The Review of Mess: Episode Summary
Episode Title: The Death of Personal Style with Liz Goldwyn
Host Authors: Jessica DeFino & Emily Kirkpatrick
Guest: Liz Goldwyn, Creator of Starfucker Newsletter
Release Date: March 14, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of The Review of Mess, hosts Jessica DeFino and Emily Kirkpatrick welcome Liz Goldwyn, the creative mind behind the Starfucker newsletter. The conversation kicks off with light-hearted banter, establishing a comfortable atmosphere for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of personal style within pop culture.
Notable Quotes:
- Jessica DeFino [00:15]: "Hello and welcome to the Review of Mess..."
- Liz Goldwyn [00:35]: "Thank you so much for having me. I'm honored and intimidated to be in your presence."
Social Media's Influence on Pop Culture
The discussion swiftly moves to the pervasive role of social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok in shaping contemporary pop culture. Emily shares her recent hiatus from Instagram, highlighting the addictive nature of tracking likes and engagement.
Notable Quotes:
- Emily Kirkpatrick [01:04]: "Thank God I haven't been on Instagram in like six weeks..."
- Jessica DeFino [02:46]: "I don't feel disconnected because this is basically the state of mainstream media anyways."
The Emergence and Impact of Wellness Influencers
Liz Goldwyn delves into the rise of wellness influencers, particularly those based in trend-centric locations like Bali and Tulum. She critiques the often superficial and performative aspects of their content, such as promoting extravagant wellness fads or dubious health practices.
Notable Quotes:
- Liz Goldwyn [02:46]: "My favorite genre to troll is wellness influencers... it's just like fucking comedic gold content to me."
- Emily Kirkpatrick [03:19]: "She's a staple of the TikTok community."
Authenticity vs. Performative Trends in Personal Style
A central theme of the episode is the tension between authentic personal style and the performative trends propagated by influencers. Liz expresses her struggle to reconcile genuine self-expression with the absurdities she observes in influencer culture.
Notable Quotes:
- Liz Goldwyn [04:13]: "It's so hard, you know, sometimes, like I have to like just turn my head really fast and not laugh in people's faces."
- Jessica DeFino [04:16]: "It's like so beautiful in a way though."
Anecdotes and Examples
The guests share personal anecdotes to illustrate the absurdities of current wellness trends. Liz recounts an encounter with a tearful crystal seller and humorously admits to her own unconventional wellness practices, such as sunning her perineum and laying naked on rocks.
Notable Quotes:
- Liz Goldwyn [04:21]: "I've laid naked on a rock... I've sunned my perineum."
- Jessica DeFino [04:47]: "When I lived in Joshua Tree. I was sunning that every day."
Closing Thoughts
While the transcript provided concludes around the five-minute mark, the conversation encapsulates a critical view of how social media and influencer culture are contributing to the erosion of personal style. The hosts and Liz emphasize the importance of maintaining authenticity amidst the flood of performative and often superficial trends.
Conclusion
In "The Death of Personal Style with Liz Goldwyn," Jessica DeFino and Emily Kirkpatrick, alongside guest Liz Goldwyn, offer a sharp critique of the current state of pop culture, particularly focusing on the influence of social media and wellness influencers. Through engaging dialogue and personal anecdotes, they explore the challenges of preserving genuine personal style in an era dominated by performative trends and superficial engagements.
For more insights and detailed analyses, listeners are encouraged to check out Jessica DeFino's newsletter here.