The Unspeakable Podcast

It’s been three weeks since my house burned to the ground in the Los Angeles wildfires. Here are some thoughts on rent gouging, couch surfing, and the lifestyles of the rich and unhoused.    A note on this photo. I took it from Farnsworth Park in Altadena on New Year’s Day, one week before the fire. That thing in the sky is the Goodyear Blimp hovering over Rose Bowl Stadium during the game.   Earlier dispatches.   January 9: The First 24 Hours January 16: The Immaterial World   How to help? Become a paying subscriber to this podcast on Substack or leave a donation of any amount in the tip jar. Your support is deeply appreciated. The podcast resumes its regular schedule very soon! Thanks for your patience.        Housekeeping  Visit The Unspeakable on YouTube. Learn about The Unspeakeasy, a community for freethinking women.   Pre-order my new book, The Catastrophe Hour: Selected Essays. Coming April 15, 2025.

In the hours of January 8, my house burned to the ground in the Eaton Fire in Altadena, CA. Here are some thoughts I recorded on January 15.   How to help? Become a paying subscriber to this podcast on Substack. Or leave a donation in any amount in the tip jar.   Housekeeping  Visit The Unspeakable on YouTube.  The Unspeakeasy has new retreats for 2025. Find out where we’re going. Join The Unspeakeasy, my community for freethinking women.

A personal account reveals the chaos of evacuating from a devastating wildfire in Altadena. The speaker reflects on the broader socio-economic impacts of such disasters, challenging media narratives. Amidst the emotional turmoil caused by the Los Angeles fires, they express gratitude for safety while confronting feelings of helplessness. This poignant discussion intertwines city life with the reality of nature's unpredictability, offering a heartfelt perspective on loss and resilience.

Topaz Adizes, an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and founder of The Skin Deep, delves into the art of asking meaningful questions to enhance human connections. He discusses the evolution of relationships in the digital era, emphasizing how technology impacts emotional intimacy. Topaz shares insights on experience design as a way to foster genuine interactions and explores his unique project, 'The And,' which captures deep conversations between individuals. He also reflects on the changing dating landscape and the future of relationships.

Ruby Warrington, author of "Women Without Kids" and pioneer of the sober curious movement, discusses the concept of a 'content diet' to combat information overload. She emphasizes how our media consumption affects mental health and identity, paralleling it with her work on evaluating alcohol use. The conversation tackles the pressures of content creation, the rise of AI-generated media, and the importance of engaging with literature and music to foster intimacy and creativity in a cluttered digital landscape.

Do journalists ever regret the way they cover events? This week, veteran YouTube journalist and political commentator Ana Kasparian discusses her journey from the progressive left to finding herself politically unaligned, the regrets she still harbors, and the complexities of navigating controversial issues with nuance. She also discusses her thoughts on the election and on Biden's mental decline, the appeal of Trump, and how cultural shifts within the Democratic party affected the election. Meghan and Ana also discuss motherhood (or in their cases, non-motherhood) and new discourse surrounding the trad movement, pro-natalism and the dark side of the pressure campaign to get people to have more children. GUEST BIO Ana Kasparian is a political journalist and media personality with nearly two decades of experience in news and analysis. Beginning her career as an assistant producer at CBS Radio in Los Angeles, she later became Executive Producer and co-host of The Young Turks. She now writes a Substack newsletter chronicling her political realignment journey and exploring key political and cultural issues. Follow her on Substack here. Want to hear the whole conversation? Upgrade your subscription here. HOUSEKEEPING 📺 Visit The Unspeakable on YouTube! ✈️ The Unspeakeasy has new retreats for 2025. See where we'll be! 🥂 Join The Unspeakeasy, my community for freethinking women.

Musa al-Gharbi, a sociologist from Stony Brook University and author of "We Have Never Been Woke," dives into the complexities of wokeness. He questions whether it genuinely uplifts marginalized groups or merely serves as a guise for elites to maintain the status quo. Musa shares his transformative journey from community college to Columbia University, highlighting the stark contrasts in educational environments. He explores the challenges faced by disadvantaged students in elite spaces and critiques how social justice discourse can sometimes reinforce existing inequalities.

Alex Grodd, founder and CEO of The Disagreement, delves into the alarming rise of sports betting addictions, particularly among young men. He explains how the 2018 Supreme Court ruling has turned gambling into a smartphone sensation, often leading to financial ruin. Grodd draws parallels between sports betting and online pornography addiction, discussing how both erode personal relationships and contribute to the masculinity crisis. He emphasizes the exploitative nature of the industry and urges a reevaluation of how technology impacts our lives.

Ben Ryan, an independent journalist focused on healthcare and science, discusses the provocative role of the trans debate in recent elections. He delves into the impact of the Cass Review on pediatric gender medicine, unpacking its controversies. Ryan also examines the legal implications surrounding gender transition treatments for minors, and how political pressures affect medical decisions. Plus, he tackles the contentious TERF Wars and debates the significance of using preferred pronouns. It's a thought-provoking conversation on the intersection of gender and politics.

Sandra Tsing Loh, a celebrated playwright and author, shares her journey in theater and the challenges faced by women over 50. She discusses her surprise hit play, Madwomen of the West, and the struggles in securing representation for middle-aged women in the industry. The conversation touches on the shift from traditional theater to independent productions and the changing dynamics in audience engagement. Sandra also reveals insights behind her new one-woman show, I’ll Burn That Bridge When I Get To It, showcasing the importance of authenticity in storytelling.