Ocean Vuong, Larry Ellison, Michelle Flaherty (American Pie)

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Love: Ocean Vuong

In an LHR first, Alex begins the episode talking about a poet, and starts his segment with a reading of “Aubade with Burning City” by Ocean Vuong. He discusses Vuong’s short but meteoric career, what his unique identity and backstory means specifically when combined with his amazing gifts as a novelist and poet, and what an educated refugee/genius means in the age of Donald Trump. Andy meanwhile, enjoys some kinky Instagram posts, and everyone gets their poetry on.

Hate: Larry Ellison

Andy uses his time to delve into a somewhat personal, somewhat universal hatred for Oracle founder and generic billionaire, Larry Ellison. He mentions how Ellison’s “business as usual” actions have had real and lasting consequences in his own life and family, and the idiocy of owning entire islands and planes that aren’t even legal in your home country. Alex zeros in on why we shouldn’t give billionaires a pass just because they aren’t as cartoonish as Jeff Bezos, and he and Andy discover that rich kids really can live out all of your dreams.

Relationship: Michelle Flaherty (from American Pie)

This episode’s question once again comes from Relationships.txt and sees the asker looking for a way to get her entire family together for her birthday when her parents have decided to shun her sister for owning a dildo. Everyone agrees that the parents suck, the sister is awesome, and that family togetherness is overrated when certain people don’t act right.