Podcasts about scaachi

HUGE episode for learning life lessons!! This week, Isa welcomes on author and host of Scamfluencers Podcast, Scaachi Koul to discuss whether it's RIGHT or WRONG to avoid conflict! Spoiler! Scaachi thinks avoiding conflict is the root of all evil in this world of ours, but at what cost? Isn't constantly confronting those you love toxic?? Nahhhh ( or maybe?). Listen and find out. If you like the podcast give the show 5 stars! Follow the pod @imrighturwrongpodcastFollow the host @isaamedinaa

The infamous annual ritual of spring break—where thousands of college students head to the same warm location and go crazy—can seem like it's always been here. But it hasn't. The spring break phenomenon is a holdover from midcentury teen culture that has endured by changing, just enough, to be passed from one generation to the next. In this episode we're going from the beaches of Fort Lauderdale to Daytona, from the movie screen to the TV set, from MTV to Instagram reels, from its start to its surprisingly recognizable present, as we follow the evolving, self-reinforcing rite that is spring break. You'll hear from former MTV staffers Doug Herzog, Salli Frattini, Alan Hunter, and Joe Davola, along with John Laurie, Kaylee Morris, and Slate writer Scaachi Koul. This episode was written by Willa Paskin and Katie Shepherd and produced by Katie. It was edited by Evan Chung, Decoder Ring's supervising producer. Our show is also produced by Max Freedman. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director. Thank you to Bob Friedman and Allan Cohen, producers of Spring Broke; David Cohn, Derreck Johnson, and Ivylise Simones. If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, please email us at DecoderRing@slate.com, or leave a message on our hotline at 347-460-7281. Want more Decoder Ring? Subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Plus, you'll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of the Decoder Ring show page. Or, visit slate.com/decoderplus to get access wherever you listen. Sources for This Episode Koul, Scaachi. “From ‘Girls Gone Wild' to ‘Your Body, My Choice',” Slate, Dec. 13, 2024. Laurie, John. “Spring Break: The Economic, Socio-Cultural and Public Governance Impacts of College Students on Spring Break Host Locations,” University of New Orleans Dissertation, Dec. 19, 2008. Mormino, Gary R. Land of Sunshine, State of Dreams: A Social History of Modern Florida, University Press of Florida, 2008. Schiltz, James. “Time to Grow Up: The Rise and Fall of Spring Break in Fort Lauderdale,” The Florida Historical Quarterly, Fall 2014. Spring Broke, dir. Alison Ellwood, Bungalow Media + Entertainment, 2016. Thompson, Derek. “2,000 Years of Partying: The Brief History and Economics of Spring Break,” The Atlantic, March 26, 2013. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The infamous annual ritual of spring break—where thousands of college students head to the same warm location and go crazy—can seem like it's always been here. But it hasn't. The spring break phenomenon is a holdover from midcentury teen culture that has endured by changing, just enough, to be passed from one generation to the next. In this episode we're going from the beaches of Fort Lauderdale to Daytona, from the movie screen to the TV set, from MTV to Instagram reels, from its start to its surprisingly recognizable present, as we follow the evolving, self-reinforcing rite that is spring break. You'll hear from former MTV staffers Doug Herzog, Salli Frattini, Alan Hunter, and Joe Davola, along with John Laurie, Kaylee Morris, and Slate writer Scaachi Koul. This episode was written by Willa Paskin and Katie Shepherd and produced by Katie. It was edited by Evan Chung, Decoder Ring's supervising producer. Our show is also produced by Max Freedman. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director. Thank you to Bob Friedman and Allan Cohen, producers of Spring Broke; David Cohn, Derreck Johnson, and Ivylise Simones. If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, please email us at DecoderRing@slate.com, or leave a message on our hotline at 347-460-7281. Want more Decoder Ring? Subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Plus, you'll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of the Decoder Ring show page. Or, visit slate.com/decoderplus to get access wherever you listen. Sources for This Episode Koul, Scaachi. “From ‘Girls Gone Wild' to ‘Your Body, My Choice',” Slate, Dec. 13, 2024. Laurie, John. “Spring Break: The Economic, Socio-Cultural and Public Governance Impacts of College Students on Spring Break Host Locations,” University of New Orleans Dissertation, Dec. 19, 2008. Mormino, Gary R. Land of Sunshine, State of Dreams: A Social History of Modern Florida, University Press of Florida, 2008. Schiltz, James. “Time to Grow Up: The Rise and Fall of Spring Break in Fort Lauderdale,” The Florida Historical Quarterly, Fall 2014. Spring Broke, dir. Alison Ellwood, Bungalow Media + Entertainment, 2016. Thompson, Derek. “2,000 Years of Partying: The Brief History and Economics of Spring Break,” The Atlantic, March 26, 2013. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The infamous annual ritual of spring break—where thousands of college students head to the same warm location and go crazy—can seem like it's always been here. But it hasn't. The spring break phenomenon is a holdover from midcentury teen culture that has endured by changing, just enough, to be passed from one generation to the next. In this episode we're going from the beaches of Fort Lauderdale to Daytona, from the movie screen to the TV set, from MTV to Instagram reels, from its start to its surprisingly recognizable present, as we follow the evolving, self-reinforcing rite that is spring break. You'll hear from former MTV staffers Doug Herzog, Salli Frattini, Alan Hunter, and Joe Davola, along with John Laurie, Kaylee Morris, and Slate writer Scaachi Koul. This episode was written by Willa Paskin and Katie Shepherd and produced by Katie. It was edited by Evan Chung, Decoder Ring's supervising producer. Our show is also produced by Max Freedman. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director. Thank you to Bob Friedman and Allan Cohen, producers of Spring Broke; David Cohn, Derreck Johnson, and Ivylise Simones. If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, please email us at DecoderRing@slate.com, or leave a message on our hotline at 347-460-7281. Want more Decoder Ring? Subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Plus, you'll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of the Decoder Ring show page. Or, visit slate.com/decoderplus to get access wherever you listen. Sources for This Episode Koul, Scaachi. “From ‘Girls Gone Wild' to ‘Your Body, My Choice',” Slate, Dec. 13, 2024. Laurie, John. “Spring Break: The Economic, Socio-Cultural and Public Governance Impacts of College Students on Spring Break Host Locations,” University of New Orleans Dissertation, Dec. 19, 2008. Mormino, Gary R. Land of Sunshine, State of Dreams: A Social History of Modern Florida, University Press of Florida, 2008. Schiltz, James. “Time to Grow Up: The Rise and Fall of Spring Break in Fort Lauderdale,” The Florida Historical Quarterly, Fall 2014. Spring Broke, dir. Alison Ellwood, Bungalow Media + Entertainment, 2016. Thompson, Derek. “2,000 Years of Partying: The Brief History and Economics of Spring Break,” The Atlantic, March 26, 2013. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The infamous annual ritual of spring break—where thousands of college students head to the same warm location and go crazy—can seem like it's always been here. But it hasn't. The spring break phenomenon is a holdover from midcentury teen culture that has endured by changing, just enough, to be passed from one generation to the next. In this episode we're going from the beaches of Fort Lauderdale to Daytona, from the movie screen to the TV set, from MTV to Instagram reels, from its start to its surprisingly recognizable present, as we follow the evolving, self-reinforcing rite that is spring break. You'll hear from former MTV staffers Doug Herzog, Salli Frattini, Alan Hunter, and Joe Davola, along with John Laurie, Kaylee Morris, and Slate writer Scaachi Koul. This episode was written by Willa Paskin and Katie Shepherd and produced by Katie. It was edited by Evan Chung, Decoder Ring's supervising producer. Our show is also produced by Max Freedman. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director. Thank you to Bob Friedman and Allan Cohen, producers of Spring Broke; David Cohn, Derreck Johnson, and Ivylise Simones. If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, please email us at DecoderRing@slate.com, or leave a message on our hotline at 347-460-7281. Want more Decoder Ring? Subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Plus, you'll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of the Decoder Ring show page. Or, visit slate.com/decoderplus to get access wherever you listen. Sources for This Episode Koul, Scaachi. “From ‘Girls Gone Wild' to ‘Your Body, My Choice',” Slate, Dec. 13, 2024. Laurie, John. “Spring Break: The Economic, Socio-Cultural and Public Governance Impacts of College Students on Spring Break Host Locations,” University of New Orleans Dissertation, Dec. 19, 2008. Mormino, Gary R. Land of Sunshine, State of Dreams: A Social History of Modern Florida, University Press of Florida, 2008. Schiltz, James. “Time to Grow Up: The Rise and Fall of Spring Break in Fort Lauderdale,” The Florida Historical Quarterly, Fall 2014. Spring Broke, dir. Alison Ellwood, Bungalow Media + Entertainment, 2016. Thompson, Derek. “2,000 Years of Partying: The Brief History and Economics of Spring Break,” The Atlantic, March 26, 2013. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After years in the Internet trenches, Scaachi Koul is no stranger to a good fight — but her latest essay collection is all about knowing when to walk away. In Sucker Punch, Scaachi examines her recent divorce with her signature ruthless humour, picking apart what the end of her marriage made her realize about her self-worth, upbringing and love of conflict. Scaachi joins Mattea to talk about divorce in the public eye, challenging her previous work and why her mother is at the centre of the new book. If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes:Curtis Sittenfeld is fascinated by fame Zoe Whittall: Why heartbreak is a valid form of grief

