Pop Therapy (Formerly The Curious Life Podcast)

with Jana Firestone
  • 4.6 (22)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

Pop Therapy (formerly The Curious Life Podcast) is where therapist, bestselling author and unapologetic pop-culture obsessive Jana Firestone dissects the worlds we binge. From Bravo scandals, celebrity culture to streaming sensations and the fandoms that fuel them. With a clinical lens and a die-hard viewer’s heart, Jana unpacks the psychology of conflict, fame, friendship fractures, redemption arcs and the storylines we can’t stop analysing, alongside candid conversations with the people living inside the pop-culture machine. Smart, incisive and highly entertaining.

  1. 2d ago

    Don't Come For Crappens and Gas Station Sushi

    This week, Dana Regan, The Bravo Investigator and I are diving into a heated Bravo content creator debate, with a mental health message. Below Deck Down Under alum Eddy Hounsell called out Ben and Ronnie from Watch What Crappens with many words to say about their comments about men's appearances. We unpack the tricky line between commentary and criticism. When reality stars sign up for public scrutiny, what comes with the territory? And where, if anywhere, should creators draw the line? Then it's over to Rhode Island, where absolutely nobody is keeping calm. Liz is still blazing a trail (and taking menopause to the lawmakers), Cheating Brian with no leg to stand on, delivers a nasty "gas station sushi" comparison, and the feuds keep multiplying. Liz vs Alicia, Liz vs Jo-Ellen, Rosie vs Kelsey... at this point, it's easier to list who's not fighting. Real Housewives. Real relationships. Real grudges. And one very unfortunate sushi analogy. Watch now on YouTube and connect with us below: You can find Dana at: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thebravoinvestigator ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The new pod: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@allyouneedisyoupod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Bravo Investigator Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Bravo Investigator⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support this show and connect on socials at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG: @jana.firestone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@janafirestone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube for FULL interviews: @poptherapypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.janafirestone.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don't forget to leave a rating and review on both pods!

    51 min

  2. 6d ago

    The Summer House Questions We're Still Asking and RHORI Recap

    Dana Regan, The Bravo Investigator is back for our weekly recap, and this week we unpack all the questions we still have from the Summer House Reunion - from the sneaky looks and suspect behaviour to what has still not been addressed from the Summer House season. I give some context on Ben Waddell from an Australian perspective, and why his tone may not be landing with international viewers. Then we launch into our RHORI recap, where we ask - is it menopause or childhood trauma that's causing Liz to lash out like this? When the reaction is this big, it's rarely about the issue itself. So why is the "homeless" situation striking such a nerve? Watch in full on YouTube or listen now! You can find Dana at: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thebravoinvestigator ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The new pod: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@allyouneedisyoupod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Bravo Investigator Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Bravo Investigator⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support this show and connect on socials at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG: @jana.firestone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@janafirestone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube for FULL interviews: @poptherapypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.janafirestone.com⁠⁠⁠ Don't forget to leave a rating and review on both pods!

    51 min

  3. May 26

    Summer House Reunion Clip Shockers, Amanda's 117k Rent Bill and RHORI Eps 8+9 Recap with The Bravo Investigator

    We are back after a week's respite due to illness, but that didn't stop us endlessly consuming all things Bravo and pop culture this week! We launch right into the Summer House reunion clips, break down Amanda and West's apparent lack of empathy or understanding of the trail of destruction they have left in their wake. It's a Summer House/In The City mashup where we try to get inside the minds of these people we love to watch. Then we jump straight into Slam Pig territory, recapping episodes 8 and 9 of RHORI. From mistress allegations, to mob links and misinterpretations, a poster board business proposal and relationships on fire - we mention it all! You can find Dana at: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thebravoinvestigator ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The new pod: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@allyouneedisyoupod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Bravo Investigator Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Bravo Investigator⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support this show and connect on socials at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG: @jana.firestone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@janafirestone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube for FULL interviews: @poptherapypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.janafirestone.com⁠⁠ Don't forget to leave a rating and review on both pods!

    1h 12m

  4. May 15

    Reinvention, Risk & Running Towards the Dream with Lola Berry

    Today on Pop Therapy, I’m joined by my friend, the endlessly multi-hyphenate Lola Berry - actor, author, podcaster, wellness advocate and one of Australia’s most recognisable media personalities. You might know Lola from her hugely successful podcast Fearlessly Failing, her ELEVEN books, or her vibrant career in health and wellness… but lately, she’s been documenting a whole new chapter: chasing an acting career in LA. From audition highs and confidence crashes to navigating the unpredictability of Hollywood, Lola shares the reality of starting again - publicly, vulnerably and honestly. We talk about ambition, reinvention, failure, purpose, burnout, identity, creativity and why sometimes the bravest thing you can do is follow the thing that scares you. This is a conversation about backing yourself before you feel ready… and what happens when you stop waiting for permission to go after the life you actually want. You can find Lola on IG at @yummololaberry or via her website: www.lolaberry.com Support this show and connect on socials at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG: @jana.firestone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@janafirestone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube for FULL interviews: @poptherapypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.janafirestone.com⁠⁠ Thank you to Sam Talbot for his audio engineering wizardry. You can work with him too! Head to www.samtalbot.com.au

