Slate Culture Feed

Latest Episodes:

The Authority: The Daemon-Cages Dec 10, 2019

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 new HBO series and Philip Pullman’s original trilogy. This week, they’re discussing episode 6, “The Daemon-Cages”, in which Lyra sees firsthand what they’re up to at Bolvanger. Plus: a closer look at intercision.

Join the conversation:

Email: asktheauthority@slate.com

Dan Kois on Twitter: @dankois

Laura Miller on Twitter: @magiciansbook

Podcast production by Phil Surkis, with engineering assistance from Rosemary Belson.

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Decoder Ring: Murphy's Law Dec 09, 2019

Show notes

Nick Spark fell down a rabbit hole tracking down the origins of Murphy’s Law, the ubiquitous phrase that says “If it can go wrong, it will go wrong”. On this episode of Decoder Ring, we follow Nick on his journey while taking a few detours of our own to find out how Murphy’s Law was [maybe] born out of the rocket sled experiments of the dawning jet age. We talk to Nick, hear some of the recordings he collected during his own research, plus talk to researchers who are skeptical of Nick’s hypothesis, all to try and find out how an obscure engineering aphorism spread to world-conquering philosophical observation.

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Spoiler Specials: Marriage Story Dec 06, 2019

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, Dana Stevens and Sam Adams discuss Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story. Charlie and Nicole have decided to end their marriage. Now they need to figure out how to get a divorce. Can they keep the proceedings civil or will it escalate to a fraught situation as divorce lawyers pit them against each other? Will Charlie have to uproot his life to maintain custody? What will happen to the kid? At the end of the divorce, will they even be able to remember why they fell in love in the first place?

You can read Dana Stevens’ review here.

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 Rosemary Belson.

Hosts

Dana Stevens is Slate’s movie critic.

Sam Adams is a Slate senior editor and the editor of Slate’s culture blog, Brow Beat.

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Mom & Dad: Home Alone Dec 05, 2019

Show notes

This episode is brought to you by Everlane. Check out your personalized collection today at everlane.com/momanddad.

On this week’s episode: Dan, Jamilah, and guest host Katherine Goldstein answer listener questions from a parent looking for ways to enjoy family visits and a neighbor who is worried for the kids next door who were left behind. For Slate Plus, what should you NOT say to someone expecting twins. Sign up for Slate Plus here.

Recommendations:

Jamilah recommends matching outfits with your kid.

Katherine recommends Shrinky Dinks as a creative way to pass a few hours.

Dan recommends That Was Awkward: The Art and Etiquette of the Awkward Hugfrom Emily Flake.

Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to tell us what you thought of today’s show and give us ideas for what we should talk about in future episodes. Got questions that you’d like us to answer? Call and leave us a message at 424-255-7833.

Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson.

Hosts

Jamilah Lemieux is a writer, cultural critic, and communications strategist based in California.

Dan Kois is an editor and writer at Slate. He’s the author of How to Be a Family and the co-author of The World Only Spins Forward.

Katherine Goldstein is a journalist as well as the creator and host of The Double Shift, a reported, narrative podcast about a new generation of working mothers.

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Thirst Aid Kit: Funny Bones ft. Wyatt Cenac Dec 05, 2019

Show notes

Wyatt Cenac knows funny. You may have heard him in everything from Bojack Horseman to Archer and Bob’s Burgers. He was a writer for King of the Hill, a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and starred in Barry Jenkins’ first full-length feature film Medicine for Melancholy. He’s also starred in his own stand-up specials, one of which, Wyatt Cenac: Brooklyn, was nominated in 2015 for Best Comedy Album (Grammy’s). Like we said, this man knows his funny.

Follow us on Twitter @ThirstAidKit. Bim is @bimadew and Nichole is @tnwhiskeywoman. Our music is by Tanya Morgan. You can find show notes, gifs and so much more on our Tumblr at thirstaidkitpodcast.tumblr.com. You can make use of our Thirst Sommelier service by calling and leaving a BRIEF message at (510) 984 4778. That’s (510) 9-THIRST. We also love fanfic — send us your drabbles (along with your pronouns) and we might read them out on the show! We’re at thirstaidkit@slate.com.

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Culture Gabfest: The Donut Inside the Donut Hole Dec 04, 2019

Show notes

Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner discuss Knives Out, speak with New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie about Watchmen, and remember Clive James with Adam Gopnik.

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His Dark Materials: The Lost Boy Dec 03, 2019

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 new HBO series and Philip Pullman’s original trilogy. This week, they’re discussing episode 5, “The Lost Boy,” which cuts back and forth between Lyra’s adventures with the Gyptians, and the introduction of the character of Will Parry. Plus: a closer look at the alethiometer.

Recommended reading: His Dark Materials Illuminated

You can also read Laura’s Slate piece on Francis Yates here.

Join the conversation:

Email: asktheauthority@slate.com

Dan Kois on Twitter: @dankois

Laura Miller on Twitter: @magiciansbook

Podcast production by Phil Surkis, with engineering assistance from Rosemary Belson.

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

Spoiler Specials: Knives Out Nov 29, 2019

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, Dana Stevens and Forrest Wickman discuss Knives Out, the whodunnit from Rian Johnson. Renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey’s death following his 85th birthday party sparks a twisted hunt for the murderer. The suspects: his own family. Can celebrity detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) pin down Thrombey’s eccentric family intent on avoiding suspicion. What happens when they find out Harlan’s personal nurse, Marta, will receive his fortune? And what role does ICE have in a potential motive?

You can read Dana Stevens’ review here.

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 Rosemary Belson.

Hosts

Dana Stevens is Slate’s movie critic.

Forrest Wickman is Slate’s culture editor.

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

Thirst Aid Kit: Jake Johnson: Turtle, Bear, Total Snack Nov 28, 2019

Show notes

The thing about Jake Johnson is: so. many. people. fancy. him! Is it because he legitimately looks like a guy you might bump into at your neighbourhood bar? Or is it because he serves up a specifically appealing mix of gruff, grumpy heat (with truly *superb* onscreen kiss abilities!) that just makes you want to join him on the sofa and rail at modern life? We discuss his many forms and charms, from New Girl, to Into the Spider-Verse via Easy etc. We also have a couple of original drabbles that might make you sweat a little.

Follow us on Twitter @ThirstAidKit. Nichole is @tnwhiskeywoman, and Bim is @bimadew. Our music is by Tanya Morgan. You can find show notes, gifs and so much more on our Tumblr at thirstaidkitpodcast.tumblr.com. Send us your own short drabbles! We’re at thirstaidkit@slate.com.

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Mom & Dad: Live from Miami Nov 28, 2019

Show notes

On this week’s episode: Dan and Jamilah are live from the Miami Book Fair where they are joined by Pamela Paul, author of How to Raise a Reader and Adam Mansbach, author of Fuck, Now There Are Two of You. This week the hosts discuss scaring their kids with inappropriate books and making the most out of children with different schedules.

For Slate Plus, the hosts discuss if parenting really is harder nowadays—or do we just hear more about the trials and tribulations in books, blogs or even, ahem, podcasts… Sign up for Slate Plus here.

Recommendations:

Jamilah recommends non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

Dan recommends game-ifying Christmas stockings.

Pamela recommends Lucy Knisley’s book You Are New.

Adam recommends the book Laugh Lines: Forty Years Trying to Make Funny People Funnier.

Podcast produced by Rosemary Belson.

Hosts

Dan Kois is an editor and writer at Slate. He’s the author of How to Be a Family and the co-author of The World Only Spins Forward.

Jamilah Lemieux is a writer, cultural critic, and communications strategist based in Brooklyn, New York.

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