The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast - Dirty Rush: It’s Contagious: Things we dread… when throughout the Sorority it SPREADS!

Episode Date: January 31, 2026

One drawback of sorority life…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed human. In the middle of the night, Saskia awoke in a haze. Her husband, Mike, was on his laptop. What was on his screen would change Saskia's life forever. I said, I need you to tell me exactly what you're doing. And immediately, the mask came off. You're supposed to be safe.

That's your home. That's your husband. Listen to Betrayal Season 5 on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. You know, we always say New Year, New Me, but real change starts on the inside. It starts with giving your mind and your spirit the same attention you give your goals. Hey, everybody, it's Michelle Williams, host of checking in on the Black Effect Podcast Network. And on my podcast, we talk mental health, healing, growth, and everything you need to step into your next season, whole and empowered. New Year, real you. Listen to checking in with Michelle Williams

from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The social media trend is slanding some Gen Z years in jail. The progressive media darling whose public meltdown got her fired and the massive TikTok boycott against Target that actually makes no sense. You won't hear about these online stories in the mainstream media, but you can keep up with them and all the other entertaining and outrageous things happening online, in media, and in politics, with the Brad versus Everyone podcast.

Listen to the Brad versus Everyone podcast on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Crook and Chase Nashville chats with the coolest cat in country music. He is edgy. He's fun. He is Chase Matthew. Keith Urban helped make him a global sensation last year, but it's his recent number one hit Darling to put Chase on the map

and launched a fun and difficult conversation about lovers who cheat and lie. That's why I'm scared to get married. You give me trust issues, brother. Crook and Chase Nashville chats with Chase Matthew. Listen and subscribe on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Welcome to Dirty Rush, The Truth About Sorority Life, with your host, me, Gia Judice, Daisy Kent, and Jennifer Fessler. Welcome back to another episode of Dirty Rush. 30 houses are known for sisterhood parties and nonstop chaos.

But what happens when something way less fun starts spreading? We are talking about the grossest, the sicknesses, the nasty diseases. Diseases, right, the dirty diseases that start to spread through the house, the worst. Yes. The outbreaks no one wants to have or ever know about. I'm honestly on this episode, I feel like I'm probably going to learn about some that I don't even know. Yeah.

I don't remember, Daisy, like really looking back getting sick in the house. I really don't. But, I mean, it was a long time ago. But I know that you actually got really sick. Yes. I got so sick. It was my freshman year in living in the dorm. I actually got meningitis.

And it was a meningitis, like outbreak at my school. If you Google, like, SDSU meningitis 2017. like there's a bunch of articles and it was like me and one other girl and it was like all over the news on that time when we got like admitted to the hospital and it was crazy and then literally so many girls from SCSU especially in my sorority even if they had a headache because that's one of the signs of meningitis would go to the hospital and the only way to test for it is to get a spinal tap so like all these girls were showing up getting spinal taps. My God.

Yeah. Well, wait a second. How did you figure it out to just like what happened were the symptoms, the initial symptoms? I was in the library studying with my roommate and then we went back. It was probably like midnight and I was like my head's kind of hurting, but I used to always get headaches. So I took some Advil or Tylenol, fell asleep, woke up at like three and I was like, oh my gosh, it hurts so bad. So it took more of whichever one I didn't take. And then I woke up in the morning and I was like, I cannot go to class.

And she was like, you have to like, we're going to have a quiz today. And so then I went to class and I was like sitting there. And it was like biology. You went to class? Yeah. And it was like biology world of animals. I had a hat on and my sunglasses and I just like was not paid intention. And all of a sudden I like turned to look at her.

And there was just a shocking pain. Like it was the worst headache I've ever heard and it just like went down my spine. And I just got up and I walked straight to the doctor on campus. And I was like something's really wrong. And then they were like, we think you might have meningitis. And so then I sent me to a hospital. And then that hospital said I just had a migraine in to go home. So then I went home to my dorm room when I was sitting there.

