Meredith Goldstein's newsletter: perimenopause, vampire slayers, and iced coffee
Today we have an episode about perimenopause, menopause, and dating, and how an aging body can make our romantic life better. It's an upbeat, funny story about a woman who thinks she's going to be alone forever and then isn't.
Advertisement
Welcome to the Hellmouth
I love a good TV rewatch podcast.
I am partial to the ones that dive into every episode of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer,' because they help me revisit the lessons in a show that felt like therapy in my early 20s.
Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers. (The WB/Richard Cartwright)
THE WB/RICHARD CARTWRIGHT/WB
During lockdown I started '
,'
a podcast many 'Buffy' fans already knew about. It's had a loyal following since its launch in 2016. The hosts – musician
Youngs, whose songs have been featured in '
Advertisement
At the start, I liked listening to 'Buffering' because I liked all of the talk about the show, paired with Youngs's music. But over time, I developed the
And then … I realized
they weren't married anymore.
At some point in 2018, they announced
As a Love Letters advice-columnist person, I was very interested in that.
Now Russo and Youngs have a new book: '
It's about 'Buffy,' the evolution of the 'Buffering' podcast, and how art can imitate life, even when the art is about vampires and demons.
Youngs and Russo will stop in Boston with their book
Before the event, Youngs, Russo, and I had a Zoom interview to talk about everything from having to tell fans you're getting a divorce, to the way a TV show can inspire a podcast, which inspires music and a book … which inspires others to make their own art.
Advertisement
Jenny Owen Youngs and Kristin Russo, hosts of "Buffering the Vampire Slayer," a long-running podcast about "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and more.
Buffering the Vampire Slayer
This interview has been edited and condensed.
Meredith:
How quickly did you realize that a podcast about a show could be as powerful to an audience as the show itself?
Kristin:
We started the podcast and we wanted to have a good time, and we still are having a good time. But the 2016 presidential election is the thing that shaped where a lot of our needs were, and that shaped the heartbeat of 'Buffering the Vampire Slayer.' Jenny and I are both queer, and we're both women, and at that moment in time, those were two identities that were directly – I mean, that are always directly under attack – but they were specifically very under attack. And our listenership shares those and other marginalized identities. We could never have the power that 'Buffy' [the show] has. It transcends all things. But … the moment we realized the power that we had in revisiting the text and show was when we were at Union Hall in New York City in December, right after the election, and right before the inauguration, and we had a room full of people who so desperately needed something to hold on to, and so did we. It was that moment in that space, physically together, that we really understood how important we all were to each other, and started to see how that was going to continue.
Meredith:
Do you think there's something about audio in general, and the podcasting medium, that makes everything more personal? For me, to listen to you while doing ritualistic things in my house, like folding laundry or eating … I think it inspires a more powerful connection than if I was watching a TV show.
Advertisement
Jenny:
If you think about it, a lot of people who are listening to podcasts, just as I am now talking to you, we're literally inside of their ears, like it's an intimate proposition.
Meredith:
One of the reasons I was so excited to read the book is that you do have this intimate relationship with a lot of listeners, and you kind of become moms to fans. You've probably had to negotiate how much personal information you share with them. How have you figured out what to keep for yourselves?
Kristin:
It's negotiation with ourselves and also with each other, right? I'm an open book to an extent. I have my limits, but they're quite high, and Jenny doesn't operate that way. I think we had to learn together what we were comfortable sharing.
Jenny:
What's been really special about our community is that people in it are just so unbelievably respectful. Just imagine me at Buffy Prom last weekend … people are like, 'I have a gift for you. 'That's the vibe. They're like, 'I hate to be a bother. I just did a really nice thing.'
Meredith:
I love the idea that there are inspirational pieces of media (like 'Buffy') that can lead to a whole new piece of art. That you (Jenny) have created so much music. I think about how the two of you have nurtured this creativity within your own fandom – that liking a show can inspire people to make art, music … something more.
Jenny:
What's been really incredible to me is to see the people who have found each other through the podcast, or people who listen to the podcast and then are making their own television recap podcast. I just watched the first season of 'The Last of Us,' so really, everything that I'm thinking about now is just in terms of
Advertisement
Meredith:
I like that you're taking the very scary mushrooms from that show, but making them good and about networking.
Kristin:
[Laughing.] She keeps doing it, and I'm like, danger!
Jenny:
The mushrooms. Those yearning tendrils, they long to connect!
[Everyone laughs because this is sweet but gross.]
Meredith:
What can people expect when you're in Boston, for the die-hard fans and also for people who might not know about 'Buffering'?
