Month: July 2023

When we think about gifted conversationalists, we’re more likely to think of great talkers—those who wow us with their insights, wit, and charm. However, communication experts believe that if you want to make a great impression on someone, knowing how to listen goes a long way.

Those of us who love being verbose may think the world loves us because of how well we can talk. But the person sitting in front of you has a lot to say, and nothing makes them feel better during a conversation than your undivided attention.

As the old saying goes, we never quite remember everything someone has said to us, but we’ll never forget how they made us feel. When you actively listen to your conversation partner, they feel that you value them and are receptive to their needs. It also eases any feelings of conflict or resentment.

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After a good conversation, the person you spoke with should think, “Wow, that person really gets me,” instead of, “It was like I didn’t even exist.”

A study from 2016 on sales calls did an excellent job of quantifying the amount we should speak versus listen during a conversation. A marketing director at Gong.io analyzed 25,537 sales calls using artificial intelligence and found that the interactions where the salesperson talked 43% of the time and listened 57% of the time had the highest sales yield.

This finding has come to be known as the 43:57 rule.

Even though the study was conducted on business calls, the reason that it works should apply to social conversations as well. Paying more attention helps a salesperson identify the client’s needs and makes them feel comfortable spending money because they know it’s with someone who understands their interests.

It’s the same as a social situation where the person you speak to wants to know they are valued and you respect what they say.

This is excellent advice, but sometimes it’s hard to listen when you’re in a fun conversation and have a lot to say. Kate Murphy, author of “You’re Not Listening,” says it’s all about staying calm.

“Deep breaths are always good. They’re always good. Because it…calms down that fear response. It helps you get more centered,” Murphy told WBUR. “But also to develop your curiosity. Like I said, make it more important to be curious than to be right. And to go into every conversation with that mindset of how could I be wrong? Instead of, let me prove how I’m right.”

“That’s how you develop creative ideas. It’s how you cooperate. It’s how you find middle ground, or at least a peaceable existence,” Murphy added.

The idea that to be a great conversationalist one should master the art of listening is a bit counterintuitive. But, if you feel that you have a lot to say in conversations and can be interesting to listen to, imagine how great that’ll make others feel when you show that you enjoy listening to them as well. It’s a virtuous cycle where everyone wins.

This article originally appeared on 3.7.23

Jason Aldean has been dealing with the controversy surrounding “Try That In A Small Town” for a little while now, and he said about it in part at a recent concert, “One thing I saw this week was a bunch of country music fans that can see through a lot of the bullsh*t, alright? I saw country music fans rally like I’ve never seen before, and it was pretty badass to watch, I gotta say, thank you guys so much.”

Regardless of how you feel about Aldean or his song, it’s hard to argue with the singer’s point about his fans rallying: On the new Billboard Hot 100 chart dated July 29, “Try That In A Small Town” ranks at No. 2. The only song ahead is Jung Kook and Latto’s “Seven,” which is the first No. 1 song for Latto. It’s also the first chart-topper for Jung Kook as a solo artist, but he’s already experienced multiple No. 1’s as part of BTS.

This is actually the debut week on the chart for “Try That In A Small Town,” despite its initial release coming back in May. The song had the biggest digital sales week for a country song in over a decade, since Florida Georgia Line and Nelly’s “Cruise” in 2013. It also debuted at No. 1 on the Digital Song Sales chart, Aldean’s first leader on those ranks.

It’s Aldean’s second top-10 song on the Hot 100, after “Dirt Road Anthem” (which had a Ludacris-featuring remix) peaked at No. 7 in 2011. Also worth noting is that three of the top four songs are country songs, with Aldean at No. 2, Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” at No. 3, and Luke Combs’ “Fast Car” at No. 4.

This past weekend was an eventful one for the stars of the Philadelphia 76ers, as Joel Embiid got married on Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed himself, FaceTiming Meek Mill to rap “Dreams and Nightmares” to him from the ceremony while also dancing up a storm.

