About this episode

Kate discusses optimization culture and its impact on life while sharing various cultural insights.

This week, it's just Kate, an Aperol Spritz, and the tech bro quote about wine that accidentally kicked off the conversation we've all been needing about optimization culture and being tired of treating every part of life like a performance review. Plus, a round of News You Can Use about why fruit hasn't been sweet since 1996, this season's hottest mnemonic devices, the babydoll dress of it all, and reviewing what Olivia Rodrigo is doing differently in Drop Dead and The Cure, all of it strangely circling back to living in a world that quantifies us without letting the number become the whole story. Enjoy! SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS Order Kate's NYT Bestselling book, One in a Millennial here ! Text or leave a voicemail for Kate at 775-HEY-BETH! Thank you to AllModern for furnishing Kate's Season 2 Studio! AllModern has the best of modern furniture and decor all in one place. With styles from Scandi and mid-century, to minimalist and maximalist, every design is hand-vetted for quality by their team of experts. Plus they have fast + free shipping! Check out allmodern.com ; you'll find Kate's bookshelves here and her new rug here ! As an exclusive offer, new listeners can get their choice…

Sponsors

AllModern, ButcherBox

More episodes of Be There in Five

• WE NEVER STOOD A CHANCE (Parenting Edition) · July 19, 2026 · 1h 37m
• Cannes Debrief, MSG, and Celebs Making Out at the Heath (with Sami Sage) · July 2, 2026 · 1h 35m
• It's Like Our Sleepover (with Anna Konkle) · June 21, 2026 · 1h 42m
• Madison Square Jargon · June 11, 2026 · 1h 8m
• False Paternity, 14 Felonies, and a Former Bachelor: Stephani Young on Love Trapped · May 14, 2026 · 1h 36m

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Be There in Five podcast page.