Hey all, a few weeks ago I emailed with (part one) of my “things I’m proud of” dispatch at the end of 2025.
I promptly, along with everyone else in NYC, got super sick and only now feel okay. So, here’s a follow-up with more of what’s going on. Discussed: America’s birthday, New Yorker covers, beans, The Doors, and more…
I also wanted to wait to write you until the thing I’m most proud of really got going…
We have now formally launched “50 Weeks That Shaped America” over at This Day — our year-long series hooked to America250, our nation’s semi-quincentennial.
I am incredibly excited about this project, I think it’s the best work we’ve ever done, and frankly it’s the first time I’m really throwing myself into This Day. For the last few years it’s been a really wonderful side project, but now I’m all-in on making this series and growing the show to be as big as possible. I really want us to be at the heart of the messy, fascinating, fun, heartbreaking project that is trying to mark 250 years of the American experiment. I’d love for you to check it out. This week’s episode about prohibition is super interesting.
And, if you’re so inclined, become a paying subscriber to that newsletter — you’ll get ad-free episodes and all sorts of other stuff.
If you are doing anything around America 250 or know of anyone else we should collab with — or anyone who wants to throw us some funding! — be in touch.
I’m almost ashamed to admit that the thing I had the most fun doing last year was guessing the title of New Yorker covers each week. And, honestly, I hear from people about this as much as anything else I do. Very fun game, and we’re hitting one full year of doing it… I will keep it going! Check them out on my instagram or on YouTube - here’s a playlist. Here’s one from a few weeks ago where I actually nailed it.
I got a chance to produce a short series with the great Naomi Fry of The New Yorker about, of all things, The Doors. I will admit that I wasn’t a huge Doors fan, I fell into that they-are-kinda-cringey camp, but over the course of making this series I came to really admire the band. I’ve put together a playlist of ten (lesser known-ish) Doors songs I came to love as result of working on the series.
Like a lot of folks, I spent much of the year trying to regain control of my attention. On an episode of Trevor Noah’s podcast (which I helped produce this year), researcher Jiore Craig said something that really stuck with me.
Whenever you’re scrolling, ask yourself: “are they earning it?”
Basically, if you’re on instagram, or tik-tok, or whatever, try and let the question pop into your head: “Are they really earning my attention?” Is what you’re mindlessly scrolling really worth it? Chances are, it’s not; it’s slop. I’ve found that almost every time I ask myself that question, I end up closing the app.
Another thing that’s really helped me on this front: The Brick. It’s a miracle device. The days where I Brick my phone; use Freedom on my browser; work out; read a book; listen to an album... That’s the good stuff. More of those days in 2026.
As it happens this was a year of two big anniversaries on the frisbee front. My college ultimate team - Wesleyan Nietzsch Factor - marked 50 years, and my former club team - PoNY - celebrated 20. I helped to organize big reunions for both, and it was really lovely to reconnect with hundreds of good folks from across the eras and from all around the country. It’s a lot of legwork, but nothing beats being in a room with people who mean a lot to you. That said I’m glad I’m not organizing any reunions in 2026.
I listened to more hip-hop in 2025 than I had in a long time. Not sure why, but just fell back into re-visiting my favorites, and discovering new artists. One really nice entry point was this playlist from Matthew Perpetua, who makes incredible playlists that lead to all sorts of discoveries.
2025 was the year I finally broke into the Rancho Gordo Bean Club. My proudest achievement. But I am positively overwhelmed by exotic beans. I love the newsletter too.
Okay, I’ll let the bean club have the final word as we launch into the new year. I hope you’re well, remember to catch me over at This Day, and stay in touch!
-Jody-
