Would you share a towel with your housemates to save some money? What about sticking to a shower rota or switching to reusable toilet paper? Join Adela and Roberta as they unpack a viral video from Germany showing life in a frugal shared household. We dig into which of these habits have science behind them and which easy versions you can try yourself without big sacrifices.

In this episode, we speak with Dr Rebecca Blackburn, a psychology researcher at the Australian National University. We talk about how realistic frugal living is for most of us, how minimalism affects the environment, and whether minimalists might be happier than the average person.

We also look at why the video sparked so much controversy and talk to content creators who shared their reactions about why conversations like this are worth having.

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Link to content creators and reels mentioned in this episode:

@wg_frugal

Luis: @moinluiis

Livia: @nailsandslays

Yasmin: @yamingmit.y

Leander: @leander_irl

Jérémie Brygo: lefrugalisme.com

Do you ever wonder what your tomato might say to you the next time you open the fridge? While your vegetables probably won't start chatting anytime soon, social media is full of AI-generated fruits, veggies, and even bacteria giving food and health advice. Join Adela and Roberta as they dig into why these videos have become so popular and why they can be more dangerous than they seem.

In this episode, we speak with Dr Carolina Matos, Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Media at City St George's, University of London, about health communication on social media and the role AI can play in making knowledge more engaging and accessible - when it's grounded in reliable data and scientific evidence.

We also unpack the phenomenon known as "AI slop" and talk to content creators who share these videos on Instagram, exploring what motivates them and how they see this rapidly growing trend.

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Link to profile and reels mentioned in this episode:

@gloryarena

@thegoodsuniverse

Foods that claim to lower cholesterol

Foods that claim to fight cancer

Disclaimer: Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health.

This week on Re(e)ality Check, we are diving into Chanté Joseph’s recent British Vogue article that had everyone texting their group chats: Is having a boyfriend embarrassing now? With corners of the internet leaning into their ‘single era,’ celebrating independence, and treating their personal privacy like the ultimate glow-up, we needed to explore why being coupled has become so complicated.

We chat with Dr Kate Gilchrist, a feminist researcher, who had a very different take on the article. She shares her expertise, unpacking the cultural forces at play. She helps us understand how one article can attract so much attention in internet culture.

Plus, we speak to the very influencers who are part of the trend to get a fresh perspective on why they chose to react to the article.

Like and subscribe, so you don’t miss when a new episode of Re(e)ality Check drops. If you’re enjoying the podcast, leave a review.

If you want to get in touch about anything, email us at thereealitycheck@outlook.com

Here you can see how the influencers from this episode reacted to the trend: Jasmine’s Reel, Alexandra’s Reel, Ari’s Reel