Proxy with Yowei Shaw

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/

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. 

Nicole is an organizer who's good at channeling her anger. The problem is she can't always downshift. If this episode resonates, you might also try Mic Chooses the Wrong Life or Yaroslava Can't Go Home.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 Proxy is an independent podcast, supported mostly by listeners. If you want to help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. Membership starts at $5 a month and includes bonus episodes, ad-free-listening, and access to our group Zoom hangs. You can also join for free to get the newsletter 🍏Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

Erin wants to forgive the person she's holding a grudge against, but doesn't know how. Is it possible to just disappear resentment?If this episode resonates, you might also try Brian Can't Stop Fact-Checking His Mother-In-Law or JC's Kids Won't Talk To Her.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 Proxy is an independent podcast, supported mostly by listeners. If you want to help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. Membership starts at $5 a month and includes bonus episodes, ad-free-listening, and access to our group Zoom hangs. You can also join for free to get the newsletter 🍏Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

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?If this episode resonates, you might also try Mic Chooses the Wrong Life or JC's Kids Won't Talk To Her.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 Proxy is an independent podcast, supported mostly by listeners. If you want to help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. Membership starts at $5 a month and includes bonus episodes, ad-free-listening, and access to our group Zoom hangs. You can also join for free to get the newsletter 🍏Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.comGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

A historic step in extrovert-introvert relations i.e. a proxy bloodbath roundtable with 2 extroverts and 2 introverts airing our grievances about each other. If this episode resonates, you might also try Aparna and the Self-Loathing Introvert or Zakiya Used to Be So Fun.From the episode:  Learn more about Aparna Nancherla, read her book Unreliable Narrator, and follow her on Instagram @aparnapkin Learn more about Ryan Letts at Pando Integration Coaching Learn more about Jennifer Kahnweiler, listen to her podcast Introvert Ally, and read her book The Genius of Opposites Proxy is an independent podcast, supported mostly by listeners. If you want to help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. Membership starts at $5 a month and includes bonus episodes, ad-free-listening, and access to our group Zoom hangs. You can also join for free to get the newsletter 🍏Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

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?If this episode resonates, you might also try Bob and the Forgiveness Spell or Brian Can't Stop Fact-Checking His Mother-In-Law.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

The case of the mom who doesn’t understand, and the daughter who’s done explaining.If this episode resonates, you might also try Bob and the Forgiveness Spell or Brian Can't Stop Fact-Checking His Mother-In-Law.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 Proxy is an independent podcast, supported mostly by listeners. If you want to help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. Membership starts at $5 a month and includes bonus episodes, ad-free-listening, and access to our group Zoom hangs. You can also join for free to get the newsletter 🍏Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

Alex used to host a huge podcast (Reply All). He now makes a new independent show called Hyperfixed. He loves making it. Only problem is, Alex now has to ask for money all the time to survive, which he hates doing.If this episode resonates, you might also like Brian Can’t Stop Fact-Checking His Mother-In-Law or Mic Chooses the Wrong Life.From the episode:  Listen to Alex Goldman's new podcast Hyperfixed Learn more about Haley Bash and Donor Organizer Hub, a support network for people who fundraise for under-resourced causes The Accidental Fundraiser, Haley's step-by-step guide to raising money for your cause Proxy is an independent podcast, supported mostly by listeners. If you want to help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. Membership starts at $5 a month and includes bonus episodes, ad-free-listening, and access to our group Zoom hangs. You can also join for free to get the newsletter 🍏Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

Ever since the election, Sandy Ernest Allen has been clocking a strange silence from cis people about trans rights. So Sandy reached into the void to hear what the silence had to say.If this episode resonates, you might also try Nicole Can't Stop Being Aggro. From the episode:  Learn more about Sandy Ernest Allen and his work Sandy's newsletter What's Helping Today For suggestions on how to support trans people, read"To Cis People Who Feel Despair" Follow Sandy on Bluesky @sandyernestallen and see the post Support Sandy's writing with a tip: https://buymeacoffee.com/sandyallen Proxy is an independent podcast, supported mostly by listeners. If you want to help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. Membership starts at $5 a month and includes bonus episodes, ad-free-listening, and access to our group Zoom hangs. You can also join for free to get the newsletter 🍏Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

Anya Kamenetz was having trouble coping with the state of the world. So she decided to report on those feelings. In this conversation, Anya shares what she learned from talking to scientists, activists, and thinkers about our collective emotions - why we feel the things we do, the limits of those feelings, and how to move through them to take action. From the episode:  Learn more about Anya Kamenetz and her work Read Anya's newsletter The Golden Hour Listen to We Are the Great Turning, a podcast Anya produced with eco-spiritual teacher Joanna Macy about love, courage, and connection in the climate crisis 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 ad-free listening, access to our group Zoom hangs, and bonus episodes, like this extended conversation with Anya Kamenetz. You can also join for free to get the newsletter 🍏Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

