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For busy working women, the suit is often the easiest outfit to throw on in the morning. In general, this feature is not about interview suits for women, which should be as classic and basic as you get — instead, this feature is about the slightly different suit that is fashionable, yet professional.
There seem to be a ton of purple suits for women right now — is it just me or has that not been the case for a while now? I'm loving it — I love all deep jewel tones, but I've always found purple incredibly easy to wear. Pair it with neutrals like black, navy, white, ivory, beige, gray — with brighter jewel tones accents like cobalt, red, hot pink, a verdant green — and with more subdued colors like olive green. And pastels like lavender and baby blue, of course! So many choices. (I've personally never paired purple with orange, mint, or a closer color like a reddish burgundy or cordovan — but that doesn't mean that can't be done, especially if you have a bridge piece like a scarf or blouse with a matching purple and the other color.)
This particular suit is from Reiss. It comes in sizes 0-14, with flared pants, tailored pants, cropped pants, and a pencil skirt. The pieces range from $225 to $425 at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and Reiss.
This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!
Sales of note for 8.30.24
- Nordstrom – Summer Sale, save up to 60%
- Ann Taylor – 30% off full-price purchase; $99 jackets, dresses & shoes; extra 50% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – 50-70% off everything + extra 20% off
- Bergdorf Goodman – Final Days Designer Sale, up to 75% off; extra 20% off sale
- Boden – 20% off
- Brooks Brothers – Extra 25% off clearance
- Eloquii – Up to 60% off everything; extra 60% off all sale
- J.Crew – 40% off sitewide; extra 60% off sale styles
- J.Crew Factory – Extra 20% off orders $125+; extra 60% off clearance; 60%-70% off 100s of styles
- Lo & Sons – Summer sale, up to 50% off (ends 9/2)
- Madewell – Extra 40% off sale; extra 50% off select denim; 25% off fall essentials
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
- Rothy's – End of season sale, up to 50% off
- Spanx – Lots of workwear in the big sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – 25% off regular-price purchase; 70% off clearance
- White House Black Market – Up to 70% off sale
Anon
I feel like this is a very 2012 question, but favorite things on Netflix? I have not had Netflix in probably five or more years. I have alllllll the other streaming services (Hulu, HBO, Disney, Apple, Paramount, Peacock, etc. plus cable TV, so I have access to most things that aren’t original or exclusive to Netflix).
I gravitate towards light and funny, not scary or sad. I have The Chair, Indian Matchmaker and Partner Track on my list.
Anon
Never Have I Ever, Stranger Things, Bridgerton, Maid, Borgen, British Bake-off, The Crown, Queen’s Gambit, Santa Clarita Diet
Anon100
Agree with all of these, and I would add the Baby Sitter’s Club if you’re of the generation that the books growing up.
OP
Yes I am! My parents still have dozens, if not hundreds, of BSC books in their basement.
Anon
I’ll second this then. The show is a great mix of nostalgia and feeling reasonably up to date. I’m sad they only made two seasons.
Anonymous
Third for BSC!
Anon
Second Stranger Things. It can be funny, but it’s scary and not light, but it’s one of my favourite shows of all time now.
Anon
Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Emily in Paris, and not exactly light and funny, but the Crown
Pep
We really liked The Queen’s Gambit. It took me a couple of episodes to warm up to it, then I was hooked! It is, however, not light or funny. That said, it is not scary or violent. Great 60s fashion.
JTM
Bridgerton
Selling Sunset/Tampa/The OC
Umbrella Academy
Sex Education
Dead To Me
NYCer
Emily in Paris, Call My Agent (Dix Pour Cent), Firefly Lane
Anon
Schitt’s Creek
anonshmanon
Yes!!!
OP
I saw that back when it first aired. I think in the US it was broadcast on a TV channel that was included in our cable package? But yes very funny!
Grace
Selling Sunset and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend if you’ve never seen it
Alanna of Trebond
Partner Track sucks.
OP
I figured. The trailer made it look pretty bad, but I still kind of want to watch.
