Is This A Thing?

Episode 20: HANDWRITTEN NOTES... Is This a Thing?

Dear Listeners, I write to you from my home office (which is...my only office) here in Maine. It's mid-morning on a Monday; a candle is burning; the remnants of yesterday's weird slush storm are dripping down the side of the house; and I already have my desk light on because the day is gloomy.  But despite the gray, today is exciting. It's release day for episode 20 of Is This a Thing?, the last episode of Season 1. I wish I were writing this letter to you by hand. (Well, I guess I am technically using my hands to type this, but...you get what I'm saying.) I wish my hand were curled around my favorite pen, and the nib was digging into the paper, and that in a few days, you were pulling this letter out of a wax-sealed envelope. But alas, here I am, clickity clacking away. And that's probably for the best, because it would be hard to add a "Listen Now" button to a paper letter. In today's episode, we talk about HANDWRITTEN NOTES. Are they still a thing? Do people still write and send notes, or are they becoming a thing of the past?  We hope you enjoy today's episode. And if you really want to write us a letter...we wouldn't say no. We'll see you soon for Season 2. Keep your eyes on your (virtual) mailbox! All my love,  Abby (and Alli, too, of course) P.S. As per usual, here are links to everything we mentioned in the episode: * Checkered Fish Ceramics [https://www.instagram.com/checkered.fish.ceramics/] * Blackwell's [https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/home] * In Her Defense [https://bookshop.org/a/111242/9781668033623] by Phillipa Malicka * The Seven Miracles of Beatrix Holland [https://bookshop.org/a/111242/9781538767320] by Rachael Herron The usual links: * ITAT on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/isthisathing_pod] * Alli on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/allihoffkosik] * Abby on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/shmab] * ITAT on Substack [https://isthisathingpodcast.substack.com/] * Order Alli’s book! [https://allihoffkosik.com/too-blessed-to-stress] SUBSCRIBE ON SUBSTACK [https://isthisathingpodcast.substack.com/] FOR ACCESS TO FULL EPISODES, INCLUDING THIS ONE! WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT :) ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 19: PARKING ANXIETY... Is This a Thing?

Get in losers, we're going shopping. Beep beep! Or actually, maybe we're not. Because Alli is driving (which she likes) but the parking situation is uncertain, and that makes her nervous, and so...maybe we'll just stay at home and shop from our laptops instead? In case it's not obvious, today we're talking about PARKING ANXIETY.    We also chat about: * Lingering coughs, and how coughing is annoying  * The tempting tendency to pathologize people * Alli's fascinating and fervent disdain of Rob from Traitors * Why this season of Traitors doesn't feel as good as last season * ...and more!  The usual links: * ITAT on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/isthisathing_pod] * Alli on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/allihoffkosik] * Abby on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/shmab] * ITAT on Substack [https://isthisathingpodcast.substack.com/] * Pre-order Alli’s book! [https://allihoffkosik.com/too-blessed-to-stress] SUBSCRIBE ON SUBSTACK [https://isthisathingpodcast.substack.com/] FOR ACCESS TO FULL EPISODES, INCLUDING THIS ONE! WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT :) ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 18: THE PITT AS A COMFORT SHOW...Is This a Thing??

Last week we talked about “hate listening” to podcasts. This week, we’re talking about media consumption again—but this time, we’re talking about comfort TV. But there’s one more twist: Abby wants to know if high-stress shows like The Pitt and ER can be comfort shows (because they definitely are for her).  We also chat about: * Going on a cross-country road trip and the roles each of us would play * How it feels for Alli to hold THE FIRST COPIES of her debut novel! * The current and future state of hardcover books * ...and more! And, of course, here are links to things we mentioned in the episode: * LITTLE ONE [https://bookshop.org/a/111242/9780316594561] by Olivia Muenter * The Pitt [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31938062/] * HEART THE LOVER [https://bookshop.org/a/111242/9780802165176] by Lily King * GLOSSY [https://bookshop.org/a/111242/9781982190613] by Marisa Seltzer The usual links: * ITAT on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/isthisathing_pod] * Alli on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/allihoffkosik] * Abby on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/shmab] * ITAT on Substack [https://isthisathingpodcast.substack.com/] * Pre-order Alli’s book! [https://allihoffkosik.com/too-blessed-to-stress] Advocacy corner:  The state of the country (and world) is weighing heavily on us right now. As such, we wanted to provide some suggestions of how to stay involved. Every little thing counts. * Call your representatives using 5 Calls [https://5calls.org/] (there’s also a great mobile app) * Donate to mutual aid orgs. Here are some suggestions: * Food For All [https://foodforallservices.org/about] * Immigrant Defense Network [https://immigrantdefensenetwork.org/] * List of mutual aid orgs in Minnesota [https://www.standwithminnesota.com/] * Project Relief Maine [https://donorbox.org/ucommunity-support-for-project-relief?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleAPVWsVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAae-Jpc6kFF7NjaqHlVaZXNM06LDsSduYo7C7nnY4wBM-rleE1gsQit-OMfetA_aem_xb7Z0xr_dH88cz5gKt_X5g] * Stay in the know by following these creators: * Emily Amick of Emily In Your Phone [https://www.instagram.com/emilyinyourphone/] * Aaron Parnas [https://www.instagram.com/aaronparnas/] SUBSCRIBE ON SUBSTACK [https://isthisathingpodcast.substack.com/] FOR ACCESS TO FULL EPISODES, INCLUDING THIS ONE! WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT :) ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 17: "Hate listening" to podcasts... IS THIS A THING?

