

Proxy with Yowei Shaw
Y3 Productions
It’s the knot you can’t untangle - a problem so unique, it makes you feel alone. But what if you could talk to someone who gets it? On Proxy, we find just the person you were looking for, the person who can help you get a little less stuck. It’s not therapy - it’s emotional investigative journalism™️. Yowei Shaw, former host of Invisibilia, at your service. New cases every other Tuesday. ----------Proxy is an independent podcast and we rely on listeners. To support emotional investigative journalism™️ and help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. You’ll get ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus interviews.Sign up for our free newsletterFollow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 29, 2025 • 31min
Proxy Conversations with Sexual Offenders?
A conversation with Dr. Alissa Ackerman about her restorative justice work on the frontlines of Me Too, using proxy-like conversations. This is a Patreon exclusive bonus episode we're releasing on the main feed. If you want to hear more conversations like this, consider joining our Patreon. From the episode:
Learn more about Dr. Alissa Ackerman and her organization Ampersands Restorative Justice
Read Alissa's book Healing from Sexual Violence: The Case for Vicarious Restorative Justice
Sign up for our free newsletterFollow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

Jul 17, 2025 • 20min
The Science of Trusting Your Intuition (from Science of Happiness)
We'll be back with a new episode in two weeks. In the meantime, enjoy this episode from our friends at Science of Happiness. When we’re deep in burnout, even the simplest decisions can feel overwhelming. A conversation about slowing down, listening inward, and what it takes to rebuild trust in your inner knowing on the other side of exhaustion. From the episode:
Follow Science of Happiness on Instagram @scienceofhappinesspod
Subscribe to the podcast: https://pod.link/1340505607
Learn more about Zakiya Gibbons
Follow Zakiya on Instagram @zak_sauce

Jul 15, 2025 • 41min
Zakiya Used to Be So Fun
The case of the people person who fell out of love with people. From the episode:
Learn more about Zakiya Gibbons
Follow Zakiya on Instagram @zak_sauce
Learn more about Dr. William Chopik and his research
Follow Bill on Bluesky @Chops310 or X @Chops310
To hear Zakiya get more help on her conundrum and learn about the science of intuition, check out her Science of Happiness podcast episode coming this Thursday. On Science of Happiness, U.C. Berkeley psychologist Dr. Dacher Keltner invites a guest to try a research-backed practice shown to boost emotional well being, improve relationships, promote compassion or reduce stress. Proxy is an independent podcast and we rely on listeners. To support emotional investigative journalism™️ and help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. You’ll get ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus interviews.Sign up for our free newsletterFollow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

Jul 8, 2025 • 12min
How to Break Out of 'Narrative Autopilot' [TEASER]
Yowei doesn't have an internal narrator telling stories about her life - at least a voice she can hear in her head. She talks to psychology professor Jonathan Adler about what this means and what anyone can do to strengthen their self-narrator, if they wanted to. To listen to the full bonus episode, sign up to become a Patreon member starting at $5 per month. You’ll get ad-free episodes, monthly exclusive bonus interviews, and other goodies.From the episode:
Learn more about Jonathan Adler's work
Follow Jonathan on X @JonathanMAdler, Bluesky @jadler.bsky.social, and LinkedIn
Sign up for our free newsletterFollow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

Jul 1, 2025 • 57min
Amanda and the Nonstop Narrator
The case of Amanda, a writer whose internal monologue won't stop narrating her life, instead of just letting her live it.From the episode:
Read Amanda Montell's books The Age of Magical Overthinking, Cultish, and Wordslut
Listen to Amanda's podcasts Magical Overthinkers and Sounds Like a Cult
Follow Amanda on Instagram @amanda_montell
Learn more about Jonathan Adler's work
Follow Jonathan on X @JonathanMAdler, Bluesky @jadler.bsky.social, and LinkedIn
Proxy is an independent podcast and we rely on listeners. To support emotional investigative journalism™️ and help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. You’ll get ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus interviews.Sign up for our free newsletterFollow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

Jun 24, 2025 • 13min
Decoding the Feelings of People with Alzheimer's [TEASER]
When someone with Alzheimer's gets upset about something that isn't actually happening, it can be easy to dismiss their feelings. But what if we approached those feelings not as problems to get rid of, but mysteries to solve? In this bonus episode, psychologist Claudia Drossel unpacks the feelings of people with Alzheimer's and how to decode them to use as a guide to give better care.To listen to the full bonus episode, sign up to become a Patreon member. You’ll get ad-free episodes, monthly exclusive bonus interviews, and other goodies.From the episode:
Learn more about Claudia Drossel's work at Eastern Michigan University
Caregiving resources from Claudia
Sign up for our free newsletter. Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

Jun 17, 2025 • 54min
Brian Can't Stop Fact-checking His Mother-In-Law
The case of Brian, a journalist whose mother-in-law has Alzheimer's. Even though Brian knows she can’t help misremembering things, he can’t stop losing his patience with her, and with himself. From the episode:
Listen to Brian Reed's podcast Question Everything
Follow Brian on Instagram @brihreed and X @BriHReed
Caregiving resources from Claudia Drossel
Proxy is an independent podcast and we rely on listeners. To support emotional investigative journalism™️ and help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. You’ll get ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus interviews.Sign up for our free newsletter. Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

Jun 3, 2025 • 56min
Is It Time To Break Up the Band?
Evan Bernard, a musician from The Superweaks, navigates the grieving process of losing his brother and bandmate. Chris Baglivo shares how ADHD impacts his creativity and organization within the band. Ryan Dusik, former drummer of Maroon 5 and a therapist, provides insights into band dynamics and personal struggles. They discuss the challenges of collaborating through grief and personal issues, emphasizing the importance of communication and support in maintaining friendships and creativity amidst adversity.

May 20, 2025 • 43min
Aparna and the Self-Loathing Introvert
Aparna Nancherla, a stand-up comedian and author of 'Unreliable Narrator,' engages in a candid discussion about the trials of introversion. She shares her journey through self-doubt and imposter syndrome in a world that favors extroverts. The conversation highlights the importance of self-acceptance and embracing one’s quirks. Aparna also reflects on her unique path in comedy, revealing how she navigates societal expectations while maintaining authenticity. Together, they challenge stereotypes and celebrate the richness of introverted experiences.

May 6, 2025 • 48min
Mic Chooses the Wrong Life
The case of Mic, who feels like he defied his fate and now has no purpose in life. We find someone uniquely able to help him break out of his regret loop. From the episode:
Follow Mic Nguyen on Instagram @nicepantsbro and subscribe to his podcast Asian Not Asian
Read Amy Summerville's paper, one of the most cited articles on regret
Proxy is an independent podcast and we rely on listeners. To support emotional investigative journalism™️ and help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. You’ll get ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus interviews.Sign up for our free newsletter. Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com