Podcast Summary: The Broski Report with Brittany Broski
Episode 111: Curing My Fears With the Internet
Date: September 23, 2025
Host: Brittany Broski
Produced by: Audioboom Studios
Overview
In this episode, Brittany Broski – Supreme Leader of Broski Nation – tackles the theme of fear. From personal anxieties like fear of death and darkness, to national and primal concerns, Brittany goes on a humorous and stream-of-consciousness exploration of what it means to be scared and how the Internet (and psychology) can be a tool for understanding and “curing” those fears. She also touches on her recent makeup collab with Trixie Cosmetics and celebrates National Voter Registration Day.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
Battling Sickness & Blueberry Red Bull
- Brittany opens by humorously describing her struggle with a sinus infection ("the Mucinex monster is winning," [01:24]), poking fun at the human body's resilience.
- She details her unwavering loyalty to Blueberry Red Bull, rejecting other flavors, and shares a story of overdoing it with Watermelon Red Bull and vodka [04:10].
Why We Get Green Snot
- Turns to the Internet ("Google it") for answers about why mucus changes color, leading to an impromptu masterclass on human biology:
- Green snot is associated with dead white blood cells fighting infection.
- The average person makes a liter of nasal mucus a day. ("Damn, I'm snotted up. My shit snotted up. I'm clotting. I'm about to clot." [09:00])
- Compares the mystery of the human body to the ocean: "We only discover about 17% of it. The rest of it is total mystery." [11:02]
Influence and Humor from the Internet
- Funny comparison to Joey from The Basement Yard ("sometimes your brain's working faster than your mouth and you just..."), referencing a relatable TikTok/Internet moment [11:39].
Trixie Cosmetics Collab Announcement
- Celebrates launching a makeup palette with Trixie Cosmetics [16:34]:
- Palette is inspired by old Hollywood glamour and designed for inclusivity.
- Shout out to Trixie and the creative team.
- Notes affordability and her genuine use of Trixie products.
National Voter Registration Day PSA
- Brittany encourages all American listeners, especially new voters, to register [23:50].
Deep Dive: The Power of Fear
- States her biggest fear: death, not pain, but the concept of life ending [25:49].
- Explores how common fears develop, particularly childhood trauma and how pop culture can play a role (e.g., scary Harry Potter scene caused her month-long fear of the dark) [27:09].
Top 10 American Fears (2024, Chapman University Study)
- Reads and discusses the top national fears:
- Corrupt government officials (65%)
- Loved ones becoming seriously ill
- Cyberterrorism
- Loved ones dying
- Russia using nuclear weapons
- Not having enough money
... and others: war, biological warfare, terrorism [31:10].
- Observes how these are mostly about large-scale, abstract threats—not “spiders and snakes.”
Quote:
"This is more high level, like, ‘I am afraid of what life and my reality will look like, what that will shape up to be because of the corrupt government officials that have the power to negatively affect my reality.’” [34:22]
Data Security & Cyber Fears
- Discusses the normalization of sharing personal data online since childhood and the slow realization of its consequences [38:00].
Fear as a Political/Social Force
- Brittany is reading books on fear in politics, McCarthyism, and fascism, and is interested in the ethics of art vs. artist [41:45].
Top 15 Phobias: A Rapid-Fire Tour
- Visits fearof.net to examine the world’s top phobias [48:58]:
- Fear of failure (atychiphobia)
- Fear of being alone (monophobia)
- Glossophobia (public speaking)
- Thanatophobia (fear of death) – Brittany’s own Achilles heel (“Oh, I don't know if I want to read this. Oh, here we go again.” [54:10])
- Others: flying, germs, small spaces, thunder, dogs, crowds, heights, snakes, and spiders.
Fear of Death (Thanatophobia): Personal Reflection
- Deep, vulnerable discussion about her lifelong fear of dying.
- Notes difference between this and her friends’ depression ("Everything that I need and want and desire, like my mortal soul, it yearns to be here." [58:17])
- Explores causes, symptoms, and approaches to coping (therapy, religion, self-help).
