Thirsty Topics podcast

Lawrence Elrod & Wander Powell-Hayes (starting 5/19/26)

Thirsty Topics is a bold, unfiltered podcast hosted by Lawrence Elrod and Wander Powell-Hayes (starting 5/19/26) , diving into trending conversations, pop culture, social media buzz, and real-life perspectives. Each episode delivers honest opinions, engaging debates, and fresh takes you won’t hear anywhere else. Stay informed, entertained, and always in the know—because if it’s trending, we’re talking about it.

  1. Granny Gamers for 4/30/26

    4D AGO

    Granny Gamers for 4/30/26

    Send us Fan Mail We bounce from wholesome internet culture to the darker side of media and scams, looking at how people build community online and how quickly things get messy when money and attention are involved. Along the way, we dig into mall nostalgia, a DIY sapphire proposal, celebrity legal headlines, and practical ways to avoid getting tricked by fake ads and deepfakes.  • granny gamers streaming Skyrim and GTA, breaking age stereotypes and fighting loneliness through online community  • why gaming can help keep your mind sharp, from reflexes to hand-eye coordination  • leaked reality TV audio and why production contracts treat leaks as a serious risk  • the surprising Gen Z push behind the shopping mall comeback and the need for real-life “third spaces”  • a viral proposal using sapphire gravel and why romance depends on knowing your partner  • Kylie Jenner lawsuit allegations focused on supervisors and why employers can still be liable  • paid social media ads used for scams, AI deepfakes, phishing, fake shopping sites, and gift card traps  If you're around the Minneapolis area, feel free to come hang out with Meryl at Crooners on Wednesday May 13th.  Please let people know who we are.  If you like sharp takes on social media, pop culture, online safety, and the weird stuff that says something real about how we live now, hit subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review that tells us what story we should tackle next. Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com. Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com. Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com. Support the show Hello, and thank you for listening to Thirsty Topics podcast! I'm Lawrence Elrod, and every week Meryl Klemow and I dive deep into the stories that matter, the conversations that shape our world." Please help support our show by following us and telling others about our show. New podcasts weekly.

    35 min
  2. Evacuations And Endless Shrimp for 4/28/26

    6D AGO

    Evacuations And Endless Shrimp for 4/28/26

    Send us Fan Mail We go from a frightening evacuation connected to gunfire near the White House Correspondents’ Dinner to lighter pop culture, then back into the hard questions about safety, substances, and celebrity legacy. Along the way, we debate what we owe the truth, what we owe each other at public events, and why “allegedly” matters when stories get dark fast.  • what we know so far about the White House Correspondents’ Dinner evacuation and why it unsettles people  • the split-second reality of Secret Service protection and the question of audience safety  • Red Lobster bringing back Endless Shrimp with dine-in limits and higher price  • how viral eating culture and brand image shape restaurant strategy  • Stagecoach evacuation due to extreme winds and why organizers made the right call  • cannabis at work events as the “new happy hour” and the pressure it can create  • impairment, testing gaps, and liability risks for companies hosting weed-friendly gatherings  • the Michael Jackson biopic’s box office numbers, mixed reviews, and what it leaves out  • Jafar Jackson’s performance and why MJ fascination keeps repeating across generations  • Dan Reed’s renewed claims, the legal stakes, and the damage of unproven accusations  Saturday, May 30th comedian Meryl Klemow will be at the Ice House in Pasadena, and it's called 50 and Funny AF  If you care about celebrity culture, media responsibility, and the stories that shape public opinion, this one is for you. Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review telling us which topic you want us to unpack next. Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com. Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com. Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com. Support the show Hello, and thank you for listening to Thirsty Topics podcast! I'm Lawrence Elrod, and every week Meryl Klemow and I dive deep into the stories that matter, the conversations that shape our world." Please help support our show by following us and telling others about our show. New podcasts weekly.

    41 min
  3. Headlines With A Twist for 4/23/26

    APR 25

    Headlines With A Twist for 4/23/26

    Send us Fan Mail We jump through the week’s wildest headlines, from a childhood news icon reappearing in a heartbreaking way to holiday charity claims that look a lot less cheerful under scrutiny. We also dig into celebrity boundaries, public behavior, and why everyday consumers keep getting squeezed by fees, scams, and monopolies.  • Baby Jessica’s arrest and what it means when a public childhood story follows you into adulthood  • SantaCon fraud allegations and why charity trust is so fragile  • Ice Spice’s McDonald’s confrontation and where fan access becomes harassment  • Viral trash-dumping retaliation and the cost to neighbors and wildlife  • Kris Jenner facelift talk and the pressure of impossible beauty standards  • Live Nation and Ticketmaster monopoly verdict and why ticket fees feel like a bait and switch  Please continue to support us by going to elrodtvnetwork.com to watch us and also see a lot of great other talk shows and podcasts and other things that you can watch.  If you’ve ever felt exhausted by online drama, suspicious donation asks, or surprise ticket charges at checkout, you’ll feel seen here. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves pop culture and consumer news, and leave a review telling us which topic you want us to tackle next. Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com. Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com. Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com. Support the show Hello, and thank you for listening to Thirsty Topics podcast! I'm Lawrence Elrod, and every week Meryl Klemow and I dive deep into the stories that matter, the conversations that shape our world." Please help support our show by following us and telling others about our show. New podcasts weekly.

