If I were watching my own show, I would've unsubscribed weeks ago. But here you are, and here I am, fighting through tech mishaps, email overload, and the existential migraine of being online. Welcome back to Landline—your weekly reminder that chaos is a feature, not a bug.
This week’s episode is loosely, emotionally, and spiritually about Empire Records, migraines, trade wars, and the miracle of found family. It's Rex Manning Day, people. A made-up holiday from a cult ‘90s movie that I’ve now made into my personal North Star. Why? Because we mustn’t dwell. Not today. Not on Rex Manning Day.
Also: there are now Landline mugs. They’re real, they’re fabulous, and they make me feel like the show exists outside my living room. You can buy one. I take mine everywhere. It’s basically my cohost now, since the actual cohost Claire called in from her couch while dog-sitting and maybe dating? This episode relied a lot on voicemail transcription, so I’m choosing my own adventure here.
We also got into how giving up sugar made me question my will to live, how you can make any day your own Rex Manning Day (Finally Showered Day? Got-out-of-bed Day?), and how joy is weirdly still an option—even in 2025, even on Substack, even with the state of eggs.
Bonus: I talk about growing up with Ethan Embry (yes, that Ethan), and how realizing your childhood friend is famous makes you question everything—including whether or not you’ve ever mattered. (Spoiler: I have, but only slightly.)
Anyway, if you’re still reading this, you deserve a mug and possibly a nap. Listen to the full episode now, call in at 615-212-5437, and remember: we mustn’t dwell. Not today. Not on Rex Manning Day.
By the way, this is the link to the shirt I’m wearing. It’s awesome.
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