Reel Stories, Real Problems

Roxanne is in traffic court, so our good friend Amanda steps in to talk with Rachael about health insurance, medical care in the United States, and why you can't stand outside other countries and yell at the U.S. Embassy though a bullhorn.

Sources:

⁠https://www.statista.com/statistics/1290168/health-index-of-countries-worldwide-by-health-index-score/⁠

⁠https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/surveys/2024/nov/state-health-ins...

What happens when hard-working families do everything right—and still fall through the cracks? In this remastered version of our third episode, we examine the devastating impact of unemployment and economic insecurity through the lens of the powerful documentary American Winter.

In this week's episode Rachael and Roxanne watch the 2013 documentary American Winter and talk about poverty, job hunting, what American Winter reveals ...

People have been murdered for money, property, and other inheritance for as long as humanity has existed. In fact, some of the greatest tragedies in history, including everything from mass genocide to the Salem Witch Trials, happened for the sole purpose of stealing other people’s wealth, so it’s no wonder that Mr. Howell lost his mind after bequeathing his various investments to his fellow castaways. But did he really have anythin...

What happens when the world's wealthiest people can’t tell a counterfeit bottle of wine from the real thing? In this episode, Rachael and Roxanne talk about the documentary Sour Grapes, which tells the story of Rudy Kurniawan, the charming con artist who infiltrated elite wine circles and sold millions of dollars worth of counterfeit wine. Join us as we talk about defrauding the rich, the importance of government regulations, a...

What if getting ahead financially isn’t just about cutting back—but also about earning more? In this episode, we dive into practical, creative, and empowering ways to increase your income, inspired by the documentary Get Smart With Money.

From side hustles to career pivots, freelancing to passive income, we explore how real people are rethinking work and building wealth on their own terms. We’ll break down key takeaways from the...

Ah, our first episode! Back when we had a lot to say and had never tried to record or edit a podcast before. But now we have 28 episodes under our belts, so we have redone it with new, improved audio quality just for you.

Rachael is a writer and personal finance expert who got laid off in 2024. Roxanne is a homeless university professor and part-time retail employee. In this remastered version of our first episode we watch the 2013...

In this episode, Rachael and Roxanne guess the price of fame and talk about what happens when you're too good at a game meant for the average player? Exploring what happens when a game show contestant cracks the code, beats the system, and disrupts The Price Is Right, the longest running game show of all time through the documentary Perfect Bid: The Contestant Who Knew Too Much, where superfan Ted Slauson memorized the prices o...

When we talk about homelessness we often picture unkempt people sleeping on the streets, but not every homeless person looks like that or is even visible to the general public. In this episode, Rachael and Roxanne explore the invisible crisis of hidden homelessness, especially among women who once had stable careers, families, and homes. Join us as we watch the 1992 documentary It Was a Wonderful Life and talk about homeless...

In today's episode, Rachael and Roxanne are turning the page on one of the spookiest and most prolific voices in American fiction—Stephen King. We’re taking a closer look at the why and how behind King's incredible career through the documentary Stephen King: A Necessary Evil, which explores not just the man behind the monsters, but the ambition, trauma, and sheer persistence that built a literary empire. Join us as we talk...

In this episode, Rachael and Roxanne dive into the chilling story of Titan, the experimental submersible that captured the world’s attention before ending in tragedy. In a desperate attempt to create a unique entertainment option for the ultra rich, Stockton Rush cut corners and skirted safety regulations to save money, raising questions not only about safety and innovation, but about the nature of human ambition itself. A modern p...

In today's episode, Rachael and Roxanne connect the dots between a classic sitcom and today’s headlines in a discussion about the very first episode of Good Times. We talk about the Evans family as they scramble to come up with rent money, which is a struggle that feels just as real today as it did in the 1970s. This episode takes a close look at how Good Times tackled poverty, systemic inequality, and family resilience from da...

Welcome to Season 2! We have new audio editing software and a bunch of opinions, so buckle up for today’s episode, where Rachael and Roxanne dive into one of the biggest education scandals (and biggest RICO statute court cases) in recent history: the college admissions scandal, also known as Operation Varsity Blues. We talk about how wealthy parents, celebrities, and college coaches got caught in a massive scheme to cheat the admis...

In this episode, Rachael and Roxanne talk about women's experience in the working world through the lens of the documentary Still Workin' 9 to 5. We talk about the pay gap, the E.R.A., our personal experiences as women working to earn a living, and why getting your own national holiday is probably a bad thing.

Roxanne is on a business trip this week, but we still managed to record a podcast while she was on the road!

In this week's episode, Roxanne and I dive into the 2009 documentary Tapped, which takes a hard look at the bottled water industry and its far-reaching impact on health, the environment, and our access to clean drinking water. We explore how the film connects corporate power, plastic pollution, and public policy, and what it all means for the future of one of our most essential resources. Come listen as we talk about the commod...

In this episode, Roxanne and I explore the often-overlooked issue of senior hunger in America through the lens of the documentary Leftovers. Tune in as we unpack the film’s powerful message and share stories that highlight both the struggle and resilience of aging Americans. We discuss the surprising realities many older adults face when it comes to food insecurity, the stigma that prevents them from seeking help, and the urgent ne...

In this week's episode, Rachael and Roxanne dive into how the first episode of The Conners tackles the opioid crisis in America. From Roseanne’s offscreen death to the emotional fallout faced by her family, we explore how the show reflects real-life struggles with addiction, prescription drug misuse, the broader impact of opioids on working-class families across the U.S., and how Roxanne's British friend feels about medical...

In this episode, Roxanne and I watch Jasper Mall, a quiet and compelling documentary that captures life inside a dying shopping mall in rural Alabama. We unpack how the film serves as a lens into the broader economic and cultural shifts facing America today—from the slow erosion of retail jobs to the loss of shared public space. Through interviews, analysis, and personal stories, we look at what Jasper Mall reveals about community,...