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Normal Gossip

Normal Gossip

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Normal Gossip delivers juicy, strange, funny, and utterly banal gossip about people you’ll never know and never meet. Host Rachelle Hampton discusses reader-submitted comedic gossip with guests, diving into the lives and decisions of complete strangers. The second-hand truth really is stranger than fiction. Produced by Se'era Spragley Ricks and Jae Towle Vieira. Created by Kelsey McKinney and Alex Sujong Laughlin. Show art by Tara Jacoby. https://normalgossip.komi.io/
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Try Hard

Alex Sujong Laughlin

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It’s so hard to try something new. Maybe you dream of playing guitar, or speaking fluent Spanish. Maybe you want to learn to tap dance or do magic tricks or yodel. But what if you had a little help? On Try Hard, Alex Sujong Laughlin helps one ordinary person do the thing they never thought they could do. The process is embarrassing and uncomfortable, but hopefully always worth it. Be a try hard. We double dog dare you. Created by Alex Sujong Laughlin and Defector Media.
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Kareem Maddox is a professional 3x3 basketball player and a lifelong fan of the Olympics, and he’s spent the last year exploring one question: What does it mean to be an Olympian? The Greatness with Kareem Maddox features athletes from different countries, different sports, and different decades. They share their Olympic dreams, what happens off the field, and what the Olympics mean to all of us. Credits: Josh Bloch- For USG Audio Jessica Grimshaw- For USG Audio Jennifer Sears- For USG Audio ...
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In 1973, David Kushner's 11-year-old older brother Jon biked through a suburban Florida forest to buy candy for his little brother, and never returned. Decades later, now an accomplished journalist and author, Kushner investigates his brother’s case and the profound impact it had on his family and community. Piecing together police reports, interviews, and the memories of loved ones––David tells the story of what happened to his family and his town, after his brother disappeared. Credits: Je ...
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What happens when a wallflower tries to stand in the spotlight? Check out Yowei's podcast, Proxy. Episode transcript here: Send me voice memos about the things YOU'RE trying at [email protected], or you can message me or tag me on Instagram @alexlaughs. Try Hard is hosted and produced by Alex Sujong Laughlin. Editorial and production support fr…
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Today's treat: an episode from our secret feed vault. If you'd like to get in on these monthly extra episodes, subscribe as a Friend or a Friend-of-a-Friend. Our guest this time is Sabrina Imbler! After catching up on Sabs' latest project—a series of interviews with federal workers fired by the Trump administration—Rachelle and Sabs partake in a ba…
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Erika spent her life being the person she thought she "should" be. It turns out that doing her own thing doesn't rock the world the way she thinks it will. It's actually pretty cool. Check out Erika's podcast, Happy to See Me. Episode transcript here. Send me voice memos about the things YOU'RE trying at [email protected], or you can message me…
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Cartoonist Mattie Lubchansky hates exercising in front of people, so in this first episode of Try Hard, she's trying out a real life yoga class full of real life strangers! By the way, you should buy Mattie's new book, Simplicity! Episode transcript here. Send me voice memos about the things YOU'RE trying at [email protected], or you can messag…
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Surprise! In today's bonus episode, Alex Sujong Laughlin and Patrick Redford join Rachelle for some delectable morsels of gossip and not one but TWO big announcements! Try Hard premieres July 28th! Subscribe here or wherever you get your podcasts. Look out for Only If You Get Caught this fall! Get your tickets for the Normal Gossip Live tour here! …
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It is the season 8 FINALE and we've got the iconic Shea Couleé here with us for a tale of love and ambition amongst polyamorous bee farmers. Watch Shea in IRONHEART on June 24th and follow her on Instagram here. Get your tickets for the Normal Gossip Live tour here! Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Rachelle, Se'era, Jae, Alex, and Kelse…
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Our editor Brandy Jensen joins us for a good old fashioned neighborly feud. Read Brandy's essay, which she wrote for the Yale Review, called the Polycrisis here. Get your tickets for the Normal Gossip Live tour here! Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Rachelle, Se'era, Jae, Alex, and Kelsey, plus blog recommendations and secrets! You can …
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Vinson Cunningham accompanies us to a fancy private school where the parents tend to get a little too involved in the yearly fundraiser. Follow Vinson on Instagram here. Get your tickets for the Normal Gossip Live tour here! Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Rachelle, Se'era, Jae, Alex, and Kelsey, plus blog recommendations and secrets! …
