A lot has been bubbling away when it comes to vaccines. There are protests around mandates, concerns about vaccine equity, and China is taking its own approach to the pandemic. The girls ask whether all this noise is really about jabs - or is there something else going on? Their music picks could not be more different this week which is a good thing - cos variety, spice of life stuff, you know...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the end of a long year (two years?) and the girls decide to riff, like a good old music jam. They throw a bunch of thought bubbles into the pot, from tapioca plastics to Kobe Bryant. Michelle opens up about the death of her dear friend and a letter he left her. They wind up the poddy season with a few cranking feel-good tracks. New season, February 2022. Until then, stay safe and thank you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While You Were Sleeping: Lucky Dip

The girls jump into the environmental cost of our digital lives, and it's not just our phones and electronics. This is mining on a massive scale: Bitcoin, AI, tapping our payments - they all need huge amounts of power. The stats are kinda eye-opening. Their tracks this week are open-hearted and have a similar vibe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While You Were Sleeping: Power Hungry

Kumi rocks up with her decaf in a disposable cup which kickstarts a chat about whether small changes actually make a difference. The girls dig into green fatigue and the bigger picture: global emissions fell during the pandemic - except for one big behemoth of a company. Their emissions rose 19 percent (hint, online shopping). Oh, the tracks this week are sweeeeet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While You Were Sleeping: Green Fatigue

While You Were Sleeping: Your Health According To

ICYMI, there's been a pandemic going on and it’s had a big impact on health, especially addiction. It’s prompted a rise in opioid abuse which hasn’t been helped by the new bad boy in town, Fentanyl. And as usual the girls have two great tracks to add to your playlist. email - weneedvalidation@gmail.com  Spotify Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5EoLkhsc40CpCqdD8qZ5kW?si=718855febc2f435cSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While You Were Sleeping: Over Dosed

It's the Android versus iPhone chat everyone's been waiting for as the girls get stuck into a tech-filled half hour. It's the Metaverse though, that really has them both wondering what the hell is going on and what we need to do prepare. And while it all seems a bit futuristic  it wasn’t that long ago we were asking what the internet was. Both music tracks are oldies but goodies this week. Definitely worth their place in the Spotify playlist email - weneedvalidation@gmail.com  Spotify Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5EoLkhsc40CpCqdD8qZ5kW?si=718855febc2f435cSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While You Were Sleeping: Computer Says What?

Michelle leaps straight into a bit of Fifty Shades of Grey chat, for no reason whatsoever. After Kumi pulls herself together, they delve into the growing world of Incels, 'involuntary celibates'. But, this is not about sex. It's about misogyny and male power and it's been going on, and thriving, while our focus has been elsewhere. Michelle plays a rocking Aussie track, while Kumi opts for a sweet 70's vibe. Oh, the new artwork is coming. Promise. email - weneedvalidation@gmail.com  Spotify Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5EoLkhsc40CpCqdD8qZ5kW?si=718855febc2f435cSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While You Were Sleeping: Incels

Remember the ship that was stuck in the Suez Canal? Yes, it was great fodder for memes but it highlighted how much rests on the supply chain operating smoothly. In the first episode of this new series, Michelle and Kumi look at why getting products from A to B has become so much harder for some, and so much easier for others. Plus, they dig out a few great tracks. And still need your validation. Thanks. email - weneedvalidation@gmail.com  Spotify Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5EoLkhsc40CpCqdD8qZ5kW?si=718855febc2f435cSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While You Were Sleeping: Supply Chains

The girls jump into the culture of shaming - it's pretty bad these days, right? - and they ask what responsibility news organisations have to those whose reputations have been destroyed. They're also embracing the pivot and are rebranding! From next episode there'll be new artwork, a new poddy name, but the same incomparable wit, sassy chat and amazing music picks. Oh, and this week it's Kumi's turn to confess... email - weneedvalidation@gmail.com  Spotify Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5EoLkhsc40CpCqdD8qZ5kW?si=718855febc2f435cSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shame Less

The girls chat cancel culture while tapping our toe into the idea of shame. Should great art be boycotted, if we don't agree with the artist? Some eclectic music picks, with Kumi revealing her rock side - she likes to think she's cool. While Michell has fallen off the wagon, or on it. No one really knows. Oh, and in the vibe of 2021, they're pivoting their poddy. email - weneedvalidation@gmail.com  Spotify Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5EoLkhsc40CpCqdD8qZ5kW?si=718855febc2f435cSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To Cancel Or Not To Cancel

It’s D-day The girls finally meet face and face and the love is not lost. Without skipping a beat they dive into  the role of physical libraries and social capital. And it’s book club month! Two non-fiction choices plus more great tunes for the playlist. email - weneedvalidation@gmail.com  Spotify Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5EoLkhsc40CpCqdD8qZ5kW?si=718855febc2f435cSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello, IRL

