Nicole Rafiee has been engaged on YouTube for several years. The 25-year-old content creator initiated her first channel in middle school and, after removing it multiple times due to unwanted attention from her high school classmates, started posting earnestly during her sophomore year in college.

Currently, with 1.07 million subscribers, her channel is renowned for the “Chronically Online Girl explains” series, which covers topics from Ariana Grande to Frenemies lore.

We encountered her at VidCon 2025 to discover her content creation approach and how she manages to record her and Jake Thatcher’s “Talk Nasty to Me” podcast in her bathtub.

A solid state drive

When Rafiee commenced her video-making journey, she encountered technical difficulties, stating, “I was like, why is my computer running at like the speed of nothing? And why is my computer as hot as an oven right now?” The answer was a solid state drive to house her footage. Over time, she’s acquired six, each priced at about $99, which is more economical than a new laptop and reduces tech waste. “Everybody should get an SSD if they want to content create — not everything needs to live off of your computer or phone,” she suggested.

A Sony camera made for creators

Rafiee is doubtful of products aimed at creators, often finding them deficient. Nonetheless, the Sony ZV-1 camera stands out as an exception. It’s intuitive and adaptable, perfect for recording her podcast and vlogging.

A great video light (literally)

Rafiee prioritizes lighting in her videos to establish the ideal atmosphere. The GVM key light enables her to regulate warmth and simulate sunlight, enriching the ambiance.

Bose headphones

Rafiee has long relied on Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones, referring to them as her “true ride or die.” Although Bose has phased out that model, the comparable Bose QuietComfort headphones remain on the market.

Acoustic foam for soundproofing

While Rafiee did not specify the brand of acoustic foam she employs, she deems it critical for her podcasting setup, which occurs in a bathtub. The foam, complemented by pillows and rugs, enhances the audio quality.

Honorable mention: A wellness routine

Rafiee highlights the significance of a wellness routine, coming to realize that she must be in prime health to produce videos. After experiencing migraines and nausea while filming, she recognized that rest and self-care are just as important as any gear.

Mashable will be live at Anaheim Convention Center this week covering VidCon 2025. Check back at Mashable.com for updates on your favorite creators, trends, and insights on growing followings and influence online.