Pessimism & Poptarts

Sophia & Sandra VanDyke
  • 5.0 (2)
  • DOCUMENTARY
  • SEMIWEEKLY SERIES

Sister duo comparing notes about how they survived childhood. I swear there are (mostly) well adjusted. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  1. EPISODE 1

    Harpo's - A Follow Up

    You heard Ryan's hazy, drug-fueled account of seeing Gwar and The Misfits at Harpo's on Devil's Night. Now, get the real story from someone who was there and completely sober. In this special follow-up episode, Ryan's childhood friend Jeni joins the show to fill in the massive gaps in his memory and confirm the absolute chaos of that legendary night. As the designated driver and "babysitter" for a car full of people on LSD, Jeni provides a hilariously exhausted and clear-eyed perspective. Also joining is Ryan's son, Josh, who is hearing these stories for the very first time and questioning every life choice his father has ever made. Get ready for even more fuckery, including: The pre-show ritual of doing lines of coke off the TV stand and dropping liquid acid directly into their eyeballs. Jeni's experience in the Gwar mosh pit, where her hair was permanently dyed pink by stage fluids and she was rescued by a giant man acting as her "personal bodyguard bulldozer". The time Jeni had a casual, half-hour conversation with a member of Gwar (Slymenstra Hymen) without having any idea who she was. The night's most charitable act: "helping" a hungry homeless man by giving him an entire bag of mushrooms instead of food. Life back at the hotel, where Jeni slept in front of the door to prevent anyone from escaping for a "nature walk" while tripping. A bonus story about how two-year-old Josh once delivered a flying "People's Elbow" from the top of the couch directly into Ryan's sternum. If you enjoy watching a grown man traumatize his own son with stories from his youth, please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE! SUPPORT THE SHOW: Patreon: Get ad-free episodes, early access, and free merch! Check out our plans at [Patreon.com/PessimismandPopTarts]  Website: For the latest updates, visit us at [https://PessimismandPopTarts.com] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 2m
  2. The Christina Show - Part 1

    EPISODE 2

    The Christina Show - Part 1

    **TRIGGER WARNING: This episode and series contain detailed discussions of domestic violence and abuse. Listener discretion is strongly advised.** If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 Text Line: Text START to 88788 To Donate: Please consider supporting the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) or your local shelter. In this special three-part series, Ryan and Sandra tell the difficult and necessary story of their late sister, Christina. In Part 1, they introduce their blond-haired, blue-eyed sister, the "Viking princess" who was often seen as the family favorite. Before diving into the tragic events that defined her life, Ryan shares a few lighter stories from his week, including a recent physical where a nurse was shocked by his age and a very... suggestive fortune cookie. The episode then sets the stage for the series by recounting how Ryan first met "Kyle," the man who would become a central figure in Christina's life. The story begins with a page for help from a teenager in a desperate situation, fleeing an abusive home. Ryan also detours into a bizarre, hallucinatory memory of how a weeping willow tree "hugged" his anger away, marking his transition from an angry punk to a hippie. This is the beginning of a story that needs to be told. If you enjoyed this episode, please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE. SUPPORT THE SHOW: Patreon: Get ad-free episodes, early access, and bonus content at [Patreon.com/PessimismandPopTarts] Website: For the latest updates, visit us at [https://www.PessimismandPopTarts.com] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 min
  3. The Christina Show - Part 2

    EPISODE 3

    The Christina Show - Part 2

    **TRIGGER WARNING: This episode and series contain detailed discussions of domestic violence and abuse. Listener discretion is strongly advised.** If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 Text Line: Text START to 88788 To Donate: We strongly encourage you to support the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) or your local shelter.In Part 2 of "The Christina Show," the story takes a darker turn as "Kyle" re-enters Christina's life, marking the beginning of a long and tragic spiral. Ryan recounts his complicated friendship with Kyle, a troubled teen he took in, and the one rule he had: stay away from my sisters. It was a rule Kyle would eventually break, leading to a confrontation that severed their friendship and began the process of isolating Christina from her family. The episode details Christina's brief escape into a healthier marriage that tragically ended after her husband's deployment to Iraq. Sandra shares the heartbreaking story of how she discovered Christina was secretly seeing Kyle again by finding her wet shoes—evidence of a late-night rendezvous. We follow Christina as she becomes trapped in a cycle of abuse, manipulation, and control, leading to a dramatic rescue operation orchestrated by Ryan. The episode also covers the devastating consequences of their father's attempt to confront Kyle, which led to a fatal car accident and sent him back to prison. We end with the bittersweet, final happy memory of Christina—drunk on "blue motorcycles" and breaking a table at the family campground. If this story resonates with you, please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE. SUPPORT THE SHOW: Patreon: Get ad-free episodes, early access, and bonus content at [Patreon.com/PessimismandPopTarts]Website: For the latest updates, visit us at [PessimismandPopTarts.com] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    56 min
  4. The Christina Show - Part 3