Raise your hand if you've ever opened up your Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, or [Insert your social media platform of choice] and navigated toward the profile of someone you, well, really don't like. We won't say you hate that person, per se, but you definitely don't like them, and you may not even know them. Yet you often find yourself scrolling through their page to see what they're up to. (By the way, if you're not raising your hand, I don't believe you!! – Love, Abby). Many in the world refer to this as "hate following." In this episode, we discuss something in a very similar vein: "Hate listening" to podcasts, something Alli does on pretty much a daily basis. We also chat about:  * Our ideal morning routines (and how soggy socks can interfere) * Hiring a personal driver for two-year-old Will (note: this is a joke) * Throw pillows and commitment issues * Cookie Fridays * ...and more!  And, of course, here are links to everything we mentioned in the episode: * Busy Phillips on Pod Meets World [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-pod-meets-world-98589488/episode/busy-philipps-meets-world-310908366/] * Abby's super cool new mechanical keyboard [http://amazon.com/dp/B0DB1737BX?ref_=pe_123509780_1038749300_t_fed_asin_title] (I'm sorry that it's from Am*zon!!)  * Watch What Crappens episode about the RHOSLC finale [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3148-rhoslc-s616-part-1-going-going-antigone/id498130432?i=1000744205465] * Workhorse by Caroline Palmer [https://bookshop.org/p/books/workhorse-a-novel-caroline-palmer/0a4e36139fe538db] The usual links: * ITAT on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/isthisathing_pod] * Alli on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/allihoffkosik] * Abby on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/shmab] * ITAT on Substack [https://isthisathingpodcast.substack.com/] * Pre-order Alli’s book! [https://allihoffkosik.com/too-blessed-to-stress] SUBSCRIBE ON SUBSTACK [https://isthisathingpodcast.substack.com/] FOR ACCESS TO FULL EPISODES, INCLUDING THIS ONE! WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT :) ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 16: NEW YEAR'S SPECTACULAR (definitely a thing)

Oh no! You thought we'd abandoned you? Left ITAT behind, and walked off into the sunset? Never! (Well, maybe one day, but not anytime soon.)  Today we're back with the first episode of 2026 (which just so happens to be the year of TOO BLESSED TO STRESS [https://allihoffkosik.com/too-blessed-to-stress]).  In episode 16, Alli and Abby finally open up the Christmas gifts they got each other and discuss a plethora of random things, including: * Claymation squirrels and other package-related drama  * Alli's feelings about becoming a published author in less than two months (!!)  * Our thoughts on 2026, the year of the horse  * Moments we felt most joyful and carefree in 2025  * ..and more!  There's some great ASMR in this episode. And even better news? Today's 'sode is free for everyone! So grab those headphones and listen in. We're happy to be back in your ears! And, of course, here are links to everything we mentioned in the episode: * Gilmore Girls Oracle Deck [https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/kara-nesvig/gilmore-girls-oracle/9798894140285/] * Culture Study Newsletter: Some Really Hard (But Really Useful) Questions [https://www.patreon.com/posts/some-really-hard-147013437] The usual links: * ITAT on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/isthisathing_pod] * Alli on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/allihoffkosik] * Abby on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/shmab] * ITAT on Substack [https://isthisathingpodcast.substack.com/] * Pre-order Alli's book! [https://allihoffkosik.com/too-blessed-to-stress] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.