Anonymous
Does anyone else feel like they get far too nervous about every doctors appointment, even a nothing appointment? Literally just had a virtual appointment to discuss covid vaccines. It was a nothing appointment where I knew all she’d say is yes take the next one, don’t take the next one, don’t take it right away, or take this specific brand. Zero reason to be nervous and I was sitting there with my heart pounding waiting for her to log in. I’m not an anxious person overall but as I’ve gotten older the fear of doctors is so real. Am I the only one? I kind of now understand dudes who just never go to doctors.
anon
I’ve become this way in the last couple of years. I chalk it up to a couple of reasons. Maybe because I’m now at the age when random sh!t starts going wrong? I also feel like, in hindsight, I dealt with some medical gaslighting about bad periods and hormonal issues until things were so badly out of whack that I needed a hysterectomy. I accepted band-aid solutions for a long time until I finally had an ultrasound that showed exactly why I was suffering so much. It made me question what else is going on with me that hasn’t been discovered yet.
Anpn
I am like this too. Every little thing. Not exactly sure how I survived pregnancy with all the appointments but I think I felt like I couldn’t stick my head in the sand with a baby… I thought I’d be cured of this but it is back with a vengeance.
In my case it is fear of bad news or the unknown. Both my parents died of cancer and my sibling is a survivor. Most of my appointments at this age are preventative but every test create a lot of heart pounding fear. So far nothing is wrong with me other than garden variety middle aged complaints that are being treated (ironically, high blood pressure that gets even higher at the dr). Knock on wood. But deep down I am just like waiting for the bad news to come. I force myself to go so that I remain as healthy as possible for the people who depend on me but I’d deep down prefer just not to deal. I hate everything medical.
Weirdly I am not like this with my kid’s dr visits. I worry about my husbands appts a little but not like my own.
Anon
I definitely feel this way, though in my case I know it’s because I have a couple chronic health conditions that still aren’t under control and a bunch of weird minor things going on. It’s important to have a good relationship with my doctors so I can get those things treated, but I’m always worried that they’re just going to decide that I’m crazy or someone who constantly complains about minor things, which means I downplay or don’t even mention a bunch of the things I have going on. Even when the appointment is about something else, that ends up making me feel really nervous.
Anonymous
You could be me. when I even see the appointment on the calendar I get nervous and can’t enjoy anything until it’s over. My doctors are so nice. I feel silly after but I just feel like the end of my life will start with something a doctor says so I don’t want to even have them in my life.
Nora
I completely have a phobia of the doctors. My therapist’s takeaway was that its not really like fear of the doctors, its fear of authority talking down to or being rude to me. I feel much better when I’m very well informed going into an appointment. I also try to think about it at a work meeting – when I talk to vendors I”m confident, I ask a lot of questions, I delve into things.
Maybe I’m not an ideal patient, but it makes it much more bearable to me.
Cat
you’re not alone. I get especially nervous that I’ll have an issue for something self-inflicted (diet or exercise) because I can def do better in both those areas.
A
So interesting that so many women feel this way and by and large they go to the dr. Guys who feel like
Anonymous
So interesting that so many women feel this way and by and large they go to the dr. Guys who feel like that simply don’t go, some will only go after wife or mom nag for months.
Nora
I feel like this, but I also don’t like ignoring a problem. I went to the doctor, and it wasn’t fun, and I even had to have a surgery, but now my problem is completely solved. So that feels worth it.
I don’t want to ignore something and then it turns into a bigger issue later on.
Anonymous
Lovely color! About 6 or 7 years ago, I owned a similar purple suit and got so many compliments on it. I miss it!
PSA for Wives and Mothers of Boys: Make Your Wishes Known!
Make your wishes known. Put it in writing.
Otherwise when you are in the final throes of dementia and bed-bound in diapers, your (“no strangers in MY house”) husband will enlist your grown adult sons to strip you down and manhandle you to change clothes and sheets multiple times a day. You might land a few punches, but they will be stronger. They will easily flip you over and hold you down while they part your intimate areas to spread cream, as you scream.
And they will be so confident in their authority as “the men” that your lone adult daughter will be totally outvoted in her suggestions to maintain your dignity.
All because you refused for decades to have a mature conversation about worst case scenarios. Because you refused to write anything down. And maybe also because you raised your sons to believe that male opinions are superior.
Do not think it can’t happen to you. My mom was the picture of health until her diagnosis.
Anon
sending hugs. so sorry for you and your mom.
