Read. Watch. Listen by Staff Assembly

WATCH: "Your Honor" on Netflix

UCLAstaffassembly — 2024-08-05 16:14:27 UTC

"This series was riveting, pulls you in, and suspenseful."

Heidi Martinez, President

WATCH: The Olympics

UCLAstaffassembly — 2024-08-05 16:20:36 UTC

"I recommend that our UCLA Community watch and cheer on all the athletes competing in the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, including our global Bruins! This gives us good practice for hosting the 2028 Olympics/Paralympics. Check out our students, staff, and alumni who are competing or coaching.

A big cheer also goes to our UCLA Health team providing physician coverage for the U.S. women’s and men’s basketball teams."

Rose Estrada, VP Records & Archives

"I am loving watching the Olympics! I have been a huge fan since I was a child and vividly remember watching the ’96 Atlanta Olympics coverage all day, from the early morning to the evening watching every single sport, from fencing to rugby to archery, to swimming and of course gymnastics. I cannot wait to hopefully attend Olympics games when we host it in LA in 2028, which has been a lifelong dream of mine!"

Sylvia Lambrechts, Chief of Staff

READ: “We Should All Be Millionaires” by Rachel Rodgers

UCLAstaffassembly — 2024-08-05 16:24:35 UTC

"It’s all about teaching women to reframe their money mindset and create healthy financial habits to level up their lives and build financial security. Rodgers empowers and uplifts women by sharing her financial knowledge, and I appreciate that she shares her perspectives and research on how things are different as a woman of color, as well."

Laura Schreiber, Health Member-at-Large

LISTEN: New albums from Tourist and Pearl Jam

UCLAstaffassembly — 2024-08-05 16:37:02 UTC

"Late April brought forth an embarrassment of riches for music lovers that goes beyond tortured poetry (though I confess that is in heavy rotation too). The latest from Tourist “Memory Morning” is how I've started nearly every day this summer and often let the Spotify algorithm go nuts based on the lush, twisty vibes that album creates. And then when I need a boost to get through the end of the day or week I dip into “Dark Matter” from Pearl Jam, which takes me on a whole different kind of journey and reminds me of my grungy misspent youth."

Jess Wolf, VP Strategic Communications

WATCH: "House of the Dragon" on HBO

UCLAstaffassembly — 2024-08-05 16:41:17 UTC

"Season 2 has been a great watch for the Summer! The show is great for Game of Thrones fans and newbies (like me) to get immersed in a world of strong and complex women characters. You’ll find yourself rooting for the bad guys!"

House of the Dragon | Official Website for the HBO Series | HBO.com”

Valeria Montoya Ramirez, VP Creative Production

LISTEN: Summer anthems from Charli XCX and Chappell Roan

UCLAstaffassembly — 2024-08-05 16:47:03 UTC

"They've been meme'd to cliche, but Brat by Charli XCX and The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess by Chappell Roan have been summer anthems. Whether it's the "Girl So Confusing" remix featuring Lorde or Femininomenon, women are producing some of the best music of 2024"

--Michael McCormack, President-Elect

READ: "West with Giraffes" by Lynda Rutledge

UCLAstaffassembly — 2024-08-05 16:50:46 UTC

"It’s 1938 and you’re following the incredible true story of two giraffes and their cross-country road trip to the San Diego Zoo. It’s a story of adventure, obviously. But also, a reflection on relationships, those that stay in our lives and those that just pass through, and a reminder of the grace of animals. Inspired by true events."

Hilary Koenig, VP Special Projects

READ: "Throne of Glass" series by Sarah J Maas

UCLAstaffassembly — 2024-08-05 16:53:58 UTC

"Since April, I have been reading this eight-book epic fantasy series that follows the adventures of 19-year old Celaena Sardothien, an assassin's on a quest for freedom unfolds into a world of magic, danger, and unexpected alliances in the fictional kingdom of Adarlan. The series goes through I am currently on book 5 (or about 2500 pages) of the book and tearing through them."

Michael McCormack, President-Elect

WATCH: "Heathers" (1988)

UCLAstaffassembly — 2024-08-05 16:57:40 UTC

"A cult classic and such a (morbid) comfort watch. When Shannen Doherty passed away, I watched it three times back to back in her honor."

