Podcast Summary: The Review of Mess
Episode: $33 Non-Toxic Toilet Paper with Ochuko Akpovbovbo
Host: Jessica DeFino & Emily Kirkpatrick
Guest: Ochuko Akpovbovbo
Release Date: May 27, 2025

Introduction of Guest and Episode Overview

In this episode of The Review of Mess, hosts Jessica DeFino and Emily Kirkpatrick welcome their special guest, Ochuko Akpovbovbo, the creator behind "As Seen on Substack." The trio delves into a range of topics centered around pop culture, with a particular focus on the dynamics of modern dating apps.

[00:34] Ochuco: "Fun to be here, guys."

Bumble's Leadership and AI Integration

The conversation begins with a discussion about Bumble's recent developments, particularly the interview with Whitney Wolfe, Bumble's founder, featured on The New York Times podcast. Jessica and Ochuko express their thoughts on Wolfe’s adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Bumble's operations.

[01:39] Jessica Defino: "I saw many pull quotes from it, like almost immediately after it went live about her adoption of AI."

Ochuko reflects on Wolfe’s leadership challenges and her return to Bumble amid controversies, including the failed "cell busy" ad campaign.

[02:16] Ochuco: "I find it hard to think she didn't have some insight into what was happening there and didn't sign up in some way."

Challenges Faced by Bumble

The hosts critique Bumble’s struggles, highlighting the company's attempts to revamp and adapt in a competitive market. They discuss the narrative that Wolfe is returning to "save" the company, emphasizing the importance of her role in addressing Bumble’s setbacks.

[02:47] Emily Kirkpatrick: "It's a good narrative to save your company. It was like, 'Oh, I'm coming back to save it all.'"

User Experiences with Bumble

Jessica and Emily share their personal experiences with Bumble, expressing frustration with the app's functionality and user engagement. Emily specifically points out the app's mechanism that prompts users to rate their experience, which she often rates negatively.

[03:33] Emily Kirkpatrick: "Every time I'm like, no, bitch, I'm not. I hate it here."

Jessica adds her perspective, noting that despite messaging first, her success on Bumble has been minimal compared to other platforms.

[03:46] Jessica Defino: "I had the least success with Bumble. Like, Bumble was consistently the most frustrating experience."

Dynamics of Messaging First in Online Dating

The discussion shifts to the dynamics of initiating conversations on dating apps. Emily theorizes that conversations initiated by women are less successful, suggesting a shift in traditional dating roles may be impacting user experiences.

[04:17] Emily Kirkpatrick: "When women message first, it's not going to work out. It feels like men need to be the ones reaching out."

Jessica connects this observation to broader socio-political trends, contemplating how the politicization of dating apps influences user interactions and perceptions.

[04:41] Jessica Defino: "It's about the political climate and how that's informing dating apps and the growing divide politically between men who are leaning right and women who are leaning left."

Impact of Political Climate on Online Dating

Jessica elaborates on how political divides are shaping the landscape of online dating. She references her upcoming article for "Ask Ugly" in The Guardian, where she explores the fear of women that their online personas may not align with their real-life appearances, exacerbated by political tensions.

[04:41] Jessica Defino: "Women being the ones to message first really switches up that dynamic in a way I think the culture is very much rejecting right now."

Conclusion and Exclusive Content Teaser

The episode concludes with a teaser for a paid subscriber exclusive post, encouraging listeners to subscribe for a continuation of the in-depth conversation.

[05:33] Emily Kirkpatrick: "Hope to see you there."

Key Takeaways

1. Leadership Challenges at Bumble: Whitney Wolfe's return to Bumble amidst AI integration efforts aims to address past controversies and revitalize the platform.

2. User Frustrations: Both hosts express dissatisfaction with Bumble's user experience, particularly with the dynamics of messaging first.

3. Changing Dating Norms: The shift towards women initiating conversations may be influencing the success rates and overall dynamics on dating platforms.

4. Political Influences: The growing political divide is impacting online dating, affecting user interactions and expectations.

5. Future Discussions: The hosts hint at deeper explorations of these topics in their exclusive content, emphasizing the complexity of modern dating and its intersection with societal trends.

This episode provides a critical examination of Bumble's recent strategies, user experiences with the app, and the broader socio-political factors influencing online dating. Jessica, Emily, and Ochuko offer insightful perspectives on how these elements interplay to shape the current landscape of digital romance.