Candice Lim is joined by Slate culture writer Scaachi Koul, the host of Scamfluencers and the author of the upcoming book Sucker Punch (coming out this March). Today, they're diving into Scaachi's internet diaries to hear about her most-referenced meme, the internet rule she thinks everyone should follow, and whether there's hope for the next generation online. But first, they're discussing Trisha Paytas and Scaachi's personal beef with Moo Deng. This podcast is produced by Alexandra Botti, Daisy Rosario, and Candice Lim. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Candice Lim is joined by Slate culture writer Scaachi Koul, the host of Scamfluencers and the author of the upcoming book Sucker Punch (coming out this March). Today, they're diving into Scaachi's internet diaries to hear about her most-referenced meme, the internet rule she thinks everyone should follow, and whether there's hope for the next generation online. But first, they're discussing Trisha Paytas and Scaachi's personal beef with Moo Deng. This podcast is produced by Alexandra Botti, Daisy Rosario, and Candice Lim. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Candice Lim is joined by Slate culture writer Scaachi Koul, the host of Scamfluencers and the author of the upcoming book Sucker Punch (coming out this March). Today, they're diving into Scaachi's internet diaries to hear about her most-referenced meme, the internet rule she thinks everyone should follow, and whether there's hope for the next generation online. But first, they're discussing Trisha Paytas and Scaachi's personal beef with Moo Deng. This podcast is produced by Alexandra Botti, Daisy Rosario, and Candice Lim. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Candice Lim is joined by Slate culture writer Scaachi Koul, the host of Scamfluencers and the author of the upcoming book Sucker Punch (coming out this March). Today, they're diving into Scaachi's internet diaries to hear about her most-referenced meme, the internet rule she thinks everyone should follow, and whether there's hope for the next generation online. But first, they're discussing Trisha Paytas and Scaachi's personal beef with Moo Deng. This podcast is produced by Alexandra Botti, Daisy Rosario, and Candice Lim. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Francis created an empire of spring break smut with the “Girls Gone Wild” video series. But the story behind the alcohol-fueled antics is darker than you think. Scaachi interviews Jamila Wignot, director of the docuseries “Girls Gone Wild: The Untold Story” as they revisit Scaachi's original reporting on Joe Francis, and the questionable filming practices, sloppy record-keeping, illegal tax write-offs, and assault allegations that brought Girls Gone Wild to its ignoble end.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Come join Sarah and Scaachi for a very Scamfluencers holiday special. We'll give thanks to the scammers we'll never forget, review our naughty and slightly-less-naughty list, and roast the ones who deserve it… along with chestnuts on the open fire. We've got updates on some of our most infamous scammers, and we name a few scammers-to-be who we hope get indictments in their stockings. We're making like Grinches crashing a Whoville party and toasting to the most American thing of all: scamming! Listen to Scamfluencers on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/scamfluencers/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Find out what has made it into our female fantasy land. Scaachi and Sophia have crossed the globe to ask the question, “Where can women live their best lives?” Over an amazing 15 episodes, they've listened to experts and advocates give examples of where women thrive when it comes to subjects ranging from body image to the gender pay gap, period equity, women's safety and living sustainably. In this season finale, Scaachi and Sophia look back on some of the most memorable findings and hear what listeners think.Share your thoughts on this episode and suggest ideas for a new one by sending us a voice note on WhatsApp: +44330 123 9459

