A Fine Mess

On the podcast 'This Is Actually Happening,' host Whit Missildine shares stories from people who've undergone life-changing events. After years of making the podcast, he had his own life-changing, near-death experience. In this episode, host Sabrina Merage Naim and Whit discuss what he's learned—most importantly, how we might be able to tear down the protective walls around us, embrace vulnerability, and forgive. You can hear more about Whit and his story in this episode of This Is Actually Happening: https://wondery.com/shows/this-is-actually-happening/episode/5675-what-if-they-couldnt-wake-me-up/

In a surprise to literally everyone, Evan Weissman somehow made civics…fun. The founder of Warm Cookies of the Revolution—the world’s first civic health club—joins host Sabrina Merage Naim to discuss how he’s made civic engagement enjoyable and why that matters. Together, they discuss what civics actually is, why our local governments get overlooked, and how these grassroot efforts can cultivate relationships.

What would a Black, progressive artist be doing at the January 6th insurrection? Filmmaker Michael Premo spent years documenting the lives of men involved in far-right movements, including the attack at the capital, for his documentary “Homegrown.” Our globalized world has become, in many ways, more narrow. So, what makes someone leave their cushy echo chamber and venture into parts unknown? There is a real emotional risk and, in Michael’s case, a real physical risk. In this episode, he tells host Sabrina Merage Naim how he forged relationships with his subjects, what he learned from making the film, and his feelings about the state of American politics now.

Host Sabrina Merage Naim still believes in the American Dream. Does that make her an asshole? In this episode, she sits down with Samhita Mukhopadhyay, the author of “The Myth of Making It: A Workplace Reckoning.” They discuss what Samhita has learned about America’s workplace culture, the challenges women face when trying to ‘have it all,’ and what a new definition of success might be for Americans.

You are probably aware that entertainment influences our behavior. Maybe you noticed the surge of pink clothing when the Barbie movie premiered or the rise of chess set sales after the release of The Queen's Gambit series. But did you know there are people who are actively trying to shape the narratives of TV and movies? Host Sabrina Merage Naim is one of them. In this episode, she examines the ethics of this practice with Vicki Shabo, a Senior Fellow at The Better Life Lab.