    34 min
  4. Gamers To The Control Tower for 4/21/26

    APR 21

    Gamers To The Control Tower for 4/21/26

    Send us Fan Mail We ping-pong from aviation news to Coachella highlights and end up with a hard rule about not trusting every “remedy” you see online. Along the way, we ask what real inclusivity looks like in marketing, and who actually benefits when big policy changes hit the checkout line.  • our week in Southern California and a baseball game seat upgrade after a fear-of-heights moment  • the FAA recruiting gamers for air traffic control roles and whether gaming skills translate to safety-critical work  • Coachella weekend two energy and Sabrina Carpenter bringing Madonna out for “Vogue” and “Like A Prayer”  • pilots making animal noises over the radio and what that signals to anxious flyers  • Nike’s Boston Marathon sign backlash and the line between cheeky and exclusionary  • tariff refunds for businesses, why consumers cannot apply, and whether savings should go to customers or workers  • Brandi Glanville’s garlic ear mishap and why social media medical advice goes wrong fast  Please continue to support us by going to Elrodtvnetwork.com where you can watch this, as well as other talk shows, podcasts, documentaries and movies. Also, if you prefer to listen to us, we're on all the major podcast stations like Spotify, IHeart and Apple. Come see Meryl Wednesday April 22nd in Santa Monica, California at the West Side Comedy Club. Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com. Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com. Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com. Support the show Hello, and thank you for listening to Thirsty Topics podcast! I'm Lawrence Elrod, and every week Meryl Klemow and I dive deep into the stories that matter, the conversations that shape our world." Please help support our show by following us and telling others about our show. New podcasts weekly.

    31 min
  5. Netflix Refund Ruling And The Real Cost Of Convenience for 4/16/26

    APR 17

    Netflix Refund Ruling And The Real Cost Of Convenience for 4/16/26

    Send us Fan Mail We jump from streaming sticker shock to real-life stories where distraction and anger have consequences. Along the way, we argue about when it’s worth canceling, why people act out for attention, and how gratitude can be the strongest response to online cruelty.   “Fans of today’s most talked-about podcasts will feel right at home with Thirsty Topics—bringing you unfiltered conversations on culture, social media, and what’s trending now.”  • Italian court ruling on Netflix price increases and what it could mean for consumers  • How much Netflix is worth before it becomes a cancel and rent situation  • Parents charged after toddler enters a wolf enclosure and why phone distraction matters  • Warehouse arson tied to wage anger and why “revenge” never pays  • Alex Cooper calling out Alex Earle and whether influencer feuds are real or marketing  • Delivery robots getting attacked and what it says about public behavior  • Mark McGrath defending Sugar Ray with gratitude and why it disarms trolls  Meryl’s upcoming show Wednesday April 22nd at the West Side Comedy Club in Santa Monica, CA. I would love for people to go on our social media and let us know how much you would spend, what is the most you would spend for Netflix or any of your other favorite streaming networks.  Please continue to watch us, please continue to listen to us and let people know who we are.  Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com. Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com. Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com. Support the show Hello, and thank you for listening to Thirsty Topics podcast! I'm Lawrence Elrod, and every week Meryl Klemow and I dive deep into the stories that matter, the conversations that shape our world." Please help support our show by following us and telling others about our show. New podcasts weekly.

