Quick edit: At 28 min, Sammi says "The Sound of Music." She meant "Singing in the Rain." 

In light of the recent censorship on behalf of ABC/Disney, we decided it was a good time to talk about some important movies and other pieces related to censorship and the media. Yes, we will likely return to Bachelor Nation, but not right now! For the time being, consider this a crossover episode into a new podcast that will be launching soon - The Horrors Persist. 

For our first episode, we cover A Face in the Crowd, a 1957 movie starring Andy Griffith. Steve describes it is as  movie that covers the first influencer. Sammi describes it by saying it's like what Being There would be like if the main character was a dick. Either way, we hope you enjoy it! 

You can watch this movie on Tubi if you're looking for a place to stream it, at least as of the time of this publishing. Some other things we cover: 

 * The Culture of Narcissism by Christopher Lasch 
 * Food for Nought, a book by Ross Hume Hall 
 * In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson 
 * Welcome to Me 
 * Citizen Kane
 * Network
 * Ace in the Hole 

If you want to keep up with more horror and horror-adjacent work (this one is definitely adjacent, but horror-like based on the state of things), make sure you check out theorrors.co [https://thehorrors.co/]. There will be much more on there soon! 

The Horrors Persist (Crossover Ep): A Face in the Crowd 

We are just as messy with our notes (OK, Sammi is) as the Mormon Wives are with their friendships. We talk about the middle of the second season of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives while we unbox the last (for now) Jilly Box from Fall 2025. Sad days, but warm vibes from that scalloped baking tray. 

Soda Jerks: Fall 2025 Jilly Unboxing and Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Season 2, Episodes 5-6 (and 7 a little) 

This one sat in the drafts for a second, friends. SO sorry! Blame Sammi and her first week back to school. 

So, not all our predictions were correct, but one thing is for sure: Nobody on this show thought much about game theory. OR, maybe they think more about being perceived as a villain in this age of social media scrutiny? Well, either way, we're onto the new season in just a few short weeks. Will we cover Survivor? Do the people want it? 

Rose Plate Special: Bachelor in Paradise 2025 Season Finale

Believe it or not, we recorded this a couple of days ago, but Sammi is still in recovery mode, getting back into the swing of things after her surgery, so be PATIENT!

If you are curious about the cozy games Sammi talks about, they are available here:


 * Discounty [https://store.steampowered.com/app/2274620/Discounty/]
 * Tiny Bookshop  [https://store.steampowered.com/app/2133760/Tiny_Bookshop/]

Also here's more info on Sean's dad, you can look it up yourself [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_McLaughlin]. We didn't get too much into the ALLEGED scandals. 

Also, support Parisa in her amateur chef journey [https://www.instagram.com/chefpms/?hl=en]! 

Rose Plate Special: Bachelor in Paradise 2025, Episodes 8-9

We've done lots of yapping, per usual, so let's cut to the chase. If you want to start witih the episode recap itself, go to that 10-minute mark. 

Here are some of the things we talk about this week: 

 * Alexe's statement [https://www.reddit.com/r/thebachelor/comments/1mp6beb/alexe_has_put_out_a_statement_after_mondays/]
 * What rendezvous means [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-M0qp9ollhc] 
 * Clayton's cringe post  [https://www.reddit.com/r/thebachelor/comments/1ms0jm5/this_story_posted_by_clayton_reminded_me_of_clay/#lightbox]
 * The origin of his cringe post [https://www.reddit.com/r/thebachelor/comments/1moy6pc/more_on_the_rachel_clayton_drama/] (we don't really get into, but it obviously came from what Rachel said) 

We also address FAFO parenting, Steve's messed-up face, and more! 

Rose Plate Special: Bachelor in Paradise 2025, Episode 7

What will happen now that the tables have turned and the couples are playing for love or money? We sure hope something juicy, because that's why we're here!   This episode, we cover Jonathon in the perpetual friendzone with everyone, Jeremy getting a bad edit (or maybe just making really bad choices), and Brian just being the worst.   Some random things we bring up in the episode:

 * The leek spinning meme [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs8pnY3BKn8]
 * Katie Thurston's clapback  [https://www.soapcentral.com/entertainment/news-thanks-fan-katie-thurston-fires-back-former-bachelorette-contestant-calls-husband-solid-5s-wedding-post]
 * Getting married is like joining a new board [https://www.tiktok.com/@marysasson/video/7501045085400845598]

Rose Plate Special: Bachelor in Paradise 2025, Episodes 5-6

OMG, officially Season 20 of the show! Did you think we'd miss it? We cover the first four episodes of Paradise, so you get a LOT of disjointed content.

Here are the TikToks Sammi talked about in the episode. For the payoff, you'll have to listen all the way to the end!


 * Have You Ever Had a Krispy Kreme?  [https://www.tiktok.com/@akorzen/video/7009659474126376198?lang=en]
 * Krispy Kreme Explainer [https://www.tiktok.com/@akorzen/video/7427517104938634527]

Rose Plate Special: Bachelor in Paradise, Episodes 1-4

So sorry to be so late on this, so we'll make it brief! Paradise is coming and so are more episodes, but Sammi's computer epically failed in this episode, so you're going to hae to wait a little bit, OK? But enjoy this for now! 

Soda Jerks: Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Episodes 3-4

We're back before Paradise with some special episodes!! You loved our Season 1 recap of the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, so all summer, we're gonna give you a recap, two episodes at a time.

Here are some of the videos and channels Sammi mentioned during the episode, for people who like deep dives into Mormonism and Christian fundamentalism: 

 * Fundie Fridays [https://www.youtube.com/@FundieFridays] - honestly the best channel on YouTube
 * How Mormon Doctrine Created Crumbl Cookie [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2tOMSZWWoU] - Sammi's just started watching more Alyssa Grenfell and the videos are great, all from an ex-Mo perspective 
 * Jordon and McKay [https://www.youtube.com/@JordanandMcKay]- also ex-Mormon with fantastic videos 
 * We also talked about Free Jinger, a forum that covers many figures in Christian fundamentalism 

Rose Plate Special: Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Season 2, Episodes 1-2

Nights like this don't come around too often! We are locked in and ready to talk about the Bachelor finale. How did we feel about Litia's parting words? What's our take on the upcoming Bachelor in Paradise season? Tune in to find out!



Some resources from the video: The Vulture article [https://www.vulture.com/article/the-bachelor-finale-recap-season-29.html], attachment styles video [https://www.tiktok.com/@ecktok_13/video/7485773383909575982], and Grant's guilty counts [https://www.tiktok.com/@eatsleeprealitytv/video/7486386218452782379]. Enjoy! 

Rose Plate Special: Bachelor Grant, Finale

A healthy helping of the culture you crave - From The Bachelor, to Real Housewives, to horror, we cover the things you like to watch.

Pop Culture Diner

The more I talk to people about living dairy-free, the more I find out how many people have decided to eliminate dairy or take on special diets as a way to manage various health conditions. This was what made me start my podcast - a series of ever-evolving conversations with friends, interspersed with deep dives on topics relevant to people who use diet as one way to manage their chronic health conditions.

Dairy-Free State

Sammi's Show

We open the Summer 2024 Jilly Box, a subscription box dedicated to coastal beach vacations, and talk about some Bachelor Nation news. 

Sammi

Shows