A June List of Recommendations
Things I've read, watched, and listened to that were worth my time
Raise your hand if you love a good list of recommendations. I sure do so I wanted to ease your entertainment decision fatigue and share some of my favorite selections.1
Podcast: The Diary of a CEO with Stephen Bartlett: An Interview with Jimmy Fallon
From his relationship with his mother to his relentless obsession with being on Saturday Night Live, I found it fascinating to hear this (mostly) serious conversation with Jimmy Fallon where he answers the questions rather than being the one to ask them.
Substack: What I Learned About Friendship After Publishing a Book About Friendship by Laura Tremaine
Laura Tremaine shares six lessons she’s learned so far after writing her first two books. When I read this blurb she put on Notes, I clicked so fast to read this essay:
“The fallout after my second book was published threw me for an unexpected loop. I’m finally ready to write about it.”
Podcast: The House is Haunted: Holy/Hurt Podcast with Hillary L. McBride
It’s been out for a few years but I finally listened to the first episode of this podcast which has now become a book called Holy Hurt (which so far I also recommend, though I haven’t finished it).
“What is spiritual trauma? How does it impact us? And are there paths toward healing?”
Audiobook: Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show While Also Living in an Actual Cult by Bethany Joy Lenz
I never watched One Tree Hill so I did not know much about this actor or her other roles but it did not matter. She's an excellent writer and storyteller, bringing the reader along with her into this world of life on a cult TV show while also in an actual cult. I listened to the audiobook (read by the author) and highly recommend it. What a fantastic memoir.
Book: The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
I just finished this one and can’t stop thinking about these identical twins who chose different paths. From family secrets to the history of the Deep South, this is a book about the cost of belonging, but also about the ways we are all capable of hiding, shape-shifting, deceiving ourselves, and living only half-lives.
Documentary: Full Swing on Netflix
This documentary series look at the players and tournaments of the PGA Tour. This is not my typical fare but after watching golf with John all these many years (he’s played since he was young and loves to watch it too of course) I love finally knowing more of the backstory of some of these players. Spoiler Alert: I could watch backstories on just about anyone for DAYS.
I don’t share recommendations on any regular basis but happy to share more often if these interest you!
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I LOVE recommendations of shows, movies, book, podcast, you name it. Part of the decision fatigue that I struggle with the most is --too. many. choices--. Recommendations from folks that I already follow and trust is one way that I kind of vet my content. Of course I don't think that just because someone else likes it then I will too, but it helps narrow things down for me.
I’m not a follower of Laura Tremaine’s but read that substack and thought it was so interesting how after you release a book, life gives you many opportunities to practice what you preach!