Keeping it light so we stay grounded—what’s making me laugh, think, and get through the week

Nothing profound, just what’s helping

Some days, the only question I can muster is, “How can I stay afloat?”

Nothing about making progress in life or even the laundry. Just thoughts on keeping my head above water.

Between heavy daily news and the constant firehose of social media disinformation (or information-I-don’t-want), I’ve realized I need a small but reliable survival toolbox.

So I’m starting a monthly check-in where I share what’s currently in mine—in case something here helps you stay above water too. And as always, I’d love to know what’s on your play and watch list.

First and foremost: humor.

Favorite TV show blooper reels on YouTube for a quick laugh and listening to smart, funny podcasts.

Amy Poehler’s Good Hang is consistently a breath of fresh air. She launched it last year to give us a break from the insanity, and she delivers. She’s an excellent interviewer, keeps things moving, and somehow manages to be both comforting and entertaining. She also won a Golden Globe for Best Podcast—watch her acceptance speech if you need a reminder that joy is still legal.

The Office Ladies is my other reliable go-to. Low-pressure pod. It’s perfect for light listening without having to track a plot or remember names. A true public service.

For bedtime reading (because I take my sleep way too seriously):

No phone in my room. Instead, I rely on low-key, Agatha Christie–style murder mysteries to ease me to sleep.

In 2017, I asked a small bookshop owner for “non-stressful fiction,” and she introduced me to Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series. They’re beautifully written, calm, and oddly soothing for books about murder. I’ve read 18 of them and am about to crack open her latest. (Start with Still Life if you’re curious)

Analog life, continued:

In a callback to my Analog Life post (read it here), I’ve started carrying pocket-sized books with me when I go out. Thrift stores and used bookstores are goldmines for these.

Yesterday, The Color Purple kept me company during a long wait for bloodwork (yes, more bloodwork…I’ll update you next week). Bonus: Reading in public is literally a conversation starter. I don’t know if it’s because seeing someone read a book is rare or if people are truly interested in the title, but every single time I crack open a book, someone says something.

Live comedy is also doing some heavy lifting.

Last month we saw Chelsea Peretti perform improv with friends in San Francisco—you might know her as Gina Linetti from Brooklyn Nine-Nine. And in May, we’re driving to LA to see Daniel Sloss at Netflix Is A Joke Fest. If you ever get the chance to see him live, do it. He’s smart, aware, ruthless, and absolutely worth it. Five stars.

And finally:

I’ve replaced some social media scrolling with an old-fashioned game of solitaire. With actual cards. I used to play double solitaire with my favorite grandma (who I cleverly called “gram”), so the game is doing double duty. Good memories plus good distraction. But I’ve also been learning how to play Sudoku—apparently it’s good for our aging brains, and I’d like to stay sharp for as long as possible, thank you very much.

I’d genuinely love to hear from you. What’s helping you stay sane (or at least somewhat sane)? What’s making you laugh or giving you an escape lately?

See you next week,

P.S. Waitlist registration opens soon for the Path & Purpose workshop. Get on the list here—zero commitment. If you do enroll, you’ll receive VIP pricing and a 1:1 session with me.