

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 co-host of Invisibilia, at your service. The team is hard at work investigating another batch of cases to publish in early 2026 🚀Proxy is an independent podcast and we rely mostly on listeners. To help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon starting at $5 a month. You’ll get exclusive premium episodes, ad-free shows from the main feed, and access to the chat. To just get our newsletter, join our Patreon for free 🍏Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 27, 2026 • 42min
A Niche Conundrum Called Capitalism
Proxy will be back soon with new cases. In the meantime, we're sharing an investigation into arguably the most consequential social force shaping life on this planet: capitalism. Scene On Radio isn't afraid to tackle the big questions about who we are and how we got that way. In this series on capitalism, they try to understand how capitalism became our dominant economic system, what is it really, and how to make our economy work for people and living beings, not the other way around. By the way, if you'd like a 2025 special edition Proxy magnet puzzle, just sign up for an annual Patreon membership or upgrade here by February 3. Some resources for fighting fascism:
https://indivisible.org/
https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
A newsletter from my friend Joanna on how to help her hometown of Minneapolis
https://iceoutforgood.org/

Jan 13, 2026 • 33min
Is Manifesting Legit? Plus, Our First Proxy Processing Session
This week we’re sharing something we loved and found useful, just in time for the new year. A rigorous look by the show Science Vs into whether there’s any science behind manifestations. Also, news for our Patreon members: our first Proxy Processing Session is coming up on Jan 23 at 12:30pm ET! Sign up to become a paying Patreon member here and look out for an email with details to join on Zoom.

Dec 2, 2025 • 54min
Nicole Can't Stop Being Aggro
Nicole is an organizer who's good at channeling her anger. The problem is she can't always downshift. From the episode:
Learn more about Deborah Gould, a Professor and Chair of Sociology at UC Santa Cruz
Read Debbie's book Moving Politics: Emotion and ACT UP's Fight Against AIDS
For liner notes and reading recs from Debbie and Nicole, sign up for our newsletter by becoming a free member of our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/ProxyPodcast
Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is in full swing! Proxy is a part of Radiotopia, a collective of independent, creator-owned podcasts. Not only does your donation support Proxy and every show in the network, it’s a vote of confidence in independent media. Help us reach 1,500 supporters by Dec 31st by making your gift today at http://bit.ly/4hyFNhiFollow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

Nov 4, 2025 • 46min
Bob and the Forgiveness Spell
Erin wants to forgive the person she's holding a grudge against, but doesn't know how. Is it possible to just disappear resentment?From the episode:
Find Robert Enright's forgiveness program and other free resources at the International Forgiveness Institute: www.internationalforgiveness.com
Read Bob's book Forgiveness Is A Choice: A Step-By-Step Process for Resolving Anger and Restoring Hope
Learn more about Bob and his research
This week kicks off Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser! Proxy is a part of Radiotopia, a collective of independent, creator-owned podcasts. Not only does your donation support Proxy and every show in the network, it’s a vote of confidence in independent media. Help us reach 1,500 supporters by making your gift today at http://bit.ly/4hyFNhiFollow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

Oct 31, 2025 • 2min
A Halloween Campaign Voice Memo (Last Day To Sign Up!)
Yowei and bedraggled podcast spouse Kyle broadcast (sorta) live from their car about where the campaign is at. Today Oct. 31st is the last day of our drive to reach 1000 paying Patreon members, so we can get an additional $25k from a generous listener and cover the costs of making a year two.We're so close! Latest count: 946!https://www.patreon.com/cw/ProxyPodcast