And all of a sudden, this was probably like a couple hours after I had left the first hospital. And I was sitting there. And I was like all of a sudden I couldn't feel like I couldn't move. And I was like laying in bed. It was crazy. So then a guy that lived down the hall came to our. room. He was like one of my really good friends picked me up. Um, like carried me downstairs. My roommate's brother was a senior at the time when we were freshmen. And so he came and picked us up,

drove me to like a different hospital that he knew was like a better one. I think we were at scripts there. But then they like right away like they took me back right away. And then I like budgeted the whole like everyone in the ER line. And they just like brought me back. And then we were in the there and it was like my roommate, her brother, and then a nurse, and then a doctor came in and he's like, and they were like, there were a couple other nurses in there. He was like,

everyone needs to get out besides like my roommate and the nurse. They were like, you guys. Like everybody has to like put on mask or what I'm right? It's like. Yeah. Everyone that came in was in like full on like covered and everything and nobody could come in and see me at.

I can't even imagine being a throughout right away. Yeah. And get meningitis. My husband got meningitis and it was bad. I didn't actually men, but he talks about it, how it's really a, it's not fun at all. It's horrible and scary. So, yeah, I can't imagine little Daisy, little freshman Daisy getting.

I know. It was crazy. And then my mom came out like right away because you can like die from it. So. I know. So was it your first? semester. Do you remember? Yeah, it was my first semester. It was end of October because I remember being so bummed that I missed Halloween. Yeah, that's like the worst. I just can't imagine your brand,

everything is brand new. You're trying to have a good time. You're trying to acclimate. And then this, I'm surprised you went back. And if I was your mother, I probably wouldn't have let you. I know. It was crazy. I went home for like a good amount after because I was like so weak and I had lost so much weight. And so I like needed to like get healthy. Well, Listen, we're going to bring in our first caller to tell us another crazy story. This is like, I'm feeling like I'm glad we scheduled it now because I haven't had anything to eat in a couple hours and I probably won't. I'm also a hypochondriac. Well, we can talk about that later, but like in college, whenever anyone got anything, I thought I had it.

If I was sick in college, I would get, oh, my God, I would lose my mind. Like, oh, my God, this is it. This is, you know, this is the big one. Yeah. And I'm like, yeah. Well, good thing you're not going into college right now after we're talking about all. Thank you. Well, I was so probably going to be busy tonight thinking like, oh, I think that headache

went right down to my spine. Yeah. Right. Okay, you guys, so we are going to welcome in Rebecca. Hello. Hi, Rebecca. Oh, Rebecca. I feel like so many weird things happen in college.

So tell us about what you experienced. I feel like I definitely got a fair share of diseases while I was in. college from black mold into my dorm to also hand foot mouth. No. Yeah. Uh, hand foot mouth. My kids got that.

I thought there was like just a little kid's disease. Not to see. It's from preschoolers, actually. Um, and it was crazy because I was still living in the dorm. So I was in a triple. And it's kind of one of like the nicer ones. Like all the other ones have communal bathrooms.

Our bathroom was inside our dorm, which I was like, thank goodness. because I was already so nervous about going and, like, having communal bathrooms. But I had two other roommates. We were in bunk beds. And we were going out. It was post-initiation, I think this was like, this was freshman year.

So, 2022. Yeah. We had just been initiated and we were, like, going out. And it was, like, the pre-parties and exchanges. Yes, you should. I know, right? The best times. Our brother frat was SAE.

and they had done like an event with the local preschool. And we had kind of heard that maybe hands foot and mouth is going around. But in order to go out at high school, you have to go to the pre-party in exchange. So we were like, what if we get it? Like we have to go out like us freshmen like following all the rules. Right. Like we have to go to the pre-party. And then after like we'll just go out, we'll have fun and do whatever. And so we're obviously like all sharing drinks and blah blah.

