May 30, 2026
What I'm Watching, Reading, Listening to, and Rediscovering This Week
We’re winding down the month of May, and there’s a decent amount of stuff going on in the world. So let’s attempt to lighten the mood at least a little bit; first, though, the obligatory Subscribe button.
Watching: The Vandy Program Presents The News Of The Day with Andrew Donaldson
Andrew Donaldson is a friend of the show, works for the website Ordinary Times, and is quite the media darling, appearing on television shows and podcasts throughout North America.
We sat down for a wide-ranging discussion for The Vandy Program, which is my podcast, doing a semi-regular segment I call The News Of The Day. Lots here, and, given the 24-hour news cycle, it’s surprising that some of it isn’t old news by now (we recorded on Wednesday, March 27).
Here are a couple guys talking about Iran, Paxton vs. Talarico, UFC on the White House Lawn, and a bunch more. Big fun.
Reading: Experience Is Everything by Jeannie Walters
This can ALSO serve as a BONUS “Watching” segment of the newsletter, as Jeannie Walters was also my guest on The Vandy Program this past week (Tuesday).
She’s an expert on Customer Experience; and she’ll tell you that it is different from Customer Service. We chatted about that and some of the other concepts in her book, Experience Is Everything. Video link below the book cover photo.
SIDEBAR: Jeannie and I were able to reminisce about early social media days in Chicago…I was able to keep up my commitment that, if you and I are friends and you wrote a book, I’ll buy it, read it, and have you on my show.
Listening to: Black Thought Freestyles
“Black Thought is here!” That’s a phrase that lives rent-free in my head; in 2017, the rapper and co-founder of The Roots joined Hot 97 in New York to provide freestyle rap unlike anything you’ve ever heard.
Yes, it’s freestyle. As in, if you asked him to do it again, it wouldn’t sound the same.
Apologies for any NSFW language. But this is downright amazing; even those who don’t like rap can appreciate the sheer brilliance.
Rediscovering: Gizmo! (1977)
This film, which I first saw in high school, is rather…bonkers. And must be seen to be believed. Gizmo! is the brainchild of Howard Smith and succeeded in hoding the attention of Young Dave back then. It should do the same for you now. Please enjoy.
I hope it’s a wonderful weekend, and a great week ahead.
Dave