Two Ts In A Pod (iHeartPodcasts)

Episode: Dirty Rush: Here’s What We Want You to Know Before Rush Begins…
Date: December 27, 2025

Episode Overview

In this special "Dirty Rush" edition of Two Ts In A Pod, housewives experts Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge turn the mics over to Gia Giudice, Daisy Kent, and Jennifer Kessler—along with a panel of producers (some Greek life alumni, one not)—to candidly discuss the truths, myths, and secrets of sorority rush. With spring recruitment approaching, the team "tells all" about what they wish they’d known before going through rush, the emotional rollercoaster of the process, insider tips for hopefuls, and the behind-the-scenes mechanics of “being picked” in the TikTok era.

Key Discussion Points

1. What the Hosts Wish They’d Known Before Rush

• Less Is More: Knowing too much can lead to overthinking; focus on making personal connections instead of obsessing over details.
  • “For me, I actually think less is more. You don't want to know too much or I think you would really get in your head about it.” – Gia Giudice (05:10)
• The Value of Kindness: Be genuinely nice to everyone—other rushees, seniors, “mean girls”—because reputations and relationships matter even beyond rush.
• Leverage Connections: Knowing current members is a huge advantage, though challenging for out-of-state or less-connected students.

Notable Quote:
“Be nice. Be nice even to the mean girl. Be nice to the scary senior… just be nice.” – Gia Giudice (05:36)

2. First Impressions & Not Judging a House by One Person

• Overwhelming Rituals: Rush can feel like the restaurant “Happy Birthday song”—loud, forced, and surreal.
  • “That is sort of the feeling of a lot of rush, where you're like, oh, my God. I have to just smile here. They're, like, singing at me.” – Gia Giudice (08:24)
• Judging Too Quickly: One bad (or overly peppy) conversation can cost you; keep an open mind, as your future friends may be in the houses you almost overlooked.
• Research is Key: Learn about the chapter histories, values, and what to expect, especially regarding traditions that may feel alien (chanting, singing, etc.).

Timestamp:

• [07:03] Overwhelmed by rush rituals and making snap judgments
• [08:24] Restaurant “Happy Birthday” analogy
• [08:57] "Professor H" (non-Greek perspective) jumps in with questions

3. Greek Life Rituals: Songs, Skits & Dance

• Learning the Songs: There’s a “whole rush prep” period for learning sorority songs and clapping routines. Songs are semi-secretive and part of the house’s bonding.
• No Singing Auditions… Unless You Go for Solos: Most girls won’t be put on the spot—unless, like Gia, you want to be “Barry Manilow at the Kappa Cabana.”
• Elaborate Performances: In past decades, “skit day” resembled a Broadway show, but today’s focus is often on TikTok and viral dance content. Choreography is led by volunteers—frequently former cheer or dance team members.

Notable Moment:
“We had a Copacabana version, but it was called Kappa Kappa Gamma, and so I had to sing.” – Gia Giudice (10:46)
“I kinda feel like social media, though, in a way during rush is like one big dance off. It's very competitive.” – Jennifer Kessler (38:08)

Timestamps:

• [09:52]–[11:00] Song and soloist discussions
• [32:01]–[39:56] Choreography, dance-offs, and TikTok

4. Peer Pressure, Friendship Influence, and Social Media

• Friend Group Dynamics: It’s easy to get caught up in where your friends are rushing—don’t let their taste override your own gut feelings about a house.
  • “You can still be friends and be in separate sororities… It’s easy to kind of get caught up in… what my friend likes.” – Unnamed Producer (11:24)
• Instagram Research: Social platforms heavily influence opinions about each house’s reputation and “coolness,” sometimes before you even walk through the door.

Timestamp:

• [12:08] Pie chart of friends in-house/out-of-house
• [12:55] How Instagram influences choices

5. Individuality, Intuition, and Being Your Authentic Self

• Cut Out the Noise: Ignore social pressure—go with your intuition, not the rankings, “top house” narratives, or other people’s opinions.
• Second Time’s the Charm: Rushing twice is possible, and second-timers often have better success when dropping the façade and being genuine.
  • “I felt like I had to be acting a certain way or hitting certain marks… When I went into Rush the second time, it went very well for me because I was just simply being myself.” – Jennifer Kessler (17:07)

Timestamps:

• [17:07]–[18:52] Authenticity and intuition during rush
• [18:52]–[21:04] Rules about rushing a second time

6. How Sororities Evaluate Members (And How Rushees Evaluate Houses)

• Surface-Level Interactions: Conversations rarely address religion, politics, or partying directly (“the three Bs: booze, boys, Bible”) due to taboos.
• Behind-the-Scenes Vetting: Houses “do their research,” often via word-of-mouth or now via social media, to flag both positive and negative reputations ahead of time.
• Vibe Matters: Both sides are paying attention to conversational chemistry and deeper connections versus rehearsed surface chatter.
  • “What I really look for is, like, people who asked great questions and seemed genuinely interested…” – Jennifer Kessler (25:32)
• House "Personalities": Some are known for being studious, others for partying, some for their religious leanings; the “alignment” is less about technical fit and more about overall energy and lifestyle.

