Slate Books

Gabfest Reads| The Seven Rules of Trust

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0000

David Plotz talks with Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales about his new book The Seven Rules of Trust: A Blueprint for Building Things That Last. They discuss how Wikipedia’s culture of assuming good faith and shared purpose became a model for building trustworthy digital communities — and what lessons that holds for companies, social media, and politics today.

Wales reflects on how to maintain trust in polarized times, the challenges of AI-generated information, and why genuine civility still matters online.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Nina Porzucki.

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Death, Sex & Money | Samin Nosrat’s Recipe for Self-Compassion

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 08:40:00 -0000

After the blockbuster success of her first book, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, Samin Nosrat felt pressure to follow it up with something big. But when depression and grief hit, she was forced to slow down and accept help (and cooking) from people around her.

In this episode, Samin talks about getting "chef 911" texts from friends on Thanksgiving, new romance, and finding happiness outside of success.

Samin’s new cookbook is Good Things: Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love

Listen to How to Face Your Fears With Steve-O, Laurel Braitman, and Rev. angel

Death, Sex & Money is now produced by Slate! To support us and our colleagues, please sign up for our membership program, Slate Plus! Members get ad-free podcasts, bonus content on lots of Slate shows, and full access to all the articles on Slate.com. Sign up today at slate.com/dsmplus. Use the promo code DSM50 for half off through the end of the year!

And if you’re new to the show, welcome. We’re so glad you’re here. Find us and follow us on Instagram and you can find Anna’s newsletter at annasale.substack.com. Our new email address, where you can reach us with voice memos, pep talks, questions, critiques, is deathsexmoney@slate.com.

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Death, Sex & Money | What Hearing Aids and Anger Management Still Miss

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 08:40:00 -0000

The British poet Raymond Antrobus was six years old when his parents and doctors realized that his ears couldn’t recognize a whole range of sounds. He was fitted with hearing aids and began a life of straddling the Deaf and hearing worlds, going to speech therapy and reading lips, learning British sign language, and attending both Deaf and hearing schools. By necessity, Raymond became an expert in communication and miscommunication, which are recurring themes in his poetry.

This week, Anna talks to Raymond about his memoir The Quiet Ear: An Investigation of Missing Sound and what it was like growing up with a “panicky sensitivity to misunderstandings.”

This episode was produced by Cameron Drews.

Get more Death, Sex & Money with Slate Plus! Membership is 50% off, which means $59 for a whole year of ad-free listening and special episode drops across all Slate podcasts, PLUS unlimited reading on Slate.com and the Slate app, every Slate Game AND you’ll be supporting Slate’s independent journalism at a moment where independent journalism needs all the support it can get.

Go to slate.com/dsmplus and use the promo code DSM50.

If you’re new to the show, welcome. We’re so glad you’re here. Find us and follow us on Instagram and you can find Anna’s newsletter at annasale.substack.com. Our email address, where you can reach us with voice memos, pep talks, questions, critiques, is deathsexmoney@slate.com.

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How To! | This Is Where You Belong

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 09:20:00 -0000

It wasn’t long after Melody Warnick moved to Blacksburg, Va., that she realized its nickname—“Bleaksburg”—wasn’t a joke. Feeling stuck, she devised a research-based experiment to acclimate to her new city. On this episode: Melody explains how she went from hating Blacksburg to loving it (and how you can deepen your connection to the place where you live).

Listen to part one of our conversation here: How to Move to a New City.

If you liked this episode check out: How To Survive a Disaster and Quick Fix: Meet Your Neighbors

Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

The show is produced by Rosemary Belson and Sophie Summergrad. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer.

Get more of How To! with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of How To! and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the How To! show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/howtoplus for access wherever you listen.

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How To! | If You Could Live Anywhere⁠

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 09:20:00 -0000

Kerry is ready to leave rural Virginia and move to a walkable, vibrant city. The only problem? She can’t decide which walkable, vibrant city is right for her. On this episode, How To!’s Courtney Martin brings on Melody Warnick, author of This Is Where You Belong and If You Could Live Anywhere. Melody asks Kerry what she’s really seeking in a new place—and introduces a process that can help make such an important decision.

Next week, we’ll talk with Melody about learning to love where you live. Can’t wait for part two? Slate Plus members can listen to that episode in their feeds right now!

If you liked this episode check out: Moving Stories from Slate’s Death, Sex & Money.

The show is produced by Rosemary Belson and Sophie Summergrad. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer.

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Gabfest Reads | Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History

Sat, 15 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0000

John Dickerson talks with journalist and author Andrew Ross Sorkin about his new book 1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History and How It Shattered a Nation. Recorded live at the 92nd Street Y in NYC, their conversation explores how a decade of optimism, leverage, and moral hazard culminated in the financial collapse that defined modern capitalism.

Sorkin details how figures like banker Charles “Sunshine Charlie” Mitchell, Senator Carter Glass, and investor Jesse Livermore shaped the boom and bust of the era and how their decisions echo in today’s bubbles around A.I., crypto, and debt-fueled speculation.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Nina Porzucki.

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Amicus | Demolition Man

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Bulldozers and bulwarks are the twin themes of this week’s show, as Dahlia Lithwick is joined by Joyce White Vance, a longtime federal prosecutor and clarion voice in defense of the rule of law, despite its flaws. As Pam Bondi’s Justice department chases down the President’s opponents, Congress walks away from its constitutional duties, and the highest court in the land struggles to find a presidential demand too outrageous to rubber stamp, it’s no wonder many Americans are exhausted by the attempt to toggle between hope and despair. Lithwick and Vance discuss the many challenges to the integrity of the justice system and ponder what ordinary people can do to bolster vital democratic institutions under siege. Vance's new book, 'Giving Up is Unforgivable,' serves as a manual for citizens who understand that surviving this moment (and thriving after it) is a massive team project. It’s okay to huff a little hopium sometimes, but only if it’s the good stuff.

Want more Amicus? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes with exclusive legal analysis. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Amicus show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/amicusplus to get access wherever you listen.

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How To! | Survive Getting Fired

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 08:20:00 -0000

If you recently lost your job—or think you might lose it soon—Laura Brown and Kristina O'Neill are here to help! On this episode of How To!, Carvell Wallace talks to the authors of All the Cool Girls Get Fired about what to do when you get the ax—and how to turn termination into a real opportunity.

If you liked this conversation, check out the Slate podcast Death, Sex & Money’s recent episode on “Why Job Hunting Feels So Grim Lately, Especially for Gen Z.”

Looking for a different kind of career advice? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen.

The show is produced by Rosemary Belson and Sophie Summergrad. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer.

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Death, Sex & Money | How a Former Polygamist “Sister Wife” Learned to Love Monogamy

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 07:40:00 -0000

Christine Brown Woolley grew up in Utah with a dad and two moms, in a polygamist community called the Apostolic United Brethren. When she became an adult, she joined a polygamist marriage as a third wife, helped raise more than a dozen kids, and became co-star of the TLC reality show Sister Wives.

Fast forward to 2025, and she has left her marriage and her polygamist faith. This week, she talks to Anna about the pros and cons of her former lifestyle, how being on a reality show helped her family to confront and process conflicts, and why she’s so happy being re-married and monogamous. Her new memoir is Sister Wife: A Memoir of Faith, Family, and Finding Freedom.

This episode was produced by Cameron Drews.

Get more Death, Sex & Money with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of DSM and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the Death, Sex & Money show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/dsmplus to get access wherever you listen.

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Gabfest Reads | The Radical Fund That Rewired American Progress

Sat, 18 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Emily Bazelon talks with Yale law professor John Witt about his new book The Radical Fund: How a Band of Visionaries and a Million Dollars Upended America. They explore the remarkable story of the Garland Fund—a small 1920s foundation that bankrolled early work by A. Philip Randolph, and others who would go on to shape the civil rights and labor movements.

Witt traces how the fund connected race and class politics, supported the intellectual groundwork for Brown v. Board of Education, and anticipated today’s challenges around misinformation, inequality, and political disconnection. He and Bazelon also discuss what lessons progressives might take from this forgotten story of organizing during political exile.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Nina Porzucki.

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How To! | Rage Becomes Her

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 08:20:00 -0000

Contemporary women are primal-screaming and hitting rage rooms, but are these really the solutions to our personal and political anger? On this episode of How To!, Courtney Martin talks with Soraya Chemaly, journalist and author of Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women’s Anger, about her own recent upsurge of anger. Soraya explains how to identify, understand, and harness what’s bottled up inside you—and use it for change.

If you liked this episode check out How To Make Imposter Syndrome Your Superpower and How To Be Lonely.

The show is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Sophie Summergrad. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer.

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Death, Sex & Money | Nick Offerman's Principled Hypocrisy

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 07:40:00 -0000

In the new movie Sovereign, actor Nick Offerman plays an extremist who doesn’t believe in the legitimacy of the Federal government. In real life, Nick comes from a small-town political family. His father is the mayor of Minooka, Illinois, and his uncle is on the village board. In this episode Nick talks about choosing roles, how he’s different from his family, his love of teaching woodworking and the profound influence of poet Wendell Berry.

Listen to our 2018 interview: Nick Offerman Can Take Directions

Podcast production by Andrew Dunn

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How To! | Update: Losing Your ‘Virginity’ at 43

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 08:20:00 -0000

In this mailbag episode of How To!, we get an update from Elizabeth, the 43-year-old listener who contacted us for advice on her plan to have sex for the first time. Then, co-hosts Courtney Martin and Carvell Wallace get listeners’ takes on our most talked-about episodes of the year—and the staff holds an impromptu idea meeting for upcoming episodes.

Links Mentioned:

My Old Books

The show is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis and Sophie Summergrad. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer.

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Gabfest Reads | The Recent Past of Prison Punishment

Sat, 20 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Emily Bazelon talks with author and Yale professor Judith Resnik about her new book, Impermissible Punishments: How Prison Became a Problem for Democracy. They discuss the history of the prison system’s use of punishments like whipping, how the practice came to an end, and more.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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Death, Sex & Money | Private Equity Blew Up My Life

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 07:40:00 -0000

When Megan Greenwell was 34 she landed a coveted job in journalism as the editor-in-chief of the sports and culture blog, Deadspin. Just over a year later a post about why she was resigning went viral – a private equity firm had bought Deadspin’s parent company, and was seeking "a quick cash-out rather than the growth that comes from a well-run business."

Her experience led her to spend six years investigating the industry for her book Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream which follows four Americans whose lives were upended by private equity takeovers in retail, healthcare, housing, and media.

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Death, Sex & Money | Sex-Positive Parents, Crass Grandparents, and a Weird and Wonderful Childhood

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 07:40:00 -0000

When comedy writer Tamara Yajia talks about her childhood, she’s sometimes unsure what tone to strike. Her new memoir Cry for Me Argentina: My Life as a Failed Child Star depicts a very fun nuclear family with parents and grandparents who are loud, crass, and sex-positive. There are hilarious moments and situations that seem wildly inappropriate.

In this week’s episode, Tamara tells Anna about the ups and downs of her childhood, which was spent in both Argentina and the U.S., and what she wishes her parents had done differently.

This episode was produced by Cameron Drews.

To check out the episodes about Hurricane Katrina that Anna mentioned, click here:

https://www.wnyc.org/story/in-new-orleans/

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ICYMI | The Summer That Broke BookTok

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 08:30:00 -0000

On today’s episode, host Candice Lim tells Kate Lindsay about two recent BookTok conventions that went off the rails. While the first convention become known as the “Fyre Fest” of BookTok, the other faced troubling allegations of sexual assault against an employee. Is BookTok or social media to blame for how often attempts to bring a fandom together end up shattering the community apart?

Get more of ICYMI with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of ICYMI and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the ICYMI show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/icymiplus for access wherever you listen.

This podcast is produced by Daisy Rosario, Vic Whitley-Berry, Candice Lim, and Kate Lindsay.

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Gabfest Reads | The Four Years That Changed New York City Forever

Sat, 16 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Political Gabfest host Emily Bazelon talks with Jonathan Mahler about his new book, The Gods of New York. They discuss the unraveling of Mayor Ed Koch’s New York City; how the city’s current mayoral race is mirroring the past; and more.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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ICYMI | Your Next Favorite Book Will Be Fanfiction

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 08:30:00 -0000

Kate Lindsay and Candice Lim discuss the latest in Labubu-land, from a TikTok blackface controversy to leaving one on an iconic anti-capitalist’s grave. Then, they dive into the growing trend of fanfiction getting a big marketing push from the publishing world. From Ali Hazelwood’s The Love Hypothesis starting as Reylo fanfic to Julie Soto basing her latest novel on a Dramione ship, traditional publishing is reaching into the channels of AO3, Tumblr, and Wattpad to find their next big hit. But what do we lose when our favorite fanfictions get taken mainstream? And is it good or bad for the community they originated from?

This podcast is produced by Vic Whitley-Berry, Daisy Rosario, Candice Lim, and Kate Lindsay.

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Death, Sex & Money | How the Ultra-Rich Think…and What They Fear

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 07:40:00 -0000

Evan Osnos has spent nearly his whole life observing the habits, values, and norms of the wealthy elite, from his childhood in suburban Connecticut to the years he spent reporting on the mega-yachts and underground bunkers of the U.S.’s richest citizens.

This week, he talks to Anna about his new book The Haves and Have-Yachts: Dispatches on the Ultrarich, and they get specific about what the most powerful people in the world value and what keeps them up at night.

Evan is a staff writer at The New Yorker and is a co-host of The New Yorker’s podcast The Political Scene.

This episode was produced by Cameron Drews.

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Gabfest Reads | A Beach Read for the Outraged

Sat, 19 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0000

David Plotz talks with author Carl Hiaasen about his new book, Fever Beach. Fever Beach is a political satire that follows a couple of dimwitted white supremacists, a corrupt congressman, and the people that try to take them all down. They discuss the real-life racist event Hiaasen witnessed that inspired a central scene in the novel, how Matt Gaetz factors into the book, Hiaasen’s next moves, and more.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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Alison Bechdel Explains Selling Out the Progressive Way

Sat, 21 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0000

David Plotz talks with author Alison Bechdel about her new book, Spent. They discuss what’s memoir and what’s less than memoir in the comic novel, David’s own contribution to the book, and more.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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ICYMI: It’s International Bestselling Author Quan Millz

Sat, 14 Jun 2025 08:30:00 -0000

Candice Lim and Kate Lindsay are joined by Wired senior writer and producer of Black Twitter: A People’s History, Jason Parham, to attempt to explain the enigma that is “international bestselling author” Quan Millz. With titles like Old THOT Next Door and My Baby Daddy Is A Bedbug, Millz’s books have no trouble capturing the attention of the internet, so much so that the previously-anonymous author was forced to unmask himself to ward off a potential scandal. But who, exactly, are Millz’s books for? And the even more ominous question: What will he do next?

This podcast is produced by Daisy Rosario, Vic Whitley-Berry, Candice Lim, and Kate Lindsay, with help from A.C. Valdez.

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ICYMI: Will MomTok Actually Change Mormonism?

Sat, 31 May 2025 08:30:00 -0000

Candice Lim and Kate Lindsay are joined by Sara Petersen, author of Momfluenced, to chat about season two of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Mormon women once pioneered mommy blogging, so how did we get from vlogging to…swinging? The influencers who make up the reality show cast, known as “MomTok,” claim their racy antics are breaking stigmas and modernizing gender roles. In reality, they’re weaponizing their misunderstanding of feminism for their own personal gain.

This podcast is produced by Daisy Rosario, Vic Whitley-Berry, Candice Lim, and Kate Lindsay.

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Outward | America’s Gay Restaurants with Erik Pipenberg

Wed, 28 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

This week, Christina Cauterucci is joined by Erik Piepenburg, author of Dining Out, a new book that explores the history of gay restaurants in the United States. Piepenburg traces how restaurants have long served as essential spaces for queer people as places to gather, connect, and express themselves at a time when most public spaces were hostile or unsafe.

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What Next: TBD | Inside OpenAI's Empire

Fri, 23 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

OpenAI started as a non-profit dedicated to building safe A.I. Now, they’re obsessed with building artificial general intelligence by any means necessary - even if they don’t quite know what that is.

Guest: Karen Hao, reporter and author of “Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI”

Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen.

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Gabfest Reads | How to Create an Exceptional Family

Sat, 17 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Emily Bazelon talks with author Susan Dominus about her new book, The Family Dynamic: A Journey into the Mystery of Sibling Success. They discuss the commonalities among families that have multiple high-achieving children, what we can learn from these unique families, and more.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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What Next: TBD | Online and Pregnant

Sun, 11 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

The intimate and extremely personal experience of bringing a child into this world? There’s an app for that…and forums…and so much advice…that contradicts other advice…and a surprising amount of eugenics.

Guest: Amanda Hess, critic at the New York Times and author of the book “Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age.”

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Outward | Queer Travel Writing with Alden Jones

Wed, 07 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Outward’s Bryan Lowder and Christina Cauterucci talk to Alden Jones, editor of the new anthology, Edge of the World. With essays from Alexander Chee, Daisy Hernández, Edmund White, and more, the collection makes clear that queer travel writing isn’t just overdue—it’s transformative.

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Death, Sex & Money | Isabel Allende on Grief, Ayahuasca, and Dating After 70

Tue, 06 May 2025 07:40:00 -0000

Isabel Allende didn’t publish her first book until she was 39, after losing nearly everything in the wake of the Chilean military coup. More than four decades later, she’s become one of the most beloved Spanish-language authors, with over 80 million copies of her books sold worldwide.

After political exile, writing books became Allende’s way of making sense of the world. She wrote through divorce, affairs, and moving across continents. But after the devastating loss of her daughter Paula, even writing felt impossible, until her mother urged her to begin again. “My mother knew that the only way for me to walk the tunnel of grief was writing,” she says.

In this episode, Anna and Isabel talk about loss, late starts, and new beginnings. Isabel met her most recent husband, Roger, in her late 70s, “an age when most people are knitting for their great-grandchildren.”

Allende’s newest novel, “My Name Is Emilia del Valle,” is out now.

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How To! | Parent With a Disability

Tue, 06 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

At least 10 percent of parents in the U.S. are disabled, but Andrea can’t seem to find parenting advice on disability and accessibility. On this episode of How To!, Carvell Wallace brings on Jessica Slice, author of the new book Unfit Parent: A Disabled Mother Challenges an Inaccessible World, to help Andrea reimagine parenthood.

If you liked this episode check out: How To Date With a Disability and How To Become a Parent Overnight.

The show is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer.

Want more How To!? Subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of the How To! show page. Or, visit slate.com/howtoplus to get access wherever you listen.

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What Next: TBD | How Elon Wields Power

Sun, 04 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

What is it about the way that Elon Musk wields power that led 65 percent of Americans to agree he has too much influence on the federal government?

Guest: Faiz Siddiqui, Washington Post tech reporter and author of “Hubris Maximus: The Shattering of Elon Musk.”

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ICYMI: The Harry Potter Fandom Faces Its Biggest Test

Sat, 03 May 2025 08:30:00 -0000

While J.K. Rowling celebrates a new UK ruling that classifies “women” as biologically female, casting for the upcoming HBO Max adaptation is underway. Which fans have stuck by the series despite the author’s views, and will others be able to resist the siren call of a brand new TV series? Candice Lim and Kate Lindsay welcome ICYMI’s new producer Vic Whitley-Berry to talk about their feelings of betrayal watching the creator of their childhood favorite series incessantly target trans people online and publicly back anti-trans campaigns. Then, we’re joined by pop culture expert and YouTuber Princess Weekes, who shares her experience helping readers “deconstruct” from the Harry Potter fandom.

This podcast is produced by Daisy Rosario, Vic Whitley-Berry, Candice Lim, and Kate Lindsay.

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ICYMI: This Book Drama Gets Hotter in the DMs

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 08:30:00 -0000

Candice Lim and Kate Lindsay break down the drama surrounding an influencer’s new book that has kicked off a whole controversy before it’s even been released. Christina Najjar, better known as Tinx, has made a successful career as a TikTok influencer who doles out dating advice to her more than 1.5 million followers. Her new book is a summer beach read following an influencer who escapes to the Hamptons after getting canceled. But TikTok creators have been suspicious leading up to the book’s release because Tinx, up to this point, has identified as a straight woman, and her novel revolves around a queer romance. Additionally, some creators believe Tinx might’ve used a ghostwriter, who is a queer writer herself. Therefore, who gets to tell which stories in traditional publishing? And what is the specific betrayal some people feel when influencers use ghostwriters?

This podcast is produced by Vic Whitley-Berry, Daisy Rosario, Candice Lim, and Kate Lindsay.

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Decoder Ring | How “Chicken Soup” Sold Its Soul

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 07:50:00 -0000

Chicken Soup for the Soul was the brainchild of two motivational speakers who preach the New Thought belief system known as the Law of Attraction. For more than 30 years, the self-help series has compiled reader-submitted stories about kindness, courage, and perseverance into easily digestible books aimed at almost every conceivable demographic: Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, Chicken Soup for the Grandma’s Soul, Chicken Soup for the Golfer’s Soul, and on and on. Since 1993, these books have sold more than 500 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling non-fiction book series of all time.

But in recent years, the company has become many other things that seem lightyears away from inspirational publishing: a line of packaged foods, a DVD kiosk retailer, and a meme stock. In this episode, with the help of journalist Amanda Chicago Lewis, we tell the story of how this feel-good brand went from comfort food to junk.

This episode was written by Willa Paskin and Max Freedman and produced by Max. It was edited by Evan Chung, Decoder Ring’s supervising producer. Our show is also produced by Katie Shepherd. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director. Special thanks to Rachel Strom.

If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, please email us at DecoderRing@slate.com, or leave a message on our hotline at 347-460-7281.

Want more Decoder Ring? Subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of the Decoder Ring show page. Or, visit slate.com/decoderplus to get access wherever you listen.

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Gabfest Reads: How to Turn the Creative Process Into “Good Trouble”

Sat, 19 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0000

John Dickerson talks with author Maggie Smith about her new book, Dear Writer: Pep Talks & Practical Advice for the Creative Life. They talk about the essential elements of all creative projects, when you know a project is “done”, how to stay “porous” in the world, and more.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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Culture Gabfest | Seth Rogen’s Love/Hate Letter to Hollywood

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 07:20:00 -0000

On this week’s show, the hosts discuss Apple TV’s latest ode (tragic comedy?) to the movie industry with The Studio. Then, they step up to the plate and take a swing at the baseball film Eephus. Finally, they invite Slate’s Rebecca Onion to discuss the new edition to Panem’s dystopia: Suzanne Collin’s Sunrise on the Reaping.

Endorsements:

Dana: A French Village Podcast

Steve: “Personal Responsibility Under Dictatorship” by Hannah Arendt

Dan: Sky Daddy’ by Kate Folk

Podcast production and research by Vic Whitley-Berry. Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

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Decoder Ring | How Books About Things That Changed the World… Changed the World

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 07:50:00 -0000

Look in the nonfiction section of any bookstore and you’ll find dozens of history books making the same bold claim: that their narrow, unexpected subject somehow changed the world. Potatoes, kudzu, soccer, coffee, Iceland, bees, oak trees, sand, chickens—there are books about all of them, and many more besides, with the phrase “changed the world” or something similarly grandiose right there in the title. These books are sometimes called “microhistories” or “thing biographies” and they’ve been a trope in publishing for decades. In this episode, we establish where this trend came from, figure out why it’s been so persistent, and then we put a bunch of authors on the spot, asking them to make the case for why their subjects changed the world.

The writers you’ll hear from include:

Simon Garfield (Mauve: How One Man Invented a Color That Changed the World)
Mark Kurlansky (Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World)
George Gibson, publisher of Cod and Dava Sobel’s Longitude
Historian Bronwen Everill
Slate writer Henry Grabar (Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World)
Gastropod co-host Nicola Twilley (Frostbite: How Refrigeration Changed Our Food, Our Planet, and Ourselves)
Tim Queeney (Rope: How a Bundle of Twisted Fibers Became the Backbone of Civilization)
Leila Philip (Beaver Land: How One Weird Rodent Made America).

This episode was written by Willa Paskin and produced by Evan Chung, Decoder Ring’s supervising producer. Katie Shepherd and Max Freedman also produce our show. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director.

Thank you to Joshua Specht, author of Red Meat Republic: A Hoof-to-Table History of How Beef Changed America; Dan Koeppel, author of Banana: The Fate of the Fruit That Changed the World; Tina Lupton; Dan Kois; and Nancy Miller.

If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, please email us at DecoderRing@slate.com, or leave a message on our hotline at 347-460-7281.

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Outward: Renaissance Trans Theologies and History with Colby Gordon

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Outward, Jules Gill-Peterson sits down with Colby Gordon to talk about his new book, Glorious Bodies: Trans Theology and Renaissance Literature. Gordon digs into early modern religious texts that, instead of rejecting trans existence, actually provided ways to think about gender transformation—socially, surgically, and theologically. They explore what Shakespeare, Milton, and other writers had to say about gender, how history challenges today’s assumptions about transition, and why the right-wing war on trans people gets the past all wrong.

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How To! | Write Your Memoir

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 08:20:00 -0000

To some, the act of writing a memoir might seem daunting, invasive, or navel-gazing. But excavating memories, noticing patterns, and revisiting events from other points of view can lead to healing—regardless of whether your work gets published.

On this episode of How To!, Carvell Wallace brings on Melissa Febos. Melissa is the bestselling author of five books, including Girlhood—winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award in Criticism—and a forthcoming memoir, The Dry Season. She teaches us how to create our own narrative in ways that are safe for you and empathetic of others.

If you liked this episode check out: Carvell Wallace on Another Word for Love, How To Start Writing (with Anna Quindlen and John Dickerson), and How To Get Your Book Published

The show is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer.

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Gabfest Reads | The Day the Challenger Fell From the Sky

Sat, 15 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0000

David Plotz talks with author Adam Higginbotham about his new book, Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space. They discuss the feats of engineering that took place, the political cynicism and cost-cutting that played a role in the tragedy, the heroism and tragic loss of the people on board the shuttle, and more.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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Supercommunicators | 3. How to Have the Hardest Conversations

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 23:19:00 -0000

The final installment of our series explores the conversations that most of us dread, like frank discussions of our differences or a negative performance review at work. We often anticipate that these chats will go badly—and end in hurt feelings or embarrassment—but there are proven ways to make them easier to navigate.

Host Charles Duhigg talks with psychologist Jay Van Bavel about strategies for having the hardest conversations. And: Vernā Myers, Netflix’s former vice president for inclusion strategy, tells the story of what happened inside the company after an executive was fired for using a racial slur.

This Slate miniseries dives into the art and science of meaningful conversations, inspired by Duhigg’s bestselling book, Supercommunicators. The guides we mention in this episode can be found at charlesduhigg.com/tools/

Supercommunicators was produced by Sophie Summergrad and Derek John, who also did the sound design. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer.

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Outward | Why Love Isn’t Apolitical: Liberation and Rethinking Relationships

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0000

This week, Bryan Lowder sits down with activist and author Dean Spade to discuss his latest book, Love in a F*cked Up World. Together, they unpack how capitalism, white supremacy, and patriarchy shape our desires, the pitfalls of the “relationship escalator,” and why collective care might be the most radical love of all. From breaking free of toxic relationship scripts to reimagining intimacy beyond hierarchy and control, this conversation challenges everything we’ve been taught about love—and offers a vision for something more liberatory.

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Culture Gabfest: Zero Day Makes Robert De Niro a Befuddled President

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 08:20:00 -0000

On this week’s show, no amount of star power can save a “screamingly stupid show.” (Sorry, Robert De Niro et al.)

With Sam Adams—Slate Senior Editor and Staff Writer—sitting in for Dana, the team talks about the Netflix political thriller series Zero Day. Then they remember the career of Gene Hackman and end with their thoughts about this Atlantic article on navigating optimism during times of crisis.

Endorsements:

Julia: Moist Peanut Butter Cake Recipe from Cakes By MK

Steve: The savage suburbia of Helen Garner: ‘I wanted to dong Martin Amis with a bat’ by Sophie Elmhirst for The Guardian

Sam: Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World by Naomi Klein (Again! After Julia endorsed it last week.)

Podcast production and research by Vic Whitley-Berry. Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

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Supercommunicators | 2. How to Communicate Without Words

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 20:00:00 -0000

Why is it that we can tell someone “I’m totally fine!” and they instantly know we’re not? Gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice, and other subtle nonverbal cues play a huge role in how we connect with one another.

In this episode, host Charles Duhigg explores how we communicate without words, including a deep dive into the visual and tonal cues embedded in one of the biggest sitcoms of all time, The Big Bang Theory.

He talks with Dr. Dustin York, a professor at Maryville University who studies nonverbal communication and worked in public relations for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. He also sits down with Dave Goetsch, a co-executive producer and longtime writer for The Big Bang Theory, and journalist Jessica Radloff, who wrote an exhaustive book about the show.

This Slate miniseries dives into the art and science of meaningful conversations, inspired by

Duhigg’s bestselling book, Supercommunicators.

Supercommunicators was produced by Sophie Summergrad and Derek John, who also did the sound design. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer.

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Culture Gabfest: The Oscars Go Streaming

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 08:20:00 -0000

On this week’s show, we preview the Oscars and Trump’s demolition throughout renowned institutions of art.

Isaac Butler — author of The Method: How the Twentieth Century Learned to Act and host of the new Criterion Channel series, The Craft of Acting — sits in for Stephen Metcalf.

First, the hosts discuss I’m Still Here and the continued addition of non-English speaking films getting some of the biggest Oscar buzz. Then we tackle the latest Trump shakeups at the National Endowment for the Arts and The Kennedy Center. Finally, Dana and Julia sit down with the CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Bill Kramer.

Endorsements:

Dana: The documentary Pictures of Ghosts (2023)

Julia: Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World by Naomi Klein, also discussed on Culture Gabfest in September 2023

Isaac: The film Z (1969), available on streaming

Podcast production and research by Vic Whitley-Berry. Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

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Death, Sex & Money | I Was Ready to Write About My Domestic Abuser—Then Lawyers Said No.

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 08:40:00 -0000

When comedian Chelsea Devantez began writing her memoir, she knew exactly where to start: with a teenage relationship that spiraled into domestic violence. But when she submitted her draft, lawyers informed her she legally couldn't name her abuser or detail what happened.

"I threw the book in the trash for a few months," Chelsea recalls. After consulting friends and family, she decided to continue writing with a new approach. "Instead of telling my story, I would try to tell the story of how our systems are set up to silence."

In this episode, Chelsea and Anna also discuss how a complex PTSD diagnosis helped explain puzzling personality traits, friendship breakups, family secrets, and navigating a male-dominated, rich kid comedy scene.

Chelsea Devantez’s memoir is called I Shouldn't Be Telling You This: (But I'm Going to Anyway), and she has a podcast called Glamorous Trash: A Celebrity Memoir Podcast.

Podcast production by Zoe Azulay and Andrew Dunn.

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Supercommunicators | 1. How to Talk to Anyone

Sat, 22 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0000

Why are some people able to talk with just about anyone—about almost anything? One answer may lie in the questions we ask—and how deeply we ask them. Stick with us here…

In this episode, host Charles Duhigg examines why deep questions are so powerful and how to ask them in everyday life.

He talks to Nick Epley, psychology professor at the University of Chicago and lifelong researcher of deep questions. And we catch up with Mandy Len Catron, 10 years after she wrote the viral New York Times article “The 36 Questions That Lead to Love.”

This Slate miniseries dives into the art and science of meaningful conversations, inspired by Duhigg’s bestselling book, Supercommunicators.

Supercommunicators was produced by Derek John and Sophie Summergrad.

Our technical director is Merritt Jacob.

Joel Meyer is our supervising producer.

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Culture Gabfest: Congratulations! You Finally Got Your Severance.

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 08:20:00 -0000

On this week’s show, Slate Business and Tech reporter Nitish Pahwa sits in for Julia. The panel discusses Severance season 2 from Apple TV+. They then talk about the Oscar-nominated film No Other Land – a Palestinian documentary following a young activist fighting his community's mass expulsion by Israeli occupation. They end by discussing Nitish’s recent reporting on Buzzfeed’s upcoming AI-infused social media platform, BF Island.

Endorsements:

Dana: The Severance Podcast with Ben Stiller and Adam Scott

Steve: The Children’s Bach by Helen Garner

Nitish: Work by the late author Tom Robbins, particularly Jitterbug Perfume, who recently died at 92

Podcast production and research by Vic Whitley-Berry. Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

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Gabfest Reads | A Former Haitian President’s Grandson Lives the Modern Immigrant Experience

Sat, 15 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Emily Bazelon talks with author Rich Benjamin about his new book, Talk to Me: Lessons From a Family Forged by History. They delve into Rich’s complex family history— particularly the experiences of his grandfather, Daniel Fignolé. Fignolé was the president of Hatti in 1957 before being ousted by a coup that involved American influence. Rich and Emily discuss how the political upheaval had a lasting impact on Rich and his family, the immigrant experience of “internalizing America” and the lasting scars of trauma.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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Death, Sex & Money | After Sobriety, Chasing Goosebumps Instead of Highs

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 08:40:00 -0000

When the poet and writer Kaveh Akbar likes something, he really likes it. As a high school student, he got hooked on poetry. In college, it was alcohol. This week, Kaveh talks to Anna Sale about the factors that led to his sobriety, and he explains exactly how he manages a life that’s full of healthy, wonderful obsessions as well as problematic ones.

Kaveh’s critically acclaimed novel Martyr! is now available in paperback. You can read about his temporary fixation on collecting basketball cards in GQ.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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Culture Gabfest: One of Them Movies About Women That Stuns Hollywood by Being a Hit

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 08:20:00 -0000

On this week’s show, Dan Kois sits in for Dana Stevens. First, the hosts discuss One of Them Days, a new buddy comedy starring Keke Palmer and SZA that’s quickly becoming a critical darling — and a box office success. Then, they dive into Asura, Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Netflix show that’s about the dynamics between three sisters and is “totally uninterested in the rhythms of a TV show.” Finally, it’s time to explore the “manosphere.” The trio dissected a deftly reported package from Bloomberg, “The Second Trump Presidency, Brought to You by YouTubers.”

Also, we’re looking for a new Production Assistant! Please send your resume and two ideas for segments to culturegabfestassistant@gmail.com.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, the panel tackles modern TV title sequences and asks the age-old question: do you skip or play? This conversation was inspired by James Poniewozik’s article for The New York Times, “Why Do TV Title Sequences Have So Much… Stuff?”

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Endorsements:

Dan: Playworld by Adam Ross.

Julia: A cookbook by Ben Mims, Crumbs: Cookies and Sweets from Around the World.

Steve: (1) Bar Merenda, a restaurant located right outside of Melbourne. (2) “For the Love of the World” by Daegan Miller for Poetry Foundation.

Kat: Calmly Writer Online, a distraction-free text editor.

Podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry. Production assistance by Kat Hong.

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Culture Gabfest: Chalamet Goes Electric

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 08:20:00 -0000

On this week’s show, the hosts dive into A Complete Unknown, director James Mangold’s surprisingly charming Bob Dylan biopic that’s all about fame and what it looks like to be adjacent to it. Then, the three explore Dick Wolf’s latest project: On Call, a half-hour cop procedural set in Long Beach, California that’s streaming on Prime Video. Finally, the trio remembers David Lynch, the iconic, singular filmmaker who passed away last week at the age of 78.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, the panel goes electric themselves and responds to a listener question from Rob: “Would you reminisce about the most electric experience you’ve had consuming a piece of culture with other people?”

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Endorsements:

Dana: The Soul of the Dance, a one-hour documentary about ballerina Ulyana Lopatkina.

Julia: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. Alos, Julia is looking for nonfiction recommendations about Japan! Email her at culturefest@slate.com.

Steve: Two Australia-related endorsements: (1) The Fatal Shore by Robert Hughes. (2) BUSH, a restaurant in Sydney’s Redfern neighborhood.

Podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry. Production assistance by Kat Hong.

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Gabfest Reads | Finding Connection in the Aftermath of History’s Horrors

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Emily Bazelon talks with author Yael van der Wouden about her debut novel, The Safekeep. They discuss why Yael chose a queer love story, how Yael’s own Dutch and Jewish heritage influenced her writing, the history of dispossession after World War II, and more.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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Outward: Conversion Therapy and Survival with Lucas Wilson

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Bryan Lowder talks with writer and scholar Lucas Wilson about his new book, Shame Sex: Survivors’ Stories of Conversion Therapy. They chat about Wilson’s experience navigating same-sex attraction while on an evangelical path, experiencing conversion therapy, and the complicated relationships he experienced along the way. He also shares powerful stories from other survivors and explores the enduring harm of these practices, offering a poignant look at resilience, shame, and healing.

