Hello everyone! This week we are off for the holiday season. Instead of the usual episode, please enjoy a 10 minute preview of our Patreon exclusive discussion on Spotify Wrapped and why we are long-standing haters.

We talk about the data surveillance inherent to Wrapped, its exploitative origins, and how it relates to "conspicuous consumption."

Check out the full conversation over on our Patreon.

Check out Soaliha’s Substack Soaliloquy and Mitch’s Substack DIAGRAMMA.

Soaliha: @soalihaofficial & Linktree

Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea & Linktree

Email: heresthethingthopodcast@gmail.com

PayPal: PayPal.me/soaliha

Sources:

The Intern Who Created Spotify Wrapped’s Story Format Never Got Her Due

Gen Z's Fear Of Cringe Is Actually Making Dating Harder

This week we talk about celebrity culture, body positivity, and whether it’s ever okay to talk about other people’s bodies — no matter how famous they are.

We discuss the Wicked press tour, the eating disorder to white supremacy pipeline, and the role celebrities play in our society.

Content warning: this episode discusses disordered eating.

Check out Soaliha’s Substack Soaliloquy and Mitch’s Substack DIAGRAMMA.

Soaliha: @soalihaofficial & Linktree

Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea & Linktree

Email: heresthethingthopodcast@gmail.com

PayPal: PayPal.me/soaliha

Sources:

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSjqwYhB4/

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSjqwXSB6/

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSjqwCQpH/

https://x.com/MashaParty/status/1859618868194341249

This week we discuss the power of storytelling as a tool for preserving history — and how that preservation is not only being undermined, but is actively under threat thanks to platform capitalism.

We talk about ‘the write side of history’ panel at Muslim Agenda, the way narratives are shaped and disseminated by mediators like news publications and streaming services, and the importance of having physical media like books at a time where Palestinian stories are being lost to the ether.

Check out Soaliha’s Substack Soaliloquy and Mitch’s Substack DIAGRAMMA.

Soaliha: @soalihaofficial & Linktree

Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea & Linktree

Email: heresthethingthopodcast@gmail.com

PayPal: PayPal.me/soaliha

Sources:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBgZ7Xlug2D/?igsh=dm5vemR5OTh1YW42

Spotify rockets past 640 million users, on track to achieve first full year of profitability | TechSpot

The Battle Is For The Customer Interface | TechCrunch