    37 min
  6. Pop Culture Whiplash for 4/15/26

    APR 15

    Pop Culture Whiplash for 4/15/26

    Send us Fan Mail We bounce from Coachella takes to hard consequences, then land on the strange mix of viral space moments and real-world career choices. Our big thread is what we expect from public figures and what happens when optics, ethics, and accountability collide.   Fans of today’s most talked-about podcasts will feel right at home with Thirsty Topics—bringing you unfiltered conversations on culture, social media, and what’s trending now.  • Coachella reactions and why production value is not the only measure of a great live performance  • Justin Bieber’s stripped-back set and the debate over effort, artistry, and audience expectations  • Music rights rumors and how contracts can shape what an artist performs  • Kanye West’s UK travel ban and why hate speech has real consequences  • A personal LA story about seeing Kanye up close in traffic  • The “Ketamine Queen” sentencing in the Matthew Perry case and questions of responsibility  • Why justice feels different when the victim is famous  • Nutella floating in space and what viral moments reveal about modern marketing  • The unglamorous side of space travel and what emergencies would be terrifying up there  • Mike Vrabel and Diana Russini resort photos and why conflict-of-interest optics matter  • Lowe’s Foundation investing in skilled trades and why trade school paths deserve more respect  • How AI job disruption makes hands-on skills even more valuable  • Meryl’s upcoming stand-up comedy show in Santa Barbara  Please make sure if you're in the Santa Barbara California area, come out and support Meryl on Friday April 17th.  Please make sure that you help us out by letting other people know who we are. If you like smart pop culture commentary with real-life stakes, hit play, subscribe, and share the show with a friend. Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com. Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com. Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com. Support the show Hello, and thank you for listening to Thirsty Topics podcast! I'm Lawrence Elrod, and every week Meryl Klemow and I dive deep into the stories that matter, the conversations that shape our world." Please help support our show by following us and telling others about our show. New podcasts weekly.

    36 min
  7. Lonely Easter Bunny for 4/9/26

    APR 9

    Lonely Easter Bunny for 4/9/26

    Send us Fan Mail We bounce from a lonely mall Easter Bunny that sparks an internet rescue to big questions about burnout, space, and the stories we choose to believe. Along the way, we get practical about health trends, legal gray areas, and where AI can actually help people instead of replacing them.  Fans of today’s most talked-about podcasts will feel right at home with Thirsty Topics—bringing you unfiltered conversations on culture, social media, and what’s trending now.  • Sad Easter Bunny photo goes viral and strangers show up with kindness  • Why mall culture feels emptier and how community can change a day  • Megan Thee Stallion hospitalized from overexertion and why rest is training  • Artemis II perspective on Earth and the fear of space mission failures  • NASA comms blackout on the moon’s far side and alien speculation  • Functional drinks trend and why we return to food-first basics  • Reading ingredient labels and being cautious with supplements on medication  • Blake Lively lawsuit update and how intent versus impact creates gray areas  • Trusting the judge when we only see headlines  • AI in IVF for embryo selection and treatment planning to improve success rates  • Merrill’s upcoming “50 And Funny” show at the Ice House in Pasadena California on Saturday May 30th  Everyone, thank you so much for watching and listening to us, we always love hearing from you, and please continue to support us by subscribing to Thirsty Topics podcast. The place for topics relating to reality, celebrities, pop culture and social media.  Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com. Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com. Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com. Support the show Hello, and thank you for listening to Thirsty Topics podcast! I'm Lawrence Elrod, and every week Meryl Klemow and I dive deep into the stories that matter, the conversations that shape our world." Please help support our show by following us and telling others about our show. New podcasts weekly.

    40 min
  8. When Reality TV Goes Too Far for 4/8/26

    APR 8

    When Reality TV Goes Too Far for 4/8/26

    Send us Fan Mail We break down a wild week in celebrity news, from a shocking Bravo relationship twist to a feel-good donation that almost got reversed by bureaucracy. Along the way, we question internet outrage, fairness in who gets blamed, and what “consequences” should actually look like.  Fans of today’s most talked-about podcasts will feel right at home with Thirsty Topics—bringing you unfiltered conversations on culture, social media, and what’s trending now.  • Summer House relationship bombshell and why fans feel betrayed  • How online backlash spills into real jobs and brand deals  • The “can your friend date your ex” rule and where we draw lines  • Tyler Perry’s $1,000 gift cards for TSA workers and federal restrictions  • Why government shutdowns hit working people the hardest  • Billie Eilish’s stalker’s death and the morality of relief versus grief  • Kid Rock helicopter flyover and the optics of wasted resources  • Gas prices near $10 per gallon in Big Sur and why it happens  • Electric car infrastructure concerns and range anxiety on road trips  • Justin Bieber’s Coachella preview and what we hope comes next  If you're in the Burbank California area, make sure you come out and support Meryl at Flappers on Thursday 4/9/26.  Everyone, thank you so much for watching and listening to us, we always love hearing from you, and please continue to support us by subscribing to Thirsty Topics podcast. The place for topics relating to reality, celebrities, pop culture and social media.  Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com. Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com. Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com. Support the show Hello, and thank you for listening to Thirsty Topics podcast! I'm Lawrence Elrod, and every week Meryl Klemow and I dive deep into the stories that matter, the conversations that shape our world." Please help support our show by following us and telling others about our show. New podcasts weekly.

    38 min

About

Thirsty Topics is a bold, unfiltered podcast hosted by Lawrence Elrod and Wander Powell-Hayes (starting 5/19/26) , diving into trending conversations, pop culture, social media buzz, and real-life perspectives. Each episode delivers honest opinions, engaging debates, and fresh takes you won’t hear anywhere else. Stay informed, entertained, and always in the know—because if it’s trending, we’re talking about it.