I talk to the writer Anne Kadet about her beloved newsletter "Cafe Anne" and how she uncovers fascinating stories that reveal our humanity and accurately reflect our reality but are oft overlooked
This was fascinating! Thank you, Gabe! And thank you, Anne! What I love, love, love about this interview is hearing about Anne's process and philosophy. I learned a lot about one of my favorite newsletters, but I also learned a lot about storytelling.
Awesome interview! I love Anne's work and I've been happily following her for well over a year.
I think the secret humor formula at play in Cafe Anne is that she DOESN'T comment on, or snipe at, or dunk on her subjects, and she DOESN'T discuss politics or current affairs. The informed reader knows these things already, and contextualizes the story within the framework of reality, which makes all the topics and people she covers that much more hilarious and absurd. And, of course, human.
Wow Amran this is sincerely smart & profound. I was really struck by that part in interview when Anne said she had to stay super informed in order to know what associations her readers might make based on whatever is happening in the world at that time.
Oh, wowwowow...!!! I have so much to say about gentle, well-intentioned pranks and storytelling... but will share further along w the episode in Gotham Girl b/c this has ignited my whole Harriet-the-Spy-sister-self! Once again, a triumph, Gabe & Anne!!! Anne, I'd followed earlier on when you were interviewing curious bagel guys... but somehow got knocked off I think when I started The Empress... my poor tech capabilities were surely to blame... anyway, love it all.
Yes! Yes! What should our uniform be? It should definitely involve opera glasses! It should definitely NOT involve a black balaclava and a big bag of bird seed, which I write about in "Harriet the Spy is all of us 😂" along with your wonderful episode at http://gothamgirl.me -- Readers adore the fake steakhouse!
As a journo I feel I don’t fit in! Why? Because most editors have already decided what the story is… and often you find what the story is as you are writing or recording it. Thank you for a wonderful revelation of what journalism is about. What a marvellous piece!
I 1000% agree!!!!! Something I was thinking abt is NYC prob has most writers of any city & yet Anne has figured out to write abt the city in a completely original way!
This was fascinating! Thank you, Gabe! And thank you, Anne! What I love, love, love about this interview is hearing about Anne's process and philosophy. I learned a lot about one of my favorite newsletters, but I also learned a lot about storytelling.
So glad you connected w Anne's episode, Michael, I learned a ton from listening to Anne!
Yay thanks so much for listening & so thrilled you connected w Anne's episode like that! Fwiw I learned a ton too!
Awesome interview! I love Anne's work and I've been happily following her for well over a year.
I think the secret humor formula at play in Cafe Anne is that she DOESN'T comment on, or snipe at, or dunk on her subjects, and she DOESN'T discuss politics or current affairs. The informed reader knows these things already, and contextualizes the story within the framework of reality, which makes all the topics and people she covers that much more hilarious and absurd. And, of course, human.
Wow Amran this is sincerely smart & profound. I was really struck by that part in interview when Anne said she had to stay super informed in order to know what associations her readers might make based on whatever is happening in the world at that time.
Oh man! Busted!
Thanks Amran!
Oh, wowwowow...!!! I have so much to say about gentle, well-intentioned pranks and storytelling... but will share further along w the episode in Gotham Girl b/c this has ignited my whole Harriet-the-Spy-sister-self! Once again, a triumph, Gabe & Anne!!! Anne, I'd followed earlier on when you were interviewing curious bagel guys... but somehow got knocked off I think when I started The Empress... my poor tech capabilities were surely to blame... anyway, love it all.
Harriet the Spy Club! Harriet the Spy Club!
Yes! Yes! What should our uniform be? It should definitely involve opera glasses! It should definitely NOT involve a black balaclava and a big bag of bird seed, which I write about in "Harriet the Spy is all of us 😂" along with your wonderful episode at http://gothamgirl.me -- Readers adore the fake steakhouse!
Alisa I'm am so THRILLED that you connected w brilliant Anne's episode like that! I want to be on Team Harriet the Spy too!
YAY! You will love Operation Mockingbird! It's positively diabolical :)
Oh boy! Looking forward to reading Alisa!
This was such a fabulous conversation! Thank you!
Thanks so much Jeffrey for listening & I am thrilled that you connected w Anne's episode like that!
Anne’s the greatest!
As a journo I feel I don’t fit in! Why? Because most editors have already decided what the story is… and often you find what the story is as you are writing or recording it. Thank you for a wonderful revelation of what journalism is about. What a marvellous piece!
Thanks for this! Yes, being able to go wherever the story takes you is one of the many, many, many upsides of going indie for sure!
You’re my new hero! It’s like a new door that’s been opened. Every time you kept saying bad journalism I was like no this is how it should be!
Oh shit, now I really want to hear Anne's laugh!
I haven't even heard the interview yet. But you can be 100% sure that I will.
I LOVE Café Anne. So very much.
Awww thanks BA!
I listened. Delightful! I loved hearing about your approach.
Omg thanks so much for listening B.A. & I loved hearing from Anne how she approaches her newsletter too. Cheers.
My pleasure!
😘
I 1000% agree!!!!! Something I was thinking abt is NYC prob has most writers of any city & yet Anne has figured out to write abt the city in a completely original way!
That would be so fun!
I think our Mr. Hudson lived most of his adult life in the city and only recently left, si?
Yes I was a long time Brooklyn person & my heart is always sorta there & I would LOVE it if we could all meet up there at some point.