From late-night binges to nostalgia trips, podcast rabbit holes and piano sketches by André 3000, the RUSSH editors have been filling their days – and playlists – with culture that sticks. This month, we’re watching new genre-bending films, crying over shock TV show deaths, and seeking comfort in cult classics (The OC, McLeod’s Daughters). Our listening rotation includes everything from Daft Punk to Lana Del Rey to Morgan Wallen. And as for reading? It’s Lispector, Garten, Reid.
Here’s what the RUSSH Editor's have been watching, listening to and reading in the month of May...
Cassandra Dimitroff
Features and Production Editor
Watch … Sinners (very fun), The Last of Us (vale Joel – still crying), Queen’s Gambit (I’ll admit I’m very late to this one, but made me want to pull out my board again).
Listen … 7 Piano Sketches by André 3000 (released to coincide with this Met Gala look), The Row’s May 2025 store playlist (Annie Lennox, Daft Punk – yes), Daft Punk’s Alive 2007 album (something about this makes me nostalgic for being freezing cold in a field at a festival), and an annual re-listen of Haim’s debut Days Are Gone (truly a no-skips album).
Read … Ina Garten’s memoir Be Ready When the Luck Happens (a sweet read), followed by I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman (a harrowing dystopia that’s stayed with me for days), and a notable mention to a great quick read on HURS website: An Ode to the Power Lunch.
Stacey Gaskin
Consumer Revenue Manager
Watch … Friends is always on in our home. Those who get it, get it. Game 1 of Origin was an entertaining watch. And my husband and I are currently in deep discussions on whether to see Lilo & Stitch or the Mission Impossible - The Final Reckoning movie at our local theatre this weekend.
Listen … Morgan Wallens new album, I’m The Problem.
Read … Tamsin Johnson: Spaces for Living, the new No Wave issue of RUSSH, and Icebreaker by Hannah Grace.
Olivia Repaci
Creative Studio and Campaign’s Manager
Watch … I binged Overcompensating (LOVED) and now I’m a bit lost for my next watch. I can’t handle The Last Of Us anymore, it doesn’t slap the same this season (I wonder why…). As a comfort watch, I’m doing The OC, which I’m ashamed to say I’ve never watched before, but if Benny and Mary Beth say its good, I’m going to listen. And while on a trip to the country, I popped on a few episodes of McLeod’s Daughters – the nostalgia was incredible.
Listen … Therapuss and Ride are on repeat on every car ride. And when they’re not playing, the Lana Del Rey Born To Die album is having a renaissance with me.
Read … Car spec sheets. I don’t understand them.
Kirsty Thatcher
Digital Editor
Watch … Overcompensating, obviously (and if I’m really honest, my interview with Benny, over and over). I also have Your Friends and Neighbours on the go, which I’m loving. New episodes drop on Friday, and it’s becoming my favourite Friday night activity. I also whizzed through the first few seasons of Hacks. Very funny.
Listen … Season three of Ride has finally dropped, so I can stop re-listening to old episodes. But while I went without, I ventured out into new podcast territory. I love Wednesdays for something lighthearted (but always funny), and Amy Poehler’s new show, Good Hang is also great.
Read … I’m partway through Diana Reid’s new novel, Signs of Damage. So far, so good.
Samantha Corry
Assistant to Editor In Chief
Watch … I watched Sinners, and I read an article that said Ryan Coogler made his own genre here, and I think I have to agree. Black comedy, drama, fantasy – it’s a wild ride that I loved. I also started re-watching the 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later movies in preparation for 28 Years Later that is coming out soon. They’re pretty good zombie movies. I think I also started them as I was influenced after finishing The Last of Us (rip Joel). Oh and Overcompensating!
Listen … Ride the podcast with the new season out, I am very happy. Also been listening to some Lorde, Royel Otis and Kali Uchis.
Read … Agua Viva by Clarice Lispector. Even though it is a short book, I love her vivid imagination and way of trying to capture the present in words.