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Sam Sanders returns for some gossip about a case of "accidental" love-bombing in a hostel. Follow Sam on Instagram here and check out The Sam Sanders Show for more hot takes on entertainment and culture. We recommend you start here. Get your tickets for the Normal Gossip Live tour here! Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Rachelle, Se'era,…
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Nadira Goffe comes with us to a shared rental house simmering with tension over roaches, cats, and a very special stew. Follow Nadira on Instagram here. Get your tickets for the Normal Gossip Live tour here! Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Rachelle, Se'era, Jae, Alex, and Kelsey, plus blog recommendations and secrets! You can support N…
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Rebecca Jennings accompanies us to LARP Camp for a tale of dice, ghosts, and forbidden love. Pre-order Rebecca's book Be The Bombshell: What Love Island Teaches Us About Dating here and follow her on Instagram here. Get your tickets for the Normal Gossip Live tour here! Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Rachelle, Se'era, Jae, Alex, and K…
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Alanna Bennett joins us to explore what happens to you—physically and metaphysically—when you get into a fight with a magician. Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Rachelle, Se'era, Jae, Alex, and Kelsey, plus blog recommendations and secrets! You can support Normal Gossip directly by buying merch or becoming a Friend or a Friend-of-Friend…
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Jonquilyn Hill hates pranks, which made her the perfect guest for today's tale of a townhouse torn apart by a prank gone wrong. Follow Jonquilyn on Instagram here and check out Jonquilyn's podcast Explain It to Me here. Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Rachelle, Se'era, Jae, Alex, and Kelsey, plus blog recommendations and secrets! You c…
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A deadly bioterror attack shook the U.S. and triggered one of the FBI’s most complex investigations. Aftermath takes you inside the high-stakes hunt for the Anthrax killer and the investigative breakthrough that cracked the case. Episode 1: Isolated Incident - Right after 9/11, the FBI scrambles to stop a second-wave attack using a deadly toxin. Wh…
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Yowei Shaw joins us on [BLEEP] Island for a tale of volunteer firefighters, fancy snacks, and rampant nepotism. Follow Yowei on Instagram here and check out Yowei's podcast Proxy here. Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Rachelle, Se'era, Jae, Alex, and Kelsey, plus blog recommendations and secrets! You can support Normal Gossip directly b…
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A deadly bioterror attack shook the U.S. and triggered one of the FBI’s most complex investigations. Aftermath takes you inside the high-stakes hunt for the Anthrax killer and the investigative breakthrough that cracked the case. Episode 1: Isolated Incident - Right after 9/11, the FBI scrambles to stop a second-wave attack using a deadly toxin. Wh…
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Welcome to season EIGHT of Normal Gossip! We're kicking off the season with Scaachi Koul and a story about the lengths you would go for a coveted couch. Order Scaachi’s book, Sucker Punch, here and follow her on Instagram here. Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Rachelle, Se'era, Jae, Alex, and Kelsey, plus blog recommendations and secret…
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Popping into your feeds with a little treat! In today’s bonus episode, Kelsey joins Rachelle to answer all of our burning questions about her new book, You Didn’t Hear This From Me: Mostly True Notes on Gossip, reality TV, victorian marriages, and, you guessed it, gossip! Order Kelsey's book, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, here! Subscribe to our new…
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Surprise! In today’s bonus episode, Se’era Spragley Ricks (Normal Gossip’s lead producer) joins Rachelle to dive into your questions, New Year’s resolutions, and morsels of gossip. Get tickets to Kelsey's book tour here! Pre-order Kelsey's book, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, here! Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Rachelle, Se'era, Jae, …
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In today's bonus episode, Rachelle and Kelsey discuss the cinematic experience that is 2015's The Spirit of Christmas. Warning: we could not stop talking about sex and drugs in this episode, maybe because the movie is so chaste. Get tickets to Kelsey's book tour here! Pre-order Kelsey's book, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, here! Subscribe to our new…
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Thank you so much to some eagle-eyed listeners who alerted us to the fact that we mistakenly published an earlier version of this episode, which contains an error mixing up the Arctic and the Antarctic, which are–famously—polar opposites. If you’re reading this, then you’ll hear the correct version, thank goodness. And as promised in the Instagram …
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Gossip skeptic Hrishikesh Hirway joins us for a deep dive into the history of a (close) family full of secrets, lies, and prophecies. Follow Hrishi on Instagram @hrishihirway Get tickets to Kelsey's book tour here! Pre-order Kelsey's book, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, here! Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Kelsey and Alex, blog recomme…