And the next week I am so. sick. And for me, I'm one of those people, like, my, like, spot that I is, like, my weakness is, like, my throat. Like, I will get struck through. I have a terrible, like, sore throat. And that's when I know I'm, like, sick. And so I was going in, I was like, okay, maybe it's just strap, like, we'll see. And, like, my roommate's dad was a doctor. So we were face-tending him. And he was like, here, like, open your mouth. Like, let me see, like, what are you feeling? Like, before I was going to, like, the local, like, school nurse, like, palpuli. I was like, please, if I did anything rather than going there.

So he's like, you have like all these like red dots like in the back of your mouth. And I was like, oh my gosh, I feel like that's not strep. I feel like maybe it could be mono. But like I had it once like in high school. So I was like I feel like you only get that once, right? Yeah. And so anyway, I, it was like sat in our group me like a hundred times like all the guys have. And so I told my roommate that and I told her dad.

and he was like didn't want to say it to me like on the FaceTime so he was like texting her on the side like I think she has that like why wait because it's just like you think that he thought you were going to think it's so grosser like who just freak out like I don't want to be the barrier of bad news like you can tell her yeah was like me telling my mom I was like mom I have hands footmouse she's like you're lying like that's a joke like preschoolers get that like how did you that and I was like no like seriously I have it and so I went to the doctor like the next to the next. next day and like it kept getting worse like I had it all over my hands it looked like it's like blisters right yes so it starts in your mouth I guess like depending on the person um it starts in your mouth and then like goes to your hands and then my roommates were like you need to like leave like we it's like such a tight area in there you feel like you're in like one little small like cubicle and it's like yeah and so luckily I told my mom I was like mom like I think I need to fly home because one, I don't want to give my roommates this, and two, I literally thought I was going to die because it was so bad.

Fares were itching, they were hurting. It was like blisters, and it was like my freshman year. I was like, I class started break over. I know. How long did it last for? It honestly lasted, like, a good chunk of time. They put me on, like, antibiotics, and it, like, started to get better, but then I had, like, these weird, like, scarring on my hands.

Yeah. Yeah. So you're not still scarred from it, are you? No. Thank gosh. Imagine I would, four years later, five years later. Yeah. And then in my mouth, it, like, started to get better.

But it, like, honestly felt 10 times worse than strep throat. Because I think, like, bumps in there. Like, it's so funny. I literally found a picture the other day. It, like, came back in my flashback memories. I was like, please never show me that ever again. Oh, my gosh. So it's still, like, traumatic.

Well, your roommate? Was your roommate freaking out? Like, don't give it to me? or did they handle it? They were very sweet. It was like me and one girl that like chose each other from like Instagram and like our like our like random roommate who was the sweetest girl ever but she like did not rush a sorority.

Like she didn't understand the concept of like going out and like doing all that stuff. So she's like this like I think scared her even more and like validated her decision why she like did not want to rush and like go through any of it or even like go out. Right. I was like gosh, no, you have to still like this is just like the most extreme thing ever. But I was more at the beginning, like, what is this? Like, I had not really even heard of it, like, seen it. Oh, for sure.

I don't think I knew what that was. I actually learned what it was last year because I was watching this Netflix show. What is it called? It was called, like, receivers about, like, different NFL receivers. And it was like, Alman Ra, St. Brown had it during one of the games. And he was like, it was the most painful thing, like, catching the ball. I feel like it spreads so easily, too, especially with it being on my hands. Yeah.

Did all the boys know? Were they all getting sick? Yes, they were like all sick. So like after it was like probably like a week since they had done like the like little charity like event. I think they had to go like and like read books to like the little kids. Yeah. Which was so deep.

They're like, oh my God, how sweet of them. And then bring us this like nasty thing. But I mean like I feel like that's kind of like what you get from like sharing things at like preprising exchanges and stuff. Oh, for sure. And I feel like at college everyone's just like they're just going to. now and even if they're sick, people still go out. Still go out and like just like don't even think twice, which I feel like,

you didn't really even think about that. But it honestly lasted for them like a good period of time because it was like all of them living in the chapter house. And then it was like some of them had it. And then like another group people have had it because like they didn't know they had it and they just kept spreading it all over. Did your friends have it? Yes.

