For the first time, Beth and Michelle welcome a guest to the podcast: writer, filmmaker, author, and Castellini Test creator Bri Castellini. Before diving into What's Your Number?, Bri shares the surprising origin of the tongue-in-cheek feminist film test that inspired a recurring part of the show, why it was never meant to replace thoughtful criticism, and how it became a starting point for bigger conversations about representation rather than a final verdict.
Together they unpack a romantic comedy that initially looks like a simple story about counting former partners but turns out to be something much more thoughtful. They explore purity culture, double standards, family expectations, and the impossible standards placed on women, while celebrating Anna Faris' brilliant physical comedy, Chris Evans' unexpected rom-com charm, and the surprisingly heartfelt relationship at the center of the film. Along the way, the conversation wanders through feminism, Doctor Who, comedy, and why the best podcasts sometimes sound like friends forgetting what they were supposed to be talking about.
The episode closes with the Castellini Test itself, but true to Bri's original intent, the discussion never treats the score as the destination. Instead, it becomes the beginning of a richer conversation about feminism, equity, and why no single metric can ever capture everything a movie has to say.
Instagram:
@BrisOwnWorld (personal/author account)
@CastelliniFilmSchool (consulting & filmmaking account)
Bluesky: @brisownworld.bsky.social
Website: BriCastellini.com
Romance novel newsletter: forcedproximity.substack.com
Her book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D1RWK2WS