Unsupervised with Syd & TP
Episode: Syd, TP, and Heated Rivalry
Date: January 8, 2026
Host: Dear Media
Episode Overview
This episode kicks off the new year with best friends and former WNBA teammates Syd Colson and Theresa Plaisance (TP) in classic Unsupervised fashion: bouncing from hilarious holiday recaps to earnest (and unfiltered) discussions about resolutions, relationships, and pop culture. The pair also launch into an in-depth, wildly candid review of the much-talked-about series "Heated Rivalry"—complete with plenty of laughter, honest takes on queer representation in sports media, and their signature irreverence. Along the way, they play their new “In or Out” game, swap life advice, and, as always, bring pure group chat energy.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Holiday Gifts & New Year Vibes
[00:01–05:00]
- Syd and TP reminisce about the holidays, including their favorite (and most nostalgic) holiday gifts: a throwback Houston Comets WNBA shirt for Syd and a multi-string yo-yo for TP.
- Syd shouts out her parents for gifting her a Blackstone Grill, although she's not sure what to do with it yet.
- TP’s yo-yo symbolizes her 2026 goal: picking up new hobbies and stacking up on skills outside of basketball.
Quote:
“I'm just trying to add, like, more hobbies to my repertoire...you ever have people ask, oh, what are your hobbies? I'm like, I don't have enough.”
— Syd [03:46]
2. Resolutions, Vision Boards, and Self-Growth
[05:48–14:23]
- Both share their approaches to goal-setting:
- TP resolves to become "active on social media" as a big personal step, promising authentic, filter-free content in 2026.
- Syd details her process making a vision board with specific categories (financial, physical, career, recreation, wellness, mental, relationships, lifestyle/community).
- Discussion on continual self-inventory and evolving friendships as adults, emphasizing the importance of reciprocated relationships and boundary-setting.
Quote:
“One of my resolutions is…pouring into people that pour into me. I think it's very important to...analyze and evaluate your relationships…Are the positives outweighing the negatives?”
— TP [14:24]
Quote:
“When you set boundaries...and you take how people treat you seriously...everything else in your life starts to flow in a different kind of way."
— Syd [21:35]
3. Book Goals and Reading Habits
[24:13–29:55]
- Both aim to read more books this year: TP sets a “one book a month” goal, and Syd aims for two (“shoot for two, land at one”).
- They discuss methods for sticking with reading goals, types of books that resonate, and the importance of finding material that fits their attention spans (short chapters, engaging stories).
Quote:
"If you read, like, 30 pages a day for a week...done with the book. And 30 pages really isn't a lot. So hopefully, by next episode, I'll be..."
— Syd [25:34]
4. Social Media in 2026: Predictions and Attitudes
[32:06–36:42]
- The hosts riff on a TikTok video predicting a social drift away from social media and back toward real-life, intentional gatherings (block parties, house parties).
- Syd jokes about potentially becoming more active online “right as the DVD comes out and I just bought a VCR.”
- They also discuss Gen Z trends (sober parties, flip phones) and nostalgia for 2000s tech.
Quote:
“I want to see people that are passionate about your product. I want to see somebody with one tooth and a 24-pack in the back of their truck at work. That's what I want to see.”
— TP, on honest alcohol ads [36:15]
5. Game Time: In or Out (2026 Edition)
[38:47–45:04] A lightning round where Syd pitches trends/concepts and TP rules them “in” or “out” for the year. Highlights:
- Show reboots: Out (“Never better than the original...”)
- Blocking people (vs muting): In
- Ice baths/cold plunges as personality: Out (especially for women, who disproportionately don’t benefit)
- Athletes as podcasters: In (cue casual plug for their own pod)
- Group chats: In (“If we want to bring back block parties, we need a strong group chat!”)
6. Spoiler Alert: “Heated Rivalry” Deep-Dive
[47:13–65:08]
Syd and TP give an honest, laugh-until-you-cry review of the new HBO series "Heated Rivalry."
