5.6 The Usual

Season Five

This season I go back to my roots, and share some stories recorded in-studio. You’ll get one story per episode, along with a return of Paul’s Picks, where I share something I’ve been reading, watching, or listening to.

The Story

Sometimes when you walk down a quiet street, you never know what could happen. This is a story about where someone asked me to do something I don’t know how to do, and I just rolled with it.

Paul’s Pick

I used to see a movie in a theatre once a week. I went alone and it was my little treat to myself. Although I don’t often go to the theatre much anymore, there is a power to it. Sitting in the dark with strangers and experiencing something collectively.

Some movies were so important to me that I remember which theatre and where I was sitting. Children of Men was one of those movies. It’s a powerful movie. I walked out of that theatre wondering what in the hell I just saw. I was hesitant to watch it recently, out of a fear that it wouldn’t hold up. If anything, the movie is even more relevant than when it came out.

I became quite smitten with the director, Alfonso Cuaron, and quickly watched all his other movies. When I heard about his latest, Roma, I knew that was a movie I’d like to see in the theatre. In very different ways, Roma was just as powerful. More subtle. Understated, sure. But it really was unlike anything I had seen in a while.

Podcast Partners

The live monthly event Stories We Don’t Tell has been my storytelling home for almost five years. To learn more, visit the website at storieswedonttell.org. The theme music is by singer/songwriter Arlene Paculan, check her out at officialarlene.com.

Listen and/or Read

Read a transcript of this episode on my blog. Listen to the episode with the player below.