We Interview the Hosts of “Blush With Tiffany & Hiwa”

HELLO TIFFANY ARIANY & HIWA ALAGHEBANDIAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US! TELL US ABOUT YOUR PODCAST “BLUSH” AND WHY YOU STARTED IT?
Hiwa: This past summer, I was dating a guy, and I would constantly turn to Tiffany for dating advice. It got to the point where we were sending each other 20-30 voice memos a day. And in the process, we made so many breakthroughs and had so many AHA moments that we wanted to share them with the world.
Tiffany: We talk about our own personal dating and life experiences while sharing the lessons we have learned along the way. We really wanted to create a show that was relatable, (we’ve been told) funny, and helpful. Really, I just needed an outlet to expose all the embarrassing things I do and have done.  

WHAT DO YOU EACH BRING TO THE SHOW?
Tiffany: We’ve been friends for over fifteen years and in a lot of ways we are very similar… but also different… For example, we are both very self deprecating…  No one can make fun of us the way we make fun of ourselves! At the same time we have our own unique opinions and try to bring different perspectives to the topics we discuss. I would say I always approach topics from my no nonsense, always keeping it real attitude… Which just means, I have zero filter and share too much information. 
Hiwa: I’m really passionate about health & wellness. I have done so many classes and workshops on various types of therapy, self help modalities, inner child work, shadow work…you name it, I’ve done it. My perspective comes from that lense. I like to address wellness when discussing interpersonal relationships. Things like how nutrition could be affecting your mood, how your childhood baggage could be causing you to self-sabotage, how your childhood can affect who you’re attracted to, and so on; and I like to share the tools and resources that have been helpful for me.

WHAT SEPARATES YOU FROM OTHER PODCASTS?
Hiwa: I find that there are broadly two types of podcasts in this space: 1. ones that are really health & wellness focused and aspirational, but not at all relatable. I almost feel bad about myself listening to podcasts like this because I feel so inferior. 2. Podcasts that are really relatable and entertaining, but are ultimately somewhat unhealthy for your subconscious. I think that Blush bridges this gap: our podcast is so relatable, we don’t pretend to be experts or to have it all figured out. We share our own cringy behaviors and are completely self-aware. But we also share the underlying psychology of our behavior, and tools and resources to be better.
Tiffany: For me, it’s our genuine chemistry. We’ve been told by a lot of our listeners that they feel like they are listening to their best friends talk about life and their experiences and it’s really nice to listen to that. We really are very close and have a lot of respect for each other, which helps us open up (sometimes even forgetting we are sharing so much!) and also be super silly. 

WHAT’S THE HARDEST STORY YOU’VE HAD TO SHARE?
Tiffany: In “Dating Horror Stories” I open up about a WILD experience I had with a guy. I had just got out of a serious relationship and I was very vulnerable… Somehow that turned into me being flown out to a foreign country and almost ending up in jail. I hadn’t even told my close friends a lot of the details that were very cringeworthy… but looking back pretty funny! 
Hiwa: In Episode 5, “Why We Pick Fights,” I shared the story of a guy I was dating at the time and how it fell apart, particularly honing in on my own dysfunctional behavior that caused the wedge. It was so raw and vulnerable and current, I was really dreading listening to it. But interestingly enough, listening to the episode after it came out gave me so much clarity and closure.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WON’T SHARE ON THE PODCAST?
Tiffany: Well, since all our stories are based on real men, we have to keep their identities a secret so we use code names. For the most part though, nothing is off limits! 
Hiwa: So far, this really has been a no-holds-bar discussion. I know my parents listen, but despite that, we really have not held back. Episode 5 I’m sure was shocking and disturbing for my dad. The only thing that would be off limits for me is anything that could harm someone else. Tiffany and I consciously chose to do this and to share our lives, but the people in our lives did not, so I do plan to be careful not to share anything that might hurt someone I love.

ARE THERE ANY TOPICS YOU ARE PLANNING TO DISCUSS THAT YOU ARE EXCITED ABOUT?
Tiffany: Yes! We are currently working on an episode that should come out in January where we will be discussing body image issues. We’ll be opening up about eating disorders and plastic surgery. 
Hiwa: Definitely excited for that episode. We’re also planning on recording an episode about growing up Persian, the psychological effects of growing up as a minority in America, and how that affected our dating lives and interpersonal relationships.

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE LISTEN TO BLUSH?
Tiffany: Regardless of your relationship status, at the VERY least we guarantee you will be entertained. Also, someone told me that it was very relaxing to listen to… So like, if you need to be relaxed and entertained then this is your podcast! 
Hiwa: I have long heard that podcasts need to be one of three things: educational, aspirational, or entertaining. I think Blush hits two of the three- it’s both entertaining and educational. I don’t know that I would call it aspirational because Tiffany and I are both crazy, and no one should aspire to be like us. But hey, two out of three is pretty good.

WHERE CAN PEOPLE LISTEN TO THE PODCAST?
Hiwa: You can find us any streaming podcast platform including, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 
Tiffany: Also make sure you follow us on Instagram for fun content like memes and videos of our show, @BlushPod. 

To know more about Tiffany and Hiwa don’t forget to follow them on Instagram @TiffanyAriany and @Hiwaaaaaaaa