The Y Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Y
The Y is run by two friends who met while in college living at a YMCA and discovered they had the same big questions about life, society, love, art, and the human experience. Join Emma Riva and Sav Lucia as they use their academic backgrounds, social connections, and senses of humor to talk about the big whys of metaphysics, philosophy, and modern life. The hope is that these informal chats take difficult topics—and some of the densest academic ideas—out of the classroom and into your feed. At the end of each episode, you have the opportunity to share what you think the "why?" is. Write in at...Instagram: @ypodcast.info Website: www.ypodcast.info Email: theypodcast@gmail.com
Ian Mrjdenovich is a Pittsburgh-based artist and writer whose work is inspired by tarot, mythology, and...memes? Sav, Emma, and Ian discuss how art and visual culture have changed in the digital age and what ancient stories and tropes can teach us. Find Ian on Instagram @glasslaughter and of course follow us @ypodcast.info @emmawithglasses @sav.lucia. Our theme is by Meyer Joseph, find him on Soundcloud, Instagram, and his website meyerjosephmusic.com.
From The Bible to War of the Worlds, human beings have been obsessed with the apocalypse for as long as we've been around. This week, Emma and Sav dive into what it is about the world ending in a great ball of fire that keeps us coming back to these often grim, depressing stories.
Contact us at theypodcontact@gmail.com, our Instagram @ypodcast.info, or our Twitter ypodcast_info. Music by Meyer Joseph. You can find us individually on Instagram @emmawithglasses and @sav.lucia.
We talk to Pittsburgh-based author Daniel Cunningham about his dark fantasy series Chronicles of a Broken World and how fantasy and sci-fi intersect with real life. Daniel is an incredibly down-to-earth personality and talented worldbuilder, so this interview is one you'll be sure to enjoy. Resources
Daniel's Instagram Buy *Land of Lies* *
*Contact us at theypodcontact@gmail.com, our Instagram @ypodcast.info, or our Twitter ypodcast\_info. Music by Meyer Joseph. You can find us individually on Instagram @emmawithglasses and @sav.lucia.
We're back after a little break, and this week we're talking about one of the hot topics of the podcasting and media world: Cults. But is it right that cults are so sensationalized? How do you know if you're in one? We tackle all that and more in this conversation, including Sav's own experience narrowly avoiding several cults.
Resources
A Little Bit Culty hosted by Anthony Ames and Sarah Edmonson
Encyclopedia definition of a cult
BITE Model
Two examples of "wellness" cults: Bentinho Massaro and Twin Flames Universe
If we were to ask you "Why Cults?" What would your answer be? Or, were you in a cult and have some feedback on this week's episode? We'd love to hear from you. Contact us at theypodcontact@gmail.com, our Instagram @ypodcast.info, or our Twitter ypodcast_info.
Music by Meyer Joseph. You can find us invidiually on Instagram @emmawithglasses and @sav.lucia.
Sav and Emma talk about humanity's distance from nature, mortality, the differences between urban and rural life, and how humans try to get closer to the natural world through the dogs and cats we keep in our home. At the end of the day, humans also come from nature, and no matter how far we get from it, we always return.
Instagram: ypodcast.info
Email: theypodcontact@gmail.com
Website: ypodcast.info
Our intro and outro music is by Meyer Joseph. You can find Emma on Instagram @emmawithglasses for art journalism and updates on her fiction, and you can find Sav @sav.lucia or on her site sama.earth for information about her yoga practice.
In this week's episode, Sav shares her expertise about the science of breath and why this deceptively simple thing can change our whole lives. The conversation goes from smoking cigarettes to the motivations behind the Theranos scam, so as always, get ready for a topic that you think you know to be turned upside down.
If we were to ask you "why breathe?", what would your answer be? Contact us with questions, comments, or guest suggestions.
Instagram: ypodcast.info
Email: theypodcontact@gmail.com
Website: ypodcast.info
Our intro and outro music is by Meyer Joseph. You can find Emma on Instagram @emmawithglasses for art journalism and updates on her fiction, and you can find Sav @sav.lucia or on her site sama.earth for information about her yoga practice.
A note: This episode contains brief references to sexual assault and sexual violence. Please keep that in mind when you're choosing where and when to listen. This week, Emma and Sav share their experiences with elementary sex education, its many pitfalls, and what we can do to improve it.
If we were to ask you "why sex education?", what would your answer be? Contact us with questions, comments, or guest suggestions.
Instagram: ypodcast.info
Email: theypodcontact@gmail.com
Website: ypodcast.info
Resources
The Inside Story: The Jewish Woman's Guide to Lifelong Pelvic Health by Dr. Riva Preil (Note from Emma: This was written with Orthodox women in mind but the information applies to anyone!)
Our intro and outro music is by Meyer Joseph. You can find Emma on Instagram @emmawithglasses for art journalism and updates on her fiction, and you can find Sav @sav.lucia or on her site sama.earth for information about her yoga practice.
