Brilliant Observations
Comedy
Real friends. Real funny. We swear. Like, a lot. Join us for unscripted, uncensored, and definitely unsuitable-for-work comedy conversation about relationships, marriage, friendship, sex, hope, parenting and prospering at midlife. It's like grabbing a weekly cocktail with your favorite girlfriends for a candid look at life that lifts you up as it pulls you in. From religion to porn to money, fears, our bodies, our brains, secrets, failures, food, family and finding your path, almost nothing is off-limits (except politics — gross). Longtime friends Melissa Brilliant and Amy Fugazi overshare about everything with the love and trust that only comes from a lifetime of being there for each other. So cut through the fake friends who try to glamourize all the BS masquerading as midlife. We're the bawdy, brutally honest best friends you never knew you had. And we always pick up the check. Love us? Tell your friends. Hate us? Tell your therapist.
Location:
United States
Genres:
Comedy
Description:
Real friends. Real funny. We swear. Like, a lot. Join us for unscripted, uncensored, and definitely unsuitable-for-work comedy conversation about relationships, marriage, friendship, sex, hope, parenting and prospering at midlife. It's like grabbing a weekly cocktail with your favorite girlfriends for a candid look at life that lifts you up as it pulls you in. From religion to porn to money, fears, our bodies, our brains, secrets, failures, food, family and finding your path, almost nothing is off-limits (except politics — gross). Longtime friends Melissa Brilliant and Amy Fugazi overshare about everything with the love and trust that only comes from a lifetime of being there for each other. So cut through the fake friends who try to glamourize all the BS masquerading as midlife. We're the bawdy, brutally honest best friends you never knew you had. And we always pick up the check. Love us? Tell your friends. Hate us? Tell your therapist.
Twitter:
@listenbrilliant
Language:
English
Episodes
Gaycation in Ibiza
9/18/2025
It's episode 420, Dear Listener, and we must be high to laugh this hard. This week, we explore the unusual topic of Straight Male Gaycationing, RFK's latest vac-attack, and everyone's favorite, the World Gone Mad. Add in a lil teenagers behaving badly, low bladder control and profoundly felt love, and you've got yourself a podcast.
Duration:01:04:25
Tennis, Horrible Mothers and Beach Magic
9/12/2025
Holy Guacamole, Dear Listener! We've been through the ringer this week, but at least we're back in action with a jaunty episode filled with homegrown shock and awe. Missy and Amy take to the sand to set Margate straight after the renters evacuate. And the world slows just a bit to gawk at unruly mothers and shocking behaviors on Netflix. We cap it all off with a rousing round of LISTENER FEEDBACK you won't want to miss.
Duration:00:53:27
All Aboard the Trans Vaginal Express
9/4/2025
Oh my gosh, you guys, this show. It's so funny. Especially the part where we talk about creepy med techs who deeply require training in bedside manner. Then there's friends, talking, football, silliness, gagging (sorry) and speculation about the health of current inhabitant of the Oval Office. A girl can dream.
Duration:01:01:17
Choking Up on the Bald Man
8/28/2025
Feeling pretty smug, are we Dear Listener? Well, shame me not for my 65,000 inbox emails. I'm too busy doing the Lord's work to open your "please subscribe to my blog" email. And by busy, I of course mean chasing wolf spiders, playing Fishdom, and arguing over the proper use of the Oxford comma (see what I did there?). From Victorian fish forks to Cutwater canned vodka to vaginal spelunking, we skewer it all this week. Join us on a perilous romp through all the shocking foibles befalling modern society today. And yea, I kinda did say it.
Duration:01:02:08
Did I Drunk You?
8/21/2025
Tomato sandwiches, dead deer and a whole heaping helping of giggly, googly eyed fun. All this and as the list-lipped mesothelioma lady says, so much more, on today's Brilliant Observations.
Duration:01:05:55
Dildos and Edibles
8/14/2025
Holy chemical stimulation, Batman! Missy and Amy wander down sexual performance enhancement lane this week, Dear Listener, along with a full review of the flingable dildos spotted recently at the W-MBA. It's almost as fun as taking an edible at dinner. Hey, now!
Duration:00:58:55
I Think I'm a Lesbian
8/7/2025
Scotty Scheffler may know who he is, but as for Amy, she's still learning, Dear Listener. This week, we cover Hinge dating, the visual appeal of applying serums and Drive By Carb-ing. Bowl of Prop Cereal, anyone?
