Try Hard

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Alex Sujong Laughlin has conversations with people about the ways they're redefining themselves, from major life changes to picking up new hobbies. Be a try hard. We double dog dare you. Created by Alex Sujong Laughlin and Defector Media.

29 de jun.

Why is it so hard to make friends as an adult?

Alex Sujong Laughlin talks to Aaron Edwards about how he's learned to make friends as an adult. Episode transcript here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GiG2tM-BxxQiE4mM4fDrtq7CWrTBaU3UBSHS4g_3j-8/edit?usp=sharing🏷️: making friends, making friends as an adult, cringe, meetups, rejection, ghosting, introversion, introverts, Aaron Edwards, Upstate Color, Kingston, Alex Sujong Laughin, Try Hard podcast, starting over, navigating transition, creative burnout***Follow Alex Sujong Laughlin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexlaughs/Email Alex: alex[at]defector.comSubscribe to Defector Media: https://defector.com/Check out Try Hard on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6OAiTsWXSBt7KlW7unuJPGXad4P5x6va ***Credits:This show is produced by Haleema Shah and Alex Sujong Laughlin. Mixing by Samantha Gattsek. Justin Ellis is Defector’s projects editor. Our show art is by Lille Allen. Our theme song is “Photo Booth,” by Avery Friedman. Jasper Wang is Defector’s business guy. Thank you to the Defector staff and to Sean Kuhn. Our merch store was created by Dan McQuade. Defector Media is a collectively owned, subscriber based media company. Try Hard is a proud member of Radiotopia.

39 min
15 de jun.

Why Ingrid Nilsen quit YouTube at 3M subscribers

Ingrid Nilsen was one of the most followed YouTubers ever, but in 2020, she walked away from her influencing career to try something new. In this episode, Alex Sujong Laughlin talks to Ingrid about her decision to quit influencing and how that led to the creation of her candle and fragrance company, The New Savant. Episode transcript here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/16C3QO_2Dc0xCfLgoxnFD2XmcHU0hL0_4aylVf85oejk/edit?usp=sharing🏷️: Ingrid Nilsen, Erica Anderson, The New Savant, youtubers, youtube, lifestyle, creators, vlogmas, influencers, small business, starting a business, candles, candle company, early influencers, covergirl, Alex Sujong Laughin, Try Hard podcast, starting over, navigating transition, creative burnout ***Follow Alex Sujong Laughlin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexlaughs/Email Alex: alex[at]defector.com Subscribe to Defector Media: https://defector.com/Check out Try Hard in audio form: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/try-hard/id1824016771***Credits: This show is produced by Haleema Shah and Alex Sujong Laughlin. Mixing by Samantha Gattsek. Justin Ellis is Defector’s projects editor. Our show art is by Lille Allen. Our theme song is “Photo Booth,” by Avery Friedman. Jasper Wang is Defector’s business guy. Thank you to the Defector staff and to Sean Kuhn. Our merch store was created by Dan McQuade. Defector Media is a collectively owned, subscriber based media company. Try Hard is a proud member of Radiotopia.

41 min
Temporada 2, trailer do episódio 1

We're making some changes...

Alex Sujong Laughlin launched the Try Hard podcast in 2025 and almost ended the show due to creative burnout, chronic health issues, and major life changes. In this episode, Alex breaks down what you can expect from the new season of Try Hard. Stay tuned for our new season launch date! Episode transcript here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12s8f_Kz_L3z5bfEJkhJamHGJKpwGUtglVbM-tMRyV3Q/edit?usp=sharing🏷️: Alex Sujong Laughin, Try Hard podcast, starting over, navigating transition, trying new things, creative burnout, podcast hosting, chronic illness, work, self care, defector, creative work, new projects***Follow Alex Sujong Laughlin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexlaughs/Email Alex: alex[at]defector.com Subscribe to Defector Media: https://defector.com/Check out Try Hard in audio form: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/try-hard/id1824016771***Credits: This show is produced by Haleema Shah and me, Alex Sujong Laughlin. Mixing by Samantha Gattsek. Justin Ellis is Defector’s projects editor. Our show art is by Lille Allen. Our theme song is “Photo Booth,” by Avery Friedman. Jasper Wang is Defector’s business guy. Thank you to the Defector staff and to Sean Kuhn. Our merch store was created by Dan McQuade. Defector Media is a collectively owned, subscriber based media company. Try Hard is a proud member of Radiotopia.