What's the greatest celebrity notes app apology of all time? Who is Hollywood's most divorced man? And which society is torturing the poets? Wanna know the answers, but have no time to scour the internet all day? Well, Peyton Dix and Hunter Harris have your back. These two beacons of truth and connoisseurs of mess have been bonded for over a decade, sharing the traumas of a crappy Boston dorm room and a pitiful Brooklyn dating scene. Now, these certified haters and internet carnivores are ready to cut your faves straight to the white meat.On Wondery's new podcast Lemme Say This, you're getting added to Hunter and Peyton's group chat - a weekly conversation, going all-in on the pop culture news you didn't realize you cared so much about. These best friends are chronically online so you don't have to be. There's nothing too niche or nosey.Listen to Lemme Say This ad-free: Wondery.fm/LemmeSayThisSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Does samba lift your mood? How about karaoke or playing a guitar? Does music feed your soul? Scaachi and Sophia hear how music can make you feel alive and affect sleep quality, mental alertness, and memory. They find out about free lessons in Finland and the power of music in Brazil. It's time to start singing, play an instrument or sit back and listen and pretend you are in a music video – that's what Sophia likes doing on a train. Guests: Doctor of education Liisa-Maria Lilja-Viherlampi and Brazilian Voices founder Loren Oliveira. Let us know what you think. Share your thoughts on this episode and suggest ideas for a new one by sending us a voice note on WhatsApp: +44330 123 9459 For more information: The Powerful Impact Of Music- Neuroscience of music ( Stanford): https://ojs.stanford.edu/ojs/index.php/intersect/article/view/2873 World Happiness Report: https://worldhappiness.report/ed/2024/happiness-of-the-younger-the-older-and-those-in-between/#ranking-of-happiness-2021-2023 Vocal Music Listening Enhances Poststroke Language Network Reorganization: https://www.eneuro.org/content/8/4/ENEURO.0158-21.2021#ref-80 Scoping review of how music affects physicality: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8455907/

From commuting to going out in the evening, Scaachi and Sophia explore safety. We hear about “gender sensitive” city planning, street lightening, public transport and schemes to help keep people safe in the evenings, including night walks. They both like the idea of the right to party!Guests: Austrian architect and lecturer Sabina Riss talks about Vienna, and researcher Tonja Jerele from the University of Ljubljana discusses Slovenia.Let us know what you think. Share your thoughts on this episode and suggest ideas for a new one by sending us a voice note on WhatsApp: +44330 123 9459

Hot flushes, mood swings, medication and the good experiences too all come up, as we explore the menopause and perimenopause. The physical and mental symptoms vary in severity and between individuals. The way different cultures view this life change also varies from country to country. For some it's still a taboo issue.Sophia hears about a parliamentary inquiry in Australia. Scaachi finds out about a grassroots group in Zimbabwe that has been helping women understand what's happening to their bodies and creating a sense of community. Guests: Sonya Lovell, host of the podcast Dear Menopause; and Primrose Hove, cofounder of Let's Talk Menopause. Let us know what you think. Share your thoughts on this episode and suggest ideas for a new one by sending us a voice note on WhatsApp: +44330 123 9459 You can read the full privacy notice here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2pj25vkld7tZ2Lq2d0Z3YjT/where-to-be-a-woman-privacy-notice#WheretobeaWomanFurther information: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Menopause/Terms_of_Reference https://www.swanstudy.org/

Where in the world are women living sustainably? Are any countries actually carbon negative? And what is “ecofeminism”? In this episode, we're exploring sustainability from a global perspective. From the air we breathe, to how we source our food, our own health is intrinsically linked to a having a healthy environment to live in. First we hear from Bhutan, the world's first country to become carbon negative and a country that measures national growth through a General National Happiness Index. Social entrepreneur and climate educator Thinley Choden explains how spirituality and respect for nature mean sustainability is embedded in Bhutanese culture.Meanwhile, in Madagascar, climate activist Marie Christina Kolo explains ecofeminism and how it impacts her world view and daily life. She explains how Madagascar is one of the world's most bio-diverse and lowest polluting places, yet it's also one of the hardest hit by climate change. Scaachi and Sophia consider the insights offered by these two women from two very different countries and the lessons we can all learn from them, before deciding whether one, both, or neither of their characteristics deserves a spot in their female fantasy land. Because we can't build a better place for women if we can't imagine it.

Where in the world are women more likely to be paid the same as their male colleagues? Are there good examples of attempts to close the pay gap? Belgium has one of the lowest gender pay gaps in the world. Scaachi Koul and Sophia Smith Galer find out how that has happened. Liberia has further to go on reducing the pay gap, but is making fast progress in shifting mindsets and creating more economic opportunities for women.What, if anything, will Scaachi and Sophia choose to put into the female fantasy land? Helping Scaachi and Sophia are Hildegard Van Hove, coordinator of statistics at the Institute for Gender Equality in Belgium, and Vivian Innis, gender and development specialist in Liberia.You can share your thoughts on this episode and suggest ideas for a new one by sending us a voice note on WhatsApp: +44330 123 9459 For more information: Gender wage gap data: https://data.oecd.org/earnwage/gender-wage-gap.htm Global Gender Gap Report 2023: https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-gender-gap-report-2023/

You can't be what you can't see, so where are all the statues of women? In some places there are many more sculptures of men – and even animals. In their quest to learn from women around the world, Scaachi Koul and Sophia Smith Galer hear from the United Kingdom and India. There seems to be lots of statues of Queen Victoria in the UK but what about women who aren't royalty? Thanks to the Monumental Welsh Women campaign, there are now statues of Wales's first black headteacher, Betty Campbell, writer Elaine Morgan and poet, headteacher, ship's captain, campaigner and journalist Cranogwen (Sarah Jane Rees). In India, we find out about statues reflecting divinity, femininity, fertility and even caste politics. Discover what Scaachi and Sophia choose to put into the female fantasy land.Helping Scaachi and Sophia are Art UK's Katey Goodwin and art historian Yashaswini Chandra.Please let us know what you think. Share your thoughts on this episode and suggest ideas for a new one by sending us a voice note on WhatsApp: +44330 123 9459 You can read the full the privacy notice here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2pj25vkld7tZ2Lq2d0Z3YjT/where-to-be-a-woman-privacy-notice

Body image, maternity leave, fair pay - all to be discussed in our new wellbeing show. Scaachi Koul and Sophia Smith Galer want to know what women around the world think their countries are getting right. And then they'll decide what they like and add it to their ideal imaginary place to be a woman. You can't build what you can't imagine, so let's start imagining! Want to let Scaachi and Sophia know what you think works? Send a WhatsApp voicenote on +44330 123 9459 - and start listening! We start on 4 March 2024.

