The A Collective Podcast

The A Collective Podcast

The A Collective podcast brings together three powerhouse women—Shannon, Stacey, & LV—who share candid conversations, insightful perspectives, and plenty of laughs. With backgrounds in lifestyle, wellness, and personal growth, these dynamic creators explore everything from current events and weight loss journeys to fashion, politics, and the realities of life in their 40s and 50s. Whether diving into pop culture, sharing personal stories, or offering tips for navigating life’s challenges, the hosts deliver a mix of humor, heart, and authenticity. theacollectivepod.substack.com

  1. Oct 8

    I Am Jane Doe.

    This week on The A Collective, the conversation gets personal. As the “I Am Jane Doe” movement grows around the Cornell sexual assault case, LV shares her own experience surviving sexual assault in college and the lasting impact of reporting, victim blaming, shame and learning who will stand beside you when it matters. The group also discusses the larger culture surrounding sexual assault on college campuses and why protecting Jane Doe's identity matters. Then Stacey takes us to Tennessee for the extraordinary story of Christa Pike's botched execution, including multiple IV attempts, two doses of pentobarbital and the questions now surrounding Tennessee's execution process. Plus, Shannon breaks down Sen. Eric Schmitt's attempted Jack Smith hearing “gotcha,” the unvetted messages behind it and the moment the argument began falling apart in real time. And because it's The A Collective: Donald Trump goes to a Tennessee football game, LV celebrates Pennsylvania's “two Republican senators,” and Shannon reveals a previously undisclosed level of flexibility before anyone even manages to start the show. Topics include: Cornell, I Am Jane Doe, sexual assault and survivor advocacy, victim blaming, Christa Pike, Tennessee's death penalty, botched executions, Jack Smith, Eric Schmitt, Amy Klobuchar, Donald Trump and current U.S. politics. Content note: This episode contains discussion of sexual assault, trauma, murder and capital punishment. Get full access to The A Collective Podcast’s Substack at theacollectivepod.substack.com/subscribe

  2. Oct 1

    AI, Alibis & the Sunken Place

    This week on The A Collective, Shannon, Stacey and LV are asking one increasingly important question: who exactly is checking the AI? From AI and voter data to questionable TikTok trends, the conversation digs into what happens when technology moves faster than accountability and humans trust the computer without checking its work. Then we return to the Nolan Wells case, discussing the latest developments covered in the episode, including the grand jury decision, information presented by the Wells family’s legal team, questions surrounding phone data and the investigation, and the larger conversation about race, accountability and how public perception changes depending on who is involved. We also get into the press and the First Amendment before eventually wandering onto our FYPs, where things become considerably less serious. Because naturally there are AI funeral flyers, TikTok censorship, airplane duct tape and crochet shorts. Maybe we really are in the sunken place. IN THIS EPISODE: 🤖 AI, voter data and what happens when nobody checks the technology 🗳️ Voting rights and the Supreme Court 💻 AI mistakes, accountability and ownership 📰 The press and the First Amendment 📱 The latest developments discussed in the Nolan Wells case 📲 Questions surrounding phone data and the investigation 💬 Race, public perception and accountability ✈️ An airport incident and LV’s extremely practical duct-tape solution 🤦‍♀️ AI funeral flyers and other things the internet did not need 👀 What landed on our FYPs this week 🧶 The crochet shorts incident 🎬 And, because apparently we’ve abandoned professionalism entirely, bloopers Watch or listen to the full episode, then get in the comments and tell us: Where do you draw the line with AI? And stay through the credits. You’ll understand why. 🎙️ Get full access to The A Collective Podcast’s Substack at theacollectivepod.substack.com/subscribe

  3. Sep 23 ·  Bonus

    Bonus: Stacey vs. Gas Station Food

    Some debates are about politics, democracy and the future of the country. This is not one of those debates. After recording At What Cost?, the conversation somehow turned to convenience-store cuisine. Stacey does not trust it. LV is prepared to defend her Sheetz chicken bites. Shannon would like everyone to understand that roller food and made-to-order food are not the same thing. Then Buc-ee’s and McDonald’s entered the conversation—and Stacey’s entire argument began to fall apart. We removed this extremely important investigation from the final episode for pacing. LV immediately predicted it would become bonus content for Substack, so here we are. Press play, then cast your vote in the comments: * Team Stacey: Absolutely no food from a gas station * Team Sheetz/Wawa: Put some respect on made-to-order convenience * Team Buc-ee’s Exception: It is technically a gas station, but it feels different * Team Roller Food: That hot dog has been turning for a reason Thanks for subscribing and supporting the controlled chaos. These are the conversations that happen when the official episode should have ended—but nobody stopped recording. 👍 Like💬 Comment📤 Share this debate with someone who has strong gas-station-food opinions Thursdays are for chaos. Bonus days apparently belong to roller food. America’s favorite DEI group chat. Produced by Messy Genius Media. Get full access to The A Collective Podcast’s Substack at theacollectivepod.substack.com/subscribe

