Heather Turner and Tallon Taylor are the brand-new hosts of the SUU News podcast “A Date with Sugar and Spice.” With episodes airing every Friday, the hosts address dating and relationships through their own experiences or those of their guests.
After former hosts Cormick Bone and Christina Schweiss gave up the podcast at the end of the 2023-2024 school year, Turner and Taylor picked up the mic and released their first episode on Sept. 20. In this episode entitled “A New Era,” they introduce themselves while discussing the awkwardness of first dates. Sharing funny and quirky anecdotes, this episode set the tone for this season of the podcast, described as “comedic,” “cringeworthy” and “heartfelt” by the hosts.
“I think our podcast is a good line between funny and actually getting a third-party experience,” said Taylor.
The primary goal of “A Date with Sugar and Spice” is to create a supportive community where SUU students can enjoy relatable stories and see themselves in the experiences shared.
“We’re actually within their general view, so I think it makes it a little bit more relatable,” said Taylor. “Plus, we have crazy stories, and we’re pretty open about it. So I feel maybe they’ll feel less awkward about some of their dating stories.”
One of the pair’s favorite episodes is “Beard Burn.” In this episode, Tim, Taylor’s roommate, shares a story from high school where he was kicked out of a party by the father of a girl he was previously romantic with. All of this, while wearing Groucho glasses to remain incognito.
“We’re very funny, but at the end of the day, it’s also a vulnerable topic,” said Taylor. “And I think that even though we approach it with humor, it’s very touching that people are able to come together over a topic that is loved.”
Discussing dates that range from bizarre to tragic or even Disney-movie worthy, “A Date with Sugar and Spice” provides advice and insight into the reality of dating life for SUU students.
“College is a strange social experience where you just put so many young adults — which is a crazy time to be alive anyway — in a combined space and then we’re all wanting to date each other,” said Turner. “So wacky stuff comes up, and I think having a podcast where we can make light of it is super cool. I think students should come listen to us and revel in uncomfortableness.”
The podcast’s episodes can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and SUU News’ website. If you would like to join and share your dating experiences, send a message to the SUU News Instagram.
Author: Fanny Felixine
Editor: Heather Turner
Copy Editor: Kayd Johanson
Photos courtesy of Heather Turner and SUU News podcasting
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