You may not recognize Andy Mills’ name, but you likely know his work: He co-created The Daily podcast for The New York Times, where he also produced Rabbit Hole, a fantastic series on the internet, and – quite fatefully! – the war on terror podcast, Caliphate. Shit happened. It was complicated. Andy is no longer at The New York Times.
But he’s struck out on his own. Last year he gave us The Witch Trials of JK Rowling, one of 2023’s best podcasts, and now he’s back with a new podcast, Reflector, which tells “stories about the strange experiences of being human — sparking wonder, unveiling complexity, and igniting curiosity,” which Mills created with longtime producing partner Matthew Boll. The first episode tackles a familiar topic, over-drinking, and centers on an unexpected subject: Katie, the very funny host of Blocked & Reported, who shares her experience with the anti-drinking drug Naltrexone. Nancy and Sarah chat with Andy about addiction, storytelling, faith, and how to push back on the media’s excesses.
Also discussed:
The burden of knowing who is going to hell
The Bible, it has slow parts
The love of God is a very hard thing to lose
Drinking as a spiritual experience
How the social justice movement is deeply Protestant
The Caliphate scandal
About Andy’s exit from the New York Times …
Sarah, the black belt of dumping beer on people’s heads
Jealousy’s role in the media meltdown
More on Donald McNeil Jr. ouster, and Nancy could not be happier/angrier
Did Infinite Jest predict social media?
Naltrexone: Miracle drug, or “quick fix” that doesn’t address what’s wrong?
“You’re a smoker? Lucky you.”
A civil war on the movie Civil War
“I wanna listen to a podcast that’s just Nancy saying, ‘William Langewiesche.’”
The Harry Potter of adult romance novels
Plus, video texts equal love, why no stories are actually neutral, why alcohol is an “analog drug,” and much more!
We usually tuck the best tidbits behind the paywall, but Andy’s 2020 Daily episode “Delilah” is so beautiful, it must be shared freely.
Episode Notes:
Reflector: Ep 1, “The Sea Change: Why aren’t Americans embracing the most promising medications for treating over-drinking?”
“Today I’m resigning from The New York Times. Those are not words I ever wanted to write….” Andy’s resignation post
Fleishman’s in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner (Amazon link)
Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World by Tom Holland (Amazon audiobook)
“New York Times Says ‘Caliphate’ Podcast Fell Short of Standards,” by Marc Tracy, Katie Robertson and Tiffany Hsu (New York Times)
Rukmini Callimachi at the New York Times
“Joe Kahn: ‘The newsroom is not a safe space,’” by Ben Smith (Semafor)
“Kids and Cowards: What Really Happened to Donald McNeil at the New York Times,” by Nancy Rommelmann (Newsweek)
“The Fix,” Andy’s 2015 Radiolab episode on Naltrexone, addiction, and AA
“The Irrationality of Alcoholics Anonymous,” by Gabrielle Glaser (The Atlantic)
Blackout by Sarah Hepola (Amazon link)
“The Biggest Takeaways From Oprah’s Ozempic Special,” by Olivia Craighead (The Cut)
What is the Sinclair Method for Addiction?
“Bill Wilson's Experience with LSD” by Thomas B. (Preston Group AA)
What’s in your hot box?
Andy:
The Other Side of Everything by Mila Turajlić:
Nancy:
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Mass (Amazon link)
Inside the Sky: A Meditation on Flight by William Langewiesche (Amazon link)
Sarah:
Andy picks the outro, a Chicago band …
140. Andy Mills on How Curiosity Can Save Journalism -- and Us