Happy 2026!!
Pre-brief:
Hannah and Stacy spent New Year’s Eve together and welcomed 2026 in the most on-brand unplanned, chaotic, fun way possible. We went from eating sushi and watching 紅白 (kouhaku) at Stacy’s house to somehow ending up at Bar Lion (club)… and yes, Stacy was definitely eyeing a cutie. A fun way to start the year indeed.
Main topic:
Of course we had to kick off our first episode of 2026 with New Year’s resolutions. We share our goals for the podcast - our subscriber number targets across all platforms, collab/guest ideas, and all the new things we’re excited to bring to the pod this year. We also dive into our personal resolutions for 2026 (fitness goals, new content ideas, hosting gatherings/clubs, traveling, etc.) Andddd to end things off (per usual), we go on a little rant about the “365 Buttons” and “Bean Soupification” theory trending on TikTok. If you don’t know what we’re talking about…don’t worry, we gotchu.
It’s a new year, new energy, and it’s time to manifest !!!
Pre-Debrief:
We’re recapping the M-1 Grand Prix from this past weekend (Japan’s biggest annual comedy competition), and talking about why this year’s winner たくろう(Takurou) absolutely deserved the win. We also dive into Netflix’s new love-reality show ラブ上等 (Badly in Love), and… yeah, we’re fully obsessed. If you haven’t started it yet, take this as your sign, highly recommend.
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Happy Holidays!!! Staying on theme, we share our holiday wish lists - both tangible (like being desperately ready to say goodbye to our iPhone 12s, needing more furniture for our new places, etc.) and intangible ones too (boyfriend vs. rental boyfriend??? lol). Since this is our last episode of the year, we also take a moment to reflect on this podcast and everything this year brought us. Huge thank you to everyone who listened to us yap about our lives, we love you!!! See you in 2026 :’)
This week, we’re skipping our usual pre-debrief and jumping straight into a topic we all deal with: jealousy. When you’re dating, feeling a little jealous is normal… right? We unpack the small (and not-so-small) things that can trigger it - from boyfriends with a “girl best friend,” following プチ influencers (up and coming influencers) on Instagram, realizing their ex is a totally different vibe from you, to that uncomfortable/weird/jealousy feeling when you find out you’re just one of many people they’re dating (ugh roaster dating). It’s honest and hopefully very relatable.
Pre-Debrief:
Justin Bieber was in Tokyo for the launch of his new clothing brand, Skylrk. We love to see his ongoing obsession with Japan and honestly, we feel a little special that he chose Tokyo as the first launch spot lol. We also get into the dating rumors swirling around aespa’s Winter and BTS’s Jung Kook. Fans are spiraling over their matching fits and “twin” tattoos, but… let’s be real, no high-profile K-pop idols would ever intentionally show off that kind of thing if they were actually dating, right?
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This week’s episode is a bit different from the usual because we’re giving you a recap our own chaotic night out. After being stood up on a date (the audacity!!), Hannah comes to the rescue and Stacy had her very first Ebisu Yokocho adventure… and it did not disappoint. We break down the whole night, the three genres of men we encountered (the Tall Guy, the Suits Guy, and Eyebrow Man), and we discover how Stacy really acts when she sees someone she’s into. Tune in to our actual debrief!
Pre-debrief:
Stacy has officially moved into her new place, and she may or may not have asked out the guy who helped her move her new furniture in (eeeeek!!) Meanwhile, Hannah recaps her much-needed YOLO trip to Hawaii, complete with unexpected new friends, almost getting into a fight, nearly passing out on a hike, and plenty of chaotic vacation energy.
Main topic:
We dive into 甘える vs. 甘えられたい - there's no direct translation in English, but the question of whether you prefer to be the one relying or the one being relied on. Think: emotional little spoon vs. big spoon energy. Hannah loves when a guy shows his soft, vulnerable side (again the ギャップ!), while Stacy prefers not to deal with too much 甘えん坊 behavior. Tune in to hear why our preferences differ, how this plays out when dating older vs. younger men, and what it says about modern relationship dynamics.
