Public Intellectual

Latest Episodes:

Straight White Men (with Zak Mucha) Sep 25, 2019

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Jessa invites Zak Mucha, author of Emotional Abuse: A Manual For Self-Defense, onto Public Intellectual to discuss straight white men and the crisis of masculinity. They talk about masculine expectations, the nature and nurturing of masculinity in our society, the role of women in men's lives, the relationship between class and masculinity, and more.

Missing Dames (with Bruce Benderson) Sep 25, 2019

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Jessa invites author Bruce Benderson onto the show to discuss the disappearance of the spinster/grandma in film and how women's roles have changed with the rise of feminism. In film and in real life, why are all women now supposed to have it all? Why do they have to be sexually, financially, & romantically fulfilled? Why is the romantic love the end-all-be-all of a women's story line? How does that storyline hijack our imagination of how we are supposed to live our lives? And most essentially, has the range of women's roles actually decreased with the rise of feminism?

Queering the Military (with Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore) Sep 25, 2019

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Jessa invites author Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore (The End Of San Francisco) onto Public Intellectual to discuss the transgender military ban & the role of marginalized people in challenging dominant institutions of oppression, specifically the American Military & marriage. Does being accepted into these institutions count as social progress? Is it furthering the cause of equality? Or is it strengthening the institutions that have always and will continue to oppress marginalized people?

Writing for Our Strange Times (with Mia Gallagher) Sep 25, 2019

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Jessa invites Irish author Mia Gallagher (Beautiful Pictures of the Lost Homeland) onto Public Intellectual for a thoughtful discussion on what it means to be a fiction writer in these strange times. Together, they talk about Mia's work, identity and consequences in writing, gender, historical responsibility, and the brilliance of post-war German writers. Jessa even talks about drinking from a contaminated well in Ireland!

The Woman Genius Problem (with Pamela Bannos) Sep 25, 2019

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Jessa invites Pamela Bannos, author of the upcoming book "Vivian Maier: A Photographer's Life and Afterlife" to discuss Vivian Maier's life, the exploitation of her work, and the manufacturing of her image after her death in 2009. Their conversation addresses the suppression of women's art, the prevailing discomfort with the "women genius" archetype, and the relationship and struggle between authorship & ownership

Welcome to the #Resistance (with Neal Pollack) Sep 25, 2019

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Jessa invites writer Neal Pollack onto the show to discuss the opportunism and profiteering of #Resistance writers in the age of Trump. They talk about the state of literature and journalism since the 2016 election, the abrupt shift of "literary power" from the Obama administration to the Trump administration, the role of the novel in our culture, the modern publishing industry, and whether or not we're, in fact, living under tyranny. Plus, Jessa and Neal dish on some of their favorite and least favorite works published since Trump's inauguration.

Canonize Tori Amos (with Common Gore) Sep 25, 2019

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As we approach the 20th anniversary of Tori Amos's "Boys for Pele," Jessa invites her friend, Common Gore, onto the show to discuss Tori Amos, the importance of her work, and her omission from the pop culture cannon, despite being one of the weirdest, wildest artists of the 90s. Together, they talk about her lasting legacy as an artist (especially as a live performer), the differences between our current music scene and the one Amos occupied in the 90s, the negative influences that reshaped her music, their thoughts on her latest work, and most importantly, why it's about damn time her music is canonized. Public Intellectual is now on #Patreon! As always, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE // REVIEW // RATE #PublicIntellectual on #ApplePodcasts, #Stitcher, #GooglePlay, and #Soundcloud. New Episodes of Public Intellectual every Thursday! Theme Song by Brian Heveron-Smith If you've been enjoying these weekly episodes and want to support the show, consider donating today: https://www.patreon.com/publicintellectual

