PicoBlog

On November 11, 2023, my friend, colleague, and hero Ayaan Hirsi Ali released a statement explaining "Why I am Now a Christian". I have known Ayaan for many years. She has been a guest on my podcast, and I on her podcast. We have appeared together at conferences. I have read all of her books and support her heroic work defending women’s rights, civil rights, free speech, and freedom of religious expression, along with her brave stand against intolerance, bigotry, and hate, religious or otherwise.

Autism Speaks has a long history of characterizing autism as a hideous, terrifying monster which parents should avoid at all costs—including their child’s mental health. If a child is diagnosed Autistic, Autism Speaks doesn’t focus on providing affirming support, highlighting and enhancing the strengths of the child. Instead, they (and other similarly-minded organizations) take a deficits-focused approach, looking at everything perceived “wrong” with the child. That judgement is based on neurotypical (NT) standards and perceptions because Autism Speaks does not listen to Autistic adults, let alone Autistic children.

To capitalize “black” or not to capitalize “black”? Here at the newsletter, we have obviously made the decision not to do so. But it took a lot of deliberation and searching to come to that decision. Why should that be the case? Why did the team and I feel compelled to have more than one discussion about it, and why are there endless discussions about it seemingly everywhere you look?

One of my favorite streaming series right now is “Seaside Hotel.” (Danish with English subtitles; in Danish, it’s “Badehotellet.”) It runs eight seasons, with 6 episodes each. I’ve been gorging on it because it’s charming, funny, and poignant. The characters –hotel guests and staff at a small seaside hotel in northern Denmark, who return each summer – are wonderfully acted, in one of the best ensembles I’ve ever seen. (The French series “Call My Agent” is a close second.

            This is the midweek what-to-watch edition of Snarky Senior — the newsletter from Erica Manfred, which you can read about here. If you like it and don’t want to miss an issue, you can get it in your inbox by subscribing. There are so few fat actresses that when one of them goes on a diet and leaves the fold I feel betrayed—like I’ve been abandoned by a friend.

Hey AZ... I've truly & thoroughly enjoy you're newer project, 'Andrew Zimmern Wild Outdoor Kitchen'... I've watched every episode & have saved all the recipes... I live in Brewtown, Wisconsin, and my best friend's Dad, was executive officer's chef in the military & an expert marksman. They had 180-acres of hunting grounds, w/ 5 lakes & a nice cabin in Spooner Wisconsin. I spent all my whole summers there. He engraved the value of nature, preserving it & living-off it as well.

Less than a month to go before Gohan: Everyday Japanese Cooking is out in the world (well at least the northern hemisphere! 12 September in the US and 14 September in the EU/UK!), and I cannot wait to share it all with you so I have a little taste of it here for you along with some outtakes from the book. There is so much I want to share about what I think makes Japanese home cooking so special — that it’s so fast and easy (this is really the food I turn to when I am tired and need something on the table asap!

[This piece was first published here, and is republished with permission.] I am an antizionist, anti-imperialist American Jew who believes fully in the value of human life. I cannot stand quietly by while genocide is committed in my name and with my tax dollars. What happened in Israel was a horrific act of violence. Responding to it with more state-imposed violence does nothing to bring back the dead or free the hostages.

This is part of a weekly music newsletter I’m launching to shout-out new releases, spotlight artists, and share playlists. It will come out every Wednesday A warning before reading: Bleachers is my favorite band. I discovered the Jack Antonoff-fronted band late into my sophomore year of high school and immediately fell in love with their Bruce Springsteen-inspired sound, like something from an 80s film. The lyrics are sad, but the music gives you no choice but to get up and dance away the pain.