This week, school’s back in session… at least for our Banterly co-hosts, Aidan and Suha. Abbott Elementary is back with its fourth season, and we’re diving into this wildly popular show starring BuzzFeed queen Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williamson, Janelle James, and more. It’s been a while since Aidan and Suha have both been this obsessed with a show—so what makes Abbott such a standout? The answer: the brilliant cast, sharp wit, and unexpected life lessons. Plus, we’re taking a trip down memo...
Nov 06, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Aidan and Suha rewind and discuss Jordan Peele's trilogy of dark comedy, thriller, and horror, featuring Get Out, Us, and Nope. In this episode, our Gen Z hosts: Reveal their 2024 Halloween costumes while answering the QOTD. Explore the distinctions between the thriller and horror genres. Discuss Peele’s transition from comedy to directing. Rank their favorite films from Jordan Peele. Analyze the alternate ending of Get Out. Share their own “Get Out” experiences. __ Hosted by: Suha Musa & Ai...
Oct 30, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 42
This week on Banterly, Aidan and Suha review the latest Indian Hindi-language series Call Me Bae, starring Ananya Panday. The show has been compared to Emily in Paris, Schitt’s Creek, and Two Broke Girls for its blend of fashion, humor, and city life. In this episode, our Gen Z hosts: Answer the QOTD: "Which city would you move to?" Break down the show’s use of Gen Z slang and pop culture references Explore how Call Me Bae subtly reinforces themes of American exceptionalism Discuss the lack of v...
Oct 23, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 41
This week on Banterly, Aidan and Suha bond over their mutual dislike of Netflix's latest release, Uglies, starring Joey King and Laverne Cox. The film, set in a dystopian world where "uglies" undergo surgery to become "pretty," sparks a heated conversation. In this episode, our Gen Z hosts: Answer the QOTD: "Would you ever get plastic surgery?" Break down the movie’s plot holes and critique its portrayal of Western beauty standards Reminisce over their favorite dystopian media (1984, The Hunger ...
Oct 16, 2024•41 min•Season 1Ep. 38
This week on Banterly, we're featuring an episode from Financially Inclined by Marketplace—a series that simplifies money lessons to help shape your financial future. Every week, financial literacy advocate Yanely Espinal breaks down complex money topics, making them easy to understand so you can make the most of your life. In this episode, financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin helps us explore why we don’t always make the smartest money decisions. Plus, you'll learn brain-hacking tips to hel...
Oct 09, 2024•18 min
This week on Banterly, Aidan and Suha dive into religion, Mormonism, and the anthropology of reality TV, all sparked by Hulu’s latest hit, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. In this episode, our hosts: Reflect on their beliefs with the QOTD: "Do you consider yourself religious?" Spill the tea on MomTok drama and Taylor Frankie Paul Dish on what they loved (and didn’t) about the show Explore the cultural nuances of Mormonism And ask: Why is Mormonism having such a major pop culture moment? __ In j...
Oct 02, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 39
In this episode of Banterly, Suha and Aidan kick things off by discussing their simple self-care routines as fall approaches. The conversation quickly transitions to their latest binge-worthy obsession: Netflix’s limited series The Perfect Couple. Set against a lavish New England wedding backdrop, they unravel the show’s twists, turns, and dramatic potholes. Tune in as they dissect Nicole Kidman and Dakota Fanning’s standout performances, the tangled family dynamics, and how the show kept them g...
Sep 25, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Memes from last week’s presidential debate are all anyone can talk about, and Suha and Aidan are here to break down their favorites—ranging from Abdul in Afghanistan to cats and dogs in Springfield, Ohio. This week’s episode of Banterly takes a deep dive into the horror-comedy genre as they debate the best (and worst) scary movies. They compare the new Beetlejuice Beetlejuice film with the 1988 original, exploring what the sequel got right and what left them wanting more. __ Hosted by: Suha Musa...
Sep 18, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 36
In this episode of Banterly, Suha and Aidan dive into the iconic Deadpool vs. Wolverine showdown, unpacking their rivalry, character arcs, and the latest film's plot. They kick things off by sharing their personal histories with Marvel and DC. Aidan, a longtime comic book fan, offers sharp insights into Deadpool’s humor and clever nods to the franchise’s past, while Suha is captivated by a surprise cameo that left her cheering. Tune in for their unique takes and hear how these characters sparked...
Sep 11, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Curious about the summer's hottest trends? Join our Banterly hosts, Aidan and Suha, as they wrap up the season with a roundup of the most viral moments, including Brat Summer, Hawk Tuah, the "Give Me My Money" trend, cucumber mania, and their favorite TikTok stars. __ Hosted by: Suha Musa & Aidan Taylor Producer: Shei Yu | Content Writers: Suha Musa & Aidan Taylor I Editorial Review: Saadia Khan I Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other...
