
Proxy with Yowei Shaw
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
Latest episodes

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

Apr 22, 2025 • 53min
Bisexual Wife Guy
The case of George, the bisexual wife guy who got dumped. In this episode, we find a proxy to stand in for a listener's ex - another queer woman who left her straight relationship. From the episode:
Listen to Hanna’s podcasts Radio Atlantic and Chutzpod!
Follow her on X @hannarosin and Instagram @hannarosin
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

Mar 19, 2025 • 18min
The Utility of Self-Delusion (and Big Show Update)
Yowei shares exciting show news and goes on a self-delusion bender with the team at Proxy HQ. Is she being delusional? Or is delusion just necessary for starting any new project?From the episode:
Useful Delusions: The Power & Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain, by Shankar Vedantam
Radiotopia from PRX
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

Mar 6, 2025 • 36min
Presenting: Alternate Realities (from NPR's Embedded)
Conspiracy theories have been gaining traction all the way to the highest seats of power. So, are there emotional dynamics at play that we could understand to be able to do something about it? Last year, Zach Mack’s dad sent him a strange email, asking to bet $10,000 to settle once and for all who was correct and who was the brainwashed one. From NPR’s Embedded podcast, this is episode 2 of the Alternate Realities series: Down the Rabbit Hole. From the episode:
Listen to the rest of the Alternate Realities series from NPR's Embedded
Follow Zach Mack's work
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

Feb 26, 2025 • 1h 8min
Presenting: "Stings for Our Enemies. Honey for Our Friends." (from Our Ancestors Were Messy)
For as long as she can remember, Nichole Hill has had a complicated relationship with Black history. Then in 2020, she stumbled on a digital archive of pre Civil Rights era Black newspapers and got obsessed with the scandalous stories she found. Our Ancestors Were Messy is her new podcast that explores Black history through the lens of gossip and drama. In this episode, Nichole tells the story of a Victorian era love triangle that rocked the elites of DC. From the episode:
Listen to Our Ancestors Were Messy
Support the show by becoming a member
Learn more about Nichole and follow her on Instagram @nicholewthanh
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