Podcast Summary: The Toast

Episode: Cardboard Coji: Friday, January 23rd, 2026
Hosts: Jackie & Claudia Oshry
Date: January 23, 2026

Overview

This lively Friday episode of The Toast finds sisters Jackie and Claudia Oshry in peak end-of-week form. They discuss everything from luxury haircuts and million-dollar happiness to pop culture news, reality TV, viral scandals, and their personal lives. The episode maintains its signature blend of pop sensibility, irreverent humor, and cultural commentary, with key segments dedicated to media recaps, celebrity drama (special focus on the ongoing It Ends With Us saga), and the fan-favorite "Queenie & Weenie" awards.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Friday Vibes, Hair Talk, and Wealth Fantasies

• Short Week Reflections: Opening banter about MLK Day making the week feel both long and undeservedly short.
• Chris Appleton Hair Admiration: Both hosts are thrilled with their new hairdos courtesy of famed stylist Chris Appleton, with discussions about the absurd $100,000 price tag for a personal cut and how they “scored” theirs as podcast queens ([01:00]).
• Money and Happiness: Jackie quips that she won’t "truly be happy till I have a billion dollars" ([02:04]), while Claudia recounts from “comment section wisdom” that $200 million is the “sweet spot” for happiness ([02:16]), sparking a brief debate about wealth, happiness, and social circles.
• "We’re just like you – except, like, happier": The hosts joke about the relatability (or lack thereof) of the ultra-rich ([03:29]).

Binge Culture & The "Traders" TV Recap

• Streaming Model Frustrations: Both mourn the loss of full-season, “binge-watch” releases caused by Netflix’s evolving drop strategy, expressing conflicting feelings due to maternal responsibilities and modern life ([04:30]-[05:23]).
• Weekly Episode Releases: They discuss enjoying communal TV moments versus spoiler pressure and how viewing habits have changed in recent years.

Life Lately: Mahjong, Playpens, and Cardboard Insults

• Mahjong Nights: Recap of a social mahjong outing where, humorously, neither host ("50% of the table") managed to win ([07:03]).
• Playpen Purchase & Minimalist Anxiety: Jackie shares her new purchase of a collapsible playpen for her baby, riffed with Claudia comparing her to an “extreme cheapskate” who loves cardboard, sparking mock-offense and playful cash-flashing ([08:35]-[10:35]).

  "And what about this cardboard man reminds you of me?" – A ([09:04])

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Nostalgia & Parenting Reflections

• Groovy with Reuven: Planning baby Reuven's disco-themed bar mitzvah in advance ("Groovy with Reuven" is their chosen theme) ([11:11]-[11:38]).
• Teen vs. Parental Parties: Debate on how much teens and parents can truly appreciate the big Jewish rites of passage and their often illicit, but mostly innocent, fun ([12:06]).

Change vs. Consistency in Life

• On Routine: Quick introspection on whether change is good or bad, with each host asserting unique comfort levels ([13:28]-[13:53]).
• "Cardboard Koji": The playful episode title emerges as Claudia calls Jackie "Same old Koji. Same old cardboard Koji." ([13:49]).

Fast Five Stories Breakdown (with Timestamps)

1. Harry Styles Drops “Aperture” and Announces Disco Album ([18:49]–[26:55])

• New Music Critique:
  • Both hosts agree the single “Aperture” is ambitious but “didn’t immediately make me feel like that’s my jam” - A ([20:21]).
  • Song described as long (5 min), “very techno, very dance-like,” not strictly “disco.”
  • Claudia: "The thing about disco, though... those songs immediately hit, hit." ([20:34])
  • Speculation about lyrics—Is "aperture" sexual, or drugs? Conclusion: trippy, not sexual ([21:27]-[21:47]).
• Tour Residencies:
  • Both discuss Harry's new model of “mini-residencies” and note how it reflects a desire for relationship stability.
  • Critique Harry's unconventional press appearances (e.g., John Mayer's SiriusXM show; BBC remote from the same couch).
  • "He's acting like a new mother!" – B ([25:52])
  • Light teasing: Should Harry act less domestic and more like a touring rock star?

2. Ryan Reynolds, Colleen Hoover, and the “It Ends With Us” Scandal ([26:59]–[45:22])

• Ryan Reynolds’ Cringe Email:
  • Full reading and analysis of an earnest–but cringeworthy–congratulatory email to Colleen Hoover ([27:49]).
  • Reflection: “In their writing styles, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are quite literally made for one another.” – A ([29:04])
• Who “Stole” the Movie?
  • Dissection of claims that Blake and Ryan took over the film’s production, sidelining director Justin Baldoni.
  • Hosts highlight the difference between egotism and criminal behavior.
  • Nuance: “Nothing Blake Lively has been accused of is criminal. If being annoying was a crime, she would be in prison. And if being insufferable was a crime, she would be in prison. But those are not crimes. Sexual harassment is.” – A ([38:38]–[39:15])
  • Stress on the difference between online consensus (“people don’t like her, so they doubt her claims”) and legal standards of proof.
  • Debate over burden of proof, #BelieveWomen, and the impact of public personalities on credibility ([43:44]–[44:12]).

