Two Flat Whites Podcast

It's time to say goodbye, but only for a while. With Laura's babe due in a matter of weeks, we've decided to go on a little hiatus while she adjusts to motherhood. Although we're wrapping up, we've got two AI readings in this episode as a treat to finish off our run, with a Batman story that absolutely sends us into hysterics.

We hope you enjoy this last instalment for a little while and we just want to say a huge THANK YOU to you all for supporting us along our journey so far. We appreciate every single one of our listeners and we can't wait to be back in the future with more.

LOTS OF LOVE!

Laura & Alex

Show notes & references:

Ever feel like your life is similar to perpetually falling down a flight of stairs? Yes, us too. We all know that life can throw you curve balls, but how you deal with said balls determines how they land - in your hands or in your face. Can you guess how sore our faces are?

Fear not! It isn't all doom and gloom in this penultimate episode of Two Flat Whites. We do have a good ol' giggle at an AI bot having a crack at writing a chapter of Harry Potter. Priceless to say the least.

Show notes & references:

Fontanelles, tastebuds, blue eyes and more 👶🏻 Babies are fascinating and in this season finale we've lined up some cool facts about them that will BLOW YOUR MIND (unless you know all of this already...doubt it). We also debunk some common baby myths which is cute. Just give us our own TV show already.

We can't forget about CHRISTMAS! 🎄 Tune in as we say cheerio to 2023 with a Christmas themed 'Reddit Reacts' segment, which always seems to deliver the goods in terms of people doing shocking things to other people for shocking reasons, even at a time of giving.

Alex has a leaky roof and just can't seem to catch a break with it. More of 'My Maternity Moment' from Laura's pregnant self as we discuss what it's like to be pregnant and also think you're living in a simulation. And a bad book review on fatherhood sends us into a frenzy of "WTF how does something like this exist???".

Show notes & references:

Have you ever wondered why yawns are contagious? 🥱 It's this strange human phenomenon that all of us have experienced before, but why the involuntary bodily response? Well we've done the research for you so take a seat, get comfortable and join us for this cool as heck explanation.

Of course on the menu is a fresh set of miserable moments from this duo who simply radiate positivity. Granted, being coughed on by sick children for hours on end is worthy of a complaint or two. We've also got some 'Would You Rather' and 'How Do You Do' questions lined up for you, with topics ranging from toothbrushing habits to fish people 🐟 Classic.

Show notes & references:

Do you have an internal monologue? Can you visualise images in your mind? No? Well my friend you've come to the right place because today we're discussing Anauralia and Aphantasia, the lack of both of these aforementioned things. We're looking at why some people have it and why some don't, why it exists and how it exists. Intrigued? Yes.

Also on the lineup - some typical life woes involving separating stomach muscles and a broken Playstation. 'Getting to Know You Q's' gets intimate and deep with crystal balls and wanting to be better at life. And some 'Reddit Reacts' to round out the ep with a few laffs and sudden seriousness.

Show notes & references:

Have you ever stopped to think about how Wi-Fi actually works? This invisible energy source zooming around your home, sending information to almost every electronic device you own. WE HAD TO KNOW MORE. In our brand new segment 'Is This a Stupid Question', we dive into the history of Wi-Fi, radio waves, physics and more.

While we're on the path of completely nerding out, if you're a fantasy fan, you're gonna love our 'Fav Void Distractions'. Also on the bill this fortnight, we've got a pregnancy-brain tale resulting in two unhappy spouses and one boiled foot. As well as some 'How Do You Do' questions circling round the world of retail.

Show notes & references:

Fright this way! It’s the Halloween edition of Two Flat Whites Podcast 🎃 We love our themed episodes and hope you’re ready for some ghoulish content this week.

Ever wondered what Halloween is like for an Australian? Let’s just say we don’t eat candy corn by the bucket load for the duration of October. We’re giving you the history of Halloween and the origins behind the bizarre traditions you’ve come to know and love. We also dive into the intriguing psychology and science behind scare culture and why we enjoy being scared 👻 Fascinating! And of course, some spooky season themed ‘Reddit Reacts’ and ‘Would You Rather’ segments are also in store.

Show notes & references:

We're back again! Alex has returned from his galavanting tour around Europe while Laura shivered in Melbourne for a couple of months. So in celebration, we're kicking of Season 4 with some very exciting news for you listeners. But you'll have to listen to find out what it is. In this ep we tackle the ever expanding conversation about Aliens and whether they're real and have visited Earth. Spoiler alert, all signs point to yes. We're also talking lightsabers, personal hygiene (again), expensive European travels and much more.

