Episode 9: When Keeping It Real Goes Right

On this episode of Cuntiosity, it’s about to be 2026, and we ain’t ready, or are we?…one of us is, the other, has some trepidations. Any guesses who? While we’ve been enjoying the strange, quiet, twinkly days tucked in between the Christmas holidays and New Year’s Day, we’re trying to think ahead to 2026—still discovering things about our friendship and each other that surprise, delight, and sometimes shock us. Join us for a little time-traveling 80s slang, wondering about our Christmas girlie status, and questioning why every single app is doing a year-in-review recap. We’re missing analog life, and maybe that’s some of what we want to carry into 2026—along with this friendship of radical acceptance and mutual elasticity, plus mixtapes, a tarot card reading, and a bit of screaming and kicking. So join in and join us as you ring it in! Happy 2026 from us —Reshma and TiaOn this episode, we have a serious discussion about our hopes and dreams and wishes for 2026….PSYCH! No we don’t, we wax poetic about the analog age, how we let ourselves drift through that liminal space between Christmas and New Year’s Day where time feels suspended and nothing quite matters in the usual way, and how the simple act of shutting down the work laptop might be single the true miracle of the season.We talk about the 80’s slang in Stranger Things and if it is authentic and does that even matter? Why does everything have to become such a debate? Ugh.So boring. We also talk about how nice the collective quiet of this time of year can be if you stay away from the hustle and bustle of it all. Getting ready for our New Year rituals, Tia will be journaling, pulling tarot cards and getting ready to rise early on NewYear’s day, while Reshma carries on into 2026, kicking and screaming, overwrought from Christmas to New Year, to her impending birthday. At least we’ve got each other and we’ll keep grabbing hold of our friendship, despite our sometimes wildly differing personalities. This is a friendship that works through it all and we look forward to more in 2026. So make your resolution (or disillusion) boards, practice your rituals, and stay connected with us by liking and subscribing.  As always, we close with one of the “36 Questions: How to fall in love,” based on the study by psychologist Arthur Aron, and this week’s question 16 invites us to name what we value most in a friendship. How would you answer this for yourself? Your answers might surprise you. https://36questionsinlove.com00:00 Psyche! What's The Right Slang Gang?01:51 We're just making things up in 202602:31 Are You A Christmas Girlie?05:13 Coasting On The Quiet Parts Of Holiday Season10:22 What Even Is Boxing Day?11:20 Boxing Day and Cultural Traditions15:42 Too Many End Of Year Recaps All Over The Place17:32 There Were Some Delightful Recaps Too!19:31 Put The Needle On The Record21:35 What Would Lily Allen Think?26:09 Are Music Albums More Like Books?30:28 Vision Board, Disillusion Board, You Decide.32:30 What Keeps Your Friendship Connected?37:35 12 second ident.mp4Episode 16 Cuntiosity, friendship podcast, year in review podcast, end of year reflections, analog life, mixtape culture, Christmas feelings, New Year intentions, Arthur Aron 36 questions, female friendship, Cuntiosity podcast, women over 50, friendship, Gen X, podcasting with friends, podcast, the UK, the US, New York, London, Brighton, New York, older and wiser, staying curious

On this episode of Cuntiosity, we get into the very loaded, very current, and somehow still controversial reality of being single and child-free by choice. It feels deliciously rebellious, and suddenly quite in fashion because mediocre men are out, internet solidarity for women is in and chosen family is the it family. Also, what’s with all of the relationship soft launches…girls, psst, are we hiding our boyfriends? Weren’t we always?...Is it trad wife backlash or quiet viral solidarity. There is a brilliant freedom to not centering one’s life around coupledom, isn’t there? We hope you enjoy hearing from us—Reshma and TiaIn this episode, we unpack what it really means to be single and child-free by choice in a culture that still treats coupledom and motherhood as default settings. We talk about how language matters—childless versus child-free—and why so many assumptions about women who opt out are outdated or just plain wrong. We explore chosen family, pets as power symbols, dating fatigue, and why not wanting to share your space, your time, or your life plan can be victorious, not a flaw. We dig into the Vogue article asking whether having a boyfriend is embarrassing now, the rise of “choose better men,” and the viral Megan thread that turned into a full-blown internet rescue mission and a rallying cry against mediocre men. We touch on how politics, trad wife culture, and conservatism shape relationship expectations, why singlehood can feel like social rebellion, and how friendships shift when people pair off and have kids. We also get honest about our own relationship histories, serial monogamy versus serial dating, the biology-versus-soul question around motherhood, and the moment you realize the pressure isn’t coming from inside you at all. As always, we close with one of the “36 Questions: How to fall in love,” based on the study by psychologist Arthur Aron, ending with this week’s question: Is there something you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time, and why haven’t you done it yet? Our answers might surprise you. https://36questionsinlove.comChapters00:00 Introduction to Episode 1501:07 Child-Free and Single by Choice03:55 Navigating Relationships and Societal Expectations06:36 The Evolution of Relationship Dynamics08:53 The Impact of Societal Norms on Personal Choices12:03 Reflections on Parenthood and Child-Rearing15:13 The Personal Journey of Being Child-Free16:53 The Influence of Friends and Social Circles20:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts27:47 Navigating Age and Relationships31:19 The Search for Megan: A Viral Moment32:53 Dreams and Aspirations: What Holds Us Back?38:16 Exploring Ancestry and Emotional JourneysCuntiosity podcast, child free by choice, aging single, women over 50, chosen family, dating culture, mediocre men, down with the patriarchy, couple problems, dating, relationships, chosen family, Gen X, podcasting with friends, podcast, the UK, the US, New York, London, Brighton, New York, older and wiser, staying curious

