Issue 36 (Fall 2025) – The Catalyst

Letter from the Editor

Dear Reader,

In the fall quarter of my freshman year here at UCSB, I took a Religious Studies class. One day, I sat next to a girl named Natalie, who was also an English major. I didn’t know it then, but she was to become one of my closest friends, and the person I have been lucky enough to share many titles with, being Literature Editors together last year, and co-Editors-in-Chief this quarter.

I traveled to Berlin with Natalie for a journalism trip this past summer and got to explore a new city, while also indulging in rich friendship. On our trip, we took a film photo at “the Innovations Museum” of colorful stacked plastic chairs called “Monobloc chairs,” in hopes we would use it for The Catalyst. The photo became our catalyst. These chairs are banned from public spaces in Basel, Switzerland, because they disrupt the historic nature of the city, but I’ve never known a house party, barbeque, wedding, or place-of-employment-breakroom without them. party, barbeque, wedding, or place-of-employment-breakroom without them.

How strange, but how mundane? I began to wonder what else was surreal about everyday life. In Issue 36, we want to get up close and personal with real life, and the strange things that we don’t regard as strange because they are so normal. We wanted this magazine to feel like flipping through a home or fashion magazine to which our readers can actually connect. The creative writing and art within these pages celebrate what makes normal life so exceptional, even at its most strange.

To The Catalyst —Brian, Shaun, Natalie, and all of the Editors I’ve had the pleasure of working with the past two years with the magazine, it’s been the sweetest time. I am so lucky.

Claire Trask
Editors-in-Chief

In our time in Berlin, Claire and I discussed the Fall Quarter issue with no expectations or pressure for success or failure, but rather guided by the pure excitement of being able to collaborate on one last project. In our first meeting with the new Editorial Team, we introduced “Surreal Editorial,” an aesthetic unfamiliar to many, though the charm of “meaning,” is that it doesn’t always have to make sense in the moment, rather, it’s a discovery of what it can become.

When we first began this quarter, I was unsure of this aesthetic and if it could be executed correctly. I understood editorial to be staged and performative perfection; so how could the students and team pull this off? Throughout the quarter I have learned that it means much more than this. Editorial, a derivative of edit, to me is synonymous with change. To be able to change and adapt in an ever-changing world. Within these past 10 weeks, this aesthetic has matured beyond just an idea, change and adapt in an ever-changing world. Within these past 10 weeks, this aesthetic has matured beyond just an idea, into a way of living.

Living in America, daily life has morphed into a bizarre, and oftentimes surreal reality. But finding moments of the mundane is necessary to live in a more grounded present. Within these pages, the writing and artwork embody the creative journey, acknowledging the presence of each person who invested their time in making this magazine.

Most importantly, I must acknowledge Claire Trask, my co-Editor-in-Chief. Throughout this process, throughout the Most importantly, I must acknowledge Claire Trask, my co-Editor-in-Chief. Throughout this process, throughout the many vacillating emotions, Claire has been my wishbone. In moments of anxiety or doubt, she has been by my side with morale, encouragement, and support. In these moments of uncertainty, she became my right-hand woman, whom I could always count on without hesitation. And for that, I am deeply grateful to have worked with you, and to be your friend. always count on without hesitation. And for that, I am deeply grateful to have worked with you, and to be your friend.

We will miss you Claire.

Natalie Riley
Editors-in-Chief