Ep. 118 - Andrew Weissmann - Inside the Mueller Investigation

Abigail Tucker in her book, Mom Genes, explains how mothers’ brains are transformed during pregnancy. And as far as transformations go, this is the final episode of Five Things that Make Life Better.  All 150 episodes are available at lisabirnbach.com as well as on apple podcasts, google play, stitcher, Spotify, iHeart Radio etc. Watch this space for more from Lisa Birnbach!

Lisa Birnbach’s 5 Things that make her life better: 1. The people involved with the Five Things Podcast, 2. Ellen Angell Sholk, founder of the Five Things That Make Life Better Facebook fan page, 3. My guests, 4. Customer service phone numbers that get you directly to a person, 5. Cherries

Abigail Tucker’s 5 Things: 1.  Escape to the Chateau, 2. Sea Buckthorn, 3. Tuff Girl Fitness, 4. The Global Babies Series, 5. Hot Vanilla

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Senator Al Franken has returned to civilian life. He is a hands-on grandpa, a podcaster, a talker, and a policy wonk. When we met for breakfast recently -- duly separated by 6 feet -- he was interrupted constantly by supportive New Yorkers urging him to run for something, anything.  He still wants to help Americans, by providing help for the needy or by providing a laugh or two.  Does he want to talk about what happened to him? Not really. He is looking forwards, not backwards.

Lisa Birnbach's Five things that make life better: 1) A kiss from her Grandexhibit ™, 2) Santa Barbara, 3. Recording her podcasts with her son, 4. Palm trees, 5. Inspiration

Al Franken's Five Things: 1. Friends, 2. Policy, 3. Laughing and Comedy, 4. Grandchildren, 5. His wife, Franny

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You already know Kenneth Cole from his irreverent messaging, cool footwear, and from his longstanding, passionate support for HIV-Aids research. But now Kenneth is trying to help people find the courage to deal with their mental health issues, through the Mental Health Coalition, a group of resources that you can find online at TheMentalHealthCoalition.org both to share your stories, and find some help.

Lisa Birnbach’s 5 Things: 1. HUGGING my family, 2. Trying new foods, 4. Caring friends, 4. Pavé the Way ™, 5. Elta sunscreen. 

Kenneth Cole’s 5 Things: My Family, 2. Meditation, 3. The formation of the Mental Health Coalition, 4a. Vaccine, 4b. The perfect mask, 5. Bacon.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Who is the cool jeweler on the block? It is Marla, whirlwind on Instagram. In real life she gave up a substantial career in Corporate America to make jewelry inspired by hardware -- tools and gizmos. Now she gives away charms to single moms and is raising money for the hurting restaurant business through a sterling silver chair.

Lisa Birnbach’s 5 Things: 1. Communication, 2. My wonderful hair colorist, Angela Cosmai, 3. Everytown for Gun Safety, 4. Eating outdoors, 5. The vaccine.

Marla Aaron’s 5 Things: 1. Cabbage, 2. Getting dressed every day, 3. A funny husband. 4. Writing it down--I keep notebooks--lots of notebooks, 5. Acceptance. For myself and everyone in my life. Acceptance is magic.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We may be two white women talking about this judicial moment, but the Minneapolis police brutality case was a crucible for everyone in this country, regardless of race. Is progress a victory? What about the hundreds of other police brutality cases from coast to coast?  How will the national curriculum change and how will that change affect the thousands of microaggressions and misunderstandings which happen every day if you are Black in America?  Jennifer Taub, author of Big Dirty Money, is a lively and thoughtful person with which to begin unpacking the facts from the noise.

Lisa Birnbach’s 5 Things that make her life better: 1. The Derek Chauvin verdict, 2. Darnella Frazier, the 17 year old who used her cell phone to film the murder. 3. 85 MILLION Americans have been fully vaccinated, 4. Her new bifocal contact lenses, 5. This tableau vivant

Jennifer Taub’s 5 Things: 1. Coffee, 2. Her Puppy, 3. Poetry, 4. Friendship, 5. Sunlight.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nancy Jo Sales is known for her ability to connect with “the youths” of America.

