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Working: Critic Charles Finch on Reading Hundreds of Books a Year Sep 27, 2020

Show notes

This week, host Rumaan Alam talks about the aims of literary criticism with novelist and book critic Charles Finch. In the interview, Charles discusses the impact of platforms like Goodreads (where anyone can be a critic) and explains why it’s so hard for people to make a living writing book reviews. He also talks about how a book’s popularity can affect his response to it and how it’s possible to get burned out from writing too many reviews.

After the interview, Rumaan and co-host Isaac Butler discuss their relationships to criticism, as people who both write reviews and produce creative work.

In Slate Plus, Rumaan asks Charles about the critics he admires most and the titles he would assign if he were teaching a course on criticism.

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.

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

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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Culture Gabfest: Live From Home Sep 24, 2020

Show notes

On this week’s episode, Steve, Dana, and Julia are live from … Zoom! First, the panel talks about Cuties, the Netflix film that has stirred up controversey. Next, the panel discusses the Emmys—how successful (and necessary) was the virtual awards show? Finally, the panel takes on the future of fashion. Get your closets ready: Sweatpants will not be around forever.

In Slate Plus, the hosts answer listeners’ questions about philosophy, comfort watches, and so much more. (Per a listener’s question, here is our previous episode on pumpkin spice.)

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.

Endorsements:

Dana: The McMansion Hell blog

Julia: Con Todo El Mundoby Khruangbin

Steve: The television show Reno 911!

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Rachael Allen. Special thanks to Faith Smith and Britt Pullie for organizing the live show.

Outro Music: Self Made Woman by Katharine Appleton

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Culture Gabfest: Reminder: Virtual Live Show Tonight! Sep 23, 2020

Show notes

Dana reminds listeners about tonight's virtual live show! It's at 8pm ET on Slate's Facebook and YouTube pages. For links and more info, visit Slate.com/live

If you can't make it, that's okay! The audio version of the live show will be dropped in your feed on Thursday evening.

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Working: How Scrapbooking Connects Craft and Personal Reflection Sep 20, 2020

Show notes

This week host June Thomas talks about the underrated art of scrapbooking with Ali Edwards, who managed to turn her love of crafting into a full-time career. In the interview, Ali discusses her most popular scrapbooking projects, like “December Daily,” and explains why the practice of pairing photographs with words and artistic flair can lead to personal growth and reflection.

After the interview, June and co-host Rumaan Alam talk about the benefits of documenting memories.

In Slate Plus, Ali reminisces about one of her favorite high-school teachers.

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

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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

Spoiler Specials: Tenet Sep 18, 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 Sam Adams and Vox’s Film Critic Alissa Wilkinson spoil Tenet. Christopher Nolan’s time-bending thriller is visually spectacular yet incredibly confusing.

The main character, played by John David Washington, simply referred to as the Protagonist is a CIA operative who becomes entangled with Tenet, a secret organization that’s fighting a future that’s actively attempting to destroy the world. The Protagonist suddenly finds himself in a world where things, and even people, can be inverted to travel backwards through time. Can the Protagonist save the world before it’s too late? How does Nolan incorporate palindromes within the movie’s structure? And what parallels can be drawn to Bill & Ted?

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

Read Sam Adams’ review here.

Read Alissa Wilkinson’s review here.

Need more explanation? Check out Sam’s explainer here.

Check out Alissa’s fascinating palindrome piece here.

Email us at spoilers@slate.com.

Podcast production by Rosemary Belson.

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.

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Thrilling Tales: Queasy Rider | The Uncertain Future of Harley-Davidson Sep 18, 2020

Show notes

There are few more iconic pieces of Americana than a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. But its singular Americanness - the thing that has kept the brand popular for decades - may now be a harbinger of its downfall.

Podcast production by Jess Miller, with help from Asha Saluja.

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

Hit Parade: One and Done, Part 1 Sep 18, 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 deep dive into our subjects. slate.com/hitparadeplus.

What makes a one-hit wonder? To artists and pop chart analysts, it isn't just an academic question. On this episode of Hit Parade we explore the history and context of the one-hit wonder. In part 2, we'll propose three rules to determine if an artist can be classified as a one-hit wonder.

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Thirst Aid Kit: Good Night, and Good Thirst Sep 17, 2020

Show notes

And… SCENE.

We came, we ushered in a glorious age of elucidating female desire, coined a few salient expressions of desire, and poof! like magic, we were gone. That’s right, we did it, folks: we wrapped up Thirst Aid Kit as a weekly podcast. We thank you for your ears, your enthusiasm, your tweets, your drabbles, your Tumblr Asks, your marriage proposals (1) and your gifs. This final episode is a song of gratitude and pride. Two Black women talking about female desire, race, and culture week in, week out? Yeah, we did THAT. What a glorious few years.

But please do not despair. This is just a perfect example of one door closing in a mansion full of other doors and windows. The weekly podcast is ending, but we remain. Keep an eye on our Twitter and Tumblr for updates on what we’re up to and where. This isn’t the end, but we will miss you. Stay thirsty; the world needs it. ♥️

In our Plus segment, we share just a few of the Thirst Objects we weren’t able to get to during the run of the show: Bill Hader, Andy Samberg, Aldis Hodge, Avan Jogia, and Rob Delaney. We couldn’t give them full episodes but here are some quick tasty morsels to hint at what might have been.

We’re on Twitter @ThirstAidKit. Our music is by Tanya Morgan. You’ll find show notes and more on our Tumblr at thirstaidkitpodcast.tumblr.com. You can contact us via email at thirstaidkit@slate.com.

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Culture Gabfest: Pregnancy and Prayer Sep 16, 2020

Show notes

On this week’s episode, Steve, Dana, and Julia are joined by Slate’s Aymann Ismail to discuss the Emmy-nominated series Ramy (check out Aymann’s story for Slate on Ramy Youssef here). Next, the panel talks with Glenn Whipp, an entertainment columnist for the LA Times, about the new inclusion requirements the Oscars recently announced. Finally, the panel dives in HBO Max’s movie Unpregnant.

In Slate Plus, the hosts open up about the first thing they’ll want to do in a post-pandemic world and what things, to their surprise, they will not want to return to doing.

Endorsements:

Dana: “Aquarium” from “Carnival of the Animals” by Camille Saint-Saëns (as heard in Days of Heaven)

Julia: Rösle Stainless Steel Mincing Garlic Press

Steve: Hilltown Hot Pies (“Feast your eyes!”)

Phoebe Bridgers’ cover of “Teenage Dirtbag” by Wheatus

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

Outro Music: Last Sunday by OTE

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Working: How a Costume Designer Dressed Two Seth Rogens in American Pickle Sep 13, 2020

Show notes

This week, host Isaac Butler learns the finer points of costume design from Brenda Abbandandolo, who recently dressed two different characters played by Seth Rogen in American Pickle. Brenda also designed costumes for The Disaster Artist, directed by and starring James Franco, and spent some time working on SNL’s digital shorts. In the interview, she talks about how costumes can communicate information about characters and how practical choices, like giving a character an umbrella, are a crucial part of her job.

After the interview, Isaac and co-host Rumaan Alam discuss how the trends and norms of the real world are reflected in Hollywood’s costume design choices.

In Slate Plus, Brenda talks about two different styles of costume design that have influenced her work.

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

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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