Sep 04, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 32
In the first-ever in-studio recording of Banterly, Suha and Aidan dive deep into the book-to-movie pipeline. From the tear-jerking Me Before You to the fan-favorite Percy Jackson series, they break down what works and what doesn't. But the real heat comes when they tackle It Ends With Us, critiquing Blake Lively’s flowery promotion and the film's controversial portrayal of domestic violence. Expect sharp critiques, lively banter, and plenty of hot takes! TW: The episode includes mentions of dome...
Aug 28, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Grab an Aperol Spritz and settle in—our favorite guest host Maya Shetty is back from an Italian summer vacay with Aidan, and they’ve got stories. As Lady Gaga said, it was a “No sleep! Bus, club, another club, another club, plane, next place” kind of trip. Maya and Aidan are here to dish out the highlights, from Aidan's clubbing misadventures to their scenic coastline road trip, and even hearing a ghost train on the beach... __ Hosted by: Maya Shetty & Aidan Taylor Producer: Shei Yu | Conten...
Aug 21, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Aidan and Suha dive into natural disasters, sharing their craziest stories from snowstorms and tornadoes. They pit the 1996 classic Twister against its 2024 reboot, Twisters, comparing storylines, special effects, and soundtracks while reading and reacting to funny Letterboxd reviews. __ Hosted by: Suha Musa & Aidan Taylor Producer: Shei Yu | Content Writers: Suha Musa & Aidan Taylor I Editorial Review: Saadia Khan I Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simo...
Aug 14, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 32
This week, we're dropping one of our favorite episodes from Sportly, a new podcast by Immigrantly Media. In this episode, sports journalist Kavitha A. Davidson explores the origins of breaking ("breakdancing") in the Bronx and its cultural and social significance. She also addresses the controversies surrounding its inclusion in the Olympics. Does this newfound visibility honor and uplift breaking and hip-hop culture, or does it risk commodifying a deeply expressive art form? In just 10 quick qu...
Aug 07, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Aidan and Suha discuss Twister, Love Lies Bleeding, Mansa Musa, the Byzantine Empire, codependency, TV season finales, and surviving on a desert island. We're diving into the award-winning TV show Hacks, which centers around the Las Vegas comedy scene and the generational divide between Boomers and Gen Z. __ Hosted by: Suha Musa & Aidan Taylor Producer: Shei Yu | Content Writers: Suha Musa & Aidan Taylor I Editorial Review: Saadia Khan I Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Immigran...
Jul 31, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 30
In this episode, our hosts dive into two recent Netflix docuseries: Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult and America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. While Suha finds one series to lack journalistic integrity, Aidan finds the other to be a surprising display of community. They share their top 3 favorite DCC cheerleaders and discuss their favorite and least favorite scenes from the show. In comparing the two groups, they tackle the pressing question: Are 7M TikTok and DCC a cult? ...
Jul 24, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 27
In this episode of Banterly, we're talking about Season 3 of the award-winning show, The Bear! Aidan and Suha explore its new 'artsy' direction and dissect their favorite episode, 'Napkins,' directed by the talented Ayo Edebiri. Tune in to discover our hosts' thoughts on food influencers, hear about Aidan's experience dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris, and learn why Suha thinks she and Ayo Edebiri would be best friends. __ Hosted by: Suha Musa & Aidan Taylor Producer: Shei Yu ...
Jul 17, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 28
This week, join Banterly co-hosts as they dive into international media. They share their experiences with foreign languages and discuss recent international films like the Polish thriller Inheritance. Drawing comparisons to popular American mystery murder movies like Knives Out and And Then There Were None, Aidan and Suha explore the pros and cons of watching foreign cinema with dubbed versus subtitled content. Plus, they reveal their favorite international shows and music! __ Hosted by: Suha M...
Jul 10, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Aidan and Suha share their thoughts on anxiety while reviewing the latest box office hit, Inside Out 2. The hosts reminisce about their favorite childhood animated movies and openly discuss their experiences learning about emotions and puberty. Stay tuned to hear their formative core memories and favorite tips for coping with anxiety! __ Hosted by: Suha Musa & Aidan Taylor Producer: Shei Yu | Content Writers: Suha Musa & Aidan Taylor I Editorial Review: Saadia Khan I Sound Designer &...
Jul 03, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 26
This week, we're diving into the kooky, absurd, and surrealist world of Julio Torres, spotlighting his debut movie Problemista (2023) and the recent TV show Fantasma (2024). Known for his unique comedic style, Torres stars, directs, and produces these works, blending humor and surrealism to highlight the complexities and contradictions of the US immigration system. Through his storytelling, he sheds light on the stressful and bureaucratic nature of the process. Tune in to hear about Aidan's grow...
