- Only Smart Things
- Posts
- issue #41 - the one about my PODCAST
issue #41 - the one about my PODCAST
It’s here. 1 Smart Thing (or #1smartpod, if you’re being social).
Please subscribe, share, and get ready for the first full episode dropping on Monday.
I’m so excited, and I hope you are too!
If this is your first e-mail from me, welcome! In addition to writing the book How To Pack, I'm an entrepreneur and angel investor, an avid reader, and a mom of two boys (a 4 year old and a 9 month old).
Every Saturday, I share the 25 best reads from the Internet (culled from the daily shares on my Instagram), the books I've read that week, and things I'm generally loving at the moment. You can join the conversation on all these articles - and more! - in my Facebook group.
Looking for my packing list template? Here you go!
#ThingsILove This Week
A huge thanks to my friend Molly (and the founder of my portfolio company, Messy.fm) for helping me get my podcast up and running. If it wasn’t for Molly’s help and Antoinette keeping me accountable to my launch plan…it probably would have been pushed out by a month or two. And thank goodness for Messy because it really makes creating and hosting a podcast the easiest thing in the world.
I like my MacBook Pro. I hate the lack of ports (that I actually use). Kate recommended this hub, and it’s been a GAMECHANGER for charging my computer, phone, and hooking up my podcast recorder to edit episodes. Other work-from-anywhere game changers - these headphones for working and recording podcast interviews alike, this collapsible water bottle, and blue light blocking glasses (my eye doctor mandated these for me because of my glaucoma, but I’ve noticed that my head feels better and I have a little more energy when I wear these).
I LOVED American Royals, and could not be more excited for Majesty! That cover! The first chapter! Go pre-order it from Indiebound or your favorite local bookstore to help with bestseller rankings.
Other things I ordered from Amazon and loved - this wearable blanket that Jenn Falik recommended (it’s glorious), watercolor gel crayons and these bracelets recommended by The Buy Guide, and a mini cutting board via Jen Shoop,
Have you watched Virgin River? I’m hooked, thanks to Grace. It also reminded me that I have 4 episodes of Grey’s Anatomy to catch up on…which will happen eventually.
Phenomenal has a new sweatshirt available for pre-order. My dad has a tendency to ‘borrow’ mine (adios, joyful warrior yellow Electable), but I hope he’ll think twice before taking this one 😜
What I read this week
A quick note - I hope you reserve the books I recommend from your local library, or purchase them from your favorite independent bookstore or the audiobook fromLibro.fm.
Uncanny Valley - if I’m being honest, I didn’t like this book very much, but I can’t stop thinking about it. I found Anna to be annoying, trying too hard to seem smart, and her critique of the Bay Area scathing. I also found her analysis of how technology pervasively invades every element of our lives and her analysis of its leadership to be spot on, and there are moments when I thought her writing was brilliant. So why it’s not one of my favorite books, it’s one I think is worth reading.
The Age Of Witches (ARC via NetGalley, out April 7) - witches, the Gilded Age, and multiple generations is BINGO for a book I’ll almost always read. Luckily, this one is very good and gives me The Rules Of Magic/Practical Magic vibes but stands out as its own book. Frances, Harriet, and Annis are slowly revealed over the course of the book, which has perfect pacing and elegant writing (not too flowery, not too direct). I’ve been craving a good witchey read, and I’m thrilled that Louisa Morgan has two other books already out (The Witch's Kind and A Secret History Of Witches).
The Nancy Pelosi Way - it’s no secret that I’m a Nancy Pelosi superfan, and I LOVED this leadership guide penned by her daughter Christine. Political views aside (which I do align with most of the time), I find her leadership - to whip votes, fundraise, negotiate - to be unparalleled among the recent Speakers we’ve had. Her legacy is as formidable as LBJ’s.
Current book reviewshere, and here are all my random Amazon favorites.
Hitha’s Favorite Things
Libro.fm is my favorite audiobook app (it credits your favorite independent bookstore with the sale). Use code HITHA to get 3 audiobooks for the price of 1 when you create a monthly membership. You can find my favorite audiobooks here.
This is the only book club I’m a member of
my favorite vitamins (both their pre-natal and their essential one for women). Use code HITHA for 10% off your first 3 months.
CBD has been a lifesaver for me. Get 20% off your first order with code HITHA.
the app to save #5SmartReads to read later
the notebook that has changed my life (see how I use it here and here). Get 15% off with code HITHA15.
the marriage check-in my husband and I do every single week
my favorite workout - and why. Use code G37YVV for $100 in accessories (spin shoes, weights, headphones - oh my!)
Small Packages (one of my portfolio companies) is the curated gift box company I’m always talking about - get 15% off your order with the code HITHA
The Top 5
Presidents Day vs. President's Day vs. Presidents' Day: Which One Is It? (Mental Floss)
The one thing these cardiologists most wish their female patients had done sooner (Philadelphia Inquirer)
What It’s Like to Describe Porn for a Blind Audience (Slate)
She Left Wuhan to Become a Journalist. She’s Back in Time to Get the Story. (New York Times)
The Catch Up
Monday
Column: Elizabeth Warren isn’t out, yet, so stop writing her political obituary. There are 48 states left. (Chicago Tribune)
George Washington gets romanticized by male biographers. Now a woman has taken him on. (Washington Post)Here’smy review of You Never Forget Your First, and you can purchase ithere.
Author Craig Fehrman stacks up books penned by presidents (Boston Globe)
Tuesday
Michael Bloomberg’s Campaign Is Huge. That’s The Point. (BuzzFeed News)
Inside The Fight To End The Black Maternal Health Crisis (Essence)
I Spoke Out Against Sexual Harassment at Uber. The Aftermath Was More Terrifying Than Anything I Faced Before (TIME)Also worthy of your time -Susan Fowler’s memoir. A word to the wise - have a light readlike thisorthison deck afterwards!
These moms were homeless. Now they are starting a housing revolution. (The Lily)
Wednesday
Just Back From Antarctica (AFAR)
Waking up to Africa's importance (Axios)
I loosened my hijab at a chess championship. Now I’m afraid to return to Iran. (Washington Post)
Evidence That Conservative Students Really Do Self-Censor (The Atlantic)
Thursday
Op-Ed: Upset by the Iowa caucuses chaos? It will probably make you a better voter (LA Times)If you want to make your IG a little bit smarter,follow Sian Beilock.
Meet The Spleen, The Strange Little Organ That Can Multiply (NPR)
‘It’s Like the End of the World’ (New York Times)
Stacey Abrams’ Bold Ambition Proves There’s Hope for Politics (Zora)
Friday
If I were running for President, I’d run on 3 things - upgrading our electric grid (improve energy efficiency, creates long-term jobs all over the country, and improves national security), reduce and standardize healthcare costs, starting with malpractice insurance (reducing the insurance fees allow healthcare providers to focus on outcomes vs. the number of patients they see and procedures they do, thus reducing errors), and establishing public programs and public-private partnerships to offer benefits to gig economy workers (which make up 1/3 of the population). The first 3 articles go deeper on these issues.
Reply