This week, Emily Bazelon and David Plotz are joined by Wesley Morris, critic at large for The New York Times and co-host of the Still Processing podcast, to cogitate on Conundrums 2023. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:Thanks to everyone who submitted Conundrums, especially Alex, Brian, Mitchell Kosht, Patricia Gonzalez, Kali Rocha, Becca Nagorsky, Kevin Maginnis, Kevin Collins, Beth Kirsch, Brian Cechnicki, Chuck Terhark, Howard W, Brian, Mike Daugherty, Alan Dybner, Tim Falzone, Matthew Gill, Cynthia Weiner, and the incomparable Phil Goldstein. Benjamin Wittes for Dog Shit Daily: My encounter with a shit-throwing neighborhood KarenJon Mendelsohn for American Songwriter: The Real Reason Why Van Halen Asked Venues For Bowls of M&Ms Containing ‘No Brown Ones’ The Sellout: A Novel by Paul BeattyWorking: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do by Studs TerkelRichard Scarry’s What Do People Do All Day? by Richard ScarryIn Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss by Amy BloomAmy Bloom for This American Life: Exit StrategyGabfest Reads: He Wanted to Die Holding HandsFor this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, David, Emily, and Wesley tackle three more Conundrums. 

In the latest Gabfest Reads, John talks with Brad Stulberg about Master of Change: How to Excel When Everything Is Changing – Including You.Email your chatters, questions, and comments to [email protected]. (Messages may be referenced by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)Podcast production by Jared Downing and Cheyna Roth with live show support from Katie RayfordResearch by Julie HuygenLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices