In the final episode of semi-prose, Kai Cheng Thom joins us to assure us we can survive hard conversations (2:50); the performance of virtue in Chinese Christian, SJW, and queer communities (6:00); on the ethics of mentorship (14:15); our boundaries do not hurt other people (21:45); seasons in the sun, gender-queer magic gem stones, and holy wild (47:00).

Indigenous food for the future (6:10); Saskatoon berries, rose hips, stinging nettles (18:55); on the generosity of Indigenous communities (27:45); check out a round dance, check out a pow wow (31:00); New Moon, Red Chef Revival, The Sous Chef (32:40)

A special live episode from this year's Toronto International Festival of Authors, featuring:

Storytelling as survival (12:49); the qualities of Hot Jesus (17:55); what happens when colonization comes for our gods (22:40); on showing the absolute joy of Indigenous love (28:30); put a comma after cock (30:20); tips on surviving the Rogarou(36:40); Jeremy Dutcher, the southern wild, and Half-Breed (41:55)

when seeming good gets in the way of actually being good (4:15); that time Jia was in 'Cats' (19:30); magazines that tell girls that their entire purpose is improving themselves (20:30); the 'side hustle', aka capitalism tilling every last inch of your selfhood (24:00); melancholia, the rainbow, and how to do nothing (39:30)

When life gives us dress rehearsals for, you know, death (2:20); it's the impermanence that gives us joy (9:45); California for the possibility, Japan for the reality (11:30); some writing advice from the Dalai Lama (23:55); the perfect foreigner, Leonard Cohen, and a quiet Lear (35:00).

Emily Nussbaum joins Evan and Kristina to discuss her book I Like to Watch and how Buffy the Vampire Slayer changes lives (2:00); when black sitcoms were gentrified off the air (13:02); Game of Thrones was not that interesting, True Detective was fake philosophical (24:20); a show can be flawed and be worth talking about (30:30); Fleabag and her compulsiveness to seduce (33:50)

Allie, Kristina, Evan, and Max discuss Shut Up, You’re Pretty by Téa Mutonji and whether you’re more defined by your good sex or your bad sex (11:30); Fleabag and Lynda Barry (15:40); getting to have formative sexual experiences that are positive is just luck (16:40); Téa Mutonji joins the conversation (18:01); on working with Vivek Shraya and getting more fearless (26:50); SZA, Thirteen, and 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl

Allie, Evan, Kristina, and Max discuss Night of Power by Anar Ali and that one girl in high school who could quote Rumi (10:22); trauma doesn’t just go away (13:07); Anar joins the conversation (15:37); they fuck you up, your mum and dad (15:59); the economics of prayer (19:47); on how Dolly Parton is Bollywood (30:00)

Allie, Evan, Kristina, and Max discuss their childhood Ikea awakenings (4:42); 5AM breakfast stampedes (5:49); why why why Delilah (9:23); Derek Mascarenhas joins the conversation (17:07); what’s Goa on (18:24); Neighborhood #1, Mara Wilson, and Small Things (27:38)

Allie, Evan, Kristina, and Max discuss the things they have done to get a kiss (6:26); brown female anger (10:52); SK Ali joins the conversation (16:48); on being both devout and desirous (17:38); you’re beautiful, good, valued, and wanted (25:36); CCR, Hailee Steinfeld, and a disreputable history (33:09)