In this new episode, Alyssa and Nadia dive into the cultural phenomenon that is Heated Rivalry—the raunchy romance series that's captured audiences across age groups. What starts as a discussion about the show evolves into deeper reflections on multitasking, entertainment consumption, and how rom-coms shape our view of relationships.

Alyssa shares how Heated Rivalry has become ubiquitous, with everyone from 21-year-old Nadia to friends in their mid-thirties talking about it. The show is decidedly not PG—more 50 Shades of Grey than People You Meet on Vacation—which made recommending it to each other slightly awkward, especially since Nadia watched it with her roommates.

The conversation shifts to how they both consume media while juggling busy schedules. Alyssa multitasks constantly: audiobooks while walking the dog or driving, physical books before bed, and TV shows playing while checking emails. She admits TV shows keep her awake and entertained enough to stay productive, though she acknowledges it might be a slight addiction. Nadia has inherited this habit but applies it differently—she can do homework while watching TV but has discovered she cannot effectively study for the MCAT with a show on.

This leads to a broader discussion about multitasking versus quiet moments. While Alyssa suggests challenging themselves to embrace silence, Nadia counters that her "quiet moment" is listening to music. They acknowledge the tension between needing constant stimulation and knowing that multitasking isn't ideal for deep work.

The rom-com conversation takes a thoughtful turn when Alyssa asks whether consuming raunchy romance content creates unrealistic relationship expectations. Nadia thoughtfully distinguishes between recognizing unrealistic scenarios and having her expectations shaped by them. She can separate fiction from reality and doesn't feel the content is making relationships seem unattainable. Instead, she's focused on other aspects of self-improvement influenced by social media and pop culture—like the resolutions she discussed in the previous episode.

They wrap up by celebrating what Heated Rivalry represents: a story about male professional athletes navigating their sexuality in spaces where they don't feel they fit in.

Takeaways

• The same show can resonate across different age demographics for different reasons
• Recommending raunchy content to family members will always be awkward
• Multitasking with entertainment can help sustain focus on boring tasks but doesn't work for intensive studying
• There's a meaningful difference between watching TV while doing homework versus studying for high-stakes exams
• Constant stimulation (TV, music, audiobooks) can become a habitual need rather than a conscious choice
• The internet says multitasking is bad, but modern life demands fitting things into small windows of time
• Rom-coms can present unrealistic scenarios without necessarily setting unrealistic expectations if you can separate fiction from reality
• Pop culture and social media influence self-awareness and personal growth goals beyond just relationship expectations
• Representation in media matters—stories about marginalized experiences help people feel less alone
• Not everything needs to be analyzed for its productivity value; sometimes entertainment is just entertainment

Chapters

0:10–0:33 – Introduction

0:33–2:07 – The Heated Rivalry Phenomenon: Everyone's Talking About It

2:07–3:18 – Why Heated Rivalry Is Not PG-Friendly

3:18–4:27 – How Do You Find Time for All This Entertainment

4:27–6:27 – Multitasking: TV, Books, and Staying Awake

6:27–7:33 – The Challenge of Quiet Moments

7:33–8:26 – Fitting Podcasts Into Busy Schedules

8:26–9:24 – Do Rom-Coms Create Unrealistic Relationship Expectations?

9:24–10:53 – Separating Fiction from Reality

10:53–11:33 – Why Representation in Heated Rivalry Matters

11:33–12:00 – Closing: Banana Bread Emergency & The Smoothie Scene

In the first episode of 2026, Alyssa and Nadia tackle New Year's resolutions—though both admit the concept stresses them out. The conversation explores intention-setting, the pressure of documentation, and balancing productivity with presence.

Alyssa's resolution is simple: "be a good person." Despite finding resolutions stressful, she sets many because documenting intentions feels necessary for them to manifest. Nadia's longer list centers on one theme: not taking things too seriously. She gets caught up in work and school, forgetting to find beauty in everyday moments. Her goals focus on being more intentional, mindful, spontaneous, and present.

A vulnerable moment comes when Nadia reflects on 2025. Looking at photos on New Year's Eve made her emotional—she'd done so many fun things but hadn't appreciated them in the moment, too focused on stressful details. The beginning of the year was particularly hard with unproductive scheduling and environmental fatigue, but she became more intentional after summer.

Alyssa prefers steady year-round improvement over intense January goal-setting that fizzles out. She's planned concrete activities for 2026, including hosting a retreat in October that she hopes will become part of her career progression.

Nadia is starting MCAT prep this semester while working. She's scheduled study time in advance day-by-day, making it non-negotiable while leaving room for fun. Her MCAT books arrive the next day, with Mondays as potential off-days.

The episode ends with podcast reflections. Last semester was mostly them chatting, often about Nadia. For 2026, they want to explore topics Nadia is passionate about and bring on guests—particularly graduating friends reflecting on their college experiences and post-graduation decisions.

