Act Four: Is everyone doing okay?

I had a whole bunch of tabs open with potential newsletter topics as I sat down to write this, from breaking news to longer pieces I was considering sharing. But as I went through...

Alyssa Rosenberg on culture and politics   The sun sets behind the Lincoln Memorial. Because sometimes we all need something soothing to look at. (Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post) I had a whole bunch of tabs open with potential newsletter topics as I sat down to write this, from breaking news to longer pieces I was considering sharing. But as I went through all of them, it struck me that I actually wanted to take a break and check in with all of you. I know this has been a rough news cycle for me on wildly varying levels: Spending weeks writing about sexual harassment and sexual assault, worrying about the state of American politics and slogging through a series of not-very-good television shows and movies have all taken their various tolls. I’m going to be fine with an assist from a lot of yoga classes and the impending arrival of Oscar season, which at least means the movies will get better. But how are all of you? Is there any pop culture that’s helping you get through it all? (I’ve been indulging with old episodes of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” one of the nicest, funniest shows currently airing, and visits with my favorite Tamora Pierce novels.) Given the impending anniversary of the 2016 election, I know I’ve been talking to some friends about changes we’ve made in our lives in the year since, so is there anything you’ve decided to switch up? Basically what I’m saying is that I know things have been nuts, so feel free to email me to vent, ask for recommendations or just talk about what’s up. Or we can do the same in Monday’s upcoming chat, for which you can submit questions here. I know I’m just a columnist, not a therapist or a life coach. But because culture is supposed to help us make sense of the world around us and get through hard times, I just want you all to know that I want to be here for you as a community of readers, since you’ve so often been here for me. ‘The Trump Show,’ Season 1, Week 41: ‘Not actually angry at anybody’ "The Trump Show" drops a bombshell — and then shows surprising restraint. By Alyssa Rosenberg  •   Read more » ADVERTISEMENT ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ is deeply mediocre proof that Marvel is trapped by its own formula It's well past time that Marvel found ways to tell a different kind of story about a different kind of main character. By Alyssa Rosenberg  •   Read more »   It’s not just politics: We need to change the way we think and talk about the arts, too We'll enjoy ourselves and have more thoughtful conversations if we can stop being tribal about art and culture. By Sonny Bunch  •   Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT The allegations against Kevin Spacey got ‘House of Cards’ canceled. Good riddance. Totally irrespective of Kevin Spacey's behavior, "House of Cards" promoted dumb ideas about Washington as savvy thinking. By Alyssa Rosenberg  •   Read more »   The debate over John Kelly and Ken Burns’s ‘The Civil War’ is making us stupider It's totally irresponsible to judge a work based on a 14-second clip--and it's worse to base your whole view of history on it. By Alyssa Rosenberg  •   Read more »   Recommended for you     Get The Intersect newsletter The corner of the Internet and interesting, in your inbox weekly. Sign Up  »         Share Act Four:    Twitter     Facebook Trouble reading? Click here to view in your browser. You received this email because you signed up for Act Four or because it is included in your subscription. For additional free newsletters or to manage your newsletters, click here. We respect your privacy. If you believe that this email has been sent to you in error or you no longer wish to receive email from The Washington Post, click here. Contact us for help. ©2017 The Washington Post, 1301 K St NW, Washington DC 20071