The Broski Report with Brittany Broski
Episode 109: I’m Obsessed with Female Madness
Air date: September 9, 2025

Episode Overview

In this candid and eclectic solo episode, Brittany Broski returns from an eventful trip to the UK and Ireland, reflecting on everything from Irish folklore and the country's tumultuous history to the magic of true sisterhood. The episode weaves together cultural observations, personal growth, impassioned takes on colonialism, deep book talk, and an exploration of “female madness” in literature—all in Brittany’s unmistakable, irreverent voice. Expect a blend of history, humor, pathos, and literary obsession that speaks to Brittany’s core audience.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. UK Festival Recap & Observations

[00:37 – 10:15]

• Reading & Leeds Festivals: Brittany humorously downplays her stage presence at the festivals, describing them as “just Broski Nation meetups.”
  • Brittany shares, “That wasn’t a performance. That was a Broski Nation meetup.” (01:36)
  • Notes the cultural divide between North and South England: “That north vs South England shit is… That’s intense. Y’all really hate each other.” (02:27)
• Hozier’s Impactful Set: A highlight was Hozier’s performance and impassioned support for Palestine, noting BBC censorship.
  • “Hozier gave a fantastic, beautiful speech about Palestine, which I think the BBC had censored. …We watched it happen, like, in real time.” (03:29)

2. Irish Adventure: Whimsy, Folklore, and Pub Crawls

[10:15 – 21:55]

• The Magic of Ireland: Brittany describes Ireland as a place imbued with whimsy and “something in the air,” referencing Irish folklore and the spiritual resonance of the land.
  • “There is a whimsy in that fucking country that I don't think I've been able to put my finger on until now… it is a magical place.” (11:48)
• Obsessed with Swans: Repeatedly seeing swans in Ireland becomes a running mystical motif.
  • “Why are there swans all over fucking Ireland? ...I think honestly, I'm choosing to believe that this is a message that we should be here.” (13:56)
• Pub Crawls & Traditional Music: Recounts whiskey tours with friends in Galway, a chaotic but fun visit to O’Connells, and witnessing traditional Irish dancing and Ilan pipe (uilleann pipes) performances.
  • “He played the... at Irish bagpipes. ...This is like the elbow is doing all the work. It was so beautiful, and it was unlike—well, it was similar to Scottish bagpipes, but it's very different.” (15:45)

3. Learning Ireland’s History, The Troubles, and Colonial Wounds

[18:40 – 24:55]

• Deep Conversations with Tour Guides: Brittany gets personal about learning from Irish locals about the country’s recent trauma: the Troubles, the Great Famine, and ongoing questions around a unified Ireland.
• American Perspective & Self-Reflection: She feels embarrassed by her limited American education on global history, especially as a “former gifted and talented student.”
  • “It’s an embarrassing thing, especially as like a former gifted and talented student… you go out in the world and you realize, oh, you’re really not.” (20:28)
• Parallels to Palestine: Draws connections between Irish solidarity with Palestinians and Ireland’s own colonial history.
  • “There is a reason why the Irish people are so heavily empathetic towards the Palestinian people… We know genocide when we see it.” (22:59)

4. Belfast, Kneecap, and Cultural Activism

[24:55 – 27:30]

• Electric Picnic & Kneecap: Attending an Irish music festival to see Kneecap, Brittany discusses their cultural significance and activism for Palestine.
• Irish Language and Identity: Mentions a legal case involving a request for an Irish translator, highlighting eroded linguistic heritage.
  • “He requested an Irish translator... That’s a statement in and of itself.” (25:56)

5. Dublin, Tours, and Sisterhood

[27:30 – 34:25]

• Dublin Antics & Viking Splash Tour: More playful travel stories, including the iconic land/sea Viking splash tour.
  • “If you’re ever in Dublin, please do the Viking splash tour. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had.” (28:12)
• Advice for Listeners: Urges listeners to go on a girls’ trip, emphasizing the importance of deepening friendships.
  • “If you have friends that are worth going on a group chat on a girls trip with, please do it. Life is fleeting.” (32:45)

6. Reflections on Identity and Returning to America

[34:25 – 36:58]

• Discusses the emotional difficulty of returning to the U.S. political climate.
• Muses about the awkwardness and guilt of being an American abroad: “I almost go out of my way to make sure people don’t notice I’m American… but it’s like, why is that? Of course we know why it is.” (35:19)

Literary Deep Dives: Female Madness, Obsession, and Classic Novels

[36:58 – 51:45]