The case of the people person who fell out of love with people. If this episode resonates, you might also try Mic Chooses the Wrong Life or Bisexual Wife Guy.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 Proxy is an independent podcast, supported mostly by listeners. If you want to help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. Membership starts at $5 a month and includes bonus episodes, ad-free-listening, and access to our group Zoom hangs. You can also join for free to get the newsletter 🍏Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

The case of Amanda, a writer whose internal monologue won't stop narrating her life, instead of just letting her live it.If this episode resonates, you might also try Aparna and the Self-Loathing Introvert or Mic Chooses the Wrong Life.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, supported mostly by listeners. If you want to help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. Membership starts at $5 a month and includes bonus episodes, ad-free-listening, and access to our group Zoom hangs. You can also join for free to get the newsletter 🍏Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

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. If this episode resonates, you might also try Mic Chooses the Wrong Life or Bisexual Wife Guy.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, supported mostly by listeners. If you want to help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. Membership starts at $5 a month and includes bonus episodes, ad-free-listening, and access to our group Zoom hangs. You can also join for free to get the newsletter 🍏Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

The case of Evan and Chris, best friends who love playing music together. But after the band suffers a terrible tragedy, they find themselves unable to regain their momentum. We pair them up with another musician who’s all too familiar with the neverending drama that comes with being in a band with friends. If this episode resonates, you might also try Mic Chooses the Wrong Life or Brian Can't Stop Fact-Checking His Mother-In-Law.From the episode:  Listen to The Superweaks and the single "Blindside" from their new record The Superweaks Superweekly Supercast episode where Yowei stumbles into the case Follow them on Instagram @thesuperweaks Read Ryan Dusick's memoir Harder to Breathe: A Memoir of Making Maroon, Losing It All, and Finding Recovery Learn more about Ryan and follow him on Instagram @ryan_michael_dusick Listen to The Harder To Breathe Podcast  The Music Industry Therapist Collective Proxy is an independent podcast, supported mostly by listeners. If you want to help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. Membership starts at $5 a month and includes bonus episodes, ad-free-listening, and access to our group Zoom hangs. You can also join for free to get the newsletter 🍏Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

For a long time, Yowei saw her introversion as a character flaw to fix. She gets advice from comedian (and fellow introvert) Aparna Nancherla about how to stop wishing for personality puberty to hit.If this episode resonates, you might also try Mic Chooses the Wrong Life or Bisexual Wife Guy.From the episode:  Read Aparna's book Unreliable Narrator: Me, Myself, and Imposter Syndrome Learn more about Aparna Follow her on Instagram @aparnapkin Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, by Susan Cain Proxy is an independent podcast, supported mostly by listeners. If you want to help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. Membership starts at $5 a month and includes bonus episodes, ad-free-listening, and access to our group Zoom hangs. You can also join for free to get the newsletter 🍏Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

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. This episode is often a first listen for new Proxy listeners. If it resonates, you might also try Bisexual Wife Guy or Brian Can’t Stop Fact-Checking His Mother-In-Law.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, supported mostly by listeners. If you want to help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. Membership starts at $5 a month and includes bonus episodes, ad-free-listening, and access to our group Zoom hangs. You can also join for free to get the newsletter 🍏Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

If you're new to Proxy, welcome. This episode is a great place to begin. 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. What follows is a conversation about breakups, grief, and the strange disorientation that can come when the story you thought you were living suddenly changes.If this episode resonates, you might also try Mic Chooses the Wrong Life or Brian Can't Stop Fact-Checking His Mother-In-Law.From the episode:  Listen to Hanna’s podcasts Radio Atlantic and Chutzpod! Follow her on X @hannarosin and Instagram @hannarosin Our Path, a listener-recommended support group for for straight partners of LGBTQ+ folks Proxy is an independent podcast, supported mostly by listeners. If you want to help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. Membership starts at $5 a month and includes bonus episodes, ad-free-listening, and access to our group Zoom hangs. You can also join for free to get the newsletter 🍏Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

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, supported mostly by listeners. If you want to help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. Membership starts at $5 a month and includes bonus episodes, ad-free-listening, and access to our group Zoom hangs. You can also join for free to get the newsletter 🍏Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com

The story of someone who suffered alone in secret for 8 years with a problem he was too afraid to Google -  and then he stumbled into a support group. In this episode, we dive into the emotional dynamics of support groups with Jason Yu. Why did support groups help him, when nothing else did?If this episode resonates, you might also try Aparna and the Self-Loathing Introvert or Yaroslava Can't Go Home. From the episode:  Listen to Jason Yu's podcast Fidget Follow Fidget on Instagram @fidgetpodcast The TLC Foundation, an organization for body-focused repetitive behaviors Jason's book recs for learning how to build community: The Art of Gathering and How We Show Up Proxy is an independent podcast, supported mostly by listeners. If you want to help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. Membership starts at $5 a month and includes bonus episodes, ad-free-listening, and access to our group Zoom hangs. You can also join for free to get the newsletter 🍏Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com