In this episode of RenFare, we’re talking Olympian gods and reality TV — two worlds filled with drama, ego, and larger-than-life personalities. Coincidence? Maybe not.

First, we take you up to Mount Olympus to meet the 12 Olympian gods — the chaotic group that ruled Greek mythology. From Aphrodite’s love triangles to Zeus’s power plays, we unpack who’s who, what they ruled over, and how these deities reflected the values and messiness of ancient life.

Then we shift to another pantheon of modern-day icons: reality TV stars. Why do we love watching other people’s drama? What draws us to the highs, lows, and over-the-top personalities of reality shows? We dive into the psychology behind why reality TV feels so satisfying — and how it taps into something timeless.

This episode has ancient myths and modern fixations, gods, confessionals, and a whole lot of spectacle.

Socials:

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Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Olympians

https://www.britishmuseum.org/blog/gods-and-goddesses-greek-and-roman-pantheon

https://www.thecollector.com/greek-gods-and-godesses/

https://www.historyhit.com/ancient-greek-gods-and-goddesses-of-mount-olympus/

https://www.history.com/articles/greek-mythology

https://www.livescience.com/all-about-history-issue-117

https://econtent.hogrefe.com/doi/abs/10.1027/1864-1105/a000186

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08838151003734995

https://studylib.net/doc/8023379/motivations-for-viewing-reality-television--a-uses-and-gr%E2%80%A6

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228745630_Why_people_watch_reality_TV

https://sites.comminfo.rutgers.edu/kgreene/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/05/JoBEM2010-1.pdf

https://scholar.nycu.edu.tw/en/publications/reality-tv-materialism-and-associated-consequences-an-exploration https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/inclusive-mental-health/the-power-of-diversity-in-reality-television-impact-on-culture-and-social-media/ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324032504_From_Apprentice_to_President_The_Role_of_Parasocial_Connection_in_the_Election_of_Donald_Trump

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370729772_Surviving_Racism_and_Sexism_What_Votes_in_the_Television_Program_Survivor_Reveal_About_Discrimination