distanced.: Life during the age of the Coronavirus.

Miami, FL: What Is Going on with the Stock Market?

Rohan Rangaraj is a Miami-based investment professional. Rohan started his career at Cascade Investments LLC, which is an investment holding company controlled by Bill Gates and managed by various investment professionals. He also started his own hedge fund. I ask Rohan - what the hell is going on with the stock market? Rohan is currently based in Miami, where he sets the scene of how things are in the Brickell neighborhood of the city. We talk about the notorious videos circulated during Spring Break in Florida, and what the mentality of people is right now in the Miami area. Rohan provides some of his own personal views of when he thinks things will end, and potentially get (somewhat) back to normal. We spend most of the episode talking about what is going on with the economy and the stock market. Are you curious what negative interest rates are and how they arise? We talk about that, the misnomer of stimulus and what the government is doing right now to preserve the economy. You will walk away way smarter from this episode. Enjoy!  *Nothing in this episode should be construed as financial advice of any sort. Invest in the stock market, or anywhere else for that matter, at your own risk.

Oakland, CA: What Will Become of the Media? (Guest: Molly Wood)

Molly Wood is an Oakland, CA-based journalist. She is a pioneer in both public radio and the podcasting industry. I ask Molly candidly - what is going on with media right now, and what will the future hold?  Molly talks about her current situation in Oakland, where she has been largely WFH for the past several years anyway. But has quarantine driven her further into isolation? We ask about that a bit. Molly talks about the small ways in which she supports the local economy even during the current period.  I ask Molly - based on the people she interviews on a daily basis as part of her job - what she is seeing and hearing in terms of a potential 'return to normal' whatever that may look like. Molly shares her opinion on who some of the top experts are that all of us should be following.  I ask  Molly about Elon Musk's recent tweets related to opening up immediately. She provides her take, and also what she is hearing from friends. All in all you don't want to miss this colorful episode of distanced.

New York, NY: What Will Normal Even Look Like? (Guest: Marisa Miller Wolfson)

Marisa Miller Wolfson is a New York-based filmmaker, author and mom. She produced the hit Netflix documentary, Vegucated which nearly convinced the host of this podcast to turn vegan years ago. As a storyteller, Marissa has a unique perspective on how the pandemic is unfolding in New York.  Marisa sets the stage by offering a picture of what New York in April of 2020 currently looks like after the pandemic. Empty streets, empty shops, empty roads and the sound of sirens late at night. Marisa talks about how she and her family reacted to COVID and what measures they are taking to be safer during this time.  We talk about what a return to normalcy would even look like for the city that never sleeps. Will businesses survive? Will it ever be as vibrant? We explore that, and much more. Including the stark realization that some restaurants are just 'disappearing' online.  We discuss veganism during the time of the pandemic - Marisa is one of the foremost vegans on the planet. We talk about climate change, and other second order affects of coronavirus that may end up being positive. We talk about being in a relative position of privilege during the crisis and how that shapes our view of things.  You'll enjoy this episode with the very charismatic Marisa Miller Wolfson.

San Diego, CA: Managing Life Under Quarantine is Hard Enough, But with Four Kids? (Guest: Kate Rossettie)

Most of us are having a hard enough time handling life without some basic comforts and amenities. But can you imagine shelter in place with 4 kids? Kate Rossettie and her husband are managing with two jobs and four kids.  I talk to Kate about life in San Diego  at the moment. Are Californians really flooding beaches and state parks in defiance of shelter in place orders? How is the San Diego community managing with COVID life and does being in a sunny place help at all? We learn about how San Diego has reacted to the virus and how life has changed in her community.  Kate and her husband are two working professionals and have 4 boys. We learn about the unique challenges that presents to day-to-day life - especially given her boys are of varying ages. How effective is distance learning and is it realistic to have high expectations at the moment?  We learn about Kate and her family routine of cleaning, sanitizing and generally attempting to stay safe during this period. If you think you have it hard, listen to this episode and you might gain an appreciation for just how hard it can be to manage your time during the pandemic.

Boston, MA: What do the Most Severe COVID Patients Experience? (Guest, Alex Sheng, MD)

Alex Sheng is an ER Doc at Boston Medical Center, the busiest ER in New England, and the 8th busiest ER in the country. Alex is really, truly at the frontlines of the COVID crisis - I asked Alex about what he's seeing with patients, and what he's experiencing in Boston.  Alex and his wife both work in healthcare - his wife is at a hospice care center. We talk about the extensive precautions they take to do their every day jobs, and the support they provide each other to sustain.  Alex and I talk about the Coronavirus, and what COVID does in the most severe circumstances. We talk about what it actually means to be intubated and the dramatic steps doctors take in the most drastic circumstances. I ask Alex about Boston, and how the city is responding to the crisis. What are residents doing to flatten the curve? I ask Alex when he thinks we will realistically be able to attend a game at Fenway Park again. Please don't miss this episode of distanced - featuring one of our frontline heroes.