you are never too old to learn
Jack and Rebecca FTW
Hey guys,
So my mom recently started watching This Is Us from the very beginning and I’ve been catching some of the episodes with her (seasons 1-3 can be found on Amazon Prime). The first time I watched it I was engrossed in the story and finding out what happened next that I didn’t pick up on a lot of the more nuanced themes.
My mom is a bit more of a critical thinker and doesn't fly through series as I do so she tends to ruminate over the episodes after she watches them, and I’m coming along for the ride. It’s made her think about the way that she has parented her own children, how her parents were to her, and how her kids are with her grandchildren. We have had so many interesting discussions since starting the show, pointing out our own blind spots and hopefully learning from them. It made me realise how much we could be learning from what we consume if we take a minute to think about it.
Within the first ten episodes, it addresses the reinforcement of negative behaviour, understanding your children’s uniqueness, addiction, fat-shaming, favouritism and jealousy. It also highlights the importance of both wisdom and learning, what you can learn from those that have come before you and what new discoveries you can impart to them.
In parting, I will leave you with one of my mom’s favourite sayings, ‘You are never too old to learn.’
What have you learnt recently from something you’ve consumed?
other things that are on my mind this week:
Series: I binge-watched all of Brooklyn Nine-Nine season 7 (currently showing on 1Magic) this week. I am loving this new, more playful Holt, and Jake and Amy being a responsible married couple. This show is so reliably funny and comforting.
Documentary: I watched Feminists: What Were They Thinking, which is a 2018 doc where they revisit the subjects of a book of portraits called Emergence, which was published in 1977. Women of different ages and backgrounds are interviewed about the feminist movement, and what has changed since then. Interviewees include Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Michelle Phillips. It was such a good companion piece to Mrs America. (It is available on Netflix).
Comedy: One I didn’t expect to enjoy as much as I did was Katherine Ryan: Glitter Room. I was only familiar with Katherine from British panel shows, but this set was so well put together and I laughed many times. (It is available on Netflix).
Podcast: Stuff You Missed In History Class - This is an incredibly old podcast, going back to like 2008, but as someone who loves history this is such a joy. The hosts break down different historical periods, characters and events, in ways that will make you intrigued and understand it waaay better than your history teachers did. You can listen to it on Spotify here.
what’s ign crushing on:
This week on the podcast I was joined by TV presenter, producer, radio host, MC etc, Rozanne McKenzie. We chatted about our love for celebrity tabloids, true crime documentaries, her guilty pleasure watches, and who she’d choose between Chris Hemsworth and Jake Gyllenhaal. Listen to the episode here.