Timestamps:

• [21:49]–[23:59] Alignment, house cultures, what’s left unsaid
• [24:51] How word-of-mouth and social media inform the process

7. Sorority and Rush Day Logistics

• Days Are Long: Eat beforehand, hydrate, prepare for exhaustion, and wear comfortable shoes.
• Not Much Food: You may only be offered lemonade or a cookie at houses—bring snacks!
• Mandatory Breaks: Some schools require breaks in cafeterias, which offer a chance to connect with other potential new members.
  • “I just remember standing all day and just being, like, trying to find a couch or something. I was like, please, Lead me to the couch.” – Sophie Cunningham (41:03)

Timestamps:

• [40:20]–[42:17] Managing food, exhaustion, and picking the right shoes

8. Sorority Selections: Social Media, Notoriety, and Rec Letters

• Influencers & Legacy Bumps: Notoriety—such as TikTok fame or celebrity parents—can affect your chances at certain houses, especially those prioritizing social status.
  • “Those where it's like, oh, we want this girl that has a million followers, where the other ones are like, maybe don't care as much.” – Unnamed Producer (45:58)
• Recommendation Letters Matter: Alumni rec letters can dramatically improve your odds; houses often “assign” top members to recruit these candidates.

Timestamps:

• [45:38]–[47:08] Social media fame, legacy status, and rec letters

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Be nice even to the mean girl. Be nice to the scary senior—just be nice.” – Gia Giudice (05:36)
• “It’s like the Happy Birthday song in a restaurant—just smile and go with it.” – Gia Giudice (08:24)
• “Do your research. There’s so much even now that's on social media and TikTok and Instagram that I feel like you can find those answers easier now.” – Sophie Cunningham (24:37)
• “Going in as your most authentic self is always, at the end of the day, going to be the most important thing to do.” – Jennifer Kessler (17:07)
• “I always think people that think they know or they're like, I wanted a top tier… I don't even know if you really…” – Gia Giudice (21:23)
• “It's hard because I think there's a lot of taboos and you're not supposed to talk about the three Bs, which is booze, boys, and Bible.” – Jennifer Kessler (43:26)
• “Before you go, get a rec letter—it really helps your chances.” – Sophie Cunningham (46:27)

Segment Timestamps (Selected Highlights)

• [05:10] Opening advice: "Less is more," networking, and just being kind
• [07:03] First impressions and not letting one bad encounter sway your decisions
• [09:52] Songs, chants, and the spectacle of rush
• [12:08] How friends and social media shape house decisions
• [17:07] Importance of authenticity and tuning out outside opinions
• [18:52] Can you rush again? The rules for a second round
• [21:49] How to tell if a house is right for you—even when you can’t talk about important topics
• [24:51] Social media’s role in pre-rush research and expectations
• [32:01] The evolution from skit day to TikTok dances: theatricality in Greek life
• [40:20] Rush day survival: Food, exhaustion, uncomfortable shoes
• [45:38] The impact of influencers, celebrities, and rec letters on recruitment

Summary & Takeaways

This episode demystifies sorority recruitment by blending personal stories, honest advice, and a bit of “producer anonymity” for real talk. The roundtable delivers actionable wisdom:

• Don’t judge a house by its first impression or social rep—dig deeper.
• Don’t let friends or Instagram sway you; trust your instincts and go where you genuinely feel comfortable.
• Rush is both more theatrical and more social-media-driven than ever, but the basic human need for belonging and kindness hasn’t changed.
• Logistics matter: Eat, hydrate, and pace yourself on long days.
• Social connections (from alumni rec letters to TikTok fame) and background research are more important than ever.
• Ultimately, every house has its own “vibe”—fit is about real connection, not rankings.

Memorable Close:
“Can we go live there again, like together?” – Gia Giudice (42:37)
“Hope this was enlightening.” – Gia Giudice (47:13)