On this episode of Cuntiosity, we break free from the grip of the evil sugar empire, express a little political rage, and question celebrity, asking how do we consume without harm, who we cancel, and how far down the existential, do-no-harm rabbit hole, a gal can go before ending up isolated in the woods rubbing twigs together. We hope you enjoy hearing from us—Reshma and TiaIn this episode, we start right in with sugar addiction. Oh the sweet stuff, we do love us some sugar but at what cost? The western world lives knee-deep in Big Sugar, Big Alcohol, Big Tobacco, Big everything in a system that keeps us hooked while blaming us for being human. Join us as we talk about getting over sugar. Can Matcha out-match morning coffee? Why is vegan yogurt such a sugar trap? What about maple syrup, is that really better?  This is an existential spiral through  global consumption, unpacking how guilt, power, history, and habit weave into our daily lives. We also swerve into the minefield of boycotting problematic celebrities. Can you love someone’s art while boycotting them? Would you like to be famous or just well known? We talk a little about everything: politics, healthcare, tariffs, menopause medication hoops, and why living in America sometimes feels like a full-contact sport. It’s provocative, candid, and very us—curiosity, sugar cravings, and a lot of laughing through the existential dread.As always, we close with one of the “36 Questions: How to fall in love,” based on the study by psychologist Arthur Aron. Our answers might surprise you. https://36questionsinlove.com00:00 Episode 14 Introduction00:17 Sugar, it's really bad,  aww, honey honey, do you know hows its made?01:43 Dunking biscuits in coffee03:20 Sugar production in Florida? Who knew?06:20 Wanna live in a world that's sugar-free07:24 Quit like a woman 09:51 Don't drink, don't smoke, what do you do?12:15 Maple syrup over sugar anytime13:17 The existential battle of do no harm18:26 When is it time to cancel artists?22:02 Róisín Murphy of Moloko is all anti-trans now26:36 Crining over awful celebrity behaviors29:54 Judgment and Acceptance in Society31:52 Reshma paid her first tariff and she's real mad about it37:18 From buying goods to prescription prices, everything sucks in America44:08 Do you wanna be famous? Sugar politics, cancel culture, menopause, fame debate, moral consumption, global consumption, sustainability, existential dread, tariffs, Women over 50, HRT, Gen X, podcasting with friends, podcast, the UK, the US, New York, London, Brighton, Paris, older and wiser, staying curious

