The Air We Breathe

The Air We Breathe Pod

The Air We Breathe is where sharp humor meets deep reflection. Join Tracey and Lauren as theylaugh through life’s biases absorbed from pop culture, media, and family. From dissecting Disney (Was Beauty and the Beast just toxic?) to unpacking body image through DJ Tanner fainting on a Stairmaster. This isn’t just another “hot take” podcast—it’s a laugh-out-loud exploration of how the invisible fog of implicit bias shapes our daily lives, relationships, and decisions. Question the world while giggling at it! New episodes every other Thursday!

  1. Feb 13

    Reefer Madness: The One Where We Meet The Pizza Girl's Sister

    On this episode of 'The Air We Breathe,' Tracey and Lauren share hilarious highs and shower mishaps with our first ever guest! ⁠Tessa Dattilo (tessafourtwenty420_ on all the socials!) We delve into the intricate world of cannabis, debating the merits of napkins versus chopsticks for Cheetos, and the dirty potency of dizzy 40s. The conversation meanders through reminiscences of TV commercials, Gen Z’s penchant for ads, and fantasy blunt rotations with characters from 'Friends' and 'The Office.' Guests share their cannabis expertise, explain the nuances between CBD and CBN, and we reminisce about witnessing massive weed plants for the first time. Tune in for sardonic reflections on capitalism, the hypocrisy of weed prohibition, and the joys of getting high with edible snacks on lazy days. 00:00 A Hazy Shower Experience 00:48 Cheetos and Chopsticks 01:08 High Potency Distillates 01:30 Gen Z and Streaming Services 02:47 Friends Cameo and Dream Blunt Rotations 07:30 The Office Blunt Rotation 09:32 Perfect Self-Date 10:30 Disassociating to Cope 11:26 Getting Real: Group Text Etiquette 12:53 Mega Church Pastor's Anti-Weed Campaign 13:56 Training New Hires: CBD vs. CBN 17:18 Cannabis Industry Insights and Personal Stories 18:30 The Dark History of Cannabis 21:46 Legal and Illegal Cannabis Growing 24:28 Women in Cannabis Farming 26:24 Conclusion and Shoutout to Leather Daddy Follow us on our socials! We love to hear from you! 📸 Instagram: @theairwebreathepod 📘 Facebook: @theairwebreathepod 🎵 TikTok: @the.air.we.breathe.pod 📺 YouTube: @theairwebreathepod

    Reefer Madness: The One Where We Meet The Pizza Girl's Sister
  2. 07/25/2025

    Fear: The Craft, Buffy, and Empowerment

    In this season 1 finale (lucky #13), Tracey and Lauren dive into the allure of vampires and witches as symbols of power and seduction in pop culture. They discuss media portrayals, from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Practical Magic, exploring the differences in how witches and vampires are depicted, often reflecting societal biases. The duo also reminisce about childhood superstitions like Bloody Mary and holding their breath near graveyards. The conversation shifts to how powerful female figures in media can offer a sense of empowerment to young girls. They end with a fun game of guessing celebrities’ supernatural types—witch or vampire—based on their public personas. Episode Breakdown 00:00 Introduction to Vampire Talk 00:48 Dating Apps for the Undead 01:04 Superstitions and Urban Legends 03:03 Childhood Fears and Games 08:11 Witchcraft in Pop Culture 09:36 The Craft and Witchy Fashion 16:34 Witches: From Fear to Fascination 18:34 The Three Stages of a Woman’s Life 18:49 Perception of Witches in History and Media 19:15 Patriarchy and the Fear of Powerful Women 20:34 Generational Gaps in the Perception of Witches 22:19 Witches vs. Vampires in Pop Culture 23:48 The Sexualization of Vampires 25:56 Female Empowerment in Witch Narratives 32:07 Game: Spells or Spikes Follow us for more: 📸 Instagram: @theairwebreathepod 📘 Facebook: @theairwebreathepod 🎵 TikTok: @the.air.we.breathe.pod 📺 YouTube: @theairwebreathepod Hashtags: #PopCulturePodcast #WitchesAndVampires #TheAirWeBreathePod #PodcastEpisodes #BuffyTheVampireSlayer #PracticalMagic #WitchTok #SupernaturalVibes #90sPopCulture #VampireTalk #WitchyVibes #PopCultureDeepDive #SpookySeasonVibes #PodcastCommunity #FeministPopCulture #WomenInMedia

