006: bye, b**b milk / simply the schitt
in this episode, arns laments the end of her breastfeeding journey and reflects on doing hard things. angela celebrates a fresh take on LGBTQ representation in sitcom Schitt's Creek.
CONTENT WARNING: breastfeeding
referenced in this episode:
Schitt's Creek: The Guardian article by Michael Cragg; NYT Article by Lara Zarum; Real Mama Bears letter
0:00 - intro
3:58 - arns: ending breastfeeding
20:58 - nins: Schitt's Creek
episode summary
Welcome back, crybabies! Nins and Arns are back doing what they do best: dismantling the "ick" factor associated with crying on the internet through exposure therapy, aka doing it every week until listeners realize that crying is actually great.
The hosts share some of the love they've received from listeners, including many who found themselves unexpectedly crying while listening in the car and had to turn off the podcast. Bitch why did you even start the episode in the first place you know it’s about crying!!!
Before diving in, Arns shares details about her particularly rough day, which included her baby having an allergic reaction, PMSing, and a particularly horrifying interaction with her mother who asked if she was pregnant (spoiler alert: she's just really fucking bloated okay???).
Nins sympathizes with Arns' difficult day: when it rains, it pours, right? She expresses hope that the episode will provide a safe space for Arns (and listeners) to "unwind, unleash, and unpack"—an ~alliteration~ for all you intellectual girlies.
They finally decide to stop bullshitting and get on with the ep, presenting their listeners with “the gift of time!” Here goes :’)
Arns’ segment: ending her breastfeeding journey
In this intensely emotional segment titled "bye, b**b milk," Arns bares her soul about the end of her breastfeeding journey, a process that left her in tears multiple times over several weeks (cry level: solid 3 or 4, but sustained, so…7?). Side note: Arns took ~5 minutes to even say the topic out loud, soooo yeah it’s a doozy lol.
From the get-go, Arns was determined to breastfeed, inspired by watching her sister nourish her children. However, after a struggle to conceive that left her feeling betrayed by her own body, she naturally doubted her ability to produce milk. When she did successfully breastfed (albeit painfully, and after the steepest learning curve of her life), it felt like a daily miracle, as if her body had finally decided to cooperate after a long rebellion.
For nine exhausting months, Arns exclusively breastfed her daughter, waking every 2-3 hours (sleep is for the weak!!!!). She marveled at her body's newfound superpower, despite facing unforeseen challenges such as mastitis, clogged ducts, and other…physical changes (read: massive boobs filled to the brim with milk).
The breastfeeding saga took a turn when Arns reluctantly returned to work, facing her arch-nemesis: the formidable breast pump. Her milk supply dipped dramatically, causing her daughter to lose weight and sending doctors into a frenzy. Cue the introduction of formula and a whirlwind of emotions: anger, grief, acceptance, and eventually, a relief so palpable she could almost taste it.
As Arns' supply continued its steady decline, she found herself acting very casual about weaning while secretly clinging to every precious, milk-producing moment. The pivotal moment arrived on her daughter's 14-month birthday when the little one—for the first time in her life—asked for food instead of milk. Arns, realizing it was truly the end, breastfed her daughter one last time, quietly bawling while her daughter remained blissfully unaware of the monumental shift taking place.
This experience became a masterclass in feeling sadness and gratitude simultaneously, and in the delicate art of letting go. Arns and Nins reflect on life's many "lasts" that often slip by unnoticed, like the last time you carry your child (or are carried by your parent—Nins wild for that one).
Arns acknowledges the gift of being present for this final breastfeeding moment, treasuring it even as she recognized she was the one desperately holding on while her daughter was ready to move on to her next milestone. She emphasizes that there's no single "right" way to approach breastfeeding, expressing empathy for mothers with different journeys and challenges.
Ultimately, Arns sees this experience as a universal lesson in moving forward when it's time, even when it feels impossible. She likens it to the bittersweet feeling of leaving long-distance family after a visit, overwhelmed by the uniqueness of each moment and the knowledge that it can never be perfectly replicated.
While Arns has found contentment and relief on the other side of this journey, a part of her will always linger in that final breastfeeding moment. She wants to remember the feeling of doing that hard thing and then letting it go, carrying it with her as she continues to navigate the complex, sometimes treacherous, but always beautiful landscape of motherhood. It's a reminder that growth often comes from letting go, and that every end is also a beginning.
