About this episode

The episode explores the cultural significance of RushTok and its implications for Southern identity and internet culture.

This week, the internet turned its eyes to an annual 2020s tradition: watching freshman girls rush sororities at big Southern state schools via an endless stream of social videos. What does our obsession with RushTok tell us about the South, the internet, and America? Plus, what's up with the influencer backlash on Nantucket, and why is mahjong so hot right now? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Topics covered

• sororities
• social media
• Southern culture
• influencer backlash
• mahjong

Keywords

• RushTok
• sororities
• Southern culture
• influencer backlash
• mahjong
• social media

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: mahjong

Places: South, Nantucket

More episodes of Engagement Party

• Dating Apps Were Never About Romance · September 4, 2026 · 38 min
• Television's Prestige Hangover Era Is Here · August 28, 2026 · 38 min
• Lauren Weedman From 'Hacks' Has Main Character Energy · August 14, 2026 · 42 min
• How Ella Langley Won the Electoral College of Culture · August 7, 2026 · 39 min
• Eddie Huang and the Power of "Sad Boy Lit" · July 31, 2026 · 35 min
• Gen Z's '90s Nostalgia Has Some Gaps · July 24, 2026 · 48 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Engagement Party podcast page.