Magical Overthinkers

MJ Renshaw, a wellness educator and founder of The Being Method, dives deep into the fascinating world of crying. She shares her personal journey with emotional expression and its ties to her book, How to Cry. MJ discusses the biological basis of tears and the societal stigma surrounding them, clarifying that crying isn't manipulative but a natural human response. They explore the emotional benefits of crying, why it often emerges in conflicts, and the surprising post-cry glow. Plus, insights on how breathwork can help reconnect with our emotions.

Join linguist Adam Aleksic, the Etymology Nerd and author of AlgoSpeak, as he unpacks the enigma of algorithms that shape our digital lives. Delve into how these invisible forces dictate our attention and creativity, sparking irrational thought spirals like AI soulmate communities. Adam examines the balance between critiquing and relying on algorithms, sharing insights on ethical virality and their influence on language and societal archetypes. He also discusses the personalization of our feeds and the complexities of algorithm-driven identities.

Joe Nucci, a licensed psychotherapist and author, joins to unpack the intricate world of 'therapy speak.' He dives into how mental health language has invaded daily conversations, sometimes empowering us but often oversimplifying complex emotions. Joe critiques the overuse of terms like trauma and argues that jargon can dehumanize therapy experiences. Together, they explore how casual usage of these phrases can lead to misunderstandings and how authentic, conversational support often trumps scripted responses.

In this engaging discussion, Alex Sujong Laughlin, a journalist and audio producer behind Normal Gossip and Try Hard, dives into the nuances of social awkwardness. She shares personal anecdotes about overcoming catastrophic thinking and the impact of her career on her social confidence. The conversation explores how identity shapes our experiences with cringe and vulnerability, and highlights practical tools like bravery mantras. Together, they challenge the perception of awkwardness as a flaw, illustrating its potential as a creative strength in connecting with others.

James Kimmel Jr., a lawyer and Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale, joins Amanda Montell to explore our complex relationship with revenge. They discuss how revenge can feel satisfying yet often leaves us wanting more. Kimmel unveils its similarities to addiction, revealing a cycle of temporary relief and prolonged suffering. They highlight the transformative power of forgiveness and the impact of social media on feelings of victimhood. The conversation flows into mindfulness practices and the potential for personal growth beyond vengeance.

“Ditz.” It’s a word that sounds harmless, silly, soft-edged, even cute. But underneath it is a long, messy history of gendered judgment. This week, host Amanda Montell (@amanda_montell) is joined by journalist and author Koa Beck (@koabeck) to gently spiral about the cultural construction of ditziness: where the word came from, who it’s been used against, and what it reveals about how we punish femininity for being either too much… or not enough. Together, they unpack how "ditzy" became shorthand for whiteness, blondness, and a very specific kind of Southern California-coded femininity, despite the fact that the so-called “ditz” in pop culture (Elle Woods, Cher Horowitz, Regina George) is often brilliant, strategic, and socially powerful. Is ditziness a stereotype, a defense mechanism, a flirtation tool, or all three? What happens when smart women lean into softness? And how do internalized misogyny and impossible expectations make it feel safer to play dumb than to risk being called bossy, smug, or shrill? A quietly radical spiral into language, performance, and the politics of not being taken seriously on purpose or by accident. Further Reading: White Feminism: From the Suffragettes to Influencers and Who They Leave Behind By Koa Beck Further Reading: Valley Girl Substack by Koa Beck - Join the "Magical Overthinkers Club" by following the pod on Instagram @magicaloverthinkers. - To access early, ad-free episodes and more, subscribe to the Magical Overthinkers Substack. - Pick up a hard copy of Amanda's book The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality, or listen to the audiobook. Head to https://Greenchef.com/50MAGICAL and use code 50MAGICAL to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping. Head to https://LETSLIVEITUP.com/MAGICAL and use code MAGICAL for 15% off your first Super Greens order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can you be trained by a gaslighter to gaslight yourself? This week, Amanda (@amanda_montell) is joined by Harvard historian and sociologist Rebecca Lemov (@rebeccalemov) to overthink gaslighting, a word that’s become part of our everyday vocabulary, but whose origins and implications run deeper than we realize. Together, they trace gaslighting’s roots in psychology, politics, and culture, and explore how this slow erosion of truth can shape our relationships, our self-trust, and our collective understanding of reality.A quiet spiral about doubt, distortion, and the radical act of believing yourself.   Further Reading: The Instability of Truth: Brainwashing, Mind Control, and Hyper-Persuasion by Rebecca Lemov - Join the "Magical Overthinkers Club" by following the pod on Instagram @magicaloverthinkers.- To access early, ad-free episodes and more, subscribe to the Magical Overthinkers Substack.- Pick up a hard copy of Amanda's book The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality, or listen to the audiobook. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at https://SHOPIFY.COM/magical Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://Zocdoc.com/MAGICAL to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today. Get this new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at https://MINTMOBILE.com/magical Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vicki Tan, a digital product designer and author of 'Ask This Book A Question', joins the conversation about the struggles of decision-making. They explore how cognitive biases and personal experiences feed into indecision and anxiety. The duo discusses reframing questions to navigate uncertainties and the emotional weight of choices. They also touch on gender dynamics in decision-making, emphasizing the need for support and understanding. Ultimately, they advocate for embracing the messiness of not knowing while learning to trust one's instincts.

Jessica Zier and Lizzie Li, PhD students at Northwestern University, dive into the fascinating world of parasocial relationships. They explore how one-sided emotional bonds form with public figures in the digital age, revealing the thin line between true connection and projection. The discussion covers everything from the psychological impacts of fandom to the phenomenon of parasocial breakups. They also touch on how social media shapes our identities and the emotional complexities that arise from these intimate yet unreciprocated connections.

The case of Amanda, a writer whose internal monologue won't stop narrating her life, instead of just letting her live it. Listen to Proxy with Yowei Shaw Follow Yowei on Instagram @yoweishaw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices