Normal Gossip

S1Ep1: Gossiptonin with Virgie Tovar

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7evPJohN2t9DAPctpZQZV2?si=Y0-Otf23SaWxkLqdFO
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Each episode features gossip based on real events that podcast host Kelsey McKinney tells the
audience. This first episode features Virgie Tovar as a guest host. She also hosts another podcast
called Rebel Eaters Club and is the author of several books. Her latest publication up to the
recording of the episode is Body Positive Journal. They talk about the influence of gossip on social
dynamics and whether she considers herself a gossip person. The host tells the story of Lexi, a girl
about to graduate with a PhD in American Studies from a large university. She wanted to join the
group of other PhD students, make contacts and be like those people who have a lot of money and
could help her in her future career. The girlfriend of the captain of the volleyball team she plays for
invites her to a camping weekend, which he doesn't want to go on. She accepts the invitation and
on this trip, which involves 4 people, she discovers that the girl is unfaithful to her partner with
another guy. The fourth girl ends up telling other people what happened, such as classmates and
teachers. At the graduation party of the doctorate, all the attendees know the gossip except the boy
who doesn't know that his partner has been unfaithful. She was in doubt whether to tell him
because he is an acquaintance she is fond of, but for fear of not belonging she says nothing. The
boy ends up finding out from someone else. In the end they end up wondering whether it was right
to keep quiet or not.

I think it's a podcast that is interesting to most people because we can all be interested in gossip. It's
fun and interesting to hear about other people's lives and comment on them, whether with good or
bad intentions, plus we can always find out about something that has happened to someone
without even intending to find out. In this episode in particular I liked the reflection of the guest
who is very honest and while the host tells the story, she puts herself in the shoes of the girl Lexi,
who like many other people tries to fit into a group of people with whom she shares in part her
professional vocation but not her social or economic status. Many of us have found ourselves in the
situation of whether to be good friends and tell something we know a friend should tell or to keep
quiet in order to remain part of a group where one does not feel part of it because of the clear
difference in principles or other standards.