TueDoList: Pride Playlists + a Wilder podcast + a Midlife Career Coach
Plus Ericka Kreutz on the actor's life, and movies about gender-nonconforming heroes
THIS WEEK
📖 READ: Talking 1970s New York and Covid-19 poetry with punk legend Richard Hell. An incredible Becca Schuh story about being a “bad” waitress. How to get along with your sister. The debate over discussing menopause at work. Semafor’s Gina Chua reviews Elliot Page’s new memoir. Rest in peace, Astrud Gilberto.
👀 LOOK: The blistering reviews of Hanna Gadsby at the Brooklyn Museum (Art News, New York Times, etc.). Taylor Swift tailgate culture. Thirty drag performers who made history. The woman who invented the Nike logo.
🎧 LISTEN: All the Spotify Pride Playlists you could ever ask for. Wilder, Glynnis MacNicol’s podcast revisiting Laura Ingalls Wilder: “Jack Kerouac but make it a girl with braids.” Digging a.s.o. by a.s.o.: “Leveraging ‘90s and ‘00s nostalgia.” This Tiny Desk clip, bound to put you in an “Outstanding” mood.
🤣 LOL: The secret to staying married for 30 years. Staying in a hotel? Don’t use that ice bucket. 👀
🛒 ADD TO CART: A Bluetooth Speaker + Cassette Player Combo!?! Yes please.
📺 WATCH:
Tonight: Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets. This doc series about the Christian sect behind 19 Kids & Counting has everyone talking (Prime Video) .
Thursday: Based on a True Story. A comic thriller about true crime-obsessed neighbors in LA (Peacock) .
This month: Masc. 19 films about trans men, butch lesbians, and gender non-conforming heroes, across four decades of cinema (The Criterion Channel) . Also on Criterion, LGBTQ Favorites: 20 Unforgettable Films. Pride Month is a stellar time to find cultural gems from queer history.
STORY: An Acting Career in Fits and Starts
By Ericka Kreutz
When I was a tween, I had to get allergy shots every week. During the needle’s painful, slow release I would shut my eyes and silently repeat a meditation to myself: “Acting, acting, acting, acting, acting.” The drama club was my happy place and I couldn’t wait to rush back to rehearsal for my school’s production of Anything Goes. For me, acting was bigger and brighter than any physical puncture they could give me.
I recalled this memory as I circled the Disney lot, picketing in solidarity with the Writer’s Guild of America (WGA). As an actor and member of the sister union SAG (our own strike looms), I have shown up to support writers. These have been peaceful, doughnut-filled, social meetups. But the conversations all tend to circle back to job loss. Major job loss. And dread at how drawn-out this standstill might be.
Sitting with the silence of my non-ringing phone, I’ve found myself reflecting on my bumpy career as an actress and how, for better or worse, I’m in it for the long haul.
TUENIGHT 10: Marcie Coltman, Midlife Career Coach
Basic bio: Marcie is a social media content creator and founder of Influencers by Design, helping aspiring midlife influencers monetize their passions and build their personal brands. Her mission is to eradicate ageism within the creator economy.
Beyond the bio: My personal journey changed course in 2020. My consumption of alcohol was out of control. I was living alone, stuck at home (like the rest of the world) and depressed. I came out as gay to my family, and that created estranged relationships. Fast forward to 2023, and I’m happy to report that I’ve been sober for over two years. What helped me the most along this journey is that I found a purpose. I thought I was just sharing my gray hair transition on Instagram, but it has proven itself to be much more.
What makes you a grown-ass lady? So many times, we get in our own way by making excuses or telling ourselves we’re not good enough. If you can find a purpose and a passion that sets your soul on fire, chase after it with everything you’ve got…
#GENXAPPROVED: Round-Up! Summer & Skin Edition
We started Gen-X Approved about four months ago and it quickly became one of our favorite features — mostly because it’s all about YOU and your tips and advice. Now that we’re heading into summer, we thought this would be a great time to round up a few of your favorite products. We’ve got your picks for light foundation, weekend bags, comfy shoes and more.
🤔 ASK YOUR OWN QUESTION! If you’re a premium subscriber, you can learn how to submit your questions here or head straight to the new section to chime in with your recommendations.
Wishing you a happy (and safe) Pride, TueNighters!
Support women writers! Get the full TueNight Social experience. Consider becoming a paid subscriber to The TueNight Social or gift a subscription to a friend!