Slate Culture Death, Sex & Money | Stories About Death, Sex and Money to Start the New Year
Jan 6, 2026
Phoebe Robinson, a comedian and author known for co-creating Two Dope Queens, delivers a humorous reading of Alissa Nutting's edgy tale, 'Cat Owner,' about a disastrous dating night with an unpredictable cat. Veteran actor Peter Francis James brings Oscar Wilde's 'The Model Millionaire' to life, weaving a story about charity and unexpected fortune. Lastly, award-nominated actress Amy Ryan reads 'You Again' by Seth Fried, exploring themes of fresh starts and lost love. Each story delves into relatable human experiences around death, sex, and finances.
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Episode notes
Start Mornings With Fiction
- Read more fiction as an achievable New Year intention that nourishes creativity.
- Start mornings with reading or walking before checking headlines to protect your focus.
Stories Break Through Shame
- Death, sex, and money spark shame and isolation but short stories can cut through that cringe.
- Engaging with human-written stories creates connection faster than typing to AI.
Use Short Stories As Quick Relief
- When you feel lonely or ashamed, pick up a short story for quick emotional connection.
- Short fiction offers an immediate, human antidote to isolation you might seek from AI.
