What started as a way to connect with friends has become one of the most influential forces shaping our relationships, self-worth, shopping habits, and even the way we experience everyday life.

In Episode 3 of Pleasure & Pain, Tameika and Dawn unpack the evolution of social media and ask an important question:

Are we using social media... or is social media using us?

From filters and followers to algorithms and online shopping, this conversation explores how the digital world has quietly reshaped our identities, our mental health, our relationships, and the choices we make every day.

Together, they discuss:

• The original purpose of social media—and how it has evolved

• The impact of comparison on confidence and self-esteem

• How curated lives influence our relationships

• Why "TikTok has become the store"

• Consumerism and impulse buying

• Raising children in a world driven by influencers

• News consumption and learning to verify information

• Building healthy boundaries with technology

Plus:

• Pleasure & Pain Moments

• Punchbowl

• The greatest song lyrics of all time

Whether you're an avid content creator, an occasional scroller, or someone trying to create a healthier relationship with technology, this episode offers thoughtful insights into one of the defining forces of modern life.

Chapters:

0:00 Welcome to Pleasure & Pain

1:10 What's New?

5:14 Pleasure & Pain Moments

9:42 Everybody's Watching

11:18 How Social Media Changed Everything

17:46 Filters, Validation & Self-Esteem

25:07 Are We Posting... or Performing?

32:50 Relationships in the Social Media Era

40:26 TikTok Has Become the Store

47:38 Raising Kids in an Influencer World

54:18 Can You Trust What You See Online?

59:33 Punchbowl

1:01:20 Greatest Song Lyrics of All Time

1:06:18 Get Us to Oprah

1:07:14 Final Thoughts