Welcome to my new thing. It's my response to the last few years in this country and my way to hit restart on my relationship with you, the person who is interested in what I do and maybe wants to help me do more of what I do.
Okay now I have to give credit to Dan Stone, the author of Hey Pop -- https://heypop.substack.com/ because he actually caught the typo! Thanks, Dan. Whenever we can make Jen Brooks happy, we're doing something right.
It's ridiculous, I know, but I credit my brilliant copy-editor wife, Kim Gooden, author of https://thecreators.substack.com, for insisting that I know the difference between lede and lead. It's a requirement of our matrimonial contract.
I didn't even know there were two different words (and I used to work for two different newspapers!!). Until I saw your comment, I thought it was a typo on W's part! I love learning something new every day - and I'm sure I'll be learning A LOT as I dive into "Who's With Me?"
Yes you did bury the lead but it also got me so fired up to sign up for the paid version so I could come comment that I'm so freaking excited and I miss your voice out there in my world and I can't wait for what comes next
I’m with you! So thrilled to find you here! Have missed you so much! United Shades was so informative and looked forward to it.. A shame it was cancelled.. but now you are here! Hurrah!
I KNOW! It was super wild to be invited to be a part pf John's crew. I've watched that show for yeeeeeeears! I had a great time. I'll talk about it more when it gets closer.
Kamau, I knew you were amazing, but WOW! What a flex! 💪🏾
P.S. I want to go on a camping trip with you and all the people who love you (and camping). Let's call it CAMP KAMAU. I will organize it...also Burning Man. 😏
So excited to be a part of this! We met in Seattle during your book tour, although I don't expect you to remember me at all. (I was in the front row in the Soundgarden shirt and you did a Chris Cornell tribute at the end of that show) I already wrote this on the sign up page, but I will say again here that you have had a huge influence on my work as a therapist. Watching the hard interviews you have done on United Shades and how you approach all people with humor and respect has been my model for working with people. I channel your laughter and am able to bring levity to the hardest of situations. Laughter is such a powerful healer and it has helped me be a better therapist!! Thank you!!!
First of all, I definitely remember that Seattle show. That was a special one. Thanks for bringing it back into my mind. And I am truly honored that my work has supported your work. I can't wait to tell my therapist!
Happy New Year W. Kamau & Team! Looking forward to 2024 with you all. Thank you for creating a space for us to follow your good work (and allowing us to join in doing some good with you).
Right?! I really appreciate that you are still you at your core from when we met, way back in that expanding internet bubble. :)
Not sure when we'll be back in the Bay Area but when we do I hope to catch you at your current residency. (I'll encourage Warren to get over there.) And next time you're in L.A. we'll come see you fo' sho'!
@W. Kamau Bell! You have so positively impacted and inspired my life. I am 1 of the 50 year old white women (people) that you joke abt in the absolute most hilarious stand-up ai have ever heard - Private School Negro. I say inspiring because everything you said resonates with me. I even have the courage to inform my republican friends that Trump is a racist- with strong facts and that you shared in a United Shades of America that Trump deported men who signed up for the services to protect our country only to be deported when they returned b/c they were part of the Dreamers. Okay, maybe that was Lisa Ling but I hope you get what I am saying. You are a gem. Keep doing what you are doing and keep positively improving this amazing county we live in God Bless on your 3rd daughter.
I am so glad to receive this newsletter after United Shades finished and happy to support your continued efforts in bringing us all together. I hope to see your stand up act one day as I’m not too far from the Bay Area.
Your approach is so heartfelt and well thought out, and I've never disagreed with anything I've heard you say. (Making us both right! 😉) From your various media bits/programs, podcast, in-person conversations (saw you & Hari Kondabolu), and your book signings, I always take away additional appreciation and admiration. Looking forward to what's next. (And your humor! OMG, you're funny.😆)
I am so excited to see this new journey you are on. I have followed you for years! I have met your mother a few times in Indy when visiting family and she is a wonderful lady.
Thank you for being one of the few people on the internet to spell "lede" correctly. Happy to be here!
I'd like to take credit for that, but that was Kelly who is helping me out with this.😬
Haha, not surprised! Well, thank you for being a person who gives credit where credit is due.
Okay now I have to give credit to Dan Stone, the author of Hey Pop -- https://heypop.substack.com/ because he actually caught the typo! Thanks, Dan. Whenever we can make Jen Brooks happy, we're doing something right.
This is hilarious. I wonder who Dan will credit!
It's ridiculous, I know, but I credit my brilliant copy-editor wife, Kim Gooden, author of https://thecreators.substack.com, for insisting that I know the difference between lede and lead. It's a requirement of our matrimonial contract.
This comment thread has now officially made my day!
This is the most joy I've felt in 2024!
