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.

Mike and Malena are back to discuss what's in their feeds this month, if Substack is the new home for organic content online, and Oobah Butler's remarkable new documentary How I Made a Million in 90 Days.

Things aren't great right now, but is social media really dying? Does it matter if it is?

Is launching Christmas ranges in September a great plan?

How about Black Friday sales in October?

And how can luxury brands built on legacy and authenticity adapt and survive in a world where dupe culture and handmade content are now the preferred form of expression for buyers?