Life In Jest

Selene Castrovilla + Pascale Laforest
  • 5.0 (4)
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"Life In Jest" is your weekly escape from the absurdity of everyday life. Hosted by cousins and best friends Selene Castrovilla and Pascale Laforest, two battle-worn souls who have been driven to the brink but refuse to check into Bellevue (because let’s be honest, the wine selection is probably awful). Instead, we choose to laugh. Each week, we dive into the wild and wacky ways humans think, process, and explain the world—through true crime, bizarre history, the supernatural, pop culture, TV & movies, current events, and our own misadventures. Tune in every Tuesday for sharp wit, unfiltered takes, and a much-needed break from the madness. Got a topic? Send it our way—because if we don’t laugh, we might just lose it. Cheers! Reach out to us: lifeinjestpodcast@gmail.com Visit our website: https://selenecastrovilla.com/podcast%3A-life-in-jest-1

  1. WTF?: The Dark Origins of Fairy Tales

    3D AGO

    WTF?: The Dark Origins of Fairy Tales

    You'll never look at Sleeping Beauty the same Way after listening to this episode! In this week's solo Life in Jest, Selene Castrovilla dives into the deeply disturbing origins of classic fairy tales—and the original stories are far more horrifying than most people realize. Long before Disney softened them into palatable stories with happy endings, fairy tales were filled with: cannibalismmurdermutilationsexual violencerevengedeathand genuinely terrifying punishmentsSelene explores the original versions of: Sleeping BeautyLittle Red Riding HoodCinderellaSnow WhiteHansel and GretelRapunzelRumpelstiltskinand moreIncluding the shocking details that modern retellings removed: Sleeping Beauty waking up after assault, Cinderella’s stepsisters mutilating their own feet, Snow White’s horrifying revenge ending, and Little Red Riding Hood stories that become pure nightmare fuel. The episode also explores: why these stories existed in the first placewhat they reveal about fear, survival, and human naturehow folklore evolved across cultures and centuriesand why disturbing stories continue to fascinate us today In true Life in Jest fashion, the episode moves between dark history, cultural commentary, humor, and personal storytelling as Selene explores the unsettling truths behind stories that have nothing to do with gentle fairies. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    19 min
  2. The Priest Who Said He Watched Jesus Die: Exploring Unhinged Time Travel

    MAY 6

    The Priest Who Said He Watched Jesus Die: Exploring Unhinged Time Travel

    Cyndi Lauper said it best — time after time — and this week, Selene and Pascale are tumbling after the truth about time travel. But before they do, they've got a sneak peek at what's coming up next episode: a visit to a serial killer exhibition in Manhattan. The only problem? They can't even agree on what makes a murder interesting before they've walked through the door — crimes of passion versus the cold randomness of serial killers. It's the kind of debate that reveals exactly where these two besties are psychologically, and neither one is budging an inch. And then the time travel rabbit hole opens up. Story #1: The Dodleston Messages. In 1984, a schoolteacher in a creaky Welsh border cottage borrowed a computer from his school — back when computers were basically fancy typewriters — and started receiving mysterious messages from someone claiming to live in the 16th century under Henry VIII. Oh, and also from someone in the year 2109 warning them they were messing with history. The messages went on for two years. There were footprints. There was a ghost with six toes. There was a pub trip. Pascale calls it "a show that went on two seasons too long," and she's not wrong. Story #2: The Chronovisor. A Benedictine priest, a secret Vatican conspiracy, a cast of post-WWII physicists (some of them Nazi-adjacent, which — yikes), and a device supposedly built to watch events from the past like a View-Master. Including, allegedly, the crucifixion. The Pope said "great, let's show everyone!" and then immediately said "actually, let's lock it in the vault forever." Selene has thoughts. Many thoughts. So does the Vatican, apparently — they've never denied it. Also in this episode: Stephen Hawking and Michio Kaku weigh in on whether time travel is actually possible (spoiler: don't rule it out), a detour into crimes of passion vs. serial killers, the theological chaos of Abraham nearly sacrificing his kid, Roddy Piper's paranormal cult film They Live, candle theft at St. Patrick's Cathedral, and a quick true crime update on Polly from the Nirvana song— yes, she got away, and yes, the kidnapper literally ran out of gas. It's part rogue physics conjecture, part Vatican conspiracy theory, part true crime detour — plus the kind of warm and wild bestie banter that makes the world feel a little less douchy for an hour. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    51 min
  3. Famous Songs Explained: The Real Stories Behind the Lyrics