Kristin:
It's a very loving space. It's a very caring space. And in terms of what we're going to show up to do, I mean, you know, we love nothing more than to have fun with the text. So we're going to be diving into the 'Buffy' of it all. But I think probably this will be one of our more vulnerable events, because it really will be the first time that Jenny and I are together in a space, physically with our book, sharing what we wrote.
If you're at
Good Reads
In The Big Day,
In Dinner With Cupid,
Advertisement
In the Love Letters column, I am a woman and I actually
Parasocially delicious
'Buffering the Vampire Slayer' isn't the only podcast that has the best, kindest fans. A Love Letters podcast listener wanted a
Anyway, here's my pic of my treat. May all Love Letters readers and listeners find and give others treats, when appropriate.
This truly made my month.
Oatmilk included.
Meredith Goldstein
Sign up for Meredith's newsletter at
Send your own relationship and dating questions to
or
Catch new episodes of
wherever you listen to podcasts.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Arnold Schwarzenegger reacts to son Patrick's 'White Lotus' nudity: 'This is crazy'
Arnold Schwarzenegger reacts to son Patrick's 'White Lotus' nudity: 'This is crazy' Show Caption Hide Caption 'White Lotus' Season 3 trailer: Rich people and death in Thailand The trailer for HBO's "The White Lotus" Season 3 brings viewers to tropical Thailand and death is in the air. For Arnold and Patrick Schwarzenegger, the apple doesn't fall from the tree, especially in the fruit-bearing department. "The White Lotus" star, 31, and his movie icon father, 77, sat down for a candid joint interview on Variety's "Actors on Actors" series, released on June 3, during which they discussed Patrick's bold breakout role as Saxon Ratliff. A party-loving pool cretin, Ratliff is the poster boy for misguided masculinity on the HBO series' third season. "Saxon leads with his penis; quite literally, that's how he walks," said Patrick of his character's carnal confidence in a February interview with USA TODAY. This also included a scene in which the actor performed in full-frontal nudity. "I couldn't believe (it). I said to myself, 'I'm watching your show, and I'm watching your butt sticking out there,'" Arnold told Patrick on "Actors on Actors." "And all of a sudden, I see the weenie. ... What is going on here? This is crazy." Patrick Schwarzenegger interview: 'White Lotus' breakout star on show, dad Arnold Despite his parental shock, Arnold, who's had his fair share of risqué roles, later reflected on the parallel between his and Patrick's daring career moves. "I said to myself, 'Well, Arnold, hello. You did the same thing in 'Conan (the Barbarian)'andin '(The) Terminator' and in all of those films, so don't complain about it," Arnold said. "It was a shock to me that you were following my footsteps that closely." The former California governor also gave Patrick props on his acting chops: "Your acting surprised the hell out of me. Not that I didn't know that you're good. ... But it was just unbelievable, the kind of stuff that you did in the show." Patrick Schwarzenegger addresses 'frustrating' nepotism claims The father-son duo attended the Los Angeles premiere of "The White Lotus" Season 3 in February, after which Arnold gave his son a cheeky shoutout on social media. "What a show!" Arnold wrote in a Feb. 11 Instagram post. "I could claim to be surprised to find out he has a nude scene, but what can I say — the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." Contributing: Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY
Boston Globe
8 hours ago
- Boston Globe
A raucous night at the Elliot Norton awards
The cast of the Sullivan Rep performs a song from "A Little Night Music." JOSH REYNOLDS FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE There were, as always, heartwarming stories. Jenny Tsai, who won outstanding music direction for Sullivan Rep's 'A Little Night Music,' told us that when she came to the US from Taiwan at age 23, she knew nothing about musical theater. Accepting outstanding lead performance in a musical for her work in 'Next to Normal,' Sherée Marcelle said, 'There was a time that I was told I was not cut out for this industry,' before confessing, 'This is only the second professional show of my career.' Advertisement Armando Rivera, who directed Gloucester Stage/Teatro Chelsea's 'The Hombres' (outstanding play and outstanding director in the midsize division), said, 'We Latino hombres are not bad men, we are human,' and 'If you tell stories in any language, I promise you will be understood. Because the heart is there.' Winners for outstanding sound design (large) for the Huntington's 'Toni Stone,' Lucas Clopton and Aubrey Dube hugged each other at the podium before Clopton explained that 'We haven't seen each other for a year' and Dube gave a shout-out to his native Botswana. From left, Aubrey Dube and Lucas Clopton celebrate their prize for Outstanding Sound