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Aw, I just met my friend's baby for the 1st time yesterday and it made me think of you, and I wondered how's the routine with Sid right now, is he coming on tour again? I listen to podcasts constantly, I need my mind to be distracted for me to do chores, I don't like working in silence. I listen to true crime mostly, I love it!

Speaking of podcasts, Maryam and I have a podcast about Tegan and Sara. We're rewatching and talking about every episode of High School right now. We're on Youtube and Spotify if anyone wants to check it out: https://youtube.com/@wannatalktnspod & https://spotify.link/Lxj25ujnayb :)

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Thanks for these recommendations, Sara!

I have recently been able to get a hold of an advanced reader’s copy of a gardening and poetry book called Leaning Toward Light edited by Tess Taylor. I thought you might like to read it once it comes out in the fall. It’s a very light right that combines gardening, the love of nature and plants, parenthood, and poetry.

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Mar 15·edited Mar 15

Hey Sara,

Thanks for sharing!

As someone who prefers you and Tegan to read me your posts and not Siri it’d be great if you could try to record some of them (I don’t think anyone will mind if we can hear Sid babbling in the background!) I understand this post is pretty short is it’s more of a general reminder.

Continuing along a different but similar thread, for me audiobooks and book reading are one in the same, I can read but not huge bodies of text like books or to do research on whatever topic I want. So because of my dyslexia if I want to read something I need to find a way to listen to it. Which as I got older and became more independent I started to have to try to look for apps and things, funnily enough I was sick of being read to when I was about 10. But with my mum’s help we found apps to read text on a screen (one’s better than Siri) and apps for audiobooks, (my mum’s a bookworm and loves books so was determined for me to find a way to access them.

Totally different topic but, I think of Sid often when I’m around my cousin (the one that’s around 2 months older than him) I look at how big she’s getting and wonder how big Sid is. I can’t believe they’ll both be one in a few months!

Thanks for the recommendations. I’ll have to check some out.

I highly recommend Becky Albertalli’s books (she wrote the book that was adapted into the film love Simon). She’s queer herself and as a result has a lot of queer representation in her books, which I find very Refreshing. I also recommend Jules Machais’s two books particularly their first one ‘both can be true’ it was the first genderfluid main character I’d ever seen when the book came out.

(For the record I’m into romance and especially queer romance so if your a fan then you’ll like my suggestions.)

Thanks for posting (and liking my previous comment,) hope to see you in Aus within the new few years!

Phoenix, he/they/it, 16, Australia

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Ahhh Sid.. parenting takes some getting used to, but I loved your explanation of Tegan with a new puppy and you with a new baby!!

Can I ask a question not totally associated with this substack post? I purchased pre-sale VIP and a premium seat. One spot says what you get for VIP which I knew most, and then the part on your Instagram page says a few less things, just a little confused. I am just so stoked to finally get VIP, it's only my 9th time is a charm!!

I love that you and Stacy are parent's you can see even more joy in everything you do Sara, being a mum looks good on you if that's possible!! ♥️♥️💙💙✌️

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i have so many favorite podcasts but a new listen for me is normal gossip - the host kelsey is great at making mundane anonymous stories really compelling!

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founding

Thank you for the recommendations Sara, will definitely check these out. I listen to podcasts and audiobooks a lot because I have trouble reading books because I find it hard to concentrate and my mind wanders. (Currently waiting for a doctors appointment to begin tests to see if I’m on the spectrum/have adhd) One of the podcasts I listen to is Mr Ballen to get my true crime and strange and interesting stories. Also I listsn to Fair Game with Leah Remini and Mike Rinder. Do you have a preference to what podcasts/audiobooks you listen to. Also, what’s your favourite?

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Mar 14·edited Mar 14

Hey whatever gets you through the more challenging hours Sara! Although I don’t have a child, yet, I have a (small) idea of what it’s like in the middle of the night with little sleep. And time seems to go wibbly! 😂

Which I can only imagine, is even more challenging with an exuberant baby like Sid, to who times of day, daytime and nighttime do yet apply.

So thanks Sara, and I’ll be sure to check out some of your recommendations. 😊

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If you like Rumble Strip, you NEED to listen to Heavyweight. It's my favorite podcast of all time and the host is delightfully Canadian :)

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founding

I hope you listen with headphones 😬 lol

I’ve never really been one to listen to podcasts or audiobooks while driving (save them for work) but I realized on the last few long drives back from LA/SD to my house - when there’s traffic - has started to grade on my sanity (this is a new real and unexpected feeling). That being said I’m going to loop those in on my drives or stream a movie I’ve seen a million times to listen to as I sit in my car.

I sub to Realm where I can get episodes early of serial podcasts to my podcatcher, ie Apple’s Podcast app. Lots of queer content (The Orphan Black series is great).

I’m listening to The Expanse series and it’s so good, I regret not reading the books. Rewatch of the series is definitely soon.

✌️

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I recently started listening to Celebrity Memoir Bookclub after a friend recommended it. I jump around to celebs I’m recognize and although it’s not profound at all the two hosts reviewing the books are fantastic in calling out bs and parsing through what is written vs how the celebs really behave. Obviously on the gossip-y side (although some are better than others) but it’s an easy listen while I work my real job

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I love listening to podcasts when I walk my dog!!! Thanks for the recs.

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Murdaugh Murders Podcast is a rabbit hole into the South Carolina dramas that happened there, it was nice to have it playing in my single airpod while watching over my kiddo. What a juxtapose lol! Bonus: watch actual trial courtroom footage and testimony to supplement, so wild!

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Seriously, if anyone ever comes for Sara regarding parenting, watch out LOL

Going to check these out. Thanks for the recommendations! I really enjoy podcasts. If I wake up before the rest of my house, I’ll sometimes listen while I make coffee and doing other morning tasks. Lately I have been enjoying the rare quiet on those mornings though, so I’m a bit behind on podcasts. The main time I listen to podcasts is while my Rosie is at dance class; it’s a 2hr block of time where I get to sit on a couch in the lobby, watch her on a tv (broadcasting from an upstairs studio), wearing my noise canceling headphones.

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Aw, precious moments with Sid are priceless.

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Sara, I'm curious - how has having a baby changed your home aesthetic? Are you still able to keep up with your previously discussed cleanliness standards? How do you incorporate all of the baby gear in with your decor?

We have a ten month old in our house so I feel like we're on a very similar trajectory.

I'm also curious about Sid's name. I can't find the source now but I've seen someone mention there being a Sid referenced in one of your music videos. Is there a connection there? How did you pick his name?

Thank you for sharing your experiences! The representation of queer parents means the world.

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I spend a lot of time at work alone with just the machinery sounds as background noise. I always have something playing to make it more entertaining. I've never been good at branching out though. Thank you for the recommendations.

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