It's just me this week, delivering a dispatch that feels more like a voice note to a friend than a typical interview. I centered this around how the so-called "irony epidemic" has shaped the way I work, write, and share my projects in a culture that often resists earnestness. I reflect on the push/pull between sincerity and detachment, the ways we seek validation both online and offline, and how group chats, community, and connection factor into it all. Plus, why being “goo prone” might just be the most human thing of all.Show notes:- Find me on IG: @letitouttt + @katiedalebout | Substack- Magic Mind: get up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one-time purchases with code: LETITOUT- Submit a  question for our q&a episode: write them here OR  record here and we’ll play it on the episode! Announcements: - NOW (!!) Holiday workshops! : ) very affordable self study workshops... Let me know if you have any questions!- Zine shop is here! or become a paid Substack member and I'll mail you a copy of Pivot! COMING 2025- FRESH NEW (!!) In Process: Experimental Creative Group semester coming 2025: sign up for the waitlistSources Mentioned : -Ethel Cain's Tumblr post  -Article: The Internet's Superiority Complex-Video essay: "Nobody Takes Anything Seriously Anymore" -Video essay: "The Irony Epidemic: why people are so mean right now" -Podcast episode:  "Is Online Superiority & The Irony Epidemic Rotting Our Brains? by The Polyester Podcast -Nada Alic's episode (part 1 & part 2) | her book, Bad ThoughtsSoundbite clips: -Stay by Lisa Loeb-Reality Bites Clip -Almost Famous Clip If you liked this episode, try out from the archive:Episode 462: Micro-Hysterical Moments: Amanda Chantal Bacon on shame, aging, dating, the myth of balance & more!

In this engaging chat with chef and food stylist Chloe Walsh, known as Chloe Cooks, she shares her culinary journey from the UK to Los Angeles. Chloe dives into the art of cooking, balancing energy levels while managing chronic illness, and the power of food to foster community. She shares nostalgic food memories, favorite LA eateries, and her dreams of opening 'Cafe June'. The conversation also touches on body image, societal pressures, and the joy found in cooking, encouraging listeners to follow their culinary intuition.

Amanda Chantal Bacon, founder and CEO of Moon Juice, is known for her insightful perspectives on wellness. In a heartfelt conversation, she discusses the complexities of aging and the importance of embracing vulnerability. Amanda reflects on the journey to finding love later in life and the significance of intergenerational friendships. With humor and honesty, she critiques societal views on youth and emphasizes self-acceptance. Through her experiences, Amanda encourages listeners to celebrate life's unpredictability and nurture meaningful connections.

In this engaging conversation, Melissa Broder, an acclaimed author known for her candid essays and poetry, discusses grief and the profound impact of losing a parent. She shares insights from her latest novel, 'Death Valley,' and highlights the healing power of rituals. The chat shifts to the charm of unique grocery stores in LA, mixing humor with practical writing advice. Melissa emphasizes the importance of self-compassion in creativity, showcasing how structured journaling enriches her writing process.

This week, Melissa Broder, an acclaimed author known for her candid essays and poetry, shares her insights on mental health and relationships. She discusses the complexities of limerence and the therapeutic role of writing in navigating grief. The conversation moves from nostalgic fast food favorites to the societal pressures surrounding body image and eating. Broder also critiques wellness culture and the superficiality of quick-fix solutions, providing a thought-provoking look at vulnerability, personal growth, and the messiness of life.

What you’re about to hear is a conversation between writer Verônika Shülman and myself, recorded last week at a party! In honor of the release of my new zine, Pivot, I hosted a party at NOTO and invited all of my friends. It was so nice to be in the same room with everyone after being stuck inside for most of the summer with a broken leg—in that time I had put together this zine, which is about the lessons I learned in the last decade and how I learned them.My friend and neighbor Verônika hosts this episode. She begins by reading from a book we both love (I Love Dick by Chris Kraus), then reads a bit that she liked from Pivot, and asks me to read an essay from it—which I do. My friends Maddie and Dexter also ask questions and we talk about more writers we love. If you want a copy of Pivot, below is how to get yourself a hard copy. Show notes:- Find Verônika on Instagram- Find me on IG: @letitouttt + @katiedalebout | Substack- PIVOT zine: sign up for my paid Substack & we'll mail you a copy - My book on journaling | WRITE kit- Check out NOTO!  If you liked this episode, try out from the archive:Episode 458: Introducing PIVOT with Simi BoticEpisode 423: I Can't Believe I'm Still Doing This...10 Years! With Sacha Jones

Simi Botic, an author and founder of Unmeasured, joins to unpack the themes behind the new zine 'PIVOT'. They reflect on a decade of friendship that has fostered creativity and personal growth. The conversation touches on the discomfort of revisiting past work and the importance of self-acceptance. They share how impactful literature can inspire change, and reminisce about their early creative collaborations. Finally, they emphasize the joy of genuine storytelling and the significance of community in launching new ventures.

This week I spoke to Neada Deters, founder of the organic skincare range LESSE. We met when she still lived in LA a few years ago so we began this conversation discussing her recent move to NYC, which is a return for her. Neada moved to New York the first time from Australia with a one-way ticket over a decade ago, so we talked about how she made that big decision and many more, including starting out her career in music journalism, working at VICE, and eventually pivoting her beat to beauty writing before eventually starting her skincare line. Inspired by watching her grandmother apply her skincare, Neada gave LESSE the tagline, rituals over routines. We covered her own daily rituals as well as how she spends her days, working with her husband, her advice on romantic relationships, keeping in touch with people far away, and her approach to beauty including where the industry is going and what seeing images of ourselves more than ever before does to our self perception, plus much more. We talked for hours and could’ve continued, let us know if you listen! Show notes:- Follow @neadadeters & @lesseofficial- Shop LESSE organic skincare- My newsletters on sitting & on voice notes- Find me on IG: @letitouttt + @katiedalebout | Substack- We made a new printed zine! Sign up for the paid Substack & we'll mail you a copy | LA launch party on 9/27!- 5 spots left in the Creative Clinic: book a call with me here If you liked this episode, try out from the archive:Episode 382: Beauty is Wild: Nadine Artemis on Aging, Vanity, Focus, Change, Living Libations & More

In this conversation with Zoë Pawlak, a Vancouver-based artist and industrial designer who embraced journaling after getting sober, she shares her journey of personal growth. She discusses breaking traditional norms of parenting and how 'life quakes' can lead to profound transformations. Zoë also explores the importance of community care, direct communication, and maintaining deep friendships alongside a creative career. Her insights into the balance of artistic passion and financial stability provide a refreshing perspective on living authentically.

In this conversation, Christene Barberich, a renowned writer and co-founder of Refinery29, shares her insights on creativity and personal evolution. She reflects on her iconic interviews and the lessons learned from her career. Christene delves into navigating motherhood later in life, the societal double standards women face with aging, and her quest to redefine success, emphasizing authentic self-expression. Her new project, A Tiny Apt., captures the essence of creating supportive environments for growth and vulnerability during life's transformations.