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Slate Money | Money Talks: Selling The American Dream

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0000

In this Money Talks: Jane Marie has spent years reporting on the tangled web of multi-level marketing companies, or MLMs, with her podcast The Dream and dives even deeper in her new book, Selling the Dream: The Billion-Dollar Industry Bankrupting Americans. In this episode, she sits down with Emily Peck to discuss their origins, their appeal to American women, and their extremely questionable business practices.

Want to hear that discussion and hear more Slate Money? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Slate Money show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/moneyplus to get access wherever you listen.

Podcast production by Jessamine Molli and Cheyna Roth.

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Gabfest Reads: The Life and Legacy of John Lewis

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Slate Political Gabfest host David Plotz talks with author David Greenberg about his new book, John Lewis: A Life. They discuss how Lewis went from marching with Martin Luther King, Jr. to an iconic career as a politician, Lewis’s commitment to non-violence, how Greenberg uncovered never-before-seen documents, and more.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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Death, Sex & Money | Chaz Ebert on Loss, Intuition and Her 'Cougar' Group Chat

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 08:40:00 -0000

Ten years ago, Chaz Ebert talked to us about grief and loss as she was mourning the 2013 death of her husband, movie critic Roger Ebert. Her deep sense of connection to Roger continued after he was gone, including, she described, hearing his voice and feeling like they were still in conversation. When Chaz talked about this a decade ago, though, she was skittish about sharing too much about their ongoing communication, nervous that it would sound too out there.

No longer.

When we talked just a few weeks ago, Chaz described a lifetime of intuitive sensing, a skill she inherited from her mother. While her conversations with Roger have stopped, her intuition still powers much of what she does, including writing her new book, which she describes as “a download from the universe.” It’s called It’s Time to Give a FECK: Elevating Humanity through Forgiveness, Empathy, Compassion and Kindness.

This week, we listen back to our original conversation with Chaz and hear what has shifted in the ten years since.

Podcast production by Andrew Dunn.

Come out for a LIVE Death, Sex & Money show at SF Sketchfest, San Francisco’s comedy and improv festival, on January 31. Get your tickets here.

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Outward: Masculinity and Muscles with Michael Andor Brodeur

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0000

This week, Bryan Lowder chats with Michael Andor Brodeur, author of Swole: The Making of Men and the Meaning of Muscle, to unpack the complex intersections of fitness, masculinity, and queer identity. From the sweaty intimacy of the gym to the charged symbolism of muscle, Brodeur examines how bodies become sites of desire, power, and transformation.

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A Word | A Mother of a Crisis

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0000

A sizable number of pregnancies end in a loss, whether to miscarriage, still-birth or abortion. But until very recently, discussions of these losses were kept out of public—and policy—conversations. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by Colleen Long and Rebecca Little, co-authors of the book, “I’m Sorry for My Loss: An Urgent Examination of Reproductive Care in America.” They share their own stories of pregnancy loss, and what they learned about the range of experience from dozens of interviews for their book. They also offer their insights about why reproductive rights remain popular, even when the politicians who champion them aren’t.

Guest: Colleen Long and Rebecca Little, co-authors of “I’m Sorry for My Loss: An Urgent Examination of Reproductive Care in America.”

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

Want more A Word? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/awordplus to get access wherever you listen.

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Gabfest Reads: How Two Rivals Shaped Birth Control in America

Sat, 16 Nov 2024 08:05:00 -0000

Political Gabfest host Emily Bazelon talks with author Stephanie Gorton about her new book, The Icon & The Idealist.They discuss racism and prudishness in the early suffragist movement, how eugenics played a role in the birth control movement, and how two different women fought each other, despite wanting the same things.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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Well, Now: Being a “Likeable Badass” Could Improve Your Health

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 10:10:00 -0000

How do women gain social influence?

Understanding this is crucial because research shows they often face unique challenges in having their voices heard and their expertise recognized, even in highly qualified fields like medicine.

The consequences of this could be dire, both for female patients and their healthcare providers.

On this week’s episode of Well, Now, Kavita and Maya talk with psychologist Alison Fragale about the science behind effective social influence. Her new book is Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve.

If you liked this episode, check out: Who Cares for the Caregivers?

Well, Now is hosted by registered dietitian nutritionist Maya Feller and Dr. Kavita Patel.

Podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to wellnow@slate.com.

Want to listen to Well, Now uninterrupted? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock ad-free listening to Well, Now and all your other favorite Slate podcasts.

Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/wellplus to get access wherever you listen.

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Money Talks: The Rise and Fall of Victoria’s Secret

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 15:15:00 -0000

In this Money Talks: how did Victoria’s Secret go from hot to not? Emily Peck is joined by Lauren Sherman and Chantal Fernandez, authors of Selling Sexy: Victoria’s Secret and the Unraveling of an American Icon to discuss the origins of the ubiquitous bra retailer, its role in the rise of fast fashion, and how the brand successfully reflected the culture–until it suddenly didn’t.

Podcast production by Jessamine Molli and Cheyna Roth.

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Well, Now: Getting to the Heart of Hormonal Health

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 10:10:00 -0000

Hormones influence everything from mood and energy levels to fertility and long-term health.

Yet for many, hormonal health remains shrouded in mystery.

When women do seek guidance from their OBGYNs, they’re often told birth control is the only option for treating hormone-related issues like PCOS and endometriosis.

But that wasn’t going to cut it for Alisa Vitti.

On this week’s episode of Well, Now Kavita and Maya tackle hormonal health with the FLO Living CEO and see what other options are available when treating hormone imbalances.

Well, Now is hosted by registered dietitian nutritionist Maya Feller and Dr. Kavita Patel.

Podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to wellnow@slate.com.

Want to listen to Well, Now uninterrupted? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock ad-free listening to Well, Now and all your other favorite Slate podcasts.

Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/wellplus to get access wherever you listen.

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Amicus | The Great Big Pre-Election Freedom and Democracy Show

Sat, 02 Nov 2024 07:00:00 -0000

This week’s show is unapologetically long, deep, and hopeful. Dahlia Lithwick is joined by Yale history professor Timothy Snyder to talk about his new book, On Freedom, and to have the audacity to re-imagine freedom on the precipice of an election that could turn the United States hard right into tyranny. Next, Dahlia is joined by Rick Hasen, Director of the Safeguarding Democracy Project at UCLA Law School, for a gut-check about how the election might go, legally speaking, and a reminder that “too early to call” is a pro-democracy posture on election night—even as the former guy almost certainly claims victory before the clock strikes midnight—regardless of the actual results.

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A Word | Star Man: Merlin’s Tour of the Universe

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Neil deGrasse Tyson’s life-long love of science led him to astrophysics and a career as the nation’s premiere voice on making science accessible for all. On today’s episode of A Word, he joins host Jason Johnson for a conversation about the new edition of his book, Merlin’s Tour of the Universe, Revised and Updated for the Twenty-First Century: A Traveler’s Guide to Blue Moons and Black Holes, Mars, Stars, and Everything Far. They also discuss the science in pop culture, the political history of space flight, and why he’s still proud to have led the effort to remove Pluto’s status as a planet.

Guest: Astrophysicist and author Neil deGrasse Tyson

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

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Well, Now: Weed’s Growing (and Alarming) Side Effects

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 09:10:00 -0000

Nearly half of states – 24 and Washington, D.C – have legalized recreational marijuana. As more people report regularly using it, physicians are seeing patients with alarming side effects related to their cannabis use.

On this week’s episode of Well, Now Kavita and Maya sit down with internist and pediatrician Dr. Brittany Tayler to better understand these conditions and who could most likely get them.

If you liked this episode, check out: Psychedelics’ Long Strange Trip to the Doctor’s Office

Well, Now is hosted by registered dietitian nutritionist Maya Feller and Dr. Kavita Patel.

Podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to wellnow@slate.com.

Want to listen to Well, Now uninterrupted? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock ad-free listening to Well, Now and all your other favorite Slate podcasts.

Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/wellnowplus to get access wherever you listen.

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Death, Sex & Money: The Making and Unmaking of a Productivity Perfectionist

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 07:40:00 -0000

This week, author and podcaster Kendra Adachi explains how she took perfectionism and strict time-management way too far and was forced to radically change her ways. Her new book is called The Plan: How to Manage Your Time Like a Lazy Genius, and it aims to be what most time-management books aren’t: flexible, kind, and applicable to people with busy schedules and loved ones to care for.

To learn more about Kendra’s 13 Lazy Genius principles, check out this episode of her podcast: 13 Principles That Will Change Your Life Forever.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

Find us and follow us on Instagram, and you can find Anna’s newsletter at annasale.substack.com. Our new email address, where you can reach us with voice memos, pep talks, questions, critiques, is deathsexmoney@slate.com.

Want more Death, Sex & Money? Join Slate Plus to unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Death, Sex & Money show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/dsmplus to get access wherever you listen.

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Money Talks: The Gambler Who Bet on Alibaba

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0000

In this Money Talks: the man who would bet billions on a coin toss. Host Felix Salmon chats with Lionel Barber, whose new book Gambling Man: The Secret Story of the World’s Greatest Disruptor, Masayoshi Son reveals how the man who backed Alibaba became the world’s biggest maverick investor, throwing fortunes at enterprises that could either succeed spectacularly or go down in flames.

Podcast production by Jared Downing and Cheyna Roth.

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ICYMI: How to Thrive as a Party of One

Sat, 26 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Candice Lim is joined by Meghan Keane, the founder of NPR’s Life Kit and the author of Party of One: Be Your Own Best Life Partner. We’re approaching “cuffing season,” a viral term that demarcates those colder months when everyone in your life suspiciously couples up. While it’s bred a whole economy of cozy, staying in vlogs and soft (or hard) launches, what happens to those who choose not to cuff up this season — or ever? On today’s episode, we’re talking about what it really means to choose yourself in a world that pressures us to partner, and how the internet helps or hurts this narrative thanks to friendship breakups, dating app screenshots, and unfiltered Reddit advice.

This podcast is produced by Se’era Spragley Ricks, Daisy Rosario and Candice Lim, with production assistance from Alexandra Botti.

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Well, Now: Puberty is Starting Earlier and Lasting Longer. Why?

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 09:10:00 -0000

Puberty is changing, and we’re not talking about developing Adam’s apples and growing hair in new places.

It starts earlier and lasts longer.

Regardless of when this necessary stage of life starts, youth and their adults need support going through it.

On this week’s episode of Well, Now puberty expert Vanessa Kroll Bennett discusses the biggest ways puberty has changed for today’s youth and how best to navigate it.

She’s co-host of the podcast This Is So Awkward with Dr. Cara Natterson and co-author of This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained.

If you liked this episode, check out: Can Kids Be Healthy at Any Size?

Well, Now is hosted by registered dietitian nutritionist Maya Feller and Dr. Kavita Patel.

Podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to wellnow@slate.com.

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Money Talks: How Did Trump Scam America? Lots of Luck.

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0000

In a very special election season Money Talks: Trump was never that good at business. How did he fake it till he made it? New York Times reporters Russ Buettner and Susanne Craig explain in their book Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success. They speak with host Emily Peck to discuss Trump’s early business missteps, the right-place-right-time happenstances that made him a reality star, and whether or not he might actually have talent…if only for deception and scams.

Podcast production by Jared Downing and Cheyna Roth.

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Gabfest Reads: 10% Happier and Finding Happiness During This Election Year

Sat, 19 Oct 2024 07:05:00 -0000

Political Gabfest host John Dickerson talks with author Dan Harris about his re-released book, 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, And Found Self-Help That Actually Works – A True Story in light of the looming November 5 vote. They discuss the steps to coping with election anxiety, how to benefit from group dynamics (instead of letting the doom-scrolling get to you), and more.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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Amicus | How To Steal A Presidential Election

Sat, 19 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0000

You’re nervous. We’re nervous. As we stop for gas with almost two weeks to go before November 5th, we’re kicking the tires of American democracy to see if it’s roadworthy. On this week’s show, Dahlia Lithwick is joined by Matthew Seligman, one of the authors of How to Steal a Presidential Election, to examine the legal avenues available to Donald J Trump and his band of merry lawyers to subvert the presidential election. Seligman answers Amicus listeners’ most common election question: Can MAGA electors refuse to certify the election if they disagree with the outcome?

Next, Dahlia talks to retired respected conservative federal judge J Michal Luttig, who is raising the alarm about the Supreme Court’s willful ignorance when it comes to defending democracy from Donald J Trump. Judge Luttig says part of the blame for the January 6th insurrection lies with the Supreme Court, and warns the court’s majority is poised to tip the scale for Trump this time around.

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Well, Now: Can Kids Be Healthy at Any Size?

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 09:10:00 -0000

We live in a weight-obsessed world, and children are not immune.

From the moment a child is born, their weight and height are tracked and recorded. Then throughout their development, these metrics are used as one of the main factors to determine their health.

But as the Health at Every Size (HAES) philosophy continues to gain traction for some adults, is there use for it as a part of growing children’s well-being, too?

On this week’s episode of Well, Now Maya and Kavita speak with pediatric dietitian Jill Castle and her approach to children’s health, which marries the traditional medical approach with a body-postive, HAES model.

Her latest book is Kids Thrive At Every Size: How to Nourish Your Big, Small, or In-Between Child for a Lifetime of Health and Happiness.

If you liked this episode, check out: Eating for Health

Well, Now is hosted by registered dietitian nutritionist Maya Feller and Dr. Kavita Patel.

Podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to wellnow@slate.com

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Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/wellplus to get access wherever you listen.

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Money Talks: We Could Run Out of Everything Again

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0000

For this Money Talks, it’s time to turn the rat race into a rat walk on the beach. Brigid Schulte, author of Over Work: Transforming the Daily Grind in the Quest for a Better Life, speaks with about America’s toxic relationship with labor in which employees at all levels are underpaid, under-rested, and over-hustled. They discuss what America can learn from work cultures in other countries and what it will take to achieve the four-day workweek.

In this Money Talks: The pandemic wrecked global supply chains — but they were already set up for disaster. Peter S. Goodman, author of How the World Ran Out of Everything: Inside the Global Supply Chain, speaks with Emily Peck about the failure of the “just-in-time” logistics model, how a global shipping cartel is suffocating small exporters, and how another pandemic-style supply chain breakdown could leave store shelves empty once again.

Want more Slate Money? Subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes for each regular Slate Plus episode. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of the Slate Money show page. Or, visit slate.com/moneyplus to get access wherever you listen.

Podcast production by Jared Downing, Cheyna Roth, and Patrick Fort.

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Outward: What Arabic LGBTQ+ Slang Tells Us with Marwan Kaabour

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0000

In this episode long-time friend of the show June Thomas sits down with the editor of The Queer Arab Glossary, Marwan Kaboour. The glossary is the first published collection of Arabic LGBTQ+ slang and covers a wide range of dialects across the arab world. Marwan details how he decided to organize the glossary and what the words reveal about queer culture.

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Care & Feeding: Abby Wambach Is Parenting the Wolfpack Way

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0000

On this episode: Elizabeth, Lucy and Zak are joined by author, speaker, and soccer superstar Abby Wambach. We’ll talk about her new book, The Wolfpack Way, and what it means to raise a little leader.

We also slip in a quick conversation about what it’s like to blend families and become a “bonus mom.” And then, if you’re joining us for the Plus Playground — out now in your podcast feed — Abby answers the hosts’ kids’ questions, and it is precious.

Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.

Podcast produced by Maura Currie.

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A Word: Latinos for Trump…for Real

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0000

The majority of Latino voters have historically backed Democrats. But former President Donald Trump has polled very strongly around Latino Americans, despite villifying immigrants from Latin America. And several high profile leaders of the American far right are Latino. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson discusses the issue with Paola Ramos. She is an award-winning journalist, political analyst, and the author of Defectors: The Rise of the Latino Far Right and What It Means for America.

Guest: Paola Ramos, journalist and author of Defectors: The Rise of the Latino Far Right and What It Means for America.

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

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Well, Now: What It’s Really Like to Take Ozempic

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 09:10:00 -0000

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, WeGovy, Mounjaro and others revolutionized weight loss and chronic weight management. But what does it feel like for the patients who take them?

On this week’s episode of Well, Now Kavita and Maya talk with journalist and author Johann Hari. Over the course of a year, Johann dived into the research and history behind GLP-1 drugs and how they became the latest and most effective way to lose weight. All the while, he was also taking Ozempic himself.

His latest book Magic Pill: The Extraordinary Benefits and Disturbing Risks of the New Weight-Loss Drugs takes a personal and research-based look at the revolutionary, controversial rise of GLP-1 drugs for weight management.

If you liked this episode, check out: The Full Truth About Ozempic and Doctors Agree: Obesity is a Disease. The Public Needs to Catch Up.

Well, Now is hosted by registered dietitian nutritionist Maya Feller and Dr. Kavita Patel.

Podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to wellnow@slate.com

Want to listen to Well, Now uninterrupted? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock ad-free listening to Well, Now and all your other favorite Slate podcasts.

Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/wellplus to get access wherever you listen.

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Outward: Surviving Hate and Finding Joy as a Trans Teen with Nico Lang

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Outward hosts Bryan Lowder and Christina Cauterucci sit down with reporter and author Nico Lang to chat about their new book ‘American Teenager: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era’. Nico’s book is a vivid and moving portrait of eight trans and nonbinary teenagers across the country, following their daily triumphs, struggles, and all that encompasses growing up trans in America today.

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A Word: Tech’s Race Reckoning

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Silicon Valley is a place where big ideas are transformed into thriving businesses and multi-billion dollar fortunes. But it has also built a reputation for being a boys club, with limited opportunities, harassment, and sometimes open hostility to women in its workforce. Women of color remain severely underrepresented in the world of Big Tech, with just an estimated 3% of industry jobs held by Black women. So what’s the path ahead for African Americans in Big Tech, and is the prize worth the fight?

On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson discusses the issue with Bari Williams. She’s a lawyer, a tech entrepreneur, and the author of Seen Yet Unseen: A Black Woman Crashes The Tech Fraternity.

Guest: Bari Williams, attorney and author of Seen Yet Unseen: A Black Woman Crashes The Tech Fraternity

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

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Gabfest Reads: A Murder Mystery that Uncovers the Excitement in the Everyday and Ordinary

Sat, 21 Sep 2024 07:05:00 -0000

On this month’s edition of Gabfest Reads, Political Gabfest host David Plotz talks with author Elizabeth Strout about her new book, Tell Me Everything. They discuss how Strout conceives of interconnected stories and characters across her work, including the return of beloved characters like Olive Kitteridge. They also dig into the importance of listening and the ways ordinary lives can be extraordinary.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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Well, Now: Who Cares for the Caregivers?

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Nearly half of healthcare workers are at a breaking point, describing that they often or very often feel burnt out on the job.

Most of us have heard the phrase “Put on your oxygen mask before helping others,” but rarely does that happen especially for those who work as caregivers.

Psychiatrist Dr. Jessi Gold knows this firsthand when her mental overload caused her to make an unthinkable mistake with a patient. This error forced her to step back and reassess her relationship with the healthcare industry as a whole.

On this week’s episode of Well, Now Maya and Kavita speak with Dr. Gold about her latest book How Do You Feel?, and how by looking at the healthcare system through the eyes of her caregiver patients, she began to see the shared struggle many healthcare workers have to find the humanity in their work again.

If you liked this episode, check out: How Nick Cannon Got Celebrities to Open Up About Their Mental Health

Well, Now is hosted by registered dietitian nutritionist Maya Feller and Dr. Kavita Patel.

Podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to wellnow@slate.com

Want to listen to Well, Now uninterrupted? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock ad-free listening to Well, Now and all your other favorite Slate podcasts.

Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/wellplus to get access wherever you listen.

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Money Talks: Under the Spell of Someone Else’s Wealth

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0000

For this Money Talks, Emily Peck chats with Rumaan Alam, author of Leave the World Behind. His new novel Entitlement explores what happens when normal people enter the lives of the super-rich. Rumaan and Emily discuss class, opportunity, and how the ego and conceit of wealth can be contagious.

Podcast production by Jared Downing and Cheyna Roth.

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Dear Prudence | Revisiting Advice from Ashley C. Ford

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 07:30:00 -0000

Today, we’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes from October 2023 with Ashley C. Ford, author of the bestselling memoir Somebody’s Daughter, and one of our guest Prudies, while our regular Prudie, Jenée Desmond-Harris, will be on parental leave.

In this episode, Ashley C. Ford joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters from readers about whether conflicting ideas about children should end a relationship between two twenty-somethings, what to do when a friend is obsessed with her husband’s band, and if it’s acceptable to leave your partner behind and vacation without them if they’re running late and miss the flight.

Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/prudie-plus to get access wherever you listen.

This podcast is produced by Se’era Spragley Ricks, Daisy Rosario, and Jenée Desmond-Harris, with help from Maura Currie.

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ICYMI: We May Have A New Bad Art Friend With Haley Jakobson's Old Enough

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 08:30:00 -0000

Candice Lim is joined by Slate culture writer Nadira Goffe to break down the BookTok drama surrounding Old Enough by Haley Jakobson. Last year, Old Enough hit the shelves as a queer, coming-of-age novel about a sophomore in college named Sav and her ex-best friend, Izzie. A year later, a guest of Lucie Fink’s podcast The Real Stuff claimed she was allegedly the basis for Izzie and that her childhood was “plagarized” for the novel — from her experience with sexual assault to sensitive details about her family. On today’s episode, ICYMI asks how this BookTok drama became the “Bad Art Friend” of 2024 and where the lines should be drawn when it comes to using the trauma of others to sell a book.

This podcast is produced by Se’era Spragley Ricks, Daisy Rosario and Candice Lim.

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How To! | The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes—and Why.

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 08:20:00 -0000

After a tree destroyed Tucker’s roof during a tornado, he felt lucky to be alive—and underprepared for the next disaster his family might face. On this episode, Courtney Martin welcomes back author and former How To! host Amanda Ripley to discuss emergency preparedness and how regular citizens can react smarter during a devastating event. Amanda’s newly updated book is The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes—and Why.

After listening to this conversation, seek out (and save) this information:

CERT Training
Your state’s homeland security website
Your county’s emergency management agency
Local emergency alerts

If you liked this episode check out: How To Keep Cool in a Crisis and How To Cope With Climate Anxiety. Also mentioned: How To Pick a College (and Actually Afford It) and How To Take a Gap Year

How To’s executive producer is Derek John. Joel Meyer is our senior editor/producer. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis and Sara McCrae.

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A Word: Prayer, Politics, and Power Shifts

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Election season brings politicians of all parties to the doors of Black churches, looking for photo ops, votes, and support from powerful pastors. But the traditional Black church is—like many American faith communities—shrinking. And a growing number of middle-class African Americans are worshiping in more diverse congregations. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by Dr. Jason E. Shelton, Professor of Sociology and Director of the Center for African American Studies at the University of Texas at Arlington. They discuss his new book, The Contemporary Black Church: The New Dynamics of African American Religion, and how changes in African American faith communities are playing out in everything from politics, to education, to music.

Guest: Dr. Jason E. Shelton, author of The Contemporary Black Church: The New Dynamics of African American Religion.

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

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ICYMI: Allison Raskin on Leaving Buzzfeed and Friendship Breakups

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Candice Lim is joined by writer, podcaster and YouTuber Allison Raskin, whose new book I Do (I Think) about Gen-Z and millennial marriages comes out October 15th. On today’s episode, Raskin takes us through her internet diaries which include the Substack app and her favorite internet conspiracy theories. But first, Raskin talks about her good (and bad) memories of working at Buzzfeed in its heyday, and the highs and lows of her most public friendship online.

This podcast is produced by Se’era Spragley Ricks, Daisy Rosario and Candice Lim.

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Death, Sex & Money: Life and Death Inside the Playboy Mansion

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Crystal met Hugh Hefner when she was 21 and he was 81. They spent 10 years together at the Playboy mansion before he died and she became a widow. In this episode she reflects on their marriage, and how she’s changed since.

Crystal Hefner’s memoir is called Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself.

Podcast production by Zoe Azulay

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How To!: No Family Is Perfect—A Guide to Embracing the Messy Reality

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Kate’s entire family loves to go on intense, day-long hikes. Kate does not. It’s just one of many differences that makes her feel like a black sheep. But Kate desperately wants to be close to her family—without disregarding her own desires or compromising on parts of her life. On this episode of How To!, Carvell Wallace brings on Dr. Lucy Blake, author of No Family Is Perfect: A Guide to Embracing the Messy Reality. Lucy helps Kate find her way to a family unity that works for everyone, while also learning to celebrate their differences.

If you liked this episode check out: How To Deal With a Difficult Parent

How To’s executive producer is Derek John. Joel Meyer is our senior editor/producer. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis and Sara McCrae.

Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus.

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Money Talks: How to Save a Doomed Economy

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0000

How do you save a region from an economic tailspin? For this Money Talks, Felix Salmon chats with Paul Collier, author of The Bottom Billion and, most recently, Left Behind: A New Economics for Neglected Places. They discuss the economic and political forces that drag countries and regions to the bottom — and how they might be saved. Paul gives examples across time and geography, from Cold War-era Germany to modern-day Africa.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an exclusive bonus mini-episode with every regular episode of Slate Money! You’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Slate Money. Sign up now at slate.com/moneyplus to help support our work.

Podcast production by Jared Downing and Cheyna Roth.

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Working: The Founder of a Life-Changing Writers’ Retreat

Sun, 18 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0000

This week, host June Thomas talks to author and poet Judith Barrington about her knack for memoir writing and about a retreat called Flight of the Mind that she ran with her partner for 17 years. In the interview, they discuss what makes good memoir writing, what Flight of the Mind meant to women writers, and how to get the most out of writing retreats and workshops.

After the interview, June and co-host Ronald Young Jr. talk about why memoir as an art form is so important.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Judith talks about how she learned to promote her work on Instagram.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus to help support our work.

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Slate Money: Nate Silver and the Secret World of Risk-Takers

Sat, 17 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0000

This week, author and data journalist Nate Silver joins Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spires to discuss his new book On the Edge: The Art of Risking Everything, a deep dive into the risk-taking class that shapes modern society. They discuss the low-risk world of “the village,” and the community of high stakes, go-big-or-go-home investors on “the river.” How do these reams affect investments, AI, and politics? In the Plus segment: Nate gives his election forecast and the hosts debate how the media handled Joe Biden’s age concerns.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional segment of our regular show every week. You’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Slate Money. Sign up now at slate.com/moneyplus to help support our work.

Podcast production by Jared Downing and Cheyna Roth.

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Gabfest Reads: Where Does the American Jewish Experience Go from Here?

Sat, 17 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Political Gabfest host Emily Bazalon talks with author Joshua Leifer about his new book, Tablets Shattered: The End of An American Jewish Century and the Future of Jewish Life. They discuss Leifer’s experience growing up Jewish in America, the conflict in Gaza, how what it means to be Jewish has evolved, and more.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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Well, Now: Food Is More Than Fuel

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0000

We all know the food we eat directly impacts our physical health. But that’s just the start of the story.

Food fuels our emotional well-being, connects us with one another, and fosters a key source of identity.

On this week’s episode of Well, Now we speak with award-winning food journalist Mary Beth Albright on her new book Eat & Flourish: How Food Supports Emotional Well-Being.

If you liked this episode, check out: No, Netflix Isn’t Forcing You to Go Vegan

Well, Now is hosted by registered dietitian nutritionist Maya Feller and Dr. Kavita Patel.

Editing and podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to wellnow@slate.com.

Want to listen to Well, Now uninterrupted? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock ad-free listening to Well, Now and all your other favorite Slate podcasts.

Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/wellplus to get access wherever you listen.

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Death, Sex & Money: Miranda July’s Perimenopausal Thriller

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0000

When Miranda July entered her early forties, she noticed a grim feeling emerge. “It wasn't coming from me,” she said, “I guess it came from this lack of imagery, or stories, or even just basic medical information about what was going to happen next with my body.” The dearth of information and near absence of cultural mythology about perimenopause and menopause became the catalyst for her novel All Fours, which came out in May and quickly became a New York Times bestseller.

In this episode, Miranda talks about the unease that inspired the book and speculates about what the future could look like if more people openly discussed this crucial chapter of life. We also hear from listeners who share their experiences with perimenopause and menopause.

The interview with Miranda was recorded live in San Francisco for City Arts & Lectures.

You can check out a great profile of Miranda, which is referenced in the episode, here:

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/05/20/miranda-july-profile

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

And if you’re new to the show, welcome. We’re so glad you’re here. Find us and follow us on Instagram, and you can find Anna’s newsletter at annasale.substack.com. Our new email address, where you can reach us with voice memos, pep talks, questions, or critiques, is deathsexmoney@slate.com.

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Money Talks: Can the Rich Really Lose It All?

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0000

For this Money Talks, Taffy Brodesser-Akner, author of Fleishman Is in Trouble, chats with Felix Salmon and Emily Peck about her newest novel Long Island Compromise, a tale about a a family of one-percenters who see their lives and fortunes turned upside down. The hosts discuss Taffy’s real-world inspirations for the story, the psychology of the rich, and whether it really is possible for the super wealthy to lose it all.

Podcast production by Jared Downing and Cheyna Roth.

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Amicus: Judge David Tatel and a New Perspective on the Court

Sat, 27 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0000

It’s not just us feeling exhausted right? It’s been a totally wild past few weeks. That’s why we are taking off the next few weeks to bring you a special series we’re calling “The Law According to Trump.” Andrea Bernstein, the host of WNYC’s Trump Inc., will be stepping into the host chair for Dahlia Lithwick in the month of August to explain how the former president uses the law to his advantage, and how he has gamed the judicial system to his advantage for decades before he entered political life. Andrea joins Dahlia to preview the series.

Later in the show, Dahlia talks with Judge David S. Tatel. Tatel served on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and became prominent for both his jurisprudence and his blindness. His new memoir, Vision, was published last month and every young lawyer should read it. On this week’s show Judge Tatel discusses the book, which details his experience on the federal appeals court and his blindness. They also talk about his concerns for the current Supreme Court and its recent approach to the law.

Want more Amicus? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock exclusive SCOTUS analysis and weekly extended episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/amicusplus to get access wherever you listen.

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How To!: Dateable—Swiping Right, Hooking Up, and Settling Down While Chronically Ill and Disabled

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Todd is looking for love, but he’s unsure about disclosing something in dating profiles: his multiple sclerosis. With symptoms that are increasingly visible, Todd feels compelled to be upfront about his disability with potential dates—but he doesn’t know when or how to discuss it. On this episode of How To!, Carvell Wallace brings on Jessica Slice and Caroline Cupp, authors of Dateable: Swiping Right, Hooking Up, and Settling Down While Chronically Ill and Disabled. They give Todd guidance on having that talk, navigating ableism, and managing his own internal expectations.

If you liked this episode check out: How To Flirt With Confidence

How To’s executive producer is Derek John. Joel Meyer is our senior editor/producer. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis and Sara McCrae.

Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus.

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Gabfest Reads: Understanding the World Through Notebooks

Sat, 20 Jul 2024 07:05:00 -0000

John Dickerson talks with author Roland Allen about his new book, The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper. They discuss the historical origins of notebooks, how to keep a notebook and their own personal journeys documenting their lives.

If you enjoyed this conversation, you’ll love an exploration into John Dickerson’s notebooks with his podcast Navel Gazing. Season one is out now.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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Dear Prudence: Carvell Wallace, I Am Swamped With Plans and I Hate It. Help!

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Carvell Wallace (author of Another Word for Love and host of Slate’s How To!) joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters from readers about how to cancel on family vacation plans that sound horrible to you, how to break it to your butch lesbian girlfriend that her friends might be misogynists, and how to convince your parents to let you go to a high school in a not so great neighborhood.

This podcast is produced by Se’era Spragley Ricks, Daisy Rosario, and Jenée Desmond-Harris, with help from Maura Currie and Anuli Ononye.

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Well, Now: How Nick Cannon Got Celebrities to Open Up About Their Mental Health

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0000

We all know about the mental health crisis wreaking havoc throughout the nation and world.

On this week’s episode of Well, Now we’re continuing our ongoing discussions of mental health, and this time we’re tackling men’s mental health as a whole.

Prime’s new show Counsel Culture, hosted by Nick Cannon and medical professionals across the spectrum, invites men to open up about their histories with anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, and more. Dr. Mike Dow is the resident psychotherapist for the program.

If you liked this episode, check out: Eating Disorders Are Rising Among Boys. Why?

Well, Now is hosted by registered dietitian nutritionist Maya Feller and Dr. Kavita Patel.

Podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to wellnow@slate.com

Want to listen to Well, Now uninterrupted? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock ad-free listening to Well, Now and all your other favorite Slate podcasts.

Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/wellplus to get access wherever you listen.

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How To!: The Mindful Grandparent

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Shirley Showalter and Marilyn McEntyre know that grandparenting is more than just cookies and Play-Doh. Don’t get us wrong, those things are fun! But the art of contemporary grandparenting requires mindfulness, intentionality, and navigating boundaries. On today’s episode, Courtney Martin talks with Marilyn and Shirley about their book, The Mindful Grandparent, and the wisdom they’ve gained as elders to 12 grandchildren.

If you liked this episode check out: How To Face Your Kid’s Future

How To’s executive producer is Derek John. Joel Meyer is our senior editor/producer. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis and Sara McCrea.

Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus.

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Working: An Author’s Mission to Make Her Readers Belly Laugh

Sun, 14 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0000

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Sally Franson, the author of two novels: A Lady’s Guide to Selling Out and the brand new release Big in Sweden, which was inspired by her real-life experience as a contestant on a Swedish reality competition show. In the interview, Sally digs into the challenges of writing her second novel and the realizations that got her unstuck. She also talks about her practice of plotting novels on gigantic pieces of butcher paper, her preference for writing under a deadline, and her decision to take clowning classes as part of a mission to write side-splittingly funny fiction.

After the interview, Isaac and co-host Ronald Young Jr. talk about reality TV, writing productivity exercises, and some of the challenges of the creative IP economy.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Sally and Isaac talk about a specific fiction device that always makes them laugh.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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Death, Sex & Money: Sex Parties and Shakespeare With Carvell Wallace

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Carvell Wallace’s brilliant new memoir Another Word for Love has been rightfully praised for its passages about childhood trauma, about apologies and forgiveness, and about the healing power of love. But the book also features some important lessons about sex, consent, and the ways popular culture can send the wrong messages about both of those things. This week on the show, Carvell digs into those lessons and the experiences that changed him forever, including his first encounters with Shakespeare and his trip to an unforgettable sex party.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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Working: How to Photograph a Hardcore Punk Show

Sun, 07 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0000

This week, host June Thomas talks to Jim Saah, a photographer who documented D.C.’s legendary hardcore punk scene in the 1980’s and 90’s. In the interview, Jim explains how he fell in love with punk music in high school and soon started photographing bands like Minor Threat and Fugazi. He also discusses the chaotic environments he had to work in, and he explains how certain punk rock conventions—like simple lighting and the practice of allowing pretty much anyone to hop on stage—allowed him to snap memorable and action-packed photos. His photo collection is called In My Eyes, and you can follow him on Instagram @jimsaah.

After the interview, June and co-host Ronald Young Jr. talk about the differences between using digital and analogue tools.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Jim explains why the D.C. punk scene was different from other punk scenes in the U.S. He also talks about some of his favorite photography collections.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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Well, Now: Michelle Obama Gets Health Advice from This Gyno. Now You Can, Too.

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Women, girls, and people assigned female at birth make up more than half of the world’s population. Yet, many of them say they don’t feel supported, heard, or cared for in the doctor’s office — even in spaces designed specifically for their care like obstetrics and gynecology.

Dr. Sharon Malone, veteran OB/GYN, is on a mission to change that.

On this week’s episode of Well, Now, we speak with Dr. Malone on how to advocate for the care you deserve at every stage of life. It’s the subject of her new book Grown Woman Talk: Your Guide to Getting and Staying Healthy.

If you liked this episode, check out: How Doulas Make Childbirth Safer for Everyone

Well, Now is hosted by Dr. Kavita Patel and registered dietitian nutritionist Maya Feller.