On this week's episode of The Waves, former Buzzfeed reporter and current Scamfluencers host, Scaachi Koul is taking over hosting The Waves for the next few weeks. This week she's digging deep into the life of First Lady hopeful, Casey DeSantis. Scaachi is joined by Washington Post reporter, Ruby Cramer. Ruby wrote a masterpiece on Casey DeSantis, “Tracing the power of Casey DeSantis.” They get into why Casey DeSantis scares Scaachi, how to properly make fun of Ron's wife, and why the Ron and Casey two-some is so exclusive.      In Slate Plus: continuing our And Just Like That…recap with episode 9. If you liked this episode, check out: Your Period Deserves Respect  Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Scaachi Koul, Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery. Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you'll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/thewavesplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of The Waves, former Buzzfeed reporter and current Scamfluencers host, Scaachi Koul is taking over hosting The Waves for the next few weeks. This week she's digging deep into the life of First Lady hopeful, Casey DeSantis. Scaachi is joined by Washington Post reporter, Ruby Cramer. Ruby wrote a masterpiece on Casey DeSantis, “Tracing the power of Casey DeSantis.” They get into why Casey DeSantis scares Scaachi, how to properly make fun of Ron's wife, and why the Ron and Casey two-some is so exclusive.      In Slate Plus: continuing our And Just Like That…recap with episode 9. If you liked this episode, check out: Your Period Deserves Respect  Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Scaachi Koul, Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery. Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you'll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/thewavesplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of The Waves, former Buzzfeed reporter and current Scamfluencers host, Scaachi Koul is taking over hosting The Waves for the next few weeks. This week she's digging deep into the life of First Lady hopeful, Casey DeSantis. Scaachi is joined by Washington Post reporter, Ruby Cramer. Ruby wrote a masterpiece on Casey DeSantis, “Tracing the power of Casey DeSantis.” They get into why Casey DeSantis scares Scaachi, how to properly make fun of Ron's wife, and why the Ron and Casey two-some is so exclusive.      In Slate Plus: continuing our And Just Like That…recap with episode 9. If you liked this episode, check out: Your Period Deserves Respect  Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Scaachi Koul, Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery. Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you'll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/thewavesplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of The Waves, former Buzzfeed reporter and current Scamfluencers host, Scaachi Koul is taking over hosting The Waves for the next few weeks. This week she's digging deep into the life of First Lady hopeful, Casey DeSantis. Scaachi is joined by Washington Post reporter, Ruby Cramer. Ruby wrote a masterpiece on Casey DeSantis, “Tracing the power of Casey DeSantis.” They get into why Casey DeSantis scares Scaachi, how to properly make fun of Ron's wife, and why the Ron and Casey two-some is so exclusive.      In Slate Plus: continuing our And Just Like That…recap with episode 9. If you liked this episode, check out: Your Period Deserves Respect  Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Scaachi Koul, Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery. Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you'll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/thewavesplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of The Waves, former Buzzfeed reporter and current Scamfluencers host, Scaachi Koul is taking over hosting The Waves for the next few weeks. This week she's digging deep into the life of First Lady hopeful, Casey DeSantis. Scaachi is joined by Washington Post reporter, Ruby Cramer. Ruby wrote a masterpiece on Casey DeSantis, “Tracing the power of Casey DeSantis.” They get into why Casey DeSantis scares Scaachi, how to properly make fun of Ron's wife, and why the Ron and Casey two-some is so exclusive.      In Slate Plus: continuing our And Just Like That…recap with episode 9. If you liked this episode, check out: Your Period Deserves Respect  Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Scaachi Koul, Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery. Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you'll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/thewavesplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of The Waves, former Buzzfeed reporter and current Scamfluencers host, Scaachi Koul is taking over hosting The Waves for the next few weeks. This week she's digging deep into the life of First Lady hopeful, Casey DeSantis. Scaachi is joined by Washington Post reporter, Ruby Cramer. Ruby wrote a masterpiece on Casey DeSantis, “Tracing the power of Casey DeSantis.” They get into why Casey DeSantis scares Scaachi, how to properly make fun of Ron's wife, and why the Ron and Casey two-some is so exclusive.      In Slate Plus: continuing our And Just Like That…recap with episode 9. If you liked this episode, check out: Your Period Deserves Respect  Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Scaachi Koul, Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery. Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you'll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/thewavesplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of The Waves, former Buzzfeed reporter and current Scamfluencers host, Scaachi Koul is taking over hosting The Waves for the next few weeks. This week she's digging deep into the life of First Lady hopeful, Casey DeSantis. Scaachi is joined by Washington Post reporter, Ruby Cramer. Ruby wrote a masterpiece on Casey DeSantis, “Tracing the power of Casey DeSantis.” They get into why Casey DeSantis scares Scaachi, how to properly make fun of Ron's wife, and why the Ron and Casey two-some is so exclusive.      In Slate Plus: continuing our And Just Like That…recap with episode 9. If you liked this episode, check out: Your Period Deserves Respect  Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Scaachi Koul, Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery. Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you'll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/thewavesplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Cartu is from a small town outside of Toronto. But he dreams of a faster and flashier lifestyle, driving the expensive cars he's grown up idolizing. With his two brothers, he heads out into the world of international business and helps launch a series of shady companies. Riding high on their get-rich-quick schemes, the brothers form a driving crew called the Wolf Pack and participate in glitzy, rowdy races throughout Europe until their deceptions finally catch up with them. Scaachi and Sarah tell the story of the Cartu brothers' rise and fall in front of a live audience at Hot Docs Festival in Toronto, Ontario.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sarah and Scaachi celebrate the one-year anniversary of Scamfluencers by hosting an award show to honor the best, brightest, and most outrageous people they've covered on the show. They take a look back at their favorite episodes, offer behind-the-scenes commentary, and share timely updates on everyone from teen “doctor” Malachi Love Robinson and Instagram icon Hushpuppi to television-stars-behind-bars Jen Shah and Todd Chrisley.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the early 2000s, hopeful reality show contestants in the U.K. sign up for what they think will be the opportunity of a lifetime. In exchange for a year of living their lives on camera, they're offered a chance to win £100,000, plus a shot at fame and stardom. But when the contestants start asking questions and putting the pieces together… they realize the show they've agreed to is a complete sham. Scaachi and Sarah tell the twisted tale in front of a live audience at Obsessed Fest in Columbus, Ohio. Please support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Zach Horwitz owns a sandwich and smoothie shop in Chicago, but dreams of moving to Hollywood to make it as an actor. Luckily, Zach knows a thing or two about creating high-stakes fantasy worlds, just like in the movies. So he crafts an opportunity of a lifetime out of thin air that lands him and his girlfriend, Mallory, in Los Angeles. Mallory is his biggest supporter, and for a while, it seems like Zach is finding fast success… until he bites off more than he can chew. Over the next three episodes, Scaachi and Sarah will explore the meteoric rise of a Hollywood wannabe best-known for his headline-making arrest.Support Our Sponsors!The Jordan Harbringer Show- Find it wherever you listen to your podcasts!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Call it Scaachi 2: Electric Boogaloo. Or 2 Scaachi 2 Furious. Or don’t. But writer and podcast host Scaachi Koul is back to recommend more favourite podcasts in Part 2 of her conversation with Elamin!

