The Unspeakeasy With Meghan Daum

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.

Lisa Selin Davis, a writer and journalist specializing in gender identity, dives into the complexities of pediatric gender medicine. She discusses how questioning current practices became taboo and the need for an open dialogue. Davis highlights the dual realities of individuals thriving post-transition versus those who face harm. She explores the origins of gender clinics, the political weaponization of the issue, and the cultural dynamics that shaped this conversation. With a call for nuanced discourse, she emphasizes the importance of admitting past mistakes and supporting families.

Andrew Hartz, a clinical psychologist and founder of the Open Therapy Institute, discusses current challenges in mental health care. He identifies the rise of "everyday dissociation" linked to screen use and the pitfalls of online diagnostic labels. Hartz reveals how anxiety has transformed into a form of social currency and critiques the limitations of traditional talk therapy. He advocates for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as a more effective approach and shares insights about the politicization of therapy training and the role of AI.

Leigh Stein, a novelist and publishing coach known for her satirical works, discusses her gothic novel set in a TikTok hype house. She examines the unique dynamics of influencer culture, the impact of aging in a digital landscape, and the complexities of fame. The conversation touches on emotional vulnerability in online spaces and the challenges for young writers in the creator economy. Stein also reflects on parasocial relationships, public shaming, and the evolving nature of artistic expression in today's digital world.

This conversation features Rob Henderson, a social psychologist and author who coined 'luxury beliefs.' Rob discusses the mating crisis plaguing young people as they hesitate to form partnerships and families. He critiques societal shifts, exploring how luxury beliefs influence cultural norms around family and relationships. The discussion also touches on declining birth rates and the emergence of societal figures like Zohran Mamdani, highlighting the impact of these beliefs on marginalized communities. Prepare for an engaging dialogue on social dynamics!

John McWhorter, a renowned linguist and New York Times columnist, engages in a dynamic discussion about the current state of 'woke' culture and its fading figures. He analyzes intriguing language shifts, like the rising use of 'stupider' and 'anyways' in formal contexts. Delving into his debates with economist Glenn Loury, McWhorter considers the evolution of racial identity terminology and reflects on the role of public intellectuals in today's media landscape. His insights on language, culture, and identity are thought-provoking and relevant.

Alana Newhouse, the founder and editor-in-chief of Tablet Magazine, dives into the intricacies of societal breakdown. She discusses her powerful essay, 'Everything Is Broken,' addressing systemic failures in medicine, media, and education. Alana illuminates the concept of 'flatness' in cultural interactions, advocating for embracing complexity and unpredictability. Drawing from her personal journey navigating healthcare for her child, she sheds light on trust in institutions and calls for a deeper engagement with our chaotic world.

Kelsey Osgood, author of 'Godstruck' and 'How to Disappear Completely,' dives into the transformative journeys of women who exchanged secular lives for religious communities. She intertwines these experiences with her own battles with anorexia, exploring how societal pressures and personal struggles converge. The conversation sheds light on resilience, the impact of social media, and the quest for identity through faith. Kelsey also reflects on how her Jewish conversion reshaped her understanding of suffering and belonging.

September 3 in NYC at 6 pm, I’ll be in conversation with Lionel live at The Village Underground. Tix available here. Use promo code CATASTROPHE18 at checkout for a discount. Bestselling novelist and beloved (and occasionally be-hated) columnist Lionel Shriver returns to the podcast to talk about several topics, including her most recent novel, Mania. In that novel, she imagines a society under the grip of “mental parity,” a concept arguing that all individuals possess equal intelligence and no one should be given greater credence or responsibility because of the perception that they are smarter. We also discuss our own intelligence (are we really all that smart?) and wonder what makes us so resistant to groupthink in politics and daily life, especially around movements like #MeToo, Black Lives Matter, and gender ideology. In search of a lighter topic, we finally move on to . . . immigration. (Oops.) As a Los Angeles resident, I’ve been alarmed by the ICE raids in my community, and I’m quite upset about the Trump administration’s policies. As a longtime expatriate in the U.K. and as the author of a forthcoming novel about immigration (A Better Life, coming in February 2026), Lionel sees things a little differently. GUEST BIO A prolific journalist with a fortnightly column in Britain’s The Spectator, Lionel Shriver has written widely for the New York Times, the London Times, the Financial Times, Harper’s Magazine, and many other publications. Her first nonfiction book, ABOMINATIONS: Selected Essays from a Career of Courting Self-destruction, was published in 2022. It joins a story collection and fifteen novels, including Mania, Should We Stay or Should We Go, The Mandibles, and We Need to Talk About Kevin (a 2011 film starring Tilda Swinton). Her work has been translated into 35 languages. Her latest novel A Better Life, focused on immigration, will be out in early 2026. UPCOMING EVENT: Once again, if you enjoyed this interview, join me in NYC on September 3 at The Village Underground for a conversation with Lionel about The Catastrophe Hour as well as her work. Topics will include (but are not limited to) death, sex, real estate, dogs, beauty, grief, aging, cancelation, incels, femcels, self-destruction, natural disasters, pronatalism, anti-natalism, human intelligence, and cultural stupidity. Doors open at 5:15, show starts at 6pm. Tix available here. Use promo code CATASTROPHE18 at checkout for a discount. HOUSEKEEPING 📖 Order my new book, The Catastrophe Hour: Selected Essays, on Amazon or directly from the publisher here. 📘 The Catastrophe Hour book club for yearly paying subscribers starts June 11 and will run for 14 consecutive Wednesdays, 3-4 pm ET. We will meet on Zoom. Stuff to read and listen to: New York Times, Jan 31, 2025: The L.A. Fires Taught Me To Accept Help Recent(ish) solo episodes: January 9: The First 24 Hours January 16: The Immaterial World January 27: Housing Wars February 5: Remembrance Of Things Past February 13: What Is A "Catastrophe?" March 2: A Mental Infection March 31: Dignity Is Out Of Style 📺 Visit The Unspeakable on YouTube. ✈️ The Unspeakeasy’s 2025 retreat season is underway. It includes a COED retreat with more attendees and multiple speakers. October 11-12 in New York City. Programming and ticketing info here.