Shut Up and Listen - Issue #5

I go crazy over Crazy Rich Asians, cry about the final Dear Sugars episode, and more.

Last weekend, I saw Crazy Rich Asians and truly have not stopped thinking about it since. It was so perfectly cast, and so transportive, that I had to find another way to bring those actors back into my life. More specifically, I needed to find a way to listen to Henry Golding’s velvety British accent without sitting through the 2 hour long movie a second time (although I’m definitely not opposed to that).

Luckily, I found 2 interviews with Golding (swoon) as well as several episodes featuring Constance Wu and Awkwafina, two of the smartest, funniest, most badass actresses in Hollywood right now.

I also listened to the final episode of Dear Sugars, the beloved advice podcast hosted by authors Cheryl Strayed and Steve Almond. I’m sad, but mostly in denial about the show going off the air—it will probably hit me in a few weeks, when I’m frantically refreshing my podcast app and the show’s little blue icon no longer pops up (you can read an article I wrote about Dear Sugars here).

ALSO—I found an incredible episode of Cults which incorporates theories about ancient aliens, modern UFO sightings and abductions, and French people! Wow! My dream creepy content!!!

And just FYI, I’m trying out something new this week by including individual episode descriptions. I’m worried it’s too wordy, but I also thought it might be helpful to have that information (you know, for the 4 people who read this). LMK what you think 🤔

As always, thanks for being here!

Henry Golding (@henrygolding) joins Deadline’s Amanda N'Duka and Dino Ray Ramos to discuss his career and role in Crazy Rich Asians.

A panel of Asian American and hapa (half-Asian) men and women discuss the casting of half-British, half-Malaysian actor Henry Golding in the role of the Chinese character Nick Young in Crazy Rich Asians.

The stars of Crazy Rich Asians stop by BUILD studios to discuss shooting the first movie with a fully Asian cast in 25 years.

Actress Constance Wu stops in to chat hair journeys, the representation of Asian-Americans in media and of course, JLo.

The rapper/actress drops in to open up about Asian-American representation in Hollywood, the perils of searching for a place to pee in NYC, life on the come-up, and making her family proud while rapping about her vag.

Zazie Beetz (Atlanta, Deadpool 2) opens up about her struggle with anxiety, her biracial identity, and what becoming a public figure has meant for her personal journey on subjects like race and gender.

Barry Jenkins gained worldwide recognition with Moonlight, his film about the life of Chiron, a young black man in Florida struggling with his sexuality and a drug-addicted mom. Also, of course, the whole Oscars catastrophe. Despite evidence (and awards) to the contrary, Barry doubts his own brilliance. They get into that, and the best movie ever made (and the worst in recent memory).

TW: Suicide, self-harm, death

Annie’s husband Jim died by suicide. After his death, she got into a bad space on her own. Then came the letters.

After four years of ministering to the lost, lonely, and heartsick, the Sugars say farewell on this final episode of the podcast. The Sugars take a look back at some of their most powerful advice, hear from former guests, and talk to listeners about how the show has impacted their lives. Cheryl and Steve share what saying goodbye means to them, speaking with radical empathy straight into our ears, one last time. 

A24 in your eardrums. No host, no ads, no rules. From the people behind Eighth Grade, Hereditary, Lady Bird, Moonlight, The Witch, The Lobster, Ex Machina, and more.

A conversation between actors Ethan Hawke (First Reformed) and Alia Shawkat (Green Room). Topics covered include: their new film Blaze, summers in Nova Scotia, art that tells the truth, the beauty of beginner’s mind, Alia’s painting, career advice from Steve McQueen, and the importance of giving it all away.

From the early 1800’s through the 1930’s, claims that giant skeletons were unearthed kept popping up in newspapers yet none of the remains were ever claimed. Did publishers concoct stories to sell more papers, or is there more to these stories than first appears?

What really goes on inside a cult? Greg and Vanessa (co-hosts of the podcast Serial Killers) explore the history and psychology behind the most notorious cults. 

While on a nature walk in his native France, 27-year old Claude Vorilhon saw a small, alien spacecraft land in front of him. A four foot tall affable humanoid named Yahweh emerged and told Vorilhon to relay the encounter to all mankind — who will be judged for eternity based upon their reaction. But, who would believe him without any proof?

Legendary food critic Ruth Reichl discusses editing the The Best American Food Writing 2018, grades the current New York Times restaurant critics, reflects on her time at the Los Angeles Times, when she would publish 60 pages a week and oversaw 20 full-time employees (food-media glory days!), discusses the terrible economic reality facing restaurants, and remembers her first cookbook, published in 1972. She also might surprise some with her take on journalism in the #MeToo era.

The ladies try to achieve the ultimate work/life balance with Tim Ferriss’ bestseller, The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich.

Still Processing | Cults | Switched on Pop | You Must Remember This | Where Should We Begin? | Invisibilia | Modern Love | Pardon My French | Conspiracy Theories | Rookie | The Thread With OZY | Sandra | The Hilarious World of Depression | Dating in NYC: The Podcast | The Lonely Hour | Unexplained Mysteries | Death, Sex, & Money | Lore | Love + Radio | Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness | Call Your Girlfriend | The A24 Podcast | A Piece of Work | 2 Dope Queens | Nancy | Love Me

Do you have podcast recommendations? Feedback about the newsletter? LMK here.