While that was happening and a handful of Embiid’s teammates were in attendance for his nuptials, James Harden and PJ Tucker were down in Miami enjoying themselves at Rolling Loud, where a video went viral of Harden grabbing four (4) hamburgers from legendary Houston rapper Bun B.

Listen, who among us has not been enjoying themselves at a concert, maybe had a few beverages, and not wanted to eat four hamburgers. I would do the same thing as Harden if presented with a tray of free burgers, so I am not going to be one to throw stones here.

That said, plenty of folks online began making connections between Harden’s statement (or maybe threat) earlier in the week to make things “uncomfortable” on his Instagram story amid the reports he’d be more than willing to report to camp and be a distraction should the Sixers not meet his trade request by October. Harden knows better than most how to turn up the heat on a team and make clear he doesn’t want to be there, as he put on some pounds in Houston when he wanted to leave the Rockets and made the Nets locker room miserable before being dealt to Philly. Maybe this is part of the program, maybe he’s taking burgers to some friends, or maybe he was just a very hungry fella. Either way, it is a pretty funny video of him just stacking burgers in his arms and disappearing into the night.

Netflix just unveiled a new feature for mobile app users that will personalize the way users interact with the streaming platform.

Starting Monday, the Downloads tab will be replaced on the iOS version of the Netflix. (Android users will see the change in early August.) In its place, users will see the new “My Netflix” tab where they can download their favorites shows like The Witcher or Stranger Things and also receive recommendations for a more a streamlined experience.

Via Netflix:

In this new dedicated space on iOS and Android globally, you can see your downloads (e.g. Quarterback episodes for that long flight), TV series and movies you gave a thumbs up to, shows and films you’ve saved to My List (e.g. Heart of Stone, anyone?), trailers you’ve watched, reminders you’ve set, whatever you’re in the middle of watching, what you’ve recently watched, and more.

According to Product Manager Elaine Chao, using My Netflix will also better tailor your experience the more you use it.

“Keep in mind that the more you interact with and tell Netflix what you like, such as saving more action-thrillers like Extraction 2 to My List or giving a thumbs up to every season of Bridgerton, the more you’ll see on the My Netflix tab,” Chao said.

While My Netflix hopes to provide a better experience for users, the streaming platform notes that you “still visit your Home tab and other sections of the app to discover our full catalog of series and films.”

(Via Netflix)

The Brooklyn Nets have had a wild past few years, having signed Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, traded for James Harden, traded away James Harden, traded away Kyrie Irving, and finally traded away Kevin Durant.

As they get set for the 2023-24 season, they are finally moving past their efforts at creating a superteam and going back to a more traditional team-building model, with the talent they got in return for those stars as the focal point moving forward. Mikal Bridges is the most notable of those, along with Cam Johnson who got handsomely paid this offseason to return to Brooklyn, as they were the main prizes from the Durant trade to Phoenix. Those two along with Nic Claxton make up the presumptive Nets core at the moment, but that leaves out their highest paid player, Ben Simmons.

Simmons has only played in 42 games over the past two years after holding out from Philadelphia while waiting to be traded, then suffering a back injury that kept him out the entire year once traded to Brooklyn for Harden. This past season he appeared in 42 games, averaging 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game before again being shut down in February. As has become a seemingly annual occurrence, Ben Simmons workout footage has popped up this summer as he gets back on the court, but most NBA observers are in a “believe it when I see it” mode with Simmons ever getting back close to the level he once reached as a three-time All-Star.

However, the only people that matter for Simmons are those in Brooklyn right now, and he can at least fall back on the support of his teammates, led by Bridges. Mikal joined Paul George on the latest Podcast P and explained why he’s a big believer in Simmons having a bounce back year, while also noting Simmons has a great relationship with his current teammates.

This is some very good leadership from Bridges to go out and publicly support Simmons, because that’s the kind of environment he needs. As Bridges notes, he wants Simmons to know they’re going to have his back and like him no matter what ups and downs he goes through on the court, clearly understanding that the battle Simmons faces in returning to form is as much mental as physical. The rest of the basketball world can be skeptical, but as long as the Nets provide that support for Simmons and show him their belief in him, he just might be able to find his rhythm and comfort on the floor again.