Editing and podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Alicia Montgomery. Production assistance from Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to wellnow@slate.com

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A Word: Journalism Under the Gun

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0000

In this election year, there’s more criticism and distrust of the media than ever. For veteran journalist Ali Velshi, his belief in the power of journalism is rooted in a family history of pursuing social justice, across continents and generations. On today’s episode of A Word, he joins host Jason Johnson to talk about his career, and his new memoir Small Acts of Courage: A Legacy of Endurance and the Fight for Democracy.

Guest: Ali Velshi, MSNBC host and author of Small Acts of Courage: A Legacy of Endurance and the Fight for Democracy

Podcast production by Ahyiana Angel

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Outward: A History of Lesbian Fashion with Eleanor Medhurst

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0000

This week Christina chats with Eleanor Medhurst, author of “Unsuitable: A History of Lesbian Fashion,” and the blog ‘Dressing Dykes’ to chat about lesbian style from around the world and across time. They dig into the gender-bending styles of the Harlem Renaissance, monocles, and how queer women used their fashions to find each other.

Click HERE to support Human Rights Campaign.

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How To!: Ava’s Guide to Garage Sale Gold

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0000

How To!’s senior editor Joel Meyer recently experienced a yard sale fail and wants to know what went wrong. He spent hours planning and organizing the items on his lawn, but when it was all said and done he barely made enough to cover the cost of lunch. Enter this week’s expert, Ava Seavey, a self-described master of garage-sale-ology and author of Ava’s Guide to Garage Sale Gold. Seavey tells host Courtney Martin some hilarious stories and insider tips for how to cash in on all your old stuff.

If you liked this episode, check out “How To Find the Gems in All Your Junk”

Podcast production by Derek John, Joel Meyer, Rosemary Belson, and Kevin Bendis.

Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus.

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What Next TBD: The FBI Made a Phone Network. It Was A Trap.

Sun, 16 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0000

In 2021, one of the largest global law enforcement operations took place. It was all thanks to an encrypted phone service known as Anom, which was secretly run by the FBI.

The program was a wild success. But did the agency take it too far?

Guest: Joseph Cox, investigative reporter for 404 media and author of “Dark Wire, the Incredible True Story of the Largest Sting Operation Ever”

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Gabfest Reads, Annie Bot: When a Sex Robot Catches Feelings

Sat, 15 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0000

David Plotz talks with author Sierra Greer about her new book, Annie Bot. They discuss how much discomfort Annie (a “Cuddle Bunny” type of robot) can feel, how the story of a robot is really about the right to control a body, and more.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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How To!: Good Morning, Destroyer of Men's Souls

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0000

After Lin met Dave, their lives quickly became entangled. Lin joined Dave’s small business, made much-needed improvements, and charmed Dave’s family. The two also began a romantic relationship that lasted years. When it fizzled, Lin continued working at the company—and eventually uncovered Dave’s lies, deceit, and infidelity. On this episode of How To!: Carvell Wallace welcomes Nina Renata Aron, author of Good Morning, Destroyer of Men’s Souls, to share her own experience exiting a toxic, codependent relationship and explain how she came to terms with it.

If you liked this episode check out: How To Do Divorce Right and How To Forgive Someone Who Isn’t Sorry

How To’s executive producer is Derek John. Joel Meyer is our senior editor/producer. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson and Kevin Bendis.

Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus.

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Working: A Master Class in Character Description

Sun, 09 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0000

This week, host Ronald Young Jr. talks to writer Emma Copley Eisenberg about her new novel Housemates, which features a burgeoning friendship between two artists who decide to road trip across Pennsylvania together. In the interview, Emma explains how her nonfiction writing and her interest in history influenced this new work of fiction. She also talks about her “feast or famine” approach to productivity, her desire to document her community, and her belief that physical descriptions of people are crucial to good fiction writing.

After the interview, Ronald and co-host June Thomas ponder why the most difficult projects can be the most exciting. They also talk about how rare it is to see good depictions of fat people in fiction.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Emma talks about a toxic mentor character in Housemates and why it’s so troubling when teachers of the arts abuse their positions of power.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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Well, Now: The Isolation of a Life-Threatening Diagnosis

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Each week, we’ve explored wellness from different perspectives, but we haven’t talked about what it means to live a full life while grappling with the real possibility of death.

Most of us hope for a full, long life with “good” health. But a serious, possibly fatal diagnosis changes everything: Our relationships with work, loved ones, and even the way we see ourselves.

On this week’s episode of Well, Now we speak with author, journalist, and artist Suleika Jaouad. Many learned about her work in the Oscar-nominated documentary American Symphony – which chronicled her marriage to musician Jon Baptiste as his career soared and her leukemia re-emerged.

But Suleika began documenting illness and identity long before starring in an award-winning film.

If you liked this episode, check out: “People Feel Like They’re Drowning”: The Long COVID Survivors Left Behind

Well, Now is hosted by registered dietitian nutritionist Maya Feller and Dr. Kavita Patel.

Editing and podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to wellnow@slate.com

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Death, Sex & Money: When You Care: the Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Elissa Strauss always knew she wanted to be a mother, but she also knew she didn’t want motherhood to take over her personality. After all, she had spent years as a blogger making fun of anyone who took motherhood too seriously. She bemoaned the natural birth movement and people who made “mom friends.”

Then Elissa had a son, and her view of caretaking started to shift. “I had put so much energy into figuring out how not to lose myself to caregiving,” Elissa writes in her new book, “that I completely ignored the possibility that I might, in fact, find some of myself there.” In this episode, Anna and Elissa talk about why it feels uncool to talk about liking motherhood, the ways caretaking can take from us, but also how it can fill us up and engender “moral transformation.” Plus, the economics of care, and what really valuing care in society would look like.

Elissa’s book is called When You Care: the Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others. She also wrote a piece last month in Slate called “It’s Weird Times to Be a Happy Mother.”

Are you a paid caregiver? We want to hear from you for a future listener episode. Tell us some things you’ve taken away from the experience – wild stories, observations about class, lessons about the way you want your own loved ones to be cared for. Send us your thoughts and stories at deathsexmoney@slate.com.

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How To!: Seek You—A Journey Through American Loneliness

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Paula has a big family, lots of friends, and a girlfriend she adores. For most of her life, however, she has experienced an underlying and unshakeable sense of loneliness. On this episode of How To!, Courtney Martin brings on Kristen Radtke, the writer and illustrator behind Seek You: A Journey Through American Loneliness, to talk with Paula about an emotion that’s hard to talk about—and even harder to confront.

If you liked this episode, check out How To Find Your People and How To Survive a Silent Retreat.

How To! is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis. Joel Meyer is our senior editor/producer. Derek John is our executive producer.

Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus.

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Care & Feeding: How Moms Became Our Social Safety Net

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0000

On this episode: Zak sits down with Jessica Calarco, whose new book – Holding It Together – is out tomorrow. The two walk through the ways in which women, and especially mothers, replace a social safety net in the United States… and, more importantly, why it doesn’t have to be this way.

We also dole out a round of recommendations – and for our Slate Plus listeners, we continue Zak and Jessica’s conversation and ask Jamilah and Elizabeth what they think their unpaid labor is holding together.

Elizabeth recommends: Brain Inflamed

Zak recommends: Play your favorite music videos for your kids. Like this.

Jamilah recommends: If (in theaters now!)

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus to help support our work.

Podcast produced by Maura Currie.

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Outward: The Trans History of the 1936 Olympics with Michael Waters

Wed, 29 May 2024 07:00:00 -0000

This week, Bryan dives into the world of sports to talk about the often obscured queer history of the Olympics with writer Michael Waters. Michael’s new book ‘The Other Olympians: Fascism, Queerness, and the Making of Modern Sports’ highlights the gripping true stories of pioneering trans and intersex athletes from the 1936 Olympics.

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Working: A Much-Needed History of Queer Women’s Spaces

Sun, 19 May 2024 07:00:00 -0000

This week, host Ronald Young Jr. talks to June Thomas about her new book A Place of Our Own: Six Spaces That Shaped Queer Women’s Culture. In the interview, June explains what it was like to bring journalistic rigor to a world that’s close to her heart. She also discusses her pivot to full-time book writing, the importance of passing history to future generations, and her use of the phrase “queer women” to describe a group that goes well beyond that label.

After the interview, Ronald and co-host Isaac Butler talk about culture and identity in their art.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, June designs her ideal queer space.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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Gabfest Reads: Why Americans Care About Animals

Sat, 18 May 2024 07:05:00 -0000

Emily Bazelon talks with authors Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy, about their new book, Our Kindred Creatures: How Americans Came to Feel the Way They Do About Animals. They discuss the evolution of animal treatment in America, moral duties to animals, and how to care about more animals than our pets.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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Dear Prudence: Kiese Laymon, My Mom Forgot to Take Her Medicine and “Accidentally” Made Racist Remarks. Help!

Fri, 17 May 2024 07:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Kiese Laymon (author of Long Division, How to Slowly Kill Yourself in America, and Heavy: An American Memoir) joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters from readers about how to convince your strict religious parents to let you go to an out-of-state college, whether to report a coworker’s insensitive gym behavior to HR, and how to deal with a mom who forgets to take her medication and immediately uses a racial slur.

If you want more Dear Prudence, join Slate Plus, Slate’s membership program. Jenée answers an extra question every week, just for members.

Go to Slate.com/prudieplus to sign up. It’s just $15 for your first three months.

This podcast is produced by Se’era Spragley Ricks, Daisy Rosario, and Jenée Desmond-Harris, with help from Maura Currie.

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Care & Feeding: Why I’m Choosing Single Motherhood

Thu, 16 May 2024 18:00:00 -0000

On this episode: Jamilah sits down with author Ruby Russell to talk about her new book, Doing It All: The Social Power of Single Motherhood. They talk about the ways that single mothers upend the patriarchy — and why that’s a good thing.

Lucy, Elizabeth, and Zak also circle up for a round of triumphs and fails — including an epic saga involving a hospital in the Philippines.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus to help support our work.

Podcast produced by Maura Currie.

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Well, Now: Is Biohacking a Scam?

Wed, 15 May 2024 07:00:00 -0000

For many Americans, wellness is about mitigating and navigating disease. They’re looking for reliable ways to live healthier, longer lives.

But some are thinking even bigger than that and looking beyond what doctors view as the standard lifespan: 10, 20, 30, even 40 years beyond it. These people are often called “biohackers.”

On this week’s episode of Well, Now we talk to someone who’s considered the “Father of Biohacking” Dave Asprey on what exactly this movement is, and whether is it feasible for people who aren’t ridiculously rich.

If you liked this episode, check out: We Don’t Need to Cure Autism

Well, Now is hosted by Kavita Patel and Maya Feller.

Podcast production by Ahyiana Angel and Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to wellnow@slate.com

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Well, Now: Overcoming a Complicated Pregnancy

Wed, 08 May 2024 07:00:00 -0000

For many, pregnancy is a time of heightened and joyful anticipation. There are doctor’s appointments, tests, preparation…All with a focus on bringing home a healthy baby.

The other side of pregnancy–the complications–is not readily discussed.

On this week’s episode of Well, Now we discuss all of these potential roadblocks with economist Emily Oster. In her latest book The Unexpected: Navigating Pregnancy During and After Complications, she arms patients with the data they need to advocate for themselves in their appointments.

If you enjoyed this episode, check out: How a Former Surgeon General Took on a $5,000 ER Bill

Well, Now is hosted by Kavita Patel, MD and Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN.

Podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to wellnow@slate.com

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How To!: Big Dating Energy

Tue, 07 May 2024 07:00:00 -0000

When Allen’s gym crush asked him—point blank—if he liked someone, he panicked. Should he tell her? What should he do if she wasn’t actually flirting with him? On this episode of How To!: Courtney Martin finds out what happened and brings in Jeff Guenther, therapist and author of the new book Big Dating Energy. (You might know him as TherapyJeff from TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube.) Jeff gives Allen the tools to flirt more authentically, stick to his non-negotiables, and lean into his self-confidence.

If you liked this episode check out: How To Ditch the Apps & Actually Find a Date

How To’s executive producer is Derek John. Joel Meyer is our senior editor/producer. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson and Kevin Bendis.

Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus.

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Working: Writer Anne Lamott’s Difficult Personal Truths

Sun, 05 May 2024 07:00:00 -0000

This week, host June Thomas talks to the prolific writer Anne Lamott, whose latest book is called Somehow: Thoughts on Love. In the interview, Anne discusses the origin of her new book, the challenges of writing deeply personal memoirs, and the importance of writing groups.

After the interview, June and co-host Isaac Butler discuss Anne’s “bird-by-bird” writing advice. They also talk about why they share certain personal details–and not others–in their nonfiction writing and on the podcast.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Anne talks about the legacy of her book Bird By Bird and shares some of her favorite books on writing.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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How To!: Another Word for Love

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0000

On this episode of How To!: co-hosts Courtney Martin and Carvell Wallace sit down to talk about his new memoir, Another Word for Love. In the book, Carvell’s examination of his own journey becomes a reflection on how so many of us spend our lives trying to become whole again. He and Courtney discuss his approach to writing and interviewing, what it means to be seen as good (versus actually being good), and why it’s often so hard to forgive yourself.

If you liked this episode check out: How To Find Genuine Happiness

How To’s executive producer is Derek John. Joel Meyer is our senior editor/producer. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson and Kevin Bendis.

Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus.

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Well, Now: Living and Loving With OCD (feat. Allison Raskin)

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0000

A vital component of wellness is taking care of our mental health. But mental wellness is more than just drinking water, doing yoga, and going for a walk.

Author and podcaster Allison Raskin has lived most of her life with diagnosed mental illness.

By navigating her mental health journey over the years, she’s been able to find community and humor through her diagnoses, particularly by writing about her experience with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

On this week’s episode of Well, Now – navigating wellness while living with mental illness.

Further reading: If My Mental Health Bothers You, I Understand

If you liked this episode, check out: Is it Burnout? Or, Do You Have a Busy Brain?

Podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry and Ahyiana Angel with editorial oversight by Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to wellnow@slate.com

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Working: How Fact-Checking Can Improve Your Fiction

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0000

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to novelist Julia Hannafin and ecologist Adam Rosenblatt. In the interview, they discuss Julia’s new novel Cascade, which includes information about sharks and other marine life that Adam helped to verify. Julia explains how factual accuracy helped to solidify and drive both the plot of Cascade and some of its emotional power. Adam talks about what the collaborative process was like for him and argues that science is more creative than people think.

After the interview, Isaac and co-host Ronald Young Jr. talk more about fact-checking in fiction. They also discuss the strengths and weaknesses of first-person present tense in fiction.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Julia talks about the difference between writing novels and writing for TV.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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Political Gabfest: New Cold Wars

Sat, 20 Apr 2024 07:05:00 -0000

John Dickerson talks with author David E. Sanger about his new book, New Cold Wars. They discuss how Russia and China came to reach their new levels of power, the role the Middle East and Obama Administration played in all of this, and more.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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Dear Prudence: Bassey Ikpi, My Wife’s Bipolar Diagnosis Is Creating A Rift in Our Marriage. Help!

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Bassey Ikpi (New York Times bestselling essay collection, I’m Telling the Truth but I’m Lying) joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters from readers about an international sisters’ trip gone awry, a husband’s struggle to live with his wife’s mental health issues, and an uncomfortable situation between coworkers.

If you want more Dear Prudence, join Slate Plus, Slate’s membership program. Jenée answers an extra question every week, just for members.

Go to Slate.com/prudieplus to sign up. It’s just $15 for your first three months.

This podcast is produced by Se’era Spragley Ricks, Daisy Rosario, and Jenée Desmond-Harris, with help from Maura Currie.

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Outward: A History of the Gay Right with Neil J. Young

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0000

This week Bryan talks to writer Neil J. Young about his new book Coming Out Republican: A History of the Gay Right. They dig into some of the inherent contradictions of the Gay Right and the pillars of their political strategy and reveal how central whiteness and maleness is to their politic.

Podcast production by Palace Shaw.

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Death, Sex & Money: A Sociopath's Guide to Death, Sex, and Money

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Patric Gagne says being a sociopath is like having an emotional learning disability. In this episode, she talks about the good and the bad of having limited access to shame and guilt, how she overcame violent compulsions, and becoming a wife and mother.

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Working: How to Be Both a Critic and a Creator

Sun, 07 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0000

This week, host Ronald Young Jr. talks to Linda Holmes, host of NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast and author of two novels: Evvie Drake Starts Over and Flying Solo. In the interview, Linda explains how she started her career practicing law in Minnesota before she pivoted to TV criticism. She also talks about how NPR came to take pop culture seriously, how her work as a critic informs her writing (and vice versa), and how she has gotten much better at coming up with titles for her novels.

After the interview, Ronald and co-host Isaac Butler talk about how they handle criticism of their work.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Linda discusses her favorite TV show and one of her main philosophies when it comes to pop culture criticism.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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Outward - Ten Bridges I've Burnt: A Memoir in Verse

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0000

For National Poetry Month, Bryan and Jules talk to multi-hyphenate writer and performer Brontez Purnell about his new book Ten Bridges I've Burnt: A Memoir in Verse. They dig into the influence of astrophysics and forgiveness on his work, and his essay on Black Gay Pornstar Gene Lamar.

Podcast production by Palace Shaw.

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Slate Money: How to Escape the Invisible Factory

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0000

For this edition of Money Talks: Are you feeling trapped in Zoom/Teams/Slack purgatory? Author Cal Newport’s book Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout has a way forward. Host Emily Peck speaks with him about how the digital office became an “invisible factory” and how you can take back control of your working life.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional discussion segment for every regular episode of Slate Money. You’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Slate Money. Sign up now at slate.com/moneyplus to help support our work.

Podcast production by Jared Downing and Cheyna Roth.

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Dear Prudence: Dan Pashman, My Partner Sticks Her Finger in Food to Taste Test It. Help!

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 07:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Dan Pashman (The Sporkful and Anything’s Pastable) joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters from readers about how to handle a person who tastes food in an unsanitary fashion and deeply annoys you while you’re trying to cook in a tiny kitchen, what to do when your dinner party invitations aren’t reciprocated, and whether two people with extremely different eating habits can have a happy life together.

If you want more Dear Prudence, join Slate Plus, Slate’s membership program. Jenée answers an extra question every week, just for members.

Go to Slate.com/prudieplus to sign up. It’s just $15 for your first three months.

This podcast is produced by Se’era Spragley Ricks, Daisy Rosario, and Jenée Desmond-Harris, with help from Maura Currie.

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How To!: Humor, Seriously!

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Did you know that we, as a society, have fallen off a comedy cliff? No joke. Studies have shown that we largely stop laughing when we enter our mid-twenties, which is a shame because delighting in humor has a ton of health benefits. Plus, being perceived as funny can actually make people think you’re more intelligent, more competent, and even better looking! So on this episode of How To!, the first in a two-part series, we bring on Naomi Bagdonas, co-author of Humor, Seriously!, and Michael Terry, an amateur comedian who is working in the funniest of places: high finance. Combined, they have decades of experience harnessing the power humor and applying it to the workplace.

If you liked this episode, check out “How To Confront a Crazy Neighbor” with Tig Notaro.

If you want to discover your own humor style, take the test on Naomi and Jennifer’s website.

Do you have a question with no easy answers? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show.

Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus.

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A Word: Love, Family, and Freedom’s Ultimate Price

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Myrlie Evers was arguably the first civil rights widow, a woman who was plunged into activism after the assassination of her husband—Mississippi NAACP field secretary Medgar Evers—in 1963. She survived to become a leader of the movement in her own right. But what’s less well known is the remarkable story of how the couple came together, and how their love endures, decades after his death. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by journalist Joy-Ann Reid to talk about her book, Medgar & Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened America.

Guest: Joy-Ann Reid, host of MSNBC’s The ReidOut

Podcast production by Ahyiana Angel

Want more A Word? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/awordplus to get access wherever you listen.

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Well, Now: Every Deep-Drawn Breath

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 07:00:00 -0000

While most of the world moves on from Covid-19, millions of Americans remain in limbo: Those living with Long Covid.

Long Covid symptoms are vast and can impact all parts of the body: from gastrointestinal tract issues and fatigue to autoimmune inflammation and cognitive impairment.

On this week’s episode of Well, Now – Kavita and Maya talk with Dr. Wes Ely, an ICU physician based in Nashville, Tenn.

As the co-director of the Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction and Survivorship Center, he is one of many doctors demanding our country’s leaders not to leave their patients behind.

If you liked this episode, check out: Life After Lockdown

Podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to wellnow@slate.com.

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Gabfest Reads: The Hunter

Sat, 16 Mar 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Emily Bazelon talks with author Tana French about her new book, The Hunter. They discuss the different perspectives French uses throughout her books, how French happened into writing mysteries, writing as an outsider to Ireland, and more.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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Dear Prudence: Michael Arceneaux, My Ex Had Sex With My Brother. Help!

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 07:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Michael Arceneaux (I Can’t Date Jesus and I Finally Bought Some Jordans) joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters from readers about an interracial couple’s debate over African-centered home decor, how to cope with homesickness for a place you don’t actually want to live, and whether it’s fair to cut off an ex.

If you want more Dear Prudence, join Slate Plus, Slate’s membership program. Jenée answers an extra question every week, just for members.

Go to Slate.com/prudieplus to sign up. It’s just $15 for your first three months.

This podcast is produced by Se’era Spragley Ricks, Daisy Rosario, and Jenée Desmond-Harris, with help from Maura Currie.

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How To!: Supercommunicators

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Shannon is set to become an ordained minister—but she has always struggled with public speaking. Here’s the thing: She’s fine in front of large gatherings. In smaller gatherings, however, she mentally “freezes up” and rambles until she regains her train of thought. As Shannon prepares to start interacting with a congregation, Courtney Martin sits her down with former How To! host Charles Duhigg, author of Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection. Charles gives Shannon the tools to understand others and be understood herself.

If you liked this episode check out: How To Speak Up So Others Listen

How To’s executive producer is Derek John. Joel Meyer is our senior editor/producer. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson and Kevin Bendis.

Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus.

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Working: An Acting Coach’s Tips for Beginners and Experts

Sun, 10 Mar 2024 07:00:00 -0000

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Howard Fine, an acting teacher and coach who instructs both beginners and accomplished movie stars. In the interview, Howard explains why he chose to teach and coach, instead of act. Then he discusses the common problems that his students and clients face, and he explains how actors can protect their mental health, even when they need to go to challenging emotional places.

After the interview, Isaac and co-host Ronald Young Jr. discuss the emotional toll that acting can take on performers, and Isaac shares a personal story about his experience as a young actor.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Howard talks about a role he helped Brad Pitt with and how his approach to Pitt’s character differed from the director’s. He also explains how he tailors his coaching to specific actors.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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Amicus: The Lies Destroying America

Sat, 09 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0000

It’s not just the justices on the Supreme Court who can’t seem to agree with each other anymore. As we slide into Trump v. Biden 2 (The Second One), it seems like voters can’t seem to come to a consensus on just about anything either, including the facts they are arguing over. Author and superstar litigator Barbara McQuade argues in her new book Attack From Within: How Disinformation is Sabotaging America the information we consume is crucial to the health of our democracy. She speaks with Dahlia Lithwick about America’s problems with dis- and mis-information, and how we can solve them.

In this week’s Amicus Plus members-only segment, Dahlia is joined by her co-pilot in the jurisprudence news cockpit, Mark Joseph Stern to talk about President Biden's SOTU SCOTUS FU, why Alabama's legislative quick fix for its theocratic state supreme court's IVF decision is unlikely to hold, and the meta story of the meta data in the liberal justices’ concurrence in Monday’s Supreme Court decision to restore former President Trump to the Colorado primary ballot.

This segment is member-exclusive. Listen to it now by subscribing to Slate Plus. By joining, not only will you unlock exclusive SCOTUS analysis and weekly extended episodes of Amicus, but you’ll also access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/amicusplus to get access wherever you listen.

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A Word: Freedom Fight Like a Woman

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0000

March is Women’s History Month, and for centuries, the roles of Black women in key moments of American history have been diminished. One book that takes a unique approach to exploring their stories is Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts. The book combines historical narrative with illustrations depicting African and African American women rising up against their enslavers, often at the cost of their own lives. On today’s episode of A Word, host Jason Johnson is joined by Wake’s author, attorney and educator Rebecca Hall. They discuss the leading role many Black women played in slave uprisings, and the complicated politics that have kept their stories hidden for so long.

Guest: Rebecca Hall, author of Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola.

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Dear Prudence: Aubrey Gordon, I Want People to Shut Up! Help!

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Aubrey Gordon (who you may also know as “Your Fat Friend”) joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters from readers about how to handle unwanted comments about Ozempic-fueled weight loss, how to get people to stop talking so much, and how to deal with the stress of a unconventional—and potentially disruptive—wedding guest.

If you want more Dear Prudence, join Slate Plus, Slate’s membership program. Jenée answers an extra question every week, just for members.

Go to Slate.com/prudieplus to sign up. It’s just $15 for your first three months.

This podcast is produced by Se’era Spragley Ricks, Daisy Rosario, and Jenée Desmond-Harris, with help from Maura Currie.

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How To!: Master of Change

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0000

When Patti retired a few months ago, everyone told her she would love the freedom and flexibility that came with leaving the workforce. Not so. The transition has left Patti grieving the loss of her routine and sense of purpose—and she’s wondering how to find fulfillment in life’s (gulp!) third act. On today’s episode, Courtney Martin welcomes Brad Stulberg, author of Master of Change: How to Excel When Everything Is Changing—Including You. Brad helps Patti rethink this massive transformation and emerge from it stronger.

If you liked this episode check out: How To Start Over at 60.

How To’s executive producer is Derek John. Joel Meyer is our senior editor/producer. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson and Kevin Bendis.

Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus.

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Working: How to Make a “Fair” Crossword Puzzle

Sun, 03 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0000

This week, host June Thomas talks to Anna Shechtman, a crossword puzzle creator whose new book is called The Riddles of the Sphinx: Inheriting the Feminist History of the Crossword Puzzle. In the interview, Anna talks about her experience writing crossword puzzles as a teenager and then going on to work with New York Times puzzle maker Will Shortz. She also discusses the subjectivity of “common knowledge” and recalls debates with Shortz about which words and phrases were puzzle-worthy.

After the interview, June and co-host Ronald Young Jr. talk more about crosswords and the ever-expanding pool of “common knowledge.”

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Anna shares how much crossword puzzle creators get paid. She also discusses a more sensitive topic: her struggle with anorexia, which coincided with her early interest in crossword puzzles.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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Well, Now: Ending Racism in Healthcare

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0000

The U.S. healthcare system can split the country into two Americas.

Your zip code, education, class status and more all play a role in the outcome of your health as well as the kind of care you receive.

Fewer markers more clearly define these disparities than race.

On this week’s episode of Well, Now Maya and Kavita talk about racism in American healthcare with Dr. Uché Blackstock.

Her new book Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine gives a historical view of how racism has always played a role in U.S. healthcare.

This book is also a memoir of her own experience as a physician carrying on the legacy of her late mother, Dr. Dale Gloria Blackstock.

Health Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to wellnow@slate.com

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A Word: Diversity in the Diaspora

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0000

The American obsession with categorizing people by race isn’t just a problem for our institutions. For multi-racial and multi-ethnic Americans, it can be intensely personal. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by journalist Natasha Alford. She shares her own unique experience navigating America’s complicated ideas about race in her new book, American Negra: A Memoir. Alford shares how her African American and Puerto Rican heritage shaped her understanding of race in her early life, and how those ideas were challenged when she attended Harvard University and later became a journalist.

Guest: Natasha Alford, author of American Negra: A Memoir

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

Want more A Word? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/awordplus to get access wherever you listen.

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Well, Now: Is it Burnout? Or, Do You Have a Busy Brain?

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Stress is all around us, but that doesn’t mean it needs to run our entire lives. According to Dr. Romie Mushtaq – a neurologist turned corporate wellness consultant – the main culprit behind our culture of stress is what she calls a “busy brain.”

This week on Well, Now Dr. Kavita Patel and Maya Feller, RDN talk with Dr. Mushtaq about curing our busy brains and her latest book The Busy Brain Cure: The Eight-Week Plan to Find Focus, Tame Anxiety and Sleep Again.

If you liked this episode, check out: What We Get Wrong About Love

Podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to wellnow@slate.com

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Slate Money: I Was a Billionaire’s Right Hand

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Felix Salmon sits down with Carrie Sun, whose book Private Equity: A Memoir recalls her life as the right-hand woman of a billionaire hedge fund manager. Burnt out on corporate life, Carrie wanted a low-key day job while she pursued her writing career. Instead, she found herself in a world of high-octane Wall Street hustle where profit is paramount. She and Felix discuss Wall Street culture,

Podcast production by Jared Downing and Cheyna Roth.

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How To!: The Other Significant Others

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0000

In part two of our series on friendship, we’re looking at how to revitalize a relationship that began in a previous phase of life.

Michelle and Blair became fast friends in grad school. That bond survived graduation, marriages, and even a cross-country move. They now live just a short drive from one another—but things have never felt so distant. Michelle wants to know how to evolve their friendship to be more compatible with the present day. On today’s episode, Courtney Martin brings on Rhaina Cohen, author of The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life with Friendship at the Center. Rhaina will help Michelle—and all of us—prepare for a daunting conversation.

Miss last week’s episode? Learn how to expand your horizons with new, cross-generational friendships. If you’re enjoying this series, check out our other friendship episodes:

How To Find Your People

How To Make Friends as an Adult

How To Make Friends… Like a Man

How To Talk to Strangers

How To Show Up For a Friend With Cancer

How To’s executive producer is Derek John. Joel Meyer is our senior editor/producer. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson and Kevin Bendis.

Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus.

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Working: How to Write Every Day and Stick to It

Sun, 18 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0000

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to writer Amitava Kumar, whose latest novel is My Beloved Life. In the interview, Amitava discusses his habit of writing every day—a habit he strongly recommends to his students at Vassar College. Then he shares the process behind his new novel and explains how he drew upon other novels for inspiration.

After the interview, Isaac and co-host Ronald Young Jr. talk about daily writing practices, how to establish a writing voice, and much more.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Isaac and Amitava talk about how much they love novels about ordinary life.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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Gabfest Reads: Come & Get It

Sat, 17 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0000

David Plotz talks with author Kiley Reid about her new book, Come & Get It. They discuss how money can work in the same way as language, writing realistic dialogue, and the things we can’t let go of.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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Well, Now: What We Get Wrong About Love

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of Well, Now’s ditching the flowers and grand romantic gestures we often see on Valentine’s Day.

There’s tons of research about how loving relationships contribute to wellness, as well as how lacking those relationships can play a part in adverse health outcomes. But what if our entire understanding of love is misguided?

Kavita and Maya talk with relationship expert Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh about what she says are the six components for creating real, long-lasting intimate relationships. Her latest book is called Love By Design: Six Ingredients to Build a Lifetime of Love.

If you liked this episode, check out: What “Wellness” Is and Isn’t

Podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to wellnow@slate.com

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Decoder Ring: Why Do So Many Coffee Shops Look the Same?

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0000

The eerie similarity of coffee shops all over the world was so confounding to Kyle Chayka that it led him to write the new book Filterworld: How Algorithms Are Flattening Culture. In today’s episode, Kyle’s going to walk us through the recent history of the cafe, to help us see how digital behavior is altering a physical space hundreds of years older than the internet itself, and how those changes are happening everywhere—it’s just easier to see them when they’re spelled out in latte art.

This episode was written by Willa Paskin and produced by Katie Shepherd. Decoder Ring is produced by Willa Paskin, Katie Shepherd and Evan Chung. Derek John is Executive Producer. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director. Special thanks to Ben Frisch and Patrick Fort.

If you haven’t yet, please subscribe and rate our feed in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. And even better, tell your friends.

If you’re a fan of the show, please sign up for Slate Plus. Members get to listen to Decoder Ring and all other Slate podcasts without any ads and have total access to Slate’s website. Your support is also crucial to our work. Go to Slate.com/decoderplus to join Slate Plus today.

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Working: A Biography With Very High Stakes

Sun, 11 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0000

This week, host June Thomas talks to writer Adam Sisman about his two biographies of the late spy novelist John le Carré. In the interview, Adam discusses how he managed to land such an exciting project and how he was granted so much access to le Carré, whose real name was David Cornwell. He also talks about his friendly but complicated relationship with le Carre and some surprising findings that almost derailed the whole project.

After the interview, June and co-host Isaac Butler share research tips for nonfiction book projects.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Adam explains the importance of in-person interviewing.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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Outward: A Short History of Transmisogyny with Jules Gill-Peterson

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Outward’s own Jules Gill-Peterson has a new book, A Short History of Transmisogyny, that gives insight into a fascinating queer history that stretches across time and around the world. In this episode, Bryan and Jules dig deep into the origins of transmisogyny and the liberatory beauty of trans femininity

Podcast production by Palace Shaw.

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How To!: Mindful Drinking—How Cutting Down Can Change Your Life

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Dry January has come and gone, but the conversation about alcohol—and rethinking our relationship with it—is still very much with us. This week’s listener, Natalie, wants to move past the abundance vs. abstinence debate and talk about a third option: thoughtful moderation. In this episode, Courtney Martin brings on journalist Rosamund Dean, author of Mindful Drinking: How Cutting Down Can Change Your Life and Well, Well, Well, a Substack about living better, for longer. She shares how she found moderation through mindfulness—and how you can too.

If you or someone you know is struggling with excessive drinking, consider contacting SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP. You can also find a local Alcoholics Anonymous meeting by visiting aa.org.

If you liked this episode, check out: How To Stick to Your New Year’s Resolutions

How To’s executive producer is Derek John. Joel Meyer is our senior editor/producer and our producer is Rosemary Belson.

Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus.

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A Word: Revolutionary Recharge

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0000

A generation of activists –and well-meaning citizens– was pulled into intense social justice work by the murder of George Floyd in 2020. And the horrific crime, the fight for progess, and the backlash has taken a toll on their mental health. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by writer and activist Ijeoma Oluo about her new book, Be a Revolution: How Everyday People Are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World--And How You Can, Too. It’s the collected wisdom of activists across a range of issues about how to do the hard and emotional work of confronting racism without losing hope.

Guest: Writer Ijeoma Oluo

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

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Dear Prudence: Cheryl Strayed, My Husband Stopped Using Soap and He Stinks. Help!

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Cheryl Strayed (Dear Sugar and Tiny Beautiful Things) joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters from readers about whether it’s a good idea to offer to be your platonic best friend’s housewife, how to handle a husband’s disturbing body odors, and what an overachieving eldest millennial daughter can do to find happiness.

If you want more Dear Prudence, join Slate Plus, Slate’s membership program. Jenée answers an extra question every week, just for members.

Go to Slate.com/prudieplus to sign up. It’s just $15 for your first three months.

This podcast is produced by Se’era Spragley Ricks, Daisy Rosario, and Jenée Desmond-Harris, with help from Maura Currie.

Dear Prudence is sponsored by BetterHelp.

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ICYMI: The TikTok Joy of Mychal the Librarian

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Candice Lim talks to Mychal Threets (@mychal3ts), a Bay Area librarian by day and beloved TikTok creator by night. In December 2023, Threets was the target of a negative tweet that called his TikToks weird. But in a shocking twist, the internet ran to Threet’s defense, praising his work and platform as a librarian. Threets joins the conversation to talk about his reaction to that moment, his new rules for navigating the comment section and his surprisingly millennial-core music taste.

This podcast is produced by Se’era Spragley Ricks, Daisy Rosario, Candice Lim and Rachelle Hampton.

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Well, Now: Breaking Up With Diet Culture

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of Well, Now, Maya and Kavita talk about practical ways to break up with diet culture with fitness instructor, speaker and educator Chrissy King.

She’s the author of The Body Liberation Project: How Understanding Racism and Diet Culture Helps Cultivate Joy and Build Collective Freedom.

Chrissy also ties in how breaking up with diet culture is a piece of a larger conversation about diversity, equity and inclusion in the wellness industry.

If you liked this episode, check out: What “Wellness” Is and Isn’t

Podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to wellnow@slate.com

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How To!: Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Andrew snores so badly that his cats won’t sleep in the same room as him. He’s desperate to sleep better at night, and breathe more easily during the day. On this episode of How To!, we bring on James Nestor, author of Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, to share the history of why we breathe the way we do. Turns out being a “mouth-breather” is more than just an insult, it’s harmful to our health. James gives Andrew some nasal breathing exercises to improve his snoring, anxiety, and overall wellness.