Pre-debrief:
We’ve got a bit of Johnnys… uh, Starto (still getting used to that name) news for you! Unfortunately, Ae! group fans were hit with some sad updates: Richard was arrested on suspicion of public indecency, took a brief hiatus, and Starto has now announced his decision to leave the group. Meanwhile, the Heisei Kings KAT-TUN held their post-disbandment farewell concert… RIP. Also, are people still calling them Johnnys? Would we get cancelled for that? Starto? Both? We’re confused too.
Main Topic:
Ah yes… the Friendzone. Being friendzoned is awkward, and friendzoning someone is equally painful. We talk about the subtle things we do when we’re trying to friendzone someone; calling them “bro”, avoiding one-on-one hangouts by suddenly turning it into a group activity, or replying to texts like we’re writing a formal business email: “It was very nice meeting you as well. Hope all is well.” We also share our many stories of being friendzoned ourselves… including our personal favorite: the infamous Disneyland story. Shooting your shot and failing is part of life, so we’re putting our embarrassing experiences out there in hopes you’ll laugh with us, relate to us, or maybe learn a thing or two along the way.
Pre-Debrief (プリブリ):The annual 紅白歌合戦 (Kohaku Uta Gassen) lineup is finally out! Japan’s biggest New Year’s Eve music show is back with a stacked list of artists, including the reunion (kind of) of King & Prince and number_i, Hannah’s fave group &Team, Chanmina, and the queens Aespa… and the rumors that ARASHI might appear for their final Kohaku performance?!
Main Topic:Should the guy pay on the first date? We share our unspoken rules and awkward encounters when it comes to money in dating and relationships. From the guy who pulled out coupons on the first date, to the mega-rich dude who wouldn’t shut up about his career while manspreading his takes on the current market - we’ve seen it all. And of course, Stacy brings another chaotic “would you rather” that ends with us split again.
Pre-Brief: Hannah’s deep in her Fit Girl era after signing up for Hyrox…but the training’s brutal. Will she make it? TBD. Stacy’s cheering her on (from the couch, naturally). The duo also dives into Vogue’s viral piece, “Is Having a Boyfriend Embarrassing?” (Spoiler: it kind of is…)
Main Topic: The glow-up is real. Stacy and Hannah reflect on growing out of their awkward phases both inside and out. From better skincare and style to stronger mindsets and post-breakup reinventions, they’re sharing the habits, mindset shifts, and mini transformations that helped them level up. Tune in for the ultimate glow-up guide!
Pre-Debrief:
Stacy has a major friend update (iykyk - go back to Ep 17)! She somehow made a new friend overnight?! Hannah couldn’t be prouder. Meanwhile, Hannah shares a bittersweet life update: she’s officially moved out of her very first apartment in Japan. From navigating complicated moving logistics to saying goodbye to her first home, it’s a real grown-up moment.
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Happy Halloween! We’re keeping it festive with some of our own “scary” stories: letting a random stranger into your house (why did young Stacy think that was okay??), waking up to your mom wedged between you and your boyfriend in bed, catching ringworm from a makeout gone wrong, ikemen sleep paralysis, and more. 全部のオチ：「こわ〜〜〜いw」
Pre-brief:
Watch Stacy gush over the new Netflix J-drama "Romantics Anonymous" because not only is it a great rom-com, but it stars none other than Heisei kings Oguri Shun and Akanishi Jin as romantic leads!! So sexy that we can't stop screaming like teenagers. Speaking of sexy - Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2025 was absolutely stunning, and Hannah gives us the rundown of all her favorite moments (like the OG angels reuniting!!)
Main Topic:
Goodbye hot girl summer, and hello cuffing season </3 It's suddenly getting super cold and chilly in Tokyo, which means that most people are getting ready to lock it in with their summer flings (or people who are already boo'ed up will just get to flaunt their love throughout the holidays). We have some conflicting feelings about this season, especially when there's weird pressure to not be alone during the festive months. Especially when both of us have had some lowkey traumatic memories of this time of year (yikes)...