Show notes & references:

A correction on the Europa information: We refer to "rovers" here, but that’s the wrong terminology. Five spacecraft’s have visited Europa up close and done fly-bys, but we haven’t landed anything there yet. The Europa Lander is a proposed mission to land on Europa, which could possibly launch in 2027.

Ask and you shall receive! You guys wanted another Reddit Reacts episode, so here is another juicy instalment where we delve into the crazy world of internet chronicles. A WHOLE HOUR OF REDDIT CONTENT WOOH! Reacting to some of the wildest true stories we could find from people around the world. Hold on to your hats because some of these take some ridiculous twists and turns.

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It's the Season 3 finale! Our main juicy topic of this episode is diet culture. Is it evil or beneficial? Sustainable or setting us up for failure?

As always there's a hint of misery in our life updates, involving strained eyeballs and warty feet. Another round of general life habits are uncovered, such as showering schedules and grocery store etiquette in 'How Do You Do'. Have you ever wished you could speak to animals? We have a chat about why that may not be such an amazing skill in 'Would You Rather'. And everyone secretly kinda wants to be famous right? We delve into each other's inner desires in 'Get To Know You Qs'.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that neither of us are health care professionals and while we have done some research and have knowledge on the subject of diets, the opinions expressed in this episode are our own and should not be taken as health advice. Please speak to your doctor of you have concerns or questions about your health.

Show notes:

In a miraculous turn of events, Laura turned 30 and didn't cry about it. HUZZAH! This ep we're discussing meme culture. We get into how the term "meme" came to be, how prevalent memes are in our daily lives and most importantly, why. Alex sheds a light on his newest hobbies and why he's decided to prioritise experiencing new things. And don't forget the beloved Reddit Reacts! Imagine finding out your wife is a habitual shoplifter. Or having a mother-in-law so untrustworthy that it ruins your baby gender reveal party. All of this and more in Episode 23 of Two Flat Whites.

Show notes:

A neggy trip down the road of our latest experiences with customer service. Why did Alex's parents end up an extra $4,000 out of pocket just to get to America? And why is it so hard for Laura to order food at a restaurant?

More wild 'Reddit Reacts' from the depths of the web, showcasing an entitled groom to be that just wants to have fun in Vegas and the all too classic tale of a woman being shamed for having a reproductive system. Plus we're talking escalator etiquette and condiments storage in "How Do You Do".

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We are so addicted to our phones it seems to be as hard a habit to break as smoking. Golly! 'My Miserable Moment' showcases Alex's sensitive 30-year-old tum and Laura's apparently shitty eyesight. We cover questions about living off the grid in solitude and get heavy about what you'd change about your childhood. And we're sharing our 'Fav Void Distractions' with you again so you too can avoid the dread of reality from time to time.

Show Notes:

Is the ever growing monster that is consumerism exhausting you? Us too. We take a dainty dive into how it affects our day-to-day lives and mental health, as well as what life would look like without it. Also on the smorgasbord: the listener favourite 'Reddit Reacts' segment and a double 'Tongue Tester' that leaves our mouths dryer than the Sahara Desert 🐪🌵

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Could we possibly have more animal home-invasion stories? The answer is YES. Which critter will enter Laura’s comfort-zone this time? And what medical woes will thrust themselves upon Alex's already painful existence? 

We've got some juicy philosophical 'Would You Rather' questions to make you contemplate your life. Another unsettling 'Tongue Testers' segment (which we'd rather forget happened). And wrap things up by throwing around some harsh judgement about how we go about our mundane tasks in 'How Do You Do'.

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Saucy sleeping, boxing emus, self-inflicted electrocution, and simply just…too much fish. This is just a taste of the absurdity covered in this week's ep. Oh and if you're wondering why we're so existential, we delve into the big doozy: why we left religion. FUN.

For our references on the census and religion stats, refer to our show notes in Episode 11.

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Honestly, this episode is chock full of shock and teeming with terror. Join us on a journey with the squid jerky from hell that we might never recover from. Alex’s spider stories that make Laura want to curl up into a ball and rock back and forth. Does the concept of AI frighten or excite you? And has anyone ever told you you have a nice wand? Well a certain Harry Potter film star can help you there! 🪄

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Two Flat Whites Podcast is back for 2023! With a brand new format, this season is sure to get you gaggling. Laura and Alex take you through their New Year's existential crisis leading to the show’s refreshed format with some brand new segments, including chats about everything from Alex's ugly hands to Laura's friendly haemorrhoid.

