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Normal Gossip

Normal Gossip

Normal Gossip delivers juicy, strange, funny, and utterly banal gossip about people you’ll never know and never meet. Host Kelsey McKinney 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 Alex Sujong Laughlin. Show art by Tara Jacoby. https://normalgossip.komi.io/

Defector Media LLC

Normal Gossip delivers juicy, strange, funny, and utterly banal gossip about people you’ll never know and never meet. Host Kelsey McKinney 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 Alex Sujong Laughlin. Show art by Tara Jacoby. https://normalgossip.komi.io/

Defector Media LLC
62hr 37min
Thumbnail for "Ready to be Bunco-ified with Lindy West and Meagan Hatcher-Mays".
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."
May 8, 202458min 39sec
Thumbnail for "The Wormhole of Sasha with Gabby Windey".
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.
June 12, 202455min 59sec
Thumbnail for "Romancing the Stoned with Jenée Desmond-Harris".
June 5, 202458min 49sec
Thumbnail for "Haunted and Constipated with Sonalee Rashatwar".
Sonalee Rashatwar joins us for an international story about families, inheritance, and haunting.
May 29, 202457min 21sec
Thumbnail for "Minder, the Finder, and the Grinder with Elise Hu ".
May 22, 20241hr
Thumbnail for "Sexy Mushrooms with Avery Trufelman".
May 15, 202457min 39sec
Thumbnail for "The Joy of Being a Hater with Justin Ellis".
Justin Ellis is joining us for a story about indoor children's playgrounds and the Facebook groups that bind them.
May 1, 20241hr
Thumbnail for "All the World is Rollerblades with Marlena Rodriguez".
This week's episode features daddy issues, rollerblades, and comedian Marlena Rodriguez!
April 24, 202458min 53sec
Thumbnail for "A Beautiful Blood Celebrity with Ronald Young Jr.".
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.
April 17, 202458min 4sec
Thumbnail for "Normal Gossip Investigates: The Poop Story".
Is the poop story gossip? An urban legend? Guerilla marketing perpetrated on us all by Big Toilet? All of the above?
February 16, 202451min 49sec
Thumbnail for "A little announcement 🐥".
Popping into your feeds for a cute lil announcement — we are going on a mini tour this spring!
January 26, 202410min 10sec
Thumbnail for "Splitting the Dog Vote with David Roth".
Defector editor David Roth joins us for our SEASON FINALE! We're about to dive into the stupidest election drama you've ever heard.
December 20, 20231hr 13min
Thumbnail for "Getting Frisky at the Black Rose with Erika Casupanan".
Survivor 41 winner Erika Casupanan joins us this week for a story about the perils of gossiping at work.
December 13, 202359min 18sec
Thumbnail for "Dog Salon Divas with Hayes Brown".
Hayes Brown joins us to learn just how deranged the world of upscale dog grooming can be.
December 6, 20231hr 10min
Thumbnail for "Rich Mom Razzle Dazzle with Maitreyi Anantharaman".
Our Defector colleague Maitreyi Anantharaman joins us for a story about private school moms taking a theater performance — and "urban dance" classes — too seriously.
November 29, 202359min 12sec
Thumbnail for "Weedsgiving with Zakiya Gibbons".
This week, our pal Zakiya Gibbons joins us for a story about a Thanksgiving home rental gone horribly, horribly wrong.
November 22, 20231hr 19min
Thumbnail for ""Emily in Paris" Meets "Parasite" with Amanda Montell".
We're going abroad for a long-awaited au pair adventure with writer and podcast host Amanda Montell!
November 15, 20231hr 1min
Thumbnail for "Should've Said No to the Ceviche with Sarah-Violet Bliss".
TV writer and showrunner Sarah-Violet Bliss joins us for an evening of moral quandaries and infinite amounts of ceviche.
November 8, 202347min 58sec
Thumbnail for "25 Bridesmaids and an Empath with Jasmine Ellis".
Comedian Jasmine Ellis joins us for a tale about an absurdly large bachelorette party involving sardines, adult jocks, and an empathetic queen.
November 1, 20231hr 3min
Thumbnail for "Teenage Cop Camp with Josie Duffy Rice".
What happens when you send a manic pixie dream girl to CIA summer camp? Journalist, writer, law school graduate, and podcast host Josie Duffy Rice joins us to find out 👀