Jun 26, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 25
This week on Banterly, we're talking about hot rodent boyfriends, elections, and Veep! Aidan and Suha bond over one of their favorite shows, discussing two highly-rated episodes: "Helsinki" (Season 2, Episode 5) and "Kissing Your Sister" (Season 5, Episode 9). They explore Veep's brilliance through its offhanded one-liners, mock delivery, and character development, drawing parallels between Selina Meyer and our current VP, Kamala Harris. It's a hilarious episode packed with Veep's trademark sati...
Jun 19, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Season 3, Part 2 of Bridgerton drops tomorrow, June 13th, and we’ve got something special lined up! Our favorite guest host, Maya Shetty, is back to chat with Suha about the latest buzz surrounding Bridgerton. They dive into Part 1 of the new season, discussing all the major plot twists and courtship drama, especially the focus on Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton (aka Polin). They also tackle some serious topics like racism (or the lack of it), sexism, colorism, and body positivity in...
Jun 12, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 23
In this week's episode of Banterly, Suha and Aidan dive into the world of summer anthems, exploring what makes a song the ultimate summer hit. They discuss the key elements that make these tracks unforgettable and reminisce over memorable summer hits like "Despacito," "Flowers," and "Blinding Lights." Tune in for a lively discussion filled with fun summer jams, and stick around till the end to hear the hosts reveal their picks for their top 5 songs of the summer. __ Hosted by: Suha Musa & Ai...
Jun 05, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 22
On this week's episode, co-hosts Aidan and Suha share their thoughts on the concept of "home," as a generation accustomed to flux and change. What is home? How do you make a place feel like home? And how do media representations shape our view of home? Aidan shares his experience growing up in St. Louis near Ferguson. He discusses the impact of the documentary What Killed Michael Brown? and its role in the birth of the Black Lives Matter movement. Suha shares her experiences in Albuquerque, the ...
May 29, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 21
In this episode of Banterly, we are thrilled to welcome our new cohost, Suha Musa! Suha joins Aidan to discuss the captivating world of Netflix's hit show, Baby Reindeer. Together, they explore the intricate balance of using personal trauma in storytelling, questioning whether it is exploitative in the same way true crime documentaries can be. The conversation takes a critical turn as Suha and Aidan discuss the importance of protecting privacy against the pervasive threat of internet doxxing. Th...
May 22, 2024•29 min
This episode is all about competition, ranging from the rap feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake to the intense on-screen matches in Challengers. Aditi and Aidan unravel the drama and tangled love triangle between Tashi (Zendaya), Art (Mike Faist), and Patrick (Josh O’Connor), navigating the complexities of their threesome dynamic through the game of tennis. At the end of the episode, one of our co-host announces some bittersweet news–stay tuned! __ Hosted by: Aditi Misra & Aidan Taylor Pro...
May 15, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 19
In this week's episode, Banterly welcomes back guest host Maya Shetty (#Cancelled) to the studio! Our hosts discuss Dev Patel’s directorial debut Monkey Man, debating its surface narrative and political undertones. They unravel its rich tapestry of Hindu mythology and its commentary on prevailing political and censorship issues in India. Tune in for an insightful discussion on religion, politics, and mythology! __ Hosted by: Maya Shetty & Aidan Taylor Producer: Shei Yu | Content Writers: May...
May 08, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Hey Banterly listeners! We're taking a short break to work on some exciting content. Check back next week for our episode on Dev Patel's directorial debut, Monkey Man. In the meantime, listen to one of our favorite episodes so far: The Age of the Reboot. ___ Hosted by: Aditi Misra & Aidan Taylor Producer: Shei Yu | Content Writers: Aditi Misra & Aidan Taylor I Editorial Review: Saadia Khan I Sound Designer & Editor: Ben Alleman I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Musi...
May 01, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Join Aidan and Aditi in this special episode where they take a break from their usual pop culture explorations to give you a glimpse behind the scenes. They share their thoughts on hosting the podcast so far, reflecting on their favorite moments and challenges. Stay tuned to the end of the episode as our hosts share their favorite New York City spots. Aidan recommends his go-to thrift stores while Aditi shares the music venues she loves for discovering NYC's underground electronic scene. So, whe...
Apr 24, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 16
In this week’s episode, Aidan and Aditi explore the innovative film Boyhood (2014), shot over 12 years to authentically capture a boy named Mason's journey from childhood to adulthood. They discuss director Richard Linklater's unique narrative approach and relate it to their own childhood experiences, sharing personal stories and excerpts from Aditi’s childhood diary. Our hosts discuss aging and adulthood, particularly through the lens of post-college life. They explore how Gen Z's views on "gro...
Apr 17, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 15