3. Hayden Panettiere Announces Memoir ([45:22]–[48:38])

• Book Title Not Loved:
  • Both hosts think “This is Me: A Reckoning” is too generic for such a tumultuous story.
• Anticipation and Support:
  • Strong support for supporting Hayden given her struggles with motherhood, postpartum depression, and family tragedy.
  • “Everybody buy her book, even if you don’t know how to read.” – A ([46:18])
  • Hopes for content on Nashville, Raising Helen, Bring It On, and more.

4. Hollywood’s Open Letter Campaign vs. AI ([52:20]–[56:14])

• 700+ Artists Protest Unlicensed AI Use:
  • Core issue: Use of celebrity likeness and copyrighted work by AI without consent or compensation.
  • Scarlett Johansson, Cate Blanchett, Joseph Gordon-Levitt headlines—“If 500 Days of Summer has no fans, I have passed away. But, like, that's the third most famous person on your list? Seriously, good luck." – A ([55:39])
• Open Letter Fatigue:
  • Performative activism is dismissed as “so hard to care. They’re so performative…there’s an open letter and then like a bunch of celebrities sign another open letter…battle of the open letters.” – A ([55:08])
  • Suggestion: try “closed letters” for a change!

5. Kyle Cook & Amanda Batula’s Divorce & Loverboy Financial Drama ([56:57]–[59:43])

• Reality TV Divorce Speculation:
  • Reports claim Amanda might be financially liable for Loverboy debt due to personal loans.
  • Kyle clarifies: business loans don’t necessarily impact spouses unless personal assets are involved.
• Modern Marriage Reflection:
  • Claudia predicts a clean financial split due to lack of merged finances and Amanda’s independent means ([59:15]–[59:30]).

Queenie & Weenie of the Week (Segment) ([59:46]–[65:13])

Queenies

• Jackie: Bridget from the bar (influencer, cancer survivor) for inspirational spirit and emotional “ringing the bell” during cancer treatment.

  "She finished her treatment and she did the whole Walk with the bell. Whenever I see, like, a bell video, I'm... I'm sat and I'm crying. This one just, like, seriously broke me... Bridget is a queenie, and she happens to be the queenie of my week." – A ([60:15]–[61:09])

• Claudia: Chris Appleton (hairstylist) for his down-to-earth energy, generosity, and willingness to join their on-air fun ([61:15]).

Weenies

• Jackie: Steven from "Tell Me Lies" (character), for diabolical on-screen behavior; criminal of the week!
• Claudia: Brooklyn Beckham & Nicola Peltz for airing family grievances in public, violating “keeping it in the family” etiquette—heavy side-eye for Brooklyn in particular. Discussion includes Alana Hadid chiming in on Nicola’s family estrangements.

  "The weeniness really weighs heavy on Brooklyn’s shoulders…” – A ([64:34])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On FOMO for Billionaires:
  “Us, billionaires—we’re just people. We’re just like you, except, like, happier.” – A ([03:29])
• On Changing TV Consumption:
  “Netflix just sort of ruined my life with that… and now watching one ‘Traders’ episode a week—it's just not gonna work.” – A ([04:30])
• On Open Letter Culture:
  “When I see an open letter, even if I agree with what they’re saying, I don’t agree… They’re so performative, it’s like, battle of the open letters. I prefer the Morgan letters.” – A ([55:08])
• Regarding “It Ends With Us” Drama:
  “Nothing Blake Lively has been accused of is criminal. If being annoying was a crime, she would be in prison… but those are not crimes. Sexual harassment is.” – A ([38:38]–[39:15])
• On Queenies:
  “Bridget is a queenie. And she happens to be the queenie of my week.” – A ([61:09])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Friday Mood: [00:03]–[02:29]
• Chris Appleton Hair & Wealth Chat: [01:00]–[03:29]
• Binge TV Discussion: [03:52]–[05:55]
• Personal Updates (Mahjong, Playpen, Cardboard): [06:44]–[11:08]
• Bar Mitzvah/Sweet 16 Nostalgia: [11:11]–[12:41]
• The Fast Five Stories Begin: [18:49]
• Harry Styles New Single: [18:49]–[26:55]
• Ryan Reynolds/Colleen Hoover/It Ends With Us: [26:59]–[45:22]
• Hayden Panettiere Memoir: [45:22]–[48:38]
• Hollywood vs. AI Open Letter: [52:20]–[56:14]
• Kyle Cook/Amanda Batula Divorce: [56:57]–[59:43]
• Queenie & Weenie Segment: [59:46]–[65:13]

Closing Tone

With trademark snark and insight, Jackie and Claudia guide their audience through the week’s biggest (and silliest) stories. The episode balances pop gossip, personal anecdotes, and genuine reflections on fame, media, and the challenges of modern adulthood—always delivered in “swirly,” breathless Toast style.

For fans and newbies alike, this episode offers a perfect Friday mix: laughs, hot takes, and the best of pop culture’s messy buffet.