Episode 369
with Jose Antonio Vargas, Courtenay Hameister, Marcella Arguello, and Planes on Paper
Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello “face their fears” of the IRS and snakes; journalist Jose Antonio Vargas recounts coming out as an undocumented immigrant who faces deportation at any moment; comedian Marcella Arguello makes the case for staying single over 30; writer and former Live Wire host Courtenay Hameister describes how she spent a year facing her anxiety head-on by engaging in activities that pushed her boundaries; and folk duo Planes on Paper perform “Hermit Song.”
Jose Antonio Vargas
Journalist
Jose Antonio Vargas is making waves as a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, and human rights activist. Born in the Philippines, Vargas moved to the US at the age of 12 and revealed his status as an undocumented immigrant in The New York Times Magazine in 2011. That experience and essay is the foundation of his new book, Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen. In addition, Vargas somehow has time to be the founder and CEO of Define America, the nation’s leading non-profit media organization that fights anti-immigrant hate through storytelling. Get on board, because we want to ride the waves of change that Vargas is pushing to create. Website • Twitter
Marcella Arguello
Comedian
When you’re as tall, outspoken, and hilarious as Marcella Arguello, you see the world from a unique vantage point. In her own words she’s “too lazy to shoot hoops and too tall to model,” so naturally, she turned to standup comedy to make her mark. Arguello’s not afraid to riff on topics ranging from race to politics to gender to relationships to whatever else is on her mind that day. She’s a fan favorite on Comedy Central’s @midnight, a Timeout “LA Comedian to Watch” in 2017, and has written for and appeared on numerous cable and streaming TV shows. Buckle up and look up, because Marcella Arguello is about to rain comedy down on you. Website • Twitter
Courtenay Hameister
Former Live Wire Host
When faced with fear, author Courtenay Hameister chooses to turn and fight – by wrestling her experiences with anxiety and imposter syndrome into poignant and hilarious essays that help light the way for others. The beloved former host and head writer for Live Wire, Courtenay writes a column for The Portland Mercury called “What’s She Mad About Now,” and is the co-writer for the web series “The Benefits of Gusbandry.” Her first book, Okay Fine Whatever: The Year I Went From Being Afraid of Everything to Only Being Afraid of Most Things was released in July. Her essays fly in the face of fear and we are here for it.Website • Twitter
Planes on Paper
Folk Duo
The duo behind Planes on Paper doesn’t need a lot of bells and whistles to make beautiful music – with just an acoustic guitar and two vocals harmonizing together, they’re good to go. Jen Borst and Navid Eliot combine their musical talent with an ever-present sense of intimacy to create lyric-driven songs that feel kindly, graceful, and familiar. The popular Yakima, WA band just released their debut full-length album, Edge Markings, which showcases the meticulous care and lack of ego that goes into their collaboration. If you’re searching for pure folk harmony with a side of empathy, Planes on Paper should be your preferred destination. Listen • Twitter
