Magical Overthinkers

Making friends as an adult can be confusing, awkward, and—let's be real—embarrassingly hard. Why is it that something that came so naturally on the playground feels like pulling teeth now? Is it just a symptom of getting older and more curmudgeonly, or does it reveal something deeper about our culture, our priorities, and even our fears? To help us untangle the magical overthinking of adult friendships, host Amanda Montell (@amanda_montell) is joined by Anna Goldfarb (@annagoldfarb), journalist and author of Modern Friendship. Together, they discuss why so many grown-ups feel friendless and what we can do to bounce back in a time when community is more important than ever. *Sends “friendship calendar invite.”Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://Zocdoc.com/MAGICAL to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.Head over to https://Masterclass.com/MAGICAL for the current offer, up to 50% off.- 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.To watch the podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/MagicalOverthinkersYouTube ; Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listeningIf you like the show, telling a friend about it would be amazing! You can text, DM, email, or send this link to a friend: https://bit.ly/MagicalOverthinkers  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What could be more ripe for thought spirals than the concept of tiny, invisible poisons secretly lurking in our food, clothes, and the air we breathe? With such mystery, misinformation, and conspiracy surrounding "toxins"—everything from forever chemicals in our sparkling water to carcinogens in our skincare—it's impossible not to overthink about them. To help soothe our noxious spiraling on the subject, we're pleased to welcome a very special guest Dr. Denise Montell, a cancer researcher at the University of California Santa Barbara and host Amanda's (@amanda_montell) very own mother. Mother Montell joins the pod to answer a plethora of unfiltered, listener-submitted questions on the relationship between our bodies and the environment, and what we can do to limit our "toxic" exposure while protecting our precious mental health.Get an additional 15% off any annual membership at https://masterclass.com/MAGICAL- 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.To watch the podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/MagicalOverthinkersYouTube ; Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listeningIf you like the show, telling a friend about it would be amazing! You can text, DM, email, or send this link to a friend: https://bit.ly/MagicalOverthinkers  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Explore the fascinating shift in our perceptions of death in the digital age. The discussion touches on how social media and online legacies complicate our relationship with mortality. From gallows humor to the emotional nuances of grief, they examine how consumerism reflects societal attitudes toward loss. Insightful reflections on navigating the complexities of identity and death provide a deeper understanding of how technology influences our emotional landscape. Laughter, memories, and the quest for meaning in mortality are central to this engaging conversation.

Jon Favreau, a former Obama speechwriter and co-founder of Crooked Media, joins to tackle the swirling anxieties around the upcoming presidential election. They discuss the emotional turmoil of overthinking politics, from the fear of civil unrest to hopes for democratic participation. Favreau shares insights from his campaign experiences, emphasizing the importance of community in these turbulent times. They explore the influence of celebrity endorsements, the struggle with a two-party system, and strategies for bridging divides with family members over politics.

Explore the shifting definitions of resilience, from personal anecdotes to societal critiques. Delve into the impact of online misogyny and the role of care work during the pandemic. Discover the evolution of resilience concepts post-9/11 and challenge traditional notions that prioritize individual strength. Personal stories reveal how vulnerability and community support shape true resilience. Plus, learn how unconventional tools like Tetris can aid trauma recovery, offering a fresh perspective on coping in modern society.

It's more than side parts, skinny jeans, and the way you make a heart symbol with your hands—"millennial cringe" is the breed of shame exclusive to a generation that had about .0001 seconds of glory in between their status as entitled babies and out-of-touch olds. But is the cross-generational roast of adults who suck at #adulting, those born roughly between 1982 and 1997, just garden-variety ageism, or is the millennial plight more profound than that? Host Amanda Montell (@amanda_montell) is joined by the brilliant high priestess of millennial culture, Kate Kennedy (@katekennedy)—host of the Be There In Five podcast and author of "One in a Millennial"—to unpack these Lisa Frank-tinted thought spirals. Go to https://Zocdoc.com/MAGICAL to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.Sign up for your $1 per month trial period at https://Shopify.com/magical (all lowercase)This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/MAGICAL and get on your way to being your best self.- 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.To watch the podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/MagicalOverthinkersYouTube ; Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listeningIf you like the show, telling a friend about it would be amazing! You can text, DM, email, or send this link to a friend: https://bit.ly/MagicalOverthinkers  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When life here on earth feels painful, we often look to the sky for comfort, answers, and escapism. Thinking about what’s out there can inspire so many forms of magical overthinking: awe, fantasy, paranoia, religiosity, even UFO conspiracy theories. This week’s thought spirals take us away from our planet’s problems and into outer space. There, we’re joined by astrophysicist and folklorist, Dr. Moiya McTier (@goastromo), who’s indulging host Amanda Montell’s (@amanda_montell) overthinkiest questions about aliens, deep space, science fiction, and how pondering the cosmos might actually be a cure for some of the digital age’s most frustrating irrationalities.- 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 audiobookTo watch the podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/MagicalOverthinkersYouTube ; Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listeningIf you like the show, telling a friend about it would be amazing! You can text, DM, email, or send this link to a friend: https://bit.ly/MagicalOverthinkers  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alegra Kastens, an OCD specialist, dives into the chaotic world of crushes in the digital age, where social media and dating apps complicate infatuation. She discusses how neurodivergence influences romantic feelings, particularly the role of limerence and obsessive thoughts. The conversation reveals the emotional intensity of one-sided crushes and the societal pressures from observing others’ relationships. Practical grounding techniques are shared, equipping listeners to navigate their overthinking and embrace the complexities of modern love.

Dive into the wild world of celebrity worship, from Taylor Swift's intriguing scandals to the obsession with One Direction. Discover shocking stats that reveal how many youngsters idolize media figures over real-life role models. Unpack the emotional toll of high expectations on celebrities, especially women of color. Explore the paradox of fans demanding values from their idols and the blurred lines of celebrity activism. The discussion highlights the psychological roots and evolving dynamics of our relationship with fame, inviting a critical reflection on these contemporary obsessions.

Exploring the emotional turmoil of layoffs, the discussion dives into how job loss impacts our identities and self-worth. Personal narratives reveal the anxiety and complexities behind being laid off, contrasting cold corporate language with real human experiences. The stigma of unemployment, particularly age discrimination, is tackled head-on. Listeners are encouraged to embrace shared experiences and foster resilience through humor and creativity. The connection between job security and technological advancements adds another layer, inviting reflections on navigating an uncertain job market.