Her new book, Nothing Personal: My Secret Life in the Dating App Inferno, is a window into how the apps have taken over our lives both from interviews, and from being a subject of her own experimentation with the apps. In this week’s podcast interview, Lisa Birnbach discusses what Nancy Jo has learned, and what she thinks these apps are doing to society – and more importantly to our kids.

Lisa Birnbach’s 5 Things: 1. Medical insurance, 2. The sourdough bread her friend Fred introduced her to at Winner in Brooklyn 3. Digital book tours, 4. An old leather coat she has in the back of her front hall closet, 5. New York City’s endless scaffolds.

Nancy Jo Sales’s 5 Things: 1. Sake Bar Satsko, 2. Edibles, 3. Zazie, her daughter, 4. Sturdy Bookshelves, 5. Her treadmill.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In her illustrious career as a filmmaker, Liz Garbus has made films that make you think, and often, make you act.  Her documentaries have earned countless awards, and she has added scripted films to her portfolio. Her newest movie, All In: The Fight for Democracy is of the moment. With Stacey Abrams as her guide, she shows us both historically and presently how entrenched voter suppression really is. See it on Amazon Prime now!

Lisa Birnbach’s 5 Things That Make Her Life Better: 1. President Biden, 2. French wine, 3. Watching my puppy play with other dogs on the street, 4. Lauren Zalaznick’s weekly newsletter, the LZ Sunday Paper , 5. Photo essay from the Washington Post about 82 year old La Verne Ford Wimberly of Tulsa, OK .

Liz Garbus’s 5 Things: 1. Her family & dog, 2. Tana French mystery novels, 3. @darth on Twitter, 4. Ice House Pond, 5. Settlers of Catan .

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The cards weren't stacked for writer/actor Annabelle Gurwitch when she divorced. If she sold her house, she would never be able to buy back into the real estate market, so she had to find a new way to earn. With trepidation, she began renting out a bedroom to strangers. As a funny, thoughtful, and woke writer, Annabelle writes about regaining her finances, her sexual mojo, and many other personal topics in her new book You're Leaving When? Adventures in Downward Mobility.

Annabelle Gurwitch’s 5 Things that make her life better:

1. Young Jean Lee - Korean American playwright and her musical: We're Gonna Die, 2. Say My Name - the power of hearing your own name out loud, 3. Primo Levi's Quaestio de Centauris, 4. TikTok books that make you sob videos, 5.The Handshake.

Lisa Birnbach’s 5 Things:

1. Perspective, 2. Russian Doll, 3. Mark Bittman’s recipe for Creamy Vinaigrette, 4. Maya Rudolph, 5. Shtisel .

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You know her from her major roles in meaty tv series, but Gloria Reuben is one of the most prominent women of color to lead an international environmental organization, the Waterkeeper Alliance. With 350 groups under its watch, the goal of the alliance is to provide clean water to the people who live within its purviews. How does this busy actress/writer/musician do it all? Water helps.

Gloria Reuben’s 5 Things: 1.  Swimming in the ocean, 2. Honest, deep, soulful and long-lasting friendships, 3. Playing the piano and singing, 4. A day when I watch the sunrise and the sunset, 5. A good hot soak in a deep tub, while sipping champagne. 

Lisa Birnbach’s 5 Things: 1. Girl Scout troop 6000 2. Sunglasses, 3 Chef Emma LaPerruque videos on Food52.com, 4. Ruggable rugs, 5. Two Instagram accounts I like: T.L. Solein and Dennis Kardon

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guests Joey and Daniella Pantoliano talk frankly and with humor about their own struggles with mental health. The award-winning actor (The Soprano's, Memento, The Matrix) and his daughter, a filmmaker have just launched a new podcast, “No Kidding, Me Too” to fight the stigma of talking about emotional troubles of all kinds. 

Daniella’s Five Things: 1. Her family, 2. Her pandemic dog, David, 3. Her friends and boyfriend, 4. Nature, 5. Herself.

Joey’s Five Things:  1. Coming face to face with his traumatic past, 2. Patient loved ones, who knew he was nuts way before he did, 3. Winter & Spring  4. Thank god I found the pony..., 5. Nancy, 6. That he survived long enough to give back.

Lisa’s Five Things: 1. Her SECOND Vaccine, 2. A feeling of confidence, 3. The Biden/Harris administration 4. Her ability to work with her "exhibits", 5. Her memory

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.