10 Things We're Doing Besides Being Attentive Listeners

Jun 18

You know that one girl in junior high who calmly and confidently explained periods and sex to everyone without breaking a sweat? She grew up to be Alex Capano, who came on the podcast to teach us all about reproductive health, the world of medicinal cannabis, and so much more. And! Serious contender for the title of most charming author ever, Rumaan Alam, joined us to talk about how he manages to sit down and write whole dang books, including his latest one, which has the literary world straight-up vibrating with buzz. (Not for nothing, that ep also features the return of the Alex update.)

erica’s things

Feeling my soft spot for lawn flamingos get even softer.
Confirming that female-scientist-as-narrator is a guaranteed way to lure me into a novel.
Pondering the many, many, many things you could put this roasted pepper, pine nut, and golden raisin condiment on—like, beyond all the sandwiches.
Engaging with the mesmerizing world of smushed lipstick here and here.
Feeeeeeling Juliana Hatfield Sings Olivia Newton-John, especially as a start-the-day soundtrack.

Recognizing that 50% of my soup-dumpling cravings are fueled by the dipping sauce, so scooping up some black vinegar and drizzling it on all my rice and veggies alongside soy sauce.
Developing a real fondness for the writer Haley Nahman. This and this are both good places to start if you want to do the same, and her Insta won’t disappoint, either.
Urging you to google “muppet outtakes.”
Trying to make bowls of lychees the new bowls of nuts. Couldn’t be cuter fruits, and there’s something relaxing about sitting around peeling ‘em and chit-chatting.
Tearing through this seriously engaging and thought-provoking memoir about what it means to be single and child-free as a 40-year-old woman. (Spoiler: Sounds kinda great?)

Struggling not to wear this every single day—a near-perfect summer garment, IMHO.