Mental health is a buzzword across so many different disciplines that sometimes it's good to just discuss it with a professional. Rachel Miller MBPsS, MSc is a mentor, advocate, and researcher for chronic illness, mental health, and their intersections. In our conversation we tackle tough topics like healing from PTSD, defining trauma, and ending the stigma about medication
Resources
Rachel's website
Rachel's email
Rachel's Instagram
If we were to ask you "why mental health?", what would you say? You can reach us on Instagram @ypodcast.info, on Twitter @ypodcast_info, or via our email theypodcontact@gmail.com.
Our intro and outro music is by Meyer Joseph. Emma's book, Night Shift in Tamaqua, is available for purchase online and at select bookstores, and more about Sav's health coaching services can be found at her site, SAMA.
This week, The Y heads to Glasgow to discuss all things coffee, café culture, sobriety, and the crazy journeys of life with barista Andrew "Fergie" Ferguson. What started out as a conversation about coffee became so much more, and this is an episode not to miss--Fergie's vivacious personality, infectious laughter, and one-of-a-kind Scottish accent make it a very special episode.
Resources
Fergie's business Instagram
Fergie's personal Instagram
Instagram: ypodcast.info
Email: theypodcontact@gmail.com
Twitter: ypodcast_info
Sav is available for one-on-one wellness coaching and online yoga instruction in meridian yoga and meditation. Emma's novel, Night Shift in Tamaqua, is available for purchase online, and her art journalism and public relations work can be found at UP Magazine. Our intro and outro music is by Meyer Joseph. Find Meyer on his site and Soundcloud.
A continuation of last week's conversation about home. This week, Emma interviews Sav about her experience of home, family, and intimacy.
If we were to ask you "why home?" what would your answer be? Contact us with questions, comments, or guest suggestions!
Instagram: ypodcast.info
Email: theypodcontact@gmail.com
Twitter: ypodcast_info
Our intro and outro music is by Meyer Joseph. Find Meyer on his site and SoundCloud.
In this two-part series, we discuss our own feelings on home and what it means to us, starting with Emma's story. As two people who've lived relatively transient lives, this is a personal one for us.
If we were to ask you "why home?" what would your answer be? Contact us with questions, comments, or guest suggestions!
Resources "My Bed" by Tracey Emin
Instagram: ypodcast.info
Email: theypodcontact@gmail.com
Twitter: ypodcast_info
Our intro and outro music is by Meyer Joseph. Find Meyer on his site and SoundCloud.
Emma and Sav discuss what values are, why they're important, what we can take away from values of the past, and what it means to stand up for what you believe in. Buckle up, because this is a philosophy-heavy episode, but as usual, we have some laughs along the way and make sure to keep it fresh.
Resources
The yamas and niyamas
Africa Brooke on values
The Leviathan
If we were to ask you, "Why Values?" what would your answer be? Contact us with questions, comments, guest suggestions, and more.
Instagram: ypodcast.info
Email: theypodcontact@gmail.com
Twitter: ypodcast_info
Our intro and outro music is by Meyer Joseph. Find Meyer on his site and SoundCloud.
In this episode, we have a very special guest: entrepreneur and foster youth advocate Tameka Mclean. Tameka has an incredible story of resilience and growth. She's here not just to share her own experiences but to demystify the complex foster care system so those who are most vulnerable to it can get the help they need.
Resources
Tameka's book, 11 Steps to Self-Sufficiency: Taking Actions by Taking the Steps
Tameka's nonprofit, Poppy Muse, Inc
Tameka's Instagram
If we were to ask you, "Why Foster?" what would your answer be? Contact us with questions, comments, guest suggestions, and more.
Instagram: ypodcast.info
Email: theypodcontact@gmail.com
Twitter: ypodcast_info
Our intro and outro music is by Meyer Joseph. Find Meyer on his site and SoundCloud.
In this week's episode, Sav and Emma tackle the seemingly simple subject of pain: chronic pain, physical pain, emotional pain. How do you find a balance between relief from pain and acknowledging its source? As usual, The Y doesn't have the answers, but it takes you through a discussion that allows for reflection, disagreement, and growth.
Resources
Pain Book: Techniques for Self Healing by Dr. Rose Erin Vaughan
Meridian clocks
"The Fifth Vital Sign" by Invisibilia
The Body Keeps the Scoreby Bessel van der Kolk
If we were to ask you, "Why Pain?" what would your answer be? Contact us with questions, comments, guest suggestions, and more.
Instagram: ypodcast.info
Email: theypodcontact@gmail.com
Twitter: ypodcast_info
Our intro and outro music is by Meyer Joseph. Find Meyer on his site and SoundCloud.
