open tabs #1

the things I'm reading, listening, and thinking about

I’m playing around with the next chapter of

#5SmartReads

in sharing the topics on my mind (and the articles I read to learn more), the podcasts that I enjoyed and learned from, and what I’m buying and recommending. Big thanks to Rho for naming this series (he always comments on how many tabs I have open on my phone and computer).

ICYMI, you can catch up on my weekly updates and recommendations below:

just the hits #6

just the hits #5

Reading + Thinking About

#MomTok - I have been thinking about (and talking about) Secret Lives of Mormon Wives since I binged the entire season in a day. While the first episode was fairly superficial and unremarkable, the rest of the season unfolded into contradictory revelations of what’s expected of Mormon wives, and the financial power that this group of women have amassed (it also touched on race within the Mormon church, as two of the cast members are women of color). The show documents the shift in relationship dynamics among these young couples, and the show succeeded in showing an authenticity that I haven’t seen in reality television in a while (though the anti-hero to hero, emerging villain edit was unsurprising).

• A Refresher on the Mormon MomTok Drama (The Cut)

• Let's talk about Mormon #momtok money (Financial Wellness with

  Bobbi Rebell
  )

• Jen and Zac Affleck Have Been Doing Therapy ‘Nonstop’ Since Filming Mormon Wives (Vulture)

The outsized impact of TikTok & Shein - I have the tendency to fall down nerdy rabbit holes, and this week’s was the geopolitics of Chinese brands that have a strong beachhead in American consumers - TikTok, Shein, Temu, etc. Their risks are well documented - TikTok and misinformation/cybersecurity, Shein + Temu on human rights violations and environmental impacts - but that hasn’t stopped millions of Americans from scrolling the app and shopping these retailers, to the tune of billions of accounts. Shein reported sales of $100 BILLION in 2022, and TikTok has over 1 billion active users (and is expected to reach the 2 billion mark next year). These reads connected the dots on how these seemingly innocuous businesses have an outsized influence on our consumers, and how it feels very intentional by the CCP.

• Love, Hate or Fear It, ​​TikTok Has Changed America (New York Times)
  gift link via my subscription

• Shein Is the World’s Most Popular Fashion Brand—at a Huge Cost to Us All (TIME)

• China is pushing divisive political messages online using fake U.S. voters (NPR)

• Shein, Temu and other e-commerce retailers are upending global air cargo industry (CBC)

• Shein and Temu face a big change to how they ship cheap Chinese goods (NPR)

Happily Ever After - reading romance novels has changed my life for the better. I love escaping to a world where people are loved for all their multitudes, where needs are exceeded (and repeatedly), and for a predictably joyful ending (with the exception of one book that shattered me). The genre has been a reliably profitable juggernaut in publishing, and its external reputation is beginning to catch up with the incredible diversity and representation that the genre has always had. I’ve observed a seismic shift in the industry over the past couple of years - on-screen adaptations, the evolution of main male characters, and new publishers of romance. I’m here for it all, and would very much like more, please.

• Why We’re All Swooning for Romance Books (Shondaland)

• Here's How James Baldwin Changed How One South Asian Author Reads Shakespeare (People)

• They’re Not Looking For a Man in Finance (Slate)

• The Bravo of Romance Novels? Meet 831 Stories (Glamour)

  • Learn about the company from the founders themselves, via

    A Thing or Two
    .

Listening

• Every Monday morning, I listen to Astrology of the Week Ahead - and I listen to the same episode on Saturday to compare what happened with what was forecasted by Chani (it’s eeriely accurate). Chani’s forecast is so accurate (and assuring) that I’ve subscribed to her app, and start every morning reading my horoscope for the day, followed by her meditation.

• I consider Rachel Rodgers to be a mentor from afar - she’s a brilliant entrepreneur and thought leader. I valued her openness in her story of purchasing and selling her ranch, and this episode with Tiffany Moon was a masterclass in marketing (you’ll want to have a notebook handy to take notes).

• Some of my favorite book people -

  Becca Freeman
  ,
  Olivia Muenter
  , and Julia Whelan - talking about how audiobooks get made.

Buying + Recommending

• Two people I trust for recommendations (Divya,

  Grace Atwood
  ) have been raving about Hanni, a new body care company. I ordered the Shower Salve (I’ve been terrible about applying moisturizer) and the Shave Pillow (I think it’ll be great for travel and after epilating).

• Grace also raved about this orange blossom candle (one of my favorite scents), which I promptly ordered.

• My refill packets from The Outset just arrived in time to refill my empty bottles (both my large ones and my travel ones).

• Items from my Flagship shop that make my life better - our kids’ bedding, jeans that remind me of my 8th grade/Limited Too favorites, and the dress I wore all spring (and will wear all fall).

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Cheers to all our open tabs.

xo,
HPN