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Working: When Music Is the Family Business: Suzzy Roche and Lucy Wainwright Roche Dec 13, 2020

Show notes

This week, host June Thomas talks to Suzzy Roche, the youngest member of the harmonious folk group The Roches, and Suzzy’s daughter, Lucy Wainwright Roche. The duo recently released an album called I Can Still Hear You that was inspired by the pandemic, the Trump presidency, and the #metoo movement. In the interview, Suzzy and Lucy discuss their songwriting process and explain what it’s like to collaborate with a family member. Suzzy also reflects on her time writing songs with her sisters in The Roches.

After the interview June and co-host Isaac Butler discuss their mutual love of The Roches.

In the exclusive Slate Plus section, Suzzy and Lucy talk about how the pandemic has affected the music industry. Then June asks Suzzy about The Roches’ Christmas album, We Three Kings.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-WORK. That’s (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 Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on Working. It’s only $35 for the first year, and you can get a free two-week trial. Sign up now to help support our work.

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Spoiler Specials: Mank Dec 11, 2020

Show notes

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s Dana Stevens is joined by Slate’s Brow Beat’s nights and weekends editor Matthew Dessem to spoil Mank, the new film about the making of another film, Citizen Kane. Will Herman Mankiewicz, a troubled alcoholic (played by Gary Oldman), finish his script in time for his deadline? Will anyone like the film? And how does a California Governor's race fit into it all?

You can read Dana Stevens here.

You can read Matthew Dessem’s review here.

Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.

Email us at spoilers@slate.com.

Podcast production by Morgan Flannery.

Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work.

Hosts

Dana Stevens is Slate’s movie critic.

Matthew Dessem is Slate’s Brow Beat’s night and weekends editor.

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Culture Gabfest: Algorithmic Rosebud Dec 09, 2020

Show notes

This week Steve and Dana are joined by co-host Laura Miller, books and culture columnist for Slate. First, the three of them talk to Slate's own Mattew Dessem about what's real and what's made up in the new David Fincher movie, Mank. Then Julia Turner joins the show for a discussion about Spotify's end-of-year "wrapped" feature. For the third segment, Laura talks about the best books of 2020.

In Slate Plus, Laura talks about a debate that keeps cropping up in literary circles about whether kids should be taught more contemporary literature.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Rachael Allen.

Outro music: "Ruins" by Origo

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Culture Gabfest each episode, and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work.

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The Authority: The Tower of the Angels Dec 08, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to The Authority, Slate’s deep dive into the world(s) of HBO’s His Dark Materials. Each week, Slate’s scholars of experimental theology Dan Kois and Laura Miller discuss the HBO series and Philip Pullman’s original trilogy. This week, they cover Episode 4 of Season 2, “The Tower of the Angels,” in which Will meets the subtle knife, Lee meets the Hot Priest, and Mary Malone meets Dust. Plus: a deep dive into the Guild of Philosophers and the mysteries of the subtle knife.

Email: asktheauthority@slate.com

Podcast production by Phil Surkis.

Dan Kois on Twitter: @dankois

Laura Miller on Twitter: @magiciansbook

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Working: Why Writer Ayad Akhtar Reads Shakespeare Every Day Dec 06, 2020

Show notes

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to playwright Ayad Akhtar about dream journals, beginning the workday by reading Shakespeare, and other creative rituals and techniques. Then Ayad discusses the origins of his new novel, Homeland Elegies, and explains how he was able to blend autobiographical elements with fictional ones.

After the interview, Isaac and co-host June Thomas talk about one of Ayad’s mentors, legendary theater director Jerzy Grotowski.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Ayad recommends two books that transformed the way he thinks about writing.

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

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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Culture Gabfest: Happiest Scaffolding Dec 02, 2020

Show notes

This week Steve and Dana are joined by writer, poet, and co-host of the Thirst Aid Kit podcast, Nichole Perkins. First, the they weigh in on Happiest Season, the new holiday rom-com starring Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis. Then they chat with Culture Gabfest producer Cameron Drews about why he loves the HBO show How To with John Wilson. And finally, the hosts a talk about a big mistake made recently by the publisher Fireside Fiction, where a white voice-over artist put on a fake accent to read an audio essay written by a Black woman. The essay, written by Dr. Regina N. Bradley, is called Da Art of Speculatin’ .

In Slate Plus, the Steve, Dana, and Nichole discuss their pop culture blindspots.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Rachael Allen.

Outro Music: "What Do You Want From Me" by OTE

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The Authority: Theft Dec 01, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to The Authority, Slate’s deep dive into the world(s) of HBO’s His Dark Materials. Each week, Slate’s scholars of experimental theology Dan Kois and Laura Miller discuss the HBO series and Philip Pullman’s original trilogy. This week, they cover Episode 3 of Season 2, “Theft” in which Will loses Lyra, Lyra loses the alethiometer, and Mrs. Coulter has a meeting of the minds with Lee Scoresby. Plus: a deep dive into the character of Lee and the series’ attempt to give this cowboy aeronaut a tragic backstory.

Email: asktheauthority@slate.com

Podcast production by Phil Surkis.

Dan Kois on Twitter: @dankois

Laura Miller on Twitter: @magiciansbook

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Working: How Klancy Miller Designs Recipes for Single People Nov 29, 2020

Show notes

This week host June Thomas talks with cookbook author Klancy Miller, whose book Cooking Solo celebrates the joy of making delicious food for yourself. In the interview, Klancy talks about the trial and error of her career journey and how she came to focus on recipe development after studying at the Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. She also discusses her process for designing recipes and why she decided to write a cookbook specifically for single people. Klancy’s latest project is For the Culture, a food magazine that celebrates Black women in food and wine.

After the interview, June and co-host Rumaan Alam talk about their own relationships to food and cooking.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Klancy talks about her sources of inspiration and how she deals with creative blocks.

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

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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Spoiler Specials: Happiest Season Nov 27, 2020

Show notes

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Christina Cauterucci and June Thomas discuss Happiest Season, a charming new Christmas rom-com from writer-director Clea DuVall that premiered on Hulu on Nov. 25. Harper Caldwell (Mackenzie Davis) invites her girlfriend, Abby (Kristen Stewart) home for Christmas. Right before they arrive, Harper shares that the people in her hometown, or even in her family, don’t know that she’s gay. And since her father is running for mayor, the couple has to keep their relationship a secret. How will Abby navigate the holiday season while hiding her authentic self? What impact will the holiday weekend have on the lovebirds and their relationship?

Read Christina Cauterucci’s review.

You can also check out past Spoiler Specials, and you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Note: As the title indicates, spoilers galore.

Email us at spoilers@slate.com.

Podcast Production by Jasmine Ellis.

Hosts

Christina Cauterucci is a Slate staff writer and co-host of the Outward podcast.

June Thomas is senior managing producer of the Slate Podcast network and co-host of the Working podcast.

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Hit Parade: Friends in Low Places, Part 2 Nov 27, 2020

Show notes

Hit Parade is back for non-Slate Plus listeners! Upcoming episodes will be split into two parts, released two weeks apart. For the full episode right now, sign up for Slate Plus and you'll also get The Bridge, our Trivia show and bonus deep dive into our subjects. slate.com/hitparadeplus.

Hit Parade continues the story of Garth Brooks. In the ’90s, he was country-authentic, ignored pop radio, and still utterly dominated the charts as the decade’s biggest multiplatinum megastar. Brooks took on chart competitors from Guns n’ Roses to Madonna to Mariah Carey and bested them all … until he tried taking on the Beatles. (And we’re still scratching our heads over that Chris Gaines thing.)

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