If you liked this episode, check out “How To Sleep.”

Do you have a problem you can’t get out of your head? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Podcast production by Derek John, Rachael Allen, and Rosemary Belson.

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What Next TBD: Have Algorithms Ruined Our Culture?

Sun, 21 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0000

How much of our lives—our tastes, preferences and choices—have been fed to us through an interlocking, impersonal network of algorithms?

Guest: Kyle Chayka, staff writer at the New Yorker and author of Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on What Next TBD. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work.

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Political Gabfest: Master of Change

Sat, 20 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0000

On this month’s edition of Gabfest Reads, John Dickerson talks with author Brad Stulberg about his new book, Master of Change: How to Excel When Everything is Changing – Including You. They discuss how to make change itself a mindset, John’s notebooks, what we can learn from athletes, and more.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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What Next TBD: The Great British Library Hack

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0000

When a cyberattack knocked the British Library out of commission in October of last year, a nation's researchers, scholars, students, and bookworms were left high and dry. Months later, the library is starting to come back online in limited capacity, but the attack has laid bare just how fragile our digital systems are.

Guest: Sam Knight, staff writer at the New Yorker

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A Word: Send In the Clowns?

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Decades before most people had heard of Barack Obama, Black Republican Colin Powell was widely believed to be on the path to the presidency. And the Republican Party was the first political home of many African Americans. But the contemporary G.O.P, led by former President Donald Trump, has introduced a new class of Black Republicans who command little respect within the community. What happened, and is there a place for Black Americans in today’s or tomorrow’s Republican Party? On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson discusses that with Clay Cane, journalist and author of The Grift: The Downward Spiral of Black Republicans from the Party of Lincoln to the Cult of Trump.

Guest: Writer Clay Cane

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

You can skip all the ads in A Word by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/awordplus for $15 for your first three months.

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How To!: The Lost Art Of Connecting

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Small talk has a bad reputation. It’s boring, shallow, and awkward. Who really wants to talk about the weather, again? But, when done right, it can be a cornerstone of connection. In this episode, Carvell Wallace is joined by Susan McPherson, the author of The Lost Art of Connecting. Susan is going to help our listener, Bee, navigate the uncomfortable small talk that she endures everyday at school pickup. Along the way, we’ll learn what questions to have in our back pocket, how to turn small talk into big talk, and even how to extract ourselves from conversations that are going on too long.

If you liked this episode, check out: How To Talk to Strangers and How To Make Humor Your Superpower

How To’s executive producer is Derek John. Joel Meyer is our senior editor/producer and our producer is Rosemary Belson.

Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus.

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Outward: Raquel Willis is in Bloom

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0000

This week Jules sits down with Raquel Willis, an award-winning activist and journalist whose work is dedicated Black trans liberation. Raquel’s new memoir, The Risk It Takes to Bloom chronicles her political and personal awakenings as a Black trans woman growing up in the south. Jules and Raquel talk grief, gender, and collective liberation.

Podcast production by Palace Shaw.

Email us at: outwardpodcast@slate.com

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Amicus -- The Undertow: Scenes From a Slow Civil War

Sat, 06 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0000

On January 6, 2021, supporters of Donald J Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol building hoping to stop Joe Biden from becoming president. Three years later, a quarter of Americans believe the FBI instigated the events of that day.

This week on Amicus, we’re trying to understand the myth-making that helped foment the riot, and the religious fervor that binds and buoys Trump’s supporters today. Dahlia Lithwick is joined by Jeff Sharlet, author of “The Undertow: Scenes From a Slow Civil War” to explore the stories and symbols that are shaping Trump’s march toward fascism, and to figure out what place the rule of law has in this struggle.

In this week’s Amicus Plus segment, Slate’s dynamic legal duo of Mark Joseph Stern and Jeremy Stahl break down the latest in Trump’s cascading court cases, and the Texas abortion case that’s on a fast track to the Supreme Court.

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A Word: A Multiverse of Problems

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Comic book films have dominated the box office for a generation, and gave many diverse actors and artists an opportunity to shine. But the genre struggled during 2023, and fans are worried that the golden age has ended for those movies and the culture that inspired them. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by journalist David Betancourt, who covered comic book movies and culture for The Washington Post for more than a decade. They talk about why superhero films may be going through a rough patch, and whether they can rebound.

Guest: Journalist David Betancourt, author of The Avengers Assembled: The Origin Story of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

You can skip all the ads in A Word by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/awordplus for $15 for your first three months.

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ICYMI: Should We Quit Romance Novels?

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Candice Lim is joined by Slate senior editor Rebecca Onion to talk about their love of romance novels. The romance genre grew rapidly this past year, becoming the fastest-growing category of fiction and generating over $1.4 billion in sales revenue. Partly thanks to Goodreads and BookTok, romance novels are getting into the hands of younger, more outspoken and vocal readers. But recent scandals, including last year’s Hockey BookTok disaster, question the limits of literary thirsting and ask whether we can ever quit romance.

This podcast is produced by Se’era Spragley Ricks, Daisy Rosario, Candice Lim and Rachelle Hampton.

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How To!: Age Like an Elite Athlete

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0000

When he’s not working on How To! or coaching his daughter’s basketball team, our producer Derek John loves to play in pickup games with friends. But a serious on-court injury has kept him on the sidelines for months. Now, as he prepares to return to the sport he loves, Derek is seeking tips on how to prolong his playing days while avoiding another injury. In this episode, author Jeff Bercovici joins Carvell Wallace and Derek to share insights from his book, Play On: The New Science of Elite Performance at Any Age.

If you liked this episode, check out: How To Trick Your Brain Into Running Longer.

How To’s executive producer is Derek John. Joel Meyer is our senior editor/producer and our producer is Rosemary Belson. This episode was produced by Kevin Bendis.

Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus.

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Gabfest Reads: One Woman Show

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0000

John Dickerson talks with author Christine Coulson about her new book, “One Woman Show.” They discuss the moment that inspired Coulson to tell a story in museum wall labels, her 25-years working at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and why restraint can be an artist’s best friend.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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The Waves: In Defense of Lean In Feminism

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, why can’t the feminists all get along? Slate senior producer Cheyna Roth is joined by Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR political correspondent and author of the Substack, This F**king Job. They dig into what went wrong with Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In, why it wasn’t all completely wrong, and how to stop giving anti-feminists the ammo they need to attack.

In Slate Plus: We’re talking May December!

If you liked this episode, check out: We See Dead Girls

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com.

Clips Used:

“Sheryl Sandberg: Women Must Learn to ‘Lean In’” - ABC News

“I bought the book Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg” - Sarah Tollemache

“Girl boss culture gotta go” - Rachel Turner

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/thewavesplus to help support our work.

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Working: Where a Crime Writer’s Ideas Come From

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0000

This week, host June Thomas talks to Val McDermid, a prolific crime novelist whose books have sold millions of copies worldwide. Val has even been dubbed the “Quine of Crime,” a Scottish alternative to the title “Queen of Crime,” which the Agatha Christie estate objected to. In the interview, Val explains where her ideas come from and how she decides which of her on-going series to pick up next. She also talks about incorporating Scottish slang into her books, including her latest one, Past Lying: A Karen Pirie Novel.

After the interview, June and co-host TK Dutes talk about the problem of having too many creative ideas.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Val discusses some of her side gigs. Then she talks about the practice of incorporating real-life events into her novels.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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Dear Prudence: I Want to "Cancel" My Bad Boss But I'm Having Doubts. Help!

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Elie Mystal (attorney and writer) joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters about what to do when you're wary of "cancel culture" but want to hold a bad boss accountable, what to do when it feels like nobody cares about spreading germs, and whether slumber parties are “sending kids into trauma.

If you want more Dear Prudence, join Slate Plus, Slate’s membership program. Jenée answers an extra question every week, just for members.

Go to Slate.com/prudieplus to sign up. It’s just $15 for your first three months.

Podcast production by Se’era Spragley Ricks and Daisy Rosario, with help from Brandon Nix.

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A Word: Black Cop, White Mob

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0000

The violent January 6th insurrection was a historic threat to American democracy. It led to five deaths, and many more injuries. Several Capitol police were hurt, but still managed to keep congressmembers and staff safe. Veteran officer Harry Dunn was awarded a Presidential Citizens Medal for his service that day, and is now sharing his experience in his new book Standing My Ground: A Capitol Police Officer’s Fight for Accountability and Good Trouble After January 6th. In today’s episode of A Word, Dunn speaks with host Jason Johnson about fighting the insurrectionists, testifying in congressional hearings, and calling for accountability for the attackers.

Guest: Harry Dunn, Capitol Police Officer

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

You can skip all the ads in A Word by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/awordplus for $15 for your first three months.

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Dear Prudence: Revisiting Advice from LeVar Burton

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 08:00:00 -0000

We’re listening back to one of Jenée’s favorite episodes when award-winning actor, director, and educator LeVar Burton joined Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer your letters from readers about stealing from abusive parents, sharing snacks with children, and how to cope as an actor when you don’t land a role you really wanted.

If you want more Dear Prudence, join Slate Plus, Slate’s membership program. Jenée answers an extra question every week, just for members.

Go to Slate.com/prudieplus to sign up. It’s just $15 for your first three months.

Podcast production by Se’era Spragley Ricks and Daisy Rosario, with help from Brandon Nix.

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Political Gabfest Reads: Watership Down

Sat, 18 Nov 2023 08:00:00 -0000

Emily Bazelon talks with cartoonist James Sturm, about his new graphic novel adaptation of Watership Down. They discuss what makes the animal characters so compelling, going tharn[MOU1] , where Watership Down fits in the literary tradition, and so much more.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

[MOU1]A word I haven’t thought of in years—stopped me in my tracks!

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ICYMI: The Year in Celebrity Memoirs

Sat, 18 Nov 2023 08:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Rachelle Hampton and Candice Lim are joined by writer, comedian and Glamorous Trash host Chelsea Devantez to break down this watershed year of celebrity memoirs. The trio crowns the best and the worst titles, dissect what separates a good memoir from a great one, and reveal the shocking figure who has appeared in way more memoirs than you’d expect.

This podcast is produced by Se’era Spragley Ricks, Daisy Rosario, Candice Lim and Rachelle Hampton.

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Slate Money: The Fund

Sat, 11 Nov 2023 08:00:00 -0000

This week, Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers are joined by Rob Copeland of The New York Times to discuss his new book The Fund: Ray Dalio, Bridgewater Associates, and the Unraveling of a Wall Street Legend, which examines the vast difference between Ray Dalio’s public persona and Bridgewater’s private reality. Then, Felix, Emily and Elizabeth cover the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike, and WeWork’s bankruptcy.

In the Plus segment: More with Rob Copeland!

Podcast production by Jessamine Molli.

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Decoder Ring: The Rules

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 08:00:00 -0000

From the moment it was released in 1995, The Rules was controversial.. Some people loved it—and swore that the dating manual’s throwback advice helped them land a husband. Others thought it was retrograde hogwash that flew in the face of decades of feminist progress. The resulting brouhaha turned the book into a cultural phenomenon. In this episode, Slate’s Heather Schwedel explores where The Rules came from, how it became so popular, and why its list of 35 commandments continue to be so sticky—whether we like it or not.

Decoder Ring is produced by Willa Paskin and Katie Shepherd. This episode was edited by Willa Paskin. Derek John is executive producer. Joel Meyer is senior editor/producer. Merritt Jacob is our senior technical director.

We’d like to to thank Benjamin Frisch, Rachel O'Neill, Penny Love, Heather Fain, Elif Batuman, Laura Banks, Marlene Velasquez-Sedito, Leigh Anderson, Caroline Smith. We also want to mention two sources that were really helpful: Labour of Love by Moira Weigel, a paper called Shrinking Violets and Caspar Milquetoasts by Patricia McDaniel

If you haven’t yet, please subscribe and rate our feed in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. And even better, tell your friends.

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How To! — Side by Side: The Sacred Art of Couples Aging with Wisdom & Love

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 08:00:00 -0000

To celebrate their third wedding anniversary, Anjali and Rahul are each selecting a surprise activity to do together. This happy couple loves spontaneity, so they’re concerned about someday growing bored in their relationship. They’re also feeling pressure to mark the traditional milestones of marriage, including having kids. On this episode of How To!, authors Caryl and Jay Casbon join us to share the wisdom they gained from interviewing other married couples for their book Side by Side. The Casbons draw upon their own 22-year marriage to urge Anjali and Rahul to face conflict with openness and focus on individual “inner work”—in order to grow together.

Learn more about Caryl and Jay Casbon here. If you liked this episode, check out an episode that Anjali loved: How To Decide Whether to Have a Baby with Wild author Cheryl Strayed.

How To’s executive producer is Derek John. Joel Meyer is our senior editor/producer. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis and Jabari Butler.

Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus.

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What Next: Romney: A Reckoning

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 08:00:00 -0000

As Mitt Romney heads into retirement, is the idea of a moderate Republican being retired as well?

Guest: McKay Coppins, staff writer at The Atlantic, author of Romney: A Reckoning

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on What Next. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work.

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A Word: A F—ing Funny Lady

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 07:00:00 -0000

**THIS EPISODE CONTAINS REPEATED PROFANITY, AND MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR ALL LISTENERS.**

Leslie Jones got her big break, joining the cast of Saturday Night Live, at the age of 47. She says that the long wait for stardom meant that she knew her worth and how to stand up for herself, even when the stakes were high. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by Leslie Jones to discuss her new book, “Leslie Fucking Jones: A Memoir.”

Guest: Comedian Leslie Jones

Podcast production by Ahyiana Angel

You can skip all the ads in A Word by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/awordplus for $15 for your first three months.

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What Next: Sedition Hunters

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 07:00:00 -0000

The FBI was overwhelmed trying to ID people who stormed the Capitol on January 6th. An online group picked up the slack and helped catch hundreds of rioters.

Guest: Ryan Reilly, Justice reporter at NBC News, and author of Sedition Hunters: How January 6th Broke the Justice System.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on What Next. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work.

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Working: Writing Bestsellers With Anderson Cooper

Sun, 29 Oct 2023 07:00:00 -0000

This week, host June Thomas talks to Katherine Howe, a writer of both historical fiction and nonfiction books. In the interview, Katherine starts by discussing her upcoming novel A True Account, which tells a fictional story about the very real Golden Age of Piracy. Then she talks about her work collaborating with CNN anchor Anderson Cooper on historical nonfiction books. Their latest is called Astor: The Rise and Fall of an American Fortune.

After the interview, June and co-host Kristen Meinzer discuss the challenges of juggling multiple projects and the use of “storytelling habits.”

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Katherine shares some of her favorite works of historical fiction. She also explains her fascination with witches.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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Dear Prudence: Maeve Higgins, I’m Making Bitchy Comments to A Dog! Help!

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 07:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Maeve Higgins (author of Maeve in America: Essays by a Girl From Somewhere Else) joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters from readers about how to respond when everyone thinks your toxic ex is brave and amazing, where to turn when your absentee dad has done psychedelics and forgiven himself a little too enthusiastically, and what to do when you can’t stop making nasty comments to your dog.

If you want more Dear Prudence, join Slate Plus, Slate’s membership program. Jenée answers an extra question every week, just for members.

Go to Slate.com/prudieplus to sign up. It’s just $15 for your first three months.

Podcast production by Se’era Spragley Ricks and Daisy Rosario, with help from Maura Currie.

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Political Gabfest Reads: Exit Interview

Sat, 21 Oct 2023 07:00:00 -0000

David Plotz talks with author and 12-year Amazon senior employee, Kristi Coulter about her new memoir, Exit Interview: The Life and Death of My Ambitious Career. They discuss the good, the bad, and the confusing parts of Coulter’s career at Amazon, starting in 2006. They talk about the culture of Amazon, the frustrating gender dynamics, and why she was constantly “a year away” from a promotion.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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Dear Prudence: Roxane Gay, Is It Okay to Ghost A Friend? Help!

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 07:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Roxane Gay (best-selling author of Bad Feminist and Opinions) joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters from readers about how to decline a colleague’s invitation to dinner, when it’s okay to ghost a friend for good reasons, and whether it’s possible to say positive about love when you’re burned out on dating apps.

If you want more Dear Prudence, join Slate Plus, Slate’s membership program. Jenée answers an extra question every week, just for members.

Go to Slate.com/prudieplus to sign up. It’s just $15 for your first three months.

Podcast production by Se’era Spragley Ricks and Daisy Rosario, with help from Maura Currie.

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Mom & Dad: This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 07:00:00 -0000

On this episode: Jamilah Lemieux is joined by Dr. Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennett, authors of This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained. They explain how puberty has changed over the last few decades, what these shifts mean for today’s kids, and how caregivers can guide these young adults through this transition. If you want to check out more of Cara and Vanessa’s wonderful advice, they also host The Puberty Podcast.

Recommendations:

Elizabeth: Clubhouse Games (Nintendo Switch)

Zak: Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

Jamilah: You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah

Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Mom and Dad are Fighting. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to help support our work.

Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson and Maura Currie.

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The Waves: The Case For Taking A Sabbatical

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 07:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves: the case for taking a sabbatical.

Host TK Dutes speaks with author and former television writer Patty Lin on her latest book End Credits: How I Broke Up With Hollywood. Lin worked in some of the most notable writers' rooms like Friends, Freaks and Geeks, Desperate Housewives and Breaking Bad. But when she hit a breaking point, she made a big change and stopped working for an entire year. After that? Her relationship with work–and everything else–transformed.

In Slate Plus: Patty Lin on how her closest relationships changed after going on sabbatical

If you liked this episode, check out: Female CEOs Can’t Save Us

Podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows. Sign up now at slate.com/thewavesplus to help support our work.

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ICYMI: How a Substack Revived the Dracula Fandom

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 14:50:02 -0000

On today’s episode, Rachelle Hampton and Candice Lim talk to writer Cyrena Touros about Dracula Daily, a newsletter that emails bite-sized passages from Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel to more than 235,000 readers. As an epistolary novel, Dracula is broken into letters written between May and November. Dracula Daily emails those letters to readers, who have now created a book club-like fandom rife with memes and sidebars about a guy stuck in a vampire’s castle.

This podcast is produced by Se’era Spragley Ricks, Daisy Rosario, Candice Lim and Rachelle Hampton.

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A Word: Black Grief, White Grievance

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 07:00:00 -0000

Many of the gains of the Civil Rights movement were built by African Americans who turned grief—often over the violent deaths of loved ones—into activism. At the same time, grief over anticipated or theoretical losses within the white community is frequently harnessed into political power. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by political science professor Juliet Hooker, author of Black Grief/White Grievance, about why anger and even violence has often been framed as a justified response to white losses of power and influence, but inappropriate among Black people, even when there’s loss of life.

Guest: Juliet Hooker, Professor of Political Science at Brown University

Podcast production by Ahyiana Angel

You can skip all the ads in A Word by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/awordplus for $15 for your first three months.

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Dear Prudence: My Girlfriend Is Always Late! Help!

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 07:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Ashley C. Ford (author of the bestselling memoir Somebody’s Daughter) joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters from readers about whether conflicting ideas about children should end a relationship between two twenty-somethings, what to do when a friend is obsessed with her husband’s band, and if it’s acceptable to leave your partner behind and vacation without them if they’re running late and miss the flight.

If you want more Dear Prudence, join Slate Plus, Slate’s membership program. Jenée answers an extra question every week, just for members.

Go to Slate.com/prudieplus to sign up. It’s just $15 for your first three months.

Podcast production by Se’era Spragley Ricks and Daisy Rosario, with help from Maura Currie.

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The Waves: Under the Influence

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 07:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate Senior Supervising Producer of Audio, Daisy Rosario can’t get toxic female bosses out of her head. She’s joined by Noelle Crooks, author of the new book, Under the Influence and former employee of one Rachel Hollis, so she knows a lot about bad workplaces. They discuss the insidious nature of saying your workplace is “like a family,” why an office dance party is a BAD thing, and how some powerful women leverage their minority status for ill.

In Slate Plus: How to recover from a job that burned you out.

If you liked this episode, check out: The Bama Rush to Trad Wife Pipeline

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth and Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/thewavesplus to help support our work.

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Working: Brooklyn Crime Novel by Jonathan Lethem

Sun, 01 Oct 2023 07:00:00 -0000

This week, Isaac talks to author and returning guest Jonathan Lethem! In the interview, Jonathan discusses his brand new book, Brooklyn Crime Novel, which revisits themes and settings that Jonathan engaged with in his previous works, Fortress of Solitude and Motherless Brooklyn. This time, Jonathan uses unusual storytelling tactics–like characters without names and chapters that vary wildly in length–to rediscover the Brooklyn of his youth.

After the interview, Isaac and co-host June Thomas talk about why great artists often return to the same material over and over.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Jonathan explains how he mapped out Brooklyn Crime Novel’s unusual structure.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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A Word: Historically Black Phrases

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 07:00:00 -0000

**Today’s episode discusses sensitive language, including the n-word, and may not be appropriate for all listeners.**

For decades, words and phrases that originate in Black homes, churches, and entertainment have been pulled into the national conversation…where their meanings are often changed or widely misunderstood. And social media has accelerated the process, taking Black vernacular from a group chat, to Twitter, to national headlines in record time. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by journalists Tre’vell Anderson and Jarrett Hill, co-authors of the new book, Historically Black Phrases: From ‘I Ain’t One of Your Lil’ Friends’ to ‘Who All Gon’ Be There?’ They talk about what inspired their book, and how they hope the book can provide a snapshot of authentic Black language, and the spark to more honest conversations about race and identity.

Guests:

Acclaimed writer Tre’vell Anderson, author of We See Each Other: A Black, Trans Journey Through TV and Film.

Award-winning journalist Jarrett Hill, professor at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Journalism.

Podcast production by Ahyiana Angel

You can skip all the ads in A Word by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/awordplus for $15 for your first three months.

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Hear Me Out - "You Should Be Grateful": Stories of Race, Identity, and Transracial Adoption

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 07:03:00 -0000

On today’s episode of Hear Me Out… what? Oh my god, who told you?

Adoption is a complicated thing. Raising a child who’s not related to you is challenging — and being that child, in many ways, is even harder.

And it’s all too easy for adoption, particularly a white family adopting a black or brown child, to be framed as a heroic act. The truth, as adoptees will tell you, is a lot messier.

Angela Tucker, a writer and transracial adoptee, joins us to argue that adoption is traumatic… and with the right reforms, it shouldn’t need to happen as often as it does.

If you have thoughts you want to share, or an idea for a topic we should tackle, you can email the show: hearmeout@slate.com

Podcast production by Maura Currie

You can skip all the ads in Hear Me Out by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/hearmeoutplus for just $15 a month for your first three months.

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Working: Meet an Artist Who Writes Comics About Jazz

Sun, 24 Sep 2023 07:00:00 -0000

This week, host Nate Chinen talks with Dave Chisholm, a jazz trumpeter who writes graphic novels about jazz musicians. His previous publications include Chasin' the Bird: A Charlie Parker Graphic Novel and Enter the Blue. His next book, Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound, will be released in November.

In the interview, Chisholm talks about how he uses the visual language of comics to explore the musical language of jazz and about the challenges of writing a book about a figure of the significance and complexity of Miles Davis.

After the interview, Chinen and co-host June Thomas discuss ways in which elements of music theory and practice can be applied to writing and share some pop-cultural pet peeves.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Chisholm names three essential Miles Davis albums and three mind-blowing graphic novels

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Zak Rosen.

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Slate Money: Your Face Belongs to Us

Sat, 23 Sep 2023 07:00:00 -0000

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers are joined by Kashmir Hill to talk about her new book, Your Face Belongs to Us. They dig into the way facial recognition technology is used in unexpected (and sometimes creepy) ways. They also talk about the A.I. revolution and Rupert Murdoch’s “exit” from the Fox empire.

In the Plus segment: Kashmir talks about tracking her husband.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional segment of our show every week. You’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Slate Money. Sign up now at slate.com/moneyplus to help support our work.

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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Gabfest Reads: The Fraud

Sat, 23 Sep 2023 07:00:00 -0000

Emily Bazelon talks with author Zadie Smith about her new book, The Fraud. They discuss what happens when justice comes through an unjust symbol, how much Zadie does and doesn’t know about her characters, and more.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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Mom & Dad: Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic – And What We Can Do About It

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 18:00:00 -0000

On this episode: Zak Rosen, Jamilah Lemieux, and Elizabeth Newcamp talk about toxic achievement culture.

The three of them talk with Jennifer Breheny Wallace, journalist and author of Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic – And What We Can Do About It — about how we push our kids, and ourselves, even when we don’t need to.

We also go over our week in parenting. And then, for Slate Plus, we’ll debrief on our conversation with Jennifer, and the hosts will discuss how they, and their kids, fall victim to toxic achievement culture.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Mom and Dad are Fighting. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to help support our work.

Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson and Maura Currie.

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Outward: Mercury Stardust Helps Queer People Feel Safe and Sound at Home

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 07:00:00 -0000

It’s September. Are you ready to warm up your muscles as the temperatures dip and get your apartment all cozy for the cuffing season to come? If so, Outward has you covered. First, listeners Elizabeth and Peter respond to last month’s discussion of Amazon’s film adaptation of Red, White & Royal Blue. Then the hosts talk with sports journalist Katie Barnes about their new book Fair Play: How Sports Shape the Gender Debates, which tells the remarkable story of how sports have been gendered long before today’s anti-trans panic. After that, they’re joined by writer and TikTok-er extraordinaire Mercury Stardust, who is known as the “Trans Handy Ma’am” for her DIY home-repair videos. Mercury’s new book, Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair, blends stunning illustrations and emotional-processing breaks with how-to guides for making your apartment into a sanctuary. The hosts end the show, as always, with some new additions to the Gay Agenda.

Items discussed in the show:

“Bottoms Queers the High-School Comedy,” the Culture Gabfest’s discussion of the movie, with Christina

“Power Bottoms,” by Rachel Handler, on Vulture

Fair Play: How Sports Shape the Gender Debates, by Katie Barnes

Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair, by Mercury Stardust

The Safe and Sound book tour

Gay Agenda

Bryan: “What Happens When You’re Almost Out of Testosterone–and You Live in Florida,” by Nico Lang

Christina: Deadloch, on Amazon Prime

Jules: People Collide, by Isle McElroy

This podcast was produced by June Thomas.

Please send feedback, topic ideas, and advice questions to outwardpodcast@slate.com.

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ICYMI: AI-Generated Books are Tarnishing Authors’ Reputations

Sat, 16 Sep 2023 07:00:00 -0000

On today’s episode, Rachelle Hampton and Candice Lim are joined by Jane Friedman, author of The Business of Being a Writer and the publisher of Hot Sheet, a newsletter about the publishing industry. The three discuss Friedman’s recent battle with AI-generated books that were being published and sold under her name on Amazon. Friedman published a blog about the saga titled “I Would Rather See My Books Get Pirated Than This (Or: Why Goodreads and Amazon are Becoming Dumpster Fires)” detailing the dangers that the increasingly prolific practice presents to authors and the publishing industry at large.

This podcast is produced by Se’era Spragley Ricks, Daisy Rosario, Candice Lim and Rachelle Hampton.

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A Word: Wrong from the Beginning

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 07:00:00 -0000

The teaching of Black history has been under increasing political attack in recent years. But the version of African American history taught –even to Black people– has always been incomplete. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by columnist Michael Harriot to discuss his new book, Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America. They discuss the inspiration for the book, the most persistent myths of race and racism, and fighting the backlash against Black history.

Guest: Michael Harriot, author of Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

You can skip all the ads in A Word by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/awordplus for $15 for your first three months.

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Dear Prudence: My Partner’s Relationship With His Ex Makes Me Feel Like the Third Wheel. Help!

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 07:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Tia Williams (bestselling author of The Perfect Find) joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters from readers about how to cope with excessive Facebook photos of your partner’s ex, how to mourn a racist in-law’s death, and how to have a cute summer romance in Italy.

If you want more Dear Prudence, join Slate Plus, Slate’s membership program. Jenée answers an extra question every week, just for members.

Go to Slate.com/prudieplus to sign up. It’s just $15 for your first three months.

Podcast production by Se’era Spragley Ricks and Daisy Rosario, with help from Maura Currie.

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Mom & Dad: Growing Up In Public

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 18:00:00 -0000

On this episode: Zak Rosen, Jamilah Lemieux, and Elizabeth Newcamp talk about parenting digital citizens.

Elizabeth sits down with author and speaker Dr. Devorah Heitner about her latest book, Growing Up in Public. The book helps guide parents through navigating social media and phone usage for their kids — and the privacy, freedom, and surveillance issues that come along with phones.

We also go over our week in parenting. And then, for Slate Plus, we’ll debrief on our conversation with Devorah — and how the hosts handle screentime and internet access in their own households.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Mom and Dad are Fighting. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to help support our work.

Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson and Maura Currie.

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Slate Money - Optimal Illusions: The False Promise of Optimization

Sat, 09 Sep 2023 07:00:00 -0000

This week, Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers are joined by Coco Krumme to discuss her book Optimal Illusions: The False Promise of Optimization.

In the Plus segment: The story in Felix’s newsletter today on why the city of Birmingham in the UK has gone bankrupt.

Podcast production by Jessamine Molli.

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Political Gabfest: The Last Politician

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 20:15:00 -0000

This week, Emily Bazelon and David Plotz are joined by The Atlantic’s Franklin Foer to discuss Joe Biden’s White House and The Last Politician; the war in Ukraine and the possible meeting of Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin; and Americans’ views on the value of higher education. Join us for Political Gabfest Live in Madison, Wisconsin on October 25!

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

The Last Politician: Inside Joe Biden’s White House and the Struggle for America’s Future by Franklin Foer

Seung Min Kim, Stephen Groves, and Farnoush Amiri for AP: “How Biden and McCarthy struck a debt limit deal and staved off a catastrophe”

Matthew Yglesias @mattyglesias: “This was Biden’s core promise …”

Jasmine Wright for CNN: “Kamala Harris found her voice on abortion rights in the year after Dobbs. Now she’s making it central to her 2024 message”

Imtiaz Tyab for CBS News: “Ukraine counteroffensive makes “notable” progress near Zaporizhzhia, but it’s a grinding stalemate elsewhere”

Paul Tough for The New York Times Magazine: “Americans Are Losing Faith in the Value of College. Whose Fault Is That?”

Ramesh Ponnuru in The Washington Post: “How to restore intellectual diversity on college campuses

Mitchell E. Daniels Jr. in The Washington Post: “Could income-share agreements help solve the student debt crisis?”

Bullshit Jobs: A Theory by David Graeber

Sarah Wood for U.S. News & World Report: “Paying for Meals at College: What to Know About Costs”

Nine Black Robes: Inside the Supreme Court’s Drive to the Right and Its Historic Consequences by Joan Biskupic

Here are this week’s chatters:

Emily: Richard Fausset and Danny Hakim for The New York Times: “Georgia Judge Says Two Defendants in Trump Case Will Get Early Trial Together” and Sam Gringlas for NPR: “In the Trump Georgia case, conflicting legal strategies complicate the path to trial”

Frank: The Dan Patrick Show: “Does Messi Make MLS Appear Inferior?”; How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization by Franklin Foer; Essays on Music by Theodor Adorno; and On Late Style: Music and Literature Against the Grain by Edward W. Said

David: One Life: Frederick Douglass at the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian, Washington, D.C.; Michel Martin for NPR’s All Things Considered: “Picture This: Frederick Douglass Was The Most Photographed Man Of His Time”; and NPR: “’What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July?’: Descendants Read Frederick Douglass’ Speech”

Listener chatter from Nicole Dorn: Jennifer Senior for The Atlantic: “The Ones We Sent Away”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Frank, Emily, and David discuss the writing of The Last Politician: Inside Joe Biden’s White House and the Struggle for America’s Future.

In the latest Gabfest Reads, Emily, David, and John talk with Barbara Kingsolver about her best-selling book, Demon Copperhead.

Email your chatters, questions, and comments to gabfest@slate.com or X us @SlateGabfest. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth

Research by Julie Huygen

Hosts

Franklin Foer, Emily Bazelon, and David Plotz

Follow

@SlateGabfest on X / https://twitter.com/SlateGabfest

Slate Gabfest on Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/Gabfest/

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Mom & Dad: The Secret Society of Aunts & Uncles w/ Jake Gyllenhaal, Greta Caruso, and Dan Santat

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 18:00:00 -0000

On this episode: Zak interviews Jake Gyllenhaal, Greta Caruso, and Dan Santat about their new book, The Secret Society of Aunts & Uncles. They dive into what makes that particular relationship so special, why it’s overlooked in children’s literature, and even what goes into crafting a kids book.

We also go over our week in triumphs and fails. Then, if you’re sticking around for Slate Plus, we share some Instagram accounts that are actually making our lives better.

Zak recommends:

Elizabeth recommends:

Jamilah recommends:

And of course, you can always follow your hosts on Instagram, too:

Jamilah: @jamilahlemieux
Zak: @bestadviceshow
Elizabeth: @ejdn

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Mom and Dad are Fighting. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to help support our work.

Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson and Maura Currie.

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Future Tense Fiction: Welcome to the A.I. Haunted House

Sat, 02 Sep 2023 07:00:00 -0000

On this month’s episode of Future Tense Fiction, host Maddie Stone talks to Janelle Shane about her short story “The Skeleton Crew.”

The House of A.I. is a next-level haunted house: In it, a suite of advanced A.I.s read visitors’ facial expressions to generate perfectly tailored scares. Or at least, that’s what the marketing materials want you to believe. It turns out, the house is actually operated by a group of underpaid gig workers, tasked with posing as spooky A.I.s as they guide visitors through the mansion. When two gunmen sneak into the house in search of a famous rock artist who’s there visiting, things go south quickly—and everyone ends up really grateful for the humans behind the house’s spooky machines.

After the story, Maddie and Janelle discuss why the human workers behind A.I. are so often invisibilized—and why you should be suspicious when a company oversells its tech.

Guests: Janelle Shane is a research scientist. She writes about A.I. on her blog, aiweirdness.com, and she’s also the author of You Look Like a Thing and I Love You.

Story read by Kat Bohn

Podcast production by Tiara Darnell

You can skip all the ads in Future Tense Fiction by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/plus for just $15 for your first three months.

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Mom & Dad: Accountable: The True Story of a Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives It Changed.

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 18:00:00 -0000

On this episode: Award-winning journalist Dashka Slater joins to talk about her new book, Accountable: The True Story of a Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives It Changed. It’s a story of a teen sharing extremely racist memes and photos of classmates on a private instagram and what happened when the account was discovered. It led to even more hurt, protests, botched mediation, and a community-wide conversation about justice and what it means to be complicit.

Besides the interview, hosts Jamilah Lemieux, Elizabeth Newcamp, and Zak Rosen share their parenting ups and downs of the week—including a late night before the first day of kindergarten and big-kid summer camp. Then, on Slate Plus: we share lots of listener letters ranging from two player games to suggestions for handling the great bathroom conundrum of 2023.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Mom and Dad are Fighting. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to help support our work.

Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson and Maura Currie.

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ICYMI: BookTok’s Horny Hockey Drama and the End of Internet Thirst

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 07:00:00 -0000

As an end of summer treat, Rachelle Hampton and Candice Lim dive deep into the drama that engulfed BookTok earlier this August. Over the spring and early summer, hockey-themed romance novels enjoyed a rise in the BookTok charts, a rise that led to an influx of new fans into the hockey community. One team in particular, the Seattle Krakens, became the unofficial team of BookTok, with Swedish player Alex Wennberg receiving special attention. Sexualized commentary by content creators like Kierra Lewis was both tacitly and overtly encouraged by the Kraken, who flew Lewis out to games.

All of this changed when Wennberg’s wife asked fans to stop posting sexualized content about her husband, a request that sent HockeyTok into a tailspin. So, what does this all mean in an era where loud and overt female desire is not only celebrated but monetized? Is there a difference between thirsting loudly for celebrities like Chris Evans and minor stars like Wennberg? And has internet thirst perhaps gone too far?

This podcast is produced by Se’era Spragley Ricks, Daisy Rosario, Candice Lim and Rachelle Hampton.

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Slate Money: "Best Things First" by Bjorn Lomborg

Sat, 26 Aug 2023 07:00:00 -0000

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers speak with author and academic Bjorn Lomborg about his latest book, “Best Things First”. How does Bjorn’s advice differ from effective altruism? And where should you donate your own money?

