Magical Overthinkers

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

What happens when the future is something you have to build, but others get to inherit? This week, host Amanda Montell (@amanda_montell) is joined by journalists Wailin Wong and Stacey Vanek Smith (@svaneksmith) to overthink the emotional, historical, and spiritual weight of generational wealth: what it gives, what it withholds, and who it was never designed for. Listen as they explore the systems that have kept generational wealth out of reach for so many marginalized communities, the guilt of those who inherit it and do care, and the quiet alienation of watching others take it for granted.A layered spiral into privilege, precarity, and what it means to want stability in a world that’s never been fair.Further Listening: The Indicator from Planet MoneyFurther Reading: Machiavelli For Women by Stacey Vanek Smith  - 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.   Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at https://SHOPIFY.COM/magical Go to https://Quince.com/magical for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this discussion, journalist Fortesa Latifi, known for her impactful work with the New York Times and Rolling Stone, joins host Amanda Montell. They dive into the heaviness of opinion overload in our digital age. Fortesa shares insights on how the pressure to express hot takes can stifle authentic thought. They explore the toll it takes on personal identities, the challenge of nuanced journalism in a sensationalized media landscape, and the mental health strains faced by content creators. Ultimately, they advocate for the freedom to say, 'I don't know yet.'

Olga Khazan, a journalist and author at The Atlantic, joins Amanda Montell to unravel the complexities of personality. They dive into whether our identities are shaped by nature or nurture, and how personality frameworks like the Myers-Briggs can sometimes lead to overthinking. The discussion explores the fluidity of identity and whether we can truly change or merely adapt performance in different situations. Khazan shares insights from her book, emphasizing the intriguing possibility of transforming oneself beyond perceived limitations.

Why do we, against all logic, evidence, and bank account balances, still kind of believe that billionaires earned it? This week on Magical Overthinkers, host Amanda Montell (@amanda_montell) sits down with writer and cultural critic Dasia Sade (@dasiadoesit) to unravel the glittery, gaslight-y spell of billionaire worship in America: how it started, who profits from it, and what it’s doing to our collective sense of possibility (and sanity). From Calvinism to Musk, we trace how a stew of religious guilt, PR manipulation, and celebrity obsession shaped a culture where having a billion dollars feels aspirational instead of deeply dystopian. Plus: why most of us can’t actually comprehend how much a billion is, what billionaires are really doing with all that money, and what it might take to finally break the spell (spoiler: it’s not another Forbes profile). - 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 Check out the Fits Everybody Collection at ⁠https://www.skims.com/magical⁠ #skimspartner Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to⁠⁠ https://Zocdoc.com/MAGICAL⁠⁠ to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today Get your summer savings and shop premium wireless plans at ⁠https://MINTMOBILE.com/magical⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ellie Anderson, a philosopher and college professor, delves into the complex nature of laziness alongside host Amanda Montell. They challenge societal norms, questioning if laziness is a moral failing or a response to capitalism. The discussion highlights how laziness intersects with class, mental health, and self-care. They advocate for a compassionate view, exploring the freedom found in embracing inactivity and the societal guilt tied to it. Ultimately, the conversation encourages listeners to rethink laziness as a radical act of self-care and creativity.

Join journalist Elizabeth Greenwood, author of Everyday Intuition, as she explores the intricate relationship between intuition and anxiety. She reveals how to distinguish genuine gut feelings from anxious thoughts, weaving in personal experiences from her life, including significant moments like pregnancy. Elizabeth and host Amanda Montell discuss the neuroscience behind intuition, the importance of quiet reflection in decision-making, and practical tips to harness intuition without falling into overthinking traps. Trust your gut, but be aware!

The decision to cut someone out of your life—whether a parent, a sibling, or a once-close friend—can feel both deeply necessary and impossibly fraught. But why does going no contact inspire so much shame, confusion, and second-guessing, especially when it’s often a tool for self-preservation? What does it really mean to choose absence over obligation?In this episode, host Amanda Montell (@amanda_montell) is joined by Jeanette Tran, a professor at Drake University who explores the complexities of estrangement through an unexpected lens: Shakespeare. Drawing from centuries-old drama, Jeanette helps us parse why going no contact still feels so taboo, how literature mirrors (and sometimes distorts) our ideas of family and forgiveness, and why choosing peace can be the most radical act of all.Further reading: Jeanette Tran’s essay “As more Americans go ‘no contact’ with their parents, they live out a dilemma at the heart of Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’” in The Conversation.  - 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.Thanks to Our Sponsors: Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://Zocdoc.com/MAGICAL to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at https://SHOPIFY.COM/magical Thrive all year with clean, easy meals from Green Chef. Go to https://GreenChef.com/magicalfree and use code magicalfree to get started with FREE Salads for two months plus 50% off your first box. No matter how you say it, don’t overpay for it. Shop plans at https://MINTMOBILE.com/magical Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Explore the fascinating psychology of misinformation and the illusory truth effect, where familiarity can falsely equate with truth. Delve into the dubious origins of wedding myths and how cultural narratives shape our beliefs. Discover the intricate relationship between language and misinformation, alongside the comedy of human evolution that helps address serious issues. Personal anecdotes spice up discussions about modern anxieties, identity protection, and navigating digital spaces, all while underscoring the importance of critical thinking in today's information age.