Try Hard cover art

Try Hard

Try Hard

Written by: Alex Sujong Laughlin
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About this listen

It’s so hard to try something new. Maybe you dream of playing guitar, or speaking fluent Spanish. Maybe you want to learn to tap dance or do magic tricks or yodel.

But what if you had a little help?

On Try Hard, Alex Sujong Laughlin helps one ordinary person do the thing they never thought they could do. The process is embarrassing and uncomfortable, but hopefully always worth it.

Be a try hard. We double dog dare you.

Created by Alex Sujong Laughlin and Defector Media.

Defector Media LLC Self-Help Success
Episodes
  • Ronald Young Jr. Comes Clean

    Ronald Young Jr. Comes Clean
    Dec 1 2025

    We've talked a lot about trying this season, but not enough about failing. In the season one finale, Ronald Young Jr. comes clean about failing his Try Hard project.

    Episode transcript here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15ysREUJm3-I9T8K6xCGT4Qbtlu1fZfuKETkb1MvaV1c/edit?usp=sharing

    You can contribute to Radiotopia's fall fundraiser with a tax-deductible donation here!

    Get tickets to Ronald's show Heartbreaker in DC on Feb 21: https://www.unionstagepresents.com/shows/heartbreaker-a-tragic-love-story-from-ronald-young-jr/

    Send me voice memos about the things YOU'RE trying at podcasts@defector.com, or you can message me or tag me on Instagram @alexlaughs. https://www.instagram.com/alexlaughs/

    Try Hard is hosted and produced by Alex Sujong Laughlin. Editorial and production support from Audrey Mardavich, Tom Ley, and Jae Towle Vieira. Justin Ellis is Defector's projects editor. Mixing by Samantha Gattsek. Our show art is by Lille Allen and our theme song is "Photo Booth" by Avery Friedman.

    Try Hard is a proud member of Radiotopia.
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    36 mins
  • Zakiya Gibbons Goes On A Date

    Zakiya Gibbons Goes On A Date
    Nov 17 2025

    Zakiya Gibbons is rusty with dating women, so she goes to a queer speed dating event to shake the cobwebs off.

    Episode transcript here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1THYaMJZoV3e_45wsLsScbYxphcywyMIhltrJN0b4Ygc/edit?usp=sharing

    You can contribute to Radiotopia's fall fundraiser with a tax-deductible donation here!

    Send me voice memos about the things YOU'RE trying at podcasts@defector.com, or you can message me or tag me on Instagram @alexlaughs. https://www.instagram.com/alexlaughs/

    Try Hard is hosted and produced by Alex Sujong Laughlin. Editorial and production support from Audrey Mardavich, Tom Ley, and Jae Towle Vieira. Justin Ellis is Defector's projects editor. Mixing by Samantha Gattsek. Our show art is by Lille Allen and our theme song is "Photo Booth" by Avery Friedman.

    Try Hard is a proud member of Radiotopia.
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • Josh Gondelman Plays Basketball

    Josh Gondelman Plays Basketball
    Nov 3 2025

    Josh Gondelman used to love playing basketball, but he can't seem to bring himself to play in his friend's long-running pickup game.

    Check out Josh's standup special, Positive Reinforcement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAvNlgpdKKo

    Episode transcript here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KPusncOHye0q-x9GVxODOTuG-NMoLMjMUEVWlfg2f4I/edit?usp=sharing

    Send me voice memos about the things YOU'RE trying at podcasts@defector.com, or you can message me or tag me on Instagram @alexlaughs. https://www.instagram.com/alexlaughs/

    Try Hard is hosted and produced by Alex Sujong Laughlin. Editorial and production support from Audrey Mardavich, Tom Ley, and Jae Towle Vieira. Justin Ellis is Defector's projects editor. Mixing by Samantha Gattsek. Our show art is by Lille Allen and our theme song is "Photo Booth" by Avery Friedman.

    Try Hard is a proud member of Radiotopia.
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
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