Podcast production by Patrick Fort.

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Amicus: Citizen Justice: The Environmental Legacy of William O. Douglas

Sat, 26 Aug 2023 07:00:00 -0000

In Amicus’ summer series of conversations about books that expanded our thinking about justice and the courts, beyond the churn of headlines, Dahlia Lithwick is joined by Judge Margaret M McKeown of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth CIrcuit, to discuss her book Citizen Justice: The Environmental Legacy of William O. Douglas―Public Advocate and Conservation Champion

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Slate Money: "Anansi's Gold" by Yepoka Yeebo

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 07:00:00 -0000

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers speak with Yepoka Yeebo, author of Anansi’s Gold: The Man Who Looted the West, Outfoxed Washington, and Swindled the World. Yeebo explains how John Ackah Bley-Miezah convinced people that he held the keys to a large fortune. All they needed to do was help him access it.

Podcast production by Patrick Fort.

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Gabfest Reads: Demon Copperhead

Sat, 19 Aug 2023 07:00:00 -0000

Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and John Dickerson talk with author Barbara Kingsolver about her new book, Demon Copperhead. They discuss her inspiration for the novel, what we keep getting wrong about Appalachia, and more.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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Outward: Red, White & Really Bad

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 07:00:00 -0000

This month, hosts Christina Cauterucci, Jules Gill-Peterson, and Bryan Lowder discuss Amazon Prime’s adaptation of Casey McQuiston’s best-selling queer rom-com Red, White & Royal Blue. They also speak with intersex activist and educator Pidgeon Pagonis about their memoir Nobody Needs to Know and the campaign to end nonconsensual surgeries on intersex kids. The hosts end the show, as always, with some new additions to the Gay Agenda.

Items discussed in the show:

Red, White, & Royal Blue, by Casey McQuiston

Red, White & Royal Blue on Amazon Prime

Outward’s December 2019 special episode on The Inheritance

Nobody Needs to Know: A Memoir, by Pidgeon Pagonis

Girl, Interrupted, by Susanna Kaysen

Interconnect.support, a support group for intersex people

Gay Agenda

Christina: John Early: Now More Than Ever, on Max

Jules: “O’Shae Sibley Was Killed While Voguing at a Brooklyn Gas Station. Last Weekend New Yorkers Rallied to Honor His Memory,” in Vogue

Bryan: Miriam and Alan Lost in Scotland on PBS, and “Who’s Afraid of Social Contagion,” by Hugh Ryan, in the Boston Review

This podcast was produced by June Thomas.

Please send feedback, topic ideas, and advice questions to outwardpodcast@slate.com.

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Mom & Dad: Avidly Reads Screen Time

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 07:00:00 -0000

On this episode: Zak Rosen talks with Phillip Maciak, TV critic with The New Republic, teacher at Washington University in St. Louis, and author of the book, Avidly Reads Screen Time. He explains where the concept of screen time started and how it became this marker of good (or bad) parenting.

Recommendations:

Zak: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie + The “Mouse Game”

Jamilah: The Barbie movie

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Mom and Dad are Fighting. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to help support our work.

Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson and Maura Currie.

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Amicus: The Family Roe

Sat, 12 Aug 2023 07:00:00 -0000

In Amicus’ summer series of conversations about books that expanded our thinking about justice and the courts, beyond the churn of headlines, Dahlia Lithwick is joined by Joshua Prager to discuss his book The Family Roe: An American Story, about the unknown lives at the heart of Roe v Wade.

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Mom & Dad: Raising Empowered Athletes

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 18:00:00 -0000

On this episode: Zak and Jamilah go over their week in triumphs, fails, solo parenting, and solo travel. Then we talk youth sports before hearing an interview between Elizabeth and Kirsten Jones, nationally recognized performance coach, former athlete, and author of Raising Empowered Athletes.

Then, on Slate Plus: what if friendship, not marriage, was the center of our adult social lives?

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Mom and Dad are Fighting. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to help support our work.

Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson and Maura Currie.

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How To!: Generation Dread: Finding Purpose In an Age of Climate Crisis.

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 07:00:00 -0000

As the massive Caldor fire blazed towards South Lake Tahoe in 2021, Joyce knew she had to get out. “The sky was red. It was like hell on earth,” she remembers. Her family got to safety and her house was miraculously spared. But, even now, it can be jarring to remember the fire. Climate-related extreme weather events are on the rise and another disaster is seemingly right around the corner. Especially with freakish flash floods, a scorching heatwave and wildfire smoke blanketing much of the country. On this episode of How To!, guest-host Cheyna Roth brings on Dr. Britt Wray, author of Generation Dread: Finding Purpose In an Age of Climate Crisis. Dr. Wray explains why we need to treat climate anxiety differently and how we can create resilience both internally and within our communities as we face climate change, together.

Resources Mentioned:

Climate Psychology Alliance

Climate Psychiatry Alliance

Good Grief Network

Climate Awakening

Gen Dread Substack

If you liked this episode, check out: How To Save the Planet (And Still Use a Plastic Straw)

Do you have a question we can help you solve? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Podcast production by Derek John, Rosemary Belson, Kevin Bendis, and Jabari Butler.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus to help support our work.

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The Waves: Hollywood is On Strike. Let’s Burn it Down.

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 07:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, we’re talking the Hollywood strikes. Slate senior supervising producer Daisy Rosario is joined by longtime journalist and author of Burn It Down, Maureen Ryan to unpack the systematic oppression that has taken place behind the scenes of your favorite movies and television shows for decades. They dig into the structures in place to keep women and marginalized voices from getting to the top of the ladder, and how none of these stories are examples of one bad apple. They also explore how the ongoing writers and actors strikes are an inevitable result of years of injustice - and what they need to bargain for to make true change in Hollywood.

In Slate Plus: A recap of episode 8 of Max’s And Just Like That…

If you liked this episode, check out: How to Survive in Hollywood

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery. Additional help from Paige Osburn.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/thewavesplus to help support our work.

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Amicus: The Fear of Too Much Justice

Sat, 29 Jul 2023 07:00:00 -0000

In Amicus’ summer series of conversations about books that expanded our thinking about justice and the courts, beyond the churn of headlines, Dahlia Lithwick is joined by death penalty lawyer, professor and author Stephen Bright to discuss his new book, The Fear of Too Much Justice: Race, Poverty, and the Persistence of Inequality in the Criminal Courts.

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Future Tense Fiction: Could a Robot Be Your Dog’s Best Friend?

Sat, 29 Jul 2023 07:00:00 -0000

On this month’s episode of Future Tense Fiction, host Maddie Stone talks to Andrew Silverman about his short story “Furgen.”

Tucker, the story’s canine protagonist, is the center of his owner Caro’s world. When Caro buys an A.I.-enabled dog trainer that promises to help both her and Tucker live their best lives, everything starts to fall into place—the A.I. takes care of Tucker when he’s sick, trains him to walk without a leash, and even helps Caro get a girlfriend. But as Tucker’s bond with the A.I. deepens, optimizing for their best lives starts to mean something much different than what Caro originally had in mind.

After the story, Maddie asks Andrew about how his own experiences as a dog owner—and a pediatric neurologist—influenced the story. Plus, Maddie talks with canine behavioral scientist Clive Wynne, who wrote a response essay to Andrew’s story, about whether a dog could really fall in love with a robot.

Guests: Andrew Silverman is a pediatric neurologist and the author of “Furgen.”

Clive Wynne is a professor of psychology and director of the Canine Science Collaboratory at Arizona State University. He is also the author of Dog Is Love: Why and How Your Dog Loves You.

Story read by Peggy O’Neal

Podcast production by Tiara Darnell

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A Word: The Rise of Post-Obama Racism

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 07:00:00 -0000

For some, the election of Barack Obama signified hope. For others, it intensified hate. But what role did mainstream political rhetoric play in fueling subsequent violent racially charged incidents? On today’s episode of A Word, guest host Ahyiana Angel is joined by Wesley Lowery, journalist and author of American Whitelash: A Changing Nation and the Cost of Progress. Lowery details how he used first-hand reporting and historical analysis to explore the role of race in politics and the new wave of racial division in our society.

Podcast production by Ahyiana Angel.

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Political Gabfest Reads: How the British Empire Twisted the Truth

Sat, 22 Jul 2023 07:00:00 -0000

David Plotz talks with author David Grann about his new book, The Wager. The non-fiction book tells the harrowing story of a shipwreck off the coast of Patagonia in 1742. They discuss how the British Empire twisted fact and fiction, the process of digging through 280-year-old documents, and why you should always have citrus at sea.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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Slate Money: Wal-Mart v. Amazon: The Battle for Retail’s Soul

Sat, 22 Jul 2023 07:00:00 -0000

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers are joined by author Jason Del Rey to talk physical retail’s woes. They discuss Jason’s new book, Winner Sells All: Amazon, Walmart and the Battle for Our Wallets. Then they dig into what is going on with physical retail space and how looting can help Amazon and other resalers. And finally, why the IRS is investigating crypto bros in Puerto Rico.

In the Plus segment: What happened to Taco Tuesday?

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth

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The Waves: Forever Barbie

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 07:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, it’s all about Barbie. Slate senior producer Cheyna Roth sits down with M.G. Lord, author of Forever Barbie and co-host of “LA Made: The Barbie Tapes” from LAist and So Cal Public Radio. They discuss the history of the Barbie doll and how she’s managed to endure, how Barbie might actually be feminist, and what the new Greta Gerwig movie gets right about Barbie.

In Slate Plus: Episode 6 of our And Just Like That…recap.

If you liked this episode check out Is The Wedding Dress Dead?

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com.

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Outward: The Pleasures and Politics of Cruising

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 07:00:00 -0000

This month, taking a cue from the sultry, sensual heat of summer, Outward examines the venerable queer practice of cruising—for sex and sex work—in public space. First, hosts Christina Cauterucci, Jules Gill-Peterson, and Bryan Lowder make eyes at Park Cruising, a new essay collection on cruising in parks, which explores the pleasures, politics, and complexities of that gay pastime. Author Marcus McCann joins the hosts to discuss those themes. Then they head down to Christopher Street with the trans women of The Stroll, a new HBO documentary streaming on Max, as they revisit a time when New York’s now-gentrified Meatpacking District was rich with a unique and affirming form of sisterhood. Co-director Kristen Lovell stops by to discuss the making of the film. The hosts end the show, as always, with some new additions to the Gay Agenda.

Items discussed in the show:

“The Real Story of 303 Creative v. Elenis,” by Mark Joseph Stern in Slate

Outward’s Times Square billboard

A provocative chant at NYC Drag March

Park Cruising: What Happens When We Wander Off the Path, by Marcus McCann

The Stroll

The Lady and the Dale

Sylvia’s Place

Sylvia Rivera, Marsha P. Johnson, and STAR

Gay Agenda

Christina: Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed from HBO

Jules: Hari Nef’s interviews about her role in Barbie

Bryan: Taylor Mac’s 24-Decade History of Popular Music (see also Hugh Ryan on the show’s history)

This podcast was edited by Emily Charash and produced by June Thomas.

Please send feedback, topic ideas, and advice questions to outwardpodcast@slate.com.

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Working: A TV Critic Pivots to Exposing Hollywood Abuses

Sun, 16 Jul 2023 10:00:00 -0000

This week, host June Thomas talks to journalist Maureen Ryan, author of the book Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood. In recent years, Ryan has pivoted from TV criticism to writing stories focused on abuses of power in the TV industry. Her new book touches on troubling situations on shows like Lost, Saturday Night Live, The Goldbergs, Sleepy Hollow, and more.

In the interview, Ryan discusses her reporting process and what it's felt like to watch the creators of some of her favorite shows come under fire.

After the interview, Thomas and co-host Nate Chinen discuss why there might be some reason for hope in Hollywood after all.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Ryan talks about how her pivot to this kind of reporting has affected her career.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Zak Rosen.

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What Next TBD: America’s Killer Car Problem

Sun, 16 Jul 2023 07:00:00 -0000

Pedestrian deaths in America have been rising for the last decade, while dropping in Europe and Japan. What makes the U.S. so dangerous for pedestrians?

Guest: Jessie Singer, author of There Are No Accidents: The Deadly Rise of Injury and Disaster―Who Profits and Who Pays the Price.

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How To!: Hack Your Bureaucracy

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0000

When Gwen applied for unemployment during the early days of the pandemic, she never thought she’d still be waiting for her benefits years later. Despite hours on the phone, countless emails and even a court appearance, Gwen is haunted by her inability to get the money she was approved for. On this episode of How To!, co-host Amanda Ripley brings in Marina Nitze, author of Hack Your Bureaucracy. Not only does Marina help Gwen find shortcuts in her state’s unemployment system, but she has useful advice for untangling any bureaucratic nightmare.

If you liked this episode, check out: How To Fight Outrageous Medical Bills.

Do you have a problem that’s keeping you up at night? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Podcast production by Derek John, Rosemary Belson, Kevin Bendis, and Jabari Butler.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus to help support our work.

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How To!: Love it Or Leave It: How To Be Happy At Work

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0000

The last few years have been overwhelming for Tracy. Her career was demanding and she experienced multiple deaths in her family. Recently, she changed jobs and is in a better place with her mental health, but something is still missing from her life. She’s just not sure what. On this episode of How To!, co-host Carvell Wallace brings on Samantha Clarke, happiness consultant, speaker, and author of Love it Or Leave It: How To Be Happy At Work. Samantha will help Tracy (and all of us) design a plan to find fulfillment.

If you liked this episode, check out: “How To Style Your Home Like a Pro.”

Podcast production by Derek John, Rosemary Belson, Kevin Bendis, and Jabari Butler.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus to help support our work.

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How To!: Sharing the Covers: Every Couple’s Guide to Better Sleep

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 16:18:00 -0000

Sleep is objectively worse when splitting a bed. Yet that’s the default for most couples. But that doesn’t mean sharing the covers is easy. Especially when one person is having trouble falling or staying asleep. On this episode of How To!, the second in a two-part series, co-host Carvell Wallace continues the conversation with Dr. Wendy Troxel, author of Sharing the Covers: Every Couple’s Guide to Better Sleep. Dr. Troxel explains how couples can experiment with sleeping arrangements in a way that makes everyone feel safe, and why sleeping apart might be the key to saving your relationship.

If you liked this episode, check out: “How To Stop Snoring (and Breathe Easier).”

Podcast production by Derek John, Rosemary Belson, Kevin Bendis, and Jabari Butler.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus to help support our work.

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What Next: Can’t Stand the Heat

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 07:00:00 -0000

The 4th of July was the hottest day yet—not just of the summer but of recorded human history. Between waves of Canadian wildfire smoke, malaria reappearing in the United States, and deaths from heat, this might be the year that we’re forced to reckon with what life will be like on our newly hotter planet.

Guest: Jeff Goodell, contributing writer at Rolling Stone and the author of the upcoming book The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on What Next. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work.

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Political Gabfest: Rural Arkansas Explored in an Extra Gabfest Reads

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 16:00:00 -0000

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz are on vacation, but Emily taped an extra episode of Gabfest Reads for everyone. She sits down with author Monica Potts to talk about her new memoir The Forgotten Girls. They discuss growing up in rural Arkansas, Monica’s childhood best friend Darci, and more.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, David, Emily, and John chatter about what’s making them happy this summer, an article about how bad things really are, and more.

In the June edition of Gabfest Reads, Emily talks with Peter Singer @PeterSinger about his book, Animal Liberation Now: The Definitive Classic Renewed.

Email your chatters, questions, and comments to gabfest@slate.com or Tweet us @SlateGabfest. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth

Research by Julie Huygen

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The Waves: Can Fairy Tales Be Feminist?

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, we’re diving into fairy tales. Slate book critic Laura Miller talks with author Kelly Link about her collection of fairy tale inspired short stories, White Cat, Black Dog. They discuss how fairy tales have influenced Kelly’s work, the allure of the “searching for a beloved” story, finding a community of female writers.

In Slate Plus: Cheyna Roth and Luke Winkie discuss episode three of Max’s And Just Like That…

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com.

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Future Tense Fiction: Who Gets to Escape the Climate Crisis?

Sat, 24 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0000

On this month’s episode of Future Tense Fiction, host Maddie Stone talks to Matt Bell about his short story “Empathy Hour.”

In the story’s climate-change-ravaged future, society’s wealthiest are whisked away to luxurious, self-contained cities. Once there, they entertain themselves with a carefully crafted reality show meant to assuage their guilt about the climate refugees they’ve left behind. But then, someone breaks into their airbrushed world, lifting the lid on what hides underneath it.

After the story, Matt and Maddie discuss the promises and pitfalls of climate fiction–and why we want to feel empathy, but never too much.

Guest: Matt Bell is the author of several books, including the novel Appleseed, a New York Times Notable Book of 2021. He is a professor of creative writing at Arizona State University.

Story read by Josh Bloomberg

Podcast production by Tiara Darnell

You can skip all the ads in Future Tense Fiction by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/plus for just $15 for your first three months.

Check out AWS Insiders here: https://link.chtbl.com/awsinsiders?sid=podcast.futuretensefiction

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A Word: Black and Proud

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0000

During this LGBTQ Pride month, many members of the community are reflecting on a year of unprecedented political and legal attacks. One of the biggest battlefields has been in public schools and libraries, where books featuring LGBTQ stories have been the targets of censors. On today’s episode of A Word, guest host journalist Aisha Mills is joined by George M. Johnson, author of one of the most banned books, All Boys Aren’t Blue. They talk about the intersection of race and gender identity, and how Johnson has fought back against critics who call the book dangerous and inappropriate for children.

Guest: George M. Johnson, author of All Boys Aren’t Blue

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

You can skip all the ads in A Word by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/awordplus for $15 for your first three months.

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Political Gabfest Reads: The Case for Treating Animals With Dignity

Sat, 17 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0000

Emily Bazelon talks with author Peter Singer about his updated and re-released book, Animal Liberation Now. The classic text has been an integral part of the animal rights movement since its publication in 1975. They discuss what we’ve learned about animals in the last several decades, including the intelligence of animals, why people should become vegan to help with climate change, and a passage in the Bible we’ve gotten very, very wrong.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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A Word: More Than A Hashtag

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0000

Police killings of Black men have their own grim, but established, rituals in American society. But what happens to those who survive police violence? On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by Leon Ford, who survived being shot multiple times by Pittsburgh police more than a decade ago. In his new memoir An Unspeakable Hope, Ford candidly describes his legal, physical, and mental health challenges, and why he eventually dedicated himself to working with police, including reaching out to the man who shot him. He also discusses The Hear Foundation—his non-profit group that builds partnerships between the community and police—and his complicated views of politics, gun violence, and activism.

Guest: Activist Leon Ford, co-founder of The Hear Foundation, and author of An Unspeakable Hope: Brutality, Forgiveness, and Building a Better Future for My Son

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

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Outward: Lesbian Bars: A Love Story

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0000

In celebration of Pride month, we’re bringing you some extra episodes of the Outward podcast. This week, host Christina Cauterucci talks to two people who recently visited every lesbian bar in the United States: Krista Burton, author of the newly published book Moby Dyke: An Obsessive Quest to Track Down the Last Remaining Lesbian Bars in America, and Naomi Gordon-Loebl, a writer and sommelier. They discuss the purpose of lesbian bars, trends in dyke-bar decor, and whether lesbian bars are still sexy.

Items discussed in the show:

Moby Dyke: An Obsessive Quest to Track Down the Last Remaining Lesbian Bars in America, by Krista Burton

The Lesbian Bar Project’s list of U.S. bars

Gay Agenda

Krista: Tom Ford Tuscan Leather

Naomi: Wear something that makes you feel spicy, like perhaps a leather harness or a Father Figure T-shirt by Tanner Shea

This podcast was edited by Emily Charash and produced by June Thomas.

Please send feedback, topic ideas, and advice questions to outwardpodcast@slate.com.

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Slate Money: The SEC’s Crypto Crackdown

Sat, 10 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0000

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers talk about the SEC lawsuits against Binance and Coinbase. Then they are joined by Slate’s own Henry Grabar for a chat about his new book, Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World.

In the plus segment: More conversation with Henry Grabar

Podcast production by Patrick Fort.

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The Waves: Finding Love Without Romance

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, we talk about living a life alone, but without loneliness. Slate senior editor Rebecca Onion talks with author Amy Key about her new book, Arrangements in Blue, and how Key has found fulfillment without romantic love.

In Slate Plus: The influence of Joni Mitchell’s album, Blue.

If you like this episode, check out: Why Medical Mysteries Plague Women

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/thewavesplus to help support our work.

This Pride Month, make an impact by helping Macy’s and The Trevor Project on their mission to fund life-saving suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth. Go to macys.com/purpose to learn more.

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Outward Pride Special: Is “I Do” Best for You?

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0000

In celebration of Pride month, we’re bringing you some extra episodes of the Outward podcast. This week, host Bryan Lowder talks to Slate contributor John Culhane about his new book More Than Marriage: Forming Families After Marriage Equality. In the book, Culhane explores legal arrangements other than marriage that could protect people’s relationships and finances. While we might once have decried these options as consolation prizes, contracts such as designated beneficiary agreements offer exciting possibilities for queer and other nontraditional families.

We'd love to hear about your Pride plans in this challenging year. Please send a voice memo, along with feedback, topic ideas, and advice questions to outwardpodcast@slate.com.

Items discussed in the show:

More Than Marriage: Forming Families After Marriage Equality, by John C. Culhane

Gay Agenda

John: Support your local drag performers.

This podcast was produced by June Thomas.

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Mom & Dad: The Daily Dad

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0000

On this episode: Zak Rosen talks with author and philosopher, Ryan Holiday, about his new book, The Daily Dad: 366 Meditations on Parenting, Love, and Raising Great Kids. Elizabeth Newcamp and Jamilah Lemieux join to go over recommendations and to listen to your advice.

Recommendations:

Jamilah: Banana pudding

Zak: Using magnet tiles on your walls, which may be magnetic.

Elizabeth: Summer Brain Quest books and cards

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Mom and Dad are Fighting. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to help support our work.

Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson and Maura Currie.

This Pride Month, make an impact by helping Macy’s and The Trevor Project on their mission to fund life-saving suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth. Go to macys.com/purpose to learn more.

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Working: A Prolific Novelist Takes a Breather

Sun, 04 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0000

This week, host June Thomas talks to Ellen Hart, a mystery author who’s been active since the late 80’s and who is most famous for the long-running Jane Lawless series. In the interview, Ellen talks about her early career as a chef and explains why (and how) she pivoted to writing. Then she explains why, after so many years of heavy output, she’s deciding to write less and less, and both she and June reckon with the dreaded “R” word (retirement!).

After the interview, June and co-host Isaac Butler discuss what happens when work becomes your identity.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, June asks her favorite question to ask writers.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

This Pride Month, make an impact by helping Macy’s and The Trevor Project on their mission to fund life-saving suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth. Go to macys.com/purpose to learn more.

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A Word: My Father, the Spy

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0000

Every family has secrets. As a girl, Leta McCollough Seletzky learned that her father, Marrell McCollough– was on the scene of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. But it would be years before she learned that he was there as a spy for the Memphis police, who wanted information on King’s local allies. On today’s episode of A Word, she speaks with Jason Johnson about her father’s story, captured in her new book, The Kneeling Man: My Father's Life as a Black Spy Who Witnessed the Assassination of Martin Luther King.

Guest: Leta McCollough Seletzky, author of The Kneeling Man: My Father's Life as a Black Spy Who Witnessed the Assassination of Martin Luther King

Podcast production by Ahyiana Angel

You can skip all the ads in A Word by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/awordplus for $15 for your first three months.

This Pride Month, make an impact by helping Macy’s and The Trevor Project on their mission to fund life-saving suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth. Go to macys.com/purpose to learn more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Waves: The Hustle of Being Beautiful

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, it’s all about the beauty industry. Senior writer and editor at New America, Julia Craven is joined by author and NPR host-at-large Elise Hu. They discuss Elise’s new book, Flawless - a remarkable investigation into the Korean beauty world. They also unpack the hustle culture inherent in beauty, how Eurocentric beauty trends are everywhere, and more.

In Slate Plus: Is Shiv Roy from HBO’s Succession misunderstood?

If you liked this episode, check out: Who’s Getting Rich Off Menopause?

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/thewavesplus to help support our work.

This Pride Month, make an impact by helping Macy’s and The Trevor Project on their mission to fund life-saving suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth. Go to macys.com/purpose to learn more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Future Tense Fiction: When Robots Go to War

Sat, 27 May 2023 07:00:00 -0000

On this month’s episode of Future Tense Fiction, host Maddie Stone talks to Justina Ireland about her short story “Collateral Damage.”

The story follows a group of soldiers deployed alongside TED, the Army’s first self-aware combat drone. TED is relentlessly efficient, quickly outpacing its human counterparts—and leaving them worried for their jobs. But when a wrong call from the clunky robot puts soldiers’ lives at risk, they realize just how hard it is to program for battlefield experience.

After the story, Ireland shares how her own time in the military shapes her writing, and why tech dreamed up in D.C. rarely reflects the needs of soldiers on the ground.

Guest: Justina Ireland, a veteran and author of books including Dread Nation, Deathless Divide, and Ophie’s Ghosts

Story read by Joanne Lichtenstein

Podcast production by Tiara Darnell

Check out AWS Insiders here: https://link.chtbl.com/awsinsiders?sid=podcast.futuretensefiction

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The Waves: I Don’t Care If You Like Me

Thu, 25 May 2023 07:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, are female characters becoming less likable? Slate senior supervising producer, Daisy Rosario is joined by author and comedian Jena Friedman. Jena’s new book Not Funny explores likeability and what that means for women in comedy and the world. They talk about unlikeable female characters and anti-heroines in shows like Rosanne, Killing Eve, and more. How unlikeable female characters have evolved - and how streamers actually helped bring down some gatekeepers making more room for complex women on TV.

In Slate Plus: When Jena asked famous male comics the questions so many female comics get asked every day.

If you liked this episode, check out: How to Survive in Hollywood.

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/thewavesplus to help support our work.

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Outward: Queer Utopian Fiction and Dystopian Reality TV

Wed, 24 May 2023 07:00:00 -0000

This month, Outward explores utopian fiction and dystopian reality TV. First, Bryan and Christina are joined by author Theodore McCombs to discuss Uranians, his new collection of speculative stories, which uses queer difference and divestment from the normal as an engine to drive five fascinating tales. Then they’re joined by producer June Thomas to discuss The Ultimatum: Queer Love, Netflix’s latest take on the dating show, which follows a cast of queer women and nonbinary folks as they try to decide who they will marry. Finally, the hosts add some new items to the gay agenda.

Items discussed in the show:

The CBC report on Patricia Ginn of the WindSisters

Uranians: Stories, by Theodore McCombs

More on Karl Heinrich Ulrich’s take on the Uranian

The Ultimatum: Queer Love on Netflix

June on the queerness of portrait galleries

Gay Agenda

June: The Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh

Bryan: That! Feels Good!, by Jessie Ware

Christina: “Radical Desire: Making On Our Backs Magazine,” from Cornell University Library

This podcast was produced by June Thomas.

Please send feedback, topic ideas, and advice questions to outwardpodcast@slate.com.

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Slate Money: The Felix Wrote A Book Episode!

Sat, 13 May 2023 07:00:00 -0000

This week, Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers discuss Felix’s new book The Phoenix Economy: Work, Life, and Money in the New Not Normal.

In the Plus segment: monkeys and immigration policy.

Podcast production by Jessamine Molli and Patrick Fort.

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Amicus: The Supreme Court's Dangerous Return to Its Roots

Sat, 13 May 2023 07:00:00 -0000

Get your tickets for Amicus Live on May 24th.

On this week’s Amicus, we head to Seattle for a live taping of the show at the Cross Cut Festival with guest Michael Waldman, President of NYU Law School’s Brennan Center. Dahlia Lithwick asks him about his new book, THE SUPERMAJORITY: How the Supreme Court Divided America, and what the ongoing ethics scandals and plummeting public approval for the court mean for our democracy. They also look ahead to next month when the court’s legitimacy may be stretched even further by major decisions that fly in the face of the majority of public opinion.

In this week’s Amicus Plus segment, Dahlia is joined by Slate’s Mark Joseph Stern to talk about the decisions that came out this week concerning pork producers and public corruption, which delivered some surprising and depressingly unsurprising opinions. They also try to figure out how many more times E Jean Carroll might have to sue Donald Trump to halt his defamation demolition derby.

Dahlia’s book Lady Justice: Women, the Law and the Battle to Save America, is also available as an audiobook, and Amicus listeners can get a 25 percent discount by entering the code “AMICUS” at checkout. https://books.supportingcast.fm/lady-justice

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A Word: The Privilege of Play

Fri, 12 May 2023 07:00:00 -0000

The persistent stereotype that role-playing, tabletop game players are overwhelmingly white is rooted in race, housing, and history. The suburban homes where people could dedicate a surface to a sprawling, multiplayer board game used to be almost exclusively white. And the knights, wizards, and other fantastic creatures in these games were closely tied to European mythology. But a more diverse world of game playing is rising, with more people of color getting a seat at the creative table. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson discusses diversity in hobby games with Aaron Trammell, a professor of informatics at U.C. Irvine. He’s also the author of the new book The Privilege of Play: A History of Hobby Games, Race and Geek Culture.

Guest: Aaron Trammell, author of The Privilege of Play: A History of Hobby Games, Race and Geek Culture

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

You can skip all the ads in A Word by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/awordplus for $15 for your first three months.

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Political Gabfest Reads: The Classic Hollywood Romance Gets a Makeover

Sat, 06 May 2023 07:00:00 -0000

Emily Bazelon talks with author author Curtis Sittenfeld about her new book Romantic Comedy.

They discuss why ordinary guys get to be with famous women, but usually not the other way around, the fun of writing a fictional version of Saturday Night Live, and how to write witty email exchanges.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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The Waves: How to Protect Your Kids From Diet Culture

Thu, 04 May 2023 07:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, we’re doing a very special Mom and Dad Are Fighting crossover with host Jamilah Lemieux. Jamilah sits down with author Virginia Sole-Smith to talk about her new book, Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture. They discuss helping kids accept their bodies in whatever form they take, dealing with our own internalized fatphobia, and more.

In Slate Plus, answering a listener’s question on secret snacking.

If you liked this episode, check out Making Friends As An Adult.

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth and Rosemary Belson with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/thewavesplus to help support our work.

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Mom and Dad Are Fighting: Finding the Magic in Middle School

Mon, 01 May 2023 07:00:00 -0000

On this episode: Elizabeth talks with Chris Balme, author of Finding the Magic In Middle School. He explains what drives tweens, why this period is fundamentally different than high school, and how to guide them through this transition. Jamilah, Zak, and Elizabeth also open up the mailbag and give some recommendations.

Recommendations:

Zak: Watch David Byrne sing When Doves Cry at a karaoke bar

Elizabeth: Professor Noggin Cards, Binder Rings

Jamilah: Florida Man on Netflix

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Mom and Dad are Fighting. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to help support our work.

Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson and Maura Currie.

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Slate Money: “Traffic”: Ben Smith and the Death of the Social Web

Sat, 29 Apr 2023 07:00:00 -0000

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck and Elizabeth Spiers are joined by Semafor editor-in-chief Ben Smith to discuss his new book. They also break down Tucker Carlson’s departure from Fox News and the end of Buzzfeed News.

In the Plus: A throwback to the olden days of blogging.

Podcast production by Patrick Fort.

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Future Tense Fiction: Live. Love. Die. Repeat?

Sat, 29 Apr 2023 07:00:00 -0000

On this month’s episode of Future Tense Fiction, host Maddie Stone talks to David Iserson about “This, but Again.” The story follows Marcus, who is forced to relive his life over and over again in a never-ending computer simulation. Thanks to a glitch, Marcus already knows everything that will happen—but he can change almost nothing. That is until he meets Sara, who helps him break from the simulation’s script. But that, as you might expect, is not without consequences.After the story, Iserson and host Maddie Stone discuss what it would really be like to live in a computer simulation (and why it may actually be more hopeful than dystopian).

Guest: David Iserson, film and television writer-producer and author of Firecracker, a novel

Story read by David Iserson

Podcast production by Tiara Darnell

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The Waves: Making Friends As An Adult

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 07:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, finding friends as an adult. Slate executive editor Susan Matthews is joined by author, comedian, and musician Lane Moore to talk about Moore’s new book You Will Find Your People. They dig into the necessity of healthy boundaries, letting go of old friendships that no longer serve you, and the importance of deep friendships that require work.

In Slate Plus, unpacking celebrity friendships.

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com.

If you liked this episode, check out: Make Movies Horney Again.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on The Waves. Sign up now at slate.com/thewavesplus to help support our work.

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Political Gabfest Reads: The Art of Writing Political Satire

Sat, 22 Apr 2023 07:00:00 -0000

David Plotz talks with author Alexandra Petri about her new book, Alexandra Petri’s US History: Important American Documents. They discuss how to transform staid history documents into rollicking parodies, how Petri found her “voice” multiple times, and her grander ambitions for the book. Plus, Petri reads some choice selections.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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Outward: Are Advice Columns Intrinsically Queer?

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 07:00:00 -0000

Spring is in the air, and the Outward hosts are gay like tulips and queer like allergies! First, they discuss a new animated version of the beloved Frog and Toad series of children’s books, which premieres on Apple TV+ on April 28. Then they welcome Daniel M. Lavery to the pod. Danny was Slate’s own Dear Prudence for many years, and now a Dear Prudence book is here to grace our bookshelves. Danny shares his philosophy of advice-giving, talks about what it was like to transition in the public eye, and offers his take on a reader question current Prudie Jenée Desmond-Harris answered a few weeks ago.

Items discussed in the show:

Jules and the Framing Agnes team at the GLAAD Awards

Outward’s December 2022 discussion of Framing Agnes with actress Jen Richards

LMN’s schedule

Somerville, Massachusetts, extends protections to polyamorous families

“Frog and Toad: An Amphibious Celebration of Same-Sex Love,” by Colin Stokes in the New Yorker

“How Frog and Toad Author Arnold Lobel Explored Gay Intimacy in His Work,” by J. Bryan Lowder in Slate

“This Is a Terrible Way to Commemorate a Major Civil Rights Victory,” by June Thomas in Slate

Dear Prudence: Liberating Lessons From Slate.com’s Beloved Advice Column, by Daniel M. Lavery

Jenée Desmond-Harris answered the question we put to Danny at the end of this Dear Prudence column

The Big Mood, Little Mood With Daniel M. Lavery podcast

The Dear Prudence podcast

Gay Agenda

Christina: Mae Martin’s new Netflix special, SAP

Jules: “Conservatives Are Turing to a 150-Year-Old Obscenity Law to Outlaw Abortion,” by Melissa Gira Grant in the New Republic

Bryan: Erick Adame’s Daily Weather Report (more background from the New York Times)

This podcast was produced by June Thomas.

Please send feedback, topic ideas, and advice questions to outwardpodcast@slate.com.

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How To!: Start Reading Books Again

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 07:00:00 -0000

Kate stopped reading in 2016. Since then, she’s tried to find her way back to it but something’s not clicking, and it’s left a book-shaped hole in her heart. Reading used to be something she really enjoyed, took pride in, and loved connecting with people over. On this episode of How To!, co-host Carvell Wallace brings in Maryanne Wolf, director of UCLA’s Center For Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Justice and author of the book, Reader, Come Home. Maryanne explains the science behind the reading brain as well as how to deeply engage with books and make reading a habit again.

If you liked this episode, check out: “How To Put Down Your Phone”

Do you wonder how best to use your time? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus to help support our work.

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Working: A Memoir About an Identity in Flux

Sun, 09 Apr 2023 07:00:00 -0000

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to writer John Cotter, whose new memoir Losing Music tells the story of a mysterious illness that degraded John’s hearing and caused periods of vertigo. In the interview, John explains how writing became a necessary tool that helped him make sense of his illness and his changing world.

After the interview, Isaac and co-host June Thomas discuss how creative practices can change drastically as people get older and their lives change. They also expand on a writing tip that Isaac mentions in his interview with John.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, John talks about how his teaching informs his writing and vice versa.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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A Word: The Battle for Eatonville

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 07:00:00 -0000

Folklorist and Harlem Renaissance author Zora Neale Hurston made her hometown of Eatonville, Florida famous in her writing, including her novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. But her fame hasn’t saved the town from the pressures that many African American communities have endured: a population fighting poverty, government indifference, and developers that want to scoop up the land to build housing that current residents can’t afford. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by Aallyah Wright, a reporter with Black news non-profit Capital B, who has written about the town’s recent success in resisting developers, and its hopes for the future.