- They discuss the show's depiction of tension and queer desire within men's professional hockey:
- Major themes: secrecy, internalized pressure, overt masculinity, and representation.
- Both agree the chemistry/tension between characters is unmistakable:
"I have an excellent gaydar, period. I might not speak on it, but I'm just waiting for the shoe to drop for some people." — Syd [51:28] - Commentary on the rarity of queer men being out in pro sports: “Math-wise, there’s more queer people in the world than are out. So somebody’s not telling the truth.” — Syd [52:29]
- Discussion of explicit content, how “the writers think I'm dumb because I can pay attention without seeing sex every 10 minutes.”
- Insight into masculine vs. feminine queer experiences:
“Lesbians, you start dating, you’re married the next week...these guys have kissed three times in two episodes.” — TP [60:06] - Layered thoughts on homophobia and inclusivity in the sports world:
"If you're an MVP, and you're a gay MVP, you're still an MVP...You don't have any competitive advantage because of it." — TP [54:08]
7. Notes App Confessions & Hilarious Pet Peeves
[67:57–71:20]
- Instead of DMs, Syd & TP share their oldest smartphone notes:
- Syd’s is a 2016 basketball schedule.
- TP reveals her “things I hate” list (dog boners, open mouth chewers, people leaning in the car turns, watching sex scenes with her parents, people picking marshmallows out of Lucky Charms).
- The segment ends with both in stitches, reinforcing the show’s “2 a.m. group chat” charm.
Quote:
“Put your little finger on the cushion...hold yourself in place. I shouldn't have to feel the weight of G forces and your body on me now.”
— TP [69:59]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On friendship and boundaries:
“I'm a big believer in when you stand up for what your worth is...everything else in your life starts to flow in a different kind of way.” — Syd [21:35] -
On exiting relationships:
“I cut people off in 2025 that probably don't even know they were cut off.” — Syd [17:00] -
On representation in sports:
“Math-wise, there’s more queer people in the world than are out. So somebody’s not telling the truth.” — Syd [52:29] -
On “Heated Rivalry” and sexual tension:
“Timestamp, sex scene, timestamp, sex scene, timestamp...I'm sick of Shane saying, ‘you're an asshole’. Use your words!” — Syd [56:06], [56:29] -
On male-dominated leadership:
“It’s honestly time to stop having old men in general be president...Get somebody with some life to them!” — Syd [37:47]
Timestamps for Segments
- 00:01–05:09 – Holiday gifts & yo-yos; Syd’s Comets shirt; Blackstone Grill
- 05:48–14:23 – Resolutions, vision boards, relationship audits
- 24:13–29:55 – Book goals, reading habits, dyslexia and short chapters
- 32:06–36:42 – Social media predictions, block parties, Gen Z nostalgia, beer commercials
- 38:47–45:04 – “In or Out” game (show reboots, blocking, group chats, athlete podcasts)
- 47:13–65:08 – “Heated Rivalry” (HBO) review: tension, sex, homophobia in sports, representation
- 67:57–71:20 – Notes app segment: oldest notes & pet peeves
Recap & Final Thoughts
Syd & TP’s 2026 debut is a warm, chaotic blend of off-topic hilarity and real, sometimes vulnerable talk, modeling openness, growth, and queer joy at every turn. Whether they’re discussing cutting off “energy vampires,” dissecting the authenticity of televised queer relationships, or just venting about group chats and group dynamics, their freewheeling, inviting style makes listeners feel part of the circle.
As they tease next week’s “Heated Rivalry” conclusion and share spontaneous laughs over their personal annoyances, it’s clear: Unsupervised remains as unscripted, unexpected, and wildly fun as ever—just how fans like it.
(Want them to discuss your messy DMs, relationship struggles, or vent notes? Catch them on @unsupervisedctp, and remember to ‘throw kindness around like confetti’ until next week!)