Caution: reading any further will likely induce FOMO.

Fuji Rock Festival 2023 is hitting the slopes of the Naeba Ski Resort within Japan’s Niigata Prefecture from Friday, July 28, to Sunday, July 30, with the likes of Alanis Morissette, Daniel Caesar, Denzel Curry, Foo Fighters, Lizzo, The Strokes, Weezer, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and several more in tow.

The expansive event will unfold across eight stages, plus The Palace Of Wonder, and everything will kick off on Friday at 8:30 a.m. local time. Plenty of acts will warm up the crowd for Caesar (7 p.m.), Curry (8 p.m.), Yeah Yeah Yeahs (8:10 p.m.), The Strokes (9:10 p.m.), and NxWorries (10 p.m.).

On Saturday, July 29, Benee will take the Green Stage at 1 p.m., followed by Morissette (5 p.m.), Ellegarden (7 p.m.), and Foo Fighters (9:10 p.m.). The White Stage will host the likes of Dermot Kennedy (2:20 p.m.), Caroline Polachek (6 p.m.), and Louis Cole (10 p.m.). Attendees can also catch D4vd (2 p.m.) or Weyes Blood (4 p.m.) on the Red Marque stage.

The final day, July 30, will still pack plenty of punch. The Green Stage will finish out with Gryffin (3 p.m.), Yuki (5 p.m.), Bad Hop (7 p.m.), and Lizzo (9:10 p.m.). Weezer will close out the White Stage beginning at 10 p.m., and several acts are scheduled to play into the early hours of Monday morning, July 31.

See the full Fuji Rock schedule and festival map below, and find more information here.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

This past weekend, The Walking Dead: Dead City wrapped up the throwback spinoff’s debut season, for which (via a press release) the audience has been “growing with each successive week to date.” Those viewers tuned into watch Maggie pull a fast one on Negan, too. The mad mama recovered her son, Hershel, and she also unloaded Negan into the (figurative) arms of The Croat. He, in turn, passed Negan to the mysterious Dama, who appeared to be a fan of Negan’s morbidly bombastic ways. Jeffrey Dean Morgan has gone on record with Entertainment Weekly to declare, “I think he thinks he’s f—ed.”

Will we see how “f*cked” Negan really ends up being? Oh yes. AMC had a slew of announcements at San Diego Comic-Con, and that includes word that not only will Dead City receive a second season, but so will The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, which won’t even debut until September 10. Still, the footage that AMC has released thus far looks promising (and Daryl will have a crossbow again, thank god). He will wash ashore and feel puzzled about how he has arrived in France, and although he might not ride a motorcycle, he will encounter sadistic nuns. At Comic-Con, AMC revealed this atmospheric trailer:

Additionally, the Rick Grimes and Michonne spinoff received a red-toned teaser as well as an official title — The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live — that will bring back plenty of final-season memories for TWD fans. Finally, we’re seeing some vibes beyond lovey-dovey ones, which I appreciate. No offense to Rick Grimes and his dumb decisions, but there is nothing else as iconic in this franchise like Michonne and her sword. Enjoy:

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon will be on his way to Crossbow City on September 10.

Tom Brady has retired from football, but he seems to be enjoying free agency. The seven-time Super Bowl champion was recently linked to Kim Kardashian following his split from Gisele Bündchen, but they’re “just friends.” Instead, he’s supposedly seeing model Irina Shayk, after they were spotted spending the weekend together.

TMZ reports that Brady and Shayk were seen “apparently cozying up in L.A. over the course of two days — which all started on Friday, when we’re told he first picked her up at Hotel Bel-Air in the afternoon… only to drive her over to his crib. Our sources tell us Tom and Irina walked into his pad — all smiles — and that she didn’t leave his place until the following morning at about 9:30.”

The “sleepover” has since been confirmed to be officially dating.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ … Tom Brady and Irina Shayk are indeed dating. We’re told they met in June at the wedding of billionaire art heir Joe Nahmad and model Madison Headrick in Sardinia. Our sources say “A number of models were hitting on Tom, and Irina was one of them,” although her rep denies it.

