Proxy with Yowei Shaw

Latest Episodes:

Why don't men ask follow up questions? (From NO SUCH THING) Nov 03, 2026

Show notes

Why don't men ask follow-up questions? Not just on dates, but with their own friends. How can two guys be best friends and know so little about each other's lives?

From No Such Thing, Manny, Noah, and Devan investigate with masculinity expert Liz Plank, and put their own friendship to the test.

Listen to more No Such Thing at nosuchthing.show.
Suppot independent podcasting! Donate to Radiotopia at radiotopia.fm/donate.

Kyle Thinks MAGA Supporters Are Stupid Oct 27, 2026

Show notes

Kyle is losing faith in humanity. How can anyone still support Trump? Are they stupid? Crazy? Or just terrible people?

Yowei brings Kyle together with two former MAGA supporters to find out.

Get Brian and Ashton's recommendations for books, documentaries. and more in this week's newsletter. Sign up for free at proxyhq.org.

How do you get through to someone you love who's deep into MAGA? Hear Brian answer questions from Proxy listeners in our bonus episode for paid members.

Funding for this story was provided by the University of California, Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, as part of its “Spreading Love Through the Media” initiative, supported by the John Templeton Foundation.

Georgia Is Terrified of the Titanic Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

Georgia Hampton knows the Titanic can't hurt her. So why does just looking at a picture fill her with dread? And can she make the fear go away?

We find her a proxy who has spent decades helping people overcome their most irrational fears.

Get Georgia's internet rabbit holes and Martin's free guides to overcoming phobias in this week's newsletter. Sign up for free at proxyhq.org.

Can you want to succeed without losing your mind? Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

Yowei cares so much about doing a good job that sometimes it makes her worse at her job. Can you care deeply about your work without obsessing over whether you succeed?

Yowei turns to New Yorker staff writer Jay Caspian Kang, who seems to have mastered the art of caring deeply about his work without getting too attached to the outcome.

See the photo in Yowei's booth and get Jay's low-investment reading list in this week's newsletter. Sign up for free at proxyhq.org.

Is meaningful conversation overrated? Hear Yowei and Kyle debate what makes a good hang, plus Jay's advice to Yowei to shut the fuck up in our bonus episode for paid members.

Ellie and the Other Woman Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

Ellie never thought she'd be the other woman. Then she fell in love with a married man.

We find her a proxy who knows what it's like to have an affair with a married man — and then build a life with him.

For more dispatches from the emotions beat, sign up for our free newsletter at proxyhq.org.

Ryan Jay Keeps Falling For His Friends Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

Ryan Jay keeps making friends with women. They get close. Then he falls for them. It's happened so many times that he's starting to wonder if he can actually be friends with women without wanting to date them.

We find him a proxy, masculinity expert Andrew Smiler, to help him figure out why he keeps falling for his friends — and whether there's another way.

For more dispatches from the emotions beat, sign up for our free newsletter at proxyhq.org.

Chloe Is Starting to Drink Too Much Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

Chloe's life is going great. Except she's drinking more than she wants to. And with medical school around the corner, she's scared that asking for help could jeopardize her future. How do you get a handle on your drinking before things fall apart?

We find her a proxy who struggled with drinking at her age and went on to become an addiction psychiatrist.

For more dispatches from the emotions beat, sign up for our free newsletter at proxyhq.org.

From the episode:

NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator — Find treatment in the U.S.
Healthdirect Australia — Alcohol treatment and support in Australia
Drs4Drs — Confidential support for Australian doctors and medical students
Australian Doctors in Recovery — Peer support for healthcare professionals
Federation of State Physician Health Programs — U.S. physician health programs

State of the Show: Comcast Says We're Gonna Make It Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

Before Proxy comes back on September 22, Yowei and Kyle hold a tiny business meeting about the state of the show: more listeners, fewer members, a new membership goal, and what it’ll take to make year three. Also, Comcast has thoughts.

Taelor Doesn't Want to Have Sex Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

Taelor wants a romantic partner. Someone to share a life with. Just without sex. But after years of dating, she's starting to wonder if what she wants is even possible. How do you grieve a life you still want but aren't sure you'll get?

We find her a proxy, Courtney Lane, who's been happily married for 12 years without having sex.

For episode extras and ACE resources, sign up for our free newsletter at proxyhq.org.

Sam Doesn't Know How to Be Rich Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

Sam grew up middle class, built a company, and suddenly became rich. But instead of feeling free, he feels stuck. How do you enjoy having money without becoming the kind of rich person you used to judge?

Yowei finds Sam a proxy who became a millionaire and then gave most of his money away.

Read our interview with a guy who organizes rich people in this week's newsletter. Sign up for free at proxyhq.org.