Podcast Summary: The Broski Report with Brittany Broski
Episode 114: Ugly, Bald, and Greasy
Date: October 21, 2025
Host: Brittany Broski
Overview
In episode 114, Brittany returns after a short break, updating listeners on her personal mishaps ("I feel ugly, bald, and greasy") and recent adventures, before diving into a passionate and thoughtful review of the novel Babel by R.F. Kuang. The episode seamlessly weaves together personal anecdotes, pop culture commentary (festival recaps and fashion), in-depth reality TV analysis, and a nuanced discussion of colonialism, allyship, and literature.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Personal Updates & Mood
- Tooth Trouble and Self-Image ([01:03–08:10])
- Brittany recounts cracking a back molar while snacking on a (soft) turkey Chomp, pondering her "brittle enamel" and joking about "Dental Scientologists."
- She admits to feeling "greasy" and "ugly", caught in violent pre-menstrual mood swings:
“So just know that, like, I'm ugly, I'm bald, greasy, I'm Uncle Fester. I just don't even want to look at myself in the viewfinder.” [06:36]
2. Festival Recap: ACL in Austin
- Music Highlights ([13:10–21:28])
- Enthusiasm for McGee's set (“giving me very 2013, 1975”), Dochi (“Dochi shut that shit down… She ripped her pants open. Get your tits up. Get your purple C”), and Olivia Dean (“Olivia Dean is kind of Princess Diana to me… just like, an effortless talent.”)
- Admiration for Dean’s style and her stylist’s role in mirroring the artist’s vibe aesthetically.
3. Fashion and Reality TV: Project Runway Analysis
- Reality Competition Shows & Creativity ([23:20–46:23])
- Brittany lauds the multifaceted talents on shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race and Project Runway, emphasizing the value of being a “Renaissance person.”
- Appreciation of contestant Ethan (Utica Queen) for blending drag and fashion design.
- The importance of fashion references, originality, construction, and wearability.
- High praise for judge Law Roach:
“Bring back mean judges because…if I didn’t care, I would let your ugly clothes go up and down this Runway, and I wouldn’t say anything… I do care, because I want you to be better, because I know you can be.” [45:02] “He goes, 'I didn’t come on this show to see a bunch of ugly fucking clothes.' He said that to a whole room of designers. I laughed.” [45:33]
- Shoutout to Brittany's own stylist, Kat Tapaldos.
4. Featured Book Review: Babel by R.F. Kuang
- In-Depth Spoiler-Free Discussion ([54:00–1:25:21])
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Babel is described as “a five star read” combining historical fiction, fantasy, and a critique of empire and colonialism.
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Brittany connects her own journey towards allyship with the book’s themes:
"There is a journey to allyship always that I am dedicated for the rest of my life to learning how to be a better ally." [54:30]
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Applauds how Kuang explores both pro- and anti-colonialism “with such care and empathy,” noting:
“This book approaches it in a way that is so deeply empathetic. That is eye opening, that is truth telling. It's honest. It's historically pretty fucking accurate for a historical fiction. …She is an Asian American author who has her PhD, like, is so wickedly intelligent. And some of the footnotes in this book are really, really good.” [57:24]
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Discusses the unique magic system, based on language and translation, and the theme:
“Learning another language, speaking someone else's mother tongue gives you a level of empathy and understanding that most people in this life—hear me—never achieve until you speak someone else's language.” [1:03:40]
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Highlights Kuang’s critique of “fetishization” and “cherry picking” in colonialist cultures, drawing personal parallels to her family.
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Addresses the complex dynamics of the book’s diverse central cohort (three students of color and one white peer), exploring empathy, disappointment, and the inevitability of power structures:
“Leti is disappointing. Shocker. Oh, no. The white girl disappointed them.” [1:13:44]
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Emotional impact:
“Yeah, this book made me fucking sob. And there is just some harsh things that the author approaches with such care, and she is so smart.” [1:14:35]
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Announces her intention to read more of Kuang's work, including Poppy War, Yellowface, and Katabasis.
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5. Bookish Tangents & Upcoming Reads
- Upcoming reads mentioned: The Silent Patient, Wuthering Heights, poetry from Ireland, and more.
- Discusses getting the “right translation” for classics like The Odyssey (recommends the Emily Wilson translation).
6. Music & Closing
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Songs of the Week:
- “Are Youe Looking Up” by McGee
- “How Many Miles” by McGee
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Announcement: Broski Report is now available ad-free on Patreon; promises more features in the future.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On mood and self-deprecation:
“I feel greasy. I feel ugly. I'm about to start my period. I had violent mood swings yesterday. Violent. I mean, within five minutes, I would be sobbing and then, like, elated, laughing. Wow, what a joy and privilege it is to be alive five minutes later. All of this and my stupid Chungus life.” [06:00]
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On pop festivals:
“There were certain moments during Dochi set where I like, stopped moving because I was just in awe. I was just watching, like, slack jawed, staring at the stage like, she is. She's got it. Some of these bitches do not have it. Dochi has it.” [19:24]
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On Project Runway, fashion, and originality:
“It is a talent that, as an artistic voyeur, I can appreciate, and it's fun to give my subjective opinion on, but I could never do what they do. Like, so I'm in awe. Even the designers that I don't like their shit, I'm like, but look how well made it is.” [31:02]
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On allyship and reading Babel:
“There is a journey to allyship always that I am dedicated for the rest of my life to learning how to be a better ally. And I will stumble along the way. And I have, but I'm dedicated.” [54:30]
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On language as power:
“Learning another language, speaking someone else's mother tongue gives you a level of empathy and understanding that. That most people in this life. Hear me. Never achieve until you speak someone else's language. That is as close as you can get to walking in someone else's shoes, seeing the world through their lens, speaking about the world in their tongue.” [1:03:40]
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On the realities of allyship and disappointment:
“Towards the end of the book, Leti starts spewing some, you know, albeit really hateful opinions. The way that Rebecca writes this, there is still—she’s just incredible—there’s still...through all that, the other three members of this cohort still feel empathy for Leti. They’re like, girl, we used to be such a tight knit friend group, and I love you...but you won’t get it. You don’t get it.” [1:13:00]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Opening and Personal Storytime: [01:03–08:10]
- ACL Music Festival Highlights: [13:10–21:28]
- Project Runway Deep Dive / Fashion & Stylists: [23:20–46:23]
- Book Review: Babel by R.F. Kuang: [54:00–1:25:21]
- Bonus Bookish Tangents: [1:25:22–1:36:49]
- Closing Announcements & Song of the Week: [1:36:50–end]
Takeaways
- Episode 114 is a vibrant blend of personal humor, pop culture commentary, and thoughtful literary analysis.
- Brittany’s unfiltered honesty invites listeners into both her external world (music festivals, TV, fashion) and her inner journey towards greater empathy and allyship.
- The discussion of Babel is both a review and a reflection on the enduring relevance of anti-colonial thought, language, and identity.
For new listeners:
Expect immersive storytelling, an irreverent-yet-earnest voice, and deep appreciation for both pop and literary culture. This episode’s centerpiece—the Babel review—is especially recommended for anyone interested in historical fiction, fantasy, anti-colonial narratives, or the intersection of language and power.