Keeping it: content edition.

Content I've voraciously consumed this week, if you're looking for distractions this holiday season.

Hi nuance nerds!

I'm working on a few posts over the holidays since it's my time off, but in the interim, here are some podcasts and books I can't stop thinking about. If you're traveling or looking for a cognitive break from family dynamics, this might be how you want to spend your time.

Also, I'm adding some last-minute gifts I'm buying for my family in case you're like me and prefer to leave everything to the last possible minute.

You’re Wrong About: Influencers with Taylor Lorenz

As someone who worked at an aggregator media company in 2009 as my first job out of college, this episode SPOKE to me. From how condescending “tastemakers” were to influencers in the early aughts, to the power of the mommy blogger, to the shaming women experience for monetizing their influence, I fully have a soft spot for Taylor Lorenz. I already did for Sarah (the host). My favorite part was when Lorenz aptly pointed out that the tech titans who created platforms like Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram had no idea what their platforms would become, and it's the users, not them, who really control the evolution. If you saw me vigorously nodding on the subway, now you know why.

Not Past It: Wax Heads Will Roll

Episodes like this make me feel robbed by the education system. History is FASCINATING, if only they would contextualize it and give us the good stuff. The good stuff being the drama and realness of humans being deeply bizarre creatures. If you like history, guillotines, and women creating businesses in impossible situations, de rien. Where is the movie on Madame Tussaud’s time in the French Revolution.

Hard Fork: Google’s Epic Loss

Kevin Roose and Casey Newton are delightful podcasters and are—watch the Boston jump out of me, but I have no better verbiage to express my glee—wicked smart. This episode answered many of my questions about Google, the app store, and the potential for less monopolization in tech.

Maintenance Phase: Ozempic

My favorite methodology queens tackle Ozempic. As usual, I learned a lot, challenged some of my own beliefs, and remembered that much of society is obsessed with the appearance of our 'meat sacks'.

Now, for some books, which in my opinion make excellent gifts!

Falastin by Sami Tamimi

Ottolenghi, published in 2008, is a book that completely changed how I approach food. I’m an herb forward girlie now. Yotam Ottolenghi’s business partner is Sami Tamimi. Tamimi is Palestinian, Ottolengthi is Israli. They are both gay and created utter magic with the Ottolenghi brand (Tamimi is Ottolenghi’s business partner and cookbook co-author). A meal, to me, is an olive branch and in continually calling for de-escalation and a ceasefire I’ve been thinking a lot about the privilege of having food and what peace will take. Food for thought.

In Defense of Witches

There is this TikToker who is an art historian who always says, critique doesn’t ruin things, it gives you perspective. My friends, we need perspective on witches. A blend of the history of how the witch came to be (basically, if you were a rich, childless or independent woman you were a witch) and why challenging the status quo is revolutionary. An amazing chapter on beauty that I can dedicate a Substack to if that’s of interest.

What I want to listen to this break as a former Bostonian who is disillusioned by city planning and how the United States Approaches Infrastructure—The Big Dig.

Lastly if you’re in need of a gift to get someone, I’ve been obsessed with the brand Kotn and their PJ sets. Apotheke candles are also lovely (I’m biased because they’re in Brooklyn), along with Harlem Candle Co. None of these are affiliate! Opening up comments to everyone, so if you have some content or a gift idea for us procrastinators, don’t be shy.

x Charlotte