Ryan Reed
@rysreed.bsky.social
Music/culture writer and editor
- formerly: Rolling Stone/UCR/SPIN
- now: Guitar World, Revolver, The A.V. Club, etc.
Host of Introduce Your Shelf on YouTube
Author of 'Fleetwood Mac FAQ'
Musician
Record Collector
- formerly: Rolling Stone/UCR/SPIN
- now: Guitar World, Revolver, The A.V. Club, etc.
Host of Introduce Your Shelf on YouTube
Author of 'Fleetwood Mac FAQ'
Musician
Record Collector
I wrote about "The King of the High Cs" singing with "The Godfather of Soul." www.upworthy.com/james-brown-...
James Brown and opera legend Pavarotti thrillingly revamped a soul classic live in 2002
The pairing sounds bizarre on paper, but it works brilliantly.
www.upworthy.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:39 PM
I wrote about "The King of the High Cs" singing with "The Godfather of Soul." www.upworthy.com/james-brown-...
I wrote about this Aaron Paul interview that's making the rounds. Genuinely sweet story. www.good.is/aaron-paul-i...
Aaron Paul recalls heartbreaking exchange with his daughter that made him rethink smartphone use
She had a beautiful "one-word response."
www.good.is
November 19, 2025 at 5:32 PM
I wrote about this Aaron Paul interview that's making the rounds. Genuinely sweet story. www.good.is/aaron-paul-i...
I wrote about a childhood staple: the Scholastic book fair. www.upworthy.com/scholastic-b...
Millennials share their most beautifully nostalgic memories of the Scholastic Book Fair
And now many of them are reliving their youth with their kids.
www.upworthy.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:50 PM
I wrote about a childhood staple: the Scholastic book fair. www.upworthy.com/scholastic-b...
Here's your "genital" reminder to read my story about mortifying work-email typos. www.upworthy.com/funny-typos-...
People share their most painfully embarrassing work-email typos: 'Have a lonely weekend'
Consider this your "genital reminder" to proofread.
www.upworthy.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Here's your "genital" reminder to read my story about mortifying work-email typos. www.upworthy.com/funny-typos-...
I wrote about people who made a major career shift after 30—and what they learned in the process. www.upworthy.com/mid-life-car...
People who switched careers after 30 share why the change was 'unexpectedly fulfilling'
"It can be humbling and rewarding simultaneously"
www.upworthy.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:43 PM
I wrote about people who made a major career shift after 30—and what they learned in the process. www.upworthy.com/mid-life-car...
Millennial "butt rock" is now "classic rock"—a depressing reminder of mortality for anyone who owned a pair of JNCO jeans or browsed the CD-singles section at FYE. I looked at this often-ridiculed movement and wrote about six songs that truly hold up. www.good.is/millennial-b...
Millennial-era 'butt rock' is making a comeback. Here are 6 songs even haters should love.
Are you ready to embrace these "with arms wide open"?
www.good.is
November 11, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Millennial "butt rock" is now "classic rock"—a depressing reminder of mortality for anyone who owned a pair of JNCO jeans or browsed the CD-singles section at FYE. I looked at this often-ridiculed movement and wrote about six songs that truly hold up. www.good.is/millennial-b...
The ultimate job-interview cliché is "What's your biggest weakness?" I got some insight from a few pros on how to answer—and not answer—that question. www.good.is/job-intervie...
Experts reveal how to flip 'what's your greatest weakness?' cliche into a winning job interview answer
"You want people nodding their heads"
www.good.is
November 10, 2025 at 4:55 PM
The ultimate job-interview cliché is "What's your biggest weakness?" I got some insight from a few pros on how to answer—and not answer—that question. www.good.is/job-intervie...
I wrote about a record-store owner gifting Elton John a piece of musical history. www.upworthy.com/elton-john-v...
Elton John shares 'truly priceless' piece of his own musical history gifted to him by a stranger
That’s real generosity.
www.upworthy.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:43 PM
I wrote about a record-store owner gifting Elton John a piece of musical history. www.upworthy.com/elton-john-v...
I wrote about Prince covering Radiohead's "Creep" at Coachella, people being blown away by it, and fans trying (and, for many years, failing) to post the footage on YouTube. www.good.is/prince-creep...
