The Broski Report with Brittany Broski

Episode 106: I FOUND MY INNER SELF

Date: August 19, 2025
Host: Brittany Broski
Studio: Audioboom Studios

Episode Overview

In this vibrant and freewheeling episode, Brittany Broski ushers in a “new era” of the Broski Report, fueled by her recent embrace of Victorian gothic aesthetics and a delightful plunge into all things macabre, odd, eccentric, and spooky. With candor and humor, she details her personal transformation, shares deep dives into gothic-tinged pop culture—from films to literature to design movements—and explores themes of finding one’s inner self and the whimsical embrace of “the strange.” The episode is rich with Brittany’s trademark storytelling, cultural critique, and irresistible comedic flair.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Embracing the Macabre Victorian Aesthetic

• Brittany celebrates her newfound authentic self, citing a gothic Victorian look as her ultimate vibe:

  • “I've never looked better. In all my 20 years of living, I've never truly looked better. Wow.” (03:15)
  • "This isn't a costume to me. This is what my soul looks like." (04:00)

• Cites a photoshoot and inspiration from a Nosferatu-inspired Victorian nightgown as the catalyst for this self-discovery.

• Halloween costume plans: Proposes a split Nosferatu/Lily Rose Depp look and invites designers to join in her vision:

  • “I need it split down the middle. Count Orlok on this side, Ellen this side.” (07:45)

2. Film Deep Dives: Finding Personal and Cultural Resonance

Brittany discusses her exploration of cult “spooky” films and their influence on her sense of self:

• Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (18:50)

  • Revelations about Elvira’s performance style, its influence on RuPaul and Drag Race.
  • “RuPaul stole her whole shtick from Ms. Elvira.”
  • Classic adult humor: “Me and Colman Domingo, especially of ‘how’s your head?’ – that’s from Elvira.”
  • Burlesque routine at the film’s end: “Oh, wow. Go watch Elvira. Watch it on YouTube.”

• The Addams Family (22:20)

  • Traces the history of the franchise from its 1938 cartoon origins, delves into the humor of the 1991 film and its sequel.
  • “That shit is still so fucking funny. That's my sense of humor, and I'm so glad I found it.”
  • Anecdote about playing Grandma in her high school’s Addams Family musical, improv-comedy memories:
    • “The goal of live Dramatic theatrical comedy is to make your castmates break. That's the point, right?” (25:45)
  • On Raul Julia as Gomez: “Raul Julia. Hot. Sexy. Sexy. I was horny watching this fucking movie. Watch the Addams Family movie. Hi, sir. Wow, he is sexy.”

• Macabre interests rooted in family:

  • Brittany’s affinity for the paranormal influenced by her mother’s ghost hunting and her own love for Dracula, Dorian Gray, Nosferatu, and the Twilight Zone.

3. Pan's Labyrinth: Literary and Emotional Analysis

• In-Depth Synopsis & Interpretation (44:00–1:02:00):

  • Explains the plot for those unfamiliar, with asides on the Spanish Civil War and reflections on fantasy as trauma-coping.
  • Praises Guillermo del Toro’s monsters: “No one does a monster movie like Guillermo del Toro. Wow.”
  • Analytical take: questions the reality of the magical events versus a psychological reading (“…one can argue that she constructs this world in her head that's based on all these fairy tales...as an escape.”)
  • Emotional impact:
    • “I can't even tell you how hard I was crying. I literally went on Instagram, I said, that's what that fucking movie was...A masterpiece. A masterpiece. Holy fuck. Wow.” (1:01:30)

• Movie recommendations for herself:

  • Plans to watch “Crimson Peak” and “Nightmare Alley” (Guillermo del Toro’s other films), and “Clue” on a friend’s suggestion.

4. Personal Reflection: If I Lived in Victorian Times

• Comedic hypothetical about living in the Victorian era:
  • “Y’ all, if I would've been alive in the Victorian era… I would have been stinky and big and rotting. Oh, I would have had sores, just pussy sores. I would have been missing almost all my teeth.” (1:14:20)
  • Paints herself as a lower-middle class rebel, more interested in hanging out at brothels for camaraderie than being a homemaker.

