Slate Culture Feed

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Thirst Aid Kit: The Adventure Known As John Boyega Jun 25, 2020

Show notes

We always had an eye on John Boyega, but for a slew of reasons conditions never quite felt… right. Until now. Now we want to talk about how he’s grown his hair, has been unburdened by a Disney contract, and is finally experiencing the kind of glow up that comes with learning from your mistakes and being given room to grow into your Yoruba destiny.

Plus! Fanfic Wars makes its triumphant post-hiatus return, and Nichole’s entry is a straight up murder attempt. Damn.

In our Thirst Ais Kit Plus segment this week, we’re talking about a ‘One Time Fancy’ and this time it’s… Kumail Nanjiani. We saw The Lovebirds on Netflix, and now we kinda… sorta… almost? fancy him. It’s a confusing time, y’all.

As usual, you can follow us on Twitter @ThirstAidKit. Our music is by Tanya Morgan. You can find show notes, and more on our Tumblr at thirstaidkitpodcast.tumblr.com. Don’t forget to send us your drabbles by emailing thirstaidkit@slate.com.

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Culture Gabfest: Toppling Teddy Roosevelt Jun 24, 2020

Show notes

On this week’s episode, Steve, Dana, and Julia are joined by Jamelle Bouie to talk about the toppling of statues across the country. Then, the panel talks about Spike Lee’s latest film Da 5 Bloods. Finally, they discuss Julia’s comfort-watch pick: Center Stage.

In Slate Plus, the hosts discuss the postponement of the Oscars to 2021.

Other items discussed in the show:

The Slate podcast series Reconstruction, hosted by Jamelle Bouie and Rebecca Onion

This Twitter thread on the history of Mount Rushmore

“‘First Cow’ for best picture? A critic’s guide to the Oscars if movie theaters don’t reopen in 2020,” by Justin Chang in the Los Angeles Times

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

Outro Music: Self Made Woman by Katharine Appleton

Endorsements

Dana: Jamelle Bouie’s newsletter.

Julia: Waterproof UNO, the card game.

Steve: Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall.

The French spy thriller The Bureau.

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: The Vulnerability of Memoir Writing, With Mira Jacob Jun 21, 2020

Show notes

Host Isaac Butler talks to novelist Mira Jacob about the process of writing her comic book memoir, Good Talk. They discuss what it was like for Mira to switch mediums, how the constraints of that medium helped her tell her story, and why it’s so hard to share personal details with a large audience.

After the interview, Isaac and co-host Rumaan Alam talk about how fatherhood has helped them get more work done.

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

And 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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Thirst Aid Kit: A Dog Called Rex (with Jason Mantzoukas) Jun 18, 2020

Show notes

Jason Mantzoukas? In the virtual Thirst studio? We did it for you! We decided to come back with a bang, and there’s none bangier than Mr M. Let’s see. We discovered Jason’s love for romcoms, dogs, and … Bim! Is this the start of something beautiful? Listen to find out.

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on Thirst Aid Kit each week. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

In this week’s Slate Plus segment, we were inspired by the dichotomy of Jason Mantzoukas’ incredibly organized closet and the wild characters he often plays to think about our fave buttoned-up men on TV — Inspector Murdoch (Murdoch Mysteries), Rick Grimes (The Walking Dead)—and how they only really let loose in front of the people they love.

Our music is by Tanya Morgan. You can find show notes, gifs, and so much more on our Tumblr at thirstaidkitpodcast.tumblr.com. Remember, you can send us your own (short) drabbles by emailing thirstaidkit@slate.com.

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Working: Cole Escola Provides the Perfect Comedy for Quarantine Jun 14, 2020

Show notes

Host Rumaan Alam chats with comedy writer and performer Cole Escola, who’s known for his roles on Hulu’s Difficult People and truTV’s At Home With Amy Sedaris as well as his sketch comedy videos on YouTube. In the interview, Cole talks about his new special Help! I’m Stuck!, which he filmed alone in his apartment and released on YouTube. He also discusses his comedic influences and talks through what it means for his work to have a gay sensibility.

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: The Hunger Games Prequel: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Jun 12, 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. We have a very special episode this week! Sam Adams is joined by Laura Miller to discuss the new Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Suzanne Collins’ new novel explores President Snow’s origin and descent into one dimensional villainy seen in the Hunger Games trilogy. The story departs from the YA dystopian genre that Collins’ trilogy helped shape. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a more sophisticated, philosophical examination of human nature and the battle of nature versus nurture. How does Coriolanus Snow regain the power and money his family lost during the war? What is his role in the spectacularization of the Hunger Games? What can The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes teach readers about the realities of living in a surveillance state?

You can read Laura Miller’s review here.

You can also read Lara Miller’s explanation of the unusual names in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes here.

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.

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.

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Decoder Ring: The Metrosexual Jun 10, 2020

Show notes

In 2003, the word "metrosexual", meaning a well-groomed heterosexual man, exploded all over the English lexicon. It invaded the news, TV, and even American politics. On this episode of Decoder Ring we explore the origins of the metrosexual, and how trend forecasters, marketers, David Beckham, Sex and the City, and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy helped make the metrosexual possible.

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

Culture Gabfest: Black Lives Matter Jun 10, 2020

Show notes

On this week’s episode, Steve, Dana, and Julia are joined by Lauren Michele Jackson to discuss her recent piece in Vulture, “What Is an Anti-Racist Reading List For?” Then, the panel talks about cop shows during this current moment, jumping off of a recent article in the Washington Post by Alyssa Rosenberg that argues these procedurals that tend to glorify the police should be canceled. Finally, they discuss the power of citizen-shot videos of police brutality that are widely shared on social media.

In Slate Plus, the hosts discuss the New York Times’s decision to publish an op-ed by Sen. Tom Cotton and what the fallout means for newsrooms today.

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

Outro Music: Cheap Flights by Dylan Sitts

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Working: How YouTuber Adam Ragusea Learned to Talk to the Camera Jun 07, 2020

Show notes

This week host June Thomas learns about all the work that goes into making YouTube food videos. Her guest is online cook Adam Ragusea, who explains how he was able to monetize something that started as a fun side project. He also offers tips on how to make engaging videos that get to the point and respect the audience’s intelligence and time. Then, he talks about how he overcame the awkwardness of speaking directly into a camera lens.

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

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Working: Documentary Theater From Interviews to Final Production May 31, 2020

Show notes

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to documentary theater makers Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen, whose plays include The Exonerated, about the criminal justice system, and Coal Country, about the Upper Big Branch mine disaster in West Virginia. Blank and Jensen explain how documentary theater works, from interviews with subjects to a live performance where actors perform interview excerpts verbatim.

After the interview, Isaac and co-host June Thomas discuss why documentary theater is such a great way to communicate important information to an audience.

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

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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