A lot of my kids have it. They did. And they all stay in one room together. I'm like, no, I need to let go home. Like I am like so like gross sad about that stuff and I like couldn't even believe I had it. I was like I need to go home and like be nurtured by my mom and like get better. Yeah. Oh my gosh.

That sounds so painful. Yeah. It was definitely painful. One of like the most painful like sicknesses I've had. You know, it's funny because I remember like I don't even remember that my kids had it. But I know all there are so many little ones that got it. My kids are going on. I didn't even realize it was so painful.

I thought it was just like you would all of a sudden see like a. rash on the bottom of their foot or something. Yeah. But I could be remembering it wrong. Yeah, I don't know. Maybe like as you get older, it's like either like more intense, less intense. Like who knows or if I've had it? But I was like, yeah, you didn't get this in preschool.

Now you're getting it your freshman year of college. Right, right. Yeah. So crazy. In the middle of the night, Saskia awoke in a haze. Her husband, Mike, was on his laptop. What was on his screen would change Saskia's life forever. I said, I need you to tell me exactly what you're doing.

And immediately, the mask came off. You're supposed to be safe. That's your home. That's your husband. To keep this secret for so many years, he's like a seasoned pro. This is a story. about the end of a marriage. But it's also the story of one woman

who was done living in the dark. You're a dangerous person who prays on vulnerable and trusting people. Your creditor, Michael Leavengood. Listen to Betrayal Season 5 on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey there, this is Dr. Jesse Mills,

director of the men's clinic at UCLA Health and host of the Mailroom podcast. Each January guys everywhere make the same resolutions. Get stronger, work harder, fix, what's broken? But what if the real work isn't physical at all? To kick off the new year, I sat down with Dr. Steve Polter, a psychologist with over 30 years' experience, helping men unpack shame, anxiety, and emotional pain they were never taught to name.

In a powerful two-part conversation, we discuss why men aren't emotionally bulletproof, why shame hides in plain sight, and how real strength comes from listening to yourself and to others. guys who are toxic, they're immature, or they've got something they just haven't resolved. Once that gets resolved, then there comes empathy as in compassion. If you want this to be the year, you stop powering through pain and start understanding what's underneath. Listen to the mailroom on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your favorite shows.

Like if we're on the air here, and I literally have my contract here, and I'm looking at, you know, as soon as I sign this, I'm going to get a 7.5. figure check. I've told them I won't be working here in two weeks. From the underground clubs that shaped global music to the pastors and creators who built the cultural empire, the Atlanta Ears podcast uncovers the stories behind one of the most influential cities in the world. The thing I love about Atlanta is that it's a city of hustlers, man. Each episode explores a different chapter of Atlanta's rise featuring conversations with ludicrous, Will Packer, Pastor Jamal Bryant, DJ Drama, and more. The full series is available to listen to now. I really just had never experienced anything like what was going on in the city as far as like, you know,

seeing so many young, black, affluent, creatives in all walks of life. The church had dwindled almost to nothing. And God said, this is your assignment. And that's like how you know, like, okay, oh, you're from Atlanta for real. I ain't got to say too much. I'm a Grady, baby. Shut up. Listen to Atlanta is on the I Heart Radio app.

Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. The social media trend that's landing some Gen Z is in jail. The progressive media darling whose public meltdown got her fired. I'm going to take Francesco off the network entirely. The massive TikTok boycott against Target that makes no actual sense. I will continue getting stuff from Target. And I will continue to not pay for it. And the MAGA influencers whose trip to the White House ended in embarrassment.

So refreshing to have the press secretary after the last few years who's both intelligent and articulate. You won't hear about these online stories in the mainstream media, but you can keep up with them and all the other entertaining and outrageous things. happening online in media and in politics with the Brad versus Everyone podcast hosted by me, Brad Palumbo. Every day of the week, I bring you on a wild ride through the most delulu takes on the internet, criticizing the extremes of both sides from an independent perspective. Join in on the insanity and listen to the Brad versus Everyone podcast on the Iheart radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Okay, we have our next caller in, and it is Savannah. So Savannah, I heard a little bit prior, only like the name of what it is, but what is norovirus? Yeah. So norovirus was something I think spread through my school last year in the spring. It was spreading around the U.S. And a lot of people had really, really crazy cases of it.