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SLEIGH IT AIN'T SO - A BONUS EPISODE! 😮 It's that festive time of year again and we're here to fill your stockings with a bonus episode all about Christmas! 🎄 What a treat, tee hee. We investigate the origins of Christmas, unpack traditions, regale you with terrifying tales from European folklore and of course, react to some juicy holiday-themed Reddits. Get ready for the fa-la-la-la-laughs 🎅🏻

Show notes and references:

⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING: Discussion of child death (fictional). 

Contrary to popular belief, being a millennial is bloody rough sometimes. And being a creative millennial? Forgeeet about it. We've got more opportunity and resources than any generation before us (except the housing market lolz), yet we're discontent, disconnected and anxious as f. We're spoilt for choice, yet we're paralysed. WHY? Let's discuss, shall we? 🤷🏻‍♀️
As a cute little treat, we also get into some deep reflection on the last three years since we recorded our first episode back in 2019 (my how the world has changed) and give you guys  personal life updates from each of us as well.

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Welcome to Earth, a place where societies run on pure fantasy and we just make up shit as we go along 🌏 In this episode titled 'Nothing Is Real', we explore different aspects of our modern world that just don't seem to make...any sense? Royalty, time, gender norms, money - the list goes on! Dive in to explore the hogwash.

Show notes and references:

You guys loved episode 9 so much, we decided to do a Reddit Reacts Part 2! Once again we delve into the crazy world that is: Reddit. Reacting to some of the wildest true stories we could find from people around the world. Hold on to your hats because some of these take some ridiculous twists and turns...we hope you're ready 😬 The two subreddits we read from in the episode are: 'Am I the Asshole' - a famous thread where people aim to find out if they were wrong in an argument/situation they found themselves in. And 'True Off My Chest' - a place for people to speak their mind and sometimes spill their deepest darkest secrets. 
 
Trigger warnings: 
- Discussion of online child pornography.
- Discussion of infertility.
 
Show notes & references: 
Not much to mention here folks, but if you'd like to delve into the subreddits we read from in this episode yourself, the links to both are below. Have fun:
- Am I the Asshole: www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/
- True Off My Chest: www.reddit.com/r/TrueOffMyChest/

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What would you say if we asked you whether you believe in aliens or not? 👽 
 
Show notes and references: 
-▶️ Drake Equation - Andrzej Dudnik: www.youtube.com/watch?v=80Ryq6bH2aY 
- We Asked a NASA Scientist: Do Aliens Exist?: www.nasa.gov/feature/episode-5-we-asked-a-nasa-scientist-do-aliens-exist 
- Carbon & Silicon-based life: astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/20858/why-do-aliens-have-to-be-carbon-based-lifeforms 
- Do aliens exist? We asked five experts - Chynthia Wijaya & Noor Gillani: https://theconversation.com/do-aliens-exist-we-asked-five-experts-161811 
- Pioneer 10 and 11 (Message): www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/space/2020/09/nasa-sent-a-map-to-space-to-help-aliens-find-earth-now-it-needs-an-update 
- Voyager Info NASA: voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/golden-record/whats-on-the-record/images/ 
- Poop on the moon: www.vox.com/science-and-health/2019/3/22/18236125/apollo-moon-poop-mars-science 
- 5 Famous UFO Sightings Across the World - Elite Truong: www.travelchannel.com/shows/expedition-unknown-hunt-for-extra-terrestrials/articles/5-famous-ufo-sightings-across-the-world 
- Crop circles: Myth, theories and history - Benjamin Radford & Callum McKelvie:www.livescience.com/26540-crop-circles.html 
- The Roswell Incident - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roswell_incident- Cardwell UFO Festival: www.queensland.com/au/en/things-to-do/events/p-576232dc17a313107324e015-cardwell-ufo-festival-2022 
- Why These Scientists Fear Contact With Space Aliens - Rebecca Boyle: www.nbcnews.com/storyline/the-big-questions/why-these-scientists-fear-contact-space-aliens-n717271

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Forever alone or never alone? That is the question 💀 Today we look at the concept of being in a relationship versus being a single pringle, from the vastly different perspectives of Laura (who's currently in a 12 year relationship) and Alex (who has never been in a long term relationship). We'll be breaking down the history of why humans pair up, monogamy, stats and figures, societal expectations and the pros and cons.
 