5. Art Movements: Art Nouveau vs. Art Deco

• Passionate, accessible art history lesson (1:17:30–1:37:00):

  • Explains the differences and historical context:
    • Art Nouveau: Whimsical, curvaceous, feminine, fantasy-oriented, 1890s–1910s, inspired by nature and Asian art, precursor to flower power aesthetics.
    • Art Deco: Linear, luxe, geometric, global, inspired by industry and Egyptian motifs, pivotal to Miami and NYC architecture.
  • “There's a reason we still gravitate towards it. Art Deco architecture is some of the most famous and popular in the world.”
  • Connects the cyclical nature of artistic taste to present design trends and upcoming AI concerns.
  • Touches on her personal nostalgia for Art Deco travel posters and The Balm’s Bon Voyage makeup palette featuring these aesthetics.

• Memorable, insightful commentary on design cycles:

  “I wish that eventually one day we'll make a return to a design that's supposed to be beautiful and colorful. We're going through such a tumultuous socio political time right now...” (1:36:20)

6. Songs of the Week

• “Drumming Song” by Florence + the Machine
• “Gold” by Two Hollis
• “Heroin” by The Tiger Lillies (“I love that song. I love the Tiger Lillies. I think that they're… I feel very oo when I listen to the Tiger Lillies.”)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “I've never felt more myself. Look at this. Unironically. This is my look. Are you out of your fucking mind? Look at me.” (03:10)
• “This is not what I thought it was… Sometimes you gotta look at yourself in the mirror and go, oh, that's really what this shit's all about.” (04:30)
• “Overly sexual but deeply intelligent, witty women is the whole, like...I can totally see now as a fan of Drag Race, and I've been a fan of RuPaul for so long, I’m like...Because he always references all those movies.” (18:55)
• “Yeah, better than Nightmare Before Christmas. I'll say it. Yeah, I'll say it with my fucking chest. The Corpse Bride is way better than Nightmare Before Christmas.” (16:00)
• “You know, my mother is a damn ghost hunter. I've had this affinity for the macabre for a while, really.” (29:05)
• On theater: “I’m an improv queen. I would improv after that. I'd be like, yeah, I just peed. What? What can I say?” (26:45)
• On Pan’s Labyrinth: “The end of this movie, very, very tragic...And at the end, the fairy tale comes to life, right? Like this world that there are so many stories happening simultaneously...” (1:00:25)
• “There's a reason we still gravitate towards it. Art Deco architecture is some of the most famous and popular in the world.” (1:31:16)
• “If you've ever seen Casabayo in...I believe it's in Barcelona. This is, I think, one of the most pristine examples. Anything Gaudi did. Oh, Gaudi's light posts...” (1:21:20)

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment/Event | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------|------------| | Embracing Victorian/Macabre Aesthetic | 00:45–10:00 | | Gothic Pop Culture Film Recaps | 10:15–32:30 | | Addams Family & Stage Anecdotes | 22:00–27:30 | | Reflections on Macabre Interests | 29:05–31:00 | | In-Depth Analysis: Pan's Labyrinth | 44:00–1:02:00 | | Victorian Hypothetical | 1:14:20–1:17:00 | | Art Nouveau vs. Art Deco | 1:17:30–1:37:00 | | Songs of the Week | 1:43:10–1:45:10 |

Tone and Style

• Irreverent, witty, and self-aware: Constantly poking fun at herself and the cultural subjects at hand.
• Passionate and knowledgeable: Offers in-depth analysis spanning pop culture, art history, and sociology—always through a “Broski Nation” lens.
• Inviting and confessional: Brings listeners into her personal journey of discovery and obsession with the spooky and eccentric.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode captures Brittany’s current obsessions: connecting with her gothic Victorian “inner self,” rewatching classic spooky films, dissecting art history with candor and humor, and blending personal reflection with cultural commentary. Recommended especially to those enjoying late-summer nostalgia, craving a laugh, and wanting to join in the affirmation that there’s value in chasing your oddest, most authentic passions.