Episode 167
Navigating Grief and Identity: A Conversation with Josh Nadler and Sam Wasserman of ‘What About Me?’
In this powerful and moving conversation, Heather sits down with Josh Nadler and Sam Wasserman, the creative minds behind the new web series What About Me?—a show that fearlessly explores the messy, raw, and very human experience of grief. Born out of Josh’s personal journey after the loss of his brother, this project weaves together grief, queer family dynamics, humor, and the unvarnished truth of what it means to keep going when the world feels upside down.
Josh and Sam share how they turned their shared grief into a creative endeavor, what it was like to work together as life partners, and why they chose to release their show on YouTube—making it accessible to everyone who might need it most. They also open up about the surprising intersections between queerness and grief, the role of humor as a healing balm, and how they hope their work will spark conversations and connection in a world that often turns away from the hard stuff.
Key Topics Covered:
- The origin story of What About Me? and how it honors Josh’s late brother
- How grief can shape and transform creative work
- The messy reality of family dynamics, especially for queer people
- The importance of humor and laughter, even in moments of profound loss
- Why queer visibility and authentic storytelling matter now more than ever
- Choosing independent distribution to reach people who need it
- How healing and community can bloom in unexpected ways
Notable Quotes:
- “Mourning comes from a place of love—ultimately, it’s a reflection of what was beautiful and meaningful.” – Josh
- “Being gay isn’t the most interesting thing about someone. Grief, family, love—they’re all part of the bigger story.” – Josh
- “This was never just about a show—it was about healing, about sharing, about turning something so personal into something universal.” – Sam
Where to Watch the Series:
What About Me? premieres May 30, 2025, on YouTube. Watch all six episodes and learn more at wamtheseries.com. Follow them on Instagram and TikTok @wamtheseries.
Connect with Josh and Sam:
👉 Instagram: @wamtheseries
👉 TikTok: @wamtheseries
👉 Website: wamtheseries.com
Support Queer Independent Art:
As Josh and Sam so beautifully shared, supporting queer independent art means creating space for real, messy, and vital stories to be told. If you’re moved by this episode, consider sharing their work, donating to support indie artists, or simply starting a conversation about the power of grief and healing.
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Email: heather@heatherhester.net
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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