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How Were U Brainwashed?

Jenny Donheiser
Parenting
Mental Health
Reality TV
Body Image
Reality Television
Motherhood
Social Media
Comedy
Divorce
Pop Culture
Broadway
Identity
Relationships
New York, United States
Job Interviews
Traitors
Honesty
The Real Housewives
Food and Nutrition
Expectations In Society

How Were U Brainwashed? is a podcast hosted by your new best friends, Nicole Spiezio and Jenny Donheiser, that asks guests just that. What did you grow up thinking was true that you now know is just full brainwashing, babe? How did you unpack that bullshit and come out the other side?

From religion to Jersey Shore, from Monogamy to Pepé Le Pew, the pod tackles women stuff, fat/body stuff (Nicole i... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes172Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedyTV & Film

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Artwork for How Were U Brainwashed?

Latest Episodes

Jenny & Nicole welcome actor, musician, comedian Douglas Goodhart to the pod this week!

They get into wrestling their toddlers, Nicole putting her children to bed with fist bumps, Douglas' past life ripping cigarettes at a gas station in Long Island... more

Jenny & Nicole fly solo this week and get into Nicole's perfect doctor's appointment attendance, if they should pay $1200 for Prenuvo scans, needing a break from "Here We Go Looby Loo," the hell that is potty training, their kids' cute playdate, the ... more

Jenny & Nicole welcome actor, writer, and filmmaker Joel Perez ("Fun Home" on Broadway, "Tick, Tick... Boom!" on Netflix, and currently "Hazbin Hotel") to the pod this week!

They get into Jenny's eccentric Uncle's memorial, Nicole's new passion for ... more

Jenny & Nicole are joined by performer and writer ("School Girls; or, The African Mean Girls Play," "JaJa's African Hair Braiding") on the pod this week!

They get into the craziest plate of nachos Nicole ever received at a restaurant, how many times... more

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Recent Guests

Douglas Goodheart
Actor, musician, comedian; the Internet's acting teacher
Independent/Entertainment
Episode: "Bagels are Better Than Church" (w/ Douglas Goodhart)
Joel Perez
Actor, writer, filmmaker
Hazbin Hotel (voice role)
Episode: "The Royal Rangers" (w/ Joel Perez)
Jocelyn Bioh
Playwright and performer known for JaJa's African Hair Braiding and School Girls or the African Mean Girls Play
Playwright/Performer
Episode: "Craisin Nachos" (w/ Jocelyn Bioh)
Sean Taylor
Content creator, appeared on The Circle (Netflix); also featured in Teen Mom episode
The Circle (Netflix)
Episode: "A Man Has Never Chanelled" (w/ Sean Taylor)
Deanna Cheng
Actor-writer, appearances on Black Monday and Heathers; host of How To Be Less Old
Self / How To Be Less Old
Episode: "Prosciutto Skeleton" (w/ Deanna Cheng)
Bryan Safi
Actor, writer, and podcast host
Episode: "Recovering People Pleasers" (w/ Bryan Safi)
Rachel Pegram
Comedian, actor, writer at SNL
Saturday Night Live
Episode: "Types of Expulsions" (w/ Rachel Pegram)
Gibson Johns
Entertainment journalist, Bravo scholar, podcaster
Gabbing with Gibbs / Esquire / E! News
Episode: "From Fatburger to Pizza Mama" (w/ Gibson Johns)
Chris Schleicher
TV writer and actor
The Mindy Project, Never Have I Ever, Saved by the Bell
Episode: "Knives on my Feet" (w/ Chris Schleicher)

Hosts

Jenny Donheiser
Co-host and lead conversationalist with a focus on candid, humorous analysis of culture and media—and a background in fostering in-depth discussions.
Nicole Spiezio
Co-host known for energetic storytelling, personal anecdotes, and a thoughtful take on body image, therapy, and culture.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 61 ratings
  • Hilarious and smart

    Love listening to these two give their insights on life, postpartum, babies and bravo.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gutentag4
    Germany4 months ago
  • ♥️♥️♥️

    Love my girls

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    aspiringsummerbody
    United States2 years ago
  • Caroline manzo