If these days you answer the question "How are you?" with an emphatic "Not great!", Scaachi Koul hosts just the podcast for you. Scaachi is a culture writer for BuzzFeed and author of the essay collection One Day We'll All Be Dead and None of This Will Matter. She hosts the aptly titled Not Great With Scaachi Koul, a podcast covering politics, culture and society through interviews and comedy. She also happens to be a good pal of of our host Elamin. She recently joined Elamin from her home in New York City to introduce us to her favourite podcasts. These two had such a good chat we couldn't put it all into one show. Part 2 of Scaachi's favourites will be online and on your radio next week! This week we're featuring: Not Great with Scaachi Koul, Swindled, This Matters and Reply All. For more podcast recommendations, check out: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastplaylist

It’s our last episode of the season! What a journey we’ve been on. To cap it all off, we’re trudging dutifully into the manosphere and the 21 Summit, which is all about the importance of the patriarchy. Scaachi talks to ardent anti-feminists Anthony Johnson, Steve Brule, George Bruno, and Michael Foster — everyone agrees with each other and everything is totally fine!!! TikTok courtesy of @chinforshort. Follow @Scaachi on Twitter, Instagram, or email us at notgreat@buzzfeed.com. Theme music by Shaani Cage. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/notgreatwithscaachikoul/message

We know the president has COVID-19, but we’re looking for distractions. So this week, we talk to author Carmen Maria Machado about the ethics of binging Law & Order: SVU, considering that it’s all just cop propaganda. Plus, For Life co-executive producer Sonay Hoffman talks to us about why she avoids police procedurals. Finally, writer Gabby Noone tries to convince Scaachi into caring about the latest installment in the Twilight saga. Read Carmen Maria Machado’s Especially Heinous here. TikTok courtesy of @thejaysalazar. Follow @scaachi on Twitter, Instagram, or email us at notgreat@buzzfeed.com. Theme music by Shaani Cage. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/notgreatwithscaachikoul/message

This week, we talk to Fancy Feast and Sinnamon Love about OnlyFans, the app’s new regulations, and how sex workers got screwed over by Bella Thorne. Plus, Scaachi brings on New York Times media columnist and her old boss, Ben Smith, to force him into apologizing to her. TikTok courtesy of @deadeyebrakeman. Follow @Scaachi on Twitter, Instagram, or email us at notgreat@buzzfeed.com. Theme music by Shaani Cage. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/notgreatwithscaachikoul/message

Scaachi Koul is an Indo-Canadian culture writer at Buzzfeed and the author of the 2017 book of essays, “One Day We’ll All Be Dead and None of This Will Matter.” For those of you who spend any time on social media, you will know Scaachi is a force of nature--dishing out sharp-witted takes on cultural and political issues from Kamala Harris to the Netflix show Indian Matchmaking. But she’s also written extensively about her Kashmiri identity and her life as an Indian woman growing up in Canada. This week on the podcast, Scaachi joins Milan to discuss her Indo-Canadian upbringing, how politics in Kashmir stirs up family conflict, and the cultural import of “Indian Matchmaking.” She also talks about her unique relationship with her father--a frequent (and humorous) presence in her writing and on her social media feed. Episode notes:Scaachi’s article on the Kamala Harris VP pick.Scaachi’s essay on how Kashmir is dividing her familyScaachi’s 2017 book of essaysScaachi’s take on the Netflix show, “Indian Matchmaking”

Scaachi Koul (host of the new podcast Not Great) competes to cheer Josh up! Scaachi sets the all-time Make My Day high score by crushing a game of You Spite Up My Life. She then donates her $100 grand prize winnings to the Lebanese Red Cross. And finally, Josh and Scaachi give pep talks for people whose enemies appear to be thriving, and to anyone having a hard time with a creative project. Subscribe to Not Great, Scaachi's new podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-great-with-scaachi-koul/id1524565091 Buy Scaachi's book: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250121028 Donate to the Lebanese Red Cross: https://supportlrc.app/ Follow Scaachi on Twitter and Instagram: www.twitter.com/scaachi www.instagram.com/scaachi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s hard to be a teenage girl out there, especially on TikTok. We interview internet-famous TikToker, Danielle Cohn — and her mother — on what it’s like to profit and suffer from your own virality. Plus, Scaachi offers some tips on how to survive the winter. (Hope you already have a hacksaw!) Read Angelina Chapin’s article in The Cut. TikTok courtesy of @faithhousley. Follow @Scaachi on Twitter, Instagram, or email us at notgreat@buzzfeed.com. Theme music by Shaani Cage. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/notgreatwithscaachikoul/message

Jesus Christ, are the Democrats really going to pretend that they're a progressive party? After all this??? We talk to BuzzFeed News political reporter Ryan Brooks about all things DNC, plus, Scaachi gets mad about basketball. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram or email us at notgreat@buzzfeed.com. Theme music by Shaani Cage. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/notgreatwithscaachikoul/message

Students at a high school in Georgia are being threatened with expulsion if they don’t show up because of the pandemic — and have been punished for speaking out. New York’s Attorney General is trying to shut down the NRA. YouTube star Jake Paul got a visit from the feds in relation to a certain looting incident in late May. And we talk with friend of the show Scaachi Khoul about her new weekly podcast “Not Great! With Scaachi Khoul,” why she’s leaning into negativity, and how much of a diva her dad has already become from working on the show with her. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

Not Great is a weekly comedy and interview podcast ruminating on politics, pop culture, and society, hosted by BuzzFeed News culture writer Scaachi Koul. (If you listen to the show, you can learn how to actually say her impossible name.) Each week, Scaachi and her guests break down the news and what’s making us so miserable (there’s a lot!), all with the hope that we can find some bright spots in the wreckage. It’s Not Great, but at least we can dig through the garbage together. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/notgreatwithscaachikoul/message

