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What Do We Really Need in Life? episode artwork

Mar 13, 2026 58 min

What Do We Really Need in Life?

from Life In Jest Hosted by Selene Castrovilla + Pascale Laforest

What could you absolutely not live without? In this funny, free-wheeling episode of Life in Jest podcast, cousins Selene Castrovilla and Pascale Laforest compare their wildly different lists of the everyday things they swear they can’t live without—from books, words, and storytelling to TV, cat litter, cheese doodles, and remote-start cars. Along the way, the conversation spirals (as it always does) into deeper territory: grief, independence, aging, dating later in life, and the strange ways our priorities change over time. Selene reflects on the idea of being born in the rare Year of the Fire Horse, a Chinese zodiac combination said to produce bold, rebellious personalities—and wonders if that explains her fierce independence and refusal to play by the rules. Meanwhile Pascale confesses her unapologetic love for books and television, proving that great stories—whether on the page or screen—might actually be essential for survival. Expect hilarious detours into: why food delivery drivers sometimes become accidental therapists the comfort of reading and storytelling the genius (and chaos) of Howard Stern and comedy the surprisingly passionate debate over the “world’s best cat litter” and why traveling the world—and laughing about the disasters—might be one of life’s true necessities Part philosophical, part ridiculous, and entirely honest, this episode asks a deceptively simple question: What do we truly need in order to live well? Spoiler: the answers might involve books, humor, snacks, and a very good litter box.

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What are the things you truly can’t live without? In this episode of Life in Jest, Selene Castrovilla and Pascale Laforest compare their surprisingly revealing lists—from books, words, and storytelling to TV, travel, snacks, and even the “world’s best cat litter.” What begins as a funny conversation quickly turns into something deeper: grief, independence, aging, dating later in life, and the strange comforts that carry us through difficult times. Selene also discovers that she was born in the rare Year of the Fire Horse, a Chinese zodiac sign associated with boldness, charisma, and fierce independence—raising the question: are some people simply born wired to set the world on fire? Part comedy, part philosophy, and full of unexpected detours, this episode explores the everyday things—and the deeper truths—that make life livable.

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What Do We Really Need in Life?

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This episode is 58 minutes long.

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This episode was published on March 13, 2026.

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