Anon
I’m sorry you’re going through this. But there isn’t really any way to maintain dignity for the patient in the throes of advanced dementia. If it weren’t your brothers doing it, it would be a home health aide or an assisted living employee – is that really better? At least she’s with family, which probably brings her some comfort?
Anon
Right? I’m not seeing a way out. A difficult patient, in the throes of dementia or otherwise (teen with tampon stuck with no string), is just hard for a caregiver to deal with. There is not good alternative.
Vicky Austin
Surely there’s a way out besides this poor woman screaming in terror because she didn’t want male caregivers. She may not know or care that she’s related to them if she’s got Alzheimer’s.
Anon
She’s screaming because she has dementia and dementia patients scream and fight back because they’re confused and don’t have the mental capacity to understand what’s going on and why it’s important. There’s zero indication this would be better with a female caregiver. And fwiw most memory care wards in nursing homes have a lot of male staff for the reason that they’re stronger and can better control the patients.
Dementia is a wretched way to live and die but there is no truly good alternative here.
Vicky Austin
I think the fact that OP is posting about it from this lens is the indicator that it would be better with a female caregiver.
Anon
She doesn’t like that they left the mom naked and were disorganized. A guy who is sentient wouldn’t like that either. Dementia patients can attack even the organized carers who drape. I’m not sure why being male matters — they are less likely to injure themselves and the patient vs women because they are stronger and can keep someone on the bed vs flipping off of it. There isn’t a good answer with a combative patient, which a person can just randomly become, even with a saintly carer they usually love.
Anon
I think the OP has probably never had a close relative go through dementia and doesn’t understand what that process normally entails. It is awful, but there’s really no reason to think it would be better with a female caregiver.
Anonymous
This. There is nothing about dementia and advanced illness that provides dignity and I have had a front row seat for a number of years to it like few people have, ever.
Please find the resources for yourself to talk through this. What you were seeing is trauma, but it may not be from the source you think.
anon
Yes, this is dementia, and it’s horrible at the end stages. My father in law passed away a few weeks ago, and this was how he was at the end. Did he want his wife to be cleaning him up multiple times a day, or his son, or me? No, but there wasn’t another option.
Vicky Austin
Jesus, I am so sorry your mom had to go through that and you had to witness it. A good reminder.
Anon
Hugs.
OTOH, the sons would be in the same boat with the dad, no? It is more humiliating b/c of the gender of the child? Because, again, men don’t get to escape this and some of them have . . . daughters.
Anonymous
I’m sorry you’re going through a hard time. It sounds like your father and brothers are also doing their best to care for your mom.
Anon
That is horrible and I’m sorry for your mother and you. Obviously having cream spread in your intimate areas is personal and scary. Why don’t they see that?
My only child is a son. He’s being raised to know that women’s voices are every bit as valuable as his voice.
Anon
it is personal and scary, but it is also very necessary when a patient has Alzheimer’s and is wearing a diaper.
Anon
Then maybe let her daughter do it, who at least has the same body parts and a similar awareness of the emotional sensitivity involved. Men send unsolicited dck pics, for heaven’s sake – they really don’t get it.
Anon
What does what some men do have to do with caring for combative dementia patients?
Anon
It also sounds like they’re untrained in what they’re doing. A trained caregiver, male or female, can minimize the trauma for all involved – patient, caregiver and family.
OP, I’m sorry you’re dealing with this and I hope you and your mother find peace, and that your brothers come to the realization that they aren’t doing your mother or themselves any favors here.
Anon
I’m sorry for you and your mom that you’re going through this, but it’s not like there’s a way to avoid this. Somebody has to help with basic hygiene when you can’t do it yourself. You do everyone a disservice when you make it sound like r*pe. Would your mom really be happier if it was strangers doing this to her in a strange place? Unless they die young, most people will need this kind of care at some point, at least for a short time, and it will help everyone to think about it as critical care, not as an assault that destroys your dignity.
Anon
Yes. This was off-putting to me, as someone from a family where women stay in good physical health forever and pretty much all develop dementia by 85. Your brothers are not assaulting your mom, which is strongly implied in your post. They are giving her necessary medical care. It would not be better with a stranger. I am not sure what exactly you wanted, but if what you wanted was for your mom to sit in her own filth and develop bedsores, your brother was right to overrule you.
Anon
This is a rude response as are most of above. There is caregiver and there is treating someone like a piece of meat.
