on my goals list every single year." ([40:19])
- Sarah Lauren: "Look good, feel good." ([52:38])
- Amy Brown: "You're always the target." ([35:12])
Conclusion
In this episode, Tall Blonde offers a raw and honest exploration of the challenges and triumphs faced in the realm of dating and personal growth during 2024. Through heartfelt conversations and shared experiences, Sarah and Amy provide valuable lessons and relatable content, ensuring listeners are well-equipped to navigate their own journeys into 2025 with resilience and confidence.