Guest: Capital B reporter Aallyah Wright

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

You can skip all the ads in A Word by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/awordplus for just $15 a month for your first three months.

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The Waves: We Were Once a Family

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 07:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate supervising producer Daisy Rosario is joined by Texas Tribune reporter Roxanna Asgarian to discuss her book We Were Once A Family: A Story of Love, Death and Child Removal in America and its findings on the foster care system. The book covers the tragic Hart family murders in 2018 where two mothers drove their six adopted children off a cliff.

In Slate Plus: How Roxanna navigated writing about a tragic family story in a pandemic while being a first-time mom.

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth and Tori Dominguez with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com.

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Future Tense Fiction: Can a Pandemic Story Have a Happy Ending?

Sat, 25 Mar 2023 07:00:00 -0000

On this month’s episode of Future Tense Fiction, host Maddie Stone talks to Annalee Newitz about “When Robot and Crow Saved East St. Louis.” Annalee’s short story follows a disease-fighting robot—and its companions, both human and crow—on a quest to track an outbreak and develop a vaccine before it's too late. The story was published in December 2018, but now, three years after the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic, it offers a look at how public health responses could better reflect the needs of the communities they serve. Plus, Annalee shares how they learned to speak crow language.

Guest: Annalee Newitz, author of the Terraformers, the Future of Another Timeline, and Autonomous.

Story read by Gin Hammond

Podcast production by Tiara Darnell

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Future Tense Fiction: Coming March 25

Sat, 18 Mar 2023 07:00:00 -0000

When you imagine how science and technology will reshape our future, does it excite you, or scare you, or both? Each month, the Future Tense Fiction podcast will introduce you to a short work of science fiction, one that will challenge, surprise and intrigue you. Then host Maddie Stone will talk with the author to explore how their own experiences with technology—from smart weapons, to electronic pets, to virtual reality—informed their writing and their vision.

That’s every month on Future Tense Fiction, a podcast from Slate, Arizona State University, and New America. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. See you in the future.

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Gabfest Reads: How Do You Solve a Problem Like Semiconductors?

Sat, 18 Mar 2023 07:00:00 -0000

John Dickerson talks with author Chris Miller about his new book, Chip War: The Fight for The World’s Most Critical Technology. They discuss how semiconductor chips became so important, why everyone is so dependent on Taiwan for chips, and what lessons China can glean from what’s happening in Ukraine.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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A Word: The Love Jones Cohort

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 07:00:00 -0000

For decades, there has been a stigma attached to remaining unmarried and childless in the Black community, particularly for women. But a growing part of the Black middle class is single, childfree adults. Does the trend threaten the future of the Black family, or is it time to recognize a different model for family life? On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by sociologist Kris Marsh, author of “The Love Jones Cohort: Single and Living Alone in the Black Middle Class.”

Guest: Kris Marsh, University of Maryland Sociology Professor and author of “The Love Jones Cohort: Single and Living Alone in the Black Middle Class.”

Podcast production by Ahiyana Angel

You can skip all the ads in A Word by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/awordplus for just $1 for your first month.

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A Word: Screaming in Color

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 08:00:00 -0000

The Scream franchise returns to theaters this weekend. Since it first debuted in 1996, the racial dynamics of horror films have evolved. And for the first time in generations of scary movies, African American characters are surviving, killing the monsters, or even slaying as horror villains themselves. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by Mark Harris, the co-author of The Black Guy Dies First: Black Horror Cinema from Fodder to Oscar, to talk about the evolution of Black horror.

Guest: Mark Harris, writer and co-author of The Black Guy Dies First

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

You can skip all the ads in A Word by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/awordplus for just $1 for your first month.

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ICYMI: The Internet Hates Hogwarts Legacy

Sat, 04 Mar 2023 10:00:00 -0000

On today’s episode, Rachelle Hampton is joined by Gita Jackson to talk about a video game that has stirred up anger across the internet, Hogwarts Legacy. They discuss the controversy surrounding it, how the game reveals so many holes in JK Rowling’s world building, and why it’s not even fun to play.

Instead of playing Hogwarts Legacy, Gita’s got some recommendations.

Books:

Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer

Vita Nostra, by Maryna and Serhiy Dyachenko

Magic for Liars, by Sarah Gailey

Games:

Persona 5

Tokimeki Memorial Girl’s Side

Magical Diary

Life Is Strange

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Elden Ring

This podcast is produced by Daniel Schroeder, Rachelle Hampton, and Daisy Rosario.

Subscribe to Slate Plus at http://slate.com/icymiplus

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The Waves: It’s OK to Hate Your Spouse (Sometimes)

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 08:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate senior editor Shannon Palus talks with Heather Havrilesky about the divine tedium of marriage. They discuss Heather’s book, Foreverland and the explosive response the book initially got (especially when Heather called her husband “a heap of laundry”). Later in the show, they dig into what to do when your husband is truly being a little bit of a patriarchal jerk.

In Slate Plus, a behind the scenes look at what goes into writing the Ask Polly column.

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth and Tori Dominguez with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com.

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How To!: 4000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 08:00:00 -0000

Joey is a young creative living in Australia who can’t decide which hat to wear. Should it be songwriting, skateboarding, acting, or should he focus more on his day job as a retail clerk? Fitting everything in during the week seems impossible and he feels guilty when he can’t cross everything off his checklist. On this episode of How To!, co-host Amanda Ripley brings in journalist Oliver Burkeman, the author of 4000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. He explains how he too once wanted to do it all, but eventually realized that it’s just not feasible. As Joey learns, letting go of some things and focusing on what really matters can actually lead to the ‘joy of missing out.’

If you liked this episode, check out: “How To Never Miss a Deadline”

Do you wonder how best to use your time? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus to help support our work.

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Working: A Hollywood Actor Learns to Write Novels

Sun, 19 Feb 2023 08:00:00 -0000

This week, host Karen Han talks to actor, director, and writer Tim Blake Nelson, who just came out with his first novel, City of Blows. In the interview, Tim explains why he decided to reference real life events–like the #MeToo movement and COVID–in a fictional story about Hollywood. He also talks about the challenges of writing fictional prose and offers some useful wisdom about writing in general.

After the interview, Karen and co-host June Thomas discuss the best ways to juggle multiple projects at once.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Tim shares his rejected idea for the cover image of City of Blows.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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Political Gabfest Reads: A Boarding School Thriller, But Make It Feminist

Sat, 18 Feb 2023 20:00:00 -0000

Emily Bazelon talks with author Rebecca Makkai about her new book, I Have Some Questions For You. They discuss why it’s so easy to suspend disbelief with this type of story, the “cancelled” subplot, and whether we’d be better off without Twitter.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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A Word: Lights, Camera, Diversity in Action

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 08:00:00 -0000

Awards season can be a frustrating moment for Black writers in Hollywood, when even their most successful shows and films are frequently overlooked. Rodney Barnes has built a thriving career by telling stories of Black life, from “Everybody Hates Chris,” to “The Boondocks,” to “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.” On today’s episode of A Word, he joins Jason Johnson to discuss the challenges and rewards of his rise as a screenwriter and producer. His latest work is a graphic novel, “Blacula: Return of the King.”

Guest: Screenwriter Rodney Barnes

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

You can skip all the ads in A Word by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/awordplus for just $1 for your first month.

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The Waves: Wolfish and the Inherent Fear in Being a Woman

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 08:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate senior producer Cheyna Roth talks all about fear with author Erica Berry. They discuss trying to navigate alone in the world as a woman, how one fairy tale tells you everything you need to know about women and fear, and Erica’s new book, Wolfish: Wolf, Self, and the Stories We Tell About Fear.

In Slate Plus, Cheyna and Erica talk about how one wolf, OR-7, stole hearts across the nation.

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery. With additional help from Tori Dominguez.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com.

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A Word: Surviving “Driving While Black”

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 08:00:00 -0000

For many Americans, the “Green Book” is an Oscar-winning film. But for generations of Black Americans, it served as a literal map for traveling through an often hostile and hateful country, finding safety and businesses that would serve us. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by writer and financial educator Alvin Hall. He’s the author of Driving the Green Book: A Road Trip Through the Living History of Black Resistance. Hall explains how the original Green Book began, discusses its evolution, and why he’s dedicated years to studying and sharing stories of its impact.

Guest: Alvin Hall, author of Driving the Green Book: A Road Trip Through the Living History of Black Resistance

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

You can skip all the ads in A Word by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/awordplus for just $1 for your first month.

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Working: The Bold Strategy That Drives One of 2023's Best Novels

Sun, 05 Feb 2023 08:00:00 -0000

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to V.V. Ganeshananthan, author of the book Brotherless Night, which takes place during the Sri Lankan Civil War and was recently featured on the cover of the New York Times Book Review. In the interview, Ganeshananthan discusses her experience in journalism school and explains how it laid the foundation for her fiction writing. Then she talks about the unique POV of Brotherless Night, the book’s multi-decade writing process, and the careful research that allowed her to depict the Sri Lankan Civil War.

After the interview, Isaac and co-host June Thomas talk about lessons learned in graduate school. Then they explain why you should dare yourself to take creative risks.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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Slate Money: Chip War

Sat, 28 Jan 2023 10:00:00 -0000

This week, Chris Miller joins Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers to discuss his new book, Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology. They discuss the crucial role of microchips, the global dynamics of microchip design and manufacturing, and how chips factor into US-China relations.

In the Plus segment: Moore’s Law.

Podcast production by Anna Phillips.

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The Waves: How a Man Writes Women Protagonists

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 08:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate senior producer Cheyna Roth is joined by author and Slate editor Dan Kois to talk about men writing women. Dan’s new book, Vintage Contemporaries, is the coming of age story of Em and the two women who had a meaningful impact on her life. Dan and Cheyna talk about how Dan wrote true to life female characters without falling into the #menwritewomen trap, why he told a story with female characters, and how to navigate the tricky world of writing characters of the opposite sex.

In Slate Plus, how the HarperCollins strike is impacting women.

You can find the HarperCollins Bookshop link here.

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com.

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Working: Learning From the Letters of Two Great Artists

Sun, 22 Jan 2023 08:00:00 -0000

This week, host June Thomas talks to poet Chip Livingston, who recently compiled a collection of letters titled, Love, Loosha: The Letters of Lucia Berlin and Kenward Elmslie. It documents the friendship between the writer Lucia Berlin, who is now well-regarded for her short stories but was underappreciated during her lifetime, and the poet and librettist Kenward Elmslie. In the interview, Chip shares how he put the collection together and talks about his personal relationships with both Berlin and Elmslie. He also explains how the book can serve as a useful depiction of what it’s like to live as an artist.

After the interview, June and co-host Isaac Butler talk more about what we can learn from the letters of great writers. They also discuss overly confessional writing and how to determine the audience for your work.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Chip talks about how his love of poetry blossomed in part thanks to his friendship with Kenward Elmslie.

Do you have a question about creative work? Call us and leave a message at (304) 933-9675 or email us at working@slate.com.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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Slate Money: It’s Not TV

Sat, 21 Jan 2023 10:00:00 -0000

This week, Felix Gillette joins Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers to talk about his new book It's Not TV: The Spectacular Rise, Revolution, and Future of HBO and discuss the state of streaming, the relationship between sports and advertisers, and the decline of the movie theater industry.

In the Plus segment: YouTube.

Podcast production by Jessamine Molli.

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Political Gabfest Reads: Two Horrifying Days in D.C.

Sat, 21 Jan 2023 08:00:00 -0000

David Plotz talks with author Shahan Mufti about his new book, American Caliph: The True Story of a Muslim Mystic, a Hollywood Epic, and the 1977 Siege of Washington, DC. They discuss an Islamic group’s multi-location attack in D.C., the terror that hostages experienced while held captive for the two days, and the movie that started the whole thing.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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A Word: Haiti: Fear of a Black Republic

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 08:00:00 -0000

Headlines suggest that Haiti could be on the verge of collapse, with gangs controlling its streets, the economy at a standstill, and political leaders fearing for their lives. But while international observers decry it as a “failed nation,” Haiti’s path to success has been consistently blocked since its successful slave rebelion in 1804. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by Professor Leslie Alexander, author “Fear of a Black Republic: Haiti and the Birth of Black Internationalism in the United States.“

Guest: Historian Leslie Alexander, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor of History at Rutgers University

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

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Working: Recipe Design With Convenience in Mind

Sun, 15 Jan 2023 08:00:00 -0000

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Ali Slagle, a recipe developer for the New York Times cooking section and author of the book I Dream of Dinner (so You Don't Have To). In the interview, Ali shares where her ideas for recipes come from and her trial-and-error process for getting them just right. She also talks about her commitment to convenience and explains what it was like to develop recipes for her book that require only a handful of ingredients and take 45 minutes or less to prepare.

After the interview, Isaac and co-host Karen Han talk more about recipe development and discuss what it’s like to have too many options in front of you when you’re working on a creative project.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Ali offers a glimpse into the world of food styling.

Do you have a question about creative work? Call us and leave a message at (304) 933-9675 or email us at working@slate.com.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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How To!: A Savage Order: How the World's Deadliest Countries Can Forge a Path to Security

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 08:00:00 -0000

It’s been two years since the January 6th riot at the US Capitol in Washington DC. Over 900 people have been criminally charged, but political violence continues to be a threat. Well, here at How To!, we are not content to just marinate in fear and blame so we’re dedicating two episodes to see how we can prevent more tragedies like January 6. In our first episode, we bring on Dr. Rachel Kleinfeld, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace where she focuses on the intersection of democracy and security. She explains how the US has gotten to this point, how we should productively grapple with January 6, and why we’re not as close to the brink of civil war as it may seem. Next week, we’ll hear from Curtis Toler, a former Chicago gang member who is now a violence interrupter.

If you liked this episode, check out: “How To Get Things Done in a Divided Nation with Samantha Power.”

Do you have a question without an answer? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Podcast production by Derek John, Rosemary Belson, and Kevin Bendis.

Want a behind-the-scenes look at how we create the show? Check out Slate's Pocket Collections for research and reading lists, as well as additional insights into how we think about the stories behind the episodes.

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The Waves: The Myths About Fat People

Thu, 05 Jan 2023 08:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate science and health editor Shannon Palus is joined by author and co-host of Maintenance Phase, Aubrey Gordon. Shannon and Aubrey discuss Aubrey’s new book, “You Just Need to Lose Weight” and 19 Other Myths About Fat People, the fraught nature of “body positivity” and the insidious goalpost moving of the Dove “Love Your Body” campaign.

In Slate Plus, Aubrey and Shannon discuss the new weight-loss fad, Ozempic.

Further Reading Recommendations From Aubrey:

Hunger by Roxane Gay

Belly of the Beast by Da’shaun L. Harrison

The Body Is Not An Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor

Fearing the Black Body by Sabrina Strings

Julie Murphy’s fiction novels like Dumplin’

Check out Shannon’s new Slate Column: Good Fit

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.

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Amicus: Why are We Still Obsessed with Roe v Wade?

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 08:00:00 -0000

For some, 2022 was the year Roe v Wade was overturned. For millions more, abortions rights had been functionally inaccessible for decades. Beyond shaky precedent, Roe was a vessel into which America threw all sorts of hopes, beliefs and fears. But how did this legal decision become a symbol of so much? On this week’s show, host Dahlia Lithwick is joined by abortion law expert Mary Ziegler, who’s new book, Roe: The History of a National Obsession, tries to find the roots of Roe’s incessant pull, and to unpack the meaning from the meta.

In this week’s Amicus Plus segment - the worst of jurisprudence 2022. In a year marked by quite a few legal gut punches, Dahlia is joined by Mark Joseph Stern to run through the most bonkers rulings from the most out-of-control federal judges. They also find a path to hope for justice in 2023.

Want a behind-the-scenes look at how we create the show? Check out Slate's Pocket Collections for research and reading lists, as well as additional insights into how we think about the stories behind the episodes.

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Working: Revisiting Two Great Books From 2022

Sun, 25 Dec 2022 08:00:00 -0000

This week, we revisit two of our favorite interviews from 2022. In the first one, Isaac Butler discusses his book The Method: How the 20th Century Learned to Act. After that, Karen Han reveals the process behind her book Bong Joon Ho: Dissident Cinema.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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How To!: Forgiveness: An Exploration

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 08:00:00 -0000

TJ has spent years trying to heal herself and put her childhood behind her. Both of her parents struggled with addiction, which made for a very complicated, unstable upbringing. After sacrificing her own childhood to raise her siblings—TJ feels deeply wounded by her mother in particular. She really wants to let it go. The only question is how. On this episode of How To!, we bring on journalist Marina Cantacuzino. Marina is the founder of The Forgiveness Project, a charity that shares stories of victims, survivors, and perpetrators of “crime and conflict who have rebuilt their lives following hurt and trauma.” She’s also the author of a new book called Forgiveness: An Exploration. Marina shares some powerful stories about others who have opened their hearts to forgiveness—even if it took awhile—and began to free themselves from resentment.

If you liked this episode, check out: “How To Forgive the Unforgivable.”

Do you have a question without an answer? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus to help support our work.

Sponsored by Saks.com. Check out the Holiday Gift Guide on saks.com

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What Next TBD: Are You Ready For Lab-Grown Meat?

Sun, 18 Dec 2022 08:00:00 -0000

The Food and Drug Administration gave an important thumbs up to lab-grown chicken, which means we could start seeing it in stores as soon as next year. While billions of dollars have been spent developing lab-grown meat, important questions remain: Is the production of it actually greener than raising livestock? Can it be made affordably? Is it healthy? And will anyone eat it?

Guest: Chloe Sorvino, staff writer on food and agriculture at Forbes, and the author of Raw Deal: Hidden Corruption, Corporate Greed and the Fight for the Future of Meat.

Host: Lizzie O’Leary

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Political Gabfest Reads: Everything You Need to Know About Choosing a President

Sat, 17 Dec 2022 08:00:00 -0000

John Dickerson talks with author Gautam Mukunda about his new book Picking Presidents: How to Make the Most Consequential Decision in the World. They talk about how Mukunda’s first book, Indispensable: When Leaders Really Matter laid the groundwork for Picking Presidents. Later, Dickerson and Mukunda dig into why ‘intellectual brilliance’ – which goes beyond IQ - is a strong predictor of presidential performance and how the human portion of the job of president is changing.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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Working Overtime: Write a Bad Novel!

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 08:00:00 -0000

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, host June Thomas and co-host Isaac Butler speak to Slate contributor and author of Praying with Jane Eyre, Vanessa Zoltan, about jumping into the month-long writing exercise called NaNoWriMo. NaNoWriMo or National Novel Writing Month, is when a writer commits to writing a 50,000 word novel in the span of the month of November. As Vanessa explains, this can be an exercise in creative freedom that does away with the typical structure and hang-ups that come with producing “good writing.”

Do you have a question about creative work? Call us and leave a message at (304) 933-9675 or email us at working@slate.com.

Podcast production by Kevin Bendis and Cameron Drews.

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Working: The Myth of Journalistic Objectivity

Sun, 11 Dec 2022 08:00:00 -0000

This week, Isaac talks to journalist Steven Thrasher, author of The Viral Underclass: The Human Toll When Inequality and Disease Collide. In the interview, Steven discusses the origins of the book, his decision to include himself in the narrative, and his distaste for the idea of journalistic objectivity. He also shares some tips about outlining and interviewing.

After the interview, Isaac and co-host June Thomas talk about how to cite sources without disrupting the flow of nonfiction writing. Then June and Working co-host Karen Han discuss the creative challenge of gift-giving.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Steven discusses his career journey.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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The Waves: The World Record Book of Racist Stories

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 08:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate senior supervising producer of audio Daisy Rosario is joined by sisters and authors Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar. Amber and Lacey just released their second book, The World Record Book of Racist Stories, a collection of humorous and sometimes heartbreaking essays about the racism they and the people they know experience every day. Daisy, Amber and Lacey talk about needing to write a second book (because they didn’t fit all the stories in the first book), the importance of family in surviving micro and macro aggressions, and why humor is the only way to get through the pain.

In Slate Plus, Daisy, Amber and Lacey talk about why Omaha actually is a great place to live.

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com

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How To!: The Art of Gathering

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 07:00:00 -0000

‘Tis the season of gathering with friends and family. It’s also a time where some of us yearn for a closer community, like this week’s listener. Morgan is looking for a way to hang out with friends in a consistent, meaningful manner. On this episode of How To!, Priya Parker, author of The Art of Gathering, explains how to transform a lackluster hang-out where people just sit around drinking beer into a party with a purpose where guests want to come back. She tells us how to create an event that meets a need with the right rules and the right guest list. She even has tips for sprucing up your next holiday party.

If you liked this episode, check out: “How To Cook One Perfect Meal.”

Podcast production by Derek John, Rosemary Belson, and Kevin Bendis.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus to help support our work.

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Working: Understanding Bong Joon Ho’s Brilliance

Sun, 04 Dec 2022 08:00:00 -0000

This week, host Karen Han takes a turn in the guest chair and talks to host Isaac Butler about her new book Bong Joon Ho: Dissident Cinema, which is a critical analysis of the work of Korean director Bong Joon Ho. In the interview, Karen tells the story of how she began writing about culture in the first place and then how she was selected to write a book about one of the world’s greatest directors. She also talks about the structure of the book, the artwork that accompanies it, and how she made the tough decision to quit her day job to work on the book full-time.

After the interview, Isaac and co-host June Thomas discuss big career changes, meeting people on Twitter, and the best ways to cultivate curiosity.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Karen tells a funny story that she came across while researching Bong Joon Ho.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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The Waves: Fleishman Is In Trouble

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 08:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate Money host Emily Peck is joined by journalist and author Taffy Brodesser-Akner to talk about Taffy’s new show, Fleishman is in Trouble, based on her bestselling novel. They dig into why men’s magazines are more freeing to write for, how ambition can mess up a marriage, and how midlife crises and divorce are different experiences for women.

In Slate Plus, Emily and Taffy talk about Toby’s eating disorder, how empathy can make people mad, and more.

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com

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How To!: Quit: The Power Of Knowing When to Walk Away

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 08:00:00 -0000

Victor’s job—at its core—is to change the world. But he feels like he’s plateaued within his large humanitarian and development organization, and is now on the verge of jumping ship. On this episode of How To!, Annie Duke, author of Quit: The Power Of Knowing When to Walk Away, helps Victor decide if he should recommit to his current job or move on to something else. She explains the cognitive biases that prevent us from quitting and reveals why most of us quit things far too late.

If you liked this episode, check out: “How To Uproot Your Life.”

Do you have a question without an answer? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus to help support our work.

Thanks Avast.com! Learn more about Avast One at Avast.com

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Slate Money: Fleishman is in Trouble

Sat, 26 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0000

This week, Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers are joined by New York Times Magazine writer and Fleishman is in Trouble author Taffy Brodesser-Akner to talk about wealth, class and the media industry, specifically through the lens of the Fleishman is in Trouble book and new limited TV series.

In the Plus segment: what is everyone thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Podcast production by Anna Phillips.

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How To Write a Bestseller with Taffy Brodesser-Akner

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 08:00:00 -0000

Lauren already knows the plot of her bestselling novel—the problem is she hasn’t written a word. Paralyzed by self-criticism and an earlier rejection, this former English major has spent years journaling instead of attempting the scary, difficult work of creative writing. On this episode of How To!, we turn to writer Taffy Brodesser-Akner, whose debut novel Fleishman Is in Trouble, was one of the hottest books of the year. Can she help Lauren finally put pen to paper? The first thing Lauren needs to do, Taffy says, is stop journaling, and start writing. And then keep writing: “You can't get to the good sentences if you don't write the bad ones first.” Next, find a trusted reader, not a cheerleader, to give you honest feedback. And when doubt begins to creep in again, look at the writers you admire and simply ask, “Why them and not me?”

Do you have a problem that needs a solution? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show.

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Political Gabfest Reads: G-Man

Sat, 19 Nov 2022 08:00:00 -0000

Emily Bazelon talks with author Beverly Gage about her new book, G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century, a detailed account of the life of the first FBI Director, J. Edgar Hoover. They discuss Hoover’s hostile relationship with Martin Luther King Jr., why he should have quit at the end of the 1950s, and how Hoover’s childhood shaped his reign [MOU1] as director.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth

[MOU1]“tenure”? Maybe I’m overthinking this.

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The Waves: Ejaculate Responsibly

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 08:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate senior producer Cheyna Roth is joined by author Gabrielle Blair. Blair’s new book Ejaculate Responsibly presents the radical idea that men should take control of the fertility conversation by better managing their sperm. After all, they're fertile 24-hours a day compared to women’s 24-hours a month. Cheyna and Gabrielle also talk about the problem with not prioritizing women’s pain, Gabrielle’s history as a “Design Mom” and how even Mormons seem to agree with Gabrielle’s book.

In Slate Plus: How the pope got involved in your birth control.

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com

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ICYMI: How Sex Changed the Internet

Sat, 12 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0000

On today’s episode Rachelle interviews Vice senior editor Samantha Cole about her forthcoming book How Sex Changed the Internet. The two talk about the role of sex in internet technology like videoconferencing, affiliate links and online credit card transactions. Cole also explains how lifecaster Jennifer Ringley is a predecessor to modern vloggers and livestreamers.

This podcast is produced by Kevin Bendis, Daniel Schroeder, Daisy Rosario and Rachelle Hampton.

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The Waves: Inside Voice

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 08:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate senior supervising producer of audio, Daisy Rosario is joined by actress and director Lake Bell to talk about voices. Bell’s new audio book Inside Voice is all about her obsession with how people sound. They dig into why we should take better care of our voices, how trauma impacts our ability to speak, why candidate voices impact their electability, and more.

In Slate Plus, Lake and Daisy talk about the problem with the sexy baby voice.

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.

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Mom & Dad: Platonic

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 08:00:00 -0000

On this episode: Part one of ‘Friendship Week!’ Zak talks with Dr. Marisa Franco on her book Platonic: How the Science Of Attachment Can Help You Make—and Keep—Friends. She explains why we’re in a friendship crisis and what we can do about it. They also talk about sharing shame and the importance of durable friendships.

Recommendations:

Elizabeth recommends going to a great bookstore.

Zak recommends Petite Maman by Celine Sciamma

Jamilah recommends Girls5eva

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Mom and Dad are Fighting. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to help support our work.

Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes.

Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson and Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola.

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Working: A Poet Demystifies Her Process

Sun, 06 Nov 2022 08:00:00 -0000

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to poet J. Hope Stein, whose latest collection Little Astronaut traces Stein’s journey from pregnancy to motherhood. In the interview, Stein discusses all the creative components that go into her work, from structural elements like line-breaks and word-choice to the decision to share deeply personal details in her poetry.

After the interview, Isaac and co-host Karen Han discuss the benefits of reading their work out loud. They also talk about the important creative decisions that go into book layouts.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Stein talks about her growing interest in children’s literature. She also offers recommendations to listeners who might be “poetry-curious.”

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

Thanks Avast.com! Learn more about Avast One at Avast.com

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What Next TBD: Big Brother, Big Tech and China

Sun, 30 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0000

There are some 400 million surveillance cameras installed in China, one for every three to four civilians. Built with the help of American tech companies, the surveillance state was pitched to the public as a way to make society safer and more efficient. But after severe lockdowns during COVID, the public has been objecting out of the eye of the camera lens. Protests are being written on bathroom walls.

Guest: Josh Chin, deputy bureau chief, China, for the Wall Street Journal

Host: Lizzie O’Leary

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A Word: Jim Crow’s Killers

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0000

For every civil rights martyr like Emmett Till, there were many other Black Americans who were brutalized or killed by racist violence in the early 20th century and remain largely unknown. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by Professor Margaret Burnham, author of By Hands Now Known: Jim Crow’s Legal Executioners. This new book unravels many of the lesser known stories of racist violence, the perpetrators, victims, and survivors. It’s also offering descendants of victims a platform, and an opportunity to fill in the blanks of their family history.

Guest: Professor Margaret Burnham, author of By Hands Now Known: Jim Crow’s Legal Executioners

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

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How To!: I Never Thought Of It That Way: How To Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0000

Jenn and Todd Brandel have a close, loving relationship with their father, Bruce. But one thing makes their blood boil: his political chain emails. The messages are often forwarded commentary written in a provocative tone, and are an unwelcome reminder of just how far apart the family is politically. On this episode of How To!, we’re joined by Mónica Guzmán, senior fellow for public practice at Braver Angels and author of I Never Thought Of It That Way: How To Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times. In the first of a special two-part episode on talking politics with our parents, Mónica teaches Jenn and Todd how to aim for understanding with their dad, not agreement. Next week, Jenn, Todd, and their dad Bruce will put these tips into practice—on mic—around the kitchen table, as Mónica provides post-game analysis. We’ll dive into what worked, what got a little messy, and how to keep making progress.

If you liked this episode, check out: “How To Embrace Your Anti-Vax Family This Holiday Season” and “How To Talk Politics Without Wrecking Relationships.”

Do you have a question without an answer? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus to help support our work.

Thanks Avast.com! Learn more about Avast One at Avast.com

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Slate Money: Meet Me by the Fountain

Sat, 22 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0000

This week, Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers are joined by design critic Alexandra Lange to talk about her book Meet Me by the Fountain: An Inside History of the Mall on the evolution of shopping malls in America.

In the Plus segment: How online shopping has affected malls.

Podcast production by Jessamine Molli.

Thanks Avast.com! Learn more about Avast One at Avast.com

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on Slate Money. Sign up now at slate.com/moneyplus to help support our work.

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Gabfest Reads: Tracy Flick Returns

Sat, 22 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0000

David Plotz talks with with author Tom Perrotta about why Tracy Flick doesn’t have the life she dreamed of in his new novel, Tracy Flick Can’t Win. A sequel to Perrotta’s 1998 novel Election, Tracy Flick Can’t Win meets up with Tracy Flick decades later where she’s a single mother and assistant principal of a New Jersey high school.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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The Waves: Why You Hate Women’s Voices

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate senior supervising producer of audio Daisy Rosario is joined by author Elissa Bassist to talk about women’s voices. They discuss Elissa’s new book, Hysterical and unpack why we cringe when we hear vocal fry, and ask why we don’t have similar words to describe male vocal ticks. Later in the show, they dig into how the fear of scrutiny women have over their voices silences them in ways you haven’t imagined.

In Slate Plus, Elissa talks about her involvement in Cheryl Strayed’s famous quote, “Write like a motherfucker.”

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Shannon Palus, Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.

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How To!: Scream: Chilling Adventures in the Science of Fear

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0000

Becca is 6-feet tall, bold and strong-willed. She’s also easily startled and paralyzed by fear — even a children’s haunted house can reduce her to tears. In this episode of How To!, we bring in sociologist Margee Kerr, author of Scream: Chilling Adventures in the Science of Fear, to give us the lowdown on surviving scary situations. Can making fear more fun help Becca overcome her startle reflex in time for Halloween?

Do you have a problem that needs solving? Have you found the advice on our podcast helpful? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus to help support our work.

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A Word: How Tech Can Help—or Harm—Racial Justice

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0000

From Ferguson to Minneapolis, protests against racist policing have been catalyzed by videos of the brutality being spread on social media. On today’s A Word, Jason Johnson sits down with Dr. Ruha Benjamin to talk about her book, Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want, and where social sciences and technology intersect.

Guest: Ruha Benjamin

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The Waves: Why the Law Cares About Your Sex

Thu, 13 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate homepage editor Sol Werthan sits down with trans rights activist and author, Paisley Currah. They discuss Paisley’s new book, Sex Is As Sex Does and discuss why “male” and “female” are used as a legal and social classifier. And why, even for cis people who identify with the gender binary, that might not be the right way to go.

In Slate Plus, Sol and Paisley talk about the politicization of trans kids.

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Shannon Palus, Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.

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How To!: Light on the Other Side Of Divorce

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0000

After three decades of marriage, Bernadette wasn’t exactly blindsided when Rodney asked for a divorce. Things had been rocky for awhile, but she always assumed they’d live the rest of their lives “unhappily ever after.” Now Bernadette is facing an uncertain future, wondering how she’s going to navigate her new life socially, emotionally, and financially. On this episode of How To!, we bring on Dr. Elizabeth Cohen, author of Light on the Other Side Of Divorce: Discovering the New You, and host of the podcast The Divorce Doctor. She helps Bernadette formulate a plan for keeping things civil, and handling everything from personal finances to awkward inquiries from well-meaning friends.

If you liked this episode, check out: “How To Save Your Marriage,” “How To Have a Fight That Actually Helps Your Relationship,” and “How To Reconnect With Your Kid After a Nasty Divorce.”

Do you have a question without an answer? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus to help support our work.

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Mom & Dad: Behind Their Screens

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0000

On this episode: Carrie James and Emily Weinstein, principal investigators at Harvard’s Project Zero, join to discuss their book, Behind Their Screens: What Teens Are Facing (and Adults Are Missing). They’ve been researching teens and screens for over a decade and not only did they collect insights from 3,500 teens, they worked “side-by-side with teens every step of the way.” They learned that teens still want adults’ help with navigating tech and social media—they just need the conversations and support to be a lot more nuanced.

Recommendations:

Jamilah recommends This Is Major: Notes on Diana Ross, Dark Girls, and Being Dope by Shayla Lawson.

Zak recommends Björk: Mother, Daughter, Force of Nature by Jazz Monroe

Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes.

Podcast produced by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola and Rosemary Belson.

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Working: Author Annie Duke Explains How to Get Better at Quitting

Sun, 02 Oct 2022 08:00:00 -0000

This week, host June Thomas talks to Annie Duke, an author and former professional poker player whose latest book is Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away. In the interview, Annie explains why she’s trying to rehabilitate the word “quit.” She also uses examples to illustrate why quitting is sometimes the best option and why people often stick to projects and jobs that aren’t working.

After the interview, June and co-host Isaac Butler discuss their own experiences with quitting and saying “no” to things.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Annie talks about balancing individual goals with the goals of your community. She also gives some possible explanations for why there aren’t more women in professional poker.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

Check out Remote Works here: https://link.chtbl.com/remoteworks?sid=podcast.WORKING

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What Next TBD: The Philosopher With Silicon Valley's Ear

Sun, 02 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0000

Longtermism, the idea that positively influencing the future is a key moral priority of our time, is hot in Silicon Valley. But does it miss the bigger picture?

Guests: William MacAskill, Robert Wright

Host: Lizzie O'Leary

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How To!: Don't Bring Home a White Boy: And Other Notions that Keep Black Women From Dating Out

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0000

When Dana and Luke first started dating at the office they kept their relationship a secret. Most of their colleagues didn’t know they were a couple until they got engaged. They didn’t want any undue pressure or outside judgment. That’s because Dana is a proud Black, Ghanaian woman from central Florida and Luke is a white man from Kansas. Dana’s wondering how she can preserve her identity while they absorb each others’ family traditions. On this episode of How To!, guest host Hélène Biandudi Hofer brings on Karyn Langhorne Folan, author of Don't Bring Home a White Boy: And Other Notions that Keep Black Women From Dating Out. All three discuss the struggles and joys in their respective interracial marriages.

If you want to learn more about Dana’s work, check out AfroLA.

If you liked this episode, check out: “How To Beat Your Hidden Biases.”

Do you have a question without an answer? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus to help support our work.

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Mom & Dad: How to Keep House While Drowning

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0000

On this episode: Elizabeth and Jamilah are joined by KC Davis. KC is author of the book How To Keep House While Drowning, host of the podcast Struggle Care, and is well known for her TikTok content. KC shares how to divorce yourself from any shame and pressure you feel about the state of your house. She breaks down the differences between tidy, organized, and clean. Finally, she explains how to make chores not just equal but equitable.

Recommendations:

Jamilah recommends The Woman King

KC recommends Maintenance Phase

Elizabeth recommends Science Comics

Bonus recommendation: You Don’t Have to Fold Your Laundry by Rebecca Onion.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Mom and Dad are Fighting. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to help support our work.

Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes.

Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson and Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola.

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Amicus: Listen to Lady Justice

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0000

Dahlia Lithwick’s new book Lady Justice: Women, the Law and the Battle to Save America, tells the story of the women lawyers who stood up to Trump and stood up for those unseen and unrepresented by a brutal presidency, and the stories of the women who will fight on in the wake of life-altering decisions from a radicalized Supreme Court.