Shayk previously appeared in the music video for “Power” by… Kim Kardashian’s ex, Kanye West. Somehow, all celebrity gossip circles back to Kanye and/or Kim.

(Via TMZ)

Spotify treats listeners to customized “Spotify Wrapped” lists toward the end of every year, but a company like Spotify doesn’t place an annual limitation on innovation. A few months after Spotify Pie, something called “n-gen” is providing another way to visualize a listener’s listening habits.

The n-gen website explains, “See how your listening habits have evolved over time, and how your favorite artists and genres have changed by creating new artwork from your favorite playlists and your listening habits.”

The four visual examples are a DNA-like strand connecting most-listened-to artists with compatible traits (i.e., Drake linked to energy or SZA to danceability), a “Top Ten” chart to “show off the shape of your top songs and genres,” a flower in bloom created from playlist data, and a pattern derived from chords found in most-listened-to songs.

The steps toward your special “n-gen” art are fairly simple and play directly into most everybody’s appetite for instant gratification.

Once on the website, you’re presented with the option to “Create With Spotify.” Clicking that prompts to connect your Spotify account to n-gen, which allows n-gen-art to access specific Spotify account data as well as Spotify activity. (Access can be revoked at any time within your Spotify account.) Should you grant that access, you’re redirected back to n-gen’s website and can apply your data to the aforementioned four visual templates.

Check it out here.

In June 2022, I asked if Barbie was the most important movie of 2023. It was a joke at the time, but like Homer predicting the size of Bart’s comet, I was kind of right? I’m scared, too. Barbie, which has a 90 percent “Fresh” rating among critics on Rotten Tomatoes, opened to $162 million at the domestic box office this weekend. That’s the biggest debut weekend for a female filmmaker ever; paired with Oppenheimer’s equally-impressive $82.4 million opening, it’s also the first time where one movie earned $100 million or more and another made $50 million or more in the same weekend ever.

But I didn’t know all that when I decided to do one Barbie-related activity every day for nine days, leading up to (and past) the release of the film. I was just excited to see the new Greta Gerwig movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Would I feel the same way after a week-plus of pink, beaches, and Dua Lipa and Charli XCX songs? Come on, Barbie, let’s read on.

Day 1, July 14th, Friday

As part of arguably the biggest promotional push for a movie since 1989’s Batman, Warner Bros. threw a Barbie-themed party at the Fairmont Hotel in Austin, Texas. Upon getting off the elevator, I was greeted with a standee where you could get your picture taken while posing in a cardboard box like Barbie. This would be a frequent photo opp throughout the week. Inside the bar, there were Barbie drinks (I ordered the “She’s Everything” with vodka and sparkling rosé), Barbie towels, and pink Barbie cowboy hats. The Barbie soundtrack was playing, along with Barbie-adjacent songs like a dizzying remix of “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift. It had major bachelorette party vibes, down to the bar being attached to an outdoor pool.

The crowd was predominantly women, but the number of men wasn’t insignificant. Robbie, Gosling, Gerwig, and most of all, the Barbie marketing team have done a remarkable job of convincing the kind of people who still wonder “can boys own a Barbie or two?” that this is one of the must-see movies of 2023. To quote the trailer: “If you love Barbie, this movie is for you. If you hate Barbie, this movie is for you.” It turns out, Barbie is for everyone.

Day 2, July 15th, Saturday

I didn’t feel my age when I, someone in my 30s, ordered the Barbie-inspired “All That Glitters is Pink” from Cold Stone Creamery. But I did feel it afterwards. Adult me and sugar get along about as well as Tom Cruise and streaming services, so I had a hard time getting through my “Like It” (read: small) cup. The cotton candy ice cream mixed with graham cracker crust, whipped cream, and “dance party” sprinkles wasn’t bad or anything (and complaining about something at Cold Stone being too sugary is like returning movie theater popcorn for having too much butter), but it wasn’t for me.

