Here is a round-up of movies, tv shows, kitchen utensils and podcasts that stuck with me the last few weeks, in no particular order.
1- Party Down
Party Down Seasons 1 and 2 aired in 2009. Season 3 just came out on February 24th on Starz. A group of cater waiters make all the possible mistakes. I just started Season 1 last night and I’m loving the dream cast, the awkwardness and watching Adam Scott take it all in.
This show is a good time. Think Parks and Recreation meets The Office meets the unpredictable world of catering. Anything can happen when you mix distracted employees with ridiculous events they have to “work”.
2 – Selena + Chef
I know what you’re thinking. “Do we really need another celebrity cooking show?” I say, in this case, yes. During lockdown, Selena Gomez decided to invite top chefs into her kitchen to teach her how to cook, virtually of course.
While it is professionally produced by HBO Max, there are enough mistakes and real moments to make it entertaining. Not to mention random calls from bestie Taylor Swift that make it even more fun. I got on the Selena train during Only Murders In The Building, and I’m still on board. This show is inspiring. Even if you never cook any of the recipes, her kitchen, appliances and cooking utensils are so pretty, you’ll be inspired to redecorate.
I have no doubt that her rainbow cooking knives are selling fast.
3 – Second Life Podcast
Second Life is one of my favorite discoveries of the year. Hilary Kerr of Who What Wear interviews inspiring women from the worlds of fashion, jewelry, design, beauty and entertainment. The show is described as “Spotlighting successful women who’ve made major career changes—and fearlessly mastered the pivot.” They start at the beginning of the guest’s career, and go through the pivots, mistakes and life lessons in delicious detail. Hilary is great. Her voice is soothing and she interjects with her own experiences, which keeps the conversations flowing.
Guests include J Lo, Reece Witherspoon, Courtney Cox, Cameron Diaz, Kerry Washington, Emma Roberts, Nicole Ritchie, and Jessica Alba. Once you get through the celebrity interviews (if that’s your jam), you’ll enjoy the stories of designers like Anine Bing, stylists like Rachel Zoe and jewelry darlings like Susan Korn.
4 – Sarah Jones x Ted Talks
I’ve been a fan of Sarah Jones for a while, but it was Liz Plank’s chat with her on the Man Enough podcast and re-watching The Incredible Jessica James that steered me towards her Ted Talks. Sarah inhabits several characters onstage that both delight and move audiences. I highly recommend you check out all three of her Ted Talks. What a woman. What an incredible talent.
Her recent documentary Sell/Buy/Date (produced by Meryl Streep) is a deep-dive into the many sides of the sex industry. For an in-depth discussion, listen to her on Man Enough. While this topic is not a fun one, I’m adding it because she makes profound mic drops laugh out loud funny while you are both nauseated by injustice and changed by truths we don’t like thinking about. It’s a feat worth celebrating.
JUST ANNOUNCED: Sarah Jones will be one of the speakers at TED 2023 in Vancouver, BC, April 17-21. Get your tickets here.
5 – Man Enough Podcast
It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of feminist, author and journalist Liz Plank. I’ve had the honor of interviewing her several times and I cannot get enough of her intelligence and wit. During the pandemic she released a great podcast called Heart
Homework. I still think about her chat with her friend and poet Rupi Kaur and Justin Baldoni. She and Justin had such a great connection. I’m so glad they’ve expanded that conversation into a whole other culture-shifting and award- winning podcast.
I recommend you start with Glennon Doyle and Alok. Alok’s brilliance will blow you away and their words will make you cry. Genius. (Trigger warning: abuse.)
Liz Plank and Monica Padman created the podcast Race to 35 sharing their fertility journey under the Armchair Expert umbrella. Be sure to check that out or pass it on to anyone undergoing or considering fertility treatments. I wish this podcast had existed before now.
6 – Tracee Ellis Ross on We Can Do Hard Things Podcast
I thoroughly enjoyed this podcast episode. I don’t want to ruin it for you, but you know when you hear similar ideas from several different sources in the same week and the words just stick to your brain? It feels like a sign, or at least something important worthy of further contemplation? This was one of those experiences for me. So, I urge you to listen here.
7 – Trinny Woodall on How to Fail Podcast
Trinny is an internet sensation, make-up maven and fashion fiesta! Her brilliance is absolutely medicinal for any person who has dreams. She is so smart and brutally honest. Highly recommend listening to her story here. (Trigger warnings: infertility and miscarriage).
8 – Virtual Event: Phoebe Waller-Bridge Will Interview Elizabeth Day (March 26th, 2023)
I discovered journalist, author and podcast host Elizabeth Day through her two interviews with her friend Fleabag’s Phoebe-Waller Bridge. Phoebe-Waller Bridge will turn the tables and interview Elizabeth Day about her new book Friendaholic: Confessions of a Friendship Addict. You can buy tickets to the in-person and virtual event. The recording will then be available for one week. Buy tickets here.
We all reevaluated our friendships during the pandemic. Elizabeth has written a book about what she realized about herself and her friendships. Fascinating topic.
9 – Elizabeth Gilbert is Coming to Montreal (April 20)
Author of The Signature of all Things, Eat, Pray, Love and Big Magic is coming to Canada. She will be in Montreal on April 20th. I bought my ticket within 10 minutes of this IG post, but that’s just me. I encourage you to get your ticket if you’ve been thinking about it here. Go for it.
10 – The Dropout
This is one of the best performances I’ve ever seen. Amanda Seyfried plays Elizabeth Holmes. This may be old news to many of you, but I just had a conversation with someone recently who had only just watched it, so maybe you haven’t seen it yet. The story is both unbelievable and terrifying. I went down a major rabbit hole after watching it, just to witness how well Amanda embodies Elizabeth. Wow. Have you read the book Bad Blood yet?
If you loved this one, have you seen Inventing Anna? You can hear Anna Delvey being interviewed by comedian Whitney Cummings here. It’s a tough interview to crack considering she is likely not legally allowed to say anything disparaging or revealing, but it’s fascinating to hear this exchange and POV. If you are still hungry for more female con artists, check out Not Okay starring Zoey Deutch.
What have you seen or heard lately that stood out?
Coming Soon:
1 – Celeste Berber stars in: WELLMANIA – Friday, March 31st, 2023
2 – Everyone’s favorite soccer coach: TED LASSO – SEASON 3 – March 15th, 2023
3 – The family we love to hate: SUCCESSION – SEASON 4 – FINAL SEASON – March 27th, 2023
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