Choose the Bear

Because the world needs another podcast

I have been fascinated by the global explosion of the 4B movement, the stories from women all over the world who are realizing that there are other options in life other than marriage and children, and the pretty incredible ways that world governments are reacting to the movement and the closely related dropping fertility numbers. There are so many issues, data, history, and stories around the issues of choosing to stay unmarried, choosing not to have children, choosing to carve out your own life and identity outside of natalist norms and I really want to talk about it. So I did what every bro with a graphic t and a microphone does- I started a podcast.

Choose the Bear launches today and, with it, a conversation about modern life and new traditions that I think we really need to have. I am so lucky that authors, filmmakers, researchers, storytellers, and more have agreed to join the podcast, and if you enjoy these conversations even half as much as I did, I think you’ll like the pod. Even if you’ve been married since high school and you have twelve tiny humans at home.

I’m launching the pod today with an interview with Dr. Peta Greenfield, an Australian professor and expert on one of my favorite subjects: the Vestal Virgins. I have been obsessed with the Vestals since I was 19 and this was probably the most exciting conversation I have ever had in my life.

You can find CtB wherever you find podcasts. I hope you enjoy it, learn from it, and share it. And, of course, leave a review.

What to Do With Yourself

Watch:

Those About to Die (Peacock)- Speaking of the Vestals, they’re in TAtD! This story of the Roman Empire under Flavian rule is so good, I can’t even describe it. I’m obsessed and I’m sure you will be too.

Rings of Power (Prime)- I came to this show late and boy do I regret it. I can’t believe how good this show is! I thought for sure the money and post-Peter Jackson hype would ruin RoP but they spent every penny thoughtfully on gorgeous costumes, incredible sets, and really really good writers.

Joker Folie a Deux (Theatres, for now)- This movie is so bad you kind of have to see it to believe it. The sad thing is, if this had just been a regular movie it actually would have been good. I absolutely loved the first Joker and was excited for a sequel, until they announced that it was a musical. It’s bad. It’s really really really bad. But it’s also hilariously bad, and after you watch it you can imagine that it was a good movie and that Lady Gaga was allowed to be the non-singing badass Harley Quinn that we know she can be. Then again, maybe wait for it to hit streaming.

Read:

James by Percival Everett- Huck Finn but from Jim’s perspective. This book is so incredible for a reason that you won’t expect but realize from Chapter One. I devoured this novel. No wonder it’s on everyone’s shortlist.

The Untethered Soul by Michael Alan Singer- I love a self help book but most of them, if we’re honest, are either total bullshit or the first step to a life in a commune with a slightly erratic, wildly inappropriate sacred leader. Untethered is one of the few extremely woo books that also feels really present and accurate. Highly recommend.

Cults are alive and well all over the world. This is one of the scarier ones.

Listen:

Choose the Bear. Obviously.

Missed Fortune (podcast)- A guy buries a treasure to get people to go outside. A few take it too seriously. Shocker.

ScamFluencers: Brooklyn’s Bling Bishop (podcast)- If you are at all surprised about Eric Adam’s legal troubles, you haven’t been paying attention. Or maybe you just haven’t heard the story of his best friend.