Unlike the “Barbie Land Berry Pink” cup at Pinkberry. I wasn’t looking forward to another treat so soon after the Cold Stone stop, but I liked this one a lot more. It was smoother, and the “dream” sprinkles added crunchy texture to the refreshing blend of strawberry and dragon fruit-flavored frozen yogurt.

That’s Cold Stone on the left and Pinkberry (and the roof of my dirty car) on the right.

Between my Cold Stone and Pinkberry stops, I went to the mall and saw a Barbie advertisement inside Hot Topic. I’d like to say this was my first trip to Hot Topic since I was a pretended-to-love-Pierce the Veil-but-was-actually-listening-to-Dave Matthews Band teen, but then I would be lying. You never know when you’re going to need a half-priced Mr. Meeseeks Funko pop, y’know? Anyway, I went over to the ad expecting to find Barbie merch, but there was nothing. It was attached to a stand with My Hero Academia and Hello Kitty products, but nothing for Barbie. This is blatant false advertisement, Hot Topic. I’m taking my business somewhere more reputable (Spencer’s).

Day 3, July 16th, Sunday

One of the more popular tourist destinations in Austin is the “I love you so much” mural on the side of Jo’s Coffee. I used to live across the street from the coffee shop, and there was no time of day where I wouldn’t see people taking selfies in front of the green wall.

This week, “I love you so much” was changed to “Barbie, I love you so much – Ken,” with the two names written in the twirly, pink Barbie font. I thought about swinging by the mural in my “From Director Greta Gerwig” shirt during my morning run, until I remembered it was already over 90 degrees outdoors. Then I considered swinging by the mural in a more lightweight shirt during an afternoon run, until, again, I remembered it was now 100 freaking degrees outdoors. So, I drove by it to take a picture instead and didn’t run. Do you guys ever think about dying? I do every time I step out into the Texas summer heat.

Day 4, July 17th, Monday

I’m excited for Barbie the movie, but outside of Toy Story 3 and 4, I have no strong feelings toward Barbie the doll either way. I am Barbie-neutral. But I remember the thrill I felt as a kid walking down the toy aisle of K-Mart when the shelves were stocked with Power Rangers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles junk, and wondered if I could tap into that toy-based nostalgia.

Of course, K-Mart barely exists anymore, so I went to Target instead. Here’s a partial of the products and brands I saw in the toy aisle: Bluey, Pokémon, Peppa Pig, Disney Junior, Sesame Street, Doc McStuffins, Dreamworks’ Gabby’s Dollhouse, Spider-Man, Jurassic World, Dino Ranch, a Target employee watching me closely, Paw Patrol, Lego, Harry Potter, O.M.G. Outrageous Millennial Girls, Baby Alive, Cry Babies, Lil’ Woodzeez, Care Bears, Polly Pockets, Zombaes, another Target employee, so much Frozen, Rainbow High, Monster High, My Little Pony, Hot Wheels, two full aisles of Legos, Mega Bloks, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Sonic, Mario, Minecraft, Star Wars, Nerf guns, uh oh the two Target employees are gesturing in my direction.

It’s at this point I should have moved to a different aisle. Instead, I doubled back to where the Barbies were being held captive in their plastic prisons. For journalism.

The Barbies and their various accessories, settings, and modes of transportation were chaotically arranged on the shelves. Barbie’s Coffee Shop was nowhere near Barbie’s Bakery, but it was next to Barbie’s collection of pets. Further down, Yoga Barbie (“six guided meditations!”) was on an entirely different shelf than Face Mask Spa Day Barbie. There was also Fast Cast Clinic Barbie, Soccer Barbie, Mermaid Power Barbie, and Horse-Riding Chelsea, who is apparently Barbie’s younger sister. Barbie truly can be anything, as long as you don’t mind crouching to look at the bottom shelf.

Day 5, July 18th, Tuesday

I decided to take things easy today… by going to a “Barbie Summer Party” on Austin’s party street. The Red Bull and vodka drinks were sticky; the boy band, girl group, and 2000s mall punk anthems were blasting; and the crowd was a mix of tattooed couples wearing black and women wearing their finest and often smallest pink dresses. I am convinced Barbie is going to make $1 billion.