Design in a large play for their work on "Toni Stone." JOSH REYNOLDS FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE There's always room for humor at the Norties. When it seemed no one from American Repertory Theater was coming to accept the outstanding lighting design (large) award, BTCA member Bob Verini offered to fill in: 'I saw 'Gatsby' and I'll be happy to tell you about the lighting.' Presenting the outstanding featured performance (midsize) award, a cheeky Mishka Yarovoy caught the audience off guard with 'And the winner is' before the nominees had even appeared on the screen. A special citation honoring the Boch Center Wang Theatre's 100th anniversary was unexpectedly interrupted by the opening bars of 'The Music of the Night' from 'The Phantom of the Opera,' prompting the observation that 'There are ghosts in these old theaters.' Presenter Paul Melendy appeared in a T-shirt bearing the image of this year's Elliot Norton Prize for Sustained Excellence recipient, Kathy St. George, and announced he'd be selling copies from the back of his Subaru after the show. St. George's five-minute acceptance speech was a show in itself, as the Stoneham native told the crowd how at age seven she decided she wanted to be a second-grade teacher and that she actually taught second grade before becoming an actress. In New York, she played a life-size Lamb Chop alongside Shari Lewis; she answered an ad to 'Work on Broadway this Christmas' and got the part — as an elf at Macy's. Her real Broadway debut came in 1981 when she was cast in the Jerome Robbins–directed 'Fiddler on the Roof.' Advertisement But Boston called her back: 'You are my people. Being part of the Boston theater community is the best thing ever.' Channeling her one-woman show 'And Now Ladies and Gentlemen, Miss Judy Garland,' she whispered mischievously toward the wings, 'Auntie Joyce?,' before concluding, three times, 'There's no place like home.' Even then St. George wasn't done: she appeared in the musical number 'Streets of Dublin,' from SpeakEasy Stage Company's ' Four awards were given in memory of theater luminaries whom we lost over the past year. Former BTCA member Terry Byrne remembered James Earl Jones. Lenelle Moïse recited a poem to honor South African playwright Athol Fugard. Paula Plum recalled getting her first job in Boston from Lyric Stage Boston co-founder Ron Ritchell. And Scott Edmiston extolled 'Falsettos' creator William Finn. As the ceremony wound down, I created a couple of unofficial awards. The Huntington's ' Advertisement Despite giving out 39 actual Elliot Norton Awards, the BTCA wrapped up the show in just over three hours. In what's become an Elliot Norton Awards Ceremony tradition, the entire BTCA crew assembled on stage to announce the outstanding ensemble winner. After they'd shouted out 'Titanic' and no one from NSMT immediately responded, Kulhawik peered anxiously into the audience and wondered, 'Did the ship go down?' It didn't; the award was accepted and the Boston theater community sailed exuberantly into the ceremony's afterparty. Jeffrey Gantz can be reached at
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
The Chi Renewed for Season 8
Douda may be done, but The Chi just keeps going. The drama has been renewed for Season 8, our sister site Deadline reports. More from TVLine All American Renewed for Final Season at The CW - Find Out When It Will Air Harry Wild Renewed for Season 5 at Acorn TV The Chi Scores Its Most-Streamed Premiere Ever, 7 Seasons In The renewal comes a day after the network announced that The Chi's Season 7 opener drew two million cross-platform viewers, making it the most-streamed season premiere in the series' history — up +2% versus last season. 'Following record-breaking viewership, we're thrilled to announce The Chi has been renewed for Season 8, joining the ranks of Showtime's most iconic series like Homeland and Dexter,' Chris McCarthy, Co-CEO of Paramount Global and President of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios, said via statement. 'Thanks to [series creator] Lena Waithe and her incredible team, our talented cast and crew, and devoted fans—the South Side story continues!' The show opened its Season 8 writers' room in February, months before Season 7 premiered. The Chi is a coming-of-age story about a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago who become 'linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption.' The ensemble cast includes Jacob Latimore (as Emmett), Lynn Whitfield (Alicia), Yolonda Ross (Jada), Shamon Brown Jr. (Papa), Michael V. Epps (Jake), Birgundi Baker (Kiesha) and Luke James (Trig). Are you glad to hear will be back next season? Let us know in the comments! Best of TVLine 'Missing' Shows, Found! Get the Latest on Ahsoka, Monarch, P-Valley, Sugar, Anansi Boys and 25+ Others Yellowjackets Mysteries: An Up-to-Date List of the Series' Biggest Questions (and Answers?) The Emmys' Most Memorable Moments: Laughter, Tears, Historical Wins, 'The Big One' and More