Takeaways

• Documentation of intentions can feel necessary for manifestation, even if it creates pressure
• Sometimes the simplest resolutions ("be a good person") are the most encompassing
• Looking back on a year through photos can reveal joy you didn't fully appreciate in the moment
• Getting caught up in stress and annoyances can prevent you from savoring experiences as they happen
• The same situation can be viewed negatively or positively—perspective is a choice
• Steady, year-round effort may be more sustainable than intense January goal-setting that fades
• Pre-scheduling important activities (like MCAT study time) makes them non-negotiable and creates space for fun
• Planning your entire semester day-by-day can help balance major responsibilities with enjoyment
• Recording what you like (books, movies, experiences) helps you remember and articulate your preferences
• Being too caught up in perfectionism or curated presentation can prevent authentic enjoyment
• It's valuable to identify what you want to change versus what you want to keep the same

Chapters

0:10–0:32 – Introduction: First Episode of 2026

0:32–1:41 – Why New Year's Resolutions Feel Stressful

1:41–3:23 – The Superstition of Setting Intentions & Documentation

3:23–5:27 – Alyssa's Simple Resolution: Be a Good Person

5:27–7:31 – Nadia's Theme: Not Taking Things Too Seriously

7:31–8:13 – Finding Beauty Beyond the Perfect Picture

8:13–10:05 – Looking Back on 2025

10:05–11:30 – Why Alyssa Doesn't Like Setting Resolutions

11:30–12:13 – What Nadia Wants to Change vs. Keep the Same

12:13–14:24 – Planning Ahead: Alyssa's October Retreat & Nadia's MCAT Prep

14:24–15:57 – Podcast Plans for 2026: Bringing on Graduating Seniors

15:57–16:31 – Closing: Wishing Everyone Gets What They're Intending

In this unplanned bonus episode, Alyssa and Nadia wrap up 2025 on a lighter note after their emotional conversation about gun violence the previous week. The discussion centers on reflection, transition, and what it means to stay authentic as life changes rapidly.

Alyssa kicks off the conversation with a viral social media trend she's been seeing: 2025 is the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac (the 9th cycle), which represents shedding things that no longer serve you, followed by 2026 being the Year of the Horse (cycle 1)—a fresh start. While Nadia hasn't encountered this trend, she shares that her astrology app Co-Star gave her 2026 resolutions focused on authenticity and surrounding herself with people who genuinely support her growth rather than just depending on her.

The conversation shifts to what they're keeping versus shedding as they enter 2026. Nadia reveals she's signed up to take the MCAT in July and will be studying throughout the spring semester while working. She reflects on discovering that she's most productive and in control when she's busy with multiple responsibilities. Rather than actively shedding things, she anticipates natural changes as most of her friends graduate in May while she finishes in December.

A poignant moment comes when they discuss the concept of "home." Nadia shares that while the Bay Area will always be her true home, Boston has become home in a different way—it's where 80% of her year is spent, where her routines are, and where she's chosen to take the MCAT because it feels most comfortable. She admits recent trips home have felt different, knowing her relationship with home might shift as she approaches graduation.

The episode concludes with reflections on the podcast itself, now 2.5 years old. They discuss how they've moved away from guest interviews this year, finding it easier and more comfortable to have direct conversations. Alyssa proposes themes for 2026: either interviewing Nadia's graduating friends about transitioning to post-college life, or bringing in physicians from different specialties as Nadia prepares for medical school. They leave it open-ended, inviting listeners to share their preferences.

Takeaways

• Year of the Snake (2025) symbolizes shedding the inauthentic; Year of the Horse (2026) represents new beginnings and fresh starts
• Staying true to yourself means not getting caught up in comparing your timeline to everyone else's path
• Being busy with meaningful responsibilities can actually create a sense of productivity and control, not just stress
• "Home" can exist in multiple places—your roots and your current base can both feel like home in different ways
• Natural life transitions (friends graduating, moving away) often create the "shedding" without forced action
• The concept of home evolves as you spend more time away—80% of the year elsewhere shifts what feels like your home base
• Taking major tests (like the MCAT) in your routine environment can reduce stress and improve performance
• Authentic podcasting means following what feels natural rather than forcing a specific format

Chapters

0:10–0:32 – Introduction: Ending 2025 on a Happier Note

0:32–1:46 – The Year of the Snake: Shedding & New Beginnings

1:46–3:37 – Co-Star Resolutions: Building Authentic Connections

3:37–5:27 – What to Shed in 2026: Staying True to Your Own Path

5:27–6:16 – Big News: Nadia Signs Up for the MCAT

6:16–7:37 – What to Keep: The Power of Productive Busyness

7:37–8:49 – Friends Going Different Directions & Coming Home

8:49–11:01 – Where is Home? Bay Area vs. Boston

11:01–11:56 – Feeling Tired of Surroundings & Needing Change

11:56–13:26 – Podcast Reflections: Why No More Guest Interviews?

13:26–14:45 – Looking Ahead: Podcast Ideas for 2026

14:45–15:02 – Closing: Happy Holidays & See You Next Year