Moderating a panel is stressful. That's just a fact. When you're the one responsible for steering the ship, it requires preparation, even if the topic is one you're very familiar with. So far this year, I've moderated about a half dozen panels and most of them with anywhere from 2 to 4 panelists.

That's a lot of people to talk to in 45 minutes about a wide range of topics.

So what makes for a successful panel? I've learned the hard way (by messing up) and the easy way (by being on panels with great moderators), and I've got at least one more panel to moderate before the year's end, so here are some tips and tricks that might help you through moderating your next panel:
1. Research your panelists.
Often times, panel organizers will provide you with bios, but even if that's the case, do your own research too. Look at their social media accounts, dig back through their YouTube videos, read other interviews they may or may not have done. It's OK if you aren't 100% familiar with someone on your panel, but by the time you get to the day of the panel, you should be able to talk about this person as if they're an actual friend.

And then practice introducing the panelists. I always recite bios of people in my head while I'm getting ready for my day – making coffee, doing my makeup, etc. – so that if I'm the one introducing them before the panel kicks off, I'm not just relying on them to tell the audience who they are. A good moderator should be able to make that introduction.

With the recent news of actress Charlyne Yi's recollection of an uncomfortable encounter with a fellow actor, I've been thinking a lot about those moments we often run into in a day that stay with us – and perhaps don't resonate as deeply with the other person.

Perhaps David Cross doesn’t remember. I don’t know. But what I can say is that even the most well-intentioned people will unknowingly offend, and even if they don’t remember it, their words or actions may make a lasting impact.

I’m sure the person last week who mis-identified me as two different Asian-American women in one breath, and then waved his hand and said, “Oh, whatever” when I corrected him, didn’t think he was saying anything wrong.

The weather in LA might not be exactly autumn-like, but it is fall ... my favorite season! And what better way to celebrate it than with the pile of books on my coffee table just waiting to be read (four, at the moment: Reset by Ellen Pao, Still Buffering by Hannah Hart, Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, and Turtles All the Way Down by John Green).

But before we get to all of that, let's talk about the Finally Fall Book Tag from Tall Tales – I came across this going around "Booktube," and thought I'd adapt it for the blog, so without further adieu...

1. In fall, the air is crisp and clear: name a book with a vivid setting!
All My Friends are Superheroes by Andrew Kaufman

2. Nature is beautiful… but also dying: name a book that is beautifully written, but also deals with a heavy topic like loss or grief.
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

3. Fall is back to school season: share a non-fiction book that taught you something new.
The Places in Between by Rory Stewart

4. In order to keep warm, it’s good to spend some time with the people we love: name a fictional family/household/friend-group that you’d like to be a part of.
Harry/Ron/Hermione, of course.

We've always been a news-watching family, the kind that gather around the TV and consume silently as the anchors and reporters tell us what's happening in our city and in the world. On weekend mornings, my parents would read the paper over breakfast.

The news was a way for us to learn, in the same way that it was a vehicle for my parents to learn about the U.S. when they first came here at 10 years old. When big, historical things happened, the news was there to tell them what and why.

The first time I remember asking my mom about why something bad happened was in 1995. The Oklahoma City bombing was all over the TV, and I didn't quite understand – at 6 years old – why it had happened. "I don't really know," my mom said, pointing to the TV where Tom Brokaw was giving us facts, "but let's keep listening."

We did this every time a major story took over the nation.

I was 10 years old when Columbine happened. I still didn't understand why. All I remember was coming to school the next day and the teachers talked us through what a lockdown was and said we'd be practicing one soon, like a fire drill.

Turn off the lights and keep quiet. Lower blinds or shades, lock the windows and doors, and move away from them. Get under your desk or behind something solid – somewhere that could keep a bullet from getting you. Stay low.

At the time, we didn't think it would happen to us. How could it? School is supposed to be a safe place.

We did the lockdown drill a couple of times in the following weeks. About a month after Columbine, the flashing lights went off near the end of the day, signaling what we thought was another drill – only this time, it wasn't a drill, the teacher said. "Get under your desks."

I've been excited to do this month's favorites list all month because September was a good one for new things. It's also getting into that cozy autumn season soon (at least, I hope so...I don't remember how California's seasons work) so instead of freaking out about my super dry skin and trying to match my foundation to my tan, here we are with new products that have been making me love life lately:

1. Just Peachy Velvet Matte Eye Shadow Palette – Peaches and Cream Collection by Too Faced


As soon as I saw the Sephora email about Too Faced's new Peaches and Cream collection, my heart jumped a little. If you know me, you know how much I love Too Faced, especially their Sweet Peach collection. And an all-matte eyeshadow palette? What more could you want?

The colors are gorgeous (and subtle) and the shadows blend beautifully. The scent also isn't too overwhelming, and I know some people don't like that about Too Faced's scented palettes. The Peaches and Cream collection seems a little more subtle. I poked around at other products in the collection, and there were a few misses (I don't like the primer), but if you're going to get one thing from this set, get this palette.