On the final episode of the pod (as well as WD&69’s five year anniversary), Rachel reflects on the last five years and everything she has learned from running the podcast. She is then joined by her *drumroll, please* prometido (fiancé), Javier. Javi also happens to be the pod’s biggest fan. The two of them discuss work/life balance, immigration, living in Spain, their engagement, personal growth, and what lies ahead. A very heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported WD&69 over the last five years. Thanks for talking. ♥

Episode Notes:

Conversation with Javi begins at 00:12:30.

Mentioned in the episode:

The Unafraid: http://www.theunafraidfilm.com/about.html

Alain de Botton “On Being” episode, “The True Hard Work of Love and Relationships”: https://onbeing.org/programs/alain-de-botton-the-true-hard-work-of-love-and-relationships/

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/emdr

r/confidentlyincorrect: https://www.reddit.com/r/confidentlyincorrect/

The Dunning-Kruger Effect: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/dunning-kruger-effect

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Podcast artwork by Yogesh Nankar (Design by Dreamers).

Intro and Outro music by John Bartmann.

Promo/engagement photo by Jesús Calzas Millán.

Rachel welcomes her close friend Laura – a fellow Michigander, editor, and Buffy enthusiast – to WD&69. Laura recounts some of her dating horror stories, shares red and green flags, and offers insights into the unique challenges of dating as an Asian woman. They also touch on the historical silencing of Asian women in society and discuss the distinction between “alone” and “lonely”. Finally, they explore finding hope in the dating world when the bar is, in fact, in hell.

Don’t forget to “look for the evil”. Also, #JusticeForCordelia!

EPISODE NOTES:

Discussed in the episode:

• Article: “Chinatown groups celebrate cancellation of 76ers arena deal,” (January 13, 2025), by TaRhonda Thomas: https://6abc.com/post/chinatown-groups-celebrate-cancellation-76ers-arena-deal/15796889/

• TV Series: Severance on Apple TV: https://tv.apple.com/us/show/severance/umc.cmc.1srk2goyh2q2zdxcx605w8vtx

• Article: “Should Women Stay Single?” (December 12, 2019), by Joseph Chamie: https://archive-yaleglobal.yale.edu/content/should-women-stay-single

• Article: “ASMR – Benefits and Emerging Research,” (September 30, 2024), by Ashley Marcin: https://www.healthline.com/health/autonomous-sensory-meridian-response

• Podcast: The Bitch Is Back With Christma Carpenter: https://open.spotify.com/show/2oq77imGQuD1t7gBe4BPN0

• Movie: Gone Girl: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2267998/

• Movie: Materialists: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30253473/

• Book: The Body Keeps the Score, by Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD (2015): https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1694033202&sr=8-1

• Music: Haven’t Met You Yet, by Michael Bublé: https://open.spotify.com/track/4fIWvT19w9PR0VVBuPYpWA

  
  

Some Articles on the Silence and Myth of the Asian Woman:

• Cold Tea Collective – The Dehumanization of Asian Women: https://coldteacollective.com/the-dehumanization-of-asian-women-why-we-can-no-longer-be-silent/

• The Myth of the Asian Woman – California Alumni Association: https://alumni.berkeley.edu/california-magazine/online/myth-asian-woman/

• Teaching about the Comfort Women during World War II and the Use of Personal Stories of the Victims – Association for Asian Studies: https://www.asianstudies.org/publications/eaa/archives/teaching-about-the-comfort-women-during-world-war-ii-and-the-use-of-personal-stories-of-the-victims/

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Let’s keep talking! Have a question or idea for a topic? Email winedine69pod@gmail.com!

Podcast artwork by Yogesh Nankar (Design by Dreamers).

Intro and Outro music by John Bartmann.

Promo photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash.