News and Happenings

“Don’t have sex. You will get pregnant — and die.” This line was delivered by a fictional high school coach in the movie Mean Girls, but it alludes to a real problem within the education system: that the vast majority of U.S. states don’t teach medically accurate or inclusive sex education. Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, an OBGYN and author, is trying to change that. Instead of scaring or shaming people, she’s meeting them where they are and setting the record straight, starting with the vulva. V invites Dr. Jen to answer all the necessary questions about periods, STIs, pubic hair, and vaginal emergencies. Plus, she gives a look at the lengths she’s had to go to educate, like planting books in libraries where talk of contraception and abortion is restricted.

That’s right — the White House invited V back! They recap their experience in D.C., where it was made clear that TikTokers continue to be central to education and engagement. V also breaks down the business of Girl Scouts, plus why retailers are embracing the holidays even earlier this year. Then, they chat with a guest who’s right on the money: TikTok’s “Rich BFF” Vivian Tu! Boasting credentials like owning a $2M NYC apartment, Vivian comes armed with tons of tips for making money work for you.

What are some nostalgic things you remember doing at the mall? For V, it was working their first job at Bath and Body Works, buying CDs from Radio Shack, and watching people take glamour shots at JCPenney. The mall was once poppin’, and it used to be the hottest place to build. What happened? Architecture critic and author Alexandra Lange joins V to talk about the inside history of the mall, from the design features that make malls an iconic American institution to when their popularity began to drop off. Plus, where the “dead mall” narrative came from and why repurposing them could help communities like the unhoused.

 The U.S. midterm elections always shake up politics, and this year is no exception. V breaks down how races all over the country have gotten competitive in unexpected ways, making voter turnout all the more critical. Plus, the science...

In this fun past episode of V Interesting, V chats with Hank Green, the founder of VidCon and a true Renaissance man. Hank is a familiar voice to everyone who watched Crash Course educational YouTube videos in school, and he’s...

This week, V is slinging history lessons. They unpack how recent executive orders from President Biden stand in stark contrast to the “chastity laws” of the past, which made everyday sexual activities a federal offense. Plus, V highlights the hidden...

When V thinks back to their childhood, they remember rushing home from school to watch the Ricki Lake Show. That’s where they learned about diverse relationships, how to stand up to bullies, and that wearing blazers is cool. Now, V’s talking to the show’s iconic star about how she went from starring in Hairspray to being the youngest talk show host that audiences had seen to producing documentaries inspired by her personal stories. This jam-packed journey is what inspired Ricki’s new retrospective program with Lemonada, “Raised By Ricki,” and it turns out her life today is just as full: of happiness, love, and podcasts.

When it comes to special-edition McDonald’s products, employees aren’t lovin’ it. V explains how adult Happy Meals are just one recent example of nostalgia and fandom drawing crowds and putting pressure on workers. V also breaks down the different levels of holidays, as the nation splits between Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Then, V sits down with Dr. Sidhbh Gallagher, the surgeon known on TikTok for providing gender-affirming care to grateful patients. She and V discuss the nitty t*tty of top surgery, the political climate surrounding her Florida-based practice, and the peace and satisfaction she gets from her work.

What’s the first thing you look for on dating apps? Nowadays, the kids are checking for height and…political affiliation? As we learn this week from Maddie Medved and Samantha Kanter, hosts of the podcast Girl and the Gov, politics has become personal. Civics class didn’t prepare us for this! With midterm elections just around the corner, they share with V all the issues that are inspiring young voters to show up to the polls. V also gets curious about how candidates can use social media to meet millennials and Gen Z where they are, plus the tools Maddie and Sammy launched to help bridge that gap.

Halloween isn’t the only spooky thing happening this fall. In Italy, the newly elected prime minister is unearthing some concerning politics of the country’s past, and many people have eyes on the U.S. Supreme Court to see if they might do the same — their newest term starts this week, and a lot of consequential cases are on the docket. But not all is dark! V shares how the government is engaging more everyday people, and how more everyday people can make trick-or-treating better for everyone. Then, V chats with filmmakers Robin Hofmann and Laura VonMutius about the film they created for a child’s Make-a-Wish dream, sharing highlights from behind the scenes and the details of V’s special cameo.