Like many, I’ve been relying on comfort TV to avoid thinking about the impact of November 2024. Podcaster Karly Beaumont was active on social media with many thoughtful messages about community, inclusion and self-care. Karly is the creator of Talking Shondaland podcast and contributes to TV Movie Mistress, Karly and I talk in this month’s episode about the comforting power of television and how people process fear. 

As a Dominican native and  lifelong creative, Karly shares her journey as a podcaster and media  critic, offering insights into how shows like Bluey, You’re the Worst, and UnREAL are her emotional touchstones during challenging times. Karly and I probed ways to navigate this time of uncertainty, including listening to understand and recognizing signs of fear.  Another friend of Advanced TV Herstory, Damian Ali of TalkTeaV contributed a timely message about inclusion and storytelling in today’s TV landscape.  

With no answers to guide the country during these increasingly polarized times, we did conclude these points:

> Listen to understand, not just to reply.

> Representation and inclusion in media is more important now than ever.

> TV definitely offers healing during times of crisis.

It’s okay to embrace comfort TV! Listeners submitted a list of their favorites last month. I’ll share it soon!