Catching up on the queue
Coffee tips, resolution advice, radical aging, beefluencers, life on Mars, word history, feminism definitions.
Late December and early January are time when I reflect on all the seasons and series I forgot to finish and remember the ongoing shows that somehow slipped through my queue. In this off-peak time, it takes a little more intention to find things to listen to because they aren’t flowing as quickly into your queue. And this is by no means a complaint, I fully support podcasters taking breaks. All of this being said, I’m definitely still behind on finishing up some series, but I did find some podcasts to keep me company as the new year rolled in.
This week’s podstack
Am I Doing It Wrong? - Coffee with Sumi Ali
If you ever feel like you’re over caffeinated and buzzing too much from your coffee, have a banana! This episode gives tips about what items to invest in first if you want to level up your coffee game and insider tips to better understand your brew. And when it doubt, ask your barista! Just like with many things, if you can describe what you tend to like, they’ll be able to help you find what might be good to order, especially if you’re out somewhere new and not sure what to try. This episode was my first taste of this show and with the hosts fun banter that hits that sweet spot of ‘info-tainment’ I have already started listening to more. Including an extremely honest episode about poop!
Hear Me Out - Yes, You Can Self-Improve Right Now
It started as an episode about making smaller, more specific resolutions or goals for the year, but actually escalated to a bigger conversation about advice. I really enjoyed the perspective on thinking specifically about goals for the year because it was a nice shift from some of the more pressuring messages about making big things happen when a new year starts. The discussion of advice in general focused on how to give it, how to receive it, and even where to seek it. As someone who has a whole podcast about advice, Zak Rosen brought a helpful perspective to thinking about advice that challenged some of the preconceptions Celeste had about advice. (transcript)
This was one of the ongoing shows I love that I was glad to have more time to revisit this week. This episode brings a badass perspective to aging and how people are treated after they retire. Maggie Kuhn retired at a time when you could basically be forced to retire and it inspired her to go on a mission to change the way aging people are treated. “People are defined, in our profit-centred society, by chronological age. We are also defined by what we do,” Maggie said. Basically, if you don’t “do” anything you were seen as less important to society. I loved hearing about how Maggie fought the stereotypes and created a whole community around embracing every age. (transcript)
Non-Toxic - "Operation Beefluencer" with Joe Fassler
Big Beef has been breeding influencers by providing them with courses that are basically pro beef gaslighting 101. They’re subtle and sneaky and quietly funding these “beefluencers” who post about and tell their friends that beef doesn’t actually have an impact on the climate. Journalist Joe Fassler infiltrated the courses and the discussion groups to learn what was going on and the messaging that was being used. It feels very similar to the way the fossil fuel industry has done sneaky things to shift the focus or criticism away from them. I haven’t listened to any other episodes of this show yet, but I’m very intrigued by their approach of studying the way masculinity impacts climate change initiatives and reactions.
I don’t know if I’ve ever heard two people be so enthusiastic and energetic about their very science-heavy work. Kelly and Zach Weinersmith are basically space experts and seem to know everything there is to know about the history of space travel, research, and where NASA might be headed. When they talk about the reasons why moving to Mars might not be in our near future, one factor that seems so obvious is simply the fact that no one has ever given birth or been raised in space and we don’t know for certain how big of an impact that could have. As they’re answering all of Adam’s questions, they always seem to know a study or a moment in history that can help anyone learn more about what exactly has been happening that brought us to this point in space exploration.
A Way with Words - Dirty Laundry (Rebroadcast) - 20 November 2023
I’m so glad Cassi Young-Paxton recommended this in Tink’s Audio Delicacies because it’s such a fun and fascinating listen. So much of the show revolves around listener questions, usually relating to a word or phrase. Hosts Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett have such a deep knowledge of language and the history of it. I found it so funny how often people would call in with a word or phrase that they always thought was super unique to their family or town, only to learn where it actually came from and how widespread it is. This is the kind of show that would give you so many interesting facts to randomly tell people about and blow their minds.
The Waves - What is a Feminist, Really?
I’m sad to hear that The Waves is coming to an end, but this was a very strong episode to end on. Even a show that has always been about feminism and how it intersects with so many aspects of our life, struggles to define what it means today. Producer Cheyna Roth and original host June Thomas discuss the way it has evolved and what’s impacting the definition in today’s society. The question of who should get to call themselves a feminist was especially complex. (transcript)
More sweet treats
Why the new women’s professional hockey league has temporary names.
Mesmerized by a vintage lettering set.
What everyone is wearing to museums.
Have you met Neil the Seal?
Thank you for reading! If you listened to something this week that made your heart sing, your imagination wander, or your brain ponder, I’d love to hear about it!
Thanks for featuring my tweet, Dev!