The to-do lists are long these days so listen to this new album I put on when it’s time to get stuff done while you read this.

Modern Musings

Takes on what’s happening both big and small

Stages
It’s been a month. Full stop. 

September is making this past summer feel like light work. As I attempt to catch my breath, I’ve also been reminded of something I think we all need to hear sometimes: you can have an idea, let it sit in a Google Doc for way too long, and still take it to heights you may not have even imagined.

• Here’s my logo in Times Square (special shout out to the incredible Alicia Prieto for designing this beautiful cover art)

• Here’s my speaking engagement at this year’s Podcast Movement conference. I spoke about how podcasts can meaningfully incorporate TV, film and pop culture into social impact work. If this sounds interesting to you, reply to this email to learn more. And here’s some fun behind the scenes bonus content.

So if there’s a creative pursuit, project, quarter-baked idea you’ve been sitting on, I hope this is your sign to take the next step to bring it to life. Because if you can conceive the idea, you can conceive the path forward (It’s corny, I know but also true!). 

Consider This for Comfort 

Season 5 of the podcast is currently airing with new episodes published every Wednesday this fall. Haven’t tuned in yet? Here’s what you’ve missed from the podcast’s most star-studded season yet!

• Succession’s Arian Moayed Considers The Good Place For Comfort (enjoy this snippet!)

• Josh Malina (aka David Rosen) Considers Scandal For Comfort (enjoy this snippet!)

I’ve also covered Jury Duty, The Emmys, Netflix’s A Different World and Bridgerton. 

Still to come this season: 

Oct. 7: Bob’s Burgers
Oct. 14: Pretty Little Liars
Oct. 21: Real Housewives
Oct. 28: Girlfriends

In addition to the usual like/subscribe/forward this to the pop culture lover in your life, here’s a new way to support the show. Your contribution helps sustain the show by covering the subscriptions and production costs that go into making an independent podcast at the level you deserve. Happy listening!

Eteng Recommends

Podcasts

• This Week in Fandom History. One of my favorite things about this show is that it takes fans seriously. Yes, sometimes people do the absolute most when it comes to their favorite media but that’s because we care. And fandom has a cultural impact that is ripe for exploring. Even better: 75-80% of the fandom topics they cover are suggested or requested by listeners. I know you’re a fan of something so consider this your invitation to tap in. New episodes every Sunday.

• That Aged Well. So this is a question I think about all the time with my own show: What do we do with the media we loved (or still love) that hasn’t aged well? This podcast tackles that question with so much brilliance, sharpness, humor and care. It gives us permission to be nostalgic while also reckoning with the things we might see differently now. And the show reminds us that we don’t have to figure out how to do that alone. Here’s a fun guide with tips on how to decide what episode you want to start with first!

Film/TV

• The 100 Best TV Shows of the 21st Century. 

• Task winning an Emmy. Either not enough people are watching this show or not enough people are talking about this show. My favorite moment during TV’s biggest night was Tom Pelphrey taking home Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Robbie Prendergast. His performance is absolutely haunting and the win was unexpected but so deserved. 

• Your Mother, Your Mother, Your Mother. Marhershala Ali is FINALLY back on our screens and (very classily) dragging Marvel for fumbling Blade. 

• Digger. Tom Cruise’s comeback film is divisive, to say the least. This makes me want to watch it even more though. 

• Paradise has officially wrapped Season 3 filming. This is the final season of the show which means we’ve got one last shot to get Sterling K. Brown his Emmy for portraying Xavier Collins.

Sincerely,