Content Warning: Some cursing within. Earmuffs. Writer Scaachi Koul stops by to evangelize the best thing in her bathroom — and it has nothing to do with skincare. Perfect for white elephant gifts, perfect for your bathroom all year round, Scaachi’s rec is sure to pique your interest. Then Caroline unveils the secret weapon to her getting ready routine, which allows her to stay in bed longer in the morning, which is the only thing any of us are looking for, right?Products in this episode:Squatty Potty: https://amzn.to/2RnfNeLTravel Squatty Potty: https://amzn.to/2sGk6auAquis Hair Turban: http://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1430406&u=2245943&m=92159. Use code GEETHANKS15 for 15% off with this link.Stuff We Talked About That You May Want To Read:Scaachi’s book, One Day We’ll All Be Dead And None Of This Will Matter: https://amzn.to/2PfcCmrThanks for listening! Follow along with recs (and share your own via DM) on the “Gee Thanks, Just Bought It!” Instagram: www.instagram.com/geethanksjustboughtitpodCheck out all of the recommended products by past guests, listeners and Caroline herself at www.geethanksjustboughtit.com Shop the spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vdIkPMWhV0FlRux3u_DVpuGvakQxkF3EbYT2ZVv45B8/edit#gid=0Want to get in touch more formally? Email: Caroline@geethanksjustboughtit.comFollow Scaachi on Twitter at www.twitter.com/scaachiFollow Caroline on Twitter at www.twitter.com/carolinemoss See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Guffy is a guttural allegorical tale of the state of our nation. Guffy is a Scottish lass born and bred in Alloa. Present. Alba is the elderly Scottish woman that bred her. Past. The bairn is but a few months old bred by them both. Future. They co-exist at the bottom end of Alloa. “If yer frae the Bottom End ye dinnae get oot” Writer: Glenna Scaachi Performed By: Karen Bartke, Kirsty Strain & Cameron McGarva Produced By: Toasted Fiction Theatre Directed By: Christopher Patrick

This week, culture writer and author Scaachi Koul sits down with Anne to talk about her obsession with Vanderpump Rules, whether or not the cast is worth rooting for, and most importantly: if it was ever about the pasta. (Anne still isn't sure.) You can pick up Scaachi's book, One Day We'll All Be Dead and None of This Will Matter wherever books are sold, and you can find Scaachi on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Theme music courtesy of Harrsion: https://soundcloud.com/harrison_music Follow me on Twitter @annetdonahue Tell me your obsessions! Email me at info@nobodycarespodcast.ca or leave me a voicemail at speakpipe.com/nobodycares.

This week, we bring you our first ever live show from Toronto! BuzzFeed writer Scaachi Koul reads from her memoir, One Day We'll All Be Dead and None of This Will Matter, then tells us about her trip to the Juggalo March, her DMs from The Rock, and her obsession with Danielle Steele. Plus, artist Maria Qamar aka HateCopy delves into the colorful world of auntie archetypes that she features in her new book, Trust No Aunty, and helps us answer the seminal question: do white people have family reunions? Special thanks to the HotDocs team for organizing such a dope podcast festival.Follow Scaachi Koul at @Scaachi.Follow Maria Qamar at @HateCopy.Follow us: @heavenrants and @brokeymcpovertyEmail us: anotherround@buzzfeed.comSubscribe to our newsletter: buzzfeed.com/anotherround/newsletterCheck out our merch! shop.buzzfeed.comLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 85 of the KWL Podcast contains an interview with Scacchi Koul conducted by Johanna Schneller about Scacchi's new book One Day We'll All Be Dead and None of This Will Matter. Please note that this interview contains adult language which might not be appropriate for all listening audiences. In the interview, Johanna and Scaachi talk about: The story behind Scacchi's Twitter profile picture How Scacchi inherited her sense of humor from her father and the role humor has played in her life How men always get to be “complicated” while women are “difficult” The sixth grade writing assignment that might have been the spark to Scacchi's writing career How “sitting in a room pouring out bitterness” might be the only possible job she could have based on her skill set How most of the content of the book is taboo to her family The topic of “shaking up complacent white media” and a discussion about the fiery debate in the Canadian literary community over race, representation and free speech after a short column titled “Winning the Appropriation Prize” was published in early May The right amount of time required before writing something; the concept of comedy being just tragedy after time. Scacchi's concern over having just the right balance of humor for this book and the interesting back and forths between writer and editor The use of “being arranged” as a verb when referring to arranged marriages How The Walrus was a magazine that changed Scaachi's life and made her want to be a writer, and how, with recent events, all that has changed in a significant way The writers who mattered to Scaachi How Scaachi went into writing because she thought it might help other people feel less lonely   Scaachi Koul's Website: scaachi.com/odwabdanotwm Scaachi Koul on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Scaachi Scaachi Koul at BuzzFeed - scaachi.koul@buzzfeed.com   Other Links of Interest:  The Appropriation Prize Controversy