9 min
9 de fev.

Bonus: You Can Just Publish Books?

Breaking this brief winter freeze with a bonus episode featuring a conversation with Madeline Porsella and Mabel Capability Taylor, the creators of Mandylion Press, which "unearths lost literary gems written by women and weirdos in the (very) long nineteenth century." Check out Mandylion's books here: https://www.mandylionpress.com/ Listen to their podcast, 1-800-1800: https://open.spotify.com/show/4evGmpMz51afDLClA3RVce***Sign up for ICE watch training***: https://statesatthecore.substack.com/p/community-defense-and-ice-watch Send me voice memos about the things YOU'RE trying at podcasts@defector.com, or you can message me or tag me on Instagram @alexlaughs. https://www.instagram.com/alexlaughs/ Try Hard is hosted and produced by Alex Sujong Laughlin. Editorial and production support from Audrey Mardavich, Tom Ley, and Jae Towle Vieira. Justin Ellis is Defector's projects editor. Our show art is by Lille Allen and our theme song is "Photo Booth" by Avery Friedman.Try Hard is a proud member of Radiotopia.

38 min
01/12/2025

Ronald Young Jr. Comes Clean

We've talked a lot about trying this season, but not enough about failing. In the season one finale, Ronald Young Jr. comes clean about failing his Try Hard project. Episode transcript here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15ysREUJm3-I9T8K6xCGT4Qbtlu1fZfuKETkb1MvaV1c/edit?usp=sharing You can contribute to Radiotopia's fall fundraiser with a tax-deductible donation here! Get tickets to Ronald's show Heartbreaker in DC on Feb 21: https://www.unionstagepresents.com/shows/heartbreaker-a-tragic-love-story-from-ronald-young-jr/ Send me voice memos about the things YOU'RE trying at podcasts@defector.com, or you can message me or tag me on Instagram @alexlaughs. https://www.instagram.com/alexlaughs/ Try Hard is hosted and produced by Alex Sujong Laughlin. Editorial and production support from Audrey Mardavich, Tom Ley, and Jae Towle Vieira. Justin Ellis is Defector's projects editor. Mixing by Samantha Gattsek. Our show art is by Lille Allen and our theme song is "Photo Booth" by Avery Friedman.Try Hard is a proud member of Radiotopia.

36 min
17/11/2025

Zakiya Gibbons Goes On A Date

Zakiya Gibbons is rusty with dating women, so she goes to a queer speed dating event to shake the cobwebs off. Episode transcript here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1THYaMJZoV3e_45wsLsScbYxphcywyMIhltrJN0b4Ygc/edit?usp=sharing You can contribute to Radiotopia's fall fundraiser with a tax-deductible donation here! Send me voice memos about the things YOU'RE trying at podcasts@defector.com, or you can message me or tag me on Instagram @alexlaughs. https://www.instagram.com/alexlaughs/ Try Hard is hosted and produced by Alex Sujong Laughlin. Editorial and production support from Audrey Mardavich, Tom Ley, and Jae Towle Vieira. Justin Ellis is Defector's projects editor. Mixing by Samantha Gattsek. Our show art is by Lille Allen and our theme song is "Photo Booth" by Avery Friedman.Try Hard is a proud member of Radiotopia.

32 min
03/11/2025

Josh Gondelman Plays Basketball

Josh Gondelman used to love playing basketball, but he can't seem to bring himself to play in his friend's long-running pickup game. Check out Josh's standup special, Positive Reinforcement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAvNlgpdKKo Episode transcript here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KPusncOHye0q-x9GVxODOTuG-NMoLMjMUEVWlfg2f4I/edit?usp=sharing Send me voice memos about the things YOU'RE trying at podcasts@defector.com, or you can message me or tag me on Instagram @alexlaughs. https://www.instagram.com/alexlaughs/ Try Hard is hosted and produced by Alex Sujong Laughlin. Editorial and production support from Audrey Mardavich, Tom Ley, and Jae Towle Vieira. Justin Ellis is Defector's projects editor. Mixing by Samantha Gattsek. Our show art is by Lille Allen and our theme song is "Photo Booth" by Avery Friedman.Try Hard is a proud member of Radiotopia.

