<p><strong>Episode #146: </strong> In this episode of Let’s Talk Media, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with <strong>Aidan Kushner</strong>, the creator of the new YouTube web series, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQF3x2MHu_MHQ4Z4Bw3lb14DYNN_uu3ho" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><em>Why Try</em></a>. This comedy celebrates the God-given right to be miserable in a modern world that constantly tries to force a negative into a positive.</p><p>Aidan discusses his background in stand-up and sketch comedy (including his time at Second City) and how he transitioned into narrative filmmaking. </p><ul><li><strong>Premise:</strong> Two cynical 20-somethings who meet at an emotional support group and bond over their mutual hatred of everyone else there.</li></ul><p><strong>This episode covers: </strong></p><ul><li><strong>The Anti-Sitcom:</strong> Aidan discusses his influences, ranging from the neurotic Jewish humor of <em>Curb Your Enthusiasm</em> and <em>Seinfeld</em> to dark British wit, and how he writes characters who never learn their lesson.</li><li><strong>The &quot;Blacklist&quot;:</strong> A deep dive into the show’s absurd plotlines, specifically the sex blacklist - a registry for people who are bad at sex, and the main character’s placement on it due to a belt incident.</li><li><strong>Toxic Negativity vs. Toxic Positivity:</strong> Aidan explains the real-life inspiration behind the show’s opening scene at a support group, satirizing the echo chamber of toxic positivity to cure depression.</li><li><strong>How to write Cringe Comedy:</strong> How Aidan translates real-life awkwardness into script, ensuring that while the characters may be mean, their actions stem from relatable social gray areas rather than malice.</li><li><strong>Micro-Episodic Storytelling:</strong> A look at the production format of releasing 3-to-5-minute chunks that coalesce into a full sitcom narrative, </li><li><strong>Season 2</strong>: A tease for Season 2 releasing on February 12, 2026.</li></ul><p><strong>Cast/Crew credited on </strong><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt39308430/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_ov_sm_2#amzn1.imdb.concept.name_credit_group.7caf7d16-5db9-4f4f-8864-d4c6e711c686" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>iMDB</strong> </a>are:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5770911/?ref_=ttfc_fcr_3_3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Dixie O&#39; Connell</a> as Daisy</li><li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm18095595/?ref_=ttfc_fcr_3_1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">⁠Sydney Nocerino</a> as Melanie⁠</li><li>Sean Gordon - credited under <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm18095594/?ref_=ttfc_fcr_3_2" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Sean S Gordon</a> on iMDB - as Aaron</li><li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4764273/?ref_=ttfc_fcr_3_4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Dorothea Miller</a> as Rachel</li><li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11471565/?ref_=ttfc_fcr_3_5" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Christian Clements</a> as Gregory</li><li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm17887170/?ref_=ttfc_fcr_3_6" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Jack Alano</a> as Archie</li><li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3633989/?ref_=ttfc_fcr_3_7" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Ivan Richter</a> as Billy</li><li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm18094637/?ref_=ttfc_fcr_3_8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Aidan Kushner</a> as Creator/Executive Producer/Director/Editor/Party Guy/Man on the Phone/Waiter</li><li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm15737032/?ref_=ttfc_fcr_3_9" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Tate M. Coan</a> as Vicky</li><li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11046674/?ref_=ttfc_fcr_3_10" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Claire Kane</a> as Annoying Speaker</li><li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm18120140/?ref_=ttfc_fcr_3_11" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Haylin Davis</a> as Amy</li><li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm18115105/?ref_=ttfc_fcr_3_12" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Mark Gacki</a> as Poker Joe</li><li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5361984/?ref_=ttfc_fcr_3_13" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Michael Newman</a> as Barry</li><li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm18124054/?ref_=ttfc_fcr_3_14" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Hayden Keegan</a> as Waiter</li><li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm18144202/?ref_=ttfc_fcr_6_1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Sophia Astor</a> as Boom Operator</li><li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm18174232/?ref_=ttfc_fcr_7_1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Reed Gordon</a> as Script Supervisor.</li></ul><p>You can watch the series on YouTube under <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@aidankushner2859/featured" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>Aidan Kushner</strong></a> or follow the show on Instagram <strong>@</strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/whytry_webseries/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>whytry_webseries</strong></a>. You can also follow Aidan <strong>@</strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/aidan_kushner/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>aidan_kushner</strong></a>.</p><p>If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating to be notified of future episodes. You can subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can also follow us on Instagram <strong>@</strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/letstalkmediava/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>letstalkmediava</strong></a>.</p>