In Part Two of this interview the senior culture writer for Buzzfeed News and author of the debut novel Startup, Doree Shafrir, took a few minutes to talk with me about the early days at Gawker, her highly-anticipated fiction debut, and her tips for getting words onto the page. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! The veteran online journalist started out at the Philadelphia Weekly before taking a position at Gawker in 2006. She went on to work as an editor and staff writer for Rolling Stone, The New York Observer, and has contributed to publications including The New York Times, The New Yorker, Slate, The Awl, New York Magazine, The Daily Beast, and WIRED. Her whip-smart debut novel is Startup, a satirical skewering of startup culture in New York City “…that proves there are some dilemmas that no app can solve.” Vanity Fair’s Nick Bilton, former tech and business columnist for the New York Times, said of the book, “I was hooked from the first page and found myself lost in a beautifully-written fiction that so succinctly echoes today’s bizarre reality.” Doree also co-hosts a podcast with husband and Nerdist alum, TV writer Matt Mira, titled “Matt and Doree’s Eggcellent Adventure,” described as an “…unintentionally hilarious journey through the world of infertility.” If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. If you missed the first half you can find it right here. In Part Two of this file Doree Shafrir and I discuss: The reality and frustration of writer’s block Why she made the revelatory move from Microsoft Word to Scrivener How the author manages stress (hint: HGTV) The city as muse Why done is sometimes better than good Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 200,000 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to Rainmaker.FM/StudioPress How Senior BuzzFeed Writer and Author of Startup Doree Shafrir Writes: Part One Doree-Shafrir.com Meet Startup Author Doree Shafrir – Tour Dates Startup: A Novel – Doree Shafrir Doree Shafrir is a culture writer for BuzzFeed Sex, Lies and Tech: How New Novel Skewers Startup Culture – Rolling Stone Episode 865: Nerdist Podcast – Doree Shafrir 24 Quotes That Will Inspire You To Write More – Doree Shafrir Doree Shafrir on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter The Transcript How Senior BuzzFeed Writer and Author of Startup Doree Shafrir Writes: Part Two Voiceover: Rainmaker FM. Kelton Reid: Hey. Welcome back to the Writer Files. I’m your host, Kelton Reid, here to take you on another tour of the habits, habitats, and brands of renowned writers. In part two of this interview, the Senior Culture Writer for BuzzFeed News and author of the debut novel Startup, Doree Shafrir, took a few minutes to talk with me about the early days at Gawker, her highly anticipated fiction debut, and her tips for getting words onto the page. The veteran online journalist started out at the Philadelphia Weekly before taking a position at Gawker in 2006. She went on to work as an editor and staff writer for The Rolling Stone and the New York Observer and has contributed to publications including The New York Times, New Yorker, Slate, The Awl, New York Magazine, the Daily Beast, and WIRED. Her whip smart debut novel is Startup,” a satirical skewering of startup culture in New York City that proves there are some dilemmas that no app can solve. Vanity Fair’s Nick Bilton, former tech and business columnist for The New York Times, said of the book, “I was hooked from the first page and found myself lost in a beautifully written fiction that so succinctly echoes today’s bizarre reality.” Doree also cohosts a podcast with husband and nerdist alum TV writer Matt Mira, titled Matt and Doree’s Eggcellent Adventure, described as an unintentionally hilarious journey through the world of infertility. In part two of this file, Doree and I discuss the reality and frustration of writer’s block, why she made the revelatory move from Microsoft Word to Scrivener, how the author manages stress (hint: HGTV), the city as muse, and why done is sometimes better than good. If you missed the first half of this show, you can find it in the archives on iTunes on WriterFiles.FM and in the show notes. The Writer Files is brought to you by the all the new StudioPress Sites, a turnkey solution that combines the ease of an all-in-one website builder with the flexible power of WordPress. It’s perfect for authors, bloggers, podcasters, and affiliate marketers, as well as those selling physical products, digital downloads, and membership programs. If you’re ready to take your WordPress site to the next level, see for yourself why over 200,000 website owners trust StudioPress. Go to Rainmaker.FM/StudioPress now. That’s Rainmaker.FM/StudioPress. And if you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews as soon as they’re published. The Reality and Frustration of Writer s Block Kelton Reid: Have you ever run up against writer’s block? Is that something you believe in or is it a myth? Doree Shafrir: I think writer’s block is totally real. Yeah. I mean there were … I went on book leave for two months from BuzzFeed. I really wanted to make the best use of my time because I knew I only had two months. The days during those two months that I wasn’t able to write anything were so frustrating because I was like, “Ugh, I have this time.” Some days, I would just sit in front of the computer, and I was like, “I don’t know where this is going, what to write.” I just felt so stuck. People say like, “If you’re stuck, you should just try to free write.” I think that that can be helpful. I also often find it helpful to just go on a really long walk, do something that takes you away from the actual writing. I find that it is very rare that just staring at a computer or being in front of the computer and surfing the Internet, that does not tend to break writer’s block. Kelton Reid: No. All right. Well, let’s talk about your workflow as a journalist and fictionist. Now, are you a Mac or a PC user? Doree Shafrir: I am a Mac user. Why She Made the Revelatory Move from Microsoft Word to Scrivener Kelton Reid: When you were writing the book, were you doing it in Word or Scrivener or something else? Doree Shafrir: Actually a combination. I started the book in Word, and then, probably … I was quite far along in the book when a friend told me about Scrivener. It changed my life. I don’t think I would’ve been able to finish the book if I hadn’t switched everything over to Scrivener. I was kind of a pain in the ass to switch everything, because in Word, it was one big document. Scrivener doesn’t detect chapter separations from a big document in Word, so I had to kind of manually put each chapter in, but once I did that, and I could have a split screen and have an outline and also be working on the actual text at the same time, that was very revelatory. Kelton Reid: I’ve heard this before that getting up to speed with Scrivener at first is a little painful, but then, it’s, again, like you said, a kind of a revelation. Do you have some best practices for beating that dreaded procrastination when you’re on a deadline? Doree Shafrir: I am a big proponent of I guess it’s the Pomodoro method where you set a timer for … I forget what Pomodoro actually … Pomodoro has a specific amount of time. It might be like half an hour, but I find it very useful to set a timer for a specified amount of time and turn off the Internet. I use the Freedom app and just focus. That can be in as small a chunk of time as 15 minutes. If I have a dedicated amount of time that I know at the end I will be allowed to look at Twitter and check my email, then I can focus, but I find it very difficult to focus with large unstructured blocks of free time. Kelton Reid: I forgot to ask you before, but do you stick on headphones or are you someone who prefers silence? Doree Shafrir: It depends where I am. When I’m working in my house, I usually don’t wear headphones. If I’m in a public place, like if I go to a coffee shop or somewhere else, I will listen to … There’s a Spotify playlist called Deep Focus that I listen to. I can’t listen to anything with words, so that music is sort of calming, like vaguely electronica, not stuff I would ever really listen to just on my own. But, I find this kind of ambient noise of it to be very helpful. How the Author Manages Stress (Hint: HGTV) Kelton Reid: I’m with you on the ambient. How does Doree Shafrir unplug at the end of a long writing day? Besides blackjack. Doree Shafrir: If you ask my husband, he would say I can’t unplug. I’m not great at relaxing. I find it very hard to relax. Although last night, I was like, “Okay, I just need to just chill out and not get … ” I was feeling very anxious, so I just watched a couple of episodes of House Hunters, and that calmed me down. Kelton Reid: It is very calming that the … I actually don’t find that calming. The house hunting is cool. I’m very jealous of every home on those shows. That makes me kind of anxious, because I’m like, “Oh, man. Look at that cool place.” Doree Shafrir: