Weekender #175

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🧠 Adapt to the AI era by mastering these 5 critical soft skills.

📚 Amazon Editors’ favorite reads for Black History Month—from love stories to uplifting memoirs.

👻 Wondering why you got ghosted? This raw dating app analysis breaks it down.

I recently got the worst flu-respiratory-infection thingy that seems to have plagued the majority of the U.S. I was out of commission—sick with cold, cough, and fatigue symptoms for almost 14 days! It was brutal, and I’ve never been so sick, but I found myself wishing I had a list of shows to binge.

For me, a good binge-watching show when I’m sick has to meet this criteria:

• Lots of seasons/episodes – If I’m going to get invested, I want to fully commit. No “new episodes weekly” nonsense—I need it all on demand for my couch potato era.
• Juicy or intense storylines – I want drama, humor, shock value, and something that grabs me right from the start.
• Genres I actually like – I don’t do a lot of Marvel or superhero content. Give me drama, reality TV, comedy, and realistic love stories.
• High production value – Big budgets, great actors, and even reality shows with top-tier cinematography.

So, with that, I present to you my personally curated list of binge-worthy shows I’ve actually watched and loved. Save this for your next sick day—you’ll thank me later!

Comedies & Feel-Good Shows

1. Curb Your Enthusiasm – Larry David, co-creator of Seinfeld, plays an exaggerated version of himself navigating awkward social encounters and self-inflicted chaos.

Reason I like it: The first couple of episodes can be off-putting, so hang in there—it takes time to develop a taste for Larry David’s humor, but I promise it pays off.

2. Ted Lasso – An overly optimistic American football coach gets hired to manage a British soccer team despite knowing nothing about the sport.

Reason I like it: It’s quirky, sweet, funny, and endearing in a surprising way. Light-hearted but still packed with emotions in a good way.

3. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel – A 1950s housewife discovers her talent for stand-up comedy after her perfect life falls apart.

Reason I like it: The fashion, the era, the rebelliousness—it’s all so good. She breaks the mold while still being a badass mom, daughter, and friend.

4. Brooklyn Nine-Nine – A group of lovable detectives work cases in a New York precinct while dealing with hilarious office shenanigans.

Reason I like it: It’s an easy, no-stress watch that still makes you laugh even when your brain is foggy.

5. Schitt’s Creek – A wealthy family loses everything and is forced to live in a tiny town they once bought as a joke.

Reason I like it: The character development is perfection, and it’s one of those feel-good shows that makes you laugh and tear up all at once.

Drama & Must-Watch Classics

1. Breaking Bad – A high school chemistry teacher turns to cooking meth after a cancer diagnosis, transforming into a ruthless drug kingpin.

Reason I like it: If you’ve never seen it, you have to. I wish I could experience it again for the first time.

2. Game of Thrones – Noble families battle for control of the Seven Kingdoms while an ancient threat looms beyond the Wall.

Reason I like it: The final season is a disappointment, but the journey is still worth it.

3. Scandal – Olivia Pope, a crisis management expert, fixes political scandals while navigating her own complicated personal life.

Reason I like it: It’s got politics, a badass female lead, and witty dialogue. Plus, Olivia Pope has great taste in men.

4. The Morning Show – A behind-the-scenes look at a morning news program rocked by a #MeToo scandal.

Reason I like it: Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, and some other phenomenal actors give this one serious star power.

5. The Last of Us – In a post-apocalyptic world, a hardened survivor escorts a teenage girl across the U.S. while avoiding infected creatures.

Reason I like it: With Pedro Pascal, this show has the perfect mix of action, suspense, and humor.

Reality TV & Guilty Pleasures

1. Vanderpump Rules – The staff of Lisa Vanderpump’s West Hollywood restaurant navigate friendships, feuds, and messy relationships.

Reason I like it: One of my favorite reality shows—pure drama, real personalities, and messy relationships. If you heard about “Scandoval,” this is the show.

2. Real Housewives of Beverly Hills – Wealthy women juggle friendships, business empires, and endless drama.

Reason I like it: This city has all the drama you’d want, plus twists and turns you wouldn’t expect from such fancy rich people.

3. Love Is Blind – Strangers date and get engaged without ever seeing each other, then decide at the altar if they want to marry.

Reason I like it: It’s a shtshow* in the best way possible.

Thrillers & Suspenseful Storytelling

1. Yellowjackets – A high school girls’ soccer team crashes in the wilderness, leading to a brutal fight for survival.

Reason I like it: Lord of the Flies vibes but modern, shocking, and deeply relatable.