I didn't even know there were two different words (and I used to work for two different newspapers!!). Until I saw your comment, I thought it was a typo on W's part! I love learning something new every day - and I'm sure I'll be learning A LOT as I dive into "Who's With Me?"
We will all learn together!
Yes you did bury the lead but it also got me so fired up to sign up for the paid version so I could come comment that I'm so freaking excited and I miss your voice out there in my world and I can't wait for what comes next
Thank YOU! I like to take people on a journey!
I’m with you! So thrilled to find you here! Have missed you so much! United Shades was so informative and looked forward to it.. A shame it was cancelled.. but now you are here! Hurrah!
Yes. Although United Shades is done, I'm working on a bunch of exciting things. Can't wait to share some.
Your insight , your life experience , your humor.- all touch my heart.. can’t wait to see what’s next!
What Would You Do?!?! The o my show (other than This is Us) that makes me cry with EVERY EPISODE?!
I'm PUMPED!!!
I KNOW! It was super wild to be invited to be a part pf John's crew. I've watched that show for yeeeeeeears! I had a great time. I'll talk about it more when it gets closer.
Kamau, I knew you were amazing, but WOW! What a flex! 💪🏾
P.S. I want to go on a camping trip with you and all the people who love you (and camping). Let's call it CAMP KAMAU. I will organize it...also Burning Man. 😏
CAMP KAMAU? I like the idea. And I have been thinking baout Burning Man for years. Will it still happen after last year though?
Last year was epic. Seriously, my best ever (I've done 3). BM 2024 is definitely still happening! Let's do it!!
I'm IN
So excited to be a part of this! We met in Seattle during your book tour, although I don't expect you to remember me at all. (I was in the front row in the Soundgarden shirt and you did a Chris Cornell tribute at the end of that show) I already wrote this on the sign up page, but I will say again here that you have had a huge influence on my work as a therapist. Watching the hard interviews you have done on United Shades and how you approach all people with humor and respect has been my model for working with people. I channel your laughter and am able to bring levity to the hardest of situations. Laughter is such a powerful healer and it has helped me be a better therapist!! Thank you!!!
First of all, I definitely remember that Seattle show. That was a special one. Thanks for bringing it back into my mind. And I am truly honored that my work has supported your work. I can't wait to tell my therapist!
Happy New Year W. Kamau & Team! Looking forward to 2024 with you all. Thank you for creating a space for us to follow your good work (and allowing us to join in doing some good with you).
No... THANK YOOOOOOOOU! Me and the team (Kelly and my wife Melissa) couldn't do it without folks like you!
So thrilled you're here!!
Thank you! It feels so nice to hear things liek this from people. The Internet is not usually like this as you know.😁
Hi Kamau! So nice to see you here. I'm happy to be a part of this community.
BARBARA!!!! So good to hear from you! Look how far we've come since Mondo!!!!
Right?! I really appreciate that you are still you at your core from when we met, way back in that expanding internet bubble. :)
Not sure when we'll be back in the Bay Area but when we do I hope to catch you at your current residency. (I'll encourage Warren to get over there.) And next time you're in L.A. we'll come see you fo' sho'!
@W. Kamau Bell! You have so positively impacted and inspired my life. I am 1 of the 50 year old white women (people) that you joke abt in the absolute most hilarious stand-up ai have ever heard - Private School Negro. I say inspiring because everything you said resonates with me. I even have the courage to inform my republican friends that Trump is a racist- with strong facts and that you shared in a United Shades of America that Trump deported men who signed up for the services to protect our country only to be deported when they returned b/c they were part of the Dreamers. Okay, maybe that was Lisa Ling but I hope you get what I am saying. You are a gem. Keep doing what you are doing and keep positively improving this amazing county we live in God Bless on your 3rd daughter.
Lisa might have done that story too, but that was me! Thank you for sharing this!
Oh my gaud! You W. Kamau Bell answered me?! Wow! Yep, I know it was you. I was attempting humor. Lol.
Welcome back. I'm moving to the sonoma area and I intend to get to see you in person. You inspire me.
Good to see you again!
Good to be seen!
I am so glad to receive this newsletter after United Shades finished and happy to support your continued efforts in bringing us all together. I hope to see your stand up act one day as I’m not too far from the Bay Area.
Thanks for your support! Hope to see you out there someday.
Your approach is so heartfelt and well thought out, and I've never disagreed with anything I've heard you say. (Making us both right! 😉) From your various media bits/programs, podcast, in-person conversations (saw you & Hari Kondabolu), and your book signings, I always take away additional appreciation and admiration. Looking forward to what's next. (And your humor! OMG, you're funny.😆)
Thank you! The funny thing is that I'm not sure that I even agree with everything I've ever said. And I was just talking to Hari today!
YEAH BABY YEAH!
YEEEEEEEEEEAH!
I am so excited to see this new journey you are on. I have followed you for years! I have met your mother a few times in Indy when visiting family and she is a wonderful lady.