38 min
20/10/2025

Rax King Plays the Banjo

Rax King learns a song on the banjo to play at a jam.Check out Rax's new book, Sloppy: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/751421/sloppy-by-rax-king/ Episode transcript here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ajUijzXj3ynxpHQIvh-cQBwWdrztnZCiUzJBoQNeTQo/edit?usp=sharing Send me voice memos about the things YOU'RE trying at podcasts@defector.com, or you can message me or tag me on Instagram @alexlaughs. https://www.instagram.com/alexlaughs/ Try Hard is hosted and produced by Alex Sujong Laughlin. Editorial and production support from Audrey Mardavich, Tom Ley, and Jae Towle Vieira. Justin Ellis is Defector's projects editor. Mixing by Samantha Gattsek. Our show art is by Lille Allen and our theme song is "Photo Booth" by Avery Friedman.Try Hard is a proud member of Radiotopia.

41 min

Ver tudo (15)

Normal Gossip delivers juicy, strange, funny, and utterly banal gossip about people you’ll never know and never meet. Host Rachelle Hampton discusses reader-submitted comedic gossip with guests, diving into the lives and decisions of complete strangers. The second-hand truth really is stranger than fiction. Produced by Se'era Spragley Ricks and Jae Towle Vieira. Created by Kelsey McKinney and Alex Sujong Laughlin. Show art by Tara Jacoby. https://normalgossip.komi.io/

4,6 (5817)

Comédia
Articles of Interest is a show about what we wear. Produced and Hosted by Avery Trufelman

4,9 (3547)

Moda e beleza
An episode-by-episode discussion of The West Wing, one of television’s most beloved shows, co-hosted by one of its stars, Joshua Malina, along with Hrishikesh Hirway of Song Exploder.

4,9 (10414)

Filme e TV
Song Exploder is a podcast where musicians take apart their songs, and piece by piece, tell the story of how they were made. Each episode features an artist discussing a song of theirs, breaking down the sounds and ideas that went into the writing and recording. Hosted and produced by Hrishikesh Hirway.

4,8 (5947)

Música
Proxy investigates the weird, specific feelings that run our lives and world — sometimes by finding someone who gets it, sometimes by reporting from the emotions beat. Hosted by Yowei Shaw, former co-host and senior producer of Invisibilia. We’ll be back with new cases this fall — and we’ll be dropping a few treats in the feed this summer. Follow the show so you don’t miss the next case. Follow us on Instagram: @proxypodcast @yoweishaw Get in touch at proxythepod@gmail.com If you’re new, try: Bisexual Wife Guy, Yowei Can't Speak Bro, or Jane Doesn't Like Her Dogs.

4,8 (585)

Diários
the memory palace

4,8 (6851)

História

Ver as perguntas frequentes sobre assinaturas

4,6

de 5

52 avaliações

Aren’t we all try hard?

25/08/2025

fallingsakura9

I loved Alex on Normal gossip and love her new venture. Life is filled with moments where you don’t quite know what you’re doing and hope no one notices. So hearing people describe how they’re trying a new thing is cathartic and entertaining.
Mind-blowing

17/10/2025

crunch-19

So profoundly bad
Thought-provoking and human

13/10/2025

Shortstak111

This one’s a slow burn for me. I was sucked in immediately by the honesty and relatability of the first episode, and while I haven’t felt as deeply struck by the others as I was that first one, I find that I am really appreciating the subtle thematic narrative unfolding across the first season. The episodes really stick with me and have provoked a lot of self-reflection and reminiscing about my own experiences trying scary new things.
Wholesome

02/08/2025

Adunks11

Great to listen to while doing something difficult!

Alex Sujong Laughlin has conversations with people about the ways they're redefining themselves, from major life changes to picking up new hobbies. Be a try hard. We double dog dare you. Created by Alex Sujong Laughlin and Defector Media.