Jenn and I are talking about what a mid-life crisis really looks like in this episode—and how it’s different from the way it’s portrayed on TV and the movies (and may or may not involve crop tops). Plus: Learning to slow down and eschew productivity, what motivates us as we get older, the simple pleasures of proper house care, and how the hell to stay relevant and in-the-know when you increasingly maybe don’t care? Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Hi Kim, I’ve uploaded a comment twice now and it’s still not showing. Hope you didn’t block me for some reason…. Thanks!
Ah it went through, thanks!
I really liked White Lotus and Mike White’s other show — Enlightened. This interview goes into some interesting questions: https://www.vulture.com/article/the-white-lotus-finale-mike-white-interview-departures-ending.html
I’ve liked a lot of EIF podcast episodes with guests (esp. enjoyed the recent Jessica Hopper one), but I might prefer the EIF podcasts with just Kim and Jenn, when it’s just the two of you chewing the fat. Loved the Aug 9 conversation about family reunions and therapy maybe finally working.
Speaking of Jessica Hopper and earlier, Ann Powers, I’d love it if you could feature other women writers who’d forged their own paths in the boys’ clubs of music and movie criticism — Gina Arnold (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gina_Arnold), (is she old enough?) Lizzy Goodman, Ellen Sander, Carola Dibbell, Ariel Swartley, Donna Gaines, Evelyn McDonnell, and I’m sure a few others I’ve missed. And Gillian McCain of Please Kill Me fame.
It’s so rare to get that POV of the woman rock/pop culture connoisseur (the flip side that I loved how the Zoe Kravitz High Fidelity explored).
I had the same opinion about White Lotus. I found it entertaining, but also thought the social commentary was lazily written. My biggest gripe was probably with the reading material the writers (clearly middle aged dudes) gave the two teenage girls, since I know enough pretentious teenagers to know what little interest they have in reading dead white guys like Freud and Nietzsche, and I also assumed everyone was aware of that. But also, they could have come up with a way more specific example of rich white guy entitlement than paying for a room and being given a different room. I’ve had enough hospitality jobs to see white people, usually between the ages of 30-50, of all classes responding exactly like that character over similar errors. It didn’t really work for me, and I mostly enjoyed it because of the cast.
Articles like the one someone sent to Jenn drive me crazy….sure, find your passion AND pay the bills….sounds great but sans concrete, helpful tips….also, couldn’t make it past the first episode of White Lotus. I had high hopes but…not for me.
This episode hit me like a lightning bolt- you helped me identify that my compulsive eBay purchasing this summer is my very own mid-life crisis. I’ve been seeking out items from beloved brands from my youth in the 70s and 80s like a crazy person- brands I owned or aspired to. Will I ever wear any of this? Sure, if I want to look ridiculous. I think it’s my way of having one last fling with that time of my life- and now I know what to call this. Loved the episode, as always- your conversations are so terrific.
Hi! Just wanted to say I love your podcast and really enjoy when you and Jenn just talk amongst yourselves! You are both very thoughtful and have both had enough therapy to give great advice. And for the record, “smart Kim” never left the building. Your perfect.
Hi there. Just Echoing comments of how enjoyable and therapeutic it is to listen to just the two of you chat for the entire episode. I thought I was the only “disorganized and lazy “ gal out there and it had been weighing on me a lot more lately. Thanks for the relatable stories. Taste in Books/movies/music is so utterly subjective and not really a measure of intellect. I am finding some movies/shows are “too young” for my taste and I don’t feel obligated to suffer through them even though they may very well be considered achievements. I couldn’t get through Booksmart :0(
Thanks again for your fab and intelligent podcast.
I also love when you both just chat about life because you’re both so real and refreshing.
I’m only halfway through the episode, but just wanted to say I would LOVE it if you’d do a post on dressing sexy at this age. I default to aging ceramicist myself, but with my big boobs and broad shoulders, I just look like I’m wearing tents all the time and that has to stop!
Given boxy/roomy fits are generally what’s in right now, I’m just looking for examples of other ways to go that still look modern and relatively current.