    1h 9m

  5. May 12

    Messy Wessy, Bravo Upfronts and RHORI Recap with Dana, The Bravo Investigator

    This week we kick things off with a look inside the latest developments from the Scamandavol fallout, including the allegations that West Wilson and Jen Fessler may have had a little dalliance, marriage be damned! We also cover today's NBC Universal Upfronts, where we were given a look inside the 2026 schedule, new show announcements and interesting casting for some of the upcoming offerings from Bravo and Peacock later this year. Then we launch into our RHORI Episode 7 recap, trying to unpack the complicated relationships, traumatic revelations and paranormal activity that plagued this ep! Catch the full episode here or watch on Youtube via the links below! You can find Dana at: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@thebravoinvestigator ⁠⁠⁠⁠ The new pod: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@allyouneedisyoupod⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Bravo Investigator Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Bravo Investigator⁠⁠⁠ Support this show and connect on socials at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠IG: @jana.firestone⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@janafirestone⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube for FULL interviews: @poptherapypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.janafirestone.com⁠⁠

    51 min

  6. May 8

    Mommy Issues and Needing Tissues: RHORI Recap with Dana The Bravo Investigator

    We are back with a recap of Episode 6 of RHORI and these women are peeling back every layer of those onions! From family trauma and grief, to Kelsey's breakup and Jo-Ellen's family fractures - this one goes deep. Dana shares her own experience with family estrangement and the ways that this storyline is giving her pause. This is reality TV at its finest, where we begin to reflect on our own lives, our own emotional backstories and connect with these women in a much more real way. Catch the full episode here or watch on Youtube via the links below! You can find Dana at: IG: ⁠⁠⁠@thebravoinvestigator ⁠⁠⁠ The new pod: ⁠⁠⁠@allyouneedisyoupod⁠⁠⁠ The Bravo Investigator Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠The Bravo Investigator⁠⁠ Support the show and connect on socials at: ⁠⁠⁠IG: @jana.firestone⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠@janafirestone⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠YouTube for FULL interviews: @poptherapypodcast⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠www.janafirestone.com⁠

    35 min

  7. Apr 28

    AI, Polo and Cheaters, Oh My: RHORI Recap with The Bravo Investigator, Dana Regan

    Welcome to your weekly RHORI recap collab with The Bravo Investigator, Dana Regan. This week we launch into Episode 5, where we are being breadcrummed more information about cheating spouses, accusations of ongoing betrayals and suspicious texts. Catch the full episode here or watch on Youtube via the links below! You can find Dana at: IG: ⁠⁠@thebravoinvestigator ⁠⁠ The new pod: ⁠⁠@allyouneedisyoupod⁠⁠ The Bravo Investigator Podcast: ⁠⁠The Bravo Investigator⁠ Support the show and connect on socials at: ⁠⁠IG: @jana.firestone⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠@janafirestone⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube for FULL interviews: @poptherapypodcast⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠www.janafirestone.com⁠

    55 min

  8. Apr 21

    RHORI Recap with The Bravo Investigator, Dana Regan.

    Welcome to a brand new weekly recap you’re going to want in your group chat immediately. This is the first episode of our new collab with Dana Regan, The Bravo Investigator - a weekly Real Housewives of Rhode Island recap, where we are diving straight into the mess. From the jump, this cast has been bleeding on screen - affairs, rumours, questionable money, shifting alliances, lifelong friendships and sensitive gangster vibes. Expect fast reads, psychological takes, and the kind of behind-the-scenes insight that will make you watch the episode differently the second time around. This is the gold standard of Housewives - real relationships, the potential for deep fractures, and so many skeletons that we know won't stay in the closet for long. Watch this episode in full on YouTube and support us via the links below. You can find Dana at: IG: ⁠@thebravoinvestigator ⁠ The new pod: ⁠@allyouneedisyoupod⁠ The Bravo Investigator Podcast: ⁠The Bravo Investigator Support the show and connect on socials at: ⁠IG: @jana.firestone⁠ TikTok: ⁠@janafirestone⁠ ⁠YouTube for FULL interviews: @poptherapypodcast⁠ Website: ⁠www.janafirestone.com

    49 min
See All (139)

4.6
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Pop Therapy (formerly The Curious Life Podcast) is where therapist, bestselling author and unapologetic pop-culture obsessive Jana Firestone dissects the worlds we binge. From Bravo scandals, celebrity culture to streaming sensations and the fandoms that fuel them. With a clinical lens and a die-hard viewer’s heart, Jana unpacks the psychology of conflict, fame, friendship fractures, redemption arcs and the storylines we can’t stop analysing, alongside candid conversations with the people living inside the pop-culture machine. Smart, incisive and highly entertaining.

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