Prince dazzled Coachella with Radiohead's 'Creep.' Years later, fan videos finally found a home.
The cover was so f---ing special.
www.good.is
November 6, 2025 at 4:11 PM
I wrote about Prince covering Radiohead's "Creep" at Coachella, people being blown away by it, and fans trying (and, for many years, failing) to post the footage on YouTube. www.good.is/prince-creep...
I wrote about my love affair with the portable CD player. (Side note: It wasn't until researching for this story that I realized people are starting to make them again. I really need one...) www.good.is/discman-port...
Hello, Discman, my old friend: a Millennial love letter to portable music's black-sheep king
Less chic than the Walkman, less convenient than the iPod. But it ruled.
www.good.is
November 3, 2025 at 3:12 PM
I wrote about my love affair with the portable CD player. (Side note: It wasn't until researching for this story that I realized people are starting to make them again. I really need one...) www.good.is/discman-port...
I wrote about how Scatman John used scat singing to manage his stutter. (Also, if you haven't seen that jazz-fusion-y live version of "Scatman," do yourself a favor. Damn.) www.good.is/scatman-john...
Scatman's 1994 hit finds a new generation after inspiring video about his stutter resurfaces
"Stuttering has turned from a handicap into an asset"
www.good.is
October 31, 2025 at 8:01 PM
I wrote about how Scatman John used scat singing to manage his stutter. (Also, if you haven't seen that jazz-fusion-y live version of "Scatman," do yourself a favor. Damn.) www.good.is/scatman-john...
I wrote about how Genesis, amid the rise of punk, embraced their softer side and scored a breakthrough hit at a pivotal moment. www.good.is/genesis-foll...
How Genesis embraced their sensitive side, scoring a crossover hit when they needed it most
This love song became a line in the sand.
www.good.is
October 30, 2025 at 9:20 PM
I wrote about how Genesis, amid the rise of punk, embraced their softer side and scored a breakthrough hit at a pivotal moment. www.good.is/genesis-foll...
I wrote about some genuinely creepy moments from 'The Simpsons,' just ahead of Halloween.
www.good.is/simpsons-hal...
www.good.is/simpsons-hal...
'Simpsons' fanatics rank the show's 6 creepiest Halloween episodes
They don't call them "Treehouse of Horror" for nothing.
www.good.is
October 30, 2025 at 9:17 PM
I wrote about some genuinely creepy moments from 'The Simpsons,' just ahead of Halloween.
www.good.is/simpsons-hal...
www.good.is/simpsons-hal...
I wrote about Phish's love of musical Halloween "costumes" and 5 of their full-album cover sets. You may dig them even if you're allergic to jam bands. www.good.is/phish-hallow...
5 full-album Halloween live covers by Phish that you'll love, even if you hate jam bands
They call them "musical costumes."
www.good.is
October 24, 2025 at 5:25 PM
I wrote about Phish's love of musical Halloween "costumes" and 5 of their full-album cover sets. You may dig them even if you're allergic to jam bands. www.good.is/phish-hallow...
I wrote about the 35 songs Rush could — and should — play during their reunion tour. ultimateclassicrock.com/rush-2026-to...
The 35 Songs Rush Could Play on Their 2026 Reunion Tour
UCR breaks down the 35 songs Rush will, would and should play on their 2026 reunion tour.
ultimateclassicrock.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:59 PM
I wrote about the 35 songs Rush could — and should — play during their reunion tour. ultimateclassicrock.com/rush-2026-to...
I wrote about one of the greatest scenes in TV history: Cooper explaining to Truman why it's important to "give yourself a present" each day. Is it just a charming piece of writing, or is it a practical bit of wisdom? I asked some therapists to find out. www.good.is/agent-cooper...
These 'Twin Peaks' words of everyday wisdom feel profound. But what do therapists think?
"Every day, once a day, give yourself a present," Special Agent Dale Cooper once said.
www.good.is
October 23, 2025 at 9:09 PM
I wrote about one of the greatest scenes in TV history: Cooper explaining to Truman why it's important to "give yourself a present" each day. Is it just a charming piece of writing, or is it a practical bit of wisdom? I asked some therapists to find out. www.good.is/agent-cooper...