October 25, 20231hr 9min
Thumbnail for "Vodka Sommelier Bullshit with Katie Barnes".
Sports journalist Katie Barnes joins us for a story that brings us back to our high school days.
October 18, 20231hr 11min
Thumbnail for "Bonus Episode: Sexy Hide-And-Seek at the Shakespeare Festival with Brydie Lee-Kennedy".
We're releasing an episode from our secret feed vault to give you a taste of what you can get each month as a Friend or Friend-of-a-Friend subscriber.
September 27, 202347min 32sec
Thumbnail for "Surprise! The Plant Story 🪴".
We're popping in with a little summer surprise: the recording from our December 2022 live show in Washington, D.C., with Brittany Luse!
July 14, 202359min 10sec
Thumbnail for "Family Mealworms with Patrick Redford".
Friend of the show and fellow Defector comrade Patrick Redford is on the public feed for the first time! This week, we're talking about ~intentional living communities and their alternative sources of protein.
June 7, 20231hr 15min
Thumbnail for "'Til Deb Do Us Part with Caroline Moss and Sally Tamarkin".
Sally Tamarkin and Caroline Moss get extremely triggered in this episode about a chill bride and her blissfully oblivious wedding weekend.
May 31, 20231hr 9min
Thumbnail for "Murder Binders and Unthinkable Burgers with Mariah Smith".
Mariah Smith joins us for a true crime adventure.
May 24, 20231hr 8min
Thumbnail for "The CHAIR SAGA with Hannah Giorgis".
The esteemed Hannah Giorgis returns for a tale about what happens when your cousin is too rich for your own good.
May 17, 20231hr 7min
Thumbnail for "Vigilante Renovation with Jasmine Guillory".
Jasmine Guillory joins us for a tough lesson in bro friendships.
May 10, 20231hr 4min
Thumbnail for "Processing Our Michael Phelps Trauma with B.A. Parker".
B.A. Parker takes a trip back in time to a community pool in the South that has some major logistical issues.
May 3, 20231hr 8min
Thumbnail for "Is Mythology Just Gossip? With Liv Albert".
Liv Albert joins us to ponder the age-old question: follow your dreams, or follow the money?
April 26, 20231hr 4min
Thumbnail for "I Love All Corgis with Dr. Eve L. Ewing".
One of you monsters made Dr. Eve L. Ewing cry by sending us a curséd PowerPoint presentation from a dog Facebook group.
April 19, 20231hr 19min
Thumbnail for "The Only Single Girl at Disney with Blythe Roberson".
Blythe Roberson joins us for a story about how wrong a group text can go at Disney World.
April 12, 20231hr 6min
Thumbnail for "Every Peach is a Miracle with Samin Nosrat".
Samin Nosrat joins us for a tale about fruit, #vanlife, and forbidden love.
April 5, 20231hr 16min
Thumbnail for "S3 Ep9: Big Business Announcement Episode (new partner and new season!!!)".
We're back with some big announcements!
February 26, 202335min 2sec
Thumbnail for "S3 Ep8: Steampunk-Ass Murder Mystery with Tuck Woodstock".
S3 Ep8: Steampunk-Ass Murder Mystery with Tuck Woodstock
October 26, 20221hr 22min
Thumbnail for "S3 Ep7: The Science Behind Gossip with Eshin Jolly".
S3 Ep7: The Science Behind Gossip with Eshin Jolly
October 19, 20221hr 23min
Thumbnail for "S3 Ep6: In Defense of Children with Youngmi Mayer".
S3 Ep6: In Defense of Children with Youngmi Mayer
October 12, 20221hr 2min
Thumbnail for "S3 Ep5: You Can't Fight with Heiress Tongue with Matt Bellassai".
S3 Ep5: You Can't Fight with Heiress Tongue with Matt Bellassai
October 5, 20221hr 14min
Thumbnail for "S3 Ep4: Christmas is Cancelled with Laurel Bristow".
S3 Ep4: Christmas is Cancelled with Laurel Bristow
September 28, 20221hr 2min
Thumbnail for "S3 Ep3: Loud Cats and Thin Walls with Sabrina Imbler".
S3 Ep3: Loud Cats and Thin Walls with Sabrina Imbler
September 21, 20221hr 17min
Thumbnail for "S3 Ep2: The Adventures of Flat Margaret with Jessica Goodman".
S3 Ep2: The Adventures of Flat Margaret with Jessica Goodman
September 14, 20221hr 7min
Thumbnail for "S3 Ep1: Righteous Lesbian Energy with Samantha Irby".
S3 Ep1: Righteous Lesbian Energy with Samantha Irby
September 7, 20221hr 4min
Thumbnail for "S2 Ep10: Poledancing, book clubs, and gay men's chorus: Your niche gossip".
S2 Ep10: Poledancing, book clubs, and gay men's chorus: Your niche gossip
