February 5, 2025 • 34 mins
In this heartfelt episode of "Enthusiastic Encouragement and Dubious Advice," Patricia and Nicole discuss recent events, including their experiences at the Oakland Museum of California White Elephant Sale, and emphasize the importance of caring for ourselves during troubling times. They share their anger and grief over the current socio-political climate while encouraging listeners to find joy and community. The hosts also highlight ways to remain resilient, stay informed, and support one another through collective action and personal creativity.
Mentioned on the show:
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Bookshop Affiliate Storefront (links below are affiliate)
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Become a patron! Patreon.com/eedapod
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Subscribe to the ongoing Enthusiastic Encouragement & Dubious Advice Newsletter
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EEDA Newsletter Vol 6, Res 3: Six Years and Still Going (So Many Resources!)
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Let This Radicalize You: Organizing and the Revolution of Reciprocal Care by Kelly Hayes & Mariame Kaba
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The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin
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Aberdeen - Cassie Workman’s Instagram
Find the full show notes and official transcript on our website: eedapod.com
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Sound editing by Jen Zink
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Music (00:00):
[Intro Music]
Patricia (00:15):
Hey there, friends!
Welcome to Enthusiastic Encouragementand Dubious Advice, the podcast for
folks who would rather curl intothe fetal position than lean in.
I'm your host, Patricia Elzie-Tuttle,
Nicole (00:26):
and I promise to continue surviving for the lols!
I'm Nicole Elzie-Tuttle.
We are recording this showon January 31st, 2025.
Patricia (00:37):
Ooh, so we had recorded our previous show on January 17th.
When I woke up on the 19th, Ihad the thought that this is the
last normal day for a while, anda lot has happened since then.
And we'll get to that, but wewant to start off today's show
with a couple of good things.
Nicole (00:58):
So, at the top of the list we want to thank Apple Podcast user
draysco for their written reviewand five stars in Apple Podcasts.
Patricia (01:10):
As always, uh, it was a review that made me cry because they referred
to our show as a hug and I don't know.
Both my parents are huggers,and I'm also a hugger.
So, it is one of the best compliments.
Nicole (01:26):
Also, we don't get notified when they come in.
So, we just have to checkfor them before a show.
And it's always a pleasant surprise.
And like, that's underselling it.
It's always a really great surprise.
Patricia (01:39):
Oh my gosh.
Nicole (01:39):
When we log in and there's a new written review from someone who
just poured a little love onto us.
Like,
Patricia (01:47):
Yeah.
A plus.
Thank you.
Nicole (01:49):
Yeah.
Thank you so much.
Patricia (01:51):
Also, if you all can believe it, it's Black History Month.
Happy Black History Month.
Nicole (01:56):
Hey, happy Black History Month.
Patricia (01:58):
It is hard to remember at this time anything else going on, but
yes, it is Black History Month and Ihave subscribed to, I think there's a
28 Days of Black History newsletter.
So I will start getting that in my email.
Nicole (02:12):
Oh, I should sign up for that too.
Patricia (02:14):
Yeah.
Also, I have just passed six yearsof the Enthusiastic Encouragement
and Dubious Advice newsletter.
Nicole (02:23):
Does that mean your newsletter is ready for first grade?
Patricia (02:27):
First grade.
My newsletter is learning how to read.
Nicole (02:30):
Aww.
Patricia (02:32):
[Chuckle]
Nicole (02:35):
I can't believe it's been six years.
Patricia (02:36):
I know.
Six years.
Well, I started it rightbefore the pandemic.
I started it in January 2020.
Nicole (02:44):
That's right.
You started it and then
Patricia (02:46):
Everything went to heck.
Nicole (02:47):
Oh man.
Patricia (02:49):
And all of a sudden, everything just kind of changed directions.
But yeah.
Six years.
And the other fun thing we want to shareis that recently we went to the preview
day of the Oakland Museum of CaliforniaWhite Elephant Sale, which is a massive
(03:13):
kind of like antique rummage, not all,everything's antique, but like rummage
sale in a warehouse and a bunch of peoplethroughout the year donate their stuff.
Sometimes people leave their whole estatesand they have like a thousand volunteers.
They count every game piece.
They check and see if the sewingmachines they're selling are working.
(03:36):
Everything is clean.
And like I said, it's in a giantwarehouse, and the preview day
tickets are kind of expensive.
We got there 45 minutes early.
It opened at 10.
I thought we were getting there early.
Nicole (03:51):
The line was like three blocks long, at least.
Patricia (03:54):
At least.
There were people there who got there atlike 3am, apparently, and just camped out.
Nicole (04:00):
Yeah.
Patricia (04:01):
I've been before, but I haven't been in many years.
At least the preview day, it's notreally for amateurs, I want to say.
Like, you have to go in andyou have to know what you have
in mind and what you're doing.
When you go in, my first recommendationis there is a sign up front that
tells you the layout of the warehouse,because everything is in sections.
(04:24):
So, snap a picture with your phone andthen figure out what you're looking for
specifically, what section it would be in.
Nicole (04:33):
Because what you pick out in one section has to be
purchased in that section.
Patricia (04:38):
Exactly.
Nicole (04:39):
So if you want, like, art or photography stuff, you have to buy it
in the art and photography section.
You can't take it over tobooks and buy it in books.
Patricia (04:48):
Right.
And so, in my mind, I hadenvisioned a typewriter.
I wanted a typewriter.
I wanted specifically a green typewriter.
Nicole (04:57):
You said that to me like two days before.
You're like, I think Iwant a green typewriter.
Patricia (05:02):
So we went in, we snapped a picture, we're like,
okay, that's where stationery is.
I went over, I saw the typewriters,which were in their cases, which I don't
think a lot of people recognize whata typewriter in its case looks like,
Nicole (05:15):
mm hmm
Patricia (05:15):
because I also wanted it with its matching case.
Nicole (05:18):
Yes.
Patricia (05:19):
And I was looking at one and you picked up another one.
You're like, how about this one?
And it's perfect.
But then I carried around like this 10pound typewriter for the next three hours.
Nicole (05:32):
Yeah.
I carry
Patricia (05:32):
Because like, there's nowhere to set your stuff down.
You just carry it around with you.
Nicole (05:36):
Yeah.
Uh, you carried the typewriter.
I carried like a bag of like sixempty frames, and then we both
carried like ten pounds of books.
Patricia (05:45):
Yeah, it was bananas, but I'm so glad we did it.
It was so much fun, and it's still goingif you're in the Bay Area, although people
come from all over to go to this sale.
Nicole (05:57):
Yeah, and the thing is, this sale benefits the Oakland Museum of
California, and this keeps the museumrunning for the rest of the year.
Patricia (06:06):
They made about 2.5 million dollars from the sale last
year, one of the volunteers told us.
Nicole (06:11):
Yeah.
Patricia (06:12):
And also, so much stuff gets donated.
There's a second warehouse of stuff.
They bring out new stuff every day.
Like, it's open to the general public now.
I think tickets are 7 bucksor something like that.
But there's always new stuff, so don'tthink because you didn't go on the
first day that there's not good stuff.
Nicole (06:31):
Yeah.
It's great.
And also, I think this is an importantreminder that like, while things
are happening that are not greatand really hurt us in our hearts
and souls, to continue doing thingsthat are fun and bring you joy.
Patricia (06:49):
Yeah
Nicole (06:49):
Because you need that.
You need that to survive.