She isn’t advocating for no care she’s advocating for thoughtful and dignified care.
Being assaulted takes many forms. I won’t go down the rabbits on this but having dignity in who sees cleans and touches your private parts doesn’t stop when dementia starts. If you have surgery, should just anyone be able to overpower you?
I am the caregiver in a similar situation. I hear you. You and your mom are being traumatised
Hire compassionate female help for yourself and your mom’s benefit.
Anon
Thank you!!!
You can’t refuse to allow strangers in the house, shut down the daughter, AND force cream onto a woman’s intimate areas. Pick any two of the three at most, and ideally, zero of those three.
Anon
Alzheimer’s patients frequently fight back against caregivers and have to be overpowered, because they don’t have the mental capacity to understand what’s happening and why it needs to happen. It’s not remotely analogous to someone recovering from surgery who is physically disabled but of sound mind. Do you have experience caring for someone with dementia? Because I do, and holding them down to spread Desitin on their private parts is a necessary thing that’s not abuse or assault. And it’s naive to think it would be less traumatic for the patient if a stranger is the one doing it.
Trish
OP clearly prefers that her mother be cared for by a TRAINED certified nursing assistant. Her father is the one who thinks that is not necessary.
NYCer
+1. My husband is dealing with this right now with his father who has Parkinson’s. It is horrible. But there is no avoiding it at this stage.
Anonymous
Right. Bedsores also aren’t dignified. I did this work for my mom. She hated it. I hated it. It’s a lingering trauma. But leaving her to lie in filth wasn’t an option and her preference was to be at home and we couldn’t find a round the clock aide quickly enough.
Anon
This. It seems like the commenters being called rude are the ones who’ve actually lived this with a parent or grandparent and are speaking from experience, but others don’t want to hear it. It is absolutely horrible for the caregiver and patient. But it is also necessary.
Anonymous
This. If you haven’t been a caregiver for somebody who is combative with memory issues and needs basic care that they are resisting, I don’t really want to hear your opinion. This is a good time to listen to what other people are telling you.
anon
I am really sorry. This is hard, hard work.
Anon
Try being the person in bed and see if you’re OK with it. Don’t be rude and condescending.
It’s the approach not the tasks.
Anon
Me in bed has always been sentient. I won’t be able to tell you what it’s like when I’m not. This is sad all around. Once a patient becomes combative, you could try a reset in maybe 5 minutes, but that often all you can do (and hope for a better outcome). But at some point, you can’t let them get ulcers — they could get significantly worse off (and their dignity will suffer more if/when that happens).
Anon
This. Dementia patients punch their caregivers all the time. It’s not an indicator of the caregiver doing anything wrong. It is very sad, but your family is doing their best and lashing out at them is not productive.
PSA for Wives and Mothers of Boys: Make Your Wishes Known!
Yes, I think she would be happier with a pair of female caregivers that were (1) trained to perform this work more efficiently, and (2) willing to drape her and take other small measures to make her feel a bit more respected. Vs stripping her down first and then taking 20 minutes to organize things and argue over who does what while she lays completely exposed.
Anon
Genuine question: is there actually any legally enforceable statement you can put into writing that would avoid this? Clearly your brothers aren’t ideal caregivers, but is there any way you can actually insist on hiring caregivers, short of taking abuse allegations to law enforcement? As someone says above, even lots of nursing home employees are men because they have the strength to handle people with dementia. I’m sure they’d handle it more professionally, but lots of people also dread being put into a nursing home, and home caregivers are also very expensive. It’s very sad, but it sounds like you’re trying to blame your mom for a situation that would be hard no matter what. It sounds like you have a lot of family issues to work out here, so please take care of yourself and do what you need to do to bring you and your mom some peace. I don’t say this to be condescending- it really sounds like you’re in a bad place and I genuinely hope you can work something out. It just rarely helps to blame the victim. In the end, we all lose control and all the preparations you can think of aren’t enough.
Anon
No (write all you want but it isn’t legally enforceable). And I don’t want all the caregiving to be the work of daughters by default (or you have don’t itnso much you should do it because you’re the one who is good at it. It is a learnable skill.).