Show notes and references: 
- 'The latest census shows proof of how life in Australia is changing after an unprecedented time in our country’s history': 7news.com.au/sunrise/on-the-show/the-latest-census-shows-proof-of-how-life-in-australia-is-changing-after-an-unprecedented-time-in-our-countrys-history-c-7321868 
- 'The power of one: How single people are finding a voice' | Karen Hardy: www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/the-power-of-one-how-single-people-are-finding-a-voice-20180813-p4zx8p.html 
- ▶️ 'Are humans hardwired for monogamy?' | Helen Fisher: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jedL7qSxOU 
- 'Women are happier without children or a spouse, says happiness expert' | Paul Dolan: www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/may/25/women-happier-without-children-or-a-spouse-happiness-expert 
- 'Party of one: Why record numbers of Americans are going it alone' | Harry Bruinius: www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2021/1213/Party-of-one-Why-record-numbers-of-Americans-are-going-it-alone 
- 'Around the World, Marriage Is Declining, Singles Are Rising' | Bella DePaulo Ph.D.: www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/living-single/201908/around-the-world-marriage-is-declining-singles-are-rising 
- Tom Bilyeu (on before you get married): www.youtube.com/channel/UCnYMOamNKLGVlJgRUbamveA/community?lb=Ugkxkyo_bHr-uYzTeuwVP3uBuWDRhB8J6UmV

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Isn't it fun to bond over mutual hatred of things? Welcome to Episode 10 - 'Pet Peeves'. The land of impatience, rage, eye-twitching and passive aggressive (not to subtle) hints that what you're doing ain't okay.

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Today we delve into the crazy world that is: Reddit. Reacting to some of the wildest true stories we could find from people around the world. It's amazing what some people are willing to tell strangers behind the veil of the internet. The two subreddits we read from in the episode are: 'Am I the Asshole' - a famous thread where people aim to find out if they were wrong in an argument/situation they found themselves in. And 'True Off My Chest' - a place for people to speak their mind and sometimes spill their deepest darkest secrets.

Show notes & references:

Not much to mention here folks, but if you'd like to delve into the subreddits we read from in this episode, the links to both are below:

- Am I the Asshole: www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/

- True Off My Chest: www.reddit.com/r/TrueOffMyChest/Have fun ;)

Trigger warnings ⚠️- Discussion of murder- Discussion of abuse & domestic violence

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Are we living in a simulation? You may find it surprising, but all signs point to: PROBABLY. Let’s discuss (and shatter your existence). 
 
Show notes & references: 
- ‘Confirmed! We Live in a Simulation.’ Article by Fouad Khan: scientificamerican.com/article/confirmed-we-live-in-a-simulation/ 
- ’Are we living in a simulated universe? Here's what scientists say.’ Article by Dan Falk: nbcnews.com/mach/science/are-we-living-simulated-universe-here-s-what-scientists-say-ncna1026916 
- Maria Korolov on Quora: qr.ae/pvMMYj 
- ▶️ Is Reality Real? The Simulation Argument: youtube.com/watch?v=tlTKTTt47WE

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Should you have children in 2021 and beyond? Is it immoral to have a child? Is it selfish?In episode 7 we discuss the concept of being child-free by choice with a very special guest, our main girl, Catherine. There is a lot to to consider before making this important decision - the state of our planet, environmental impacts, mental health, quality of life, regret, pressure, costs…THE LIST IS ENDLESS! Anxious? You should be.
Trigger warning ⚠️ This episode contains mention of pregnancy, fertility and baby loss.
Show notes & references:
- thenewdaily.com.au/finance/your-budget/2021/02/06/raising-children-cost-australia/
- ▶️ Parents Regret Having Kids?? | Childfree Millennial: youtu.be/CR7pm1-HYRI 
- ▶️ Will being child-free make you happy?: youtu.be/LBNNbp0Sl-E