Patricia (06:52):
This is a load bearing typewriter, I will tell you that.
Both (06:56):
[Laughing]
Nicole (06:58):
Reminder that we have a Patreon that supports this show.
It's what keeps us going without ads.
And we would love it if people couldhead over to patreon.com/eedapod
and come hang out with us there.
Do have some posts that go outoccasionally that are free.
Patricia (07:20):
Mm hmm.
Nicole (07:20):
But we also have some additional content and posts and
interaction for friends of the podcastthat sign up at the paid levels.
Patricia (07:30):
And also if you go to eedapod.com there's a link to our
bookshop affiliate site and you can shopany books we mentioned and also some
other books at our bookshop affiliatesite and that also helps send a few
bucks our way to keep the show going.
Music (07:46):
[Transition Music]
Patricia (07:55):
So, we are recording this on January 31st.
If things weren't absolute clown shoes,you know, I would have loved to have
done a monthly goal check-in, butI'll tell you what, I have not been
thinking about my 2025 goals or ratherthey have, they have changed a lot.
(08:15):
And right now I'm really justkind of consumed by The Horrors.
The Horrors are horrifying.
I'm sure I'm feeling many, manythings right now, but rage and
disappointment are at the forefront.
Nicole (08:31):
I am personally feeling, like, deeply, deeply sad for all
of the people that are alreadybeing hurt, and knowing that a lot
more people are going to be hurt.
And I'm also, I don't know, kindof feeling that whole, like, that's
my secret Cap, I'm always angry.
(08:53):
Like, I am angry at the worldright now, and sometimes that's
the fire that keeps me going andhelps me do what we do sometimes.
Patricia (09:04):
Yeah.
I know that many people are panickingright now, and that's legit.
That is completely understandable.
That is an understandable reactionto what is going on right now.
And we're not going to sit hereand tell you not to panic, because
all of this is very panic worthy.
Also, when someone is panicking,it literally never helps
(09:26):
to tell them to just stop.
Nicole (09:28):
The thing is, like, the panicking, I don't want to say it's the whole point,
but it's one of the tactics, right?
The overwhelm is part of the tactics.
Causing confusion and uncertainty andtriggering some kind of freeze response
or whatever, like, these are all tacticsthey're using to try to overwhelm us.
(09:54):
Because when we are doing thesethings, when we are panicking or
freezing or feeling overwhelmed, weare not thinking clearly and able to
act in solidarity with one another.
One of the things welearned back in part one?
Episode one?
Patricia (10:12):
Oh my gosh, ugh.
Nicole (10:14):
Is that many of us burned ourselves out really fast, trying to
stay hypervigilant and hyperreactiveto every single thing that this
administration says and does.
The thing is, they don't carewhether or not they are wrong or
(10:34):
hypocrites or if they say one thingone day and the opposite the next.
They don't care about any of that.
They are going to say and dowhatever they can as long as they
have power and to stay in power.
It's not about being right.
(10:55):
It's not about being correct.
It's about staying in power, andthen using that power to make money.
Patricia (11:03):
Yeah, you're reminding me a lot of, was a pit I would fall into a
lot is like, oh, they just don't havethe information, or we'll fight this
with science, and they just don't care.
Nicole (11:15):
They really don't.
They don't care about the science.
They don't care that suddenly, becauseof that executive order, ha ha, tee hee,
they made everybody a woman legally.
They don't care.
Patricia (11:28):
It is also incredibly easy to isolate right now.
I'm making a concerted effortto reach out to loved ones.
Even if I don't know exactly what tosay, I text, hey, everything is garbage.
I'm sorry this country is failing us.
And I don't really know what to say,but I want you to know that I love you.
(11:49):
This is responding to grief or harm 101.
Silence is the worst thing you can do.
Please reach out to each other.
Nicole (11:58):
You, you mentioned grief as being a part of this.
Can you say more about that?
Patricia (12:05):
Yeah, I've been talking with a lot of my friends,
especially my trans friends.
And how absolutely bonkers it feels tojust be out on errands or be at our day
jobs and everything is business as usual.
And I'm like, how are wenot all screaming right now?
(12:25):
How are we not allabsolutely feral with rage?
I mentioned that to my therapistand she said, that's grief.
When you lose someone, you feellike the world is ending and it's
bananas to you that other people arestill going and just waltzing along.
Nicole (12:43):
And I think it's important to recognize that those people,
they may be grieving too.
Like different, differentpeople grieve in different ways.
And we need to be cognizant of that.
Patricia (12:58):
Yeah, I know my family very much tells jokes.
We're very much like, why havefeelings when I can have jokes?
Nicole (13:08):
That's
Patricia (13:09):
You've met my family.
Nicole (13:10):
I've met your family.
That's also a popularpastime in our household.
Patricia (13:14):
Absolutely.
Nicole (13:16):
Other people may grieve with anger.
And not have any other way to expressthose feelings other than through anger.
Some people grieve through distraction.
This is, uh, partly how we found ourselveswith the term doomscrolling, I think.
Patricia (13:33):
Yeah, or like how some people are really happy to be working right now.
Nicole (13:38):
Yeah.
Patricia (13:39):
Because they have something to focus on.
Nicole (13:40):
Yeah.
Some people dissociate.
Just.
Just step out of themselves for a bit.
Patricia (13:46):
Some of you are going to laugh, but I've been known to
hide in a book here and there.
[Laughing]
Nicole (13:54):
Oh.
Patricia (13:55):
[Laughing]
Nicole (13:56):
Oh no.
Patricia (13:57):
[Laughing]
Nicole (13:59):
I only read like a hundred of them last year.
Patricia (14:02):
Right.
Nicole (14:03):
And then there's one of my favorites, which is problem solving.
Patricia (14:07):
Yeah, that's another favorite pastime in this household.
Let's skip the processingand find solutions.
Nicole (14:15):
Yeah.
Patricia (14:15):
And then we could do something.
Nicole (14:17):
Yeah.
I would like to move and do thingsand not sit and cry sometimes.
But, uh, sitting and cryinghas also been really helpful.
Patricia (14:27):
That too.
I also think that some peoplehaven't quite embodied that they
should also be grieving right now.
Nicole (14:37):
Everything feels really out of control.
And, like, what are wesupposed to be doing right now?
And here's, here's oursuggestions on this.
And this is If you're on the Patreon,you've seen a sneak preview of my thoughts
on this, but start with the basics.
Are you taking your meds?
(14:58):
Are you eating?
Are you staying hydrated?
Are you bathing?
Are you getting enough sleep?
Are you moving your body?
Are you getting sunlight?
Patricia (15:08):
I'll tell ya, the week of the 20th was really hard around these things.
My appetite was terrible, andhonestly, I should have showered more.
Things are hard enough as it is, andwe have to remember we don't have to
make things even harder on ourselves.
Nicole (15:26):
I, I don't understand.
Patricia (15:27):
[Chuckling]
Nicole (15:30):
No, really, that week, like, I tried to be really patient with myself.
Once I recognized, like,how I was feeling with it
Patricia (15:38):
mm hmm
Nicole (15:38):
and what was going on, like, it was one of those, like, oh, I'm having
a, a reaction to what is happening.
And, you know, things moved fast.
So it took a while to figure that out.
And it took a little while toadjust and accept that, like, this
is the world we're living in now.
I did not eat well that week.
Not to say I'm eating better now.
(16:00):
I'm trying, but like, Iforgot to eat lunch today.