    EPISODE 4

    The Christina Show - Part 3

    **TRIGGER WARNING: This episode and series contain detailed discussions of domestic violence, abuse, and death. Listener discretion is strongly advised.** If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 Text Line: Text START to 88788 To Donate: In honor of Christina, we strongly encourage you to support the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) or your local shelter. In the final, heart-wrenching installment of "The Christina Show," Ryan and Sandra recount the tragic end of their sister's life and the devastating aftermath that still haunts them. The episode begins with the phone call that every family dreads. Ryan describes the frantic drive to the hospital, the disorienting blur of the emergency room, and the grim conversation with a friend from the fire department who was on the scene of the accident. The discovery of Christina's "raccoon eyes"—a fatal sign of brain swelling—confirmed the inevitable, leading to the difficult decision to donate her organs. Sandra shares her own chaotic and painful experience: passing the crash site, fighting a losing battle with police to take custody of Christina's children at the hospital, and fielding calls from concerned family members while being kept in the dark. The next morning, she learns of her sister's death accidentally, from a conversation she overheard. They discuss the raw grief, the funeral their father couldn't attend because he was in prison, and the lingering anger over a life cut short just as she was starting to break free. The episode closes with one last, darkly humorous memory of their mom accidentally growing a tomato plant on Christina's grave. This is the conclusion of Christina's story. Thank you for listening. SUPPORT THE SHOW: Patreon: Get ad-free episodes, early access, and bonus content at [Patreon.com/PessimismandPopTarts]Website: For the latest updates, visit us at [https://www.PessimismandPopTarts.com] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    42 min
  5. Hors D'oeuvres

    EPISODE 5

    Hors D'oeuvres

    On this non-award-winning show, Sandra & I are joined by special guest Colleen! My only friend, which feels kinda sad now that I am typing in this description.... Welcome to the episode where Sophia's bestie, Colleen, makes her unforgettable debut and proves she fits right in with the chaos. Also, Sophia's son Josh returns to question his mother's life choices in real time. Get ready for a completely unscripted hour of beautiful madness as we welcome our first-ever guest. Colleen is a true crime junkie, a budding TikTok witch, and a woman who once thought "hors d'oeuvres" was pronounced "horse divorces." In this episode, we cover: The Clone-a-Willy COVID Scare: Sophia recounts her pre-surgery panic, thinking she had COVID, only to realize her sore throat and headache were actually from a... very enthusiastic breath play session while making a mold of her pre-op parts. The Brownie That Took Her Breath Away: Colleen shares the story of her first (and last) edible experience, which resulted in a 10-hour panic attack, a Scooby-Doo hallucination, and forcing her girlfriend to watch her "not breathe" all night. The Menards Takedown: In what might be the most lesbian date night ever, Colleen's trip to Menards turns into a live true-crime docuseries when she witnesses a massive police ambush and takedown right in front of her.How Carol Killed Kathy: A tragicomedy for the ages, Colleen tells the story of how her mother with dementia accidentally ran over and killed her own sister... at a children's softball game.Sandra's Haunted Desk: The bizarre mystery of a handmade desk that starts making noises during a storm, and the even weirder story of how she traded a Pyrex dish for a giant caribou rack with a neighbor who looks exactly like a local serial killer. If you enjoy our brand of beautiful, unmedicated chaos, please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE! SUPPORT THE SHOW: Merch Store: Get your Pessimism & Pop-Tarts gear at [Shop.com/PessimismandPopTarts]! Use promo code NOT4UVA for 20% off your order.Patreon: Get ad-free episodes, early access, and bonus content! Check out our plans at [Patreon.com/PessimismandPopTarts]. Music Credits: Intro Music Bed: Udio v 1 Song: Strut - by Emeline Song: Moderation - Lilyisthatyou Album Art by openart.ai Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    2h 37m
  6. New Episodes Coming Soon

    SEASON 2, EPISODE 6 TRAILER

    New Episodes Coming Soon

    Hey Everyone We Are Back!!! Well very soon, we are recording this upcoming weekend and will be adding new features and co-hosts so does that not sound like fun? I am so excited to talk to you all again! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 min

  7. SEASON 2 TRAILER

    Season 2 Greetings

    Season 2 kicks off October 6th! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 min
See All Season 2 (7)

Trailers

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Sister duo comparing notes about how they survived childhood. I swear there are (mostly) well adjusted. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Sophia & Sandra VanDyke
  • Episodes
    19
  • Seasons
    2
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 A Terrible Production
  • Show Website
    Pessimism & Poptarts