This week, like the last, is a little different. Having last time directed the spotlight onto Annika's documentary filmmaking work, this week it's Maja's turn to introduce herself properly. We delve into her background, her crooked journey, the philosophy behind her work, and the makings of her artistic practice at large. Offload is a joint collaboration between Annika Hagemann (@anna_kristina.h) and Maja Malmcrona (@majamalmcrona). Recorded on March 26, 2021.

In this episode and the next, we’re switching things up a bit! We talk a lot about art and movies and the like, so we thought we should put all our cards on the table and introduce ourselves properly. We're quite nerdy and both "do art things". In this episode, Maja points the microphone at Annika and quizzes her on her chosen medium (for now), documentary film. Expect a lot of nervous gushing and enthusiastic ranting!

Ego: is it really the enemy, or is it a necessary evil that we need to work in tandem with? Is it egotistical to do something you love because of its self-serving nature? In this episode, we dig into how our egos have influenced some of our own decision-making, like falling for a fancy job title and then realising, with horror, that you’re stuck with the job.

What is courage, and what does it mean to be courageous? When is expressing your anger an act of courage, and when is it just sheer hurtful recklessness? We contemplate the benefits of crying, and rejoice in the joy of following your passions and putting yourself and your work out into the world. Maja recalls her recent “aggressive explosion” and Annika eloquently addresses the importance of articulating your emotions with specificity (hey, that’s a difficult word!). And yes, we still need to work on our endings.  Offload is a joint collaboration between Annika Hagemann (@anna_kristina.h) and Maja Malmcrona (@majamalmcrona). Recorded on February 12, 2021.

When are rules meant to be broken? How do rules differ from norms, and which do we struggle with the most? And when is refusing to wash your hands a crime? Annika uses the space as a confessional (spilling her darkest criminal history to our vast audience) and Maja, unsurprisingly, rants about the book she’s reading. We dreamingly ponder about the appeal of tiny houses and living completely off-grid - only to swiftly resort to the fact that hospitals too are, eh, pretty cool. Oh and - how long would it take to row to Sweden? Offload (@offload.pod) is a joint collaboration between Annika Hagemann (@anna_kristina.h) and Maja Malmcrona (@majamalmcrona). Recorded on May 24, 2020.

What role does guilt play in our day-to-day lives, and can it serve us in any way? Could it, like psychology professor Tina Malti suggests, help us become more empathetic? We discover with horror to what extent guilt seems to dictate even our smallest daily activities, from Annika’s 2-hour sofa timer and Maja’s fixation on fancy books. Offload is a joint collaboration between Annika Hagemann (@anna_kristina.h) and Maja Malmcrona (@majamalmcrona). Recorded on April 28, 2020.

The struggles associated with (disclaimer: non-severe) anxiety, not seldom induced by social media. Annika transforms into a doctor with a British accent and our guest psychiatrist Mrs. Splendlefield advocates her highly successful (and expensive) head-banging method. Why does reaching your potential have to get you a Nobel Prize, what’s wrong with building a cabin in the woods with rescue dogs and books? And, perhaps most importantly – the absolute necessity of having friends to keep you sane.  Offload (@offload.pod) is a joint collaboration between Annika Hagemann (@anna_kristina.h) and Maja Malmcrona (@majamalmcrona).  Recorded on April 24, 2020.

Are we supposed to shy away from things that scare us? Why does Annika keep watching scary movies despite feeling sheer terror afterwards? And what about Maja, who has the lamest nightmares? Should we be worried?  Maja and Annika also quiver whilst recounting the actual “real-life” threats they’ve encountered in their lives, from being stalked by a Jaguar in the Bolivian jungle to accidentally contracting rabies...Don't try this at home, kids. Offload is a joint collaboration between Annika Hagemann (@anna_kristina.h) and Maja Malmcrona (@majamalmcrona). Recorded on April 20, 2020.

How much does goal-setting contribute to productivity, really? Are goals necessary to achieve things, or can they just as well be a hindrance and a distraction? What is the difference between collective and individual goals, and where is the balance between rigid goal-setting and maintaining open-mindedness? And is the solution to it all really to punch yourself in the face? Offload is a joint collaboration between Annika Hagemann (@anna_kristina.h) and Maja Malmcrona (@majamalmcrona). Recorded on April 14, 2020.

Is boredom a negative experience? Can we become "better" at it? In this episode, we ponder about the many ways we express boredom and discover the central role it's played in both our lives. We do our best to justify why we haven’t started meditating yet, and Annika challenges whether playing Sims 4 might conjure the same benefits. Offload is a joint collaboration between Annika Hagemann (@anna_kristina.h) and Maja Malmcrona (@majamalmcrona). Recorded on April 3, 2020.

What role does gossip play in our lives, and is “good” gossip really possible? Is it, like Yuval Noah Harari claims, really the “foundation of our species survival”? And is it possible to over-love a plant? We did study psychology in high school, after all.  Offload is a joint collaboration between Annika Hagemann (@anna_kristina.h) and Maja Malmcrona (@majamalmcrona). Recorded on April 6, 2020.

Community in isolation. Are we more detached than ever, or is this a pivotal moment of solidarity where we face a common enemy? We have no idea. But we ponder about it in this episode and reflect on our own sense of community, digging deep into our irrational fears, the value of "finding your people" and the awkwardness of virtual parties.  Offload is a joint collaboration between Annika Hagemann (@anna_kristina.h) and Maja Malmcrona (@majamalmcrona). Recorded on March 29, 2020.

“I want to say this with a modest degree of modesty…” Is modesty overrated or does it help to keep our egos in check? When does modesty become inauthentic and when does it serve us? In this episode, we talk about living in an achievement–focused world and take a long hard look at our own annoying habits. Offload is a joint collaboration between Annika Hagemann (@anna_kristina.h) and Maja Malmcrona (@majamalmcrona). Recorded on April 9, 2020.

We wrap our heads around the concept of escapism and how it manifests in each of our lives. Does it serve us or hinder us? Should we do more of it or avoid it? We butt heads about video games. Other topics of discussion include philosophy, doing things you're bad at and the power of dogs. Offload is a joint collaboration between Annika Hagemann (@anna_kristina.h) and Maja Malmcrona (@majamalmcrona). Recorded on March 17, 2020.