Last week, I didn't move my body much.
I really didn't.
I slept poorly, and worked a lot.
But like, I've recognized that,and this week I've been trying
to make a really concerted effortto try to be better with myself.
And the way I'm kind of motivatingmyself with this is that I need to
(16:24):
take care of myself in ways that'llmake it easier for me to then in turn
be able to help others when needed.
Patricia (16:32):
Yeah.
Other things we all should be doingright now is being very conscious
about our activities online,our privacy, our web searches.
Maybe we use certain platforms to shareinformation, but not disclose activities.
(16:52):
You already know what platforms we'retalking about if you know who was
front and center at the inauguration.
This is also referring to whatyou're talking about over text.
And I know I sound real tinfoil hattieright now, but I recommend Signal for
secure end to end encrypted messaging.
Signal is an app.
We'll link it in the show notes.
Nicole (17:13):
I don't think you're being real tinfoil hattie on this.
The federal government, right before theinauguration said everyone should switch
to a secure end to end encrypted messagingplatform and stopped using text messages.
Patricia (17:28):
Okay, fair.
Fair, yeah.
Nicole (17:30):
Like, that was literally an announcement for everybody.
Patricia (17:34):
Yeah, okay.
Nicole (17:35):
A word on jumping off all social media.
On one hand, heck those guys.
But on the other hand, they wantus to abandon the strong online
communities we've all cultivated.
It's worth examining if you'releaving something toxic or if you're
abandoning something powerful.
It's still important to cultivatecommunity online because online
(17:59):
spaces can be more accessible tocertain folks like some disabled
folks, parents of small children,caretakers, or rural marginalized folks.
Patricia (18:10):
I've been finding more Patreons and newsletters I can subscribe to,
because there are some people whosecontent I find incredibly valuable,
but the algorithm suppresses them.
Unless they're on Substack, I'll subscribethere for free, but I'm not handing money
over to the Substack not-see machine.
I moved to Buttondown, they'renot paying me to say this, but
(18:33):
they helped me move everything.
It's been a dream.
So if you are on Substack andyou want to move, reach out to
me and I can give you some tips.
Nicole (18:41):
Yeah.
It's worked out really well.
Patricia (18:43):
Yeah.
Nicole (18:44):
Speaking of which, like, social media and content creators
and what's going on out there, it'simportant to continue to name what we
are seeing and hearing, and continuingto name and see these things.
Yes, you know who did the you know whatarm gesture, and yes, it is exactly that.
(19:08):
No matter what Anyone else is saying.
Yes, books are being banned.
Yes, ICE is continuing raids,and people who are citizens
are getting swept up in them.
And yes, trans people are havingtheir documents confiscated when
they're trying to update themwith the federal government.
Patricia (19:29):
If you're looking to fall down an information rabbit hole and
maybe learn something new, I suggestlooking at the Wikipedia entry for
the Overton Window and the relatedthings linked in the see also section.
And it kind of gives you some contextabout the normalization of wild things
(19:50):
and why we need to keep naming things.
Nicole (19:52):
A note about staying informed.
You don't have to stay informedup to the minute on everything.
If you've been trying to do this, youprobably already have information fatigue.
And go back and see or listen tosome of the things we said at the
very opening of this about beingoverwhelmed and panicking and stuff.
Patricia (20:17):
Yeah.
Hi, my name is The Infophile,and I have information fatigue.
Nicole (20:24):
Oh, gosh.
Patricia (20:25):
Yeah.
We haven't done this, but an idea I hadis that if you have a group of friends
in a group chat or something, and you'reall overwhelmed by the information,
maybe consider everyone taking a subjector a topic to, like, that's, that's
what they become knowledgeable about.
And then at the end of every day orevery few days in the group chat,
(20:48):
via a short voice note or justsome text, I don't know, give an
update or an overview, like I said.
Part of being in a group and acommunity is sharing the labor,
and this includes the mental load.
Nicole (21:02):
Yeah.
And even if you are the person fora specific topic, remember you don't
have to be up to the minute on it.
You can, you can just check in on thenews, like, at the end of the day.
You don't have to constantlywatch the live stream of
fire hose awfulness come in.
(21:23):
It's not gonna do you any good, andI've been finding, like, checking in
in the late afternoon gets me prettycaught up in, like, 10 minutes.
Patricia (21:33):
Yeah.
The Horrors will be there, whetheryou look at them live and up
to the minute, or whether youlook at them during your lunch.
Nicole (21:42):
Yeah.
Patricia (21:42):
Yeah.
Nicole (21:43):
In a similar vein to the, like, working with your group and everyone
doing a special, like, picking a topicor sharing some sort of the mental load.
We mentioned this in a past episode,but it might be a good idea to start
making that list of skills you haveand what you're good at so that
(22:03):
you know what you have to offer.
And you can not just wait forsomeone to ask, hey, does anyone
know anyone who knows how to do X?
But be on the lookout for where yourskills might be useful in your community.
Patricia (22:20):
And they don't have to just be skills like sewing,
or cooking, or splitting wood,or even medical skills, right?
This could also mean communication.
This could also mean research.
This could also be the skill of justbeing able to get along with people.
Maybe try, like, a personwho can mediate really well.
(22:42):
A person who's really good with kids.
Nicole (22:44):
A person who knows how to, I don't know, make a weekly schedule in Excel.
Patricia (22:49):
Yeah.
We've also mentioned, but it'sworth sharing again, we are
not starting from nothing.
We do not need to have all theanswers on our own as individuals.
There are groups who have beendoing this work for years.
Check in with these groupsand connect with them.
Nicole (23:10):
And I know I mentioned this earlier, but please continue to
do the things that bring you joy.
Hope is essential and joy is the purpose.
Joy gives us the energy todeal with the bad stuff.
And don't just, don't just do likeTV watching, but please make art,
(23:30):
continue to make art in whateverform it is you make, even if you
don't consider yourself an artist.
Whatever the art is that you make,whether it's, I don't know, combining
pressed flowers to make dinosaursor singing, even off key and poorly.
Whatever it is you're doing,please continue to do it.
(23:52):
Please continue to make art andbeauty and put it out into the world.
Patricia (23:57):
And also, even if you don't put it out in the world, I think
there's something very healing andpowerful about the act of creating art.
Nicole (24:07):
Oh, sorry.
I don't mean sharing it with everyone.
I literally mean just bringing itinto the world, whether it exists in
your sketchbook or on the clock app.
Patricia (24:20):
Yeah, that's fair.
Nicole (24:22):
I don't care.
Bring it into existence.
Patricia (24:25):
I love that.
In the show notes, I've linked themost recent issue of the Enthusiastic
Encouragement and Dubious Advicenewsletter, where I have some incredibly
relevant articles and resources,including resources around knowing
your rights in certain situationsand how to manage interactions
with certain government entities.
Nicole (24:45):
As always, this newsletter issue is free and accessible to everyone.
Please share it with others.
Patricia (24:54):
I do want to address something that I'm hearing from a lot
of well meaning people talking about,you know, knowing rights and certain
government entities doing things.
A lot of people are like, youdon't know how much of the labor
force is immigrants, and our foodwould be bland without immigrants.
And I want to put it outthere that immigrants are
(25:17):
more than their labor or food.
Immigrants are people and deserving ofrights and safety because they are people.
It is very much like the argument forwomen's rights being based on that's
someone's mom, or daughter, or wife, orsister, or whatever, when women deserve
rights regardless of relations toother people, because women are people.
