My Favorite Hobby

When people ask me what I do for fun, I usually answer first with, "I read a lot." And then I talk about how much I love watching movies or baking. Sometimes I bring up rowing, which I haven't done in a very long time, and maybe I'll mention that I like cleaning and organizing, too.

I realized today, though, that there's one answer I never give, and maybe it's because I didn't identify it as a hobby until this afternoon, when I did it for nearly TWO HOURS. That's right, I listened to celebrity interviews for two hours on YouTube. But they don't even have to be celebrities––I'll listen to anyone! Famous people, non-famous people, children, adults, business men and women, artists––you name it. I just love listening to people talk about their ideas and opinions, their reasons for the decisions they've made, their pasts and what makes them who they are, and their successes and failures. To me, it's the most meaningful activity. It's the hobby that gives me the most joy. I love going down an interview rabbit hole, as I did today. I learned about drug addiction and hitting rock bottom from Dax Shepard; I felt relief when Matt Damon described a moment of insecurity; and I found out that Kristen Bell doesn't believe in soul mates, either.

People are endlessly fascinating. They are complex and delicate and charming and wonderful.

Here are some of my favorite interview-style shows and podcasts:*

• Inside the Actors Studio
• Off Camera
• How I Built This
• Fresh Air
• Getting Curious
• Armchair Expert

Listen to some of them! You won't regret it!

*Although I like watching clips from "Ellen" or late-night shows, I prefer long-form conversational interviews because that's where people get into the really meaty parts of their lives.

Thing I'm thankful for: lazy Saturday afternoons