A Special Place in Hell Podcast

A Special Place in Hell

Meghan Daum & Sarah Haider
Two girls, one podcast. aspecialplace.substack.com
Don't Blame Us (Penelope Trunk Returns)
In this episode, Penelope Trunk returns for another session of therapeutic sado-masochism. We relay listeners’ most personal questions and Penelope duly dismisses their trauma and punishes them for such public displays of vulnerability—everyone wins! We hope this leaves you with a sense of relief and lightness. It’s like a deep tissue massage for your (lame) psyche. And if not, don’t blame us. You knew what you were getting into. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aspecialplace.substack.com/subscribe
Oct 25, 2024
1 hr 28 min
Posting in a Post-Literate Age, or How We SURVIVED Mr. Beast Job Training
On this episode of A Special Place, the ladies decide to get their act together and learn how to do this YouTube e-lady thing right. But first, a tribute to the heroes at the Rescue the Republic rally, who dared to believe they can still draw a crowd. Finally, some handwringing about Kids These Days, and the anti-natalism conspiracy of car seat regulations.Links * How to Succeed at a Mr. Beast Production* The Elite College Students Who Can’t Read Books* K-12 Education in a Post-Literate Age* Cheat on Sarah! Subscribe to Meghan's YouTube Channel This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aspecialplace.substack.com/subscribe
Oct 5, 2024
1 hr 18 min
When Nudes Attack!
On this sexploitative episode, the ladies discuss (disapprovingly, duh) a variety of recent steamy scandals: Olivia Nuzzi / RFK Jr. sexts, ex-COVID czar Jay Varma's pandemic sex parties, Chris Rufo's alleged Ashley Madison account, and more. Does anyone know how to have normal adulterous sex anymore? Where can Sarah get MDMA? Will Meghan, who just learned that eggplant emojis aren't invitations to go to the farmer's market, ever get the hang of emoji seduction? This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aspecialplace.substack.com/subscribe
Sep 28, 2024
1 hr 18 min
Joe Rogan, Bro King of Austin?
On this already-stale episode, the ladies discuss the past week’s debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, before delving into the more politically salient topic of Joe Rogan’s Austin kingdom. Finally, thoughts on the finer points of eating cats. Links * How Joe Rogan Remade Austin This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aspecialplace.substack.com/subscribe
Sep 15, 2024
1 hr 25 min
Parental Estrangement as Self-Care
On this episode, the ladies try and uncover the mysteries of AI, and whether it is about to take their jobs. Meghan says no, but is she in denial? Then, should you divorce your mom for worrying about your eternal soul? Is going "no contact" with grandma a form of self-care?Links* Why A.I. Isn’t Going to Make Art * Why So Many People Are Going “No Contact” With Their Parents This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aspecialplace.substack.com/subscribe
Sep 8, 2024
1 hr 21 min
Escape From NPR: Uri Berliner Visits Hell
In this episode, the girlx welcome special guestx Uri Berliner, journalist and famed NPR critic/apostate. Uri discusses his youthful attraction to public radio and how the slow erosion of many its ideals led to his decision to air his critique in the Free Press -- and, shortly thereafter, make his exit. He also reflects on how things have gone since the big leap. Was selling his soul to Bari Weiss worth it? (How can the girlx manage to do the same?)Note: This episode was recorded on June 18. Uri has since joined The Free Press as a senior editor. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aspecialplace.substack.com/subscribe
Aug 29, 2024
1 hr 12 min
Bari Weiss, She Gets the Job Done!
On this episode, the ladies white-knight Bari Weiss following a War and Peace-length profile in the NYTimes. Can any journalist be expected to cover The Free Press founder fairly, given that she's positioned herself as their main critic? Does Bari's unique ability to hold steady in the face of extreme character defamation prove that women really can be public champions of unpopular truths? Most importantly: will our fangirling lead to jobs offers or restraining orders? Finally, a discussion about marriageability vs. hotness. Is it a compliment to tell a man that you wouldn't just use him for his body, but rather, for his wallet? Links* Bari Weiss Knows Exactly What She’s Doing This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aspecialplace.substack.com/subscribe
Aug 16, 2024
1 hr 20 min
Help! The UK Has Fallen (And Can't Get Up)!
In this (livestreamed) episode, the ladies de-center their American colonialist perspective to consider the recent hooliganism across the pond. Has the UK slipped into authoritarianism? Is British post-colonial guilt giving American guilt a run for its money? Or did the song There Always Be An England mean there will always be the threat of jail for wrong-speak? Then, Meghan flip-flops on JD Vance's trans friend and finally, a (lengthy) showdown on Art and Regret.Links* ‘Think before you post’: Britain’s slide into censorship (Spiked)* She Used to Be Friends With JD Vance (The Daily)* The Emotion I Didn’t Expect As A New Parent: Regret (NYTimes)* I Used to Write Jokes About How Parenting Is Terrible. Then I Had My Daughter. (NYTimes) This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aspecialplace.substack.com/subscribe
Aug 12, 2024
1 hr 32 min
Body Shaming, Olympics Edition
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit aspecialplace.substack.comOn this Excedrin-fueled episode, the ladies discuss the controversy surrounding the chromosomal makeup of Olympic boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting. They then move on to the latest scandal in the not (not)-for-profit world, this one involving GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis, whose enthusiasm for expensive chandeliers and Swiss Alps travel took money from the pockets of needy gays. Finally: Kamalot spamalot (it's out of control!) and the time Meghan wrote about the word "fag".To listen to the full episode (and get lots of other perks, too) become a paying subscriber!Links* Lavish Spending by GLAAD CEO
Aug 7, 2024
20 min
Ballerina Farm vs Cat Ladies
In this episode, the ladies again revisit motherhood and its (concerning?) lack of representation among young women. Do we need a GI Bill for trad wives? They then discuss a recent article on mega-influencer Hannah Neeleman (aka Ballerina Farm) and her large, photogenic family that also happens to be extraordinarily wealthy. Is she a servant of the patriarchy? Or is the tradlife a kind of extreme sport that proves her ultimate superiority? Finally, they go over the recent damning revelations by the NYTimes that JD Vance once had a queer friend. Links* Meet the queen of the ‘trad wives’ https://www.thetimes.com/magazines/the-sunday-times-magazine/article/meet-the-queen-of-the-trad-wives-and-her-eight-children-plfr50cgk* My day with the trad wife queen https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/my-day-with-the-trad-wife-queen-and-what-i-really-thought-of-her-qmbmmhkp8* She Gave Birth Two Weeks Ago. Now She’s in a Pageant. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/30/style/ballerina-farm-mrs-world-hannah-neeleman.html* JD Vance, an Unlikely Friendship, and Why It Ended. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/27/us/politics/jd-vance-friend-transgender.html This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aspecialplace.substack.com/subscribe
Aug 2, 2024
1 hr 32 min
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