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Working: Poet Javier Zamora Wants Readers to Know What It’s Like to Be Undocumented Nov 08, 2020

Show notes

This week host Rumaan Alam talks to Javier Zamora about the truth-telling power of poetry. When Javier was 9 years old, he traveled to the U.S. from El Salvador without his parents. In his book of poems, Unaccompanied, Javier tries to make sense of his own experience and the experiences of his parents, who left El Salvador before him. In the interview, Javier describes the personal and political goals of his poetry and explains what it took for him to turn poetry into a career.

After the interview, Rumaan and co-host Isaac Butler discuss whether they think all art is political.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Javier recommends some poets to check out and explains why he thinks so many people are intimidated by poetry.

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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Culture Gabfest: Democracy Shaken, Not Stirred Nov 04, 2020

Show notes

On this week’s episode, Steve and Dana are joined by guest host Isaac Butler, writer and co-host of Slate’s Working podcast. First, the group talks about What the Constitution Means to Me, the Broadway play now streaming on Amazon. Next, they talk about the legacy of Sean Connery, who passed away last week. Finally, they discuss the new Netflix documentary series Song Exploder, based on the podcast.

In Slate Plus, the hosts talk with Isaac about the future of the theater industry in pandemic times.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Whitney Tesi and Rachael Allen.

Outro Music: A Sail by Lisa Hannigan

Endorsements

Dana: Isaac’s interview with Alex Lacamoire on Slate’s Working podcast

To Be or Not to Beand Criterion’s accompanying commentary track

Isaac: John M. Ford’s The Dragon Waiting

The Danish political drama Borgen

Steve: Cowboy Junkies’ cover of “Flirted With You All My Life”

Lisa Hannigan’s “A Sail”

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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Working: How Jane Lynch Strikes the Perfect Level of Mean on Weakest Link Nov 01, 2020

Show notes

This week, host June Thomas talks to the multitalented actor, comedian, and game-show host Jane Lynch, who discusses her wide range of acting roles and her latest gig as the host of NBC’s reboot of Weakest Link.

After the interview, June and co-host Rumaan Alam discuss Lynch’s many strengths.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Jane Lynch talks about one of her favorite projects.

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: Borat Subsequent Moviefilm Oct 30, 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 Sam Adams to spoil Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, Sacha Baron Cohen’s long awaited sequel to Borat. Can Borat find his way through America to deliver a very special gift to Vice President Mike Pence? How will Borat navigate COVID 19 in a foreign country? Is Borat still funny when nothing shocks us anymore in the year 2020?

You can hear Dana’s review on Culture Gabfest here.

You can read Sam Adam’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 a Slate movie critic.

Sam Adams is an editor for Slate’s culture blog Brow Beat.

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Hit Parade: Turn Around, Bright Eyes, Part 2 Oct 30, 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.

In part 2 of our episode on Meatloaf maestro Jim Steinman: Chris Molanphy continues the story of how Steinman moved on from Meatloaf to emerge as a hitmaker for other artists like Bonnie Tyler with "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and Celine Dion with “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now”. At the height of his power, he had more credits in the top 40 than Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie.

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Culture Gabfest: New Weird America Oct 28, 2020

Show notes

This week on the Culture Gabfest, Stephen Metcalf and Dana Stevens are joined by guest host Jody Rosen, a contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine. First, they discuss Borat 2 (officially, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm). Next, they dive into music with “The Harry Smith B-Sides.” Finally, they discuss Zoom’s newfound, and sometimes dangerous, place in our culture.

On this week’s Slate Plus segment the hosts extend their analysis of Borat 2, diving into the scene with Rudy Giuliani.

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

Outro music: Next Stop the Big Onion by Chester Malone

Endorsements

Jody: “The butcher's shop that lasted 300 years (give or take)” by Tom Lamont in the Guardian

Top Boy: Summerhouseand Top Boy

Dana: The music streaming station “Ocora” from Radio France and its accompanying podcast

Steve: The Beatles’ rehearsals on YouTube, particularly the “Think For Yourself Vocal Overdub Session 1965” video

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Decoder Ring: Jane Fonda's Workout, Part 2: Hanoi Jane's VHS Revolution Oct 26, 2020

Show notes

How did Hanoi Jane become Exercise Jane?

This is the second part of our two-parter on Jane Fonda's Workout. If you haven't yet, listen to the previous episode "Jane and Leni" first, it will give you the full context for this episode. This time around we explore how an academy award winning actor and controversial political activist managed to transform herself into a category defining fitness icon. It's a story involving a persistent VHS entrepreneur, dozens of bizarre celebrity workout tapes, and Tricky Dick, himself.

Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and bonus episodes of shows like Dear Prudence and Slow Burn. Sign up now to listen and support our work.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Working: Joe Sacco’s Journalistic Comics Oct 25, 2020

Show notes

This week, Isaac Butler talks with journalist and cartoonist Joe Sacco. Sacco is a Maltese-American cartoonist and journalist best known for his comics journalism. His books Palestine and Footnotes in Gaza have been critically praised and have won him several awards, including the American Book Award. His most recent book is Paying the Land.

They talk about how he draws stories out of people and then draws those stories onto the page. Sacco talks in-depth about his creative process, which does not include story-boarding, and about how he gains the trust of his subjects—mostly by learning how to listen.

Afterward, Isaac and co-host Rumaan Alam discuss what they found most striking about the interview and how Sacco’s advice can be applied to their own work.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com.

Podcast production by Morgan Flannery.

Host

Isaac Butler

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Culture Gabfest: Ensorcelled by Sorkin Oct 21, 2020

Show notes

This week on the Culture Gabfest, Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner discuss The Trial of the Chicago 7. Then, the panel is joined by Willa Paskin, Slate’s TV critic, to discuss Ted Lasso. Finally, they discuss “Cereal Eats” with New York Times opinion columnist Jamelle Bouie.

The Slate Plus segment this week features producer Jessamine Molli, as the panel talks about knowing about things before they become popular.

Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Production assistance by Whitney Tesi.

Outro music: Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007 (Arr. E. Bindman for Piano): I. Prélude

Endorsements

Dana: J.S. Bach Cello Suites for Solo Piano transcribed and performed by Eleonor Bindman

Julia: Cinnamon Buns

Steve: Miami and the Siege of Chicago, by Norman Mailer; Return of the Secaucus 7

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Working: Arranger Alex Lacamoire Breaks Down His Process for Hamilton Oct 18, 2020

Show notes

This week, host Isaac Butler talks shop with Alex Lacamoire, who was the arranger, music director, conductor, and orchestrator for Hamilton. In the interview, Alex explains what an arranger does and details some of the specific creative decisions that went into songs like “You’ll Be Back,” “Ten Duel Commandments,” “That Would Be Enough,” and “Burn.”

After the interview, Isaac and co-host June Thomas answer a listener question about how to set aside time and energy for creative work when you have a full-time job.

In Slate Plus, Alex talks about a song from Hamilton that was particularly hard to get right.

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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