Stacy just got back from her annual girls trip with her college besties, and she’s sharing the deets. Her 10-year friendversary consisted of lots of tears, and apparently a surprise strip show starring hot Korean men? 改めて、girlhood最高 <3
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We’re breaking down the biggest red flags we’ve seen in men, and why you should never ignore them. We cover all the greatest hits: raised voices, weaponized silent treatment, hot-and-cold behavior, animal haters, unsolicited advice…the list goes on. For our girlies: take this as your sign to RUN. And for anyone who feels like they’ve been called out, yes you are the problem.
Cultural Digest:
We get into Taylor Swift’s new album - before Swifties come for us, let’s be clear: we are not haters, just…observers 😇. We talk about how the lyrics feel a little too TikTok-coded, and honestly, some of the negative feedback might be kinda valid. We also dive into the Japanese idol scandal involving a member of Aえ! Group arrested on a public indecency charge. Some fans say he was framed, others think he was just being drunk and dumb- but after seeing his emotional apology video post-release, we can’t help but wonder if there’s more to the story.
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We’re getting real about cosmetic surgery and the evolution of beauty standards in the US and Japan. We spill about the procedures we’ve had done plus our honest advice from our experience. We also unpack how beauty ideals have shifted - from the “big booty” era to the current Ozempic slim phase.. and how celebrities are suddenly so open (or suspiciously not open) about getting work done. And of course, we compare it all with Japan’s high beauty standards and what we specifically do now that we didn’t care about when we lived in the US.
Cultural digest:
Japan's latest trend: a romance-focused personality test called "Love Type 16" (ラブタイプ診断) - basically MBTI, but for your love life (spoiler: Stacy and Hannah got the exact same result…which means we prob need to retake this lol). Plus, we reveal our current celebrity obsessions (which honestly changes almost weekly): Hannah's crushing on Dylan Efron, while Stacy’s deep in a Tyriq Withers rabbit hole.
Main topic:
Making friends as adults is fricking hard!! We talk about what it’s like trying to build friendships in Tokyo, how our approaches totally differ (Hannah’s a social butterfly, Stacy…is trying), and how we’re navigating awkward convos, friendship breakups, and even what we'd do if we crush on the same guy.
Also, new club starting soon? Tennis? Books? Cooking? We don't know yet but we have a new goal for Stacy: make one new friend by the end of the year. Let’s hold her accountable.
Cultural Digest: This week we’re diving into the very messy cheating scandal shaking up the Japanese entertainment world - starring none other than Kentaro Sakaguchi, his former hair stylist, Mei Nagano, and Kei Tanaka. These A-listers who referred to each other as “big brother and little sister”were apparently getting a little too close behind the scenes…
Main Topic: We asked our listeners what little things guys/gals do that instantly catch your attention (shoutout to everyone who sent in answers - thank youuu!!) and we also share our own takes. From the way men adjust their hats, the confidence of a good driver or that one-hand-on-the-wheel move… to escalator etiquette and that signature f***boy cologne we secretly can’t resist. We also specifically get into the party/club scene: smooth moves that make guys stand out and is super attractive, our picks for the best clubs in Tokyo, and of course, why dance-floor makeout sessions remain undefeated.
Cultural digest:
We don’t usually weigh in on politics, but we felt it was important to briefly acknowledge what’s happened recently — in short, he was a hateful person who met the fate of his own rhetoric, and empathy can only stretch so far.
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Ah, the things we do when you’re down bad for someone. Camera roll full of screenshots of convos, asking your friends “what it means”, full-blown FBI-level background checks, walking the long way home just to have more time w him, whipping up baked goods to prove you’re “wifey material” (even though you never bake...) It’s all the slightly embarrassing stuff we’ve all done when we’re wayyyy too into someone… but sorry we can’t help it??