This week, Emma and Sav discuss Greek and Roman civilization with Brandeis University-based classicist, scholar, and entrepreneur, Regina Nagan. Listen to learn about mystery cults, General Hannibal's elephants, queer life in the classical world, Roman graffiti, and how much more there is to ancient societies than what you learned in your civ classes.
Resources
Registration for 'You Better Work': Queer Labour, Queer Liberation
Registration forAncient Worlds, Embodied: Identity, Society, and the Human Body in Antiquity
Basileia Beauty on Instagram
If we were to ask you, "Why Classics?" what would your answer be? Contact us with questions, comments, guest suggestions, and more.
Instagram: @ypodcast.info
Email: theypodcontact@gmail.com Our intro and outro music is by Meyer Joseph. Find Meyer on his site and Soundcloud.
As young professionals, we often ask ourselves: Why work? In this episode, we break down different types of work and their pros and cons. How do you find meaning in trying to make a living? How do you make informed decisions about something you have to do to survive?
Resources How's Work?by Esther Perel
If we were to ask you, "Why Work?" what would your answer be? Contact us and tell us! Agree with us, disagree with us, let's open up the conversation.
Instagram: @ypodcast.info
Email: theypodcontact@gmail.com
This episode, Sav and Emma tackle the higher education system and share their experiences attending multiple kinds of educational institution. We touch on topics like student loans, the value of liberal arts education, and how to make informed choices about your education.
Resources
Salon on Reagan's influence on student loans
The Program Era by Mark McGurl
Workshops of Empire by Eric Bennett
If we were to ask you, "Why College?" what would your answer be? Contact us and tell us! Agree with us, disagree with us, let's open up the conversation.
Instagram: @ypodcast.info
Email: theypodcontact@gmail.com
Meyer Joseph has the honor of being our first guest! Meyer is a musician and scholar living and working in Baltimore, Maryland. In this episode, Emma, Sav, and Meyer discuss how music can affect our lives and why it's important, and how producers like Kenny Beats have revolutionized music performance.
Special thanks as always to Meyer for the incredible intro and outro music he put together for our show. Find him on his website or his Patreon.
Resources:KennyBeats TwitchMusic: A Subversive History by Ted GioriaOxford Handbook of Music Psychology by Susan Hallam, Ian CrossReply All on Christmas music and retail music Sound Medicine by Kulreet ChauduryIf we were to ask you, "Why Music?" what would your answer be? Contact us and tell us! Agree with us, disagree with us, let's open up the conversation.
Instagram: @ypodcast.info
Email: theypodcontact@gmail.com
Sav talks about her experience working in the "wellness industry," and we touch on the commodification of spirituality, the overlaps between yoga and fitness, and the contradictions inherent to creating an industry out of health.
Special thanks for our intro and outro music created by Meyer Joseph. Find him on his website or his Patreon.
Resources on yoga history:
The Yoga Traditionby Georg Feuerstein
The School of Lifeby Alain de Botton
The Subtle Bodyby Stefanie Syman
If we were to ask you, "Why Wellness?" what would your answer be? Contact us and tell us! Agree with us, disagree with us, let's open up the conversation.
Instagram: @ypodcast.info
Email: theypodcontact@gmail.com
This episode, Emma talks about the publishing industry, the mystery of the Simon & Schuster and Random House merger, balancing professional writing and genuine creativity, and what she wishes she knew before she published a book.
Special thanks for our intro and outro music created by Meyer Joseph. Find him on his website or his Patreon. Resources for writers:
"US files antitrust suit to stop major book publisher merger." Associated Press.The Practicing Writer newsletter by Erika Dreifus
Blocked and Reportedon the publishing industry
Wendy Higgins on publishing advances and being told “Don’t expect to buy a beach house.”
Authors Publish newsletter and class program
FundsForWriters email newsletter
If we were to ask you, "Why Publishing?" what would your answer be? Contact us and tell us! Agree with us, disagree with us, let's open up the conversation.
Instagram: @ypodcast.info
Email: theypodcontact@gmail.com
We realized we had way more to say about ourselves than could fit in 40 minutes, so we thought we'd better do another episode! Welcome to "Why Us?" part two!
Special thanks for our intro and outro music created by Meyer Joseph. Find him on his website or his Patreon.
Look out for Why Publishing and Why Wellness? where we'll discuss the philosophical backgrounds of our respective career paths. Keep that critical thinking cap on, and we'll see you next time!
Instagram: ypodcast.info
Email: theypodcontact@gmail.com
Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Y, hosted by Emma Riva and Sav Lucia. We're two best friends who met living at a YMCA, and we're so excited to share our conversations and thoughts about the big "why"s of life with you. In this episode, as well as introducing ourselves, Sav ponders why Freud is still relevant and Emma tries to connect Dolly Parton and Karl Marx.
Special thanks for our intro and outro music created by Meyer Joseph. Find him on his website or his Patreon.
Contact us and keep up with our episodes!
Instagram: @ypodcast.info
Email: theypodcontact@gmail.com