This is Sharleen's all-time favorite Hot Topic conversation. You will probably also learn more about Andy's mind and thought process here than in any other episode Shandy's ever done. Are you deeply moved by sad music? Do you find comfort in a rainy day? Does the word "poignant" resonate with you? If you answered "yes" to these, you just may be the bittersweet type. (Spoiler alert: so are both Sharleen and Andy!) According to our esteemed guest, author Susan Cain: "Bittersweetness is a tendency to states of long­ing, poignancy, and sorrow; an acute aware­ness of passing time; and a curiously piercing joy at the beauty of the world." She argues there's great power in the bittersweet outlook on life and explains why our society has been so blind to its value. We discuss everything from being inherently melancholic in a happiness-obsessed culture, to navigating being a Bittersweet type's partner, to several existential questions of Andy's. To say this episode was a highlight of Shandy's near two years of podcasting is an understatement. And be sure to listen to the Shandy Debrief to understand why speaking with Susan meant so much to Sharleen! Thanks to our sponsors! - Download the free Upside app and use code SHANDY to get up to $5 cash back off your first purchase of $10 or more! - Go to https://www.apostrophe.com/SHANDY and use code SHANDY to get your first dermatology visit for only $5! More Susan: - Buy "Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole": https://amzn.to/3OxeUdN - Buy "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking": https://amzn.to/3QFXeyv - Instagram: http://instagram.com/susancainauthor - Website: https://susancain.net Sharleen is wearing: - dress: https://bit.ly/3bmoF0a If you have a relationship question, write us at: dearshandy@gmail.com Support this podcast: https://redcircle.com/dear-shandy/donations Subscribe - https://bit.ly/SubscribeDearShandy Listen on iTunes - https://bit.ly/DearShandyiTunes More Dear Shandy Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dearshandy Facebook - https://fb.me/dearshandy More Sharleen Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sharleenjoynt Blog - http://www.alltheprettypandas.com More Andy Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/machinelevine Produced by Gabrielle Galon - https://www.instagram.com/gabsamillion