The Unspeakeasy With Meghan Daum

Writer and editor Thomas Beller joins me to discuss his new essay collection Degas at the Gas Station. The essays trace his experience of fatherhood through the landscapes of his own childhood, including the early death of his psychoanalyst father and Tom's later return—wife and children in tow—to the very Manhattan apartment where he was raised. We talk about some of the fundamental conflicts of personal writing, including the ethics of writing about your children and even your ambivalence about parenthood. We also discuss why some writers feel trapped inside the genres that come most naturally to them, how the literary sensibility of The New Yorker shaped the styles of generations of writers, and how Tom is feeling about New York City these days. The episode was recorded on the morning of November 4, Election Day, and Tom talks about why he's voting for Zohran Mamdani—and why he thinks some of my early writing relates directly to Mamdani's platform. Guest Bio: Thomas Beller is a long time contributor to the New Yorker and the author of several books including Lost in the Game: A Book about Basketball, also published by Duke University Press; J.D. Salinger: The Escape Artist; and The Sleep-Over Artist. A 2024-25 Guggenheim fellow, he is a founding editor of Open City Magazine and Books and Mrbellersneighborhood.com, and Professor and Director of creative writing at Tulane University.

Sarah Haider, a writer and former co-host, reunites with Meghan Daum to dive deep into today's culture wars. They tackle the shocking Charlie Kirk shooting and the rise of anti-Indian hate online, shedding light on diaspora dynamics and troll farming. The duo also explores the implications of AI on creativity and societal shifts, discussing the controversial 'great feminization' thesis. With humor and candor, they navigate the complex intersection of personal experiences and broader social issues, including Sarah’s recent journey into motherhood.

Dr. Sally Satel, a practicing psychiatrist and policy expert, explores the critical issues surrounding mental health care. She discusses the challenges in treating severely mentally ill patients and the complications of civil commitment laws. Diving into the tragic case in Charlotte, she highlights systemic failures in mental health responses. Sally advocates for modern long-term care facilities—neo-asylums—while critiquing current harm reduction policies. Her insights on the political dimensions of mental health are both alarming and eye-opening.

Ben Appel, a provocative writer and commentator, dives deep into his memoir, exploring the complex relationships within identity politics after his escape from a strict Christian upbringing. He shares insights on the moral policing within queer spaces, questioning the rise of representation over excellence. Ben discusses the consequences of dissent in activist circles, including lost friendships and social blacklisting. He advocates for embracing gender-nonconforming kids without pushing medical interventions, challenging the narrative surrounding gender issues today.

Dr. Sunita Puri, a palliative-care physician and author, dives into the intricacies of end-of-life care. She highlights how palliative care extends beyond hospice, emphasizing meaningful conversations about treatment and life's goals. Exploring tough questions, she advises on navigating family decisions and addressing common regrets patients face. Sunita sheds light on the increasing cases among younger patients and even tackles the ethics of DNR tattoos. Ultimately, she reframes death as a sacred event, promoting clarity and compassion at life's end.

Helen Andrews, a senior editor known for her sharp cultural commentary, dives into her thought-provoking essay 'The Great Feminization.' She explores how feminine social norms have permeated institutions like academia and journalism, reshaping workplace dynamics. Andrews tackles the implications of agreeableness in professional environments, discussing its role as a social virtue and a potential liability. She also questions the effectiveness of women's initiatives in STEM fields and emphasizes the need for diverse workplace styles to foster truth-seeking and innovation.

Join Olga Khazan, a staff writer for The Atlantic and author of 'Me, But Better,' as she delves into the complex world of personality change. She discusses the Big Five personality traits and shares her personal journey with neuroticism and introversion. Discover the nuances of behavioral change, the impact of childhood on personality, and how anxiety ties into our social lives post-pandemic. Olga also explores the politics of personality and reveals insights on how to navigate self-care without retreating from social connections.

Novelist and screenwriter Bruce Wagner returns to discuss his exceptionally timely new novel Amputation—a strange, exuberant, and ultra meta work set against a topic I've talked about a lot this year, the January LA wildfires. Bruce, an L.A. native and prominent literary figure in the city, explains how the book came together in less than two months, why he resists "political novels" even when writing inside a political moment, and how language (not legacy) keeps him making art. We also talk about real-life figures who appear as characters (Stephen Colbert, Mayor Karen Bass, Debra Winger, and a Timothée Chalamet student double, among others), the surrealism of driving through miles of leveled neighborhoods, and the deranged comic-tragic chorus of the Nextdoor app. Bruce also reflects on being an L.A. "outsider who outsided his way inside," why the book is opera, not noir, and what it means to keep walking the "narrow, burning road to the palace." Guest Bio: Bruce Wagner is the author of fifteen novels, including the "cell phone" trilogy, The Marvel Universe, The Met Gala and Tales of Saints and Seekers, Roar: American Master, and now Amputation. A longtime Hollywood insider/outsider, he has written for film and television and is currently published by Arcade.

Katie Herzog, co-host of the Blocked and Reported podcast (BarPod), is best known as an anthropologist of, as she puts it, "internet bullshit." But she's swerved far out of her lane for her latest project. In her brand new book, Drink Your Way Sober, Katie combines personal history with deep reporting to chronicle a lifetime of drinking and explain how a little-known drug called naltrexone, combined with an approach called The Sinclair Method, finally allowed her to quit for good. They also get into why young people are drinking less, what the "California sober" trend actually means, and how Katie's own story fits into the larger debate about moderation versus abstinence. Plus: real estate, dogs, and how we're feeling about the state of independent journalism and their own longterm survival. Guest Bio: Katie Herzog is a journalist living in the Pacific Northwest. She is the host of the podcast Blocked and Reported.

Photojournalist Jeremy Lee Quinn, known for his in-depth coverage of protests since 2020, shares his insights on the often-chaotic reality behind peaceful demonstrations. He discusses the misleading nature of viral clips, the different layers within protest crowds, and how freelance journalism can distort narratives. Jeremy also explores the motivations behind militant tactics, the intersection of ideologies among protesters, and the challenges of media literacy. His unique perspectives shed light on the complexities of activism and the fight for accurate representation.