Day 6, July 19th, Wednesday

What if I hated the Barbie movie? That would be a real kick in the pants for someone doing a week of Barbie-related events (and the week isn’t over yet). Luckily, I liked it. A lot. It’s fun, colorful, and looks great. The MVP of the movie isn’t Robbie or Gosling or Issa Rae or Matchbox Twenty, although they’re fantastic; it’s the production design team. But as much as I enjoyed Barbie, the thing I like even more is opening up the Alamo Drafthouse or AMC app and seeing sold-out screening after sold-out screening. I know a lot of people who haven’t seen a movie in a theater since before the pandemic. But between Barbie and Oppenheimer and to a certain degree Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One (a very good film that had the misfortune of coming out when it did), people are finally returning to [Vin Diesel voice] da movies.

Day 7, July 20th, Thursday

Another day, another Barbie party. This time, it was at Pinballz, a local chain with arcade games, rides, and, as you might expect, pinball machines. I am terrible at pinball, but the siren song of Shrek pinball calls to me every time. If only I had an extra $6,010 – $6,990 to spare. Instead, I spent that money on pink cocktails this week.

There is no Barbie machine at Pinballz (only a costume contest and a lot of White Claws), but maybe there will be now. By 2024, you’ll see Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling next to Chunk and Peter Griffin in barcades across the nation. Could slot machines be next? At least give us an Allan whac-a-mole.

Day 8, July 21st, Friday

Denny’s Hobbit Menu is the GOAT of fast food/chain restaurant tie-in meals, but let’s say, in another timeline, the Hobbit Hole Breakfast never existed. It sometimes feels this way, like the Smaug’s Fire Burger was a beautiful dream. But in this dark alternate reality, would Burger King’s Barbie Burger have a chance at becoming the new favorite among pop culture/greasy food fanatics?

I’m not sure, because I don’t live in Brazil. That’s the only market where the Barbie Burger is available. But I’ve seen the photos, and I replicated one for myself at home. It’s pretty simple to make: the official copy reads, “The Pink Burger, from the BK Barbie Combo, comes in a fluffy brioche bun, high and juicy meat, a slice of melted cheddar cheese, the amazing smoked pink sauce, and crispy diced bacon.” (The combo includes Ken’s Potato, a.k.a. fries, and a Barbie donut shake.) I left out the bacon because I don’t eat pork products, but the brioche bun? Check. Burger, made with ground chuck according to a copycat recipe? Check. Melted cheddar cheese? Check. Smoky pink sauce? I couldn’t find what BK’s “smoked pink sauce” is made out of, so I used the cursed Pink Sauce made famous by TikTok with a teaspoon of liquid smoke.

The Pink Sauce, which tasted like Thousand Island dressing, was fine. I wouldn’t buy it again, but it worked well with the smoke (or, more likely, the smoke subdued the Pink Sauce). My burger didn’t look anything like the Burger King Barbie Burger — that Pepto Bismol pink shouldn’t exist in nature — but I had to take a photo because look at how cute Lil’ Margot and Lil’ Ryan are.

Where were the Barbie Happy Meal toys?

Day 9, July 22nd, Saturday

My week in Barbie Land ended with — what else? — a party. Superstition, a nightclub near downtown Austin, threw a Barbie bash where attendees were invited to wear their favorite Barbie-themed outfits. There was a lot of pink on the dance floor (with music provided by all-female DJs), and at least one guy dressed in Ken’s instantly iconic denim look. But my favorite outfit belonged to a woman wearing a “Greta Gerwig” shirt from Girls on Tops.

It made me think of Gerwig’s pre-Lady Bird days when she was part of the mumblecore scene. Imagine telling someone in 2007 walking out of Hannah Takes the Stairs that in 2023, Gerwig would direct a Barbie movie. And not only would it be good, but it also would inspire people to wear a shirt with her name on it to a bottle service nightclub. It’s not what I expected when Gerwig was announced to the project, or even when I started my adventure in Barbie Land, but this Barbie is full of surprises. Another surprise: I still like the color pink.

Hi Barbie (week), bye Barbie (week).