ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Matt Buechele talks about influencer culture, a corgi who became internet-famous from inside a backpack, and the strange ways the internet shapes how we see ourselves and each other.
Then Matt sits down with comedian, writer, and podcast host Akilah Hughes to talk about her podcast, Rebel Spirit, which follows her return to her Kentucky high school to push for replacing its Confederate mascot with a biscuit. They discuss why people hold onto Confederate symbols, and the challenge of changing traditions. They also reminisce about their Saturday Night Live auditions and talk about internet outrage, parasocial relationships, and when to stop taking the internet’s bait.
Chapters:
00:00:00 Akilah Hughes, What a Day podcast, career pivots
00:04:14 Discussing Rebel Spirit and historical mascot debates
00:08:03 Examining public reactions to monument removal and social change
00:13:19 Navigating life in New York versus California
00:17:06 Reflecting on hosting news podcasts during turbulent times
00:22:50 Auditioning for Saturday Night Live during the pandemic
00:31:58 Facing the challenges of acting auditions and industry dynamics
00:36:24 Unpacking internet outrage and online commentary
00:41:29 Debating parasocial obsession and body image in social media
00:46:25 Playing small D energy with political tropes
00:51:41 Predicting the next viral internet animal
00:55:08 Guessing future video game characters and political figures
Topics:
Akilah Hughes: comedy and podcasting
The pandemic SNL audition process on Zoom
Changing the rebel high school mascot
Auditioning for Colin Jost & Michael Che
Hollywood’s struggle with podcasting
Impact of southern history & statues
Ariana grande, body image culture, media gaslighting
Work life in NYC vs. Los Angeles
Predicting the next viral character on Fortnite
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