On this episode of Cuntiosity, we get a little metaphysical with it from psychic synchronicities to the bliss of zoning out, we wander through what it means to be “tuned in” versus “checked out.” We hope you enjoy hearing from us—Reshma and Tia.From asking if our dogs can read our dreams, to those unusual coincidences and synchronicities we all experience, what’s just coincidence or something more going on? We talk about the Telepathy Tapes podcast that’s gone viral in the US and also talk about mediation. There’s so many different approaches to meditation, we’ve both tried a few,  sometimes it involves a binaural beat, sometimes bubble wrap. Join us while we talk about what can make us feel more energetically connected and in sync, while our estrogen patches keep us physically capable.As always, we close with one of the “36 Questions: How to fall in love,” based on the study by psychologist Arthur Aron—this time asking: what’s something in your life you’d like to be able to share with another person? Our answers might surprise you. https://36questionsinlove.com00:00 This is not rehearsed, you have been warned😀00:22 Trying out an American accent 01:09 Too old for spontaneous laughter02:07 Please can we normalize my menopausal delay?03:49 HRT Problems05:11 The torture of being sleepless next to a fast asleep creature05:57 Are you psychically connected to the dog?06:43 The dog can stay but all others, please and kindly leave08:18 Have you heard the Telepathy Tapes podcast?10:47 Brain evolution or are we back in the simulation?12:51 Challenging if coincidence is really psychic ability 14:05 When game play might be some unconscious brain training14:49 Mediation and enhancing what the brain can do15:43 Relying on westerners to make something ancient go mainstream with a post16:35 Learning versus awakening knowledge 20:04 Trusting your gut and listening to it22:15 What can we learn from disconnecting with out 3D bodies24:01 Get fidgety with it25:18 Meditations on meditation27:28 From transcendental meditation to the great beyond28:55 Guided meditation works for Tia but triggers Reshma30:59 Using binaural beats and rhythms to reset the mind34:02 Seeking partnership for sharing things in day to day lifeWomen over 50 podcast, telepathy, intuition, estrogen, HRT, meditation, mindfulness, transcendental meditation, binaural beats, psychic connection, women over 50, Gen X, podcasting with friends, podcast, the UK, the US, New York, London, Brighton, Paris, older and wiser, staying curious

On this episode of Cuntiosity, we talk about everything from spooky coincidences and quitting jobs to bad daughters, broken watches, and the art of figuring life out one strange story at a time. We hope you enjoy hearing from us—Reshma and Tia.In this wildly wandering episode, we flip the script and open with one of the  “36 Questions: How to fall in love” that we usually close with. Coincidentally, randomly, dare we say, spookily, Tia’s pulled question 36–the last question of them all. Are we ready for this? This one was all about sharing personal problems, and seeking the other’s advice. One of us wants to quit her job, the other needs a tech replacement, or does she? What do you think? Somehow we ended up talking all about books: making them, selling them, self-publishing them, like Reshma has done in the past, and Tia’s friend Sangeeta Pillai has recently done with her new book Bad Daughter. This episode is all about taking creative leaps, the courage it takes to start something new, or unlearn expectations, the whispers we grow up with, and the comfort of reclaiming who we are. Along the way there are detours into stinky ginkgo nuts, spooky hotels, foraging in city parks, and a big goodbye to London. It’s a perfectly imperfect mix of introspection, laughter, and late-night honesty, only it’s done during the day…we need our sleep. https://36questionsinlove.com00:00 Episode 12 Introduction 00:39 Enter the upside down: we are doing the episode in reverse01:25 Beginning with ending02:40 Question 36 is complicated04:58 Advice from an unreliable source05:58 Walk off your job or plan the quitting? 08:02 That time when Reshma started a publishing company09:50 From furry costumes selling kids books to getting published10:50 That time a pizza guy got one of us a job in publishing12:02 Manifestation or sneaking in the back door?14:33 From getting a book deal to breaking a book deal15:05 Learning the nitty gritty of making picture books16:28 Supporting new independent author17:20 On the subject of self publishing, it's a lot easier now18:23 New book alert: Bad Daughter by Sangeeta Pillai19:39 The cultural connotations of "bad daughter"20:46 Reflections of our childhood selves24:59 What's Tia's problem that she needs help solving?25:33 Spooky experiences and occult occurrences27:41 Replacing tech is so expensive and hard to avoid33:06 There's never enough time for a chat and a catch-up33:46 Female ginkgo tree and it's smelly seeds36:46 Lying flat is a new movement happening in China38:43 Going home to America40:59 Last night party in London43:14 Tia finally solves Reshma's problem that we opened with45:42 Ending on a high note!Topics: Bad Daughter, quitting your job, spooky season, spooky stories, self publishing, books, bookmaking, religion and belief, identity, authenticity, relationships, women over 50, Gen X, podcasting with friends, podcast, the UK, the US, New York, London, Brighton, Folkstone, Paris, older and wiser, staying curious