7. Babel, Dark Academia, and Genre Hopping

• Reveals she just started reading “Babel” by R.F. Kuang and discusses her obsession with “dark academia.”
  • “Why didn’t I listen to you guys when you told me to read [Babel] before?… I’m back on my Dark Academia shit.” (38:18)

8. Rebecca, Wuthering Heights, and the Allure of Female Obsession

• Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier: Deeply analyzes the unnamed female protagonist’s spiraling obsession with her husband’s dead first wife, linking it to “female madness.”
  • “The concept of female madness… really, really intrigues me… Only a woman could dream that up.” (47:08)
  • “Rebecca’s been dead for 14 months, but she’s never been more alive than in this moment…” (48:34)
• Wuthering Heights & Jane Eyre: Shares excitement to read or revisit these gothic classics.
  • “Never read it, so I wanted to familiarize myself… Wuthering Heights has consistently been in the zeitgeist.” (44:10)
• The Bell Jar: Reflects on the personal impact of reading “The Bell Jar.”
  • “I can’t really put into words what that book made me feel other than I felt seen in a way that very few pieces of literature have.” (48:59)
• General musings on why stories telling of women’s mania and “madness” hold such power for her.

9. Literary Plans & Recommendations

• Shoutout to Irish literature, especially Flann O’Brien’s “The Third Policeman.”
• Requests listener recommendations for books like “Carmilla,” praises classic vampire and gothic literature penned by women.

Music of the Moment

[51:45 – 52:40] Brittany’s current song obsessions:

• “Country Squire” and “Play Me a Hank Song” — Tyler Childers
• “Man I Need” — Olivia Dean
• “When a Good Man Cries” and “Take a Sexy Picture of Me” — CMAT
• “Just in Love with You” — The Deslondes and Cameron Snyder
• “You Know I’m No Good” — Amy Winehouse
  “I’ve also been on my Amy Winehouse bullshit. Just classic.” (52:38)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “There is a whimsy in that fucking country… it is a magical place.” (11:48)
• “I don’t give a fuck if swans are just native to that region, kept seeing swans. I think I was supposed to be here.” (13:56)
• “I am my mother’s mother’s mother’s mother’s mother’s suffering… there is a long lineage. Men create things to… feel sorrow about. Men create wars, men create pain. What’s that fucking line from Fleabag? Women have pain built in.” (49:45)
• “If you have friends that are worth going on a group chat on a girls trip with, please do it. Life is fleeting.” (32:45)
• “Rebecca’s been dead for 14 months, but she’s never been more alive…” (48:34)

Announcements & Looking Forward

[52:40 – End]

• Upcoming Collaborations: Teases big news—a mysterious London interview and working with Christian Siriano for NY Fashion Week.
• Broski Nation PSA: “I’ll be in London in two weeks to do an interview with someone that is going to break—Roski Nation.” (53:13)
• Next Episode Tease: “Next week we’re going to look into why does the sun bleach things?” (54:20)
• Final Rec: “If I could recommend one thing for you to try this week, it is a BLT… and some salt vinegar chips, maybe a Diet Dr. Pepper.” (54:28)

Timestamps

• [00:37] Introduction, UK trip, Reading & Leeds recap
• [03:29] Hozier's speech on Palestine and BBC censorship
• [10:15] Arrival in Ireland, Irish folklore, and swan symbolism
• [15:45] Irish music and Ilan pipes experience
• [20:28] Learning about The Troubles and reflecting on American education
• [22:59] Irish solidarity with Palestine
• [24:55] Belfast/Kneecap activism
• [27:30] Dublin pubs & Viking Splash Tour
• [32:45] Advocating for girls’ trips
• [35:19] American identity abroad
• [38:18] Book talk: Babel, Dark Academia
• [44:10] On reading Wuthering Heights & Jane Eyre
• [47:08] Rebecca and the theme of female obsession
• [48:59] Impact of The Bell Jar
• [51:45] Music of the week
• [52:40] Upcoming major collaborations teased
• [54:20] Next week’s science query
• [54:28] BLT recommendation & farewells

Tone & Language

• Original, highly personal, and informal.
• Brittany’s signature self-deprecating wit and fascination with historical, literary, and emotional complexity is present throughout.
• Frequent use of emphasis, colorful language, and rhetorical flourishes: “Gag, gag, gag, gag.” (48:41)

This episode is a rich, whirlwind reflection on travel, history, literature, and the emotional inner world of women, all delivered with Brittany’s sharp humor, critical insights, and relatable candor. If you want to laugh, learn, and add books to your reading list, this one’s essential Broski Nation content.