Anon
No, I don’t think there’s any legally enforceable way of mandating female caregivers or the need a home health aide vs a nursing home or anything like that. In fact, most patients with advanced dementia aren’t even legally their own people anymore – their next of kin has power of attorney and can make all their decisions for them. Short of a decision that is clearly negligent or abusive, there is nothing another caregiver who is unhappy about the decision can do. The only thing that could have changed anything in this situation would have been if OP’s mom had designated her daughter as her healthcare proxy and power of attorney – then the daughter would probably have legal power to overrule her father and brothers when it comes to mom’s care. But I think it’s sexist to suggest that a daughter is automatically better suited to this role than a husband or son. It’s highly dependent on the personalities of the people involved.
Anonymous
No. In fact, if they weren’t providing the medically-necessary care they seem to be providing, they could be hauled up in front of Adult Protective Services for abusing the person in their care. There are no winners in this situation.
Anon
Dignity is in the way you care for sdignity is all in how you care for someone.
Helping them instead of treating them like they are an oil change is 100% of the difference.
Anon
For those above, I said people were being rude and I’m actively a caregiver for someone with Alz. For a decade.
This OP is sharing to plan ahead and share those plans. Also that it can be traumatic when caregivers are not thoughtful.
All patients are different, in every disease.
Not all ALZ patients are combative and thoughtfulness and planning and communication goes a long way toward their comfort.
Wishing other caregivers kindness..
Anon
Speaking of COVID vaccines, has anyone seen the new boosters in the wild? I could get a booster now (and have a kid who turned 12 who is now eligible for one as well), but wanted to wait to get the new one. Maybe it will be in my city some time next month? I’m not in a huge rush but wanted to have it in my system before the world moves inside for the fall and winter.
Anon
It’s not a question of where you live. It was just approved by the FDA today. It should be distributed in the next week or two.
Anon
Supposedly they should be available after Labor Day, but not sure how easy it will be to get them in the first weeks.
Anon
After Labor Day, is what I’ve heard. It should be available everywhere around the same time. There is an additional approval step that needs to happen before anyone gets them.
Anonymous
It’ll be in the wild next week. FDA approved it today. CDC does meetings over the next 2 days so expect it to start arriving Labor Day weekend or just after.
Anonymous
No. They’re not available yet. Chill
Anon
She said she’s not in a huge rush, so I’m not sure why she needs to chill. The process to get a vaccine approved isn’t necessarily something that everyone is well versed in, and the headlines have all been touting that it’s approved now. This was a perfectly reasonable question that a lot of people are wondering right now.
anon
I feel like I have plenty work wear, but I need to do a better job of mixing and matching things. Are there any good resources for getting better at doing this? Like a formula of some kind? While I try to buy a few new pieces every spring and fall, I really don’t need a ton of new clothes. I just want to be better at using what I have. Last year I bought a capsule wardrobe guide from a random blogger and it was fine for a $20 investment? But the plan recommended a bunch of pieces that I will never, ever wear (e.g., skirts, white button down shirts, stiff blazers, heels).
AZCPA
My best friend felt like this, so we spent some time analyzing her wardrobe and it’s gotten a lot better. She settled on two key rules for buying clothes, and everything else sort of fell into place.
1. Only buy things you love – I know this seems obvious, but it’s so easy to settle! And this is the place to start with your current wardrobe – make sure everything fits well and is in line with your taste. This also encourages a mix of truly excellent basics (it’s a high bar to love a gray tshirt) and more unique items.
2. Only buy things that go with multiple other items you own. consider both colors and styles. Typically, a new top should go with 3-4 bottoms that are in regular rotation. Fewer than that, and it won’t get worn enough. New bottoms should go with 1/3-1/2 your tops, and shoes with every bottom of a similar type (so if you wear heels, new ones should coordinate with all pants hemmed to heel length, or casual shoes with all casual shorts/pants). Not every combo will be ideal, but all of them should be at least a 7/10. This weeds out the cute but ill conceived purchases, like a pair of paperbag waist pants that require tucking in a shirt, when every shirt you own is for wearing untucked.
The Lone Ranger
Spend a few hours trying things together and take pictures to remind yourself of the outfits that work. That will also help generate a list of a few items you may need to buy.
Anon
So, I took the time to load my clothes into one of those apps that randomizes your wardrobe and I save the ones I like. And – when I wear an outfit that I feel amazing in, I take a photo and save it to an album on my phone. I have put together many outfits from my wardrobe this way that I would not have otherwise thought of.
