The Quarantine Tapes

Latest Episodes:

The Quarantine Tapes 218: Catherine Lacey Nov 12, 2021

Show notes

“I was giving a talk digitally to MFA students and at the end of it one of them asked, “How do you… How can you write…How is it possible even to write fiction now?”

The Quarantine Tapes 215: Oliver Stone Nov 02, 2021

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On episode 215 of The Quarantine Tapes, guest host Lena Herzog is joined by Oliver Stone. In this special episode, Lena and Oliver talk about Oliver’s experience of the return to the movies at Cannes Film Festival, where Oliver showed his newest documentary, JFK Revisited: Through the Looking Glass. Lena and Oliver go on to discuss Oliver’s incredible book, Chasing the Light, published last year in July 2020. They dig deep into Oliver’s personal history, from his first job to his experiences in Vietnam to his film career. Lena and Oliver offer a thoughtful examination of the many lies that run rampant in American history in their fascinating and engaging conversation.

The Quarantine Tapes 213: Maria Popova Oct 26, 2021

Show notes

On episode 213 of The Quarantine Tapes, guest host Jacqueline Novogratz is joined by Maria Popova. A writer and the creator of The Marginalian, formerly Brain Pickings, Maria talks with Jacqueline about her perspective on this moment and how we move through the world in both ordinary and extraordinary times. Maria and Jacqueline spend this special episode digging into poetry, the importance of beauty, the meaning of hope, and much more. Maria tells Jacqueline about her childhood memories growing up in Bulgaria. They break down the relationship between hope and cynicism and discuss Maria’s new children’s book, The Snail with the Right Heart.

The Quarantine Tapes 212: Hari Kunzru Oct 25, 2021

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On episode 212 of The Quarantine Tapes, Paul Holdengräber is joined by writer Hari Kunzru. Hari’s most recent novel is the fascinating Red Pill. Paul and Hari dig deep into the inspirations for this novel, talking philosophy, Hari’s time in Germany, and much more in their thoughtful and engaging conversation. Hari unpacks the striking cover of Red Pill and talks to Paul about the themes of identity and the self that permeate the novel. Paul and Hari discuss how Hari had to try to hold back his fascination with Heinrich von Kleist in writing the novel. They talk Metzinger, Sartre, and much more, jumping from German romanticism to Hari’s brand-new Instagram account.

The Quarantine Tapes 210: Derecka Purnell Oct 20, 2021

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On episode 210 of The Quarantine Tapes, guest host Alex Vitale is joined by the brilliant Derecka Purnell. Derecka is the author of the newly-released Becoming Abolitionists: Police, Protests, and the Pursuit of Freedom. Derecka and Alex have an incredible conversation about abolition and organizing. Derecka talks about her own background and how she came to the abolition movement. She celebrates the many incredible campaigns working for abolition and justice in her hometown of St. Louis. Derecka and Alex discuss the rhetoric of dehumanization, the myth of a progressive prosecutor and their frustrations with some criticisms of the abolition movement in a fascinating and deeply informative episode.

The Quarantine Tapes 209: Forrest Gander Oct 18, 2021

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On episode 209 of The Quarantine Tapes, Paul Holdengräber is joined by Forrest Gander. A poet with an incredible body of work, Forrest talks with Paul about grief, translation, and the challenge and importance of being able to share joy in times of suffering. Paul and Forrest have a beautiful discussion on poetry, the environment, and much more, touching on the work of Barry Lopez, Jack Gilbert, and Bertolt Brecht. Forrest reads poems from his recent books, Be With and Twice Alive and explains his fascination with lichen and his work as a translator, including the moving experience of working on his upcoming translation of Carol Bracho’s poetry.

The Quarantine Tapes 207: Chris Hedges Oct 13, 2021

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On episode 207 of The Quarantine Tapes, guest host Lena Herzog is joined by journalist Chris Hedges. Author of War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning and America: The Farewell Tour, Chris joins Lena to discuss the pandemic and the other challenges of this moment in history. Chris and Lena break down the ultimatum given to us by the pandemic. They dig deep into the history of war, the current state of the media, and the threats facing us from a collapsing environment. Their conversation is steeped in historical context and offers a thoughtful reflection on our moment and what it will take to move forward out of this time.

The Quarantine Tapes 206: Melvin Gibbs Oct 11, 2021

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Paul Holdengräber is joined by the brilliant Melvin Gibbs on this episode of The Quarantine Tapes.

The Quarantine Tapes 205: Lisa Fancher Oct 08, 2021

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Paul Holdengräber is joined by Lisa Fancher on episode 205 of The Quarantine Tapes

The Quarantine Tapes 203: Tim Brown Oct 05, 2021

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On episode 203 of The Quarantine Tapes, guest host Jacqueline Novogratz is joined by Tim Brown. Tim is the chair of the design company IDEO.