Lady Justice is also available as an audiobook, and Amicus listeners can get a 25% discount by entering the code “AMICUS” at checkout. https://books.supportingcast.fm/lady-justice

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Amicus: The Sound of Worms Turning

Sat, 24 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0000

Dahlia Lithwick is joined by Mark Joseph Stern for a romp through the jurisprudential headlines. It’s been a week. Highlights include: Donald Trump’s legal woes in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents investigation, and at the hands of New York Attorney General Letitia James’ civil suit.

Then, we’re live at Politics and Prose in Washington DC, with a conversation between Dahlia Lithwick and Professor Michele Goodwin about women, the law and the rule of law. They discuss Dahlia’s new book Lady Justice: Women, the Law and the Battle to Save America, the day Dahlia decided to stop covering the Supreme Court from the inside, what the law can do for justice, and what it can’t.

Lady Justice is also available as an audiobook, and Amicus listeners can get a 25% discount by entering the code “AMICUS” at checkout. :https://books.supportingcast.fm/lady-justice

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Amicus. Sign up now at slate.com/amicusplus to help support our work.

In this week’s Amicus Plus segment, Dahlia and Slate’s Mark Joseph Stern also delve into retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer’s comments about Dobbs and the court’s legitimacy, and the death penalty decision that came down Thursday and what it tells us about Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s jurisprudence.

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How To!: The Price You Pay for College

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0000

College application season is approaching fast—too fast—for 16-yr old Maya and her mother, Melissa. The problem? Maya has no idea where to go or what to study. It doesn’t help that there are thousands of schools to choose from, and little transparency about their true cost. On this episode of How To!, we bring on Ron Lieber, New York Times money columnist and author of The Price You Pay for College. He shows Maya how to narrow down the list of potential colleges by asking insightful questions of the schools and, ultimately, yourself. Then he talks to Melissa about how to pay for it without harming the rest of the family’s finances.

Ron’s questions for parents:

What do you remember your parent or parents saying to you the first time they talked about what college would cost and what, if anything, they would pay?
Or if there was silence around the topic of paying for college, what did it speak?
How much was your parent or your parents willing to pay for your education? How did you feel about that?
If your parents paid your way, is it possible that you should not feel obligated to do the same, given how much the world has changed?
And if your parents paid nothing, have you asked yourself whether 15 years of extreme thrift starting now (or going deep into debt 15 years from now to pay for your child’s first-choice college) may not erase whatever pain lingers from that period long ago -- or may create new conflict with your spouse and kids?
How much might you be willing to borrow -- or delay repayment of your own student loans?
How long are you willing to delay retirement to meet this goal?

If you liked this episode, check out: “How To Raise a Future College Athlete.”

Podcast production by Derek John, Rosemary Belson, and Kevin Bendis.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus to help support our work.

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Gabfest Reads: Searching for a Happy Ending

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 16:11:08 -0000

John Dickerson talks with author Ada Calhoun about her new memoir, Also a Poet: Frank O’Hara, My Father, and Me. What started as Calhoun’s attempt to finish the biography of Frank O’Hara that her father started, turned into a gripping story of Calhoun’s relationship with her father. Calhoun and Dickerson talk about not pulling punches when it comes to how nice family members are, why you can’t pre-plan a happy ending, and what her father thought of the book.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth

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Amicus: Lady Justice and Charlottesville Nazis

Sat, 17 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0000

Dahlia Lithwick is joined by Roberta Kaplan, who along with co-counsel Karen Dunn brought a successful civil suit against twenty-four neo-Nazi and white supremacist leaders responsible for organizing the racial- and religious-based violence in Charlottesville in August 2017. They discuss how the KKK Act of 1871 applied to discord channels and now January 6th defendants. And they explore the complicated relationship women find themselves in with the law in this moment, as defenders of rights but also as constitutional afterthoughts. Dahlia Lithwick’s new book is Lady Justice: Women, the Law and the Battle to Save America.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Amicus. Sign up now at slate.com/amicusplus to help support our work.

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How To!: The Upside of Uncertainty

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0000

When Trish first started working in corporate recruiting, she had wonderful co-workers, a supportive manager, opportunities for growth—it was “bliss.” But the bliss evaporated in 2020 when she got laid off during the pandemic. She’s since found a different job in the same field, but also decided to try her hand at teaching pilates part-time. Now, after burning the candle at both ends, Trish is burned out and unsure of the best path forward. On this episode of How To!, we bring on Nathan and Susannah Furr, authors of The Upside of Uncertainty. They have some useful tools to help Trish—and all of us—find our footing in uncertain times.

If you liked this episode, check out: “How To Bounce Back From Burnout” and “How To Advance Your Career by Quitting Your Job.”

Do you have a question without an answer? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus to help support our work.

Thanks Avast.com!

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Working: Reporter Casey Parks on the Book She Needed to Write

Sun, 11 Sep 2022 13:00:00 -0000

This week, host June Thomas talks to reporter Casey Parks, whose new memoir Diary of a Misfit was more than a decade in the making. In the interview, Casey explains how the book started as a documentary project that focused on a person from her hometown. Then she discusses the gradual evolution of the project and her decision to make it more personal.

After the interview, June and co-host Karen Han talk about Casey’s “need” to write the book and whether they’ve ever felt that same pull.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Casey shares what it was like to narrate the audiobook version of the memoir. She also lists some books and other works that served as inspiration for Diary of a Misfit.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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What Next TBD: The Chaos That Made YouTube a Juggernaut

Sun, 11 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0000

An inside look at the rise of YouTube into a social media behemoth.

Guests: Mark Bergen and Claire Stapleton

Host: Lizzie O'Leary

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The Waves: The Undying Appeal of Very Sexy Trash

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, erotic thrillers are making a comeback and The Waves is ready to dig into it. Freelance podcaster and writer, Nichole Perkins is joined by Slate features editor Jeffrey Bloomer to talk about why they love these movies, while also acknowledging the many flaws they contain. Then, Nichole and Jeffrey talk about what they want to see change and evolve as we enter into a new era of erotic thrillers.

In Slate Plus, is taking your partner’s last name feminist?

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Shannon Palus, Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com

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A Word: A Dream Defaulted: Black College Debt

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0000

While political conservatives slammed it as wasteful, President Biden’s student debt plan was greeted with relief by many borrowers. But questions remain about whether it goes far enough to help most of the Black students burdened by student loans. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson discusses the issue with Professor Fenaba Addo, co-author of A Dream Defaulted: The Student Loan Crisis Among Black Borrowers.

Guest: UNC Professor Fenaba Addo, co-author of A Dream Defaulted: The Student Loan Crisis Among Black Borrowers

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

You can skip all the ads in A Word by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/awordplus for just $1 for your first month.

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What Next, Best Of 2022 | When Your Book Gets Banned By the School Board

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 07:00:00 -0000

Banning books in schools is on the rise. Around the country, parents are lobbying to banish from libraries and curriculums any work they deem to be “graphic” or “offensive,” often sweeping up books centered on queer or POC experiences in the process. Some authors say that’s no coincidence - nor is it surprising that this is happening just as the publishing industry is remaking itself to tell more diverse stories. The question is, what’s the best way to respond to the outrage?

This week as we wind down the summer, we're replaying some of our favorite episodes of this year. This episode originally aired on February 13, 2022.

Guest: Ashley Hope Pérez, author of three YA novels, including Out of Darkness, and professor of literature at Ohio State University.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on What Next. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work.

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A Word: Rise of the Black Quarterback

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 07:00:00 -0000

Are you ready for some football! After decades of being kept out of the quarterback position, more Black quarterbacks are creating success and finding stardom in the NFL. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by ESPN’s Jason Reid, author of “Rise of the Black Quarterback: What It Means for America.” They discuss how the business and politics of race have changed for football’s most sought after players, and what challenges remain for Black quarterbacks.

Guest: Sports writer Jason Reid, author of “Rise of the Black Quarterback: What It Means for America”

Podcast production by Yanii Evans

You can skip all the ads in A Word by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/awordplus for just $1 for your first month.

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The Waves: Why Jane Austen Still Slaps

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 07:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate senior producer Cheyna Roth is joined by culture writer Anna Nordberg to talk all about Jane Austen. The romance novelist may have written her seven books well over a century ago, but as Cheyna and Anna discuss, her work still endures in popular culture. They talk about why Austen’s characters are even more modern than the men and women we see on screen today and why some of the men are kind of meh. Later in the show, they talk about what makes an endearing Jane Austen adaptation, and why Netflix’s Persuasion fails so miserably.

In Slate Plus, are Jane Austen’s proposals feminist?

Recommendations:

Anna: The 1995 Sense and Sensibility adaptation starring Emma Thompson.

Cheyna: The music of Cosmo Jarvis. Plus a dedication to a beloved professor, Dr. Brent Chesley.

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Shannon Palus, Daisy Rosario, and Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com

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ICYMI Encore: How a Harry Potter Fanfic Took Over the Internet

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 09:00:00 -0000

The realm of fan fiction is a wild, magical place to be, especially if that fan fiction is set at Hogwarts. On today’s episode, Rachelle and Madison talk about All the Young Dudes, an extensive Harry Potter fan fiction that has inspired a fandom all its own, and just how that fandom came to be. But first, they chat about National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and spend time listening to the first line of some listeners’ NaNoWriMo novels.

Podcast production by Jasmine Ellis, Daniel Schroeder, and Derek John.

This episode originally ran on November 20, 2021.

Subscribe to Slate Plus at slate.com/icymiplus

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Political Gabfest Reads: Life on Europa Looks Too Much Like America

Sun, 21 Aug 2022 07:00:00 -0000

David Plotz talks with author Mat Johnson about his new novel Invisible Things. Johnson’s novel tells the story of a group of astronauts that land in a bubble colony on Jupiter's biggest moon.

They talk about the challenges of writing satire when reality feels fake, how mediocre people rise up by sucking up, and why we need to look at the invisible things in our daily lives.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth

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Outward: The Viral Underclass, by Steven W. Thrasher

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 07:00:00 -0000

This month, host Christina Cauterucci, Jules Gill-Peterson, and Bryan Lowder start the show with a Thots & Queries segment in which a listener asks about orgy etiquette. In a completely different party setting, they try to figure out what on earth is going on in the U.S. Congress, where legislators are debating marriage equality in the form of the Respect for Marriage Act. Then Northwestern University professor and journalist Steven Thrasher joins them to discuss his new book The Viral Underclass: The Human Toll When Inequality and Disease Collide. Finally, they add some new items to the gay agenda.

Items discussed in the show:

Taylor Blake and her emu friend Emmanuel

Beyoncé’s Renaissance

A shocking tweet from the official Log Cabin Republicans account

The June 29 episode of Outward in which Mark Joseph Stern considered how the Dobbs decision might affect LGBTQ rights

“Why Is There More Republican Support for Gay Marriage Than for Abortion Rights?” by Moira Donegan, in the Nation

The Viral Underclass,, by Steven Thrasher

Let the Record Show, by Sarah Schulman

“An Uprising Comes From the Viral Underclass,” by Steven Thrasher in Slate, June 12, 2020

Gay Agenda

Jules: X, by Davey Davis

Bryan: The Sandman, on Netflix

Christina: “We Failed,” by Eric Neugeboren, in the Texas Tribune

This podcast was produced by June Thomas.

Please send feedback, topic ideas, and advice questions to outwardpodcast@slate.com.

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Amicus: The Power of Dignity, by Judge Victoria Pratt

Sat, 13 Aug 2022 07:00:00 -0000

The quality of dignity is not strained. Judge Victoria Pratt presided for years over Municipal Court in Newark, New Jersey. Her experiences form the foundation of her book, The Power of Dignity: How Transforming Justice Can Heal Our Communities. In the third of Amicus’ summer season of big-picture conversations, Dahlia Lithwick and Judge Pratt explore what everyone, up to and including Supreme Court Justices, can learn from procedural justice, also known as procedural fairness. You can watch Judge Pratt’s viral Ted Talk here.

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Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 07:00:00 -0000

In the last 24 years, Judy has moved approximately 16 times for her husband’s military career. But her family has finally settled down in a lovely house with a yard near Annapolis, Maryland. Now Judy is hoping to transform her outdoor space into something that’s beautiful and environmentally friendly. On this episode of How To!, Doug Tallamy explains why, now more than ever, we need people like Judy to plant native species in order to revive our ecosystem. He has some surprisingly easy tips for replacing your grass (take that, lawn mower!), finding plants that pollinators will love, and even getting rid of those pesky mosquitoes.

Resources:

Homegrown National Park

Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard

Audubon Native Plants Database

National Wildlife Federation Native Plant Finder

SEEK by iNaturalist

The Life and Death of the American Lawn

If you liked this episode, check out “How To Squash Your Fear of Bugs (and Other Phobias)”

Podcast production by Derek John and Rosemary Belson with help from Katie Shepherd.

Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus.

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Decoder Ring: The Most Famous Poet No One Remembers

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 07:00:00 -0000

Rod McKuen sold multiple millions of poetry books in the 60s and 70s. He released dozens of albums, was a regular on late night, and was even nominated for an Oscar. So, how did the most salable poet in American history simply disappear? On today’s episode, Slate writer Dan Kois went searching for Rod McKuen, a famous poet who isn’t so famous anymore. We’ll hear from Stephanie Burt, Mike Chasar and Barry Alfonso, author of Rod’s biography A Voice of the Warm. Along the way, Dan meets Andy Zax, a guy who, like him, was bewildered by this forgotten star—until he became an accidental fan, and then somehow the only person keeping Rod McKuen’s flame alive.

This episode of Decoder Ring was written by Dan Kois and edited by Willa Paskin. It was produced by Willa Paskin and Katie Shepherd. Derek John is Sr. Supervising Producer of Narrative Podcasts. Merritt Jacob is our Technical Director.

If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, email us at DecoderRing@slate.com. If you love the show and want to support us, consider joining Slate Plus. With Slate Plus you get ad-free podcasts, bonus episodes, and total access to all of Slate’s journalism.

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Gabfest Reads: Revolution Through Teenage Eyes

Sun, 24 Jul 2022 07:00:00 -0000

Emily Bazelon talks with author Vanessa Hua about her new historical fiction book, Forbidden City. The novel tells the story of sixteen-year-old revolutionary Mei who becomes a dancer in Chairman Mao’s inner circle. Emily and Vanessa talk about Vanessa’s inspiration for the novel, the complicated dynamics between Mei and Chairman Mao, and whether we’ll hear more from Mei.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth

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A Word: They Want to Kill Americans

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 07:00:00 -0000

This week’s January 6th congressional hearings offered an in-depth look at the Proud Boys, the Oath Keepers, and other violent extremist groups that organized the insurrection. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson discusses the issues with counter terrorism expert Malcolm Nance, who has spent years chronicling the rise of white supremacist and other American political extremist movements. His new book is “They Want to Kill Americans: The Militias, Terrorists, and Deranged Ideology of the Trump Insurgency.”

Guest: Analyst Malcolm Nance

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

You can skip all the ads in A Word by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/awordplus for just $1 for your first month.

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Political Gabfest: Lowest Approval Rating

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 20:00:00 -0000

This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Mark Leibovich discuss Biden’s 2024 plans, the establishment Republicans who stand by Trump, and Herschel Walker’s alarming Senate campaign.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Thank You for Your Servitude: Donald Trump's Washington and the Price of Submission, by Mark Leibovich

Anne Applebaum for The Atlantic: “History Will Judge The Complicit”

Mark Leibovich for the New York Times Magazine: “Donald Trump Is Not Going Anywhere”

Mark Leibovich for the New York Times: “Kevin McCarthy, Four Months After Jan. 6, Still on Defensive Over Trump”

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: The New York Times: “168 Writing Prompts to Spark Discussion and Reflection”

Mark: Mark shared his thoughts on whether life was better before cell phones.

David: City Cast DC’s July 12, 2022 newsletter.

Listener chatter from Josie Beyer: Julia Medina for Sleepopolis: “Sleeping While Rowing in the Great Pacific Race”; Lat 35 Racing Team on Instagram

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Mom & Dad: Run Towards the Danger

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 07:00:00 -0000

On this episode: Zak talks to filmmaker, author, and actor Sarah Polley about her book Run Towards the Danger. They talk about how losing a parent early influences how she parents now. How to handle guilt and why finding your parenting community is so valuable. They also discuss her boundaryless childhood and why she won’t let her kids be child actors. Finally, Sarah talks about navigating parenting while healing from a years-long injury.

Recommendations:

Jamilah recommends Lemon Perfect Lemon Water

Elizabeth recommends Pinna Podcasts

Zak recommends Sarah Polley’s films, specifically Stories We Tell.

Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes.

Podcast produced by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola and Rosemary Belson.

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The Waves: Essential Labor

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 07:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Brigid Schulte, author of Overwhelmed: How to Work, Love and Play When No One Has the Time and director of the Better Life Lab, is joined by author Angela Garbes. They unpack the modern challenges of motherhood, further illustrated and then exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. They talk about Angela’s new book, Essential Labor, how caregiving is seen as sacred, yet we make it so hard in the United States, and why we pay caregivers—a key part of our society—poverty wages.

In Slate Plus, Angela and Brigid talk about the subtitle of Angela’s book: Mothering As Social Change.

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Shannon Palus and Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com

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How To!: Sensual Self

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 07:00:00 -0000

In 2019, Brenda took a year off from their PhD program to try to feel pleasure again…with anything. Brenda has come a long way since then but there’s one thing that’s still elusive—they’ve never experienced an orgasm. Whenever they try, anxiety kicks in and they’re left feeling frustrated and, in their words “broken.” On this episode of How To!, we bring in Ev’Yan Whitney, sex educator, author, and host of the podcast Sensual Self. Ev’Yan has some wonderful wisdom for learning about your body and reconnecting with pleasure, both sexual and non-sexual, in a way that feels safe.

Additional Reading:

The Tyranny Of the Female-Orgasm Industrial Complex by Katharine Smyth

Ace by Angela Chen

Sensual Self by Ev’Yan Whitney

Understanding Asexuality by The Trevor Project

If you liked this episode, check out “How To Have the Best Sex of Your Life”

Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show.

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Gabfest Reads: Corrections in Ink

Sun, 26 Jun 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Emily Bazelon talks with author Keri Blakinger about her new memoir, Corrections in Ink which recounts Blakinger’s path from Olympic ambitions, to heroin addiction, to prison, and ultimately a return to life on the outside.

Blakinger launched a program to deliver her memoir to currently incarcerated readers. You can learn more here: https://800ceoread.com/coupons/redeem/donationcorrectionsinink

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

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The Waves: How "Gone Girl" Changed Publishing

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 07:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate staff writer Heather Schwedel is joined by Slate books and culture columnist Laura Miller on the ten year anniversary of Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl. They talk about the initial reaction to Gone Girl, why the twists packed such a punch, and the enduring impact of the famous “cool girl” speech. Then they explore why, despite many books proclaiming to be so, there has never really been another Gone Girl.

In Slate Plus, Laura takes Heather behind the scenes of book blurbs.

Recommendations:

Heather: The Palace Papers by Tina Brown

Laura: TV series Redemption, available on BritBox

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Shannon Palus and Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com

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The Waves: Been There, Done That

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 07:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate science writer and editor Shannon Palus is joined by Popular Science executive editor and author Rachel Feltman to talk about sex, baby. Rachel’s new book, “Been There, Done That” explores the quirky, wild, and often queer side of the history of sex. Shannon and Rachel talk about why animal sex is so relevant to human sex, the “loop-de-loop” of sexual evolution, and they ponder the age old question, “Why are even men?”

In Slate Plus, Rachel talks about why Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) may in some cases not be as terrible as you think.

Recommendations:

Shannon: Spindrift seltzer

Rachel: The horror anthology, Your Body is Not Your Body

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Shannon Palus and Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com

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ICYMI: Everything I Need I Get From You

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Throughout the 2010s, the One Direction fandom was inescapable online. On today’s show, Atlantic writer Kaitlyn Tiffany is here to discuss her new book all about that subject, Everything I Need I Get From You: How Fangirls Created the Internet as We Know It. Rachelle and Madison talk to Kaitlyn about why she chose One Direction, how fan theories get out of hand, and why neither she nor Rachelle would ever want to meet Harry Styles.

Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder, Rachelle Hampton, and Madison Malone Kircher.

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Outward: Eye to Eye: Portraits of Lesbians

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 07:00:00 -0000

This month, in honor of Pride, we’re going to be bringing you an Outward episode every week.

Today, it’s a segment from a 2021 episode of Working, Slate's podcast about the creative process, in which June Thomas spoke with photographer Joan E. Biren, also known as JEB. In the interview, JEB discusses the creation, funding, and printing of her groundbreaking 1979 photobook Eye to Eye: Portraits of Lesbians, which was reissued by Anthology Editions in 2021.

The Working episode was produced by Cameron Drews.

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Mom and Dad Are Fighting: Nasty, Brutish and Short: Adventures in Philosophy with My Kids

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 16:40:00 -0000

On this episode: Zak and Elizabeth are joined by Scott Hershovitz, author of the book Nasty, Brutish and Short: Adventures in Philosophy with My Kids and the director of the Law and Ethics Program and professor of law and philosophy at the University of Michigan. They discuss why you shouldn’t shy away from big questions, how to foster open mindedness in teens, and perhaps the biggest question of all—what’s a “floofer doofer.”

On Slate Plus, they have a round of graduation-themed Triumphs and Fails. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to listen and support our work.

Recommendations:

Elizabeth recommends the Sipsey Wilder hip pack

Scott recommends Teaching Children Philosophy

Zak recommends Julie’s Library.

Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes.

Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson and Jasmine Ellis.

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Political Gabfest Reads: Coming of Age in the Nineties

Sun, 29 May 2022 07:00:00 -0000

John Dickerson talks with author Elif Batuman about coming of age as a college student in the 1990’s, and the similarities between herself and her main character in Either/Or, the sequel to The Idiot.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth

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Outward: The Women's House of Detention

Tue, 24 May 2022 18:20:54 -0000

This month Bryan, Christina, and Jules explore the intersection of queer life and incarceration. How has America’s prison-loving penal system shaped our history and present, and how does that experience get channeled—or not—into the culture we make and consume? The hosts are joined by Hugh Ryan, author of the new book The Women’s House of Detention: A Queer History of a Forgotten Prison, which uses one infamous mid-century institution in New York’s Greenwich Village to return the overlooked lives of incarcerated women and transmasculine folks to our collective story, and to make a stirring case for prison abolition as a queer issue. Then they discuss how prison shows up in pop culture—and whether they’re entirely comfortable with those fantasies.

Items discussed in the show:

Selling Sunset

Two recent articles on phalloplasty: “How Ben Got His Penis,” by Jamie Lauren Keiles in the New York Times, and “My Penis Myself,” by Gabriel Mac in New York

Original Plumbing

“Madison Cawthorn Thrusting His Naked Body on Another Man’s Face Doesn’t Tell Us Much About His ‘Gayness,’ ” by Bryan in Slate

Not Gay: Sex Between Straight White Men, by Jane Ward

The Women’s House of Detention: A Queer History of a Forgotten Prison, by Hugh Ryan

When Brooklyn Was Queer, by Hugh Ryan

Huey P. Newton’s 1970 speech on the women’s liberation and gay liberation movements

Chained Heat 2

Orange Is the New Black

Gay Agenda

Christina: Great Freedom

Jules: The Vice series Transnational

Bryan: From Gay to Z: A Queer Compendium, by Justin Elizabeth Sayres

This podcast was produced by June Thomas.

Please send feedback, topic ideas, and advice questions to outwardpodcast@slate.com.

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The Waves: What Reality TV Says About Us

Thu, 19 May 2022 07:00:00 -0000

On this week’s episode of The Waves, historian and original Waves host, Marcia Chatelain is joined by sociologist Danielle Lindemann to talk all things reality TV. They discuss Danielle’s new book, True Story: What Reality TV Says About Us and why we don’t take reality television as seriously as we should. Later in the show they talk about why women are more successful at monetizing their reality TV brand and how the genre takes us on a tour of the class system.

In Slate Plus: Is The Bachelorette feminist?

Recommendations:

Marcia: The True Crime Obsessed podcast, Let the Women Do the Work

Danielle: The Netflix series Selling Sunset

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Shannon Palus and Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com

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Mom and Dad are Fighting: A Place to Belong

Mon, 16 May 2022 07:00:00 -0000

On this episode: Elizabeth and Zak are joined by Amber O’Neal Johnston. She’s the author of A Place to Belong: Celebrating Diversity and Kinship in the Home and Beyond and has a blog called Heritage Mom. They talk about how families can celebrate their own identities while learning about and appreciating other people’s races and cultural differences. What does it mean to teach kids about “hard history,” but also celebrate cultural heritage? And, why do so many parents find it difficult to talk about culture and race?

Recommendations

Elizabeth recommends: Read Aloud Those Kids from Fawn Creek by Erin Entrada Kelly

Zak recommends: Make your own pesto

Amber recommends: Get a good knife

Resources

A Place to Belong: Celebrating Diversity and Kinship in the Home and Beyond by Amber O’Neal Johnston

Amber’s blog: Heritage Mom

Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes.

Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson and Jasmine Ellis.

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to listen and support our work.

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How To!: The Lazy Genius Way

Tue, 10 May 2022 07:00:00 -0000

When Samantha and her husband moved from a condo to a fairly large house, they knew they’d have a lot of updating and upkeep to do. But they had no idea how much time their new chores would gobble up. Or even what chores to do. (If only there was a guide to adulting!) Even when they weren’t holding themselves to picture-perfect standards, it still felt like they were barely keeping their heads above water. On this episode of How To!, we bring on Kendra Adachi, she’s a best-selling author, podcaster, and professional permission giver. She has tangible, easy steps that you can do right now to help you prioritize and organize your mess—and ultimately, your life.

If you liked this episode, check out “How To Stop “Having It All” (Before You End Up With Nothing)”

Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show.

Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus.

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Mom and Dad Are Fighting: Histories of the Transgender Child

Mon, 09 May 2022 07:00:00 -0000

On this episode: Jamilah, Elizabeth, and Zak talk about the wave of anti-trans legislation, the role of misinformation in this movement, and how to protect trans kids. They are joined by Jules Gill-Peterson. She is a trans historian and author of Histories of the Transgender Child, and co-host of Slate’s very own Outward podcast.

Recommendations

Jamilah recommends: NYT Spelling Bee

Elizabeth recommends: PILOT FriXion Clicker Erasable, Refillable & Retractable Gel Ink Pens

Zak recommends: This tweet

Resources

Histories of the Transgender Child by Jules Gill-Peterson

Slate’s Outward podcast

Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes.

Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson and Jasmine Ellis.

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to listen and support our work.

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A Word: Joy and Pain: Navigating Grief

Fri, 06 May 2022 07:00:00 -0000

With one million dead from COVID, many Americans are suffering through profound grief. And for Black Americans, the pandemic combined with the racial reckoning has made the mourning feel endless. On this week’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson talks with writer Marisa Renee Lee about her new book Grief Is Love: Living With Loss, and about making space for joy in the midst of grief.

Guest: Marisa Renee Lee, a writer, speaker, and entrepreneur. Her new book is Grief Is Love: Living With Loss.

Podcast production by Jasmine Ellis

You can skip all the ads in A Word by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/awordplus for just $1 for your first month.

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Working: Writer Hannah Kirshner on Japanese Artisans and Immersive Reporting

Sun, 01 May 2022 07:00:00 -0000

This week, host June Thomas talks to Hannah Kirshner, author of Water, Wood, and Wild Things: Learning Craft and Cultivation in a Japanese Mountain Town. In the interview, Hannah explains how her original plan to write a cookbook turned into an immersive reporting experience, where she practiced and documented multiple artisanal disciplines, like sake brewing and wood turning. She also discusses what it was like to be an outsider navigating the norms of rural Japan.

After the interview, June and co-host Karen Han talk about the difference between appreciation and appropriation when reporting on a culture different from one’s own.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Hannah talks in greater detail about working at a sake brewery. Then she explains the care and discipline that goes into growing rice.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Big Mood, Little Mood—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus.

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How To!: Start Writing (w/ Anna Quindlen & John Dickerson)

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 21:15:00 -0000

You’ve probably heard about the importance of journaling, putting thoughts on paper to help process the daily vicissitudes of life. But it’s easy to stall once you see a blank page or get self conscious about what exactly you’re writing. On this episode of How To!, we bring together Anna Quindlen, bestselling novelist and author of the new book Write For Your Life, and John Dickerson, co-host of Slate’s Political Gabfest, CBS News reporter, author and veteran journaler. They share their wit and wisdom on how to start writing about your personal life — and how to keep it going amid all the distractions. (And stay tuned after the credits for an exclusive sneak peek of Anna Quindlen’s next novel).

If you liked this episode, check out “How To Write a Bestseller” and “How To Get Your Book Published.”

Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show.

Thanks Avast.com!

Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus.

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Decoder Ring: The Madness Behind ‘The Method’

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 09:00:00 -0000

When we think of method acting, we tend to think of actors going a little over the top for a role – like Jared Leto, who allegedly sent his colleagues dead rats when he was preparing to be The Joker, or Robert De Niro refusing to break character on the set of the movie Raging Bull.

But that’s not how method acting began. On this episode of Decoder Ring: we look at how “The Method” came to be so well-known and yet so widely misunderstood. It’s a saga that spans three centuries and involves scores of famous actors, directors and teachers. And it altered how we think about realism, authenticity, and a good performance.

Our guest today is Isaac Butler, who wrote The Method: How The 20th Century Learned to Act.

Decoder Ring is written and produced by Willa Paskin. This episode was produced by Elizabeth Nakano. Derek John is Sr. Supervising Producer of Narrative Podcasts.

If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, email us at DecoderRing@slate.com

If you love the show and want to support us, consider joining Slate Plus. With Slate Plus you get ad-free podcasts, bonus episodes, and total access to all of Slate’s journalism.

Thanks Avast.com!

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Political Gabfest: Gabfest Reads: He Wanted to Die Holding Hands

Sun, 17 Apr 2022 04:00:00 -0000

David Plotz talks with author Amy Bloom about her journey to support the death, by suicide, of her husband, chronicled in her new book In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

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Lend Me Your Ears: Julius Caesar

Wed, 09 May 2018 14:33:11 -0000

Lend Me Your Ears is a six-part podcast miniseries exploring how Shakespeare’s works have shaped our modern views on politics. Each month, host Isaac Butler will dig into a different Shakespeare play to explore how Shakespeare was responding to his current events, and how they map onto our own.

In this first episode, Lend Me Your Ears is looking at one of Shakespeare’s most accessible works: Julius Caesar. Why was the Bard so fascinated with the fall of the Roman Republic? Why do we tend to turn to this play when we worry about society’s future? How have contemporary theater makers reinvented Shakespeare’s version of the story for their audiences, especially in troubled political times?

You can subscribe to the rest of the podcast by searching for "Lend Me Your Ears" in your podcast app. Learn more about Lend Me Your Ears at slate.com/shakespeare

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ABC: The Sparsholt Affair by Alan Hollinghurst

Fri, 30 Mar 2018 18:00:00 -0000

Laura Miller, Alex Barasch, and Gabriel Roth discuss the new novel by Alan Hollinghurst, The Sparsholt Affair, a multigenerational saga about gay life. Following this episode, the Audio Book Club will be going on hiatus. From the hosts and producers of the show, thanks for listening.

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ABC: The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

Tue, 27 Feb 2018 07:00:00 -0000

Laura Miller, Jacob Brogan, and Charlie Jane Anders discuss Ursula K. Le Guin's classic science fiction novel "The Left Hand of Darkness". Please fill out the Slate podcast survey at slate.com/podcastsurvey

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ABC: Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado

Mon, 29 Jan 2018 07:00:00 -0000

Katy Waldman, Parul Sehgal, and Laura Bennett discuss Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado. This episode is Katy's last episode as host of the Audio Book Club, but watch this space for more about the future of the show.

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ABC: The Odyssey, Translated By Emily Wilson

Tue, 19 Dec 2017 07:00:00 -0000

Katy Waldman, Parul Seghal, and Meghan O'Rourke discuss Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey by Homer. Next month's book will be Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado.

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ABC: Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan

Tue, 28 Nov 2017 07:00:00 -0000

Katy Waldman, Laura Miller, and Meghan O'Rourke discuss the novel Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan. Our selection for next month will be Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey.

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ABC: What Happened by Hillary Clinton

Mon, 30 Oct 2017 19:00:00 -0000

Katy Waldman, Meghan O'Roark, and Emily Bazelon discuss Hilary Clinton's memoir, What Happened. Next month's book will be Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan.

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ABC: Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney

Tue, 26 Sep 2017 18:00:00 -0000

Laura Bennett, Katy Waldman, and Meghan O'Rourke discuss Sally Rooney's debut novel Conversations with Friends, and idea-driven novel about a group of four young people in Dublin struggling with ideology and identity. Next month's book with be What Happened, by Hillary Clinton.

It's pledge week on Slate Podcasts! Support the Audio Book Club and get ad-free podcasts and bonus segments by going to slate.com/abcPlus and signing up.

Slate's Audio Book Club is brought to you by Audible. Audible has the best audiobook performances, the largest library and the most exclusive content. You’ll feel something when you listen. Learn more at Audible.com/audiobookclub

Sun Basket sends organic and sustainable ingredients to your door, so you can prepare delicious meals in around 30 minutes! Choose from Paleo, Lean & Clean, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian, and Family options. Go to SunBasket.com/ABC to get $35 off your first order.

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ABC: The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 18:00:00 -0000

Katy Waldman, Isaac Chotiner, and Laura Miller discuss The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, the sprawling novel by Arundhati Roy about sectarian violence in India. Next month's book will be Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney.

The Audio Book Club is brought to you by Audible. Audible has the best audiobook performances, the largest library and the most exclusive content. You’ll feel something when you listen. Learn more at Audible.com/audiobookclub

And by Sun Basket, delivering fresh, organic ingredients and quick, healthy recipes to your door. Choose from Paleo, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian, and Family options. Find out more at Sunbasket.com/ABC

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ABC: Do Not Become Alarmed by Maile Meloy

Sat, 29 Jul 2017 06:00:00 -0000

Katy Waldman, Jacob Brogan, and Dan Kois discuss Maile Meloy's novel Do Not Become Alarmed. Next month's book will be The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy.

The Slate Audio Book Club is brought to you by Audible. Audible has the best audiobook performances, the largest library and the most exclusive content. You’ll feel something when you listen. Learn more at Audible.com/AudioBookClub.

And by Sun Basket. Sun Basket sends organic, non-GMO ingredients right to your door. So you can prepare meals in just 30 minutes or less! Choose from Paleo, Gluten-Free, Lean & Clean, and Vegetarian options. Go to SUN BASKET dot com slash ABC today and get 50% off your first order! SUN BASKET dot com slash ABC.

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ABC: Too Much and Not the Mood: Essays by Durga Chew-Bose

Thu, 29 Jun 2017 16:00:00 -0000

Katy Waldman, Jacob Brogan, and Meghan O'Rourke discuss Durga Chew-Bose's collection of essays Too Much and Not the Mood. Next month's book is Do Not Become Alarmed, by Maile Meloy.

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ABC: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

Sun, 21 May 2017 06:00:00 -0000

Katy Waldman, Meghan O'Rourke, and Emily Bazelon discuss Margaret Atwood's dystopic novel The Handmaid's Tale and the Hulu television adaptation.

Today’s sponsor is Audible®, with an unmatched selection of audiobooks, original audio shows, news, comedy, and more. Get a free audiobook with a 30 day trial at www.audible.com/AudioBookClub

And by Blue Apron. Create delicious meals at home with fresh ingredients delivered right to your door. Get your first THREE meals FREE – with FREE shipping – by going to BlueApron.com/AudioClub

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ABC: Lincoln In the Bardo by George Saunders

Sat, 29 Apr 2017 18:00:00 -0000

This month Katy Waldman, Meghan O'Rourke, and Nora Caplan-Bricker discuss George Saunders' Lincoln In the Bardo. Next month is Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale.

The Slate Audio Book Club is sponsored by Audible, with an unmatched selection of audiobooks, original audio shows, news, comedy, and more. Get a free audiobook with a 30 day trial at www.audible.com/Audiobookclub

And by Blue Apron. Create delicious, home-cooked meals with fresh ingredients delivered right to your door. Get your first THREE meals FREE when you go to BlueApron.com/AUDIOCLUB

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ABC: The Art of War by Sun Tzu

Fri, 24 Mar 2017 06:00:00 -0000

In this bonus episode, Katy Waldman, Jeremy Stahl, and Ava Lubell discuss The Art of War by Sun Tzu as self-help and potential guide to understanding the world of 2017.