But basically picture like the absolute worst stomach bug, stomach flu. like food poisoning times a million. Unfortunately, it's extremely, extremely contagious. And living in a sorority house, obviously, is probably the worst place to have something like that spreading. Definitely. I was just thinking, I was I don't even know, I'm 57. I don't really even know what it is.

I don't remember ever having it or my kids having it. But literally, weirdly, today, I was with this woman and she was carrying something called like prequel. And her car was like, oh, what's that? She said it's to prevent neurovirus. And I am constantly putting it on my hands because I'm so paranoid about it. I'm thinking, what is the big deal about neuro? I don't, really, like I never really heard of it.

Had you, Daisy? No, I haven't until literally right before we got on this. Right. It had a similar spread in terms of the spreading of it. I think honestly the closest equivalent would be COVID, just in terms of, how quickly and how easily it can spread. But it's just, it affects a very different part of your body. It affects.

Right. Basically, if you were to get food poisoning, that's exactly what would happen to you. So it's the full like throwing up, stomach issues. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, you got, you know, like, I mean, it was, I know, you said it's so contagious, but was there one person who, or would be the first person you knew that got it? Did you spread it anywhere?

the funny story is I actually didn't even know I had it, which I think might be the worst part because I genuinely thought I had food poisoning. And when you have food poisoning, obviously, you know, you are personally affected and it's awful, but at least you know it's not something I didn't give someone else. You're right. I thought that I was like just dealing with a really bad bout of, you know, some sort of expired burrito situation. Yeah. But it turns out I actually was basically bedridden for 72 hours. Oh my God. The only time I got up was to use the bathroom and it was always in a panic.

It was always in a rush. Oh, for sure. Were you like so dehydrated? Oh, my God. I remember like Uber Eatsing, like Uber Eatsing. That's not even a term. But like I just remember constantly having to have Gatorade in my room. And the only thing for 72 hours I could stomach was saltines.

But I really just thought that I had some sort of bad food poisoning. and then the next week I ended up going to my sorority house for dinner. And I sat down with three of my friends and they were all chatting. And I was late to the conversation so I didn't know what they were talking about. And they were saying, oh my gosh, like I'm so glad I'm better. It was so hard last week to be in the guest room. And I'm listening to them. I'm like, what do you mean?

And they had said that multiple of the girls in the house had to quarantine in guest rooms of our sorority house because it had spread through. And we started to exchange. side effects and it turns out all of us had the exact same experience and then all been feeling the same way for at least three days straight. In my sorority we like all had like everyone kind of like shared like the bathroom and it was like stalls. Is that how yours was? Yeah. So our our bathroom situation is each bathroom has like three not really stalls but each has like three private bathrooms in the same area as like the showers and stuff. So there's just like absolutely no like there's no way

to avoid cross-contamination or anything like that. It's test. Like if you go, I mean, you thought you had food poisoning. Do you go to the doctor, I don't know, like take a swab or to even know that you have it? Yeah. So it is like a similar, it's a similar process to. COVID? I don't, yeah, it's a similar process to COVID in which like you can go to the doctor and ask for a test. Most of the time, what they'll tell you is simply to quarantine.

And it's just something that as soon as you get it, like you, there's kind of no hope to avoid. It's like if you're exposed to it, you're going to get it. Oh my God, that's awful. So, like, you're in the house. About giving it to other people? Did it go, did it just spread so quickly? Yeah. So honestly, people started dropping like flies.

I remember, I mean, since I didn't live in the house, I didn't even realize, like, how bad it was until the next week. Yeah. I literally was off the grid for like a week. Like, I swear my friends were like, where are you? Are you? Okay. I'm like, I am bedridden.