Despite being on a juice cleanse, Michelle manages to stay coherent and the girls riff about constructive storytelling, negative headlines and an uncomfortable truth: that all lives are not equal when it comes to the news. Kumi swears, a few times in fact, and, STOP THE PRESS! They will meet in person for the first time next week. They’re very excited and a bit nervous. But mainly excited. email - weneedvalidation@gmail.com Spotify Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5EoLkhsc40CpCqdD8qZ5kW?si=718855febc2f435cSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trust Me, I'm A Journalist

The girls can barely contain their excitement because they even have theme music now. Michelle discovers why Kumi (rightly) drinks decaf and they jump back into a murky news world driven by social media. Michelle reveals the track she strode down the aisle to, and Kumi rediscovers an old favourite.   email - weneedvalidation@gmail.com Spotify Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5EoLkhsc40CpCqdD8qZ5kW?si=718855febc2f435cSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trust Me, I'm an Expert

It's an exciting week! The girls have a Spotify playlist now and it's clear who has the best taste in music. They run through some theme music ideas, thanks to Michelle's DJ mate. And they dig into news: how much is too much and where's the line between what is necessary and what is not? Michelle gets a bit emotional over her music pick and Kumi taps into a bit of sampling. They're loving the email validation, too, btw.  Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5EoLkhsc40CpCqdD8qZ5kW?si=BvyhgNINQW2kVFteXGtFQQ&amp;dl_branch=1 Email us: weneedvalidation@gmail.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To News or Not to News?

The girls get straight into it this week, diving into the tricky, murky waters of race, political correctness and cancel culture. Michelle asks Kumi whether a certain question to her is racist and they nut out where there might be common ground. Kumi taps into Japan for her book and music choices, while Michelle reveals the track that makes it to her top list. They have listeners in Hong Kong, Australia and Japan so far - and the email address is working! Oh, and just so you know, pretty much all of this is ad-libbed. Which is a good thing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm Not Racist But

It’s date three. The girls feel more comfortable with each other and the masks are coming off. Kumi decides to stop trying to impress and be a bit more real. Michelle reveals more about her upbringing. They delve into mental health and the touchy topic of vaccine hesitancy. And, books! Kumi reveals perhaps her favourite ever. Michelle’s pick happens to be in a similar theme. And, they both choose Aussie bands for their music track. Oh and breaking news: they now have an email address, are working on theme music and even a Spotify playlist. Stay tuned!   New email - weneedvalidation@gmail.com  Lifeline: 13 11 14 Brene Brown, The Power of Vulnerability    Books Kumi - The Road, Cormac McCarthy Michelle - Before the Fall, Noah Hawley   Music Kumi - Free, Parcels Michelle - Sweet Disposition - Temper TrapSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No Friendship Hesitancy

The girls decide to meet up for date 2 and learn a bit more about each other: Michelle's Canadian twang and Kumi's tendency towards privacy. They chat about outrage culture and what happens in your brain when we are all so angry. Hey, it blocks all the good things, like creativity and joy and connection. And, there's another sharing of books: Kumi learns a bit more about how Michelle grew up; and Michelle gets a peek into what book is on Kumi's bedside table. Oh, and music. Both tracks this week are ones to dance to and dream of road trips! Oh, and date 3 is ON! LINKS New email - weneedvalidation@gmail.com @the.holistic.psychologist    BooksBoy Swallows Universe - Trent DaltonTiny Beautiful Things : Advice on Love and Life from Someone Who's Been There - Cheryl StrayedMusicHome  - LCD SoundsystemTake It From Me (Extended Mix) Feat. Emma Brammer, by Satin JacketsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Date Who Dis?

In this first episode of The Best Podcast Ever, we follow our main characters Kumi and Michelle as they share who reached out to whom, and just exactly what this podcast is about. A love story at its heart, the two women start to unpack what the other is about, set against a backdrop of lockdown, Afghanistan, The Fixated  Persons Unit and one lame Top Gun reference. Oh, and like any getting to know you phase, they share books and music. And agree to hang out again.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sliding into DM's

Kumi Tagachi and Michelle Stephenson are 2 storytellers who met online during a global pandemic. This is their story. It's a love story about two women who innocently followed each other on Twitter until one day, one of them slid into the others DM's. Follow Michelle and Kumi as they delve into getting to know each other while chatting politics, social media, books and music. They'll look at the Blurred Lines of a subject, the nexus between the left and right, the right and wrong while also digging deep into what got passed through parliament 'while you were sleeping' Also, a bit of a romance - we haven't stalked each other's socials, don't know anything about each other, so we're getting to know each other live, on air. And we'll see whether we like each other enough to have another dateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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