Social Anxiety Variety Hour

Latest Episodes:

Fred And Me (And You) Oct 15, 2020

Show notes

Sara just moved 2800 miles, so here's a mini episode featuring an essay about love and history, plus some relaxation exercises for you. Support this podcast at Patreon.com/SaraBenincasa. Thank you to all current Patreon subscribers.

Chelsea Connor On Mental Health And Adorable Lizards Sep 18, 2020

Show notes

Scientist, student and #BlackBirdersWeek cofounder Chelsea Connor is back for a second interview. This time she and Sara discuss mental health, cutting off verbally abusive family and friends, why you should just wear a frigging mask, and more. Sara does some relaxing breathwork exercises at the end of the episode. Support Chelsea at Patreon.com/ChelseaArts and support this podcast at Patreon.com/SaraBenincasa. Please support the Loveland Foundation.

Director Sam Bailey Creates What She Wants To See Aug 28, 2020

Show notes

Here's the actual, full-length interview with Sam Bailey (Dear White People, Brown Girls, You're So Talented), a critically acclaimed writer, producer, director, once (and maybe future) actress, theatre veteran, and very cool human. She talks to Sara about her incredible career, the Black Lives Matter movement, creativity during the time of coronavirus, what it's like to often be the only Black woman on set, and a lot more. As always, Sara includes some basic breath work for listeners. You can support this podcast at Patreon.com/SaraBenincasa. And check out TheLovelandFoundation.org.

Season 2 Premiere: Monique Moses of Astronomy Club! Aug 17, 2020

Show notes

Monique Moses is a Canadian actress, improviser and teacher who co-stars in Netflix's "Astronomy Club," one of Sara's favorite shows of the past 25 years (no, seriously - Sara compares it to "The State," "The Kids in the Hall," and for no reason at all, "My So-Called Life.") Monique is a longtime cast member of the titular sketch team, and she and Sara discuss comedy, acting, Canadian pop culture, Monique's life in the only Black family in her town, Monique's dance career, dealing with the transition to working from home, and much more. You can support this podcast by subscribing and by contributing to Patreon.com/SaraBenincasa.

Season 1 Finale: Amanda Yates Garcia Will Bewitch You Jul 08, 2020

Show notes

In the Season 1 finale of the only mental health podcast hosted by an author/comedian and executive produced by a demon queen cat named Polly, Sara Benincasa talks to Amanda Yates Garcia, a.k.a. The Oracle of Los Angeles! Amanda hosts the tarot podcast "Between the Worlds," which she co-created with artist and producer Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs. Amanda is a dancer, essayist, activist, professional witch, and author. She and Sara discuss Amanda's memoir ("Initiated"), art, sexism, feminism, the nuances of Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw's term "intersectionality," white supremacy, trying one's best to be a decent and kind human, dealing with flaws in oneself and in society at large, and much more. Support the podcast at Patreon.com/SaraBenincasa. Thanks for your kind reviews and ratings, and we'll see you in Season 2 very soon!

Chelsea Connor Is The Queen Of Anoles Jul 01, 2020

Show notes

Meet Chelsea Connor, a young Black scientist and one of the cofounders of #BlackBirdersWeek. Chelsea is from Dominica (Sara pronounces it wrong right off the bat - it's an island country in the Caribbean), and she opens up about experiencing racism at school in the States, dealing with stress and learning differences while pursuing a rigorous academic program, and being a scientist as well as an artist. Check out her stickers at Redbubble.com/people/chelseaherps! There will be a Part II, this young woman is full of stories, life, and learning!

Armand Cann Is Pro-Turtle, Anti-Racism Jun 24, 2020

Show notes

Young scientist Armand Cann talks to Sara about his work in biology, his love for wilderness, the importance of connecting with other young Black scientists online as a method of self-care, his experience of racism in the field, the trauma of harassment by racist police, and the magic of J.R.R. Tolkien, Octavia Butler, and other great authors. Check out the #blackbirdersweek hashtag to meet more scientists and learn about their work and their lives. Also, hire this guy - he just finished his M.S. degree! Thanks to all the podcast supporters at Patreon.com/SaraBenincasa.

Sidney Woodruff Tells People Not To Bother The Bears Jun 18, 2020

Show notes

Sidney Woodruff, 25, does her doctoral studies at UC Davis and conducts research in Yosemite National Park. She talks to Sara about being a young, Black, queer scientist; how she's received as a minority in a lot of professional spaces; the harassment of Black wildlife conservationists; and the vitality of real self-care and checking in on friends and peers. At the end, Sara guides the audience in a basic relaxation exercise. Check out #blackbirdersweek on Twitter and Instagram to read more stories and learn about some excellent wildlife conservationists. Support this podcast at Patreon.com/SaraBenincasa. Many thanks to current and past patrons!

Giulia Rozzi Is A 1st Generation Spitfire Jun 11, 2020

Show notes

Sara talks to her longtime friend Giulia Rozzi, a comedian, writer, actress, director and first-generation American. They talk about how sociology influences Giulia's comedy, socially distant protesting while pregnant, summoning Italian lady energy when criticizing racist police (when Karen becomes Karina), whiteness as a construct, and continuing to learn (and unlearn). Also, Sara takes you through a simple relaxation exercise. This podcast is funded by Patreon.com/SaraBenincasa. Thanks to all subscribers and supporters.

Conner Habib Grew Up With White Supremacists Jun 05, 2020

Show notes

Conner Habib is a former porn star and sex workers' rights advocate. He's also a Syrian-American kid from rural-ish Pennsylvania. Now a doctoral candidate, Conner talks to Sara from his flat in Ireland about everything from fairy stories to the sex lives of koala to whether or not Canadians are, in fact, real. They also discuss white supremacy and the police. You can support this podcast at Patreon.com/SaraBenincasa. More importantly, please donate to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

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