  4. Sep 10

    Laura Loomer, the 2026 Midterms & TikTok’s Cake Pop Thief — We’re Back, Baby!

    We are heartbroken at the passing of our dear friend and fierce TAC fan, Katerina. We dedicate Season 3 to her. Love ya, Kat. Season 3 is here—and somehow Laura Loomer, the 2026 midterms, TikTok drama, and a $4 cake pop all landed in the same group chat. Shannon, Stacey, and LV begin by catching up on a summer filled with Vegas prices, Hersheypark roller coasters, Essence Fest, community meetups, and “adult money” that is officially on an improvement plan. Then the conversation turns to the political chaos surrounding the 2026 midterms, Laura Loomer’s racist attacks against Angie Nixon and other Black women in politics, MAGA infighting, voter registration concerns, and the increasingly unserious state of the country. After that, the algorithm takes over. The ladies unpack TikTok relationship drama, Chrisean Rock and Blueface, Nara Smith making Skittles, AI-generated vertical dramas, and the viral controversy involving an Amazon driver, a “Treat Yourself” sign, and a $4 cake pop that created TikTok’s newest folk hero. If your FYP is unhinged, your money is acting funny, and you have whispered “help us, Lord” at the news this week, welcome home. IN THIS EPISODE: • What Shannon, Stacey, and LV did over the summer• Vegas prices, Essence Fest, Hersheypark, and community meetups• The approaching 2026 midterm elections• Laura Loomer’s attacks on Black women in politics• MAGA infighting and Natalie Harp• Why everyone should check their voter registration• TikTok relationship rabbit holes• Chrisean Rock, Blueface, and Nara Smith• The viral $4 Cake Pop Thief controversy• AI vertical dramas becoming TikTok’s new soap operas YOUTUBE CHAPTERS: 00:00 A Million Episodes—and a Million Fights00:23 Welcome to Season 301:41 What We Did Last Summer03:52 Meetups, Hersheypark and Essence Fest06:54 The 2026 Midterms and Political Chaos07:15 Laura Loomer’s Attacks on Black Women10:01 Natalie Harp and MAGA Infighting12:22 Milo, ICE and a Very Unserious Country12:46 Midterm Anxiety and the Mitch McConnell Watch13:31 Lindsey Graham, Dolly Parton and a Strange Summer15:32 Voting Concerns and Texas Registration17:05 TikTok FYPs Have Gone Off the Rails17:27 Mike and Rachel’s Relationship Drama20:20 Chrisean Rock, Blueface and Internet Rabbit Holes21:45 Nara Smith and Cake Pop Drama23:13 TikTok’s $4 Cake Pop Thief26:26 AI Vertical Dramas: TikTok’s New Soap Operas30:06 Season 3 Wrap-Up32:10 Post-Credits Blooper 📰 Subscribe to The A Collective on Substack:https://theacollectivepod.substack.com/subscribe 📲 Follow us on TikTok and Instagram:@theacollectivepod 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. Like, comment, subscribe—and tell us we’re pretty! Thursdays are for chaos.America’s favorite DEI Group Chat is back. Produced by Messy Genius Media. Also, if you can… consider donating to the GFM set up to help Katerina’s sons with her final medical bills and end of life costs. Kat's GFM Get full access to The A Collective Podcast’s Substack at theacollectivepod.substack.com/subscribe

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

The A Collective podcast brings together three powerhouse women—Shannon, Stacey, & LV—who share candid conversations, insightful perspectives, and plenty of laughs. With backgrounds in lifestyle, wellness, and personal growth, these dynamic creators explore everything from current events and weight loss journeys to fashion, politics, and the realities of life in their 40s and 50s. Whether diving into pop culture, sharing personal stories, or offering tips for navigating life’s challenges, the hosts deliver a mix of humor, heart, and authenticity. theacollectivepod.substack.com

You Might Also Like