August 24, 202250min 10sec
Thumbnail for "S2 Ep9: Telephone Game with Alex and Justin".
S2 Ep9: Telephone Game with Alex and Justin
August 10, 20221hr 4min
Thumbnail for "S2 Ep8: Conflict Archaeology with Julia Furlan".
S2 Ep8: Conflict Archaeology with Julia Furlan
July 6, 20221hr 6min
Thumbnail for "S2 Ep7: Dishing in the Confessional with Emma Eun-joo Choi".
S2 Ep7: Dishing in the Confessional with Emma Eun-joo Choi
June 29, 20221hr 5min
Thumbnail for "S2 Ep6: Podcast Famous with Brian Park".
S2 Ep6: Podcast Famous with Brian Park
June 22, 202253min 25sec
Thumbnail for "S2 Ep5: Personality of a Tan Wall with Tobin Low".
S2 Ep5: Personality of a Tan Wall with Tobin Low
June 15, 20221hr 6min
Thumbnail for "S2 Ep4: Short King of East Texas with Lindsey Weber and Bobby Finger".
S2 Ep4: Short King of East Texas with Lindsey Weber and Bobby Finger
June 8, 20221hr 2min
Thumbnail for "S2 Ep3: Squirrel Enthusiast with Tracy Clayton".
S2 Ep3: Squirrel Enthusiast with Tracy Clayton
June 1, 202254min 41sec
Thumbnail for "S2 Ep2: The Not-Quite-Magicians with Kalyn Kahler".
S2 Ep2: The Not-Quite-Magicians with Kalyn Kahler
May 25, 20221hr
Thumbnail for "S2 Ep1: Grandma's 'Best Friend' Dot with Danielle Henderson".
S2 Ep1: Grandma's 'Best Friend' Dot with Danielle Henderson
May 18, 20221hr 3min
Thumbnail for "S1 Ep10: Bonus #2: Your FAQ + Some BIG Announcements!".
S1 Ep10: Bonus #2: Your FAQ + Some BIG Announcements!
May 4, 202255min 35sec
Thumbnail for "S1 Ep9: Season 1 BONUS: Your Family Gossip".
S1 Ep9: Season 1 BONUS: Your Family Gossip
April 20, 202254min 40sec
Thumbnail for "S1 Ep8: Spot the Scammer with Claire Fallon and Emma Gray".
S1 Ep8: Spot the Scammer with Claire Fallon and Emma Gray
February 23, 20221hr 3min
Thumbnail for "S1 Ep7: No One Tells Josh Gondelman the Good Gossip".
S1 Ep7: No One Tells Josh Gondelman the Good Gossip
February 16, 20221hr 6min
Thumbnail for "S1 Ep6: Nemesis by Proxy, with Delia Cai".
S1 Ep6: Nemesis by Proxy, with Delia Cai
February 9, 202251min 2sec
Thumbnail for "S1 Ep5: Leave ‘em a Little Bit Broke, a Little Bit Mad with Laci Mosley".
S1 Ep5: Leave ‘em a Little Bit Broke, a Little Bit Mad with Laci Mosley
February 2, 202256min 24sec
Thumbnail for "S1 Ep4: Always Google Your Neighbors with Megan Greenwell".
S1 Ep4: Always Google Your Neighbors with Megan Greenwell
January 26, 202238min 15sec
Thumbnail for "S1 Ep3: Can I Say Something Bitchy? With Rachelle Hampton".
S1 Ep3: Can I Say Something Bitchy? With Rachelle Hampton
January 19, 202241min 2sec
Thumbnail for "S1 Ep2: Dickmatized with Sam Sanders".
S1 Ep2: Dickmatized with Sam Sanders
January 12, 202239min 30sec
Thumbnail for "S1 Ep1: Gossiptonin with Virgie Tovar".
S1 Ep1: Gossiptonin with Virgie Tovar
January 5, 202233min 41sec
Thumbnail for "S1: You didn't hear this from me".
After two years where gossip has been hard to find, we decided it was finally time to create a space for the silly, strange, banal gossip we all know and love. This is Normal Gossip, a podcast from Defector Media. Check back here January 5, 2022 for episode 1.
November 17, 20213min 12sec

Ready to be Bunco-ified with Lindy West and Meagan Hatcher-Mays

Thumbnail for "Ready to be Bunco-ified with Lindy West and Meagan Hatcher-Mays".
May 8, 202458min 39sec

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, HERE!!!

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 or becoming a Friend or a Friend-of-Friend at supportnormalgossip.com.

Our merch shop is run by Dan McQuade. You can also find all kinds of info about us and how to submit gossip on our Komi page: https://normalgossip.komi.io/

Episode transcript here.

Follow the show on Instagram @normalgossip, and if you have gossip, email us at normalgossip@defector.com or leave us a voicemail at 26-79-GOSSIP.

Normal Gossip is hosted by Kelsey McKinney (@mckinneykelsey) and produced by Alex Sujong Laughlin (@alexlaughs) and Ozzy Llinas Goodman. Jae Towle Vieira (@jaetowlevieira) is our associate producer. Abigail Segel (@AbigailSegel) is our intern. Justin Ellis is Defector's projects editor.

Show art by Tara Jacoby.

Normal Gossip is a proud member of Radiotopia.