April's Audio Book Club will be on Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders.

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ABC: Swing Time by Zadie Smith

Mon, 13 Mar 2017 06:00:00 -0000

Slate's Katy Waldman and Laura Miller discuss Zadie Smith's new novel, Swing Time with The New York Time's Parul Sehgal.

The Slate Audio Book Club is brought to you by ThirdLove, the lingerie brand using real women’s measurements to design better-fitting bras. Try one of their best-selling bras for free for 30 days by visiting thirdlove.com/bookclub

And by Blue Apron. Create delicious, home-cooked meals with fresh ingredients delivered right to your door. Get your first THREE meals FREE when you go to BlueApron.com/Audioclub.

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ABC: Bob Dylan's The Lyrics: 1961-2012

Fri, 10 Feb 2017 07:00:00 -0000

Slate's Katy Waldman, John Dickerson of Face the Nation, and writer and poet Meghan O'Rourke discuss Bob Dylan's The Lyrics: 1961-2012. They discuss whether his work should be considered poetry, how his work functions on the page, and what makes a great Dylan song.

The Slate Audio Book Club is brought to you ThirdLove, the lingerie brand using real women’smeasurements to design better-fitting bras. Try one of their best-selling bras for free for30 days by visiting thirdlove.com/bookclub.

And by Blue Apron. Blue Apron’s meal kits are delivered right to your door, and makecooking at home easy. Get your first THREE meals FREE by going toBlueApron.com/audioclub.

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ABC: Postcards from the Edge by Carrie Fisher

Thu, 19 Jan 2017 07:00:00 -0000

Slate's Katy Waldman, Aisha Harris, and Laura Bennett discuss Carrie Fisher's Postcards from the Edge, a novel inspired in part by the author's own struggles with drug abuse and experiences as an actor in Hollywood.

The Audio Book Club is brought to you ThirdLove, the lingerie brand using real women’s measurements to design better-fitting bras. Try one of their best-selling bras for free for 30 days by visiting thirdlove.com/bookclub

And by Blue Apron. Blue Apron’s meal kits are delivered right to your door, and make cooking at home easy. Get your first THREE meals FREE by going to BlueApron.com/audioclub.

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ABC: Moonglow by Michael Chabon

Sat, 10 Dec 2016 07:00:00 -0000

Katy Waldman is joined by Slate's Gabriel Roth and Jacob Brogan to Michael Chabon's new novel Moonglow.

Join us in January for a conversation about Bob Dylan's The Lyrics 1961-2012.

The Slate Audio Book Club is brought to you by Audible, with an unmatched selection of audiobooks, original audio shows, and more. Get a free audiobook with a 30 day trial by signing up at Audible.com/audiobookclub.

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ABC: The Underground Railroad and Underground Airlines

Wed, 16 Nov 2016 07:08:21 -0000

Katy Waldman is joined by Slate's Laura Miller and Jamelle Bouie to compare and contrast Colson Whitehead's The Underground Railroad and the new book by Ben Winters Underground Airlines.

Join us in December for a conversation about Bob Dylan's The Lyrics 1961-2012.

Slate's Audio Book Club is brought to you by Audible.com, with more than 180,000 audiobooks and spoken-word audio products. Get a free 30-day trial and a free audiobook at Audible.com/AudioBookClub.

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ABC: Shrill

Sat, 08 Oct 2016 01:16:53 -0000

Katy Waldman is joined by Slate's Meg Wiegand and Nora Caplan-Bricker to talk about Lindy West's confident book Shrill.

Join us in November for a conversation about two books: Underground Airlines by Ben Winters and The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead.

Slate's Audio Book Club is brought to you by Audible.com, with more than 180,000 audiobooks and spoken-word audio products. Get a free 30-day trial and a free audiobook at Audible.com/AudioBookClub.

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ABC: The Girls

Fri, 09 Sep 2016 16:03:42 -0000

Katy Waldman is joined by NPR's Hanna Rosin and Slate's Laura Bennett to sort through their respective feelings on Emma Cline's novel, The Girls.

Join us in October for a conversation about two books: Underground Airlines by Ben Winters and The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead.

Slate's Audio Book Club is brought to you by Audible.com, with more than 180,000 audiobooks and spoken-word audio products. Get a free 30-day trial and a free audiobook at Audible.com/AudioBookClub.

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ABC: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 09:00:00 -0000

Katy Waldman is joined by Slate's Dan Kois and L.V. Anderson to discuss the play by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne – Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Slate's Audio Book Club is brought to you by Audible.com, with more than 180,000 audiobooks and spoken-word audio products. Get a free 30-day trial and a free audiobook at Audible.com/AudioBookClub.

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ABC: All the Single Ladies

Sat, 16 Jul 2016 00:37:00 -0000

Slate critic, Katy Waldman, is joined by Parul Sehgal of the New York Times Book Review and culture critic, Meghan O'Rourke, to discuss Rebecca Traister's All the Single Ladies. Next month, Slate's Audio Book Club will discuss The Girls by Emma Cline. Read the book and join us for a conversation in August! Slate's Audio Book Club is brought to you by Audible.com, with more than 180,000 audiobooks and spoken-word audio products. Get a free 30-day trial and a free audiobook at Audible.com/AudioBookClub

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ABC: Eligible

Fri, 10 Jun 2016 00:29:20 -0000

Katy Waldman, Emily Bazelon, and Jessica Winter discuss Curtis Sittenfeld's modern retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Eligible. Next month, the Audio Book Club will dig into All The Single Ladies by Rebecca Traister. Read the book and stay tuned for our discussion in July!

Slate's Audio Book Club is brought to you by Audible.com, with more than 180,000 audiobooks and spoken-word audio products. Get a free 30-day trial and a free audiobook at AudiblePodcast.com/ABC.

And by Texture, the mobile app that gives you full access to more than 150 of the world's most popular magazines, anytime, using your phone or tablet. Read Vogue, People, Esquire, Time—and hundreds more—from back issues to the one currently on the newsstand. Right now, try Texture for free at Texture.com/ABC.

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ABC: Lab Girl

Fri, 06 May 2016 06:58:04 -0000

Katy Waldman, Laura Miller, and Susan Matthews discuss Hope Jahren's budding debut memoir, Lab Girl. Join us next month to discuss Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld.

Slate's Audio Book Club is brought to you by Audible.com, with more than 180,000 audiobooks and spoken-word audio products. Get a free 30-day trial and a free audiobook at AudiblePodcast.com/ABC.

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ABC: When Breath Becomes Air

Sat, 09 Apr 2016 21:00:00 -0000

Critics Katy Waldman, Parul Sehgal, and Meghan O'Rourke discuss Paul Kalanithi's bestselling memoir, When Breath Becomes Air. Join us next month to discuss A Hologram for the King by Dave Egger's.

Slate's Audio Book Club is brought to you by Fun Home, winner of five Tony Awards including Best Musical. The Associated Press calls this groundbreaking production, “The best of what Broadway can do.” Get tickets at FunHomeBroadway.com.

And by Audible.com, with more than 180,000 audiobooks and spoken-word audio products. Get a free 30-day trial and a free audiobook at AudiblePodcast.com/ABC.

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ABC: Better Living Through Criticism

Thu, 24 Mar 2016 11:00:00 -0000

Critics Katy Waldman, Laura Miller, and Laura Bennett discuss A.O. Scott’s insightful new book, Better Living Through Criticism. Next month, Slate's Audio Book Club will be chatting about When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. Read the book and join us for our conversation in April!

Slate's Audiobook Club is brought to you by Audible.com, with more than 180,000 audiobooks and spoken-word audio products. Get a free 30-day trial and a free audiobook at AudiblePodcast.com/ABC.

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ABC: A Manual for Cleaning Women

Thu, 04 Feb 2016 07:00:00 -0000

Critics Christina Cauterucci, Mark Harris, and Katy Waldman discuss Lucia Berlin's dazzling short story collection. Slate's Audio Book Club is brought to you by Audible.com, with more than 180,000 audiobooks and spoken-word audio products. Get a free 30-day trial and a free audiobook at AudiblePodcast.com/abc. Next month, Slate's Audio Book Club chats about Better Living Through Criticism by A.O. Scott. Read the book and join us for our conversation in March!

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ABC: Purity

Thu, 14 Jan 2016 05:00:00 -0000

Slate critic, Katy Waldman, is joined by Parul Sehgal of the New York Times Book Review and culture critic, Meghan O'Rourke, to discuss Jonathan Franzen's Dickensian novel – Purity. Next month, Slate's Audio Book Club will discuss A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin. Read the book and join us for a conversation in February! Slate's Audio Book Club is brought to you by Audible.com, with more than 180,000 audiobooks and spoken-word audio products. Get a free 30-day trial and a free audiobook at AudiblePodcast.com/ABC.

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ABC: Fates and Furies

Tue, 08 Dec 2015 07:00:00 -0000

Slate critics Emily Bazelon, Laura Miller, and Katy Waldman discuss Lauren Groff's ambitious new novel, “Fates and Furies.” Next month, Slate's Audio Book Club discusses “Purity,” by Jonathan Franzen. Read the book and join us for our conversation in January! Slate's Audio Book Club is brought to you by The Great Courses Plus, a new video learning service with more than 5,000 lectures. As a member of The Great Courses Plus, you can watch as many lectures as you want, anytime, anywhere, on any device. Sign up for a free one-month trial by visiting TheGreatCoursesPlus.com/abc. And by The Message, an original science fiction podcast from Panoply and GE Podcast Theater. All of Season 1 is available now, so listen and find out why a 70-year-old alien recording seems to be killing people. Search for The Message on iTunes. Visit our Audio Book Club archive page for a complete list of the more than 75 books we’ve discussed over the years. Or you can listen to any of our previous club meetings through our iTunes feed. Slate Plus members: Get your ad-free podcast feed.

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ABC: A Little Life

Fri, 06 Nov 2015 01:45:28 -0000

Slate critics Laura Bennett, Andrew Kahn, Dan Kois, and Katy Waldman discuss Hanya Yanagihara's misery-soaked epic.

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ABC: The Martian

Thu, 08 Oct 2015 23:59:07 -0000

Slate critics Dan Kois, Laura Miller, and Katy Waldman discuss Andy Weir's tense space procedural.

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ABC: Between the World and Me

Fri, 18 Sep 2015 00:52:33 -0000

Slate critics Jamelle Bouie, Meghan O'Rourke, and Katy Waldman discuss Ta-Nehisi Coates' searing book about being black in America.

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ABC: Go Set a Watchman

Fri, 07 Aug 2015 00:44:25 -0000

Slate critics Dan Kois, Meghan O'Rourke, and Katy Waldman discuss Harper Lee's newly published sequel to "To Kill a Mockingbird."

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ABC: Station Eleven

Fri, 10 Jul 2015 01:35:37 -0000

Slate critics Jamelle Bouie, Hanna Rosin, and Katy Waldman discuss Emily St. John Mandel's award-winning novel.

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ABC: All the Light We Cannot See

Fri, 05 Jun 2015 00:57:21 -0000

Slate critics Emily Bazelon, Hanna Rosin, and Katy Waldman discuss Anthony Doerr's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.

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ABC: H Is for Hawk

Fri, 08 May 2015 00:43:08 -0000

Slate critics Katy Waldman, Julia Turner, and Meghan O'Rourke discuss Helen MacDonald's shapeshifting memoir.

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ABC: How to Be Both

Fri, 10 Apr 2015 03:33:44 -0000

Slate critics Emily Bazelon, Hanna Rosin, and Katy Waldman discuss Ali Smith's novel about a prickly, grief-torn teenager and her Renaissance painter counterpart.

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ABC: The Girl on the Train

Fri, 06 Mar 2015 01:20:06 -0000

Slate critics Dan Kois, Katy Waldman, and Laura Bennett discuss Paula Hawkins' bestselling thriller.

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ABC: The Night of the Gun by David Carr

Fri, 13 Feb 2015 21:07:22 -0000

David Carr, former New York Times critic and media columnist, died on Thursday. He was 58. In honor of Carr, we are re-posting our Audio Book Club about his 2008 memoir, The Night of the Gun. The story of Carr's descent into alcoholism and drug dependency is, on the one hand, a typical addiction-and-recovery memoir. But Carr tries to add a new twist to the old genre by relying on his reporting skills, rather than just his memory, to reconstruct a more accurate personal history. Carr interviews his friends, family, and ex-girlfriends, and digs through his old medical records in search of objective truth. Does Carr succeed at leaving convention behind? The 45-minute conversation explores this question and many others. Listen to more installments of Slate’s Audio Book Club.

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ABC: Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James

Fri, 13 Feb 2015 16:39:31 -0000

With the release of the Fifty Shades of Grey movie in theaters this week, wandering minds are drifting back towards the world of E.L. James’ blockbuster erotic novel. In this episode of the Audio Book Club, previously published around the height of Fifty Shades mania, Slate culture editor Dan Kois, Slate culture critic Meghan O’Rourke, and Slate DoubleX founder Hanna Rosin debate the merits of the book. O’Rourke describes it as maybe the worst book she’s read in her life, but still has quite a bit to say about the book’s issues of class. Rosin expanded on her ideas from her March 2012 piece about the book’s sexual politics and admitted that a second read had led her to better understand why every woman she knew was reading and loving the book. Kois attempted to perform Christian Grey’s “gray gaze” on the radio. Hear their two-year-old predictions of what the film, now in theaters, might look like. Note: This episode contains spoilers.

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ABC: Redeployment

Fri, 06 Feb 2015 02:00:02 -0000

Slate critics Dan Kois, Meghan O'Rourke, and Hanna Rosin discuss Phil Klay's National Book Award-winning debut collection of stories about the Iraq war. Complete Slate's podcast listener survey! Tell us about yourself and your favorite podcasts so Slate can serve you better. We'd appreciate two minutes of your time. Go to http://slate.com/survey …

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ABC: My Brilliant Friend

Fri, 09 Jan 2015 00:07:35 -0000

Slate critics Katy Waldman, David Haglund, and Parul Sehgal discuss the first in Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan trilogy.

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ABC: We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves

Fri, 05 Dec 2014 18:38:15 -0000

Slate critics Dan Kois, Hanna Rosin, and Emily Bazelon discuss Karen Joy Fowler's novel about an all-too-human family.

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ABC: The Magician's Land by Lev Grossman

Fri, 07 Nov 2014 01:03:16 -0000

Slate critics Dan Kois, Choire Sicha, and Miriam Krule discuss Lev Grossman's fantasy trilogy.

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ABC: Cheryl Strayed's Wild

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 00:53:15 -0000

Slate critics Dan Kois, Parul Sehgal, and Katy Waldman discuss Cheryl Strayed's memoir.

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ABC: The Bad Feminist

Fri, 12 Sep 2014 00:17:01 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club take on Bad Feminist, Roxane Gay's book of essays on gender, race and her messy life.

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Audio Book Club: Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant?

Thu, 07 Aug 2014 20:00:20 -0000

Slate critics Dan Kois, Emily Bazelon, and Hanna Rosin discuss Roz Chast's cartoon memoir about her parents' decline.

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The Audio Book Club: My Struggle

Fri, 11 Jul 2014 01:58:22 -0000

Slate's Dan Kois and David Haglund talk with New York Times Book Review editor Parul Sehgal about Book 1 of Karl Ove Knausgaard's 6-volume autobiographical epic.

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The Audio Book Club: Americanah

Fri, 06 Jun 2014 04:26:03 -0000

Slate critics Dan Kois, Jamelle Bouie, and Emily Bazelon discuss Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel about Nigerians immigrating abroad and returning home.

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The Audio Book Club: Dept. of Speculation

Fri, 09 May 2014 01:27:23 -0000

Slate critics Dan Kois, Meghan O'Rourke, and Jessica Winter discuss Jenny Offill's novel about the struggle to make art part of a full life.

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The Audio Book Club: Where'd You Go, Bernadette

Fri, 11 Apr 2014 02:18:08 -0000

Slate critics Dan Kois, Emily Bazelon, and Meghan O'Rourke discuss Maria Semple's bestselling comic novel set in Seattle.

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The Audio Book Club Live: Slaughterhouse-Five

Fri, 07 Mar 2014 04:56:14 -0000

Recorded live at Town Hall Seattle, Dan Kois, Hanna Rosin, and special guest Hugh Howey discuss Kurt Vonnegut's countercultural classic.

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Audio Book Club: The Group

Thu, 06 Feb 2014 23:04:56 -0000

Slate critics David Haglund, Emily Bazelon and Meghan O'Rourke discuss Mary McCarthy's classic 1953 novel.

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Audio Book Club: The Good Lord Bird

Fri, 10 Jan 2014 06:10:39 -0000

Slate critics Dan Kois, Emily Bazelon, and David Haglund discuss James McBride’s National Book Award winning novel about slavery and John Brown.

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Audio Book Club: The Goldfinch

Thu, 05 Dec 2013 20:04:35 -0000

Slate critics Dan Kois, Hanna Rosin, and Meghan O’Rourke discuss Donna Tartt’s big literary adventure novel.

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The Audio Book Club: Bleeding Edge

Fri, 08 Nov 2013 14:59:00 -0000

Slate critics Dan Kois, Hanna Rosin, and Forrest Wickman discuss Thomas Pynchon's mystery set in the New York tech world around 9/11.

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The Audio Book Club: Ender’s Game

Fri, 11 Oct 2013 00:05:45 -0000

Slate critics David Haglund, Emily Bazelon, and Meghan O’Rourke discuss Orson Scott Card’s science fiction classic.

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The Audio Book Club: The Flamethrowers

Thu, 05 Sep 2013 22:51:35 -0000

Slate critics Dan Kois, Hanna Rosin, and David Haglund debate Rachel Kushner’s novel of the New York art scene, Italian revolutionaries, and motorcycle racing.

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Audio Book Club: Life After Life

Thu, 08 Aug 2013 20:08:30 -0000

Slate critics Dan Kois, Emily Bazelon, and Katy Waldman discuss Kate Atkinson’s historical novel about a British woman who lives World War II over and over again.

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Audio Book Club: The Interestings

Thu, 11 Jul 2013 01:02:45 -0000

Slate critics Dan Kois, Hanna Rosin, and David Plotz discuss Meg Wolitzer's novel.

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The Slate Audio Book Club: Tenth of December

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:37:26 -0000

Slate critics Dan Kois and David Haglund discuss George Saunders’ celebrated collection of short stories.

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The Slate Audio Book Club: Swann's Way

Thu, 02 May 2013 22:34:50 -0000

Emily Bazelon, David Haglund, and Meghan O'Rourke celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first volume of Marcel Proust's In Search of Lost Time.

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The Audio Book Club: Going Clear

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:53:00 -0000

Slate critics Dan Kois, Hanna Rosin, and Meghan O'Rourke discuss Lawrence Wright's epic investigation into Scientology.

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The Audio Book Club: Arcadia by Lauren Groff

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 02:30:00 -0000

Slate’s Dan Kois, Hanna Rosin, and David Haglund discuss Lauren Groff’s novel of a 1970s hippie commune.

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The Audio Book Club: Pride and Prejudice

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 03:00:00 -0000

Slate’s David Plotz, Julia Turner, and Seth Stevenson celebrate Jane Austen’s classic novel on its 200th birthday.

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The Audio Book Club: Katherine Boo’s Behind the Beautiful Forevers

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 02:00:00 -0000

Slate critics Dan Kois, Hanna Rosin, and Emily Bazelon discuss Katherine Boo’s National Book Award-winning story of life in a Mumbai slum.

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The Audio Book Club: Zadie Smith’s NW

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 02:30:00 -0000

Slate critics Dan Kois, Hanna Rosin, and David Haglund discuss Zadie Smith’s novel about four Londoners from the same council estate.

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Slate Audio Book Club: Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 16:00:00 -0000

Dan Kois, Emily Bazelon, and Meghan O'Rourke discuss David Mitchell's epic novel.

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The Audio Book Club: How Should a Person Be? by Sheila Heti

Fri, 05 Oct 2012 07:30:00 -0000

Slate critics Dan Kois, Meghan O’Rourke, and David Haglund discuss Sheila Heti’s polarizing novel about life and art.

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Audio Book Club: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 14:32:00 -0000

Dan Kois, Emily Bazelon and Hanna Rosin discuss the plot-twisting thriller Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.

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Audio Book Club: Capital by John Lanchester

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 07:00:00 -0000

Dan Kois, Emily Bazelon and David Haglund discuss the sprawling London novel Capital by John Lanchester.

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Audio Book Club: Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 07:00:00 -0000

Dan Kois, Meghan O'Rourke, and Hanna Rosin discuss the erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James.

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Audio Book Club: Are You My Mother? by Alison Bechdel

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 22:31:11 -0000

Emily Bazelon, Dan Kois, and Meghan O'Rourke discuss Alison Bechdel's comic memoir Are You My Mother?: A Comic Drama

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Audio Book Club: The Good Mother by Sue Miller

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 03:00:00 -0000

Emily Bazelon, Hanna Rosin, and special guest novelist Amy Bloom discuss Sue Miller's The Good Mother on the novel's 25th anniversary.

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Audio Book Club: This Beautiful Life by Helen Schulman

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:30:00 -0000

Slate editors discuss Helen Schulman's "This Beautiful Life," a new novel about a video that goes viral and ruins the lives of two teenagers at a posh New York City private school.

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Audio Book Club: The Submission by Amy Waldman

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 01:58:00 -0000

For Slate's September Audio Book club, Yale art historian and architect Kishwar Rizvi joins Emily Bazelon and Hanna Rosin to discuss The Submission, Amy Waldman's novel about memorializing 9/11.

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Audio Book Club: Jennifer Egan's A Visit From the Goon Squad

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 01:30:00 -0000

Michael Agger, Emily Bazelon, and Julia Turner talk about the memorable themes and intricate structure of Jennifer Egan's prize-winning A Visit From the Goon Squad.

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Audio Book Club: J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 04:39:00 -0000

Slate editors Emily Bazelon and Hanna Rosin discuss the final book in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Joining them are two Potter enthusiasts: Emily’s son Simon, 8, and Hanna’s daughter Noa, 10. They discuss death, loyalty and Snape's love for Lily.

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Audio Book Club: Caleb’s Crossing by Geraldine Brooks

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 02:30:00 -0000

Slate editors Emily Bazelon and Hanna Rosin, and the New Yorker’s Margaret Talbot discuss Pulitzer Prize winner Geraldine Brooks’ latest historical novel, Caleb’s Crossing.

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Audio Book Club: Killer Angels by Michael Shaara

Tue, 31 May 2011 02:30:00 -0000

Our critics, including Yale historian David Blight, discuss the Civil War classic The Killer Angels, by Michael Shaara.

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Audio Book Club: Joshua Foer’s Moonwalking with Einstein

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:30:00 -0000

In this week’s audio book club, Slate’s Daniel Engber, David Plotz and Hanna Rosin discuss Joshua Foer’s Moonwalking with Einstein, about his quest to compete in the U.S. Memory Championships, and what he learned about the human brain along the way.

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Audio Book Club: Karen Russell’s Swamplandia!

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 07:00:00 -0000

In this week’s Audio Book Club, Slate’s Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and Hanna Rosin discuss Karen Russell’s Swamplandia!, a new novel about the struggle of a family who runs an alligator-wrestling theme park.

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Audio Book Club: Emma Donoghue’s Room

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 08:00:00 -0000

Slate’s Audio Book Club discusses Emma Donoghue’s Room, a best-selling novel about a 5-year-old boy raised by his mother in a shed where she has been held prisoner since before he was born.

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Audio Book Club: "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother" by Amy Chua

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 08:00:00 -0000

Hanna Rosin, Ann Hulbert, and Nina Shen Rastogi discuss Amy Chua's book, "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother." We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program.

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DoubleX Audio Book Club: Lydia Davis’ Translation of Madame Bovary

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 02:49:04 -0000

Emily Bazelon, Hanna Rosin and Margaret Talbot discuss the new translation of Gustave Flaubert's nineteenth century French classic Madame Bovary. Relive your college days with this dissection of the original desperate housewife.

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Audio Book Club: "Lord of Misrule," by Jaimy Gordon

Sun, 19 Dec 2010 08:00:00 -0000

Meghan O’Rourke, Troy Patterson, and Michael Agger discuss Jaimy Gordon's book, Lord of Misrule. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program.

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DoubleX Audio Book Club: Nicole Krauss’ Great House

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 03:55:35 -0000

In this week’s gabfest, DoubleX's Emily Bazelon and Hanna Rosin, along with The New Yorker’s Margaret Talbot, discuss Nicole Krauss’ latest novel, Great House. They discuss why this novel is less light hearted than Krauss’ last one, The History of Love.

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Audio Book Club: "Remainder," by Tom McCarthy

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 03:43:22 -0000

Meghan O’Rourke, Troy Patterson, and Michael Agger discuss Tom McCarthy's book, Remainder. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program

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DoubleX Audio Book Club: Jonathan Franzen’s Freedom.

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 02:38:23 -0000

In this week's audio book club, DoubleX's Emily Bazelon and Hanna Rosin and The New Yorker's Margaret Talbot discuss Jonathan Franzen's Freedom. The novel follows Patty and Walter Berglund's failing marriage and serves as a commentary on how we live.

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Audio Book Club: "Super Sad True Love Story," by Gary Shteyngart

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 02:35:06 -0000

Jacob Weisberg, Jody Rosen and Troy Patterson discuss Gary Shteyngart's book, Super Sad True Love Story. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program

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Audio Book Club: "The Imperfectionists," by Tom Rachman

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 00:21:53 -0000

Julia Turner, June Thomas and Troy Patterson discussTom Rachman's book, "The Imperfectionists." We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program

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Audio Book Club: "Imperial Bedrooms," by Bret Easton Ellis

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 00:03:08 -0000

Stephen Metcalf, Troy Patterson, and Michael Agger discuss Bret Easton Ellis’ book, Imperial Bedrooms. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program

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Audio Book Club: "Reality Hunger - A Manifesto," by David Shields

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 01:13:59 -0000

Meghan O’Rourke, Troy Patterson and Jody Rosen discuss David Shields’ book, Reality Hunger - A Manifesto. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program

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DoubleX Audio Book Club: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 01:51:10 -0000

DoubleX editors Hanna Rosin and Emily Bazelon, along with The New Yorker's Margaret Talbot, discuss Rebecca Skloot's new non-fiction book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

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To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee: Slate's Audio Book Club

Sun, 16 May 2010 19:53:56 -0000

Meghan O’Rourke, Troy Patterson and Emily Bazelon discuss Harper Lee's book, To Kill A Mockingbird. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program.

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DoubleX Audio Book Club: The Surrendered

Thu, 06 May 2010 18:45:35 -0000

DoubleX editors Hanna Rosin and Emily Bazelon along with The New Yorker's Margaret Talbot discuss Chang-rae Lee's new novel, The Surrendered.

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Audio Book Club: "The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine," by Michael Lewis

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 01:24:57 -0000

Stephen Metcalf, Troy Patterson, and Daniel Gross discuss Michael Lewis' book, The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program

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Audio Book Club: Wolf Hall, by Hilary Mantel

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 02:01:47 -0000

Troy Patterson, Jacob Weisberg, and John Swansburg discuss Hilary Mantel's book, Wolf Hall. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program

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Audio Book Club: White Noise, by Don DeLillo

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:31:49 -0000

Meghan O’Rourke, Stephen Metcalf, and Troy Patterson discuss Don DeLillo's book, White Noise. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program

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Audio Book Club: Lit, by Mary Karr

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 04:04:01 -0000

Meghan O’Rourke, Katie Roiphe, and Troy Patterson discuss Mary Karr's memoir, Lit. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program.

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Audio Book Club: Vladimir Nabokov

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:39:04 -0000

Meghan O’Rourke, Katie Roiphe, and Troy Patterson discuss Vladimir Nabokov's book, The Original of Laura. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program.

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Audio Book Club: Raymond Carver Stories

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:29:25 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Meghan O'Rourke, Katie Roiphe, and Troy Patterson compare two versions of a story by Raymond Carver - "The Bath," and "A Small Good Thing." One version was heavily edited by Gordon Lish. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the stories before listening to this audio program

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Audio Book Club: The Anthologist, by Nicholson Baker

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:31:39 -0000

Meghan O’Rourke, Michael Agger, and Troy Patterson discuss Nicholson Baker's book, The Anthologist. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program.

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Slate's Audio Book Club: The Catcher in the Rye

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 07:00:00 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Stephen Metcalf, Troy Patterson, and James Ryerson discuss J.D. Salinger's classic novel The Catcher in the Rye. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program.

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Audio Book Club: A Vindication of Love: Reclaiming Romance for the Twenty-First Century, by Cristina Nehring

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 02:21:40 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Meghan O'Rourke, Katie Roiphe, and guest Laura Kipnis discuss Cristina Nehring's "A Vindication of Love: Reclaiming Romance for the Twenty-First Century." We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program

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Audio Book Club: Thy Neighbor's Wife, by Gay Talese

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:47:06 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Meghan O'Rourke, Katie Roiphe, and Troy Patterson discuss Gay Talese's "Thy Neighbor's Wife." We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program

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Audio Book Club: John Cheever's 'The Swimmer,' and Flannery O'Connor's 'A Good Man is Hard To Find'

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:29:27 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Meghan O'Rourke, Katie Roiphe, and Troy Patterson discuss two short stories - John Cheever's 'The Swimmer,' and Flannery O'Connor's 'A Good Man is Hard To Find.' We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program.

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Audio Book Club: Atmospheric Disturbances, by Rivka Galchen

Thu, 21 May 2009 01:34:46 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Meghan O'Rourke, Katie Roiphe, and Troy Patterson discuss Rivka Galchen's Atmospheric Disturbances. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program.

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Slate's Audio Book Club: Infinite Jest, by David Foster Wallace

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:10:02 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Katie Roiphe, Troy Patterson, and James Surowiecki discuss David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program.

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Slate's Audio Book Club: Rabbit, Run, by John Updike

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 03:01:36 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Meghan O'Rourke, Troy Patterson, and Katie Roiphe discuss John Updike's Rabbit, Run. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program.

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Note on Infinite Jest and Rabbit, Run

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 00:55:59 -0000

The Slate Audio Book Club's discussion of Infinite Jest will be posted in March. In the meantime, we'll be discussing Rabbit, Run by John Updike the week of Feb. 16. Listen for more details.

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An Inauguration Novella, Part 5 of 5

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:53:26 -0000

"All Along, This Was What Was Supposed to Happen," an original novella about the inauguration written and read by Curtis Sittenfeld. Part 5 of 5.

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An Inauguration Novella, Part 4 of 5

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 04:36:06 -0000

"All Along, This Was What Was Supposed to Happen," an original novella about the inauguration written and read by Curtis Sittenfeld. Part 4 of 5.

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An Inauguration Novella, Part 3 of 5

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:37:45 -0000

"All Along, This Was What Was Supposed to Happen," an original novella about the inauguration written and read by Curtis Sittenfeld. Part 3 of 5.

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An Inauguration Novella, Part 2 of 5

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:51:09 -0000

"All Along, This Was What Was Supposed to Happen," an original novella about the inauguration written and read by Curtis Sittenfeld. Part 2 of 5.

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An Inauguration Novella, Part 1 of 5

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:07:50 -0000

"All Along, This Was What Was Supposed to Happen," an original novella about the inauguration written and read by Curtis Sittenfeld. Part 1 of 5.

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Slate's Audio Book Club: The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 03:14:35 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Stephen Metcalf, Troy Patterson, and Katie Roiphe discuss the American classic The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program.

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Slate's Audio Book Club: The Night of the Gun, by David Carr

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 06:01:58 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Meghan O'Rourke, Katie Roiphe, and Troy Patterson discuss New York Times columnist David Carr's The Night of the Gun, a memoir in which he uses his journalistic skills to dig up the details he's forgotten about his earlier life as a drug addict. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program. The next book we'll be discussing is The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

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Slate's Audio Book Club: American Wife, by Curtis Sittenfeld

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:03:53 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Meghan O'Rourke, Katie Roiphe, and Julia Turner discuss the novel American Wife, by Curtis Sittenfeld. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program.

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Slate's Audio Book Club: Brideshead Revisited, by Evelyn Waugh

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:55:44 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Meghan O'Rourke, Troy Patterson, and Katie Roiphe discuss the novel Brideshead Revisited, by Evelyn Waugh. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program.

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Slate's Audio Book Club: Netherland, by Joseph O'Neill

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 03:55:34 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Stephen Metcalf, Meghan O'Rourke, and Katie Roiphe discuss the novel Netherland, by Joseph O'Neill. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program.

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Slate's Audio Book Club: Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 07:00:00 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Stephen Metcalf, Troy Patterson, and Katie Roiphe discuss Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program.

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Slate's Audio Book Club: Beautiful Children, by Charles Bock

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 07:00:00 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Stephen Metcalf, Troy Patterson, and Katie Roiphe discuss the novel Beautiful Children, by Charles Bock. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program.

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Slate's Audio Book Club: All the King's Men, by Robert Penn Warren

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 03:47:00 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Jacob Weisberg discuss the novel All the King's Men, by Robert Penn Warren. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program.

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Slate: Audio Book Club: Eat, Pray, Love

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 03:06:00 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Stephen Metcalf, Katie Roiphe, and Julia Turner discuss Eat Pray Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program.

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Slate's Audio Bookclub: Tree of Smoke

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 01:50:00 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Meghan O'Rourke, Katie Roiphe, and James Surowiecki discuss the novel Tree of Smoke, by Denis Johnson. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program.

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Slate's Audio Book Club: The Audacity of Hope

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 08:00:00 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and John Dickerson discuss The Audacity of Hope, by Barack Obama. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program.

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Slate's Audio Book Club: "The Road," by Cormac McCarthy

Wed, 30 May 2007 07:00:00 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Meghan O'Rourke, Katie Roiphe, and John Burnham Schwartz discuss the novel The Road, by Cormac McCarthy. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program.

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Slate's Audio Book Club: "The House of Mirth" by Edith Wharton

Thu, 10 May 2007 07:00:00 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Stephen Metcalf, Meghan O'Rourke, and Katie Roiphe discuss the novel The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, along with a new biography of Wharton by Hermione Lee. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read The House of Mirth before listening to this audio program.

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Slate's Audio Book Club: "Independence Day" by Richard Ford

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 07:00:00 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Stephen Metcalf, Katie Roiphe, and John Burnham Schwartz discuss the novel Independence Day by Richard Ford. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program.

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Slate's Audio Book Club: "The Emperor's Children" by Claire Messud

Wed, 27 Dec 2006 08:00:00 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Critics Stephen Metcalf, Meghan O'Rourke, and Katie Roiphe discuss the novel The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program.

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Slate's Audio Book Club: "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 08:00:00 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Critics Stephen Metcalf, Meghan O'Rourke, and Katie Roiphe discuss the nonfiction book The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by journalist Michael Pollan. We recommend, but don't insist, that you read the book before listening to this audio program.

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Slate's Audio Book Club: "Beloved" by Toni Morrison

Wed, 19 Jul 2006 07:00:00 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Critics Stephen Metcalf, Meghan O'Rourke, and Katie Roiphe discuss the novel Beloved by Toni Morrison.

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Slate's Audio Book Club: "Everyman" by Philip Roth

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 07:00:00 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Critics Stephen Metcalf, Meghan O'Rourke, and Katie Roiphe discuss the novel Everyman by Philip Roth.

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Slate's Audio Book Club: "Saturday" by Ian McEwan

Wed, 31 May 2006 20:00:00 -0000

Slate's Audio Book Club. Critics Stephen Metcalf, Meghan O'Rourke, and Katie Roiphe discuss the novel Saturday by Ian McEwan. Thanks to the Housing Works Book Store Cafe in New York City for providing the venue for this month's club meeting.

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Slate's Audio Book Club: "The Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion

Wed, 31 May 2006 19:30:00 -0000

Slate critics Stephen Metcalf, Meghan O'Rourke, and Katie Roiphe sit down at the Housing Works Used Book Cafe in New York's Soho neighborhood to discuss The Year of Magical Thinking, Joan Didion's memoir of the year following the death of her husband John Gregory Dunne, during which her daughter also came close to death.

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