  3. 07/03/2025

    Expectation vs Reality: Hatfishing, Green Flags & Bill Pullman

    From Romantic Misadventures to Devil's Advocate: A Deep DiveIn this episode, Tracey and Lauren discuss Tracey's recent foray back into online dating, detailing her experience with a date she dubs 'Megamind,' and the various red flags she encountered. They explore how romantic expectations have been shaped by movies and TV shows, touching on classics like 'The Notebook,' 'Speed,' and 'While You Were Sleeping.' The hosts also introduce a new segment called 'Devil's Advocate,' where they humorously defend outrageous statements. Pop culture references include 'Titanic,' 'Yellowstone,' 'Cheers,' 'Night Court,' 'Frasier,' and 'Love Actually.' Tune in for a mix of dating misadventures, pop culture deep dives, and comedic relief.Follow us on our socials! We love to hear from you! 👕🗣️💨 Air We Breathe MERCH! 📸 Instagram: @theairwebreathepod 📘 Facebook: @theairwebreathepod 🎵 TikTok: @the.air.we.breathe.pod 📺 YouTube: @theairwebreathepod 00:00 Introduction to Online Dating Woes00:21 The Hatfish Incident01:09 Texting and Initial Impressions01:43 The First Phone Call02:20 Planning the First Date03:33 Red Flags and Icks03:55 The Dinner Date Disaster06:44 Hyper Independence Debate10:29 Women's Rights and Final Straws13:59 Romantic Expectations vs. Reality20:27 Nostalgic TV Shows and Their Impact21:44 Family Role Models and Romantic Ideals24:26 Romantic Movie Tropes and Expectations30:16 Analyzing Toxic Romantic Behaviors35:07 Introducing Devil's Advocate Segment

  4. 06/05/2025

    Healthcare: ADHD, Burger King & The Spoon Theory

    In this episode of 'The Air We Breathe,' hosts Tracey and Lauren discuss their shared experience with ADHD, an aspect of their lives they didn't realize they had in common for a long time. Both women share their personal journeys of receiving an ADHD diagnosis, the misconceptions they faced, and how it shaped their daily lives. They talk about the challenges of coping with ADHD, the concept of 'spoons' representing energy levels, and the impact of societal expectations. The episode delves into the nuances of late diagnosis, the unique strengths ADHD brings, and the struggle with internalized ableism. Through their candid conversation, Tracey and Lauren highlight the importance of community, self-acceptance, and understanding ADHD as more than just a set of symptoms. 00:00 Introduction and Common Ground 00:27 Discovering ADHD 02:39 Living with ADHD 05:48 ADHD and Anxiety 08:09 Navigating Life with ADHD 08:57 Late Diagnosis and Self-Discovery 11:26 ADHD in Daily Life 12:19 Humorous Interlude 12:40 School Experiences 13:08 Struggles with Algebra and Self-Doubt 15:39 The Challenges of Working at Burger King 18:48 Bias in Job Interviews and Orchestras 20:14 Understanding ADHD and Neurodivergence 21:44 The Evolution of ADHD Perception 27:13 Gender Differences in ADHD Diagnosis Follow us on our socials! We love to hear from you! 👕🗣️💨 ⁠Air We Breathe MERCH!⁠ 📸 ⁠Instagram: @theairwebreathepod⁠ 📘 ⁠Facebook: @theairwebreathepod⁠ 🎵 ⁠TikTok: @the.air.we.breathe.pod⁠ 📺 ⁠YouTube: @theairwebreathepod