    APR 22

    Famous Songs Explained: The Real Stories Behind the Lyrics

    What do your favorite songs actually mean? In this episode of Life in Jest, Selene Castrovilla and Pascale Laforest dive into the real stories behind iconic songs—and what they uncover is darker, stranger, and more revealing than expected. From grunge to metal to pop, they break down the hidden meanings behind songs you thought you knew: The disturbing true story behind Polly by NirvanaThe surprising origin of Smells Like Teen Spirit—and what it really meansWhy Every Breath You Take by The Police isn’t a love song at allThe deeper themes behind Crazy Train by Ozzy OsbourneHow Metallica turns war, addiction, and history into powerful musicAlong the way, the conversation does what Life in Jest does best—spiraling into personal stories, concert memories, unexpected opinions, and the strange way music connects to different moments in our lives. Because sometimes the songs we sing along to the loudest… are the ones we understand the least. Unscripted, funny, and unexpectedly deep—this is a music episode with a real edge. Bonus moment: You won't believe the inspiration behind Midnight Train to Georgia! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    1h 19m
  4. A Rally for Democracy… But Is It Enough?

    APR 15

    A Rally for Democracy… But Is It Enough?

    A rally for democracy should feel reassuring. So why didn’t it fully? In this episode of Life in Jest, Selene Castrovilla and Pascale Laforest reflect on attending a rally where crowds showed up in strong support of democracy—an energizing, even hopeful experience. But that’s where the real question begins. Because if everyone there already agrees… is that enough to protect it? What starts as a firsthand account of the rally opens into a sharper, unscripted conversation about: Whether democracy is stronger than it feels—or more fragile than we want to admitThe limits of “preaching to the choir”How big the “choir” actually is—and whether it’s growingThe tension between hope and uncertainty in real timeAnd how all of this coexists with everyday life—IHOP, malls, routines, and the strange normalcy of it all And in true Life in Jest fashion, the conversation pivots into other discussions: A brunch at a boozy IHOP A brutally honest (and very funny) takedown of mallsThe absurdity of moving between big, urgent questions about democracy… and the strangely disappointing state of everyday life  Nothing is scripted. The conversation unfolds honestly, with humor, doubt, and the kind of questions people are asking but not always saying out loud.  Thank you for listening! We love you oh so much! XOXOXO Please reach out to us: lifeinjestpodcast@gmail.com. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    1 hr
  5. Pop Culture PTSD: MoviesThat Traumatized Us or Just Plain Sucked

    MAR 26

    Pop Culture PTSD: MoviesThat Traumatized Us or Just Plain Sucked

    Some movies entertain us. Others haunt us forever. In this wildly honest episode of Life in Jest, bestie cousins Selene and Pascale open the film vault of their nightmares — from the Willy Wonka Oompa Loompas that terrorized Selene’s childhood to Pascale’s unforgettable Tron experience (featuring a cousin who made out through the whole movie). They relive the horror of Cabaret’s dead dog, roast the emotional void of The Grand Budapest Hotel, and agree that you’re never too old to be traumatized — just ask The Dark Knight. It’s part movie rant, part memory lane, and full-on therapy session for anyone who’s ever left a theater emotionally damaged yet weirdly entertained. But the laughing ladies don't stop there! They let loose on the movies that should never have been made, in their signature snarky style. And of course, there's so much more hilarious & insightful discussion in their delightful diversions. 🎥 Laughter, nostalgia, and a touch of pop culture PTSD await in this episode of Life in Jest. Thank you for listening & supporting us! We love you oh so much!! XOXOXO Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    1h 22m
  6. Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping: Why Aren’t They Checking the Eyes?

    MAR 18

    Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping: Why Aren’t They Checking the Eyes?

