Hi,

I’ve decided to launch a Webworm podcast, and I wanted you to be the first to know about it.

God, how many times that phrase been uttered: “I’ve decided to launch a podcast.” Good Lord.

Okay — so let me explain the “Episode 5” thing.

When Webworm started, I experimented with four podcast episodes last year. I’ll list those at the end, as they’re all available along with today’s episode.

But as of today I formally, officially and excitedly launch the audio component to Webworm! I’m going to use it to complement the written content here when it feels appropriate. When it feels exciting. When it feels — not to get too pretentious — worthy.

And so I did a long read of Jez Brown’s heartfelt, horrifying and somehow hilarious essay on having Long Covid. I wanted to see how it would be in audio form. I want Jez’s story to have fresh legs, so people can listen in their cars or while they clean the house. It’s an experiment, and I want to see how you feel about it.

You can listen to this episode in this email — it’s embedded in this newsletter — or you should be able to find it on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Me and a microphone (source: Armchaired & Dangerous)

I’ve been enjoying Armchaired and Dangerous so much with Dax and Monica (see below for details of our upcoming live show), so I figure Webworm can have a little podcast life, too.

As a subscriber you will always get it in your inbox first.

An extra thanks to paying subscribers (seriously, dear God, thank you!) who give me the resources and time to build this thing.

I’d love to take your feedback in the comments below. Webworm will always be a written thing — I want you to be able to read it on your phone while you’re in bed or on the bus or at the beach — but I figure audio will be fun to play with. Some stories and interviews may even work better in audio form.

Here are the previous episodes from last year:

Episode #1: a week of conspiratorial madnessEpisode #2: The Sloppy Nonsense of conspiracy theoriesEpisode #3: “Make up something fucking new, so that I can actually give a shit!”Episode #4: I love The Boys because it features a psychopath with strong hints of Trump

So welcome to the Webworm podcast. Big thanks to Aaron Short for doing the theme music. You’re great and your love of dogs is eternal and awesome.

Armchaired and Dangerous: Live

While we’re talking podcasts — we’re doing a live Armchaired and Dangerous in Salt Lake City on Thursday September 16th.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow. You’ll be able to get them here.

Dax, Monica and I will see you then, Utah!

And if you’re in LA on Sunday August 22nd, I’ll be making a brief appearance on stage with Chuck Tingle at his show. You can find details here. It’s sort of a secret that I am popping up, but I am telling you because I want to. If you’re in LA come say hi! Keep it a secret, okay!

An update on Dr Dan - and some some reader feedback

Earlier this week I wrote about Dr Dan, a medical professional who since January has been talking a lot about hydrogen peroxide, hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin as potential Covid treatments on his Facebook and Instagram pages.

He also looked nearly identical to Jason Schwartzman which is kinda cool.

Dr Dan v Jason Schwartzman

After that piece — his Facebook account already disabled — he shut down his Instagram account as well:

@drdanofficial goes offline on Instagram

As I mentioned in my piece, I wrote to the New Zealand Medical Council enquiring about the statements and studies he’d posted on his social media.

They sent back this comment, attributed to Dr Curtis Walker, Chair, Medical Council of New Zealand:

Council takes it very seriously when it becomes aware of any doctor who spreads medical misinformation, which includes anti-vaccination messages. Council notes that the inf

Episode ID: 1000531844960

GUID: substack:post:39858497

Release Date: 12/08/2021, 19:01:32