Nins’ segment: LGBTQ+ representation in Schitt’s Creek (5/10 tears)
In this heartwarming segment titled "simply the schitt," Nins blesses listeners ears with her ultimate comfort show, Schitt's Creek, focusing specifically on its groundbreaking LGBTQ representation.
Nins introduces the show, which is a Canadian sitcom that ran from 2015 to 2020. Created by the father-son duo Eugene and Dan Levy (who also play father and son on the show—the talent!!), it follows the formerly wealthy Rose family as they lose everything and are forced to relocate to a small town called Schitt's Creek, bought as a joke by Johnny Rose because of its ridiculous name.
The show's premise is comedy gold: watch as this once lavish, gaudy family adjusts to life in adjoining rooms at a sketchy motel in the middle of Podunk town, USA. Over six seasons, viewers witness the Roses evolve from disconnected, selfish disasters to a loving family who fully embrace their new community.
Nins lovingly describes the Rose family members, each a comedic gem in their own right. There's Johnny (Eugene Levy), the quintessential dad constantly baffled by the town's whimsical characters. Moira (Catherine O'Hara) steals the show as an unhinged former soap opera star with a made-up accent and unexplained, deranged wigs. Alexis (Annie Murphy) starts as a typical spoiled rich girl with intense vocal fry and hand movements but has her own incredible character arc, which Nins can't delve into otherwise we’d be here all night.
But the real star of this segment is David (Dan Levy), the snobbish, fashion-obsessed son whose journey of self-discovery and love becomes the heart of the show. Nins highlights a pivotal scene from season 1 where David explains his sexuality using a wine metaphor, saying he "likes the wine, not the label."
The crux of Nins' praise for Schitt's Creek lies in its refreshing approach to LGBTQ representation. Unlike most shows that either turn queer stories into tragedies or reduce them to comic relief, Schitt's Creek normalizes these relationships and provides such safety and care while completely eliminating any feelings of "other."
Nins zeroes in on David's relationship with his business partner Patrick (Noah Reid) in season 4. She emphasizes how the show creates a safe haven for LGBTQ characters in what one might expect to be a conservative small town. There's not one moment where they've ever felt any sort of discrimination or been the butt of a joke.
The segment's emotional peak comes when Nins describes a scene where Patrick serenades David with an acoustic cover of Tina Turner's "Simply the Best" during an open mic night. It's a moment so beautiful but also so normal, a portrayal that’s absolutely groundbreaking in its representation of same-sex love in mainstream media. Nins admits to crying every time she watches it.
To drive home the show's impact, Nins shares a touching anecdote from a documentary about Schitt's Creek's final season. The cast receives a letter from a Facebook group called "Serendipitydodah for Moms - Home of the Mama Bears," thanking the show for its positive representation of LGBTQ characters and relationships.
Nins wraps up by celebrating Schitt's Creek's commitment to diversity and representation, emphasizing how the show normalizes LGBTQ relationships without making a big fuss about it. She ponders Dan Levy's intentional choice not to even acknowledge homophobia—because by not naming it, you don't allow for it to even exist.
Nins' enthusiasm for Schitt's Creek is infectious, leaving listeners ready to binge-watch all six seasons and celebrate the beauty of diverse storytelling. As she puts it: in a world that can often feel pretty schitty (lollllll get it), Schitt's Creek offers a much-needed safe space filled with laughter and heart. Happy Pride, babes!
Conclusion
Nins & Arns thank their listeners for powering through the entire episode. The hosts emphasize that while the specific topics discussed (breastfeeding and LGBTQ+ representation) might not directly apply to everyone, the underlying emotions and experiences are universal. They express appreciation for their audience's willingness to explore these themes, giggle, and swear along with them. (They then briefly discuss how "Giggle & Swear" could have been an alternate name for their podcast in another universe but quickly realize there’s no “Cry” element.)
The hosts then make their customary plea for listeners to rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast. They stress that these actions aren't just helpful for the show's metrics; they also aid in connecting the podcast with people who might need or want to hear their content. They very seriously suggest that if the episode made listeners laugh, they should consider leaving a five-star review, noting it only takes five seconds. (Arns: “Trust me, I’ve done it.”)
Annnnnd that’s it! Thanks for sticking around & c u v soon.
Until then…brb crying :’)