(25:39):
Ta-da!
Nicole (25:40):
This is bumping up against something that you all have heard
me get worked up about before.
Um, people have inherent valueregardless of their documentation
status, their incarceration status,their wealth status, their ability.
People have value outside ofthe labor that they can produce.
Patricia (26:03):
And this goes for all of us, including those of you
listening right now, we all havevalue beyond our productivity.
Both (26:12):
[Big exhale]
Patricia (26:14):
I'm trying to remind myself that things didn't just get like this.
It took some time to get here, andit's going to take some time to fight.
Nicole (26:23):
I need to highlight this, this is another one of the things,
you've heard me talk about this before
Patricia (26:27):
absolutely
Nicole (26:28):
at home.
What we are seeing right now,this is the United States.
This is the United States capitalismmachine coming for the rest of us.
What many of us are feeling atthis time is something that's been
going on for, honestly, as long asthis country has been a country.
(26:48):
It's just always only hurtspecific groups of people.
And now, finally, it's coming for the restof us, and unless you are the incredibly
ultra wealthy, it will be coming for you.
Patricia (27:05):
I'm holding space right now for part of the dedication of a book called
Let This Radicalize You, Organizingand the Revolution of Reciprocal
Care by Miriam Kaba and Kelly Hayes.
And part of the dedication that isreally stayed with me says "everything
(27:27):
worthwhile is done with other people."
Nicole (27:31):
Ooh, I think we should sit with that for a minute.
Patricia (27:33):
I love it.
Nicole (27:33):
Everything worthwhile is done with other people.
Patricia (27:39):
And yeah, someone's going to say, what about books?
But, you know what?
I love to discuss books with other people.
Nicole (27:45):
You like it when I read to you.
Patricia (27:48):
I do like it when you read to me.
Nicole (27:50):
That's books with other people.
Patricia (27:51):
[Laughing]
Nicole (27:53):
I just want to say it, everything worth doing is done
with other people, or everythingworthwhile is done with other people.
That's so good.
Patricia (28:04):
Yeah.
Music (28:04):
[Transition music]
Nicole (28:12):
Okay, we just kind of like unloaded a lot on our listeners, Patricia.
Patricia (28:18):
Yeah, but from conversations I've had, I think we're all kind
of feeling it and, and I thinka lot of it needed to be said.
Nicole (28:25):
Yeah.
Oh, I don't disagree with you.
I'm trying to segue us into whatis it that you think people should
really take away from this episodewhen they're done listening.
What do you want to makesure sticks with them?
Patricia (28:40):
Well, the takeaway I have, we didn't say exactly, but
it comes down to this country isnot being gentle with most of us.
So we have to remember to be gentlewith ourselves and each other.
How about you, Nicole?
What do you want people to take away?
Nicole (28:57):
I really want people to know that like if you if you don't know what to do
right now, if you're really unsure I wantyou to start with taking care of yourself.
Start with yourself.
Take care of yourself.
It's a long road ahead of us and wewant you to be here to experience
(29:18):
the moments of joy with us.
So start by taking care of yourself.
We mentioned a couple oftimes, like, finding that joy
and continuing to find that.
Patricia, what has beenfilling your cup lately?
Patricia (29:32):
I am re-reading.
Nicole (29:35):
Re-listening.
Patricia (29:36):
Re-listening on audiobook, but audiobooks are reading.
Nicole (29:38):
Yes.
Patricia (29:40):
To The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin, uh, narrated by Robin
Miles, who's like one of my favoritenarrators, like, ugh, so good.
And the production valueof this book is so good.
It's the first book in a duology.
I haven't read the second bookyet, so I'm re-reading the first
(30:00):
one so I can read the second one.
And the whole book is just kindof like the idea of like parasite
gentrifier trying to take over aplace and every character in the
book is, like, not on my watch.
Not on my M F'n watch.
(30:22):
And, like, we don't do that here.
And it's just a whole book of that.
And I didn't realize how cathartic itwould be to listen to this book right now.
It's so good.
And, of course, I'll linkit in the show notes.
I'll put it in our bookshop.
And I rarely re-read books becauseI have so many books to read, but
(30:42):
this one, this one is worth it.
And on audiobook, definitely.
Nicole (30:47):
It is one of my favorite audiobooks for the production
value, and the narrator alsojust does an amazing job with it.
Patricia (30:55):
Yeah.
Nicole, what's filling your cup right now?
Nicole (30:58):
Last night, we went to see Cassie Workman doing her production of Aberdeen.
It's a one woman show she does.
Uh, she was here in SanFrancisco for SF Sketch Fest.
If you get the chance to gosee this show, go see it.
It's really good.
(31:18):
Especially if you're a 90s kid, or ifyou remember the legacy of Kurt Cobain.
And if that means anything to you,then yeah, this is a show for you.
I really recommend it.
She does an amazing job with it.
Maybe bring some tissues with you?
Patricia (31:34):
Yeah, I wanna, I wanna give people a little, a
little more, just so you know.
It is a one woman show told in verse.
Nicole (31:42):
It's mostly in rhyming couplets.
Patricia (31:44):
And it is kind of a fantasy of her going back in time trying to save Kurt
Cobain and so it is it is a heavy show..
Nicole (31:55):
It's very heavy.
Patricia (31:57):
It is a heavy show, but she did such a phenomenal job.
Nicole (32:01):
Yeah, and all the content warnings that go along with
Patricia (32:05):
his legacy.
Nicole (32:06):
His legacy and, and in particular how he died.
Patricia (32:10):
Yes.
Nicole (32:11):
So be warned for that.
Also, there were some flashingstrobe lights occasionally.
Patricia (32:15):
There were some strobe lights, yeah.
Nicole (32:17):
Also, though, even if she's not doing that show, if you,
if you see she's doing stand upin your town, please go see her.
She's a delight.
Patricia (32:25):
Yeah.
That show reminded me thatevery piece of theater I have
seen has changed me somehow.
Nicole (32:32):
Yeah, yeah.
But going out and going to a show,it was a really, it was an intimate
theater and a relatively small crowd.
We got to sit pretty close to thestage, and I think seeing that
show in an intimate space likethat really also added to it.
But yeah, it just, like yousaid, it changed you in some way.
(32:54):
Um, for me it was just like a really,in some ways cathartic almost,
Patricia (32:58):
mm hmm
Nicole (32:59):
show to be with, and to sit with, and to exist with.
So, I doubt she'll hear it, butthank you, Cassie, for coming.
Both (33:07):
[Laughing]
Patricia (33:09):
Well, that's our show for today.
We'd like to thank our awesomeaudio editor, Jen Zink.
You can find her at loopdilou.com.
We'll leave a link tothat in our show notes.
Nicole (33:19):
You can find the full show notes and transcript at eedapod.com.
That's E E D A P O D dot com.
There, you can also find a link to ourPatreon, our Bookshop link, and a link
to our ongoing Enthusiastic Encouragementand Dubious Advice newsletter.
You can also find us on Instagramand BlueSky at eedapod and
(33:42):
email us at eedapod@gmail.com.
Patricia (33:44):
We are nothing if not consistent.
Nicole (33:46):
We would also appreciate it so much if you would subscribe and
rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
I think we're also on YouTube.
But really, wherever you get your podcaststhat allow for ratings, it really helps us
out in allowing other people to find us.
Again, special thanks to Apple Podcastuser dreysco for their written review.
