a conversation i didn’t know i needed.

a little over a week after seeing SUPERMAN (2025) in theaters, i stumbled upon what i would consider to be THE interview of the film’s press tour: leading man david corenswet’s appearance on comedian rick glassman’s take your shoes off (TYSO) podcast – a winding, flowing, introspective, and hilarious conversation with a runtime longer than SUPERMAN itself.

(re: film spoilers, the back & forth includes absolutely none, and only lightly touches on superman as a character in pop culture for a total of maybe 3-5mins max.) 

i don’t want to spoil the conversation because i don’t want to ruin the experience. however, what i will say is: it’s about everything and nothing; about hows and whys more than whats. it’s an exploration of someone who knows who they are and why they do the things they do, but also knows they aren’t where they want to be yet. and if you’re thinking, maxine, that sounds BORING. well, maybe. but it’s anything but boring to me.

i watched the conversation twice within the first 24 hours of discovering it. i have since watched it a third time and plan to revisit it for as long as it’s available to me. i’ve also been talking about it nonstop – bringing it up online, bringing it up when chatting with friends, using it as a way to encourage people to see SUPERMAN, but primarily, sharing it as a way to affirm the overexplainers, the circuitous conversationalists, the persistent question-askers. if you relate, you need this conversation. i still don’t have all the words to describe how much i needed it. particularly as someone whose default mode, like corenswet, is curiosity-fueled questions, one part of my naturally obsessive desire to excavate the how and why of…everything, including myself.

i strongly encourage you to watch it, especially if you’re someone who consistently feels and/or is misunderstood because of how your brain naturally works. and to prove how strongly i’m recommending it – i’m saying something i basically never say: read the comments. the experience happening underneath the conversation is a sign for anyone and everyone to tune in at least for a few minutes. in the comments, you will see firsthand the impact of authenticity and vulnerability and connection. we as viewers are not technically included in the conversation, but we’re there. feeling seen, feeling heard, feeling affirmed watching corenswet and glassman see, hear, and affirm one other.

and these are only a few! at a time when so many of us are feeling disconnected, it’s been heartwarming to see not only SUPERMAN the film moving general audiences, but also conversations with the actor portraying him eliciting the same, if not stronger, emotional resonance.

give it a watch! then come right back here and leave a comment here after you’ve seen it! let’s create more affirming comments sections. more people seeing their own beautiful quirkiness being reflected right back to them in ways that will stay with them for long after the runtime ends.

lastly and most importantly, a MASSIVE thank you and bravo to rick glassman and david corenswet. my brain works the way your brains work, and i appreciate you both for giving us a glimpse into you getting to know one another. you’re already changing a little corner of the internet, and i look forward to your conversation continuing to spread affirmation to all those who find and need it.