A really good AI podcast, live LA event, writing prompt, and more
Getting both romantic AND technological this week on Magical Overthinkers...
Every Monday here, you can expect either an original writing prompt or authorly Q&A. Below, the first of many :)
Writing Prompt:
In 1876, French novelist Gustave Flaubert advised, "Be settled in your life and as ordinary as the bourgeois, in order to be violent and original in your work." In a 15-minute freewrite, answer the question: Do you think he was right? Does one need to lead a quiet, unfluctuating existence in order to be radical in their art? Feel free to reference broader societal examples and/or your own personal life to craft your response.
Catch me at this LA book event TOMORROW!
What: Join me in in conversation with Jessica Elefante for the launch of her new book Raising Hell, Living Well: Freedom from Influence in a World Where Everyone Wants Something from You (Including Me).
When: Tuesday, October 17th at 6:30 pm
Where: DIESEL, A Bookstore; 225 26th St Suite 33, Santa Monica, CA 90402
Peep the next episode of Sounds Like A Cult…
Tomorrow’s episode is a re-air of Sounds Like A Cult’s most listened-to episode of 2023, the one on the cult of momfluencers featuring journalist Sara Petersen… but with a new bonus introduction telling the shocking tale of Ruby Franke. She’s the Mormon mommy YouTuber who was just arrested for abusing her children in bizarre ways for the sake of content and clout. Stay tuned: the episode drops on all podcast platforms at 2am PT / 5am ET! In the meantime, check out this Harper Bazaar piece for which Sara interviewed me back in 2021. It’s about wellness momfluencers’ use of “cultish” language—the linguistic red flags that might signal a mommy blogger might be a GTFO-level cult leader.
The New York Times did a travel piece about my favorite place…
And I’m mentioned in it! This drool-worthy guide to Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region was written by my dear friend, food & travel writer Sheila Marikar, who happened to come to Bologna on assignment the exact month I was there earlier this spring. Some of our rendezvous was captured in her wonderful piece! Sheila also interviewed me recently about my love of Bologna for her travel podcast, Your Friend on the Ground. You can listen to that episode here.
Preorder The Age of Magical Overthinking in exchange for a gift :)
If you preorder my new book child from any retailer, upload your proof of purchase here, and your copy will arrive on April 9th with a special surprise from me :)
A weekly roundup of books, podcasts, TV shows, tchotchkes, and anything else I’m currently “cult following.” This week, a trio of technology-themed reccos.
PODCAST: Bot Love
What a clever and well-timed idea for a podcast—I wish I’d thought of it myself! Each episode of this limited-run show dives into an uncannily intimate relationship between a human and an AI chatbot. The episodes are on the shorter side, so they’re a nice snack in between longer listens. Spoiler alert, but I’m toying with a novel idea with themes of language and bots, so I find these episodes to be inspiring thought-starters.
MOVIE: About Time
This movie is from 2013, so I am a full decade late to the party, but my boyfriend Casey and I just watched this at the recommendation of a film buff friend who knows we love any story that has some big existential message related to humans’ perception time. It’s a gently scifi-themed romcom starring Domhnall Gleeson and Rachel McAdams, and is both charming and unassumingly moving. Perfect for a cozy fall Sunday afternoon.
YOUTUBE: Huge if True
Cleo Abram is a science communicator and Vox alum who now makes super-digestible, optimistic YouTube videos explaining some current phenomenon in technology, from cutting edge cancer research to gene-edited trees that eat CO2 for breakfast. If you like my books, you’ll love her videos! Cleo is a cool nerd, and I’d totally love to meet her one day.