Are boyfriends embarrassing?

January 2, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

🎙️ The Voices & The Context

The Format: This episode of Today Explained dives into a viral cultural debate through back-to-back interviews, unpacking social media trends and academic critiques of modern relationships with a provocative, unflinching edge.
The Format: An interview-driven podcast with host-led analysis.
The Key Players:
- Shantae Joseph: British Vogue writer whose 2025 article "Is Having a Boyfriend Embarrassing Now?" exploded online, sparking fierce debates on privacy, branding, and straight relationships.
- Jane Ward: UC Santa Barbara professor and queer studies expert, author of The Tragedy of Heterosexuality, offering a sharp academic lens on straight culture's flaws.
- Host (Elizabeth Herndon): Guides the discussion with probing questions, blending curiosity and subtle pushback for dynamic flow.

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What you'll learn

1 `(00:00)` **🎙️ Introduction: Shantae Joseph**
2 `(02:40)` **Social Media Trends Hiding Boyfriends**
3 `(03:55)` **Reasons Women Hide Boyfriends**
4 `(06:12)` **Tradwife Movement and Cultural Backlash**
5 `(07:28)` **Reactions to the Viral Piece**
6 `(09:42)` **Shame Around Straight Relationships**
7 `(14:16)` **🎙️ Introduction: Jane Ward**

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

We investigate.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Astead Herndon.

Photo credit Eder Paisan/Getty Images.

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