Michael McCormack, President-Elect

WATCH: "Loot" on Apple TV and "Heartland" on Netflix

UCLAstaffassembly — 2024-08-05 17:05:48 UTC

"I have binged 'Loot' with Maya Rudolph on Apple TV...very funny! And I am a nature girl at heart and I am 9 seasons into the 17 seasons of 'Heartland' on Netflix...a family drama set on a horse farm in Alberta, Canada...if you are a sucker for breathtaking scenery, sappy storylines and beautiful horses...this is FABULOUS!"

Kelly Goodman VP, Outreach

READ: "The Terra Cotta Dog" by Andrea Camilleri

UCLAstaffassembly — 2024-08-05 18:29:10 UTC

"Dive into the intriguing world of Inspector Montalbano, a clever detective with inventive problem-solving skills, as he unravels a new mystery that delves into the secrets of a Sicilian family’s past. With his endearing charisma, empathy and witty sense of humor, Montalbano is a character that will captivate your imagination and curiosity!"

Samantha Nelson, VP Information Systems

READ: "Lady Tan’s Circle of Women" by Lisa See

UCLAstaffassembly — 2024-08-05 18:43:34 UTC

"Learn about the life of one of the first ever female physicians. An amazing perspective of a woman’s life in 15th Century China – how she paved her own path to learn and practice medicine, all while navigating complicated social dynamics and relationships. Inspired by a true story."

Hilary Koenig, Vice President Special Projects

LISTEN: "The One You Feed" podcast

UCLAstaffassembly — 2024-08-05 18:53:19 UTC

"I think I may have found this podcast by virtue of my last name due to the parable its premise is derived from, but it’s become part of a host of cathartic listening I try to do as I clean the house or sew or ride my bike around. The tagline of this podcast is “practical wisdom for a better life" and it really delivers thanks to the rich compendium of interesting conversations with authors, thinkers and seekers who have appeared on it. (Search for the episode on “elastic habits,” it’s really stuck with me, especially this summer). The host often talks about the ways in which he overcame struggles with alcoholism and heroin addiction. He’s very real and inspiring and his guests have helped me a lot over the years as I seek to cope with with all the existential dread that surrounds us."

Jess Wolf, VP Strategic Communications

READ: "The Wishing Game" by Meg Shaffer

UCLAstaffassembly — 2024-08-05 18:57:55 UTC

"Think Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. But with books instead of candy, and those little kids are all grown up now. A quick, easy read to finish out the summer!"

Hilary Koenig, VP Special Projects

WATCH: "Love Island" in all its forms on Peacock

UCLAstaffassembly — 2024-08-05 23:56:22 UTC

"Shows that I have indulged in this summer are 'Love Island UK' and 'Love Island USA.' It has taken over six weeks of my life but for good reason. If you like shows on love with some entertainment and drama, this may be the show to watch."

Shale Garland, VP Wellness

LISTEN: UCLA alums Paravi and Jasmine Bailey

UCLAstaffassembly — 2024-08-07 16:56:57 UTC

"This is a shameless plug for two incredible young women who I had the honor to get to know thanks to the annual campus Class Artist competition. If these two young artists don't wind up on the Gobi stage of Coachella in the next couple of years, I will have stern words for Goldenvoice. ((shakes fist))

Paravi released her self-titled debut EP in April and takes you on a journey of her inner self, her commitment to craft, her love of her family and her South Asian culture. I immediately made my husband add the song "Skeleton" to his DJ library. It's a banger. She's also well known for her soulful covers, including on the Elvis soundtrack doing her version of "Suspicious Minds."

Paravi is very active on TikTok, check her out there, if you are in that space..

Jasmine Bailey graduated this past year and the week after commencement launched her first full-length album titled "Negative Space." It is lush and jazzy and artful. I sometimes play it while I work (listening while I type this), and other times, while I meditate. It works both directions! "Peach Pit" is my favorite song. So hooky, it stays with you in all the good ways.

Jess Wolf, VP Strategic Communications

Acapulco on Apple TV+ with UCLA TFT Theater alum, Fernando Carsa

2024-08-09 15:30:01 UTC

This is a fun, bilingual comedy set in the eighties. The characters are great! There's fun music too!