Podcast
Proxy with Yowei Shaw
Hosted by Yowei Shaw · EN
Proxy investigates the weird, specific feelings that run our lives and world — sometimes by finding someone who gets it, sometimes by reporting from the emotions beat. Hosted by Yowei Shaw, former co-host and senior producer of Invisibilia.
We’ll be back with new cases this fall — and we’ll be dropping a few treats in the feed this summer. Follow the show so you don’t miss the next case.
Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishaw
Get in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com
If you’re new, try: Bisexual Wife Guy, Yowei Can't Speak Bro, or Jane Doesn't Like Her Dogs.
57episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Proxy Conversations with Sexual Offenders?
Jul 29, 202500:30:48Summary readyA conversation with Dr. Alissa Ackerman about her restorative justice work on the frontlines of Me Too, using proxy-like conversations. This is a Patreon exclusive bonus episode we're releasing on the main feed. If you want to hear more conversations like this, consider joining our Patreon. From the episode: Learn more about Dr. Alissa Ackerman and her organization Ampersands Restorative Justice Read Alissa's book Healing from Sexual Violence: The Case for Vicarious Restorative Justice Sign up for our free newsletterFollow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com
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The Science of Trusting Your Intuition (from Science of Happiness)
Jul 17, 202500:19:41Summary readyWe'll be back with a new episode in two weeks. In the meantime, enjoy this episode from our friends at Science of Happiness. When we’re deep in burnout, even the simplest decisions can feel overwhelming. A conversation about slowing down, listening inward, and what it takes to rebuild trust in your inner knowing on the other side of exhaustion. From the episode: Follow Science of Happiness on Instagram @scienceofhappinesspod Subscribe to the podcast: https://pod.link/1340505607 Learn more about Zakiya Gibbons Follow Zakiya on Instagram @zak_sauce
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Zakiya Used to Be So Fun
Jul 15, 202500:40:30Summary readyThe case of the people person who fell out of love with people. From the episode: Learn more about Zakiya Gibbons Follow Zakiya on Instagram @zak_sauce Learn more about Dr. William Chopik and his research Follow Bill on Bluesky @Chops310 or X @Chops310 To hear Zakiya get more help on her conundrum and learn about the science of intuition, check out her Science of Happiness podcast episode coming this Thursday. On Science of Happiness, U.C. Berkeley psychologist Dr. Dacher Keltner invites a guest to try a research-backed practice shown to boost emotional well being, improve relationships, promote compassion or reduce stress. Proxy is an independent podcast and we rely on listeners. To support emotional investigative journalism™️ and help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. You’ll get ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus interviews.Sign up for our free newsletterFollow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com
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How to Break Out of 'Narrative Autopilot' [TEASER]
Jul 8, 202500:12:27Summary readyYowei doesn't have an internal narrator telling stories about her life - at least a voice she can hear in her head. She talks to psychology professor Jonathan Adler about what this means and what anyone can do to strengthen their self-narrator, if they wanted to. To listen to the full bonus episode, sign up to become a Patreon member starting at $5 per month. You’ll get ad-free episodes, monthly exclusive bonus interviews, and other goodies.From the episode: Learn more about Jonathan Adler's work Follow Jonathan on X @JonathanMAdler, Bluesky @jadler.bsky.social, and LinkedIn Sign up for our free newsletterFollow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com
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Amanda and the Nonstop Narrator
Jul 1, 202500:56:30Summary readyThe case of Amanda, a writer whose internal monologue won't stop narrating her life, instead of just letting her live it.From the episode: Read Amanda Montell's books The Age of Magical Overthinking, Cultish, and Wordslut Listen to Amanda's podcasts Magical Overthinkers and Sounds Like a Cult Follow Amanda on Instagram @amanda_montell Learn more about Jonathan Adler's work Follow Jonathan on X @JonathanMAdler, Bluesky @jadler.bsky.social, and LinkedIn Proxy is an independent podcast and we rely on listeners. To support emotional investigative journalism™️ and help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. You’ll get ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus interviews.Sign up for our free newsletterFollow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com
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Decoding the Feelings of People with Alzheimer's [TEASER]
Jun 24, 202500:12:32Summary readyWhen someone with Alzheimer's gets upset about something that isn't actually happening, it can be easy to dismiss their feelings. But what if we approached those feelings not as problems to get rid of, but mysteries to solve? In this bonus episode, psychologist Claudia Drossel unpacks the feelings of people with Alzheimer's and how to decode them to use as a guide to give better care.To listen to the full bonus episode, sign up to become a Patreon member. You’ll get ad-free episodes, monthly exclusive bonus interviews, and other goodies.From the episode: Learn more about Claudia Drossel's work at Eastern Michigan University Caregiving resources from Claudia Sign up for our free newsletter. Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com
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Brian Can't Stop Fact-checking His Mother-In-Law
Jun 17, 202500:53:53Summary readyThe case of Brian, a journalist whose mother-in-law has Alzheimers. Even though Brian knows she can’t help misremembering things, he can’t stop losing his patience with her, and with himself. From the episode: Listen to Brian Reed's podcast Question Everything Follow Brian on Instagram @brihreed and X @BriHReed Resources from Claudia Drossell Proxy is an independent podcast and we rely on listeners. To support emotional investigative journalism™️ and help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. You’ll get ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus interviews.Sign up for our free newsletter. Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com
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Is it time to break up the band?
Jun 3, 202500:55:30Summary readyThe case of Evan and Chris, best friends who love playing music together. But after the band suffers a terrible tragedy, they find themselves unable to regain their momentum. We pair them up with another musician who’s all too familiar with the neverending drama that comes with being in a band with friends. From the episode: Listen to The Superweaks and the single "Blindside" from their new record The Superweaks Superweekly Supercast episode where Yowei stumbles into the case Follow them on Instagram @thesuperweaks Read Ryan Dusick's memoir Harder to Breathe: A Memoir of Making Maroon, Losing It All, and Finding Recovery Learn more about Ryan and follow him on Instagram @ryan_michael_dusick Listen to The Harder To Breathe Podcast The Music Industry Therapist Collective Proxy is an independent podcast and we rely on listeners. To support emotional investigative journalism™️ and help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. You’ll get ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus interviews.Sign up for our free newsletter. Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com
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Aparna and the Self-Loathing Introvert
May 20, 202500:43:16Summary readyFor a long time, Yowei saw her introversion as a character flaw to fix. She gets advice from comedian (and fellow introvert) Aparna Nancherla about how to stop wishing for personality puberty to hit.From the episode: Read Aparna's book Unreliable Narrator: Me, Myself, and Imposter Syndrome Learn more about Aparna Follow her on Instagram @aparnapkin Upcoming shows: Amphibian Theater in Fort Worth, TX on May 22-23 and French Broad River Brewery in Asheville, NC on June 14 Proxy is an independent podcast and we rely on listeners. To support emotional investigative journalism™️ and help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. You’ll get ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus interviews.Sign up for our free newsletter. Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com
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Mic Chooses the Wrong Life
May 6, 202500:48:08Summary readyThe case of Mic, who feels like he defied his fate and now has no purpose in life. We find someone uniquely able to help him break out of his regret loop. From the episode: Follow Mic Nguyen on Instagram @nicepantsbro and subscribe to his podcast Asian Not Asian Read Amy Summerville's paper, one of the most cited articles on regret ----------Proxy is an independent podcast and we rely on listeners. To support emotional investigative journalism™️ and help the show keep going, consider joining our Patreon. You’ll get ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus interviews.Sign up for our free newsletter. Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishawGet in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com
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