  5. 05/27/2025

    Contrived Pleasures -The Pool Shark, The Pick-Me, & The Godfather

    This week on The Air We Breathe Pod, Tracey and Lauren dive into the world of contrived pleasures — the things we pretend to love (or even actually start loving!) because we want to fit in, impress, or feel connected. 💡 Key topics covered: Playing pool to prove you’re the alpha in a bar full of men (and how that flex eventually becomes self-powered). The classic “Pick-Me” chameleon phase – from fake sports fan to your dad’s movie marathon buddy. Navigating the thin line between learning something for the hell of it vs. performing for someone else’s approval. Family dynamics and forced group movie nights – the nostalgia of pre-Netflix bonding! 💬 Quotes to Remember: “I get a real kick out of being unexpectedly masculine.” “It’s a weird dichotomy of feeling comfortable with being soft and also feeling empowered by being masculine.” “Stop wearing yourself out to make somebody else happy.” Follow us on our socials! We love to hear from you! 👕🗣️💨 Air We Breathe MERCH! 📸 Instagram: @theairwebreathepod 📘 Facebook: @theairwebreathepod 🎵 TikTok: @the.air.we.breathe.pod 📺 YouTube: @theairwebreathepod 📚 Mentions & References: New Girl (Jess & the Pistons) Parks & Rec (Ann Perkins: pick-me in full cowgirl attire) The Godfather & You’ve Got Mail — how to fake it till you make it in movie references. The Pacifier & The Tooth Fairy — our top-tier Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson picks. Reading Rainbow (the theme song of our childhood… and Little John’s remix!) The episode’s satirical ad break: shoutout to CringeNotes, the fake app for catching up on what’s “cool” so you’re never out of the loop. 🔗 Links to check out: New Girl on Hulu Parks and Rec on Peacock Reading Rainbow Remix

  6. 05/01/2025

    Guilty Pleasures: Paige DeSorbo, Dr. Pimple Popper & The Art of Hurkle Durkling

    📍 Episode Summary: In this laugh-out-loud and deeply relatable episode, Tracey and Lauren pull back the glam curtain to confess the beautifully absurd world of guilty pleasures—from lash extensions and Bravo obsessions to smutty books and hurkle-durkling. With their signature wit and unapologetic honesty, the hosts explore the cultural contradictions around beauty spending, sleep shaming, and the deeply personal power of scent. Joined by producer Bud’s velvet voice and guilty confession, this episode unwraps the stigma around pleasure and why it’s time we drop the guilt. 🎧 Why You Should Listen: This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt guilty for loving what they love. Whether you’re a closet Bravo binger, a smut-lit aficionado, or a midnight bed-dweller, Tracey and Lauren, with a special appearance from Producer Bud serve hilarious insight with soul-deep relatability. It’s time to stop apologizing and start owning your pleasures—no guilt attached. 👁️‍🗨️ Topics Covered: Lash extensions and the secret shame of looking fabulous Spending guilt vs. societal expectations Why women are the backbone of the beauty economy Bravo TV deep dives (Summer House, Southern Charm, Paige supremacy) Emotional safety through guilty pleasures Hurkle-durkling: The art of staying in bed guilt-free The trauma of gifting a Kindle with 50 Shades of Grey Smut, erotica, and BookTok validation Fragrance as identity and gender rebellion Guilty pleasures as emotional shorthand in friendships 💬 Notable Quotes: “Let me hurkle my durkle in peace.” “If it’s not wood or nut, it’s not for men.” “You’re not gonna have my thumb, which is also my face, in your face.” “Clinique Happy? You had me at top note.” “Same amount of pounding—but with feelings.” 🧼 Sponsor Spoofs: 💅 Leg for Lash: “Where we take real organic leg hair and put it on your eyes. Use code BREATHERS with a Z.” 🌸 Guilty Pleasure by Bravo Fragrance: “For when you want to smell like sin wrapped in roses.” 📰 Woman’s Place Magazine: “For the woman who knows her place—and still runs the damn place.” Follow us!!!!! 📸 Instagram: @theairwebreathepod 📘 Facebook: @theairwebreathepod 🎵 TikTok: @the.air.we.breathe.pod 📺 YouTube: @theairwebreathepod

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

The Air We Breathe is where sharp humor meets deep reflection. Join Tracey and Lauren as theylaugh through life’s biases absorbed from pop culture, media, and family. From dissecting Disney (Was Beauty and the Beast just toxic?) to unpacking body image through DJ Tanner fainting on a Stairmaster. This isn’t just another “hot take” podcast—it’s a laugh-out-loud exploration of how the invisible fog of implicit bias shapes our daily lives, relationships, and decisions. Question the world while giggling at it! New episodes every other Thursday!