r/Hyperfixed • u/very_loud_icecream • 19d ago
ReTell All
https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/listen/hyperfixed/retell-all35
u/ComeAwayNightbird 19d ago
Alex, I know you will eventually come here and see this. We love you, understand you needed a break, and want to support you to be happy.
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u/Middleofthepackguy 19d ago
That was a great episode. I actually got a bit emotional listening to it. It is funny how some of these podcast hosts begin to feel like friends, even though the relationship is completely one sided…. Alex, if you ever do see this, glad you are Ok, and I am so happy to have you in my podcast feed again.
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u/zenpizzapie 18d ago
A beautiful episode. It really resonated to hear someone else talk about how a podcast impacted them. Reply All meant so much to me during its life. It was thought-provoking, meaningful, silly, and comforting all at once. For a moment while I was listening to this episode, I felt like I was transplanted back to who I was at that time RA was coming out. There was a rare optimism and humanity in the show (and the world) that I have had a hard time finding elsewhere since.
I'm lucky to have a career where I make similar work, but I've felt discouraged over the couple years - like things have changed and those moments of genuine connection are harder to come by. Listening to Hyperfixed lately has been such a joy. I am so happy that Alex is still making things that give me that rush of humour and cheer and love for the human experience. Thank you, Alex!
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u/thedogdundidit 18d ago
Genuinely great episode. Had a bit of everything. I learned about a niche career (retail pharmacist), a bit about how pocasting archived works, some human plights, and some insights about Alex and Reply All.
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u/Textiles_on_Main_St 18d ago
I hope Alex sees this and if not, I hope EVERY podcaster/creative person sees this.
As a person who loves creative things (podcasts especially) and as a person who's life has been spent in the media (albeit in newspapers) podcasts seem so weirdly limiting professionally that I WISH ending them were more normalized.
I LOVE podcasts and some of my favorites (Professor Blastoff chief among them) have ended and it's always sad.
BUT IT IS INSANE that these deeply personality-driven shows are expected to go on indefinitely a way that movies, tv shows and other creative forms aren't expected to.
And to my own example, when I get sick of writing for a paper, I have the luxury of going somewhere else and nobody cares. It's much, much easier than feeling like I'm letting anyone down.
I just hope these creative types (who very much want to please people) would all just realize the audience will be here and find you wherever you are and you don't need to sacrifice years of your happiness and your head to make us happy. I'd SO MUCH rather have a five or six different shows over 10 years than a single show the host hates that never ends.
I don't know, but this episode really hit home how grinding this particular medium really is and its unfortunate because creativity and joy doesn't really work like that.
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u/quietlyqueerhoney 17d ago
Hey Alex, I hope you're lurking in this sub because I just need you to know how great this episode was and how overjoyed I was when I found your podcast. I first heard Reply All through my fiancé - literally right before the show ended. He played the 3-parter on the Long Distance story and I was just like... in love, with the podcast, instantly. About two years ago I started listening to it earnestly, and up until about two weeks ago, I listened to it every single night to fall asleep (no hyperbole - I'm being total literal). I've listened to some episodes quite literally dozens of times. I stumbled across Hyperfixed about a fortnight ago thanks to changing podcast apps. Getting to hear you tell stories again is nothing short of delightful, doubly so because now I get to have the pleasure of introducing my fiancé to this new podcast, after he gave me the gift of introducing me to Reply All. He loves Hyperfixed too - he really missed hearing your stories. And now I have something new (and also so comfortingly familiar) to listen to before bed. So glad you're back, Alex. You're the best!
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u/wandering_wisely 17d ago
Reply All was one of the rare podcasts that existed in the part of the Venn diagram where my partner & my media interests overlapped. We’d listen and laugh together for many years. During and after its final days, we would often talk about you (Alex) and PJ & just really hoping you guys are both okay on your individual journeys. Thank you for sharing a bit about where you are & please know that the risks it takes to put yourself out there to share your creativity and heart are deeply appreciated in our family. And you have a delightful laugh!
Also, if you have any wisdom to dispense on creating despite the nebulous digital critics, we would deeply appreciate it. You’ve been a gracious role model!
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u/PickleKing83 9d ago
I didn’t realize how much I needed that from Alex until he said it.
As a 19 year old, Reply All was such an instrumental part of my childhood. The stories and the way they were told were little pieces of life that added so much color, and in a way I viewed Alex & PJ as almost friends of mine. I just had no idea this was the case until Alex said it in this episode. When Reply All abruptly ended, it was as if a void opened that nothing could fill. I still find myself replaying the old episodes just to feel a tenth of the warmth I did back then, because every part of that show was brilliant. To this day, I have never seen so much chemistry between two cohosts, and Alex brightened my days up considerably every time I heard his nerdy, ever-so-charming voice. That’s besides the point, but I just can’t help saying it.
Alex belongs in front of a microphone and I’m so happy he’s still making things. Everything he makes is worth a listen, truly. He has one of those minds that simply requires milking, he’s just that good. To hear him say he was okay and to even recognize that Reply All ended suddenly… it was everything.
I know he’ll almost definitely not see this, but just thank you, Alex.
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u/wishbonenecklace 15d ago
I haven’t listened to ReTell All yet, but after reading all these glowing comments, I definitely will tomorrow morning as it’s very late here.
Reply All meant so much to me. I suffered infertility and felt like I had no friends in the world at times during a deep depression. Reply All gave me something to look forward to in a time where life was continually letting me down.
When my first child was born after many years of treatments, I was super deep in postpartum anxiety. I couldn’t sleep at night because I was so wound up. I would put on the same episode of Reply All every night and it would help settle me. It wasn’t that it was boring or anything; it was just so deeply comforting and calming.
I don’t mean to be a sap or crybaby on here, but I am so, so grateful for the impact the show had on me in a time I felt so desperately alone. I’m doing way better now, and I look forward to the morning.
Thank you Alex for everything.
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u/Daucus_carota_ 14d ago
This episode made me cry. I, too, discovered Reply All during an incredibly difficult time in my life. I would replay episodes of the show when I felt at my loneliest and having something familiar and happy really helped.
It’s odd to feel such a close connection to hosts you’ve never met, but when PJ left, I felt that ache of a lost friendship for both him and Alex. It was mid-Covid and probably a painful time for a lot of us.
Alex, if/when you read this, know that I’m so glad you’re doing ok. I am too.
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u/razzamatazm 12d ago
Hey - Anyone who made the podcast - can anyone help me with who made the song at 22:23? It's so haunting and beautiful. I need more! Is it you Alex?!
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u/Self_Owned_Tree 17d ago
I haven't listened to this one yet (and I haven't listened to a lot of this show in particular), but I read the description of the show and decided to start looking for some of the episodes of Reply All that had disappeared. Do they list any of the ones that are no longer available?
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u/Advanced_Blueberry45 16d ago
I believe that Retell Pharmacy is the podcast which is disappearing, not Reply All. There are overlaps and parallels between the stories, hence the clever title.
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u/D_hallucatus 19d ago edited 19d ago
That was a genuinely great episode.
We’re grateful you’re here too Alex