The Forgotten Occult History of Art (with Padraic E Moore) Sep 25, 2019

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Recently, Jessa attended a fascinating exhibition of mysticism and art at the IMMA in Dublin called "As Above, So Below: Portals, Visions, Spirits & Mystics." Pádraic E Moore, writer/curator/art historian from Ireland based in Brussels, was a curatorial advisor for the exhibition. He joins Jessa via Skype to discuss the secret history of the occult and modernism and the role it played in art, writing, and revolution. Pádraic E. Moore (b. 1982) is a writer, curator, and art historian. He holds a BA in History of Art and English Literature from University College Dublin (2004), an MA in Visual Art Practices from IADT, Dublin (2007), and completed CuratorLab, the postgraduate programme at Konstfack University, Stockholm (2010). Moore's practice is shaped by the belief that visual art enables alternative modes of interaction in a world increasingly led by technological rationality. Moore's curatorial methodology is meticulous but subjective, and is informed by an acute awareness of the artist's individual position. Moore's research interests focus on the influence of esoteric philosophies upon the literary and visual arts. Recent study considers how occult organisations, such as the Theosophical Society, offered a vital catalyst for change in late 19th and early 20th century art. Moore's projects often explore how contemporary culture has embraced aesthetics and ideals informed by such esoteric traditions; chronicling the work of artists who refer to or follow in this tradition is an integral aspect of his practice. Recent projects include: Drawing Down the Moon at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (2017); I Went to the Woods: The Artist as Wanderer, Glucksman Gallery, Cork (2016) Music for Chameleons, a project for Parcours: Art Basel, (2016); Now is forever lasting constant in the mind, a project for Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven, (2016); Ψ (Psi), a project for Fokidos, Athens. "As Above, So Below: Portals, Visions, Spirits, & Mystics" IMMA page: http://www.imma.ie/en/page_237202.htm SUBSCRIBE to the #PublicIntellectual #Patreon page to access bonus content, merch, and more: https://www.patreon.com/publicintellectual

Witchcraft Capitalism (with Katelan Foisy) Sep 25, 2019

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There is a strong market for witchcraft these days. As practices such as astrology, tarot, crystals, and herbal medicine enter the mainstream, the use of witchcraft to sell stuff has increased dramatically. Jessa sits down with writer, artist, and witch, Katelan Foisy, to discuss what happens when a serious religious practice becomes commodified. Katelan Foisy is a multimedia artist, writer, and witch. Her fine art pieces have been displayed at The Worcester Art Museum, Ohio History Museum, MODA, WEAM, A&D Gallery, and Last Rights. She has graced the pages of the Grammy Award programs and the stage of Cynthia von Buhler's immersive historical plays "Speakeasy Dollhouse" and "The Brothers Booth." Katelan has been featured in NY Times, Elle magazine, Paper Magazine, GQ Italy, Time Out NY, and many others—for her work both as an artist, curator and occultist. She has written for Motherboard/VICE, Electric Literature, Luna Luna, ERIS magazine, and COILHOUSE. She is co-owner of London Conjure with Sister Enable in the UK. She was called a "Female Jack Kerouac" by Taylor Mead and a "Modern Day Francesca Woodman" by Cynthia von Buhler. William Patrick Corgan has said, "They used to burn witches like Katelan." SUBSCRIBE to the #PublicIntellectual #Patreon page to access bonus content, merch, and more: https://www.patreon.com/publicintellectual

Abolish Marriage (with Jessica Stites) Sep 25, 2019

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Jessa invites Jessica Stites, executive editor of In These Times, onto the show for a conversation about the institution of marriage and why it should be abolished. Together, they talk about marriage as an alienating force against stigmatized groups, its modern association with love & romance, the legal constraints placed on individuals and partners seeking an alternative to marriage, and ways to challenge marriage's social and legal framework. Jessica Stites is executive editor of In These Times magazine. Prior to that, she worked at Ms. magazine and George Lakoff's Rockridge Institute. SUBSCRIBE to the #PublicIntellectual #Patreon page to access bonus content, merch, and more: https://www.patreon.com/publicintellectual

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