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Artwork for How Were U Brainwashed?

How Were U Brainwashed?

Jenny Donheiser
Parenting
Mental Health
Reality TV
Body Image
Reality Television
Motherhood
Social Media
Comedy
Divorce
Broadway
Pop Culture
Identity
Relationships
Job Interviews
Honesty
Traitors
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes165Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedyTV & Film

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Artwork for How Were U Brainwashed?

Latest Episodes

Jenny & Nicole welcome comedian and writer (SNL) Rachel Pegram to the pod!

They get into why "Obsession" reminded Jenny of her toddler, Rachel's Trader Joe's haul, if we're drinking too much water as a culture, Jenny peeing into a sifter to catch he... more

Jenny & Nicole welcome fellow podcaster Gibson Johns (Gabbing with Gib) to the pod this week!

They get into Nicole's awkward movie Q&A experience, Heather Dubrow reading her mom for filth on the RHOC premiere, Famesick's potential role in Jack Antono... more

Jenny & Nicole are joined this week by hilarious TV writer/actor, Chris Schleicher (The Mindy Project, Never Have I Ever)!

They get into Nicole's distaste for nature, wild parrots in New York City, toddler toy etiquette, homophobia in figure skating... more

In today's episode solo ep, Jenny & Nicole get into how good Maddie's Secret is, if Nicole is actually memorable or just fat, how making fun of people misspeaking is the ultimate Millenial humor, Jeremy Strong's wig in the Social Reckoning, which Val... more

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Recent Guests

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)
Gabe González
Comedian, writer, actor and host of We Disrupt This Broadcast and Cruising Confessions
Episode: "My Legs, My Armpit, and My Nipple" (w/ Gabe Gonzalez)
Claudia O'Doherty
Actor, writer, comedian
Maddie's Secret; New Zealand Spy; Trainwreck Love; Our Flag Means Death
Episode: "Butt Barrel Curls" (w/ Claudia O'Doherty)
John O'Neill
Writer and director who created Bridesman for Grindr, with a short film Sister
Grindr, Bridesman, Sister
Episode: "The Polite Olympics" (w/ John Onieal)
Matt McConkey
Actor, writer, host of Beloved Podcasts; host of Homophilia
Actor/Writer
Episode: "Basement Full of Lotion" (w/ Matt McConkey)
Guy Branum
Comedian, writer, actor, author
Author of Truly I Love My Life as a Goddess; Host of Talks to the Game Show
Episode: RE-RELEASE "Gay Jaundice Son" (w/ Guy Branum)
Jacob Perkins
Writer, actor, and clinician/researcher
Virginia Tech; UNC Greensboro
Episode: "Three Skeletons" (w/ Jacob Perkins)
Grace Glowicki
Filmmaker and actor, Dead Lover and Booger star
Grace Glowicki (filmmaker)
Episode: "Tooth Fees" (w/ Grace Glowicki)

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
    Germany3 months 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 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 States2 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.

"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.
"Three Skeletons" (w/ Jacob Perkins)
Q: So Jacob, what did you used to think was true and then realize might have been brainwashing?
He reflects on growing up in a context that valued visibility and applause, and how theater became a space to control perception and seek validation, leading to a broader realization about the difference between external recognition and genuine fulfillment.
RE-RELEASE "Gay Jaundice Son" (w/ Guy Branum)
Q: What did you used to think was true that you now question or reject?
Guy discusses his evolving views on body image, fat phobia, and the pressures men face, emphasizing that growth is ongoing and that one can pursue health without shaming or erasing fatness.
"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.

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?

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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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. Everything Iconic with Danny Pellegrino
4. Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
5. Pot Psychology

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

How Were U Brainwashed? launched 3 years ago and published 165 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. Gibson Johns
2. Chris Schleicher
3. Gabe González
4. Claudia O'Doherty
5. John O'Neill
6. Matt McConkey
7. Guy Branum
8. Jacob Perkins

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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