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Caroline O'Donoghue joins us from across the pond for a story about art collectors with too much time and money on their hands. Follow Caroline on Instagram @czaronline Get tickets to Kelsey's book tour here! Pre-order Kelsey's book, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, here! Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Kelsey and Alex, blog recommendatio…
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Tis the damn season for hometown crushes! Carson Olshansky joins us for a story about running into your high school crush while holiday shopping. Follow Carson on Instagram @carsonolshansky Get tickets to Kelsey's book tour here! Pre-order Kelsey's book, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, here! Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Kelsey and Ale…
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Tobin Low is back for a story about a mysterious lobsterman and his cousin and how he brought a community together during season one of lockdown. Follow Tobin on Instagram @tobinlow! Get tickets to Kelsey's book tour here! Pre-order Kelsey's book, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, here! Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Kelsey and Alex, blog…
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Josh Gondelman is BACK for a story about gross boys who love each other very much. Follow Josh on Instagram at @joshgondelman! Get tickets to Kelsey's book tour here! Pre-order Kelsey's book, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, here! Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Kelsey and Alex, blog recommendations, and bonus secrets! You can support Nor…
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Our old friend Samantha Irby is back for a story about what could go wrong when you bring a wild animal into your home. Follow Sam on Instagram at @bitchesgottaeat! Get tickets to Kelsey's book tour here! Pre-order Kelsey's book, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, here! Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Kelsey and Alex, blog recommendations, …
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Our own Alex Sujong Laughlin joins us for a tale of petty thievery plaguing the Dept. of Sanitation during the most wonderful time of the year: Garbage Man Appreciation Week. Follow Alex on Instagram at @alexlaughs! Pre-order Kelsey's book, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, here! Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Kelsey and Alex, blog recomm…
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When you cheat at bingo, the house always wins. Danielle Henderson joins us again for a story about how far parents will go to raise money for their kids' soccer team—and to gamble. Follow Danielle on Instagram and subscribe to her newsletter! Pre-order Kelsey's book, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, here! Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from …
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Welcome to season SEVEN of Normal Gossip! We're starting off the season strong with Ashley Reese and a story about a smutty fanfiction community. Check out Ashley on Twitter and Instagram and check out her Substack here. Episode transcript here. Pre-order Kelsey's book, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, here! Subscribe to our newsletter for writing fro…
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Surprise! In today's bonus episode, Rachelle Hampton (Normal Gossip's best friend) joins Kelsey for a basketful of updates on gossips past. Spoiler warning! Make sure you've listened to the following episodes: S1E8 Spot the Scammer S2E3 Squirrel Enthusiast S2E4 Short King of East Texas S3E1 Righteous Lesbian Energy S3E6 In Defense of Children S4E6 …
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It is the season 6 FINALE and we've got the amazing Brittany Luse here for a story about A-list authors, ill-advised MFAs, and pets in places where they shouldn't be. Listen to Brittany's podcast, It's Been a Minute, here! PRE-ORDER KELSEY'S BOOK, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, HERE!!! Subscribe to our new newsletter for writing from Kelsey and Alex…
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We are joined this week by our gayest Bachelorette, Gabby Windey, for a story about queer love, polyamory, and a pair of *very* special tie-dyed overalls. Listen to Gabby's podcast, Long Winded with Gabby Windey. PRE-ORDER KELSEY'S BOOK, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, HERE!!! Subscribe to our new newsletter for writing from Kelsey and Alex, blog rec…
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Jeneé Desmond-Harris joins us for a tale of patriotism, fire drills, and accidentally getting too stoned at the wrong time. Listen to Dear Prudence and follow Jenée on Twitter here. PRE-ORDER KELSEY'S BOOK, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, HERE!!! Subscribe to our new newsletter for writing from Kelsey and Alex, blog recommendations, and bonus secrets…
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Sonalee Rashatwar (they/he) joins us for an international story about families, inheritance, and haunting. Follow Sonalee on Instagram! PRE-ORDER KELSEY'S BOOK, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, HERE!!! Subscribe to our new newsletter for writing from Kelsey and Alex, blog recommendations, and bonus secrets! You can support Normal Gossip directly by bu…
