In this episode, you'll hear from Maz George (they/them), a queer neurodivergent astro coach, artist, and avid zine maker, about why the DIY publishing format is experiencing a radical resurgence. Maz shares the evolution of zine-making from the pre-internet days of typewriters and rubber stamps to today's intentional analog rebellion against algorithmic content. We explore how creating physical, uncensored media offers focus, human connection, and creative freedom that social media can't replicate — and why choosing to make something tangible in a digital-first world is its own form of resistance. Whether you're curious about launching your first zine or just craving more offline creative practice, this conversation will inspire you to get your hands dirty (literally).

Topics Covered:

• How zine-making has evolved from necessity in the '90s and early 2000s to intentional resistance in the algorithm age, and why choosing print feels so different now
• The unexpected emotional difference between 100 social media likes and 100 people holding your physical zine in their hands
• Why zines remain uncensored, unfiltered, and un-algorithmed, and how zine distros and festivals are building alternative distribution networks
• The concept of "skeuomorphism" (digital design mimicking physical objects) and what it reveals about our innate human need for tactile experiences
• How the zine community creates serendipitous human connection, like meeting the maker of your favorite zine at a festival six months after buying it
• Why children growing up in a digital-first world need the opposite of skeuomorphism: translation tools to help them understand offline, embodied experiences
• The power of slowing down with a typewriter, embracing typos, and treating imperfection as part of the creative process
• Simple zine ideas to get started: "shit I saw on my walk," color collections, lists of things you love, scavenger hunt finds
• How making zines with kids can build creativity, focus, and appreciation for physical making
• Why you don't need to escape the internet entirely to benefit from analog creative practices—it's about balance, not binaries

Resources Mentioned:

• Book Riot's history of zines
• The Newspaper Club
• Quimby's (Brooklyn)
• New York Art Book Fair (by Printed Matter)

Maz's Instagram
Maz's zine: Astrology and creativity guide

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