On this episode of Cuntiosity, we talk about how AI is changing what we do—from acting to writing, what parts of AI scare us, and how much harder it’s becoming to recognize what’s real, in a world that’s starting to feel more and more simulated. We hope you enjoy hearing from us—Reshma and Tia This week on Cuntiosity, we dive deep into the rise of AI actresses like Tilly Norwood and ask: what does this mean for art, creativity, and reality? From the blurred line between performance vs programming, to how AI seeps into our work, our habits, and our sense of reality, we once again ask: what even is reality? We share how we each use (and sometimes are in a fight with) different AIs, where AI helps and where it’s hollow, and what makes something still human. Also, how is the next generation inventing high-tech off grid ways to stay connected and current? Reshma calls this new digital analog hybrid world “digitalog”—where creativity takes back its soul. What do you think about that? Come get curious with us.As always, we close with one of the “36 Questions: How to fall in love,” based on the study by psychologist Arthur Aron—this time asking: what, if anything, is too serious to joke about? The answer might surprise you.https://36questionsinlove.com00:00 Introduction and Monday Vibes01:22 An Inception Token: Making Sure You're In The Right Reality01:52 Charity Store Finds Show and Tell06:18 Tilly Norwood, AI Acting, and The Reality It Challenges10:38 Is AI The New Animation? 13:13 Why Do We So Easily Suspend DisBelief Except With AI?15:40 AI Reanimates The Dead But Who Owns Your Rights After You Are Dead?18:34 Identifying AI Is Tricky, Even For The Familiar20:26 From AI Actors to AI Writers: Which Is Worse? 23:09 Overcome Fear of The Blank Page Or Let AI Do It?24:33 Harnessing AI for Creative Efficiency26:47 Is Using AI Ignorant, Lazy, Or Efficient? 29:19 Nuances of The Human Brain Versus AI31:39 The Evolution of Tech and Job Replacement34:51 Moving At The Speed of Life36:20 The Fast Fashion of Content Consumption38:55 Did Reshma Invent A New Category: Digilog40:35 Personal Choices in Streaming and Content Consumption42:57 36 Questions To Fall In LoveAI actress, artificial intelligence, creative industry, Tilly Norwood, simulation theory, ChatGPT, digital ethics, future of creativity, acting and AI, authenticity, friendship and work, women over 50, Gen X, podcasting with friends, podcast, the UK, the US, New York, London, staying curious

On this episode of Cuntiosity, we talk brain aging, fading friendships or are they waning and ebbing? And finding fun again! From a scary moment in parent-care to tree climbing and AI actresses–we ask what’s too serious to joke about, and why being “cringe” might just be the new cool. We hope you enjoy hearing from us—Reshma and Tia This week on Cuntiosity, we jump right in with some set-up chaos and end with another deep question. Between the London rain and Brighton sun, we catch up on life, work, and the strange, sometimes unsettling ebbs and flows of friendship. Tia share’s her mum’s recent health scare, while Reshma reflects on caregiving guilt, and the relentless juggle of work and worry. Also, have you ever heard any Palestinian folktales, we’ve got one for you that’s strange and wonderful and makes us reflect on what happens when all of the keepers of a culture are lost. We also talk about searching for fun, are we ever too old to climb a tree?...with adult supervision of course. From that AI actress, to what happens when humans stop being able to tell what’s real, we stay curious about everything. As always, we close with one of the “36 Questions: How to fall in love,” based on the study by psychologist Arthur Aron—this time asking: what, if anything, is too serious to joke about? The answer might surprise you. https://36questionsinlove.com00:00 We're Experiencing Technical Difficulties 04:54 Tia's Shares Some Recent Worries Over Her Mum10:02 Aphasia Dysphasia Lost In Translations, Miscommunications, and Interpretations12:02 Self Tapes Are Self Care: Acting Is Work But Also A Much Needed Break 13:58 Fairytales, Folklore, and Cultures: A Folktale From Palestine20:15 Who Keeps Culture Alive When Both Old And Young Are Lost?22:47 If Fun Keeps Us Young, Why Aren't We Having Any Fun?25:37 Let's Climb A Tree! (With Adult Supervision)27:45 Rollerblading Gone Oh So Wrong31:02 Can't We Play Like Children Do?35:56 Navigating Friendship Dynamics38:51 When Life Spirals, You Can't Always Catch Up41:53 Are You Fast Or Slow ? ...Texting, We're Talking About Texting45:13 Don't Make Koli An AI Dog50:09 36 Questions-What Can't You Joke About?cuntiosity, podcast, reshma and tia podcast, friendship and work, women over 50, midlife, friendship and aging, caregiving, stroke recovery, AI and creativity, Palestinian folktales, Palestine, generational loss, having fun, fun,  finding fun again, Gen X, cringe culture, female friendship conversations,  podcasting with friends, podcast, the UK, the US, New York, London

