The Viall Files

E1078 The Valley W Golnesa Gg Love Is Blind Premiere Summer House Below Deck The Olympic Cheater

February 12, 2026

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • An unnamed Olympian confessed to cheating on his girlfriend while accepting a Bronze medal at the games, leading to their breakup. 
  • The hosts discussed the premiere of *Love Is Blind* Season 10, noting that the first engaged couple is sent to Malibu instead of Mexico for privacy. 
  • The male cast members of *The Valley: Persian Style* are perceived by the hosts as being notably solid and dedicated partners compared to men on other Bravo shows. 
  • Golnesa "GG" Gharachedaghi revealed she is sapiosexual, meaning she is attracted to intelligence, and is currently not dating after being single for over a year. 
  • GG explained that her aggressive demeanor on *The Valley: Persian Style* was a deliberate tactic to intimidate cast members like Skye, stemming from her upbringing where she learned to "knock if you buck." 
  • GG and the host agreed that the male partners on *The Valley: Persian Style* appear notably healthier and more supportive compared to the typical toxic male characters often featured on Bravo reality shows. 

Segments

Sponsor Reads and House Updates
Copied to clipboard!
(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: IQ Bar offers 20% off plus free shipping for listeners who text ‘FILES’ to 64000, and Pura offers a free Home Diffuser with a 12-month subscription.
  • Summary: IQ Bar products are promoted as low-sugar brain and body fuel, with a special offer available via text message. Pura is highlighted as a smart home fragrance system that allows scent control via a phone app. The hosts also provided updates on their family, including Leia feeling better after the flu and sharing pregnancy restrictions like avoiding cat litter.
Upcoming Live Show & Merch Drop
Copied to clipboard!
(00:08:33)
  • Key Takeaway: The Viall Files is hosting a live show with the new Temptation Island cast on May 6th, and a limited-edition ‘Household’ merch drop is scheduled for the following Thursday.
  • Summary: The podcast is promoting its subscription service, Viall Files Plus, which offers ad-free episodes and bonus content. Tickets for the live show featuring the upcoming Temptation Island cast in the LA area are currently on sale. A new, limited-run merchandise collection described as the ‘best merch we’ve ever done’ is set to launch soon.
Olympic Cheater Story Analysis
Copied to clipboard!
(00:10:38)
  • Key Takeaway: A biathlete confessed to cheating on his girlfriend during his post-race interview after winning a Bronze medal, stating he had a ‘gold medal in my life’ that he lost.
  • Summary: The hosts analyzed the story of a Norwegian biathlete who publicly admitted to infidelity after winning a Bronze medal, claiming he told his girlfriend a week prior. The ex-girlfriend responded that forgiveness is hard even after such a public declaration. The segment also noted the athlete’s past impulsive behavior, including an accidental rifle discharge in a hotel room in 2023.
Love Is Blind Season 10 Premiere
Copied to clipboard!
(00:17:25)
  • Key Takeaway: The first engaged couple on Love Is Blind Season 10 is sent to Malibu for a private vacation without cameras, unlike the rest of the cast sent to Mexico.
  • Summary: The hosts shared initial impressions of Love Is Blind Season 10, noting that Steven is a polarizing figure who seems spoiled by his mother. Victor is highlighted as a potential fan favorite due to his kind and loving demeanor. The production choice to send the first engaged couple to Malibu separately was explained as a logistical necessity due to the high number of couples.
Summer House Recap and Drama
Copied to clipboard!
(00:33:23)
  • Key Takeaway: Kyle is criticized for blaming Amanda’s lack of libido on her smoking weed and for complaining about her to new cast members, demonstrating a failure to take responsibility.
  • Summary: The recap covered Kyle storming off after fighting with Amanda over her not skinny dipping and his subsequent trauma-dumping to Lindsay. Kyle justified his increased DJing by claiming he was losing money promoting Loverboy previously, but now makes money doing it. The hosts noted the bizarre dynamic where Kyle complains about his wife to others but avoids direct confrontation with her.
The Valley: Persian Style Preview
Copied to clipboard!
(00:39:48)
  • Key Takeaway: The male cast of The Valley: Persian Style appears to exhibit healthy masculinity and dedication to their marriages, contrasting with men on other Bravo shows.
  • Summary: The hosts praised The Valley: Persian Style for showcasing seemingly stable relationships, noting an episode where men defended their partners. This is attributed to the cast members not being primarily motivated by reality TV fame, unlike some veterans who create storylines. Amir and Natasha’s communication is specifically mentioned as an example of a healthy dynamic.
Below Deck Galley Dynamics
Copied to clipboard!
(00:45:01)
  • Key Takeaway: The sous chef complained about the chef’s toxicity, but the hosts suggested the tension stemmed from the heat of the galley and the chef’s tendency to tease staff.