Like, I cannot move. I had to obviously email professors, let them know I couldn't come to. Like, I literally didn't go to, class for three days because I was worried if I wasn't next to a bathroom, like, something was, it was bad. In terms of it actually, like, spreading through my sorority house, I think it was a bit of a similar situation because two years prior in my sorority house, we had a different chef. And apparently he was unfortunately known for oftentimes giving like uncooked chicken.

And girls were used to getting food poisoning. And so I think that's horrible. It was bad. It was bad. How many times before you fired a guy? I know. Well, he did get fired and the new chef is awesome. But I think some of those older girls were like, oh my gosh, the new chef is also.

Yeah, like it's from that. It's from that. And so again, no one really knew because I think kind of similar to what you guys were saying, like, who we've, like, who knows what norovirus is? Like, I don't think. Yeah. Didn't have the same sort of effect as COVID in terms of like everyone knowing about it. So a lot of people just assumed like, oh, it's not anything like super. crazy. Did anyone have to go to the hospital? One girl had to go to the hospital, yeah.

Okay. One girl was in the hospital for a week, and I think it had more to do with dehydration and a lack of fluids that she had to be pumped up to an IV. Oh, for sure. And everyone had different. The worst, stomach stuff, nausea, and throwing up, to me, that's the worst. I mean, there are things that are worse, but like worse than a throat thing, worse than, like, it's just like that. the nausea is so horrible. I can't imagine it going on for that many days. Right. Yeah.

It's bad. It's also bad because even for me for three days to not have proper food and not have proper nutrients, you notice it. Right. You genuinely can tell like, oh, this, like, I don't feel myself. And I can't imagine, like, my friend who was in the hospital for a week. I remember she came back and everyone was like just feeling super like, are you okay? Like, are you good?

Just because it is scary. It's also scary to. to think it's something that you'll pass in like 24 hours and then sticks with you for a while. That is crazy. Because how long did you say? It was like three days. I had it for three days. And I think I had it.

Honestly, three days was insane. But I think I had it better than most because I was in my own quarantine. I lived in like a small room. And I was able to just kind of hunker down for a couple days and just like literally talk to no one, do nothing. Imagine like being sick and then the girl next to you is puking next to you. I mean. Yeah. Feeling sick like that is like horrible.

Like right when you're like until you're like right about to throw up just like sitting there. Like you can't think of anything. The nausea was so honestly. It was so bad. And unfortunately I don't know what I did to deserve it. I had more of the stomach rather than the nausea. So like I had like cramping that I cannot even explain. blame the amount of pain. It was, oh my God, it was so bad. It was genuinely the type of like the only

thing you can do to have any sort of relief is like fetal position. Like that's your own. Oh my God. Yeah. At any point did you think about going to the hospital? Honestly, I made a mental note. I said if this goes past 72 hours, I need to like talk the doctor. Because it was at the point where like I was more so worried about not getting proper nutrients and like being able to make your stomach anything. I mean, that's something. I mean, that's a doctor. I mean, a long time without having any food or water. Did your mom freak out? Oh my God. I tried, well, I tried to explain it to my parents and they were more, my mom has like the craziest, like, gag reflex. She's like, no. She literally didn't let me explain it. She was like, I am so sorry

you're going through that and hung up the phone. She's like, I can't, I can't listen. I can't listen. So I think they didn't really get how bad it was because I almost, I don't want them to check out. They're not like, they don't live in the city with me. So, like, I can't listen. So, I think they didn't, Like, there's something they can really do about it. And honestly, I think my mom was grateful. I didn't get for more details. Yeah. Did they ever even send her the podcast?