(34:10):
We read each and every review that peopleleave for us, and we appreciate everyone
who's posted a review or rated us.
Patricia (34:19):
We would also appreciate anyone who can subscribe to us on Patreon.
Support is going to help us keep thisshow going, especially without ads.
You can find us at patreon.com/eedapod.
In the meantime, we hope youfind ways to be kind to yourself.
Drink some water and read a book.
We'll be talking to you soon.
Nicole (34:43):
I don't know.
Take a deep breath.
Thanks, friends.
Patricia (34:51):
Thanks, friends.
[Intro Music]
Patricia (00:15):
Hey there, friends!
Welcome to Enthusiastic Encouragementand Dubious Advice, the podcast for
folks who would rather curl intothe fetal position than lean in.
I'm your host, Patricia Elzie-Tuttle,
Nicole (00:26):
and I promise to continue surviving for the lols!
I'm Nicole Elzie-Tuttle.
We are recording this showon January 31st, 2025.
Patricia (00:37):
Ooh, so we had recorded our previous show on January 17th.
When I woke up on the 19th, Ihad the thought that this is the
last normal day for a while, anda lot has happened since then.
And we'll get to that, but wewant to start off today's show
with a couple of good things.
Nicole (00:58):
So, at the top of the list we want to thank Apple Podcast user
draysco for their written reviewand five stars in Apple Podcasts.
Patricia (01:10):
As always, uh, it was a review that made me cry because they referred
to our show as a hug and I don't know.
Both my parents are huggers,and I'm also a hugger.
So, it is one of the best compliments.
Nicole (01:26):
Also, we don't get notified when they come in.
So, we just have to checkfor them before a show.
And it's always a pleasant surprise.
And like, that's underselling it.
It's always a really great surprise.
Patricia (01:39):
Oh my gosh.
Nicole (01:39):
When we log in and there's a new written review from someone who
just poured a little love onto us.
Like,
Patricia (01:47):
Yeah.
A plus.
Thank you.
Nicole (01:49):
Yeah.
Thank you so much.
Patricia (01:51):
Also, if you all can believe it, it's Black History Month.
Happy Black History Month.
Nicole (01:56):
Hey, happy Black History Month.
Patricia (01:58):
It is hard to remember at this time anything else going on, but
yes, it is Black History Month and Ihave subscribed to, I think there's a
28 Days of Black History newsletter.
So I will start getting that in my email.
Nicole (02:12):
Oh, I should sign up for that too.
Patricia (02:14):
Yeah.
Also, I have just passed six yearsof the Enthusiastic Encouragement
and Dubious Advice newsletter.
Nicole (02:23):
Does that mean your newsletter is ready for first grade?
Patricia (02:27):
First grade.
My newsletter is learning how to read.
Nicole (02:30):
Aww.
Patricia (02:32):
[Chuckle]
Nicole (02:35):
I can't believe it's been six years.
Patricia (02:36):
I know.
Six years.
Well, I started it rightbefore the pandemic.
I started it in January 2020.
Nicole (02:44):
That's right.
You started it and then
Patricia (02:46):
Everything went to heck.
Nicole (02:47):
Oh man.
Patricia (02:49):
And all of a sudden, everything just kind of changed directions.
But yeah.
Six years.
And the other fun thing we want to shareis that recently we went to the preview
day of the Oakland Museum of CaliforniaWhite Elephant Sale, which is a massive
(03:13):
kind of like antique rummage, not all,everything's antique, but like rummage
sale in a warehouse and a bunch of peoplethroughout the year donate their stuff.
Sometimes people leave their whole estatesand they have like a thousand volunteers.
They count every game piece.
They check and see if the sewingmachines they're selling are working.
(03:36):
Everything is clean.
And like I said, it's in a giantwarehouse, and the preview day
tickets are kind of expensive.
We got there 45 minutes early.
It opened at 10.
I thought we were getting there early.
Nicole (03:51):
The line was like three blocks long, at least.
Patricia (03:54):
At least.
There were people there who got there atlike 3am, apparently, and just camped out.
Nicole (04:00):
Yeah.
Patricia (04:01):
I've been before, but I haven't been in many years.
At least the preview day, it's notreally for amateurs, I want to say.
Like, you have to go in andyou have to know what you have
in mind and what you're doing.
When you go in, my first recommendationis there is a sign up front that
tells you the layout of the warehouse,because everything is in sections.
(04:24):
So, snap a picture with your phone andthen figure out what you're looking for
specifically, what section it would be in.
Nicole (04:33):
Because what you pick out in one section has to be
purchased in that section.
Patricia (04:38):
Exactly.
Nicole (04:39):
So if you want, like, art or photography stuff, you have to buy it
in the art and photography section.
You can't take it over tobooks and buy it in books.
Patricia (04:48):
Right.
And so, in my mind, I hadenvisioned a typewriter.
I wanted a typewriter.
I wanted specifically a green typewriter.
Nicole (04:57):
You said that to me like two days before.
You're like, I think Iwant a green typewriter.
Patricia (05:02):
So we went in, we snapped a picture, we're like,
okay, that's where stationery is.
I went over, I saw the typewriters,which were in their cases, which I don't
think a lot of people recognize whata typewriter in its case looks like,
Nicole (05:15):
mm hmm
Patricia (05:15):
because I also wanted it with its matching case.
Nicole (05:18):
Yes.
Patricia (05:19):
And I was looking at one and you picked up another one.
You're like, how about this one?
And it's perfect.
But then I carried around like this 10pound typewriter for the next three hours.
Nicole (05:32):
Yeah.
I carry
Patricia (05:32):
Because like, there's nowhere to set your stuff down.
You just carry it around with you.
Nicole (05:36):
Yeah.
Uh, you carried the typewriter.
I carried like a bag of like sixempty frames, and then we both
carried like ten pounds of books.
Patricia (05:45):
Yeah, it was bananas, but I'm so glad we did it.
It was so much fun, and it's still goingif you're in the Bay Area, although people
come from all over to go to this sale.
Nicole (05:57):
Yeah, and the thing is, this sale benefits the Oakland Museum of
California, and this keeps the museumrunning for the rest of the year.
Patricia (06:06):
They made about 2.5 million dollars from the sale last
year, one of the volunteers told us.
Nicole (06:11):
Yeah.
Patricia (06:12):
And also, so much stuff gets donated.
There's a second warehouse of stuff.
They bring out new stuff every day.
Like, it's open to the general public now.
I think tickets are 7 bucksor something like that.
But there's always new stuff, so don'tthink because you didn't go on the
first day that there's not good stuff.
Nicole (06:31):
Yeah.
It's great.
And also, I think this is an importantreminder that like, while things
are happening that are not greatand really hurt us in our hearts
and souls, to continue doing thingsthat are fun and bring you joy.
Patricia (06:49):
Yeah
Nicole (06:49):
Because you need that.
You need that to survive.
Patricia (06:52):
This is a load bearing typewriter, I will tell you that.
Both (06:56):
[Laughing]
Nicole (06:58):
Reminder that we have a Patreon that supports this show.
It's what keeps us going without ads.
And we would love it if people couldhead over to patreon.com/eedapod
and come hang out with us there.
Do have some posts that go outoccasionally that are free.
Patricia (07:20):
Mm hmm.
Nicole (07:20):
But we also have some additional content and posts and
interaction for friends of the podcastthat sign up at the paid levels.