Anon
And to add – I don’t take photos of all my stuff. For the basics, I just take a screenshot off the internet or the store from which I bought the item.
Anon
Which app did you use?
Anon
The one I like is called Stylebook, but I’ve had it for a few years. There may be something better now.
Anon
I have basically an outfit formula – pants, top, topper – and I make myself look for at least one of those three items I haven’t worn in a while and create an outfit around it. So today I’m wearing a topper (unlined linen jacket) I haven’t worn for quite a while. I picked a top I’ve worn fairly recently and my very typical pants to go with it, but it’s an outfit I haven’t worn before because the topper is different. I also wore a pair of shoes I haven’t worn in a while. It really is just a mindset. Don’t let yourself wear the same exact outfit you wore last time you wore something – say, the top you’re wearing today – make yourself mix it up differently.
New Size Mama
How does JCrew Factory pants sizing go these days? I am in a larger size than I ever have been after having my second baby this past spring. I wear a 16 in other brands like Old Navy and Universal Thread (Target). Should I expect to wear the same size at JCrew Factory or do they run smaller? I used to be a pear, but after my second baby I now have a very large midsection if that matters. I am eyeing the Elastic Back Holland Pants.
I hesitate to buy based on my measurements. I tried that from Old Navy and I had to return everything I bought because it was too large.
Vicky Austin
I usually buy one size above where my measurements put me for J. Crew Factory and this was successful for the Holland pair I bought earlier in the summer.
Not the same for the Ruby pants, beware! Had to size up yet again for those.
Anon
I’m an 18 at Old Navy and just bought pants in 18 from JCF and they fit great.
AnonMom
I’m a 14 at Old Navy and 14 at JCF, at least as far as pants go. Dresses I lately need to size down per reviews at JCF.
Anon
I just bought size 10 J Crew based on measurements and they fit great.
Anon
Has anyone been on Lo Loestrin FE? My OB switched me to it after being on the regular pill for a while due to irregular bleeding. The switch is b/c I’m about the age to be in menopause and this is a step down in dosage. That there are only 2 blank pills is throwing me — will I get a period? A tiny one? I’m used to 7 blanks (and taking continuously). Anything to watch out for? My OB is at least a decade younger than me and all of the older OBs at the practice have retired or are men, so no one to really ask (and my family tends towards giant fibroids –> hysterectomy, so no women still alive have gone through menopause except surgically and suddenly).
Anon
I don’t know about the effects of your age, but my teen daughter started taking Lo Loestrin four years ago and hasn’t had a period since (and is very happy about that).
Sasha
I was on Lolo for years before switching to an IUD and my period was very very light and I had no noticeable side effects.
Podcast recommendations
Looking for podcasts to throw on for slow wfh days or when working on hobbies. NOT at all interested in: true crime, podcasts focused soley on news/politics/finance, hosts that laugh toooo much (fun but not overly giggly). Prefer pop culture, deep dives into niche topics, tv shows recaps and fandoms, and longer episodes.
Examples of podcasts currently I like:
Be There In Five (pop culture, long form and deep dives)
The Maritime History Podcast (niche)
The History of Byzantium (niche focus, long form)
Sounds like a cult (niche interests, pop culture)
The Curious Competitor (niche)
Basically what are your beach read or special interest equivalent podcasts?
ALT
Going to recommend Not Just The Tudors by Susannah Lipscomb again! Goes into a lot of things in that era of history, not just royalty.
Also recommending Betwixt The Sheets with Kate Lister again. Super fascinating and not just risqué topics—there is an episode on shoes for example.
Anon
I am still going down The Tudors rabbit hole. And finding out that Catherine Howard and her aunt, the Dowager Duchess, were really maligned by some Victorian-era writers and that she was quite well-educated and well thought-of (like right until the end). I had bought into that and you can’t always go with what you read even in a legit book (vs just watching The Tudors, which was awesome as TV). Tudor YouTube is awesome.
Anon
Pop Culture Happy Hour, Fresh Air, The Rewatchables (kinda bro-y, but also generally entertaining- I just skip the movies I have no interest in), Slate Culture Gabfest, Unspooled.