Did the school ever send out something like on campus, like saying this is going around? To be honest, my school sends things like that all the time. All the time. And it's not just like health-wise, but they're just constantly sending news blasts, constantly sending like safety updates and news about the local area and I think if anything like that was actually sent no one would have even like read the email like it's like I don't think anyone would have

kept an eye out for any sort of update and I think the same thing happened in a different sorority like weeks later and so it's crazy that it just like managed to make its way through and just like take it out yeah well I mean listen it's something to remember maybe it's a great memory you can

commissary with all the other girls. Right. Think I ever got me thing when I was in, living in the sorority house? I don't think I did. But yeah, I mean, it just sounds so miserable. Yeah. It's definitely a fun, maybe not something I'll remember positively, but it's definitely something I'll remember about.

Exactly. Yeah. About it. Sorry. Yeah. In the middle of the night, Saskia awoke in a haze. Her husband, Mike, was on his laptop. What was on his screen would change Saskia's life forever.

I said, I need you to tell me exactly what you're doing. And immediately, the mask came off. You're supposed to be safe. That's your home. That's your husband. To keep this secret for so many years, he's like a seasoned pro. This is a story. about the end of a marriage.

But it's also the story of one woman who was done living in the dark. You're a dangerous person who prays on vulnerable and trusting people. You're creditor, Michael Leavengood. Listen to Betrayal Season 5 on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hey there, this is Dr. Jesse Mills, director of the men's clinic at UCLA Health and host of the mailroom podcast. Each January, guys everywhere, make the same resolutions. Get stronger, work harder, fix, what's broken. But what if the real work isn't physical at all? To kick off the new year, I sat down with Dr. Steve Polter, a psychologist with over 30 years' experience, helping men unpack shame, anxiety, and emotional pain they were never taught the name.

In a powerful two-part conversation, we discuss why men aren't emotionally bulletproof, why shame hides in plain sight, and how real strength comes from listening to yourself and to others. Guys who are toxic, they're immature, or they've got stuff. something they just haven't resolved. Once that gets resolved, then there comes empathy as in compassion. If you want this to be the year you stop powering through pain and start understanding what's underneath, listen to the mailroom on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your favorite shows. The social media trend that's landing some Gen Z years in jail. The progressive media darling whose public meltdown got her fired.

I'm going to take Francesco off the network entirely. The massive TikTok boycott against Target that makes no actual sense. I will continue getting stuff from Target, and I will continue to not pay for it. And the MAGA influencers, whose trip to the White House ended in embarrassment. So refreshing to have the press secretary after the last few years who's both intelligent and articulate. You won't hear about these online stories in the mainstream media, but you can keep up with them and all the other entertaining and outrageous things happening online in media and in politics with the Brad versus Everyone podcast.

hosted by me, Brad Palumbo. Every day of the week, I bring you on a wild ride through the most delulu takes on the internet, criticizing the extremes of both sides from an independent perspective. Join in on the insanity and listen to the Brad versus Everyone podcast on the Iheart radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Like, if we're on the air here, and I literally have my contract here, and I'm looking at, you know, as soon as I sign this, I'm going to get a seven-figure check. I've told them I won't be working here in two weeks. From the underground clubs that shaped global music to the pastors and creatives who built a cultural empire.

The Atlanta Ears podcast uncovers the stories behind one of the most influential cities in the world. The thing I love about Atlanta is that it's a city of hustlers, man. Each episode explores a different chapter of Atlanta's rise, featuring conversations with ludicrous, Will Packer, Pastor Jamal Bryant, DJ Drama, and more. The full series is available to listen to now. I really just had never experienced anything like what was going to. going on in the city as far as like, you know, seeing so many young, black, affluent, creatives in all walks of life.

The church had dwindled almost to nothing. And God said, this is your assignment. And that's like how you know, like, okay, oh, you're from Atlanta for real. I ain't got to say too much. I'm a gradie, baby. Shut up. Listen to Atlanta is on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

Our next caller is Charlotte, and I think she has quite the story for us. Hi Charlotte. Hi, Daisy. Hi, Jen. I'm a little scared of what's to come. Me too. I went to a big party school and there was a lot of herpes that went around. Both girl and down there.