I also watch Tiny House Hunters. I’m not jealous of those living spaces. I also do yoga. I do Pilates. I try to stay active, and that definitely helps with stress and kind of unwinding. I also read a lot. That is also just kind of like getting lost in a good book is like very … It’s good to take myself out of the world for a little while. Kelton Reid: For sure, for sure. How would you define creativity in your own words? Doree Shafrir: I would say being imaginative, being curious, being expressive. Those are all hallmarks of creativity, I think. The City as Muse Kelton Reid: I think for a lot of writers, creativity is kind of the bedrock of what you do, but do you have something that makes you feel most creative or like a creative muse right now? Doree Shafrir: Hmm. A creative muse … Kelton Reid: Something that spurs your interest. Doree Shafrir: For Startup, New York was a muse for me. Because I live in Los Angeles now, it was interesting for me to have that distance on New York and to be able to romanticize it a little bit, which I was not really able to do while I was living there. Los Angeles, I kind of want Los Angeles to be a muse in a similar way, but I’m not quite there yet. I love living here, but I … Yeah. I’m not totally there yet. Kelton Reid: Interesting, interesting. I’ve heard the New York muse story often, actually, by some story fictionists such as Jay McInerney for instance. That is his muse, for sure. Just kind of plugging into the city. And it seems like when you’re in Manhattan or really anywhere in New York, but especially in Manhattan, there’s that … I don’t know, there’s that kind of spirit of New York that you don’t sense in LA. I mean I did live in LA myself. Doree Shafrir: Totally. Oh, okay. Kelton Reid: This vast sprawling mini-mall, but … Manhattan has this history and these ghosts that you don’t sense in LA, but … Doree Shafrir: Yeah. I mean I guess if I were like living at the Chateau Marmont, I might feel differently, but I am not, and that’s probably not going to happen. Kelton Reid: Is that why every cool rock star lives at the Chateau Marmont? Doree Shafrir: Yeah because I think it is one of the places in Los Angeles that has that kind of mystique and feels old even though compared to stuff in New York, it’s not that old, but it has that kind of mysterious, cool vibe. Kelton Reid: Yeah. And the ghost of John Belushi … Doree Shafrir: Yeah. Exactly, exactly. Kelton Reid:The Sunset Strip is probably the beating heart of that weird universe. Doree Shafrir: Totally. What Makes a Writer Great Kelton Reid: What do you think makes a writer great? Doree Shafrir: Oh, boy. What do I think makes a writer great? Certainly having imagination and being able to create characters and worlds and narratives that take people out of their worlds, like kind of what I was just saying. I think it’s really hard to write a book that people feel completely engrossed in. I always admire writers in any genre who are able to do that. Of course, unlike a purely mechanical prose level, there is a way of writing prose that I think is instantly recognizable to people who appreciate good writing. You want someone who feels original, who has their own voice, who doesn’t resort to clichés or standard writing tropes, and who has an original story to tell. Kelton Reid: Do you have a couple faves that are sitting on your nightstand right now? Or in your Kindle, I should’ve said? Doree Shafrir: I actually I’m one of those people who has been going back and forth, ebook and paper. I kind of appreciate both of them for different reasons. Certainly, traveling is a lot easier with an ebook. There’s just no question about that. Often, when I’m traveling, I will load up my Kindle with long books that I would not want to lug around. I also really appreciate a hardcover book. I think especially now that I have written a novel, I appreciate a hardcover book even more. There is something really powerful about being able to hold a book, a physical object in your hands. For someone like me who has worked on the Internet for so long, that was really powerful when I first was able to hold my book in my hands. It had this power that I wasn’t expecting. To answer your question, some books that I really liked recently. I loved Jami Attenberg’s last book, All Grown Up. I just thought it was so smart and funny and poignant, really well done. I really liked Viet Thanh Nguyen’s The Sympathizer. I thought that was such an amazing book. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s book, Americanah, I loved. What else have I … My colleague, Scaachi Koul has a book of essays coming out called One Day We’ll All Be Dead and None of This Will Matter, which in my opinion is like the best title for a book of essays ever. Not just because I know Scaachi, but her book is just so good. I’m always a little bit skeptical of people in their 20s who write books of essays or memoirs, but she is so talented and so funny and so sharp. It’s such a good book. She is the daughter of Indian immigrants and grew up in Canada and has really smart things to say about race, and it’s in immigration, and Canada. It’s a really, really great book. Timeless Inspirational Quotes for Writers Kelton Reid: Nice, nice. All right. Before we wrap it up here, I could keep you all afternoon, I’m sure, but you have places to be. As most writers do, do you have a best love quote kind of floating over your desk or in your mind? Doree Shafrir: I don’t really have a quote like that, but I did … No, I saw that question on your list, and I was like, “Huh. Nothing really comes to mind,” But, I did once do a post for BuzzFeed called 24 Quotes That Will Inspire You to Write More. I actually worked pretty hard to find these quotes, but … Kelton Reid: I’m looking it up now. All right. We got it. I’ll link to it. Doree Shafrir: Okay. Cool. There’s Harper Lee saying, “I would advise anyone who aspires to a writing career that before developing his talent, he would be wise to develop a thick hide.” Kelton Reid: I love it. Doree Shafrir: Ray Bradbury, “Just write every day of your life, read intensely, then see what happens. Most of my friends who were put on that diet have very pleasant careers. Toni Morrison, “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” So yeah, you know. All those kinds of quotes, I appreciate. Kelton Reid: I love it. I will link to it. I will link to it often. Before we wrap up with some advice to your fellow scribes, maybe we’ll do one fun one here. If you could choose any author from any era for an all expense paid dinner to your favorite spot in the world, who would you take and where would you take them? Doree Shafrir: It would definitely be Dorothy Parker because she’s just so fascinating and so funny and of a New York that I am fascinated by. I think I would take her to Keens Steakhouse in New York City, which is a very classic New York steakhouse. I would just kind of want to see what she was like in that environment. I think we would have a great time and probably get very drunk. Kelton Reid: That’s awesome. All right, I can picture it. Before you offer advice to your fellow scribes, we will mention the novel one more time. Startup. One of the most anticipated books of this year or any year, really, a hilarious debut novel that proves there are some dilemmas that no app can solve. It’s a lot of fun. I’m enjoying it, get sucked right in, and it’s definitely a page turner. Doree Shafrir: Thank you. Why Done is Sometimes Better than Good Kelton Reid: Listeners, find Startup: A Novel. Can you offer some advice to your fellow writers on how to keep going, how to keep the ink flowing, how to keep the cursor moving? Doree Shafrir: I think really writing everyday, which is something that I don’t always do, but I try to do is really important. I think that quantity influences quality. I think that if you are so concerned with always having everything perfect, you’re never going to write anything. It’s better to finish something than to not finish something because you’re worried that it’s not good. Kelton Reid: Very good, very good. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. Best of luck with finishing up your tour out there. Doree Shafrir: Thank you. Kelton Reid: We hope you come back and chat with us again sometime. Doree Shafrir: Yeah, I’d love to. Thanks for having me. Kelton Reid: All right. Cheers. Thanks so much for joining me for this half of a tour through the writer’s process. If you enjoy The Writer Files podcast, please subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating or a review on iTunes to help other writers find us. For more episodes, or to just leave a comment or a question, you can drop by WriterFiles.FM. And you can always chat with me on Twitter @KeltonReid. Cheers. Talk to you next week.

Scaachi Koul is an outspoken writer with an undeniably bold presence. As night falls, she reveals the weight of her upsetting personal problem: the deterioration of an important relationship that has turned into a silent standoff. She says it's unsolvable