Duration:01:04:45
Doggy Drama and Childhood Trauma
7/31/2025
Beach houses, human teeth collections and circular diahhrea. Just another day in paradise, Dear Listener, and per usual we're here for it. We cover the passing of Ozzy Ozbourne, animal cremains and the long list of people's names Amy has no chance of remembering. Sprinkle in a bit of homespun wisdom, potty humor and lighthearted feminist manifesto and you've got yourself a show, folks.
Duration:01:07:07
My This Is Great
7/24/2025
Once again, Melissa goes out of her way to make Amy look bad by allowing Amy's mic to record and broadcast the exact things she says with her own mouth. Amy learns (refutes?) the lies behind the rules our parents told us as children. Missy learns how many songs make other people think of her. And we both discuss the C-suite homewreckers caught canoodling in pubic in front of then entire world (without their consent). Ahh, me. It's a rollick this week, Dear Listener. Promise.
Duration:01:05:36
Vibe Check: Summer Bubble Goes to Mexico
7/17/2025
Time to take yer teets out somewhere salty. The summer is closing, Dear Listener, and as we al know, it can only last as long as it can last. Missy Navy Seal breathes through the struggle as the kids laze, the eyes glaze and TVs on every floor blast Love Island: Creepy and Rapey Edition.
Plus, Melissa shares an uplifting tale of solidarity and love courtesy of a Houston Yoga studio (creepy and rapey edition).
Duration:00:57:25
Fork You, Cheese Ball
7/10/2025
Amy cuts a solid six inches off her hair and literally no one notices. Missy violates the terms and conditions of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. And we both attempt to decompress whilst upholding the rapidly loosening rules of polite society. Kinda.
Duration:01:01:33
Two Dumps Too Far
7/3/2025
It's the Poop Cruise plus Pee Wee, Dear Listener, and boy do we have opinions for you. Missy draws a hard line in the litter box over floating public vacations. Amy doubles down with her side-eye over Paul Reubens' questionable collections. And we both reminisce over the joys of time with family, salt air and silliness.
Duration:01:05:55
Dear Listener Strikes Back
6/26/2025
Duration:01:01:59
Hip Twist Speed Walk Race Off
6/19/2025
Aggressive athletics, with Melissa. This week, our fair friend finds herself (once again) challenged on the Atlantic City boardwalk by yet another geriatric upstart. Who will win?
How long have you listened to this show?
Duration:01:03:17
Poetry, Teeth and Cheerful Theft
6/12/2025
It's love and abundance week, Dear Listerner, so let's kick things off with a timeless message... don't steal. Or maybe, don't get caught.
See also: Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Plus, porn!
Duration:01:01:27
Sleepy Weed
6/5/2025
The pull of gravity has reached our jowels, Dear Listener, and the only one coming to save us is Corporate Thor. Good thing little girls are here to annoy the fugg out of us on an airplane. Interested? You should be. We explore all these topics this week, plus: should Melissa give up her daily sleepy-weed ritual? You be the judge (for a change). Lord knows we could use a break fomr that job.
Duration:00:59:55
Boundary Police and the Philadelphia Sidecar
5/29/2025
"My home is not a landfill, storage unit or museum. How can I use my things if I can't even see them?" All hail Abigail Roe ad @downsizeupgrade for the chant that changed it all. Plus, Missy talks us through the act of sticking things where they don't belong. Amy thins her wigs. And the Boundary Police make another appearance, this time in the form of everyone's favorite word: No.
Duration:01:02:10
Karma at the Beach
5/22/2025
Busch Light Apple and the importance of teaching your children that no amount of added flavor can offset the actual flavor of anything with the name Busch in it. Moving on. Missy contemplates the wide open karmic spaces of a summer at the beach. Amy reports on the little one's State Championship lacrosse game and the ritualistic burning of Nottaway Plantation (no relation). And Missy does everything she can to avoid much needed rest.
Duration:01:09:53
Dry Hump Roundup
5/15/2025
From Action Dick to the gradual lessening of the finger bang, Melissa takes us on a journey of discovery that spans races, cultures and double stuff Oreos. Then, it's the Pope (as you would expect), plus liming, gift giving and the first installment of Ask Me Anything. And given where the content started, it's hard to imagine where these free-for-all questions will lead us next. Happy Mother's Day!
Duration:01:00:45
Egg Salad Tacos and Other Hate Crimes
5/7/2025
Don't say we didn't warn you, Dear Listener. TikTok is at it again with an obnoxious food-adjacent "snack" that can only be described as relationship-ending. Amy accidentally gropes herself in public (again). And Missy sums up the weekend that was after our 35th college reunion with the DSharps.
Duration:01:02:34