Patricia (07:30):
And also if you go to eedapod.com there's a link to our
bookshop affiliate site and you can shopany books we mentioned and also some
other books at our bookshop affiliatesite and that also helps send a few
bucks our way to keep the show going.
Music (07:46):
[Transition Music]
Patricia (07:55):
So, we are recording this on January 31st.
If things weren't absolute clown shoes,you know, I would have loved to have
done a monthly goal check-in, butI'll tell you what, I have not been
thinking about my 2025 goals or ratherthey have, they have changed a lot.
(08:15):
And right now I'm really justkind of consumed by The Horrors.
The Horrors are horrifying.
I'm sure I'm feeling many, manythings right now, but rage and
disappointment are at the forefront.
Nicole (08:31):
I am personally feeling, like, deeply, deeply sad for all
of the people that are alreadybeing hurt, and knowing that a lot
more people are going to be hurt.
And I'm also, I don't know, kindof feeling that whole, like, that's
my secret Cap, I'm always angry.
(08:53):
Like, I am angry at the worldright now, and sometimes that's
the fire that keeps me going andhelps me do what we do sometimes.
Patricia (09:04):
Yeah.
I know that many people are panickingright now, and that's legit.
That is completely understandable.
That is an understandable reactionto what is going on right now.
And we're not going to sit hereand tell you not to panic, because
all of this is very panic worthy.
Also, when someone is panicking,it literally never helps
(09:26):
to tell them to just stop.
Nicole (09:28):
The thing is, like, the panicking, I don't want to say it's the whole point,
but it's one of the tactics, right?
The overwhelm is part of the tactics.
Causing confusion and uncertainty andtriggering some kind of freeze response
or whatever, like, these are all tacticsthey're using to try to overwhelm us.
(09:54):
Because when we are doing thesethings, when we are panicking or
freezing or feeling overwhelmed, weare not thinking clearly and able to
act in solidarity with one another.
One of the things welearned back in part one?
Episode one?
Patricia (10:12):
Oh my gosh, ugh.
Nicole (10:14):
Is that many of us burned ourselves out really fast, trying to
stay hypervigilant and hyperreactiveto every single thing that this
administration says and does.
The thing is, they don't carewhether or not they are wrong or
(10:34):
hypocrites or if they say one thingone day and the opposite the next.
They don't care about any of that.
They are going to say and dowhatever they can as long as they
have power and to stay in power.
It's not about being right.
(10:55):
It's not about being correct.
It's about staying in power, andthen using that power to make money.
Patricia (11:03):
Yeah, you're reminding me a lot of, was a pit I would fall into a
lot is like, oh, they just don't havethe information, or we'll fight this
with science, and they just don't care.
Nicole (11:15):
They really don't.
They don't care about the science.
They don't care that suddenly, becauseof that executive order, ha ha, tee hee,
they made everybody a woman legally.
They don't care.
Patricia (11:28):
It is also incredibly easy to isolate right now.
I'm making a concerted effortto reach out to loved ones.
Even if I don't know exactly what tosay, I text, hey, everything is garbage.
I'm sorry this country is failing us.
And I don't really know what to say,but I want you to know that I love you.
(11:49):
This is responding to grief or harm 101.
Silence is the worst thing you can do.
Please reach out to each other.
Nicole (11:58):
You, you mentioned grief as being a part of this.
Can you say more about that?
Patricia (12:05):
Yeah, I've been talking with a lot of my friends,
especially my trans friends.
And how absolutely bonkers it feels tojust be out on errands or be at our day
jobs and everything is business as usual.
And I'm like, how are wenot all screaming right now?
(12:25):
How are we not allabsolutely feral with rage?
I mentioned that to my therapistand she said, that's grief.
When you lose someone, you feellike the world is ending and it's
bananas to you that other people arestill going and just waltzing along.
Nicole (12:43):
And I think it's important to recognize that those people,
they may be grieving too.
Like different, differentpeople grieve in different ways.
And we need to be cognizant of that.
Patricia (12:58):
Yeah, I know my family very much tells jokes.
We're very much like, why havefeelings when I can have jokes?
Nicole (13:08):
That's
Patricia (13:09):
You've met my family.
Nicole (13:10):
I've met your family.
That's also a popularpastime in our household.
Patricia (13:14):
Absolutely.
Nicole (13:16):
Other people may grieve with anger.
And not have any other way to expressthose feelings other than through anger.
Some people grieve through distraction.
This is, uh, partly how we found ourselveswith the term doomscrolling, I think.
Patricia (13:33):
Yeah, or like how some people are really happy to be working right now.
Nicole (13:38):
Yeah.
Patricia (13:39):
Because they have something to focus on.
Nicole (13:40):
Yeah.
Some people dissociate.
Just.
Just step out of themselves for a bit.
Patricia (13:46):
Some of you are going to laugh, but I've been known to
hide in a book here and there.
[Laughing]
Nicole (13:54):
Oh.
Patricia (13:55):
[Laughing]
Nicole (13:56):
Oh no.
Patricia (13:57):
[Laughing]
Nicole (13:59):
I only read like a hundred of them last year.
Patricia (14:02):
Right.
Nicole (14:03):
And then there's one of my favorites, which is problem solving.
Patricia (14:07):
Yeah, that's another favorite pastime in this household.
Let's skip the processingand find solutions.
Nicole (14:15):
Yeah.
Patricia (14:15):
And then we could do something.
Nicole (14:17):
Yeah.
I would like to move and do thingsand not sit and cry sometimes.
But, uh, sitting and cryinghas also been really helpful.
Patricia (14:27):
That too.
I also think that some peoplehaven't quite embodied that they
should also be grieving right now.
Nicole (14:37):
Everything feels really out of control.
And, like, what are wesupposed to be doing right now?
And here's, here's oursuggestions on this.
And this is If you're on the Patreon,you've seen a sneak preview of my thoughts
on this, but start with the basics.
Are you taking your meds?
(14:58):
Are you eating?
Are you staying hydrated?
Are you bathing?
Are you getting enough sleep?
Are you moving your body?
Are you getting sunlight?
Patricia (15:08):
I'll tell ya, the week of the 20th was really hard around these things.
My appetite was terrible, andhonestly, I should have showered more.
Things are hard enough as it is, andwe have to remember we don't have to
make things even harder on ourselves.
Nicole (15:26):
I, I don't understand.
Patricia (15:27):
[Chuckling]
Nicole (15:30):
No, really, that week, like, I tried to be really patient with myself.
Once I recognized, like,how I was feeling with it
Patricia (15:38):
mm hmm
Nicole (15:38):
and what was going on, like, it was one of those, like, oh, I'm having
a, a reaction to what is happening.
And, you know, things moved fast.
So it took a while to figure that out.
And it took a little while toadjust and accept that, like, this
is the world we're living in now.
I did not eat well that week.
Not to say I'm eating better now.
(16:00):
I'm trying, but like, Iforgot to eat lunch today.
Last week, I didn't move my body much.
I really didn't.
I slept poorly, and worked a lot.
But like, I've recognized that,and this week I've been trying
to make a really concerted effortto try to be better with myself.
And the way I'm kind of motivatingmyself with this is that I need to
(16:24):
take care of myself in ways that'llmake it easier for me to then in turn
be able to help others when needed.
Patricia (16:32):
Yeah.
Other things we all should be doingright now is being very conscious
about our activities online,our privacy, our web searches.
Maybe we use certain platforms to shareinformation, but not disclose activities.