Tia and Reshma are opening up about the real challenges they face as friends collaborating on a podcast together. There’s always a lot of laughter but what about the little frictions that come when your outtie’s bestie meets your innie? Come behind-the-scenes to hear about where we’ve struggled, and excelled, all while deeply respecting our love for each other…from butt-grabs gone wrong and moon cup dramas to ADHD tangents and menopause truths–this one is all about navigating friendship, work, and everything messy in between.This week on Cuntiosity, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it’s really like to make a podcast with a close friend. We dive into the messy, funny, and sometimes awkward dance between friendship and collaboration—there are miscommunications, learning curves, and our different work styles to contend with, that we know, ultimately compliment each other.  From who’s doing what, to toe-stepping rabbit holes, we talk about our menopause moods and the wild evolution of our neuro-spicy brains, with honesty and laughter, and we even ended up sharing some cringe-worthy embarrassing moments (yep, accidental butt grabs and moon cup mayhem). For us, this podcast isn’t about numbers or perfection — it’s our living notebook, our digital footprint, and our way of staying curious (and a little cunty) about life, work, and friendship.https://36questionsinlove.com@cntiosity on Instagram and YouTube00:00 Friending and Working Together Is Hard04:26 Meeting My Innie When You're Besties with My Outtie06:44 Juggling Our Different Skill Sets Without Looking Like Clowns09:13 The Real Reason We Make this Pod: Reshma's Depression14:00 When Your Fun Time Turns Into A Job You Dread18:26 How Radical Honestly Works When Working With A Friend25:16 Slowing The Conversation Down To Get Clarity26:40 Maybe It's Serious ADHD, Maybe It's Just Fantastic28:57 Is ADHD Evolution or Devolution: Doesn't Matter, I'm Tuned In34:15 Survival in a Technological Age36:17 The Evolution of the Human Brain37:25 Planning Vs Winging it: Successful Collaboration43:11 36 Questions to Fall in Love With Your Friends45:15 Ummm, That Was Embarrassing

Tia and Reshma are reuniting in London, seeing each other for the first time in over a year. Join them as they catch up, reconnect, and talk about sharing spaces, experiences, and ideas about the world. This was a really special one for us, to bee in person with each other and we hope it’s a treat for you too to see us outside of our little video player boxes, and live together.We are so excited to bring you this reunion episode, we’re back together in London! On this episode of Cuntiocity, join our live catch up where we talk about what it feels like to be back together. We (Reshma + Tia) have not seen each other in person for over a year so come wander through our reunion, hear all about how Reshma gets her dog to the UK, and Tia's last performance of a Midsummer Night's Dream in a brilliant English garden. We also talk about our aging moms, corporate life drama: Have you ever cried at work?From navigating the Eurotunnel with diva-dog Koli to unpacking simulation theory, we share laughs, tears, and the small rituals that keep us connected. We get personal about our mothers, the lessons in acceptance, and the joy of making them laugh even through life’s hardest chapters. True to form, we meander—sometimes deep, sometimes playful, always real. Stay curious with us.00:00 Reshma's Back In London with Koli03:31 All For The Dog: Traveling from NY to London Via Paris06:28 The Magic of Outdoor Shakespeare09:47 Actor's Life: Making A Pub Into A Midsummer Night's Dream12:40 Sharing A Space: Close Friends, Very Different Lives15:02 America vs The UK: Seeking Calm Inside A Calamity15:40 Could This All Be A Simulation19:40 Do You Talk To Your Parent Like They Are A Child?25:00 Speaking Of Feelings: Have You Ever Cried At Work?28:10 That Time Tia Worked For Elle Not On The L30:45 The Culture of Lording Power In Corporate Workplaces33:16 That Time Tia Was At A Vivienne Westwood Show!34:52 36 Questions To Fall In Love: What's Today's Question?39:05 Feeling vs Being: How We Feel Shifts, How We Be Isn't Always AlignedFollow Us:Instagram: @cntiosityThreads: @cntiosityTikTok: @cntiosity https://www.tiktok.com/@cntiosityTia: @heytiadunn  Reshma: @reshmatime

This week is a bonus epsiode! Reshma and Tia chat about wired headphones...are they making a comeback, are they really more secure? We also talk tattoos from the 90's and why women choose the bear. It's men people, it's becuase of men. Why have we let the male gaze ruin everything for so long? Well, no more! We cover:​ Hair-saving wired earbuds, off-leash dog chaos & why “live” news feels like a loop​ The “tramp stamp” stigma—who decided placement = promiscuity? (spoiler: patriarchy)​ Tattoo stories: first-tattoo meaning, a London ink memory, and red-ink laser fails​ Guilty-pleasure confessions (Oreos, Biscoff, Coke Zero + crisps)​ Dr. Arthur Aron’s 36 Questions—Q17: Treasured memories (Nana!)