- Ellephatically questions if religion is actually helpful for this existential anxiety.
Quote:
"I am a bit envious of the faithful. You have this certainty to cling on to… I had a certainty and I let it go and look where it's left me. But I would do it a hundred times over." [01:01:28]
Evolutionary and Psychological Roots of Fear
- Discusses "preparedness"—the psychological concept that certain fears (snakes, the dark) are more common due to evolution [01:10:00].
- Explains classical conditioning and operant conditioning, citing Pavlov’s dogs, and connects it to why some fears “stick” [01:11:25].
Language, Persuasion & Power
- Explores how language and oratory (communication, rhetoric) can be used for powerful—and dangerous—ends, referencing historical figures like Hitler and discussing the psychological mechanisms behind persuasion [01:17:00].
- Parallels these ideas with present-day politics and social media, highlighting the false consensus effect (“the tendency to see their own beliefs as widespread.” [01:16:28])
Community and Escape
- Acknowledges the heaviness of world events but stresses her desire for the podcast to be a site of escape, humor, and collective commiseration:
“I want this to be an escape and I want this to be something that you can turn to, to feel seen and to feel heard and to not feel fucking crazy and to feel that we're all in this together and we will make it out the other side.” [01:19:48]
Ghost Story Feature
- Listener-submitted spooky story: mysterious deadbolt on the side door is locked while the family is out; unlocks on its own when they return (“a clean, clear click... the sound of the deadbolt unlocking from the other side” [01:21:35]).
- Brittany’s immediate advice? Send the kids in first.
Song of the Week
- “27 Hours” by Banks (“If you're not familiar with Banks, lock into Banks.” [01:25:11])
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "The human body is a marvel, and I am hell bent on understanding why and how it works." [07:46]
- "Everything should have killed us by now. And now we're half composed of microplastics and formaldehyde and we're being embalmed alive. We're being preserved. And I think that's beautiful. Okay." [06:45]
- "I have such the antithesis of that disposition... I'm on the complete other end of the spectrum of like, I don't want to leave this place." [58:17]
- “Words are the most powerful thing we have.” [01:18:31]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Sinus Infection/Mucinex Monster: 01:24
- Blueberry vs. Juneberry Red Bull: 02:40
- Why Is Snot Green? Biology Tangent: 05:55 – 12:30
- Trixie Cosmetics Collab Launch: 16:34 – 21:34
- National Voter Registration Day Announcement: 23:50
- Power of Fear Introduction: 25:49
- Childhood Fear of the Dark (Harry Potter): 27:09
- Top 10 US Fears (2024, Chapman Study): 31:10 – 38:00
- Personal Data & Cyber Fears: 38:00 – 41:40
- Phobia Deep Dive / Fearof.net: 48:58 – 64:00
- Fear of Death (Thanatophobia) Reflection: 54:10 – 62:39
- Evolutionary Psychology of Fear: 01:10:00 – 01:15:00
- Language and Persuasion: 01:16:00 – 01:20:00
- Ghost Story: 01:21:35
- Song of the Week: 01:25:11
Tone & Style
- Brittany’s signature rapid-fire wit, self-deprecating humor, and asides (“Why do you guys listen to this podcast?” [62:05])
- Stream-of-consciousness segues, pop culture references, and TikTok lingo
- Earnestness and vulnerability, especially about topics of anxiety and existential fear
Conclusion
Brittany Broski’s solo episode “Curing My Fears With the Internet” is a quintessential Broski Nation experience: a blend of irreverent comedy, sincere oversharing, pop psychology, and moments of genuine insight. She navigates the landscape of fear—from the color of our snot to the meaning of our collective anxieties—with humor and heart, always keeping her listeners in the loop (and slightly on their toes).
Quick Links & Resources Mentioned
- Vote.gov – For National Voter Registration Day.
- Trixie Cosmetics Collaboration Product – Collab palette with Brittany Broski.
- fearof.net – Resource on phobias.
Reviewer’s note: For a dose of laughter, empathy, and random but fascinating facts about fear and the human condition, this is a must-listen in the Broski Report canon.