(16:52):
You already know what platforms we'retalking about if you know who was
front and center at the inauguration.
This is also referring to whatyou're talking about over text.
And I know I sound real tinfoil hattieright now, but I recommend Signal for
secure end to end encrypted messaging.
Signal is an app.
We'll link it in the show notes.
Nicole (17:13):
I don't think you're being real tinfoil hattie on this.
The federal government, right before theinauguration said everyone should switch
to a secure end to end encrypted messagingplatform and stopped using text messages.
Patricia (17:28):
Okay, fair.
Fair, yeah.
Nicole (17:30):
Like, that was literally an announcement for everybody.
Patricia (17:34):
Yeah, okay.
Nicole (17:35):
A word on jumping off all social media.
On one hand, heck those guys.
But on the other hand, they wantus to abandon the strong online
communities we've all cultivated.
It's worth examining if you'releaving something toxic or if you're
abandoning something powerful.
It's still important to cultivatecommunity online because online
(17:59):
spaces can be more accessible tocertain folks like some disabled
folks, parents of small children,caretakers, or rural marginalized folks.
Patricia (18:10):
I've been finding more Patreons and newsletters I can subscribe to,
because there are some people whosecontent I find incredibly valuable,
but the algorithm suppresses them.
Unless they're on Substack, I'll subscribethere for free, but I'm not handing money
over to the Substack not-see machine.
I moved to Buttondown, they'renot paying me to say this, but
(18:33):
they helped me move everything.
It's been a dream.
So if you are on Substack andyou want to move, reach out to
me and I can give you some tips.
Nicole (18:41):
Yeah.
It's worked out really well.
Patricia (18:43):
Yeah.
Nicole (18:44):
Speaking of which, like, social media and content creators
and what's going on out there, it'simportant to continue to name what we
are seeing and hearing, and continuingto name and see these things.
Yes, you know who did the you know whatarm gesture, and yes, it is exactly that.
(19:08):
No matter what Anyone else is saying.
Yes, books are being banned.
Yes, ICE is continuing raids,and people who are citizens
are getting swept up in them.
And yes, trans people are havingtheir documents confiscated when
they're trying to update themwith the federal government.
Patricia (19:29):
If you're looking to fall down an information rabbit hole and
maybe learn something new, I suggestlooking at the Wikipedia entry for
the Overton Window and the relatedthings linked in the see also section.
And it kind of gives you some contextabout the normalization of wild things
(19:50):
and why we need to keep naming things.
Nicole (19:52):
A note about staying informed.
You don't have to stay informedup to the minute on everything.
If you've been trying to do this, youprobably already have information fatigue.
And go back and see or listen tosome of the things we said at the
very opening of this about beingoverwhelmed and panicking and stuff.
Patricia (20:17):
Yeah.
Hi, my name is The Infophile,and I have information fatigue.
Nicole (20:24):
Oh, gosh.
Patricia (20:25):
Yeah.
We haven't done this, but an idea I hadis that if you have a group of friends
in a group chat or something, and you'reall overwhelmed by the information,
maybe consider everyone taking a subjector a topic to, like, that's, that's
what they become knowledgeable about.
And then at the end of every day orevery few days in the group chat,
(20:48):
via a short voice note or justsome text, I don't know, give an
update or an overview, like I said.
Part of being in a group and acommunity is sharing the labor,
and this includes the mental load.
Nicole (21:02):
Yeah.
And even if you are the person fora specific topic, remember you don't
have to be up to the minute on it.
You can, you can just check in on thenews, like, at the end of the day.
You don't have to constantlywatch the live stream of
fire hose awfulness come in.
(21:23):
It's not gonna do you any good, andI've been finding, like, checking in
in the late afternoon gets me prettycaught up in, like, 10 minutes.
Patricia (21:33):
Yeah.
The Horrors will be there, whetheryou look at them live and up
to the minute, or whether youlook at them during your lunch.
Nicole (21:42):
Yeah.
Patricia (21:42):
Yeah.
Nicole (21:43):
In a similar vein to the, like, working with your group and everyone
doing a special, like, picking a topicor sharing some sort of the mental load.
We mentioned this in a past episode,but it might be a good idea to start
making that list of skills you haveand what you're good at so that
(22:03):
you know what you have to offer.
And you can not just wait forsomeone to ask, hey, does anyone
know anyone who knows how to do X?
But be on the lookout for where yourskills might be useful in your community.
Patricia (22:20):
And they don't have to just be skills like sewing,
or cooking, or splitting wood,or even medical skills, right?
This could also mean communication.
This could also mean research.
This could also be the skill of justbeing able to get along with people.
Maybe try, like, a personwho can mediate really well.
(22:42):
A person who's really good with kids.
Nicole (22:44):
A person who knows how to, I don't know, make a weekly schedule in Excel.
Patricia (22:49):
Yeah.
We've also mentioned, but it'sworth sharing again, we are
not starting from nothing.
We do not need to have all theanswers on our own as individuals.
There are groups who have beendoing this work for years.
Check in with these groupsand connect with them.
Nicole (23:10):
And I know I mentioned this earlier, but please continue to
do the things that bring you joy.
Hope is essential and joy is the purpose.
Joy gives us the energy todeal with the bad stuff.
And don't just, don't just do likeTV watching, but please make art,
(23:30):
continue to make art in whateverform it is you make, even if you
don't consider yourself an artist.
Whatever the art is that you make,whether it's, I don't know, combining
pressed flowers to make dinosaursor singing, even off key and poorly.
Whatever it is you're doing,please continue to do it.
(23:52):
Please continue to make art andbeauty and put it out into the world.
Patricia (23:57):
And also, even if you don't put it out in the world, I think
there's something very healing andpowerful about the act of creating art.
Nicole (24:07):
Oh, sorry.
I don't mean sharing it with everyone.
I literally mean just bringing itinto the world, whether it exists in
your sketchbook or on the clock app.
Patricia (24:20):
Yeah, that's fair.
Nicole (24:22):
I don't care.
Bring it into existence.
Patricia (24:25):
I love that.
In the show notes, I've linked themost recent issue of the Enthusiastic
Encouragement and Dubious Advicenewsletter, where I have some incredibly
relevant articles and resources,including resources around knowing
your rights in certain situationsand how to manage interactions
with certain government entities.
Nicole (24:45):
As always, this newsletter issue is free and accessible to everyone.
Please share it with others.
Patricia (24:54):
I do want to address something that I'm hearing from a lot
of well meaning people talking about,you know, knowing rights and certain
government entities doing things.
A lot of people are like, youdon't know how much of the labor
force is immigrants, and our foodwould be bland without immigrants.
And I want to put it outthere that immigrants are
(25:17):
more than their labor or food.
Immigrants are people and deserving ofrights and safety because they are people.
It is very much like the argument forwomen's rights being based on that's
someone's mom, or daughter, or wife, orsister, or whatever, when women deserve
rights regardless of relations toother people, because women are people.
(25:39):
Ta-da!
Nicole (25:40):
This is bumping up against something that you all have heard
me get worked up about before.
Um, people have inherent valueregardless of their documentation
status, their incarceration status,their wealth status, their ability.
People have value outside ofthe labor that they can produce.
Patricia (26:03):
And this goes for all of us, including those of you
listening right now, we all havevalue beyond our productivity.
Both (26:12):
[Big exhale]
Patricia (26:14):
I'm trying to remind myself that things didn't just get like this.
