What does it mean to be interesting in a world where everyone has access to the same information?

In this episode, Michael Baggs and Malena Roche are joined by strategist Eugene Healy to unpack the rise of the performative male and the idea of knowledge as capital, drawing on Pierre Bourdieu and modern cultural dynamics.

We explore why, as traditional wealth becomes harder to attain, the middle class is turning to intellectual identity, niche expertise, and cultural fluency as new forms of status, especially in dating and social markets.

From Iran to horoscopes, from spirituality’s rebrand among intellectuals to the pressure to be distinctive on demand, this conversation digs into what it means to build a self that stands out in an algorithmic world.

But there’s a clear tension, how do you cultivate depth without becoming a curated, performative version of yourself? How do you ensure there's not a thousand other reflections of yourself everywhere from Bushwick to Hackney, Collingwood to Nørrebro?

A sharp, wide ranging discussion on culture, status, masculinity, and meaning in 2026.

2026 has started with questions about social media and digital burn out, which has escalated quickly into people returning to CDs, home brewed VHS video releases of new films, magazines and sending letters to one another.

Dr. Anastasia Kārkliņa Gabriel joins Malena and Mike for this episode to discuss the return of analog, online communities and where brands can show up and make third spaces better.

2026 is coming in hot, with plenty going on in the world of culture, from Pantone picking almond mom white through to fire sale Burberry, things feel off-script. And of course, AI and Grok specifically, couldn't give us a week before opening a fresh can of worms.