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Artwork for How Were U Brainwashed?

How Were U Brainwashed?

Jenny Donheiser
Parenting
Mental Health
Reality TV
Body Image
Motherhood
Social Media
Comedy
Divorce
Reality Television
Pop Culture
Broadway
Identity
Relationships
Job Interviews
Traitors
Honesty
Food and Nutrition
Expectations In Society
Spirituality
Productivity

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes156Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedyTV & Film

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Artwork for How Were U Brainwashed?

Latest Episodes

After a quick present-day catch-up with Jenny & Nicole where they get into The Comeback finale and if they should go to Bravofest in Charleston, we revisit the groundbreaking ep with the incredibly smart, funny, charming comedian, actor (Bros, Hacks,... more

This week on the pod, Jenny and Nicole welcome playwright, actor, and clinical mental health counselor Jacob Perkins to the pod!

We get into Nicole's cat wreaking havoc at the vet, Jenny's son only wanting to hear Scar's song from "The Lion King," ... more

In today's episode solo ep, Jenny & Nicole get into some real brainwashing about weight and bodies, Jenny's upcoming Ladies of London highlights tour, how Strangers is rich people porn, if reading outside will finally make us happy, if we'd rather be... more

In today's episode, Jenny & Nicole are joined by incredible filmmaker and actor (Dead Lover, Tito) Grace Glowicki!

They get into where the fuck the Tooth Fairy came from, ChatGPT trying to make Jenny eat ground turkey, Smell-O-Vision, who Pam Bondi ... more

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Grace Glowicki
Filmmaker and actor, Dead Lover and Booger star
Grace Glowicki (filmmaker)
Episode: "Tooth Fees" (w/ Grace Glowicki)
Ruby Roo
Iconic New York City drag queen and performer
Drag performance/Ars Nova (via prior affiliations mentioned)
Episode: "Complete Buffoonery" (w/ Ruby Roo)
Lara Marie Schoenhals
Host and creator of SUP (Sexy Unique Podcast)
Episode: "My Dad Has Beanie Babies" (w/ Lara Marie Schoenhals)
Jaclyn Backhaus
Playwright of Out of Time, Wives, India Pale Ale, and more
Playwright
Episode: "From Chipotle to Motherhood" (w/ Jaclyn Backhaus)
Lauren Hope Krass
Comedian, writer, actress; host of Belly Laughs
Whatnot (fashion selling)
Episode: "Crowd Work in Space" (w/ Lauren Hope Krass)
Shawn Parikh
Actor, writer, currently writing on the Peacock show Stumble
Peacock
Episode: "The Valid Victorian!" (w/ Shawn Parikh)
Bridger Winegar
Writer, actor, podcaster
I Said No Gifts (podcast)
Episode: "You Have Baloney Vibes" (w/ Bridger Winegar)
Yassir Lester
Stand-up comedian, writer, actor
Episode: "Grapes & Calamari" (w/ Yassir Lester)
Amil Niazi
Author of Life After Ambition, A Good Enough Memoir
Author / The Hard Part (TV/Book projects)
Episode: "It's a Journ" (w/ Amil Niazi)

Hosts

Nicole Spiezio
Host of the show, co-host
Jenny Donheiser
Co-host of the show, Host of How Were U Brainwashed?

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 60 ratings
  • Hilarious and smart

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gutentag4
    Germany16 days ago
  • ♥️♥️♥️

    Love my girls

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    aspiringsummerbody
    United Statesa year ago
  • Caroline manzo

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

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    78angelx
    United Kingdoma year 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 States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests are highlighted with enthusiasm and a collaborative vibe, not just “truther” content.
Hosts feel like close friends with thoughtful, funny takes on culture.
Show is praised for being smart, funny, and relatable with a wholesome, candid tone.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

"Complete Buffoonery" (w/ Ruby Roo)
Q: Was there something you used to think growing up that you later realized was brainwashing?
Ruby reflects on growing up in a conservative Christian environment, Bible quizzing, and the shift to a more anthropological understanding of religion, recognizing how indoctrination shaped beliefs and later questioning them.
"Tooth Fees" (w/ Grace Glowicki)
Q: What childhood belief do you think was actually brainwashing when you look back now?
Grace answers with Tooth Fairy: it's a basic, widespread belief with unclear origins and a possible function as a parental tool to aid tooth loss, framed as a magical ritual but potentially serving practical parenting needs.
"My Dad Has Beanie Babies" (w/ Lara Marie Schoenhals)
Q: What growing up did you think was true, real, the world, from media or upbringing, that you have since learned was brainwashing?
Lara describes teenage indoctrination at a troubled-teen boarding school, the mindset she believed at the time and how she eventually saw through it, including the manipulation techniques used by staff and the long journey to reclaim her voice and autonomy.
"From Chipotle to Motherhood" (w/ Jaclyn Backhaus)
Q: The question of this podcast is, how were you brainwashed? And by that we mean, what growing up did you think was true, real, the way of the world, either from your upbringing or media that you have since learned was actually brainwashing?
Jaclyn explains how early media like Got Milk ads shaped perceptions of beauty and desire, and reflects on how she now views those messages with a critical eye as a parent and creative professional.
"The Valid Victorian!" (w/ Shawn Parikh)
Q: So Shawn, what was something that you used to think was just like fact, true, the way things worked, and then at some point you started to look at it a little differently?
Shawn discusses his entry into the industry, the skepticism around rooms, and how writing and creating his own work helped him find a path forward, ultimately leading to a fellowship and on-camera opportunities.

Audience Metrics

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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?

Two hosts guide candid conversations with guests from comedy, television, theater, and writing, exploring how beliefs from childhood often collide with adult realities. Show topics span reality TV tropes, dating and dating-show mechanics, gender norms, body image, parenting, ambition, and mental health, all delivered with humor, warmth, and sharp cultural insight. Across episodes, the approach tends to mix personal anecdotes, pop culture critique, and playful games, creating a relatable space for listeners who enjoy spirited discussions about media, society, and self-improvement. Notable strengths include a bold willingness to tackle sensitive subjects with empathy and humor, plus a knack for spotlighting guests who bring both entertainment... more

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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. Pot Psychology
4. Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
5. StraightioLab

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

How Were U Brainwashed? launched 3 years ago and published 156 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on How Were U Brainwashed??

Recent guests on How Were U Brainwashed? include:

1. Grace Glowicki
2. Ruby Roo
3. Lara Marie Schoenhals
4. Jaclyn Backhaus
5. Lauren Hope Krass
6. Shawn Parikh
7. Bridger Winegar
8. Yassir Lester

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