It took some time to get here, andit's going to take some time to fight.
Nicole (26:23):
I need to highlight this, this is another one of the things,
you've heard me talk about this before
Patricia (26:27):
absolutely
Nicole (26:28):
at home.
What we are seeing right now,this is the United States.
This is the United States capitalismmachine coming for the rest of us.
What many of us are feeling atthis time is something that's been
going on for, honestly, as long asthis country has been a country.
(26:48):
It's just always only hurtspecific groups of people.
And now, finally, it's coming for the restof us, and unless you are the incredibly
ultra wealthy, it will be coming for you.
Patricia (27:05):
I'm holding space right now for part of the dedication of a book called
Let This Radicalize You, Organizingand the Revolution of Reciprocal
Care by Miriam Kaba and Kelly Hayes.
And part of the dedication that isreally stayed with me says "everything
(27:27):
worthwhile is done with other people."
Nicole (27:31):
Ooh, I think we should sit with that for a minute.
Patricia (27:33):
I love it.
Nicole (27:33):
Everything worthwhile is done with other people.
Patricia (27:39):
And yeah, someone's going to say, what about books?
But, you know what?
I love to discuss books with other people.
Nicole (27:45):
You like it when I read to you.
Patricia (27:48):
I do like it when you read to me.
Nicole (27:50):
That's books with other people.
Patricia (27:51):
[Laughing]
Nicole (27:53):
I just want to say it, everything worth doing is done
with other people, or everythingworthwhile is done with other people.
That's so good.
Patricia (28:04):
Yeah.
Music (28:04):
[Transition music]
Nicole (28:12):
Okay, we just kind of like unloaded a lot on our listeners, Patricia.
Patricia (28:18):
Yeah, but from conversations I've had, I think we're all kind
of feeling it and, and I thinka lot of it needed to be said.
Nicole (28:25):
Yeah.
Oh, I don't disagree with you.
I'm trying to segue us into whatis it that you think people should
really take away from this episodewhen they're done listening.
What do you want to makesure sticks with them?
Patricia (28:40):
Well, the takeaway I have, we didn't say exactly, but
it comes down to this country isnot being gentle with most of us.
So we have to remember to be gentlewith ourselves and each other.
How about you, Nicole?
What do you want people to take away?
Nicole (28:57):
I really want people to know that like if you if you don't know what to do
right now, if you're really unsure I wantyou to start with taking care of yourself.
Start with yourself.
Take care of yourself.
It's a long road ahead of us and wewant you to be here to experience
(29:18):
the moments of joy with us.
So start by taking care of yourself.
We mentioned a couple oftimes, like, finding that joy
and continuing to find that.
Patricia, what has beenfilling your cup lately?
Patricia (29:32):
I am re-reading.
Nicole (29:35):
Re-listening.
Patricia (29:36):
Re-listening on audiobook, but audiobooks are reading.
Nicole (29:38):
Yes.
Patricia (29:40):
To The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin, uh, narrated by Robin
Miles, who's like one of my favoritenarrators, like, ugh, so good.
And the production valueof this book is so good.
It's the first book in a duology.
I haven't read the second bookyet, so I'm re-reading the first
(30:00):
one so I can read the second one.
And the whole book is just kindof like the idea of like parasite
gentrifier trying to take over aplace and every character in the
book is, like, not on my watch.
Not on my M F'n watch.
(30:22):
And, like, we don't do that here.
And it's just a whole book of that.
And I didn't realize how cathartic itwould be to listen to this book right now.
It's so good.
And, of course, I'll linkit in the show notes.
I'll put it in our bookshop.
And I rarely re-read books becauseI have so many books to read, but
(30:42):
this one, this one is worth it.
And on audiobook, definitely.
Nicole (30:47):
It is one of my favorite audiobooks for the production
value, and the narrator alsojust does an amazing job with it.
Patricia (30:55):
Yeah.
Nicole, what's filling your cup right now?
Nicole (30:58):
Last night, we went to see Cassie Workman doing her production of Aberdeen.
It's a one woman show she does.
Uh, she was here in SanFrancisco for SF Sketch Fest.
If you get the chance to gosee this show, go see it.
It's really good.
(31:18):
Especially if you're a 90s kid, or ifyou remember the legacy of Kurt Cobain.
And if that means anything to you,then yeah, this is a show for you.
I really recommend it.
She does an amazing job with it.
Maybe bring some tissues with you?
Patricia (31:34):
Yeah, I wanna, I wanna give people a little, a
little more, just so you know.
It is a one woman show told in verse.
Nicole (31:42):
It's mostly in rhyming couplets.
Patricia (31:44):
And it is kind of a fantasy of her going back in time trying to save Kurt
Cobain and so it is it is a heavy show..
Nicole (31:55):
It's very heavy.
Patricia (31:57):
It is a heavy show, but she did such a phenomenal job.
Nicole (32:01):
Yeah, and all the content warnings that go along with
Patricia (32:05):
his legacy.
Nicole (32:06):
His legacy and, and in particular how he died.
Patricia (32:10):
Yes.
Nicole (32:11):
So be warned for that.
Also, there were some flashingstrobe lights occasionally.
Patricia (32:15):
There were some strobe lights, yeah.
Nicole (32:17):
Also, though, even if she's not doing that show, if you,
if you see she's doing stand upin your town, please go see her.
She's a delight.
Patricia (32:25):
Yeah.
That show reminded me thatevery piece of theater I have
seen has changed me somehow.
Nicole (32:32):
Yeah, yeah.
But going out and going to a show,it was a really, it was an intimate
theater and a relatively small crowd.
We got to sit pretty close to thestage, and I think seeing that
show in an intimate space likethat really also added to it.
But yeah, it just, like yousaid, it changed you in some way.
(32:54):
Um, for me it was just like a really,in some ways cathartic almost,
Patricia (32:58):
mm hmm
Nicole (32:59):
show to be with, and to sit with, and to exist with.
So, I doubt she'll hear it, butthank you, Cassie, for coming.
Both (33:07):
[Laughing]
Patricia (33:09):
Well, that's our show for today.
We'd like to thank our awesomeaudio editor, Jen Zink.
You can find her at loopdilou.com.
We'll leave a link tothat in our show notes.
Nicole (33:19):
You can find the full show notes and transcript at eedapod.com.
That's E E D A P O D dot com.
There, you can also find a link to ourPatreon, our Bookshop link, and a link
to our ongoing Enthusiastic Encouragementand Dubious Advice newsletter.
You can also find us on Instagramand BlueSky at eedapod and
(33:42):
email us at eedapod@gmail.com.
Patricia (33:44):
We are nothing if not consistent.
Nicole (33:46):
We would also appreciate it so much if you would subscribe and
rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
I think we're also on YouTube.
But really, wherever you get your podcaststhat allow for ratings, it really helps us
out in allowing other people to find us.
Again, special thanks to Apple Podcastuser dreysco for their written review.
(34:10):
We read each and every review that peopleleave for us, and we appreciate everyone
who's posted a review or rated us.
Patricia (34:19):
We would also appreciate anyone who can subscribe to us on Patreon.
Support is going to help us keep thisshow going, especially without ads.
You can find us at patreon.com/eedapod.
In the meantime, we hope youfind ways to be kind to yourself.
Drink some water and read a book.
We'll be talking to you soon.
Nicole (34:43):
I don't know.
Take a deep breath.
Thanks, friends.
Patricia (34:51):
Thanks, friends.
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