This week, I'm joined by writer A. J. Daulerio. A. J. is the former editor of websites like Gawker and Deadspin and he founded and now runs The Small Bow, a newsletter and podcast about addiction and recovery. We're talking all about perfectionism, validation seeking, shame, self diminishment, f*cked up ego math surrounding success and trying (and failing) to find balance with our work.

You can find A.J. at thesmallbow.com

The Extended Scenes theme song is by the band Maiden Names.

To support the show, listen to ad-free episodes and read more of my writing, you can subscribe to jennromolini.substack.com.

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My guest this week is the brilliant writer, podcaster and culture critic Anne Helen Petersen. You probably know Anne from her wildly successful newsletter "Culture Study." Or from one of her many books, including "Can’t Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation." Anne also has a Ph.D. in media studies and was a senior culture writer at BuzzFeed News.

In this conversation, we're going deep on redefining our own success, the life-altering impact of failure and what we're ambitious for now.

The Extended Scenes theme song is by the band Maiden Names.

To support the show, listen to ad-free episodes and read more of my writing, you can subscribe to jennromolini.substack.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's guest is the inimitable essayist and television writer Samantha Irby! Sam and I are exploring right-sizing success, setting realistic expectations for your career, coming to terms with professional failure and disappointment and the moments when you really feel like you've made it.

You can find Samantha Irby at: bitchesgottaeat.substack.com

To support the show, listen to ad-free episodes and read more of my writing, you can subscribe to jennromolini.substack.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My first (!) guest is the writer and thinker Angela Garbes and we're exploring what it is to be a lifelong GenX hater living in opposition to the world, the evolution of ambition and redefining success for yourself over time, slowing down and finally feeling like you have enough, healing that 'bad kid' identity and (at last!) learning to live, connect and be seen as our authentic selves.

You can find Angela at: angelagarbes.com

Books we discussed today:

Conflict Is Not Abuse by Sarah Schulman

Love In a Fucked Up World by

To support the show, listen to ad-free episodes and read more of my writing, you can subscribe to jennromolini.substack.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.