Volume 22




Volume 2201.03.2026

Hosted at @wethebench_. 34 guests. @abenaanimsomuah, a james beard award winner, @sammitapper, the youngest director at vogue (25), @evangorelick, the youngest writer at the New York Times (22), @wallstreetpaper, founded @harlemcapital, @joshuacharow, one of the top ny’s most celebrated documentary filmmakers, and 29 more.

@berkkalkan12 stepped in with only a day notice. He was our vol 18 chef highlight with experience at the French laundry, Gabriel Kruether, and the Culinary Institute of America.

Hummus, Baba Ganoush, Muhammara

Elysian field farms lamb tartare

Sucuk, Pomegranate, Pain de Campagne

Carrot tartare

Snake River Farms American Wagyu with Apple Jus

Turkish Eggplant

Pistachio-Allspice Pilaf

Turkish Pudding with Kadaifi

@julianmsb discussed the layers that led to interviewing kids, finding success doing so, then into @celebritysubstitute, and now YouTube’s first late night show. Sell the dream. Discuss what you’re building as if it’s real and people will take you and the dream seriously. Create whatever you’re working on as if you didn’t, you’d explode, and don’t hide the struggle of it all from your peers. They’re your contemporaries and future collaborators.

@andrewbfeldman_ talked about his theatrical ascent which led into a discussion on the economics of the industry. Unless a show becomes a Wicked or a Hamilton, it likely gets tanked within the first couple of months. Plus, there’s already job scarcity from the highest paid actors to the lowest paid crew. Theatre is an inherently inaccessible sport to play. Andrew’s mission is building it to be more accessible. He chatted about his past in interactive murder mystery theatre and some big plans he’s working on for 2026

@henrypearl of @daundrylay (joined by @sawyernunes) told his story and played 2 of his own songs. “Never be afraid to say this is who I am, even if in the back of your head, it’s just who you want to be.” We’re rooting for Henry. He has a long career ahead.


Highlights


Andrew Barth Feldman - Actor & Writer
Henry Pearl - Musician 
Julian Shapiro Barnum - Creator
Berk Kalkan - Chef


Team


Nicholas Cordeiro - Photography
Daylan Sparks - Photography
Jax - Photography


Sponsors


The Bench




Graphic Assets


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