The cult of Trump vs. Lululemon

Exploring the full cultish range on today's newsletter...

Writing Prompt

The Oxford English Dictionary’s 2023 word of the year was “rizz,” derived from “charisma,” meaning “style, charm or attractiveness.” (I happen to quite like this term). Merriam Webster’s word of the year was “authentic—the term for something we're thinking about, writing about, aspiring to, and judging more than ever.” Other word-of-the-year finalists pulled from both lists included “deepfake,” “situationship,” “doppelgänger,” “Swiftie,” “de-influencing,” “parasocial,” “elemental,” “indict,” and “deadname.” Write a journal entry about your hopes for the month of March, incorporating at least 2 of these words.

Oooooooh, you’re in for a fun one this week on Sounds Like A Cult

First of all, what the hell is going on with culty leggings companies that have too many Ls in their brand name: LuLaRoe, Lululemon... sounds like a conspiracy!!! Oooof, this tale is banaynays—we hope you enjoy our culty topic, Sounds Like A Cult is finally diving into the spandex heart of darkness that is Lululemon. With the help of special guest hosts Taz and Marah, the ridiculously charming voices behind the Sistas Who Kill podcast, host Amanda is unraveling how this bougie "It Girl" athleisure empire stretches beyond mere clothing into a full-blown lifestyle, complete with dogmas, devotees, and even a murder??? Yep, the true crime girlies already know. Oooof, this tale is banaynays—we hope you enjoy our culty analysis of it! The episode drops tomorrow at 2am PST/5am EST.

YouTube lawyer Leeja Miller interviewed me for her latest video on the MAGA cult:

One of my favorite comments reads, “It's amazing how much these people are afraid of things that aren't happening, and then call everybody else ‘sheep’ and ‘snowflakes.’” Curious indeed!

The Age of Magical Overthinking tour is officially announced!

Get all your tickets here!!

April 9: Los Angeles, CA — Barnes & Noble at The Grove, in conversation with Pauline Chalamet (tickets here)

April 11: NYC, NY — The Strand, in conversation with Molly Ringwald (tickets here)

April 12: Brooklyn, NY — Littlefield with Books Are Magic, “The Big Magical Cult Show” feat. Ceara & Griff from Petty Crimes (tickets here)

April 13: Boston, MA — wbur cityspace, “The Big Magical Cult Show” feat. Sasha Sagan (tickets here)

April 15: Washington DC — Solid State Books (tickets here)

April 16: Philadelphia, PA — Underground Arts with Uncle Bobbie’s, “The Big Magical Cult Show” feat. Kelsey McKinney from Normal Gossip (tickets here)

April 17: Portland, OR — Powell’s Books, in conversation with Chelsea Bieker (free, no ticket needed)

A weekly roundup of books, podcasts, TV shows, tchotchkes, and anything else I’m currently “cult following.”

TV: MR. & MRS. SMITH

IDGAF about “action” films, but Pen15 and Atlanta are two of my all-time favorite shows (the most excited I’ve ever been to interview someone was when I got to write a little profile of Maya and Anna right after Pen15 came out in 2019). This is to say, the only way you could ever get me to watch a Mr. & Mrs. Smith series would be to cast Donald Glover and Maya Erskine in the title roles. They are so fucking charming and intimate, and the show is a delight. Currently writing this as Casey and I have been watching episodes every night up in the mountains!

FILM: POOR THINGS

Is this film completely masturbatory? Yes. Did I thoroughly enjoy it and wholeheartedly giggle at least seven times? Yes! Is Emma Stone’s fashion in it the most breathtaking eye feast I have ever witnessed on screen? YES. Literally taking notes for my wedding outfits. If this movie made you want to roll your eyes and barf, I totally get that, but I can’t lie, it utterly tickled me. Stay tuned for more specific thoughts, because I’m gonna be guesting on The Bechdel Cast podcast soon to analyze the film :)

CHEESE: UBRIACONE CHEESE

If you like hard, salty Italian cheeses that feel like a damn masquerade ball in your mouth, then you SIMPLY MUST TRACK DOWN THIS CHEESE CASEY RECENTLY DISCOVERED. He got me a block for my birthday, alongside a bushel of other fancy cheese plate materials (I am a bit of a cheese board slut). This one was my favorite—crumbly and nutty and oddly berry-ish.

GLASSES: WARBY PARKER ARTI EYEGLASSES IN CRYSTAL WITH POLISHED GOLD 

As much as I love being able to see clearly (lol), I didn’t get glasses until I was an adult and have always felt like I looked pretty silly in them, so I pretty much resign myself to perceiving the world in soft focus. But I bought this new pair from Warby the other month and have actually been wearing them, which I think says something!! The round shape and clear hue feel like the perfect blend of eccentric and chic.