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Elise Hu joins us for a tale of startup bros and the hermit crabs that come between them. Buy Elise's book, Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital. PRE-ORDER KELSEY'S BOOK, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, HERE!!! Subscribe to our new newsletter for writing from Kelsey and Alex, blog recommendations, and bonus secrets! You ca…
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Avery Trufelman of Articles of Interest joins us for a story about mushroom foraging, cultbrain, and greige athleisure. This is the mushroom video. Click at your own risk. PRE-ORDER KELSEY'S BOOK, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, HERE!!! Subscribe to our new newsletter for writing from Kelsey and Alex, blog recommendations, and bonus secrets! You can …
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Lindy West and Meagan Hatcher-Mays join us for a story where the protagonists find themselves, in the words of our submitter, "stuck in an inescapable Samuel Beckett style loop of scandal gossip, rumor and orthotic shoes." Listen to their podcast, Text Me Back, and subscribe to their Patreon! PRE-ORDER KELSEY'S BOOK, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, H…
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The editor becomes the edited this week because our editor Justin Ellis is joining us for a story about indoor children's playgrounds and the Facebook groups that bind them. PRE-ORDER KELSEY'S BOOK, YOU DIDN'T HEAR THIS FROM ME, HERE!!! Subscribe to our new newsletter for writing from Kelsey and Alex, blog recommendations, and bonus secrets! You ca…
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This week's episode features daddy issues, rollerblades, and comedian Marlena Rodriguez! Some of you will remember her from our Los Angeles live show. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Subscribe to our new newsletter for writing from Kelsey and Alex, blog recommendations, and bonus secrets! You can support Normal Gossip directly by buying merch …
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We are back and pettier than ever with season 6! We're joined by our Radiotopia colleague and host of Weight for It Ronald Young Jr. for a story about the ridiculous things we do when we fall in love with familiar strangers. Follow Ronald on all social media at @ohitsbigron (Instagram, Twitter, Threads, TikTok) One thing to clarify from episode 1 o…
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Alex and Jae spent the last month trying to find the source of a tale we first heard back in season two. Is the poop story gossip? An urban legend? Guerilla marketing perpetrated on us all by Big Toilet? All of the above? You can support Normal Gossip directly by buying merch or becoming a Friend or a Friend-of-Friend at supportnormalgossip.com. Ou…
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Popping into your feeds for a cute lil announcement — we are going on a mini tour this spring! Come see us in Dallas, Atlanta, Durham, and D.C. Get your tickets: https://www.normalgossiplive.com/ If you want us to come to your city, fill out our zip code survey! And we'll see you for our new season in April! Sign up to hear Normal Gossip's next sec…
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David Kushner sits down with Crime Story host, Kathleen Goldhar, for an intimate conversation about his memoir and podcast, Alligator Candy, about the shocking murder of his younger brother Jon and how his family coped in the aftermath. You can listen to more incredible tales of true crime every week on Crime Story. Find more Crime Story episodes i…
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Defector editor David Roth joins us for our SEASON FINALE! We're about to dive into the stupidest election drama you've ever heard. If you love Roth, check out his podcast, The Distraction! Sign up to hear Normal Gossip's next secret here. Support Radiotopia's fall fundraiser! You can support Normal Gossip directly by buying merch or becoming a Fri…
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Survivor 41 winner Erika Casupanan joins us this week for a story about the perils of gossiping at work. Listen to Erika's podcast, Happy to See Me! Sign up to hear Normal Gossip's next secret here. Support Radiotopia's fall fundraiser! You can support Normal Gossip directly by buying merch or becoming a Friend or a Friend-of-Friend at supportnorma…
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Hayes Brown joins us to learn just how deranged the world of upscale dog grooming can be. Follow Hayes on Twitter @HayesBrown. Sign up to hear Normal Gossip's next secret here. Support Radiotopia's fall fundraiser! You can support Normal Gossip directly by buying merch or becoming a Friend or a Friend-of-Friend at supportnormalgossip.com. Our merch…
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Our Defector colleague Maitreyi Anantharaman joins us for a story about private school moms taking a theater performance — and "urban dance" classes — too seriously. Follow Maitreyi on Twitter @maitreyiaa. Support Radiotopia's fall fundraiser! You can support Normal Gossip directly by buying merch or becoming a Friend or a Friend-of-Friend at suppo…
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This week, our pal Zakiya Gibbons joins us for a story about a Thanksgiving home rental gone horribly, horribly wrong. Zakiya is the host and editor of Hang Up, a new reality dating podcast from Radiotopia! We are obsessed. Check it out! Speaking of Radiotopia....support Radiotopia's fall fundraiser! You can support Normal Gossip directly by buying…
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