JTM
The Read
Its Been A Minute
Into It (Sam Sanders used to host Its Been a Minute and now he hosts this one)
Not Past It
Stuff You Missed In History Class
Vicky Austin
Would audiobooks scratch this itch for you at all, especially long form/deep dive?
Podcast recommendations
It’s strange but audio books don’t for some reason! I think the itch I’m trying to scratch is that listening to a friend talk about something they’re excited about, or being a third wheel to some one else’s conversation. (Im also overly picky with audio book narrators so don’t listen to them often)
Vicky Austin
Totally fair!
Jules
Try “Ologies with Alie Ward.” She takes a deep dive into a different field of study in each episode – the one on urban rats was surprisingly fascinating – with experts who are engaging, and she gets really into the topics.
Anonymous
Who Weekly (pop culture gossip about D List (and below) celebs; so, so funny)
You’re Wrong About (episode by episode deep dives into various topics that were big forces in pop culture and revisiting them with a modern lens; some are true crime but you can skip those – samples of ones I enjoyed are on Go Ask Alice, McDonald’s Hot Coffee, the Tom/Cruise Katie Holmes couch jumping situation, a long series on Princess Diana, the Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake wardrobe malfunction)
Reply All (my favorite podcast episode of ALL TIME is the Case of the Missing Hit. It’s truly a beautiful example of podcasting)
Maintenance Phase (similar to You’re Wrong About but focused on the health and wellness topics only)
Double Love (revisiting the Sweet Valley High books, if that’s pop culture you are interested in)
PopCast (NYT music critic who talks about various pop music related topics each week; the one on the UMG vault fire that burned thousands of masters is great)
The Dream (first season about MLMs)
Anon8
Agreed The Case of the Missing Hit is the BEST podcast episode
Senior Attorney
Yes I loved it!!
anon
I love Maintenance Phase! Really helps counter a lot of unhelpful messages about bodies and health I got as a kid in the 90s.
For super light listening, I like Even the Rich (especially earlier seasons) and Were You Raised By Wolves?
Anon
Who? Weekly!
Anon
The History of Rome
Revolutions
In Our Time
The British History Podcast (very, very deep dive and cannot recommend after the death of Edward the Confessor)
Anonymous
TV show recaps-
The Michael Scott Podcast Company
Office Ladies
Parks and Recollection
Deep Dives-
Gangster Capitalism
Even the Rich (I really liked the Paris Hilton series)
The Dream
In God we Lust (about Jerry Fallwelll)
I also am fascinated by the cult of Christian fundamentalism, and really like the podcast Leaving Eden
Finally, I enjoy Seth Myers a lot, and enjoy his “podcast” which is just an audio recording of the segment of his show “A Closer Look.” This is a fun, short listen after I drop my son off at daycare and drive the rest of the way into work.
,
Anon
The Old Millennials podcast does “deep dives into shallow topics” from the late 90s and early 00s.
Vicky Austin
“Deep dives into shallow topics” is such a wonderful premise.
Anonymous
Not sure if this is too light for you, but I love Heather McDonald’s Juicy Scoop. It’s usually takes on light celebrity news or weird news and then interviews with people I wouldn’t normally follow (one of the people suing
Erika Jayne, Holly and Bridget from the Girls Next Door, another stand-up comic, etc.) . I feel like I’m listening to a funny friend with similar takes on life. She posts Tuesdays and Thursdays consistently, which I also like. I actually catch it on YouTube when I go bed because it’s such a nice light breezy way to wind down.
Anon
Stuff You Should Know! It is awesome and they go down the rabbit hole on a lot of topics.
Senior Attorney
Dead Eyes is my super favorite. It’s about 30 episodes (almost all of which are fantastic) and when the payoff comes it’s just so, so satisfying.
pugsnbourbon
Just looked it up and it sounds amazing.
Senior Attorney
The best.
eertmeert
Watch What Crappens, if you like Real Houswives, Below Deck, Married to Medicine, Southern Charm etc for recaps. I loved Ronnie Karam when he recapped The Bachelor, but he moved to full time Watch What Crappens and I don’t really watch these shows but love the recaps.
Anan
I just started listening to Beyond the Odds and find it fascinating. Each season looks at one perilous event in history. The first season was the Thai Cave Rescue of the soccer team.
Also Gates Investigates- featuring Gates McFadden talking to former Star Trek:TNG cast members- though there haven’t been new episodes in a while.
