I've developed a terrible habit of getting lost in potential criticism before I complete a task. I didn't think it was enough to paralyze me, but I have wondered lately if it's something that's stopped me in the past from attempting something.

"If you write that story, someone will accuse you of doing it all wrong."

That's a thought I realized has gone through my mind more and more, as of late. I'm afraid to pitch stories because I don't think I have something worth saying. I'm even more afraid, if I do write and publish it, it will be so poorly-received from all sides that I should rethink why I'm even in this business in the first place.

In 2017, all I could think about was how burnt out I felt by the news cycle and the endless feed of news that crossed my eyes every day. It's one of the downsides, I suppose, of staring at a computer all day – but even though I've been in this business for 6 years, for some reason, last year just hit me hard.

Last week, I got dinner with a friend, who's in the same industry, and she told me she had deleted social media apps off her phone. She realized her justifications in the past of "needing" to be connected for her job didn't hold up the more she felt herself getting drowned in the news she had spent all day consuming already. As I was listening to her talk about it, I realized I wanted so badly to do the same – except I'm afraid I don't have the same self-control.

I have a hard time rooting for leading characters on TV – not because I have a natural disdain for those billed as "stars," but because I find myself drawn more often than not to the people deemed "sidekicks." Perhaps it's that label – "sidekick" – that's always spoken to me because it's how people of color are often seen when it comes to the big and small screen, and my brain always pushes me to see those characters the clearest: the comic relief, the best friend, the work confidante... those aren't just "supporting" characters; they're real people too, and their stories are often the ones I crave to see more of: Christina Yang, Pacey Witter, Shawn Hunter, Lane Kim, Randall Pearson (arguably, Randall is the true heart of This Is Us, but you know the series began with Jack and Rebecca in mind as the anchors).

But in Midge Maisel, Amy Sherman-Palladino has created a radiant lead character – a woman who's smart, sharp, funny...and deeply flawed. She's a character you want to root for despite the moments that'll make you want to shout at her because her missteps are never at the expense of others. Her outbursts, her stumbles, her mistake in paying the "Stage Deli bottom-feeder" for material were always in pursuit of something bigger than her dream of being on stage: it was in pursuit of paving a path for herself that had nothing to do with being the "perfect" wife, a "good daughter," or a stay-at-home mom.

And while Midge is all of those things, and she admits she enjoys it and does miss being married, she eventually pursues her passions because she believes she can "have it all" without compromising who she is. She doesn't need to be the kind of person who paints a false exterior in order to maintain the image society has come to expect of her – not about her divorce, not about her comedy. For Midge, she earnestly believes she belongs on the stage just as she is.

In The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, we're transported to a period of time that feels familiar in 2018: being a woman and a stand-up comic was an over-the-top ambition back then, and no one can understand why Midge and her pretty features wouldn't want to do something on stage like sing. "Women aren't funny" is the primary obstacle facing Midge (and, in many ways, it feels like we haven't progressed beyond that thought as a society) and watching her push back is just so satisfying.

Also satisfying: Alex Borstein's Susie Myerson, a character that doesn't need to be likable for you to root for Midge, yet there she is: crass, straightforward, brilliant. This is a friendship you want to support and encourage – two people who've never quite fit the mold of what was expected of them – and thank god it wasn't created the way female friendships are often forged on TV (because of, and usually in spite of, a boy).


If you're familiar with Amy Sherman-Palladino's work, then it's no surprise her characters all speak with speed and the same sharp wit that sometimes makes you wonder if you and your friends are speaking a different language entirely. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is no exception, but something about this series as opposed to Gilmore Girls feels more deliberate, like she's taking her time for viewers to understand this world. It helps, I think, that the setting is void of cell phones and computers and cable TV, so there's need to worry about how technology could've solved the issues and misunderstandings the characters face.

If this wasn't enough to convince you to watch it (if you haven't yet), then come talk to me: there's another season coming (and let's hope for more), so anything can happen as Midge explores her many identities and dreams – and you'll want to be right there with her as she does it.

There were two reactions we got when we started telling people we would be starting a Dawson's Creek podcast: 1) "Why??" and 2) "omg I loved that show."

It's honestly not an obvious choice – there was nothing particularly newsworthy happening to warrant an entire re-watch podcast dedicated to the show. But I had been talking one day with someone about how unsatisfying many series finales are (most likely it came in light of the Switched at Birth finale), and the question of "What's the best series finale you've seen?" came up. After thinking about it for a bit, the answer was a no-brainer: it's Dawson's Creek.

(Before I continue: this post is spoiler-free, in case you haven't yet watched the series or you're Charles and are just about to start season 3.)

1. Stunna Lip Paint in Uncensored by Fenty Beauty

It's been marketed as the perfect red for all skin tones, and speaking as someone who's had trouble finding the "perfect red," I can vouch for this lip paint. It isn't too bright of a red, nor does it come out too orange-y, like a lot of reds do on me. I've also heard from some people who find the applicator weird, but I actually like it a lot. The long handle gives a lot of control (it reminds me of those Louboutin nail polishes) and you get a lot of product on one dip (although that might have something to do with the formula itself).

The problem I have with this, though, is that it's kind of a mess. It gets on anything you're eating or drinking, and yet the color stays on my lips – which also makes it hard to take off.