Cultural digest:
Sabrina Carpenter’s new album “Man’s Best Friend” is a solid “ok” but what’s more interesting is the public’s critique. The album cover art and her overall portrayal of women is questionable at best, yet her fans defend the album as satire of the male gaze. Sabrina’s own explanation left us… honestly, scratching our heads a little, so we unpack our opinion on why this one isn’t exactly our fave.
Main topic:
Dating in the digital age is all about mastering the art of a perfect Instagram story for that one person to see, post-date DMs, “bad” texters, and doing a full FBI background check before a first date. Warning: we go so off topic throughout this episode, because as always, we don’t see eye to eye on things like — how often we wanna see our partners, planned vs. spontaneous dates, and even the question: keigo on a date…yes or no?
And because we can’t help ourselves, we give a little shout-out to our haters out there<33
This week we’re unpacking the latest phenomenon: performative males. You know the type - the ones who brand themselves as“not like other guys” yet somehow end up exactly the same. Think: self-proclaimed feminists only when it benefits them, men who use therapy as an accessory for clout, and those who put on Oscar-worthy performances on dates…like is this really genuine or are you doing this to manipulate us?
Yes, this episode is definitely biased toward our own experiences (and the questionable men we’ve witnessed), but it’s a warning worth hearing. The epidemic is real!
Cultural digest:
GAP understood the assignment!! Their new jeans ad with KATSEYE is everything American Eagle wished it was - fun, stylish, and actually tasteful. Meanwhile, AKB48’s 神7 comeback stage on Music Station threw us right back into the golden idol era. But let’s be real, with groups like CUTIE STREET and FRUITS ZIPPER on the rise, there is a new generation of idols that's taking the crown.
Main topic:
Let’s talk about Nanpa (aka, hitting on women). Because honestly… who is teaching these Tokyo guys these lame techniques? From the classic “おねえさん、かわいいですね” to the ever-tired “1杯飲みません？” We break down why these lines aren’t it. We share our own Nanpa encounters, why we’re way better at reverse nanpa 逆ナン (sorry boys), and give our advice on how to actually ask someone out. A survival guide for both guys and girls… let’s all up our game.
Cultural Digest:
Heisei-core is back and it’s feeding our souls. A new J-drama starring millennial dream team Oguri Shun and Akanishi Jin (yes, they're full-on dads now) has us screaming. RIPSLYME briefly returns, along with a remake of the iconic 熱帯夜 lip-sync video — except now the teens are adults and it's エモい af. Orange Range is also back with a Heisei version of イケナイ太陽, and honestly? We’ve never felt more alive.
Main Topic:
SUMMER SONIC 2025 BABYYYY!!! We went to Summer Sonic and (barely) survived to tell the tale -- Stacy came prepared for the apocalypse with cooling towels and tons of frozen water bottles, while Hannah brought the good vibes. We recap the chaotic scorching hot outdoor fest, the equally ~hot~ artists we saw, and everything in between.
Cultural Digest:
This week, we globe-hop through the most unserious corners of the internet so you don't have to:
🇺🇸 In the US: Ben Platt’s Diet Pepsi cover is… kinda divine? And Taylor Swift has announced an album pre pre-sale because apparently we’ll buy anything as long as it comes with a pastel Instagram post.
🇯🇵 In Japan: number_i dropped a new track that we’re not allowed to say is bad or else hardcore fans will target us (but it is), and everyone's favorite meme these days: 2.5-dimensional musical clips.
🇨🇳 From China: the EDM rock-paper-scissors trend has us hypnotized and confused — like, what are the rules???
Main Topic:
Soft launch vs. hard launch: the chaotic spectrum of modern love. We expose the subtle ways we’ve both soft-launched guys (yes, the "not-so-subtly showing a guy's hand" pic), unpack the weird energy of men who refuse to post their girlfriends (you’re not a high-profile figure, just post babe), and debate if being posted online actually means anything anymore.