Cool People Doing Cool Shit
because we all need a palate cleanser right now
I’m Tawny, author of Dry Humping: A Guide to Dating, Relating, and Hooking Up Without the Booze, co-author of The Sobriety Deck, co-host of the Recovery Rocks podcast, and co-founder of the non-alc spirit, (parentheses). I also teach classes about publishing and DIY PR. And yes, I’m an exhausted Capricorn.
Hiiiiii!
Feeling overwhelmed by the onslaught of horrendous news inspired me to put together this quick, scrollable list of cool people doing cool shit. Feel free to comment with more good news about something you’re doing or brag about a friend’s hard work. Community is everything, y’all.
XO,
Tawny
Turning Pollution into Art
Gym buddy/climate research icon, HK Dunston, and a team of ceramicists turned pollution into art. “Breath Atlas” explores New Yorkers’ experience of breathing in their neighborhoods.
Ten ceramic amphoras represent neighborhoods in New York City where constraints on breath have been particularly acute. Their differing textures, glazes and distortions represent data about air pollution, asthma, poverty levels, incarceration rates, and the availability of open and green spaces.
Check out Breath Atlas, plus other incredible art-meets-data pieces at BRIC through April 6.
Queer Speakers Mingle on April 11th
Over the years, I've given keynotes, spoken on countless panels and podcasts, and even shared my research about sobriety and relationships in college anthropology courses. Now, I'm thrilled to be part of a speaking collective that amplifies diverse, queer voices—especially as we're being silenced all across the country.
Join me and fellow speakers on Friday, April 11th from 7-9pm. We’ll be in the historical LGBTQ Center (208 W 13th St NYC) in the very same room where ACT UP was founded, building community one conversation at a time. There will be time to mingle and network with The Collective and to learn from them, as well.
And my drink is sponsoring the event!
Sobriety Pop Culture Podcast
Alysse Bryson’s brilliant work lives at the intersection of sobriety and pop culture. Her website, The Sober Curator, just expanded into a podcast! Listen to The Sober Curator on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart.
Dating App Disconnect
I recently spoke on a panel called Dating App Disconnect, all about getting singles together IRL. The TriBeCa venue was packed with 60+ people saying they’re sick of the apps. IRL is the new TikTok, y’all.
Body Image + Diet Culture Writing Class
My dear friend and fellow writing coach,
, is co-leading a four-week workshop all about diet culture and body image.This Coffee Helps Two Non-Profits (Yes, There’s Decaf!)
I do media consulting for Road Recovery, a non-profit that helps NY youth with music programming. One of my recent projects was facilitating this epic coffee collab with a B-52’s icon.
In a unique and creative collaboration, two non-profits, with Fred Schneider, singer/frontman of The B-52’s, joined forces to support Road Recovery’s youth facing mental health issues and other adversities, and Mid-Hudson Works’ veterans working with North River Roasters.
Sales from the Outer Space Blend will be utilized to further the mission of both non-profits.
NY Youth Turn Affirmations into Song, “I Am Love.”
Speaking of Road Recovery, they’re launching a new song today with the incredible Darryl McDaniels (yes, that one from Run DMC!) McDaniels mentored kids aged 6-19 in the vocal booth, assisting with lyrical delivery, cadence, and music production. Road Recovery staff mentors helped the kids turn a wall of affirmations into a powerful song about self-acceptance. A generous grant from the ShineMaker Foundation funded the recording project.
Upcoming Classes
📚Book Proposal Boot Camp May 20th-June 24th 7-9 EST. Sign up here.
🃏Create + Pitch Your Own Card Deck July 16th 6-8EST. Sign up here.
🗞️New Column: Behind the Pitch
My new monthly column helps you get essays published, land media placement for your books/products/expertise, and feel confident while writing the damn email.
Each issue goes behind the scenes of my pitching process (including screenshots of my pitches!) while sharing tangible tips to deal with the emotional side of putting yourself out there. Catch up on issues one and two.
Full access to Behind the Pitch costs $7 per month or $70 per year.
Monthly Topics Include:
Media Placement - Learn how to get quoted as an expert on your topic or get an essay/article published
Podcast Placement - Review my pitch templates to become a podcast guest
Store Placement - Learn how to pitch a physical product (books, card decks, food and beverage, etc.…) to bookstores and specialty stores
The Whole Confidence Thing - Mental health and ADHD-informed tips to boost the confidence needed to write the damn pitch. I’ll also share healthy coping skills for rejection, imposter syndrome, and more.
And more!
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