Write About Now

Gretchen Rubin joins the show to talk about her new book, Secrets of Adulthood, [https://amzn.to/42UxGVb] in which she boils down a lifetime of wisdom into powerful aphorisms that resonate. Gretchen is a bestselling author, podcast host, and one of today’s most trusted voices on happiness, habits, and human nature. In this conversation, we talk about the lessons we learn too late, the advice she wants to pass on to her daughters, and why small, well-phrased truths often carry the biggest impact. Other topics: – Why she made the leap from clerking at the Supreme Court to writing about happiness – The Four Tendencies framework and why so many of us are "Obligers" – Her process for crafting sticky, memorable aphorisms – Why motivation doesn't work as a motivation tool Subscribe to my Substack @ https://jonsmalltalk.substack.com/ [https://jonsmalltalk.substack.com/] This show is sponsored by AG1. Sign up for a $76 discount @ DrinkAG1.com/writeaboutnow [https://drinkag1.com/campaign/immunity/ctr?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partnerships&utm_campaign=writeaboutnowpod_d35ct__a6804__o29&utm_term=variable__a6804__o29&utm_content=10-Self-improvement__a6804__o29]

When the New York Times declared it was “the end of work as we knew it” for Gen X, it did not feel fine. The story called the generation obsolete, irrelevant, and even likened them to candlestick makers in the age of electricity. Seriously? The article sparked a firestorm, prompting host Jonathan Small to write a viral Substack response that only raised the temperature. Now, Dana DuBois—fellow Gen X-er, writer, alt-rock aficionado—joins the show to talk about why the article sparked so much rage, what it got dead wrong, and how Gen X is not just surviving but reinventing midlife on their own terms.  Read Jon's response on Substack here [https://jonsmalltalk.substack.com/p/what-the-new-york-times-got-wrong].  Read the original NYT story here [https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/03/28/style/gen-x-creative-work.html?unlocked_article_code=1.8E4.ph1Y.X3jyF8U7tnJM&smid=url-share]. All things Dana DuBois can be found here [https://www.genxy.io/].

Has anyone ever told you, "Your life is so interesting—you should write a memoir!" It's flattering, no doubt. But then comes the doubts and the fears and the paralysis. How do you transform decades of memories and anecdotes into a narrative people would actually want to read? You can start by reading guest Wendy Dale's new book, The Memoir Engineering System [https://amzn.to/4iXp9HJ]. In it, she gives you the structure for constructing your memoir from the ground up. On this episode, we talk about useless writing advice such as just write a first draft, why the journey is more important than the memories themselves, and the things to prep yourself for capturing your life on the page in the best way possible. Write About Now is sponsored by AG1, order using my code and get some freebies.DrinkAG1.com/writeaboutnow  Subscribe to the Small Talk substack @ https://jonsmalltalk.substack.com/

Back in Hollywood's Golden Age, two men with vastly different backgrounds came together to shape the future of film. Louis B. Mayer, a shrewd businessman and Irving Thalberg, a visionary producer, formed a partnership that defined MGM and set the standard for the modern studio system. In this episode, famed film critic Kenneth Turan explores their unlikely partnership, their imperial rise, and their eventual fall.

The 97th Academy Awards will grace Hollywood this Sunday, bringing its signature blend of glamour and controversy to the red carpet. To unpack all the drama, we're joined by  Katey Rich, Awards Editor at The Ankler and host of the acclaimed podcast "Prestige Junkie." Katey reveals her journey to securing her coveted position, the state of awards shows in today's world, and why they continue to be popular despite yearly reports of their demise. Katey also delves into the scandals clouding this year's Oscar race and shares her expert predictions for best picture, best actress, best actor, and more.