    Poor Dina and her daughter!! What Caroline did to them was awful!! Unfollowed

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    78angelx
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • A+ pod

    It is a true treat to do a deep dive into some very relatable brainwashing with these hilarious ladies! I’ve listened to every episode and have loved it all! Currently wondering what condiment I would be cast as…

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Prince_Ferg
    United States2 years ago
  • A perfect listening experience

    Jenny and Nicole are great hosts! They’re both hilarious and it feels like I’m hanging out with close friends whenever I tune in. Love how in each ep they highlight the work of fellow creatives with so much enthusiasm, then get down to the hard stuff, analyzing the ways we were all brainwashed. Sometimes the reveals are fun and silly, sometimes they’re a bit cynical. Unlike other “truther” pods, this one makes space for the self-realized wisdom of others, sharing life lessons we can all learn fr... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lil Beesh
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners note the show can be candid and provocative, which fits the hosts' bold, unapologetic style.
Guests are lauded for bringing expertise and personal storytelling that feels authentic and engaging.
Listeners praise the hosts' warmth and sense of humor, describing conversations as friendly and relatable.
The show is appreciated for thoughtful takes on brainwashing themes and media critique without becoming didactic.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

"Craisin Nachos" (w/ Jocelyn Bioh)
Q: What growing up did you think was true, real, the way of the world, either from your upbringing or media, that you've since learned was actually brainwashing?
Jocelyn explains that beauty standards, colorism, and the idea that lighter or particular textures are desirable shaped her self-perception in Ghana and beyond, and she discusses how writing School Girls allowed her to confront and rewrite those internal beliefs, recognizing that changing mindsets is possible but ongoing.
"A Man Has Never Chanelled" (w/ Sean Taylor)
Q: So Sean, is there something you used to think was true that you later realized was brainwashing?
Sean reflects on how Catholic upbringing, diet culture, and startup culture created a web of beliefs that felt
"Recovering People Pleasers" (w/ Bryan Safi)
Q: What is the guest's current show and how is it going on stage?
Bryan explains the show is going well overall, though he experiences daily panic before performances; audiences are supportive and feedback is used in real time to shape the performance.
"Types of Expulsions" (w/ Rachel Pegram)
Q: Was there something you used to believe growing up that you later realized was brainwashing?
Rachel shares how dress codes and fingertip-length rules made her feel shamed and categorized, illustrating how institutions teach girls to police their bodies from a young age.
"My Legs, My Armpit, and My Nipple" (w/ Gabe Gonzalez)
Q: Gabe, growing up, what did you think was true, real, the way of the world, either from media or your upbringing, that you have since learned was brainwashing?
Gabe explains two caveats (being gay and Puerto Rican with a Catholic upbringing) and then centers on the anti-hair industry of the late 90s/early 2000s as a major source of brainwashing, describing the era's fashion and hair removal trends and how they shaped his self-image.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About How Were U Brainwashed?

What is How Were U Brainwashed? about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Listeners can expect breezy, candid conversations that mix sharp cultural critique with warm, humorous banter. Episodes frequently thread through pop culture, media ecosystems, and personal journeys, often exploring identity, body image, motherhood, career pivots, and the economics of entertainment. Notable strengths include a candid host dynamic, thoughtful analysis of “brainwashing” tropes across society, and a willingness to dig into sensitive topics with humor and empathy. The format often features a guest from film, theater, TV, or indie media, with lively games and personal storytelling that keep the discussion relatable while still probing big questions about culture and media influence.

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To see how many followers or subscribers How Were U Brainwashed? has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to How Were U Brainwashed??

These podcasts share a similar audience with How Were U Brainwashed?:

1. Sexy Unique Podcast
2. Seek Treatment with Cat & Pat
3. Keep It!
4. I Need You Guys
5. Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

How many episodes of How Were U Brainwashed? are there?

How Were U Brainwashed? launched 4 years ago and published 172 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact How Were U Brainwashed??

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on How Were U Brainwashed??

Recent guests on How Were U Brainwashed? include:

1. Douglas Goodheart
2. Joel Perez
3. Jocelyn Bioh
4. Sean Taylor
5. Deanna Cheng
6. Bryan Safi
7. Rachel Pegram
8. Gibson Johns

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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