LISTEN HERE for the full podcast! And available everywhere podcasts are found “Let Me Tell You Why with Jeremy Jacobowitz” But Below is a short summary about a subject that I’ve been thinking alot about…

Has TikTok, FOMO, and social media completely changed the restaurant scene in New York City? It’s not just the typical story of your favorite place getting blown up and suddenly having huge lines, although I’ve def experienced that, and I’m not angry when a restaurant gets more business; helping local spots succeed is part of what I do as a content creator. What really gets to me is how hard it’s become for people, including myself, to enjoy eating out without feeling like everything needs to be documented and shared.

I’ll admit it: I’m as much the problem as anyone. I genuinely love making food content; it’s my career, and I’ve been taking photos of my meals for decades. But now it feels like everyone is caught up in this cycle, turning every outing, every restaurant visit, into some highly produced video for TikTok. There’s so much pressure to be first, to catch the moment, and it often means we’re more focused on filming than actually enjoying the meal or the company.

I have an anti FOMO problem, when a new spot opens, and I see an endless stream of videos, it actually makes me less interested in going. Why rush to join the crowd? Great restaurants are everywhere. I wish people would relax more: take time, find their own stories, and remember that you don’t have to film everything. Sometimes, the best moments come when you just enjoy good food and good company, without the stress or the cameras. Will I listen to my own advice? Probably not, but IT IS MY JOB, if it isn’t your job, maybe just chill once in awhile!

BOOK

I read my 4th book of the year, These Walls from Eva Fedderly! Really interesting and easy read about maybe not the sexiest topic, but something critically important. Reshaping not only what jails could be, but the our entire criminal justice system. There is so much about these things tossed around, usually around elections, but atleast I personally didn't understand so many of the core issues before reading. She dives into how architecture of jails can be used to help rehabilitate people, but also where money could be spent on actually preventing crime, and not just punishing those who commit them. Buy Here

TV

I recently went back and rewatched Undeclared, the short-lived Judd Apatow comedy that aired on Fox from 2001 to 2002. It only lasted 17 episodes, partly because it unfortunately premiered just a week after September 11th, when no one was really in the mood to laugh. But looking back now, it’s one of the easiest shows to binge, each episode runs about 22 minutes, and it’s free to stream on YouTube. The show captures the 2000s college vibe without feeling dated, and the humor still holds up today. What makes it even more fun is the incredible cast: Seth Rogen before he became a star, Jason Segel popping up as a recurring character, plus amazing guest appearances from Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, and Will Ferrell. You can really see the beginnings of the Apatow “crew” that would go on to dominate comedy for years. While it was ahead of its time as a single-cam sitcom, I think it would do so well if it came out today. Between the sharp writing, relatable stories, and nostalgic feel, it’s an underrated gem that I highly recommend.