Oct 21, 2025 • 42min
Yaroslava Can't Go Home
Yaroslava’s town in Ukraine was taken by Russians. She's now safe in the US. But how do you make a new life when you feel guilty about not being home?For one week every summer at Dignity Beyond Borders, young people from all over the world who've suffered a traumatic loss due to political violence come together to kayak, make art, and have proxy conversations about topics like this. A special conversation between Yaroslava, a 1st-time camper, and Sariyah Abuzant, a 26-year-old woman from Palestine, sho's been to the camp a few times. From the episode:
Learn more about Dignity Beyond Borders at www.dignitybeyondborders.org and follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @dignitybeyondborders
Follow Yaroslava on Instagram @yasiiaaaa
Watch Sariyah Abuzant's film "FordDat" at https://vimeo.com/1101397354?fl=pl&fe=sh
Help us get to 1000 paying Patreon members by Oct. 31st to cover the costs of making a year two of Proxy! We're so close. We're at 851 right now. Proxy is an independent podcast and we rely mostly on listeners. To support emotional investigative journalism™️ help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon starting at $5 a month. You’ll get exclusive premium episodes, ad-free episodes, and access to the chat. To just get our newsletter, join our Patreon for free 🍏Get 15% off OneSkin with the code PROXY at https://www.oneskin.co/ Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

Oct 14, 2025 • 10min
How This Introvert Ally Gets Along with Introverts (Plus Campaign Update)
How close are we to getting to 1000 paying Patreon members so we can cover the costs of making a year two?!Plus, a conversation with introvert ally (and extrovert) Jennifer Kahnweiler on the changes she's made to get along better with the introverts in her life. To listen to the full exclusive premium episode, consider joining our Patreon starting at $5 a month. You’ll get ad-free episodes, exclusive premium episodes, access to the chat, and other goodies. To just get our newsletter, join our Patreon for free 🍏From the episode: Learn more about Jennifer Kahnweiler, listen to her podcast Introvert Ally, and read her book The Genius of Opposites
Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

Oct 7, 2025 • 44min
The First Ever Extrovert-Introvert Cage Match
Join Aparna Nancherla, a witty comedian, Ryan Letts, an extroverted psychedelic coach, and Jennifer Kahnweiler, an expert on introvert dynamics, as they dive into the quirky friendship struggle between extroverts and introverts. Aparna shares her challenges with social overwhelm, while Ryan sheds light on frustrations with flaky communication. Jennifer mediates with insights on differing processing styles and offers practical tools for better communication. The conversation is both enlightening and entertaining as they explore how these two worlds can coexist!

Sep 30, 2025 • 41min
An Estrangement Mystery
At the heart of many family estrangements lies a mystery. Adult kids insist they’ve told their parents why they’re walking away, while parents say they don’t understand. Why is it sometimes so hard for parents to hear their kids? And how to get through?From the episode:
Learn more about Becca Bland and her work with families and people surviving estrangement
Learn more about Joshua Coleman, subscribe to his newsletter Family Troubles, and read his book New Rules of Estrangement
Learn more about reporter Kim Nederveen Pieterse
This is a special membership campaign episode! Help us get to 1500 paying Patreon members by Oct. 9th to cover the costs of making another year of emotional investigative journalism! Proxy is an independent podcast and we rely mostly on listeners. To support emotional investigative journalism™️ and help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon starting at $5 a month. You’ll get exclusive premium episodes, ad-free episodes, and access to the chat. To just get our newsletter, join our Patreon for free 🍏Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

Sep 23, 2025 • 1h
JC's Kids Won't Talk To Her
The case of the mom who doesn’t understand, and the daughter who’s done explaining.From the episode:
Learn more about Chess Dugas, subscribe to her YouTube channel The Scapegoat Club, and follow her on TikTok
Learn more about Joshua Coleman, subscribe to his newsletter Family Troubles, and read his book New Rules of Estrangement
Learn more about reporter Kim Nederveen Pieterse
Help us get to 1500 paying Patreon members by Oct. 9th to cover the costs of making another year of emotional investigative journalism!Proxy is an independent podcast and we rely mostly on listeners. To support emotional investigative journalism™️ and help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon starting at $5 a month. You’ll get exclusive premium episodes, ad-free episodes, and access to the chat. To just get our newsletter, join our Patreon for free 🍏Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com


