Stuff I Consumed in 2025

In my blog posts, I have a regular “What I’m Consuming” section where I share books, podcasts, tv shows, music I’m consuming with my readers. Here are some highlights from 2025, plus a few old favorites that seem to always be with me.

 
 

Good TV

The Four Seasons (Netflix)
I vaguely remember seeing and enjoying the Alan Alda movie when I was a kid and we all watched the same stuff as the adults. It hits differently at 50-something. Amazing cast led by Tina Fey and Steve Carrell.

Ted Lasso Christmas Episode (Apple TV)

My family has decided to make watching it an annual tradition. This is a nice article sharing other fun new/old classics.

Apple TV Masterpieces (in my opinion)

Frankly, I feel that Apple TV has been kinda killing it with thought provoking, brilliantly written, directed and acted programs. If you have checked them out - it’s time. Think deep with Pluribus, feel the love and struggle with Shrinking, and marvel at how some insane some people’s creative brains can be by watching Severence. These shows are proof that AI will never replace artists.

Podcasts

Unicorn Girl
This new genre of female scam artists exposed by social media has me somewhat hooked. Alarming and distressing, yet weirdly showing the incredible power of a determined woman. This is the podcast equivalent of a page turner. Unicorn Girl: from soccer Mom, to trafficking activist to um, seal team in Dubai. Whut?

Woo Woo with Rachel Dratch

The Gen X comedian club gives me endless joy. Fans of Good Hang with Amy Poehler might have heard fellow SNL alum Rachel Dratch talk about her own podcast with the high concept of hearing people’s (many of them celebrities) stories about ghost encounters, near death experiences and more. I fully enjoyed hearing Juliana Margulies describe the past-life regression hypnosis by her dad.

Twenty Thousand Hertz 
One of my favorite discoveries - a show all about sound. So many great episodes like the one about insurance companies being among the last industries to fully embrace the ‘jingle’.  Or the one about the sound ‘imagineers’ of the It’s A Small World ride. Or the one about how the Yahoo yodel, or the Netflix dum-dum, or the language of dogs and cats. So many good episode.

Normal Gossip

Big shout out to my pal Natalie for recommending this podcast to me! Listen to tales of crazy situations happening to everyday people, guided by terrific hosts with fun special guests. Great for when you just want to be entertained. Excellent car content.

Books

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
by Mark Twain

Every now and then it’s so valuable to go back to a classic. Not sure when I read this in high school, or if I only read the Cliff Notes (Totally possible). But it was on my shelf and I pulled it down and it’s nice to have a real paperback in my hands with some brilliant writing. I hope to follow-up by reading the recent novel James, by Percival Everett. A re-telling of the story from the perspective of Huck's travelling partner the enslaved Jim.

How to Keep House While Drowning:
A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing 
by KC Davis

I’ve read more than my share of organizing books. I find most simply repackage the same advice— advice which only works for a few of us. If you’re neurodiverse or dealing with anxiety, depression or have simply bought into the idea that perfect order is possible and yet failed to achieve it… This book will serve you better. One of my favorite themes: ‘care tasks are morally neutral’

The Year of Yes
by Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes is the creator of Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, Bridgerton and soooo much more. A TV genius. The audiobook is read by Shonda herself which adds delightful humor and energy to this amazing memoir of what happens if you just choose to say yes to life’s opportunities. It continues to inspire me since I read it two years ago, and the 10 year anniversary edition has 7 new chapters!

Articles

The 2020s are tough…I found comfort & inspiration in these first two articles, and deep relatability in the third.

How to Stay Sane in Brutalizing Times
by David Brooks, NYTimes

This is a beautiful article by David Brooks that reflects on some of the same thoughts I’ve shared here very deeply and using historical context. It’s amazing, thought-provoking writing like this that keep me paying for my newspaper subscription.

How to Navigate a Turbulent World: 5 Practical Principles
by Shirzad Chamine, Founder of Positive Intelligence

Aging Out of F*&ks: The Neuroscience of Why You Suddenly Can’t Pretend Anymore
A brilliant blog post by Ellen Scherr on the science-based liberation that comes in midlife.