I wrote about my dad's use of the thumbs-up emoji and how our generations differ in texting style. This was a fun one, and I learned a fair amount about how both of us communicate. www.good.is/boomer-emoji...
I analyzed my Boomer dad's use of the thumbs-up emoji. I learned something about us both.
Insert face-palm reaction here.
www.good.is
October 23, 2025 at 8:04 PM
I wrote about my dad's use of the thumbs-up emoji and how our generations differ in texting style. This was a fun one, and I learned a fair amount about how both of us communicate. www.good.is/boomer-emoji...
I wrote about that time George Harrison joined Paul Simon on 'SNL.' www.good.is/george-harri...
October 17, 2025 at 6:54 PM
I wrote about that time George Harrison joined Paul Simon on 'SNL.' www.good.is/george-harri...
I wrote about the weirdest and/or funniest things realtors have witnessed on the job. www.good.is/funny-realto...
Realtors share the 5 'funniest,' 'weirdest' things they've encountered while showing a house
From pentagrams to naked vacationers.
www.good.is
October 8, 2025 at 6:21 PM
I wrote about the weirdest and/or funniest things realtors have witnessed on the job. www.good.is/funny-realto...
I wrote about this wild lost-cat story. www.good.is/cat-rescue-l...
Cat living at Lowe's wanders onto out-of-state delivery truck. Volunteers came to the rescue.
A purr-fectly wild and heartwarming story.
www.good.is
October 7, 2025 at 2:45 PM
I wrote about this wild lost-cat story. www.good.is/cat-rescue-l...
I wrote a little bit about Jane Goodall's words of wisdom. www.good.is/jane-goodall...
Jane Goodall's haunting answer for the 'most important' lesson we can learn from chimps
It's all about reconciliation.
www.good.is
October 3, 2025 at 7:27 PM
I wrote a little bit about Jane Goodall's words of wisdom. www.good.is/jane-goodall...
I wrote about 5 movies that deal with free-speech—for no particular reason I can think of. Yeah, just wanted to. www.good.is/free-speech-...
For absolutely no reason, here are 5 thought-provoking films about free speech
The First Amendment is a good amendment.
www.good.is
September 26, 2025 at 1:41 PM
I wrote about 5 movies that deal with free-speech—for no particular reason I can think of. Yeah, just wanted to. www.good.is/free-speech-...
I wrote about Scarlett Johansson realizing she wanted to direct movies after an early role opposite Robert Redford. www.good.is/robert-redfo...
Scarlett Johansson says Robert Redford changed her life as a kid on set: 'Transformative'
"[Film directing] seems pretty interesting. I'd like to do that job some day."
www.good.is
September 24, 2025 at 8:16 PM
I wrote about Scarlett Johansson realizing she wanted to direct movies after an early role opposite Robert Redford. www.good.is/robert-redfo...
I wrote about the album that changed my life, Radiohead's 'OK Computer.' I explored my first encounter, why the LP remains a classic, and why the music of our youth is unbeatable. (I even spoke to a clinical psychologist about that latter point.) www.good.is/radiohead-ok...
A Radiohead album changed how I experience music. But why do these discoveries fade with time?
You're most impressionable as a kid. But the great stuff transcends age.
www.good.is
September 23, 2025 at 3:58 PM
I wrote about the album that changed my life, Radiohead's 'OK Computer.' I explored my first encounter, why the LP remains a classic, and why the music of our youth is unbeatable. (I even spoke to a clinical psychologist about that latter point.) www.good.is/radiohead-ok...
I wrote about the FCC—well, technically, the *fake* FCC, who called up for a gassy phone call with Letterman in this classic 'Late Show' bit. www.good.is/david-letter...
David Letterman takes a 'gassy' call from the FCC in resurfaced 'Late Show' sketch
"Look, bud—you can make this easy, or you can make this hard."
www.good.is
September 22, 2025 at 8:28 PM
I wrote about the FCC—well, technically, the *fake* FCC, who called up for a gassy phone call with Letterman in this classic 'Late Show' bit. www.good.is/david-letter...