Explaining Prospect + Refuge Theory + How To Find The Best Books + The Cazalet Chronicles with Emily Fiffer (Writer and Founder of Botanica)

In this episode, we kick it off outside and talk about the difference between using TV and nature to destress. Plus, how researchers have found that even if you don't think you like nature, you can still get the benefits from it. Then we head inside and talk Taskmaster, 99 To Beat, and just playing more games in general. And then Andrea gives us Pangram rundown (the AI detection platform) and how/why it's changing the publishing industry. She also gives great advice on using AI as a creative (she doesn't hold back.) About this week's guest: Andrea is a journalist and the New York Times bestselling author of five novels, includingWe Were Never Here, a Reese's Book Club pick. Her forthcoming speculative thriller, Delete Your Account, is scheduled for publication in May 2027. She was also a lead plaintiff in the landmark class-action lawsuit Bartz v. Anthropic, which was the first major win for creatives against an AI company as well as the largest copyright recovery in history.

In this episode, we start outside and talk about West African indigenous spices (their history, importance, and how some have even been banned). Then we go outside and talk about the trend of the personal curriculum, the rise of the "intellectual creator," and commodifying things that are already free. About this week's guest: Afia runs Eat with Afia — where she highlights Ghanaian food through culture, history, and tradition. With her platform, Afia tries to underscore the diversity of culinary traditions as a porduct of centuries of meticulous food science, agriculture and understanding of the land. Outside of her blog, Afia Amoako earned her doctorate in Epidemiology and is passionate about the social context of health.

In this episode, we go outside to talk about the wild world of reptile private parts. And then we head inside to discuss the 1988 Crystal Light Aerobics Competition, R.I.P Mr. Belding, Nathan Fielder's new documentary about Elizabeth Holmes, The Traitors, and the new ROHNY cast.

In this episode, we discuss the debate around biophilia / a love of nature – is it an innate attraction, is it in our genes, or are we just othering nature altogether? Then we move inside and talk about the death of the (fun) internet scroll, how Google is slowly killing businesses, how to stay curious, building your own internets, and going offline to find out what you actually like again.

In this episode, we discuss what happened when a scientist let an abandoned field rest (no seeding, no weeding, no special care). Lots of metaphors in this one! And then we move inside to discuss the craze of Beanie Babies, high-level collecting, and the genius/shady marketing of Ty Warner. About this week's guest: Timothy Pakron is a cookbook author (Mississippi Vegan and Garden Variety), food blogger, and recipe developer. His work has been featured by NPR, Garden & Gun, Food & Wine, and VegNews, among others.