    What happens when cousin-besties Selene and Pascale sit down to record…after calling the police? The girls have had a rough night---and they're all fired up with conflicting opinions, and spontaneous singing! This episode of Life in Jest spirals (in the best way) from true-crime obsession to off-the-rails pop culture, blending humor, sharp instincts, and brutally honest takes on everything from true-crime cases to weed, wellness, and the randomness of modern life. Selene dives into the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping that’s been haunting her—questioning the evidence, the investigation, and what really happens when a case doesn’t add up. Expect unfiltered theories, emotional reactions, and true crime analysis that unfolds in real time—raw, conversational, and completely unscripted. Why hasn't the FBI been checking local residents' eyes for a match to the kidnapper's? From there, things take a turn: Why true crime might be losing its appeal The surprising (and alarming) truth about cannabis and health risksThe difference between relaxing… and spiralingPop culture deep dives—from Rocky Horror to 80s music to random trivia that somehow becomes addictive, unexpected, and quite informativeUnderneath the humor, there’s something sharper: a conversation about anxiety, control, nostalgia, and how we make sense of a world that doesn’t always add up. This episode is messy, funny, a little chaotic—and exactly what Life in Jest does best. If you like: true crime discussions, unscripted podcasts, women-led conversations, Gen X nostalgia, pop culture debates, and real talk about life’s weird edges… this one’s for you. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    1h 5m
  7. What Do We Really Need in Life?

    MAR 13

    What Do We Really Need in Life?

    What could you absolutely not live without? In this funny, free-wheeling episode of Life in Jest podcast, cousins Selene Castrovilla and Pascale Laforest compare their wildly different lists of the everyday things they swear they can’t live without—from books, words, and storytelling to TV, cat litter, cheese doodles, and remote-start cars. Along the way, the conversation spirals (as it always does) into deeper territory: grief, independence, aging, dating later in life, and the strange ways our priorities change over time. Selene reflects on the idea of being born in the rare Year of the Fire Horse, a Chinese zodiac combination said to produce bold, rebellious personalities—and wonders if that explains her fierce independence and refusal to play by the rules. Meanwhile Pascale confesses her unapologetic love for books and television, proving that great stories—whether on the page or screen—might actually be essential for survival. Expect hilarious detours into: why food delivery drivers sometimes become accidental therapiststhe comfort of reading and storytellingthe genius (and chaos) of Howard Stern and comedythe surprisingly passionate debate over the “world’s best cat litter”and why traveling the world—and laughing about the disasters—might be one of life’s true necessitiesPart philosophical, part ridiculous, and entirely honest, this episode asks a deceptively simple question: What do we truly need in order to live well? Spoiler: the answers might involve books, humor, snacks, and a very good litter box. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    59 min
  8. Are You a Hoarder...Even in Heaven?

    FEB 25

    Are You a Hoarder...Even in Heaven?

    In this OG Life in Jest Podcast eipisode, Selene and Pascale take a series of online psychology quizzes—purely for research, of course—until an “Are You a Hoarder?” test takes an unexpected turn. Selene’s late mother, a hoarder in life, seems less than pleased from the great beyond, effectively shutting down the investigation before Pascale can determine whether her growing Funko Pop collection is charming or clinically concerning. That detour sparks a larger question: Are people in heaven actually more evolved and forgiving—or do they remain exactly who they were, just disembodied? The conversation spirals (productively) into spiritualism, the afterlife, and whether joining a spiritualist church is a step toward enlightenment or just an exercise in selective belief. Selene wrestles with the contradictions of communicating with the dead. Pascale, meanwhile, has serious reservations about the leader’s hairstyle. They also examine the psychological damage of soap operas, debate the cultural merit of Woody Woodpecker and Scooby-Doo, and uncover an Estonian museum with a name you won’t believe. Part comedy, part existential inquiry, this episode of Life in Jest blends pop culture, grief, hoarding tendencies, spiritual curiosity, and cartoon chaos into one surprisingly cohesive conversation. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    57 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

"Life In Jest" is your weekly escape from the absurdity of everyday life. Hosted by cousins and best friends Selene Castrovilla and Pascale Laforest, two battle-worn souls who have been driven to the brink but refuse to check into Bellevue (because let’s be honest, the wine selection is probably awful). Instead, we choose to laugh. Each week, we dive into the wild and wacky ways humans think, process, and explain the world—through true crime, bizarre history, the supernatural, pop culture, TV & movies, current events, and our own misadventures. Tune in every Tuesday for sharp wit, unfiltered takes, and a much-needed break from the madness. Got a topic? Send it our way—because if we don’t laugh, we might just lose it. Cheers! Reach out to us: lifeinjestpodcast@gmail.com Visit our website: https://selenecastrovilla.com/podcast%3A-life-in-jest-1

Information

  • Creator
    Selene Castrovilla + Pascale Laforest
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    96
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Selene Castrovilla + Pascale Laforest
  • Show Website
    Life In Jest