Anya and Alan talk about a mutual favorite book, “Tiny Beautiful Things” by Cheryl Strayed. CONTENT WARNING We talk about physical, sexual, and emotional abuse in this episode. We discuss heartbreak, homelessness, and the religion of radical empathy. This book makes us want to be better people- and we want to share it with everyone.

Anya and Alan talk about the movie that taught Anya that movies could be Art instead of just entertainment- Monsoon Wedding! We talk about the surprising storyline of abuse, and how it resonates so many years later. The pull between Old India and New India. And how Dubey is NOT ready for a relationship.

Anya and Alan talk about the 2001 Gore Verbinsky movie “The Mexican”. This is a story about stories which are themselves about stories. It helped Alan learn about stories and how a story should tell a story within itself so that the story makes sense. Story.

Anya and Alan talk about the award-winning German-language thriller “The Lives of Others”. We loved this tightly plotted story about Art and Fascism in the 1980s. It resonated with the politics of our time, the fights over the importance of storytelling in culture, and why the truth is worth standing up for.

We have a new podcast! Come listen to us talk about “His Dark Materials” with our friend Caitlin. For all the details visit the Measures of Truth homepage, then subscribe to the podcast in your favorite player!

Anya and Alan discuss the hilarious, but very dark, best-selling novel “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” by Gail Honeyman. We discuss suicide, loneliness, and depression- so please take care to listen only if you are ready for those themes. Also we ask ourselves- “What would a ferret do in this situation?” and realize the correct way to live.

Alan tries to explain why he owes $400 to Blockbuster video, what William and Jocelyn are fighting about, and what Nietzsche would have thought about “A Knight’s Tale”. Yeah. Buckle in for some weirdness.

Just in time for the Women’s World Cup 2019, Anya and Alan discuss “Bend It Like Beckaham”. Anya’s favorite sleepover movie from high-school is all about third-culture kids, choice feminism, and wearing comfortable clothes. We talk about the big ship of this movie and how we need more sports movies about women.

Anya and Alan talk about the 1990’s animated MTV show Aeon Flux created by Peter Chung. This is one of Alan’s favorite cult 90’s shows. We talk about four episodes, including one about a wall that divides two nations- which has nothing to do with American politics. At all…

Anya and Alan talk about the Oscar Award winning Kung Fu film by Ang Lee, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”. Alan’s favorite Kung Fu movie is actually a musical and Jen Yu is actually a Disney Princess. That’s right. We said it.