The Saturday List - December 20, 2025

What I'm Watching, Reading, Listening to, and Rediscovering

Dave Van de Walle

Dec 20, 2025

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Watching: A Stellar, Wide-Ranging Interview with Eric Weinstein on Triggernometry

I’m a big fan of Francis Foster and Konstantin Kisin, the hosts of the popular Triggernometry podcast.

I’m also a big fan of Eric Weinstein, one of the smartest guys…ever.

I watched this when it first came out, and rewatched it again last week. And will probably watch it again.

It’s more than just about Trump — as the title says, “Trump Will Renegotiate the World” — and there’s quite a bit about Democratic politics, too.

Reading: 50 Ways to More Calm, Less Stress, by Megy Karydes

I first met Megy before the pandemic, when a group of Chicago-area writers would get together and keep each other honest over lunch. “What are you working on?” “What prospects are you reaching out to?” “Who is your ideal client?”

Megy was working on a project that was pretty cool AND came to life in the form of a book called 50 Ways to More Calm, Less Stress. Of course I grabbed a copy and, when I finally sat down with Megy this past Spring, I asked her to sign it, which she did.

Not only is it a well-written and well-designed book, it’s a fun read that isn’t overwhelming. The subtitle: “Scientifically Proven Ways to Relieve Anxiety & Boost Your Mental Health Using Your Five Senses.” Chapters include things like “Mood and Food,” “Painting for Perspective,” and “When It’s Time to Try Tinkering.”