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“It takes time to live. Like any work of art, life needs to be thought about.” - Albert Camus. In Episode 6, we tackle the ever lurking beast that is EXISTENTIALISM. This one gets a little heavy, so if you’re not in the right headspace to question your own existence, life meaning or purpose, then give this episode a miss. If you are, good luck and see you on the other side...
Show notes & references: 
- Existentialism definition: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existentialism- Existential Crisis definition: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existential_crisis 
- Existential Nihilism definition: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existential_nihilism 
-▶️ What is existentialism? A-Z of ISMs Episode 5 - BBC Ideas: youtu.be/H_tgqj9MU8M 
-▶️ Existentialism: Crash Course Philosophy #16: youtu.be/YaDvRdLMkHs 
-▶️ Introduction to Existentialism: youtu.be/ilg7PiDD8yY 
-▶️ The Barnum Effect - Why People Believe In Astrology And Psychics: youtu.be/NBXRzdzFnHk 
Correction from Alex: 
1. I said all crew for international filming projects are from Australia but it might not be all crew. But it’s a lot of crew. 
2. I mentioned “life projects”. It’s actually “death projects”.…and check out Laura’s band ‘The Playbook’: linktr.ee/theplaybook

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Part 2 of Break My Brain is upon you, you’re welcome. Join us once again, for the second instalment of brain twists as we share some intriguing psychological, futuristic, scientific and behavioural facts with each other in the hopes to bamboozle your mind…again.

Show notes & references:

- Bleak web-comic on teleportation: https://existentialcomics.com/comic/1

- Does your body really replace itself every seven years? https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/06/28/483732115/how-old-is-your-body-really

- Confirmation Bias: https://bestlifeonline.com/psychology-facts/

- Confirmation Bias: https://www.britannica.com/science/confirmation-bias-

“If you wanted to travel through time you’d also have to travel through space…” - Jordanminjie - Reddit- Teletransportation Paradox (Mars Teleporter): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teletransportation_paradox

- Grandfather Paradox: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grandfather_paradox

- Futurama episode where Fry becomes his own Grandfather: https://theinfosphere.org/Roswell_that_Ends_Well

- “We loosen our morals when an authority tells us to”: https://bestlifeonline.com/psychology-facts/

- Stanley Milgram Behaviour experiment: http://behavioralscientist.org/how-would-people-behave-in-milgrams-experiment-today/

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In an attempt to break up the heavy discussion topics we seem to be obsessed with tackling, in this episode we take a slightly different approach. Join us in Part 1 of Break My Brain, as we share some intriguing psychological, futuristic, scientific and behavioural facts with each other in the hopes to bamboozle your mind.

Show notes & references:

- Perception of colours: https://medium.com/swlh/all-the-colors-we-cannot-see-2562840dd419

- Forming habits: https://www.ba-bamail.com/content.aspx?emailid=13355

- Forming habits: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2009/aug/how-long-does-it-take-form-habit

- Immortality: https://www.dw.com/en/harari-on-homo-deus-immortality-dataism-and-health-the-infinite-market/a-19523293

- Immortality: https://qz.com/1186171/what-would-life-look-like-if-we-lived-forever/

- Buy Homo Deus: https://www.amazon.com.au/Homo-Deus-Brief-History-Tomorrow/dp/1784703931/ref=sr_1_1dchild=1&keywords=Homo+deus&qid=1620031444&sr=8-1

- Buy Homo Deus: https://www.bookdepository.com/Homo-Deus-Yuval-Noah-Harari/9781784703936?ref=grid-view&qid=1620031494718&sr=1-1

- Seeking immortality: Aubrey de Grey at TEDxSalford: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0lvxTm2iLg

- Negativity Bias: https://bestlifeonline.com/psychology-facts/

- Negativity Bias: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200306/our-brains-negative-bias

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Is it more sensible to stay working in a job earning a stable income that isn’t giving you a sense of fulfilment, or dropping all of that to pursue your passions, even though it may crumble your financial security? Someone tell us, because we’d love to know.

Show notes & references:

- Sunk cost analysis: youarenotsosmart.com/2011/03/25/the-sunk-cost-fallacy/

- Limiting Beliefs: blog.trello.com/limiting-beliefs

- “What’s your flavour of shit sandwich”: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck, book by Mark Manson. Website: markmanson.medium.com

- Also, just a side note to say that Mark Ruffalo completed approximately 800 auditions, not 3,000.

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Why do we do the things we do? And why do we collectively agree that they make any sense? Working overtime, uncomfortable clothes, relationships...we don't have the answers.

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You've made it to Episode 1, all the way past Planet Zero. *applause*In this riveting sequel, we discuss the lifestyle/cult sweeping the world that is: MINIMALISM. Find out why you're a bad person for buying too much stuff.

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Welcome to the pilot episode of Two Flat Whites. Get to know us a lil bit before we submerge you in the heavy shit.

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