Nasty. No. So for the oral story I have, we obviously went to fraternities all the time and this was before COVID. This was before people cared about germs. and we would share a like, you know, fifth of alcohol. We would all pass it around and drink out. Oh, for sure.

That's what we did all the time. Right. Didn't pour it in cups or anything. And there was a guy in the fraternity at the time my friends, and also I was there that night, none of us knew, but he had a active cold, sore herpes cap on his lip. And we were all sharing. And I somehow got lucky.

and some people did not. And my friend woke up like a couple days later. And she had a herpy on her mouth as well as four other girls we know in different sororities who were also there that night. And is it like once you get it, you have it for life? Yeah. So it would like flare. It's flared up ever since then.

They will continue to get these herpes. I don't know if like there's a period. I don't know the details, but they still have issues with it. Oh, my God. So sad. Can it show up? down there if you get it up here you can't i don't think it can but i do have friends as well in college who would hook up with guys who would have a um like a scab a flare up like down there

and wouldn't do anything about it and wouldn't wear a condom so i've had multiple friends in my sorority who also have gotten herpes down there and now have that forever because these guys wouldn't wear condoms what friends are these girls like i you have to give me their phone numbers i'm furious i know i don't understand Where are their mothers? I know. You should not be sharing drinks and you should be wearing condoms. Amen.

This is like, oh my gosh. You probably learn that lesson. If you get herpes sexually transmitted, you probably like, probably will wear a condom then I would think for the rest of your life. Yeah. Did, were herpes a big thing when you were in college? No. At least, I mean, I didn't get it. There was a lot of crabs.

Do you guys have crabs? No, gonorrhea and chlamydia, but not the crab. Yes. You know, yeah, there was, crabs was huge. And crabs, I don't know, there are some girls listening who are freshmen or whatever. Just be careful because in your pubs, oh, my God. Also, like, college guys, like, they get around. Yeah, yeah.

Be careful if you're listening. But listen, a condom can. save you from crabs. I even think you can get it. This is a lot, you guys. But like, bugs can jump off onto a toilet seat. Oh my God. I've even heard of pubic lice. Pubid. And that's what it is. I think that's what it is. The same thing. It must be. I don't know. Not to mention so many of these things are sexually transmitted. I mean, like the HPV of it all, you guys probably got Gardasil. I would think. Yeah, we did. Right. So there's no Gardicil. when we will leave up, you know.

And HPV is serious. And it's, yeah. So, yeah, the moral of this story listeners is, Daisy. Be safe. We're in protection. Safety girls. That's awful. Yeah.

Yeah. I just had to share that with you guys. In the middle of the night, Sasquia awoke in a haze. Her husband, Mike, was on his laptop. What was on his screen would change Saskia's life forever. I said, I need you to tell me exactly what you're doing. And immediately, the mask came off. You're supposed to be safe.

That's your home. That's your husband. Listen to Betrayal Season 5 on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. You know, we always say New Year, New Me, but real change starts on the inside. It starts with giving your mind and your spirit the same attention you give your goals. Hey everybody, it's Michelle Williams, host of Checking In on the Black Effect Podcast Network. And on my podcast, we talk mental health, healing, growth, and everything you need to step into your next season, whole and empowered. New Year, Real You.

Listen to Checking in with Michelle Williams from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Social media trend is slanding some Gen Z ears. jail. The progressive media darling whose public meltdown got her fired and the massive TikTok boycott against Target that actually makes no sense. You won't hear about these online stories in the mainstream media, but you can keep up with them and all the other entertaining and outrageous things happening online in media and in politics with the Brad versus Everyone podcast.

Listen to the Brad versus Everyone podcast on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Crook and Chase Nashville chats with the coolest cast. in country music. He is edgy. He's fun. He is Chase Matthew. Keith Urban helped make him a global sensation last year, but it's his recent number one hit Darling that put Chase on the map and launched a fun and difficult conversation about lovers who cheat and lie. That's why I'm scared to get married. You're giving me trust issues, brother. Crook and Chase Nashville chats with Chase Matthew. Listen and subscribe on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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