News and Happenings

This week on As Me, Sinéad shares some of her favorite moments from Season 1 that reflect the essence of the show. From talking about imposter syndrome with Florence Welch and Riz Ahmed to self-acceptance with Justin Tranter and Akilah Hughes to letting go of perfectionism with Adwoa Aboah. Each of these moments captures the power of connection and vulnerability in every episode, all of which help us to understand and empathize with each other more.

For the penultimate episode of Season 1 of As Me, Sinéad brings it back to fashion with Gucci’s creative director Alessandro Michele. He sat down with Sinéad in Milan prior to #stayhome, but much of what Alessandro says feels relevant to these strange times. He shares his zest for life, even in the most tragic of moments, how the unique little boy he once was shaped who he is today.

Now more than ever, art and content provides solace to so many. That’s why Sinéad spoke with best selling author, Dani Shapiro, from self-quarantine. Dani’s shares how writing helps her process trauma and shape her identity, as well as how her own shocking discovery about her lineage impacted her sense of self.

As another week of quarantine and social distancing goes by, Sinéad catches up with historian and Secretary of the Smithsonian Institute, Lonnie Bunch from his home in Washington, D.C. The two talk about the importance of history in shaping our identity, Lonnie’s experience as the director of the Museum of African American History and Culture, and the parts of his childhood that shaped his understanding of racism, and led him to cherish history and storytelling. (Note, strong language is used by Lonnie to describe racist experiences.)

In the midst of the pandemic, Sinéad talks with comedian and reporter Akilah Hughes about how she is balancing her work and mental health right now, including winding down for the day after intense news cycles. Akilah talks openly about her struggles with self image, and her related decision to leave her northern Kentucky home. 

This week, we hear a conversation between Sinéad and scholar, writer, and podcaster Reza Aslan. The two talk about Aslan’s relationship to identity, Islamophobia, his self-doubt, and raising his kids to be global citizens.

Sinéad is joined by comedian Negin Farsad, who shares her early memories as the only Iranian-American at her school, her time working in policy, and how she now uses comedy to continue her activism.

Sinéad shares a bit about how she’s coping with staying at home, and what working from home means for disabled people. Then, writer, comedian, and Just Between Us podcast host Allison Raskin joins Sinéad for a long conversation about anxiety and mental health. 

Author and former Ambassador Samantha Power joins Sinéad in Dublin to talk about embracing vulnerability, and the moment that sparked Power’s immense drive to learn about the world.

Actor and writer Aki Omoshaybi joins Sinéad in London to talk about how he navigated his Nigerian background in a predominantly white neighborhood, how soccer drove him to excel in drama school, and his struggle to take breaks.