2. Narcos – A dramatized telling of the rise and fall of Pablo Escobar and the DEA agents hunting him.

Reason I like it: Pedro Pascal as a cop, Colombian cartel drama, and old-school mafia energy.

3. The Handmaid’s Tale – In a dystopian future, women are forced into childbearing servitude under a totalitarian regime.

Reason I like it: It’s an eye-opening political commentary and truly unsettling—but in a way that makes you think.

Political & Thought-Provoking Shows

1. Madame Secretary – A woman unexpectedly becomes the U.S. Secretary of State and must navigate global diplomacy and domestic politics.

Reason I like it: I learned so much about diplomacy, and it really challenged my thinking.

2. Mad Men – A deep dive into the cutthroat world of 1960s advertising, complete with sexism, whiskey, and iconic style.

Reason I like it: As an advertising girly, I love this. Amazing cinematography and storytelling.

3. Dopesick – A gripping look at the opioid crisis and the pharmaceutical corruption behind it.

Reason I like it: Big Pharma and corporate greed exposed—it’s eye-opening and a must-watch.

Light-Hearted & Nostalgic Watches

1. Parenthood – A heartwarming, realistic look at the ups and downs of family life.

Reason I like it: Tears in the best way possible, no matter what your family looks like.

2. This Is Us – A multigenerational story following the lives of one family, filled with twists and emotional moments.

Reason I like it: Perfectly captures the human experience and reminds us what truly matters.

Happy binging!

Thania (TA Content Mgr)

Expanding globally means dealing with a complex web of compliance issues, payroll headaches, and the constant juggle of managing remote teams across borders. But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be this hard. With the right tools, you can streamline the chaos and focus on scaling your business instead of drowning in red tape.

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Global Hiring Compliance: The legal complexities of hiring internationally can slow you down.

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Tech Overload: Managing HR, IT, and payroll across different systems wastes time.

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Take control of your global team today with the right tools.

📚 Read: Speak: Find Your Voice, Trust Your Gut, and Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Tunde Oyeneyin

Peloton instructor and motivational speaker Tunde Oyeneyin shares her inspiring journey of overcoming doubt and stepping into confidence. Speak is a powerful blend of personal storytelling and life lessons, encouraging readers to embrace their voice, trust their instincts, and create a path toward success. A motivating read for anyone looking to take control of their narrative.

📺 Watch: Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test

This high-intensity reality series throws celebrities into grueling, Navy SEAL-style training exercises to test their physical, mental, and emotional endurance. With no eliminations—only voluntary withdrawals or forced exits—contestants push their limits in an extreme environment that reveals their true resilience. Perfect for fans of survival challenges and psychological endurance tests.

🎧 Listen: Giggly Squad Podcast

Hosted by Summer House alums Paige DeSorbo and Hannah Berner, Giggly Squad is a hilarious and unfiltered podcast about navigating adulthood, relationships, and pop culture. Their witty banter and relatable takes on everyday life make this the perfect listen for anyone who loves reality TV, social commentary, and a good laugh.

You’ve got a million things to do, but no matter how hard you push, there’s always more piling up. Your projects feel scattered, communication is all over the place, and progress is slow. It’s frustrating, to say the least.

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Annie Mae is a sassy three year old basset hound rescue. She has several hobbies, including walkies, sniffies, snoozles on the couch, sunbathing when her mommy works from home, and talking to every neighbor. She is the most outgoing one of her family and looks forward to watching TV or reading with her humans after work. Don’t tell anyone, but she can’t read.

🐾 Got a cute fur baby? Submit them to be our pet of the week in an upcoming issue.

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Disclaimers: “Pet Insurance Statistics 2024” Forbes Advisor, Jan 3, 2024. ∞ No purchase necessary. See spotpet.com/perks-terms. *10% strategic partner discount on all pets. 5% in LA, NE, TX, VA, and WA. Not available in FL, HI, MN, TN. 10% multi-pet discount on 2nd+ pets. The Assist Newsletter is not a licensed insurance agency nor an underwriter of insurance, but may receive compensation for this ad. Insurance plans are underwritten by either Independence American Insurance Company (NAIC #26581. A Delaware insurance company located at 11333 N. Scottsdale Rd, Ste. 160, Scottsdale, AZ 85254) or United States Fire Insurance Company (NAIC #21113. Morristown, NJ), and are produced by Spot Pet Insurance Services, LLC. (NPN # 19246385. 990 Biscayne Boulevard Suite 603, Miami, FL 33132. CA License #6000188). Premiums are based on and may increase or decrease due to the age of your pet, the species or breed of your pet, and your home address.

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