45 Comments

I was the attendee with the newborn in the audience, I love how Freya got an on-stage hi from Joanna :) at the time I wasn’t able to fully pay attention to the conversation because I was worried about my baby starting to fuss (first time mom over here) but reading back on the transcript now I love how Freya spoke up just as Joanna was talking about having your eyes light up when you see your children. I really want to embody that as a parent and think my daughter starting to coo at that moment was a sign she likes the idea too!

I was nervous to attend with a baby, but a fellow COJ/Big Salad reader and friend in Chicago encouraged me to go, saying the attendees would adore her and support me, and she was exactly right - in addition to Joanna stopping mid-sentence on stage to say hi to my baby, just as we sat down I started to nurse and the first woman who walked past me noticed I was nursing and asked if she could bring me water. I was so touched, this is the most wonderful community 🥹❤️

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Oh my word, Marie! 🥺 She brought you water! I'm so glad you came and brought Freya! Hugs! xo

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oh my gosh, a woman brought you water, sobbbbb. I'm so glad you and freya came, marie!!! loved having you. there was a baby in the chicago audience too :) maybe we should say in the big salad invitations that babies are always warmly welcome xoxo

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Joanna, have you thought about adding the Big Salad podcast feed to a private feed platform, like Hello Audio? You can control who has access (such as limiting it to Big Salad subscribers) and it would allow the podcast to come straight to our favorite players (like Spotify, or Apple Podcasts) instead of having to listen inside Substack. I know it's one more THING to do, but I'll put that bug in your ear in case you hadn't considered it! I find that I don't listen to the podcast only because I read Big Salad on my desktop, while I consume podcasts while walking with earbuds. I know there's a workaround for me, but curious if that's something you've considered!

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And, Alli, if you’d like to download the Substack app, you can use it to play the podcast—and use it as any other player. It keeps playing in the background, when your phone is locked, etc.

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that's a great idea, we'll look into it, Alli! thank you!

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But please also keep it online as it is now. I love this arrangement and I don't subscribe to podcasts.

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Do we get to hear or read the reader questions :)? Also it's so lovely to see Molly Wizenberg and her spouse! Reading Orangette was a happy diversion when I was a grad student in Seattle many years ago.

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LOVED Orangette! Similarly thrilled to see her pop up.

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She has a Substack now! “I’ve Got a Feeling” Highly recommended!

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Knowing that Joanna Goddard has asked a friend to hang out 10 times before he said yes just brought me so much joy and peace! I'm also a chatty extrovert who pesters my friends all the time and it's nice to have someone I really admire admit to the same.

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As an introvert, I really appreciate the chatty extroverts that don't give up on me and continue with all the invitations to hang out!

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awwww, cat!! extrovert kinship xoxoxoxo

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Would love for a Philly visit/event! You have many fans here! Thanks for sharing this wonderful recap and the recording!

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I am always amazed when people rave about the Hitachi -- I must be a different species than most women, but oh my god just _thinking_ about it makes my clit fall off and hide under the bed, seriously. I think I have literally said to partners "Imagine the gentlest you have ever touched anything, and then touch me even more gently than that", ha!

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SAME, Miss B. To me a Hitachi seems like the equivalent of taking a power sander to your most sensitive parts. No thank you!

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Another "super sensitive" here (and the same goes for massages) and I find your power sander description way too accurate 😱

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😂😂😂

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Can we please get a link to what I assume are the boob cover things she whipped out? Also, I swear I scrolled looking for the off-the-rack wedding dress link in that issue and my eyes are broken 🫠

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yes!!!! will ask Kate for the exact kind

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Attending the Seattle event felt like sitting in on a dishy catch-up session between you and Kate...it was *so* warm, funny, and all-around delightful! (And Joanna, if I'd been brave enough, I would've gotten to the mic to mention that you're totally my "divorce role model." So thank you for that!)

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this makes me so happy, Maddie. xoxo

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Crossing my fingers/ toes/ eyes for Big Salad live to come to Los Angeles!!

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You know how the NYT offers a certain number of "gifted" articles a month? I'd love to have that option with Big Salad, even if just once a year---so many friends I'd love to send this one to and I think it would lead many to subscribing.

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Love this! Our monthly edits, including this one, don't have a paywall so everyone can read and listen, so feel free to share, if you like! Thanks, Deirdre!

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This issue made me yearn for a return trip to the PNW!!

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YES READER TALENT SHOW!

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Are you considering a Detroit show, Joanna? 😇

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my parents live in Michigan, I'd love to!

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Your mom would make a great guest for the evening! There are so many beautiful venues and fantastic restaurants in the city.

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Atlanta please!

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I LOVE Atlanta and Decatur!

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I live on the Atlanta/Decatur line, so next event in my living room??

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I'm in Decatur! I'll help you host :)

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so does alex's family! oakhurst is also so cute.

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Thank you so much for recording and sharing the Big Salad conversations. I was so sorry to not make it down to Seattle, and more so after hearing the podcast! Big fan of Kate Baer; she is SO funny!

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I used to live in Seattle, so it was sweet to see the city highlighted.

Then, almost two years ago, I moved to France! So I’m even more excited to read the “Seven Women on Choosing to Move to a Different Country” piece. Thank you for sharing!

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Please come to San Francisco!! Do a show with your sister!

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