Book Friends Forever- two childhood friends, one an author and one a book publisher, talk about childrens books and diversity.
Anon
I am deep in the trenches of a depressive episode. I’ve dealt with depression for years, but I’ve had highs and lows, and the last few months has been a low. The last few weeks in particular have been very bad…I use sleep/hiding in bed as an escape mechanism and have been spending more time in bed than not. I’m slacking at work (working from home) in order to hide in bed and just feel like this won’t end. I start going into the office in two weeks (at a job I recently started, in a new city that I just moved to) and I don’t see how I’m going to have the energy to do that when it is taking all day for me to muster up the energy to shower. I’ll have a new walking/metro commute. I haven’t worked in person since March 2020. Life feels so different from then (not to mention the 30 lbs I’ve gained in that time). On the other hand, I know holing up in my apartment isn’t helping my depression.
I start a new medicine combo tomorrow, but don’t currently have a therapist (looking for a new one) so venting here. I’m scared and I feel alone. Thanks for listening.
Anon
Hi.
I’m sorry and this is tough. You have a lot going on that’s new.
What has helped you be successful with change in the past?
Mouse
Listening. Glad you’re taking steps to take care of yourself and finding folks to help. That’s huge!
Anon
Can I make a suggestion? I dealt with depression off and on for my whole life until I was diagnosed with Bipolar II and got the appropriate medication. Mood stabilizers changed my life. In BPD II there aren’t full-blown manic episodes, instead they are hypomanic – I was hyper focused at work, outgoing, big ideas, etc. but nothing like spending sprees or risky behavior – with stronger depressive episodes. It is worth asking your therapist and psychiatrist about. For reference, the red flag for my provider at the time was that I had been struggling with depressive episodes since grade school, and such an early onset was unusual. Good luck getting through this!
Clara
I’m so sorry. I’m the poster from this morning about sleeping enough making my Wellbutrin work. I completely get how daunting going into work will be.
Can you call a friend and family member, and have them walk you through the steps?
Literally – what time to wake up, what to wear, what to eat for breakfast, what time to leave by, what you’ll do for lunch. It helps me at least to have some decisions made so I don’t have to spend limited brainpower on it. There is also a chance (this varies a lot from person to person) that having a schedule and really having to be somewhere by a certain time will help.
I do get to my office at 9:25 for a 9:30 meeting, but at least I’m awake and dressed and there.
Also, are you in a position to throw money at some of this? Send laundry out, order groceries to be delivered, buy lunch out at work, etc
Anon
Second everything here. In really, really bad situations it might not be enough, but I can get through a lot by having routines. I exercise, shower, and eat breakfast every morning on schedule, no matter what. As soon as I have to think about whether or when I’m going to do those things, it becomes incredibly hard to make myself do them. I might even end up back in bed afterward. But the more I can stick to routines, the better I do. I also find that exercise, sleep, hygiene, and diet help a lot with my mood, so it makes sense that prioritizing those makes a difference.
Anon
Honest question – how do you get out of bed in the morning with depression?
Anon
If you truly can’t get out of bed at all, then we’re talking about severe enough depression that you need serious medical care, not just posts on here. But even when I can’t do much of anything else effectively, I can still can prioritize getting myself out of bed to eat and shower and I feel a lot better for it… and once I feel a bit better, it’s easier to not to keep spiraling. If I don’t do those things, I go downhill fast. Maybe this is because I’m such a morning person, but waking up is relatively easy for me, it’s staying out of bed for the rest of the day that’s harder.
Clara
I usually at least get up to brush my teeth
Honestly even moving from the bed to the couch is an accomplishment sometimes.
This is where the list comes in handy – get up to brush your teeth and then you know what the next steps are
Have breakfast items or tea/coffee that you like at home. Something to entice you out.
Curious
For a while my therapist and I would chant at each other “get into that fluffy robe!” We had figured out my robe was one nice thing I liked and could get out of bed for. So we focused on that.
Vicky Austin
You’re doing all the things you need to do, and I bet by the time you start your new jobs your new med combo will have had time to kick in. Just survive until you’ve been on your new meds for a few days, and then see how you feel. And keep us posted.
Nonny
Love and hugs, so sorry you are going through this. Brisk walking will likely help some if you do it 3-4x a week.