  • Summary: Meredith Marks was observed quickly recording a moment when a man was grinding on Brittany, which the hosts found interesting given Brittany’s recent public breakup drama. Brittany accused the chef of toxicity, but the hosts felt the environment of the galley naturally creates high pressure. The segment also confirmed that Jared found out about his breakup with Brittany via an Instagram caption.
GG’s Dating Life & Sapiosexuality
Copied to clipboard!
(00:52:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Golnesa Gharachedaghi identifies as sapiosexual, requiring intellectual stimulation for attraction.
  • Summary: Golnesa Gharachedaghi has been single for over a year and is not interested in random flings. She identifies as sapiosexual, meaning she needs significant “brain juice” to become attracted to someone. She currently has no intellectual crushes and finds finding intellectuals difficult in Los Angeles.
Raya App Hurdles and Dating Apps
Copied to clipboard!
(00:53:29)
  • Key Takeaway: The Raya dating app requires access to contacts, which GG refused due to privacy concerns.
  • Summary: GG bought an iPad to try Raya after Jeff Lewis’s recommendation but was denied access because she would not grant the app access to her phone contacts. She declined this request, finding it bizarre, and noted that getting off Raya is difficult, comparing it to a hard-to-cancel gym membership. The League is mentioned as an alternative app for business professionals, though GG felt she might be too old for its typical demographic.
GG’s Return to Reality TV
Copied to clipboard!
(00:57:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Returning to TV felt awkwardly comfortable, and motherhood has increased GG’s awareness and patience for others’ journeys.
  • Summary: GG described returning to television as being like getting back on a bicycle she fell off of, but she feels better than before. Having a son has made her hyper-aware of her actions, though she still struggles with anger issues. Motherhood has given her a new level of understanding and patience for other people’s difficult life stories.
Editing Power and Confrontation Tactics
Copied to clipboard!
(00:58:48)
  • Key Takeaway: GG believes reality stars are responsible for what is shown, but editing omits context, such as her psychological game with another cast member.
  • Summary: GG stated that while editing can cut moments, reality stars are responsible for what they do on camera. She revealed that a confrontation about smoking at a party was edited to omit her using a psychological tactic on the other person, who admitted to drinking wine daily around her children. GG admitted her aggressive confrontation with Skye was intentional intimidation because Skye was attacking her friends.
Cannabis Spending and House Hunting
Copied to clipboard!
(01:01:00)
  • Key Takeaway: GG’s high cannabis spending (up to $4,000 monthly) is significantly inflated by California’s nearly 40% tax rate.
  • Summary: GG confirmed she smokes a lot, but California’s cannabis taxes, close to 40% on top of the price, nearly halve the final cost. She is strain-specific, focusing on compounds rather than just packaging or strain names, and uses cannabis to help manage an autoimmune disease. GG found a new, smaller five-bedroom house with a large backyard suitable for her two Rottweilers after wrapping filming.
RJ and Skye Dynamics on The Valley
Copied to clipboard!
(01:03:45)
  • Key Takeaway: GG gifted Skye a vibrating toy after witnessing RJ’s quick self-gratification during a scene in Palm Springs.
  • Summary: GG observed that RJ’s sexual encounter was very quick, leaving Skye exhausted, so GG gifted Skye a vibrating toy the next morning, a moment that was cut from the show. GG confirmed she would never date RJ because she is sapiosexual and RJ lacks the necessary intelligence. GG believes Skye’s current aggressive persona is her authentic self, unlike her previous facade, but she needs to show vulnerability to remain watchable.
MJ’s Divorce and Tommy’s Behavior
Copied to clipboard!
(01:11:09)
  • Key Takeaway: The straw that broke the camel’s back for MJ’s divorce was her son mimicking his father’s negative behavior, not just Tommy’s on-camera mistreatment.
  • Summary: Watching Tommy speak to MJ on camera was gut-wrenching, but the primary catalyst for divorce was MJ seeing her son mimic his father’s behavior. GG noted that Tommy’s explanation for his actions—that he was ‘having her back’—failed to connect with the reality that his absence created more work for MJ. GG is proud of MJ for prioritizing herself and her son’s well-being over staying in the marriage.
Positive Male Energy on The Valley
Copied to clipboard!
(01:16:02)
  • Key Takeaway: The male partners on The Valley: Persian Style are praised for displaying healthy masculinity, including emotional vulnerability.
  • Summary: GG appreciates that the straight male energy on The Valley: Persian Style is confident enough to show vulnerability, such as crying gently on camera. She specifically highlighted the work Greg and Tannon have put into their marriages, bringing them closer. Natasha and Amir are considered the heart of the crew, offering a balanced perspective to the female dynamics.