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Sponsored: How Can We Bring More Imagination to the Customer Experience? Jul 28, 2021

Show notes

We’re kicking off Season 2 with a conversation about how we can go above and beyond the expected to create truly unique customer experiences. Host Kristen Meinzer talks with Tina Roth Eisenberg, a successful entrepreneur who epitomizes an imaginative and intuitive approach to business. Her diverse collection of enterprises include a co-working space, the temporary tattoo company Tattly, a to-do list app, and an extraordinary lecture series and community called CreativeMornings, which has become a global phenomenon.

You’ll also hear from Greg Harrelson, a leading CENTURY 21 Broker and entrepreneur who built a top-performing team by prioritizing coaching and empowering his agents to deliver the best customer experience possible.

Guests: Tina Roth Eisenberg, founder of the creative coworking community FRIENDS, global lecture series CreativeMornings, to-do app TeuxDeux, and high-end temporary tattoo shop, Tattly.

Greg Harrelson, top performing Broker and President of CENTURY 21 The Harrelson Group, and host of the Level Up podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author J. Robert Lennon on the Importance of Revision Jul 25, 2021

Show notes

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to J. Robert Lennon, author of numerous short stories and novels. In the interview, Lennon discusses his daily writing practices, the importance of revision, and the creation of his new novel, Subdivision, which features a supernatural world with its own unique makeup and logic. Lennon also talks about his recently published short story collection, Let Me Think.

After the interview, Isaac and co-host Rumaan Alam discuss Lennon’s process of taking notes and drawing material out of his subconscious.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Lennon shares the origins of a short story he wrote called “Falling Down the Stairs.”

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (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 Big Mood, Little Mood—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Photographing New York’s Disappearing Storefronts Jul 18, 2021

Show notes

This week, host Rumaan Alam talks to photographers James and Karla Murray, who are on a mission to capture the unique charm of New York City’s storefronts and advocate for small businesses. In the interview, James and Karla explain what it was like to teach themselves the basics of photography while juggling multiple jobs. They also discuss the process of landing their first book deal and starting an Instagram account.

After the interview, Rumaan and co-host Isaac Butler talk about the small businesses in their own communities that enrich their lives.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, James and Karla explain how neighborhoods can change and evolve responsibly.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Genre-Fluid” Musician Yola on Mining Her Subconscious Jul 11, 2021

Show notes

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to the multitalented singer/songwriter Yola. In the interview Yola breaks down her songwriting process from the first seed of an idea to the final product. She also discusses her forthcoming album, Stand for Myself, and the collaborative work that went into it.

After the interview Isaac and co-host June Thomas marvel at Yola’s intuitive songwriting style.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Yola talks about her musical influences and her upcoming tour.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Undocumented Journalist Jose Antonio Vargas Fought to Tell His Story Jul 04, 2021

Show notes

This week, host June Thomas talks to Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas. In the interview, Jose discusses the origins of a piece he wrote for the New York Times Magazine titled “My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant.” He also talks about his organization, Define American, which aims to influence how immigrants are depicted on TV, in movies, and on the national stage broadly.

After the interview, June and co-host Isaac Butler talk about which groups are still not represented adequately on TV and in movies.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Jose lists his favorite books about immigration and citizenship.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How an Intimacy Coordinator Choreographs Sex Scenes Jun 27, 2021

Show notes

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to intimacy coordinator and director Marcus Watson, who oversees the performance of intimate scenes for film, TV, and theater. In the interview, Marcus discusses the increasing prevalence of his role in recent years, especially since the beginning of the #metoo movement. He also details the conversations he has with performers and directors in order to establish boundaries for scenes that involve things like kissing and simulated sex.

After the interview, Isaac and co-host June Thomas discuss the awkwardness of performing and directing intimate scenes.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Marcus talks about how his job has affected the way he watches movies and TV shows.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews and Cheyna Roth.

Listeners can read Isaac’s article about Owen Wilson here: https://slate.com/culture/2021/06/owen-wilson-loki-mobius-actor-sadness-addiction.html

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 the Culture Gabfest—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Spanish-Language Broadcaster on What Matters to His Audience Jun 20, 2021

Show notes

This week, host June Thomas talks to Spanish-language journalist and broadcaster León Krauze, who works primarily as a local news anchor in Los Angeles but also hosts a radio show and writes for outlets like Slate and the Washington Post. In the interview, León discusses the process of figuring out which topics and stories matter most to his community. He also describes what it’s like to have a hyperlocal focus and explains why his Los Angeles broadcast might differ from Spanish-language news in other parts of the country.

After the interview, June and co-host Rumaan Alam discuss the skill it takes to be bilingual, and they reflect on a point León made about the difference between audio and visual media.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, León shares some of the biggest misconceptions about the Latinx community in the U.S.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Underground Railroad’s Joi McMillon on Her Work as a Film Editor Jun 13, 2021

Show notes

This week, Isaac Butler talks with Joi McMillon, an award-winning film editor and longtime collaborator with filmmaker Barry Jenkins. Her latest project, The Underground Railroad, tells the story of a woman’s escape from a Georgia plantation in the 1800s. They talk about how McMillon came to be an editor, her approach to her work, what it’s like to edit the same scene over and over again, and how she gets through it.

Afterward, Isaac and co-host Rumaan Alam discuss what they found most surprising about the interview and discuss how they plan to implement Joi’s tactics into their own work.

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

Podcast production by Morgan Flannery.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brigid Hughes on the Art of Editing a Literary Magazine Jun 06, 2021

Show notes

This week host Rumaan Alam talks to literary magazine editor Brigid Hughes, who started her career as an intern with the Paris Review and went on to be its executive editor before leaving and starting her own magazine, A Public Space. In the interview, Brigid explains what the editor of a literary magazine does and how she works with authors to unearth the story “underneath” the story. She also discusses how literary magazines can help new authors find an audience.

After the interview Rumaan and co-host June Thomas talk about the importance of good editors.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Brigid Hughes tells the story of how she came across the work of writer Bette Howland and decided to print some of Howland’s unpublished work.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Reality TV Casting Director on What Makes a Good Contestant May 30, 2021

Show notes

On this week’s show, Working producer Cameron Drews talks to Erin Tomasello, casting director for the Netflix reality show The Circle. In the interview, Erin explains what it’s like to work on the casting team for shows like The Bachelor, Fear Factor, America’s Got Talent, and more. Then she discusses the casting process for The Circle and lays out what she and the casting producers are looking for in potential contestants. She also offers tips for anyone who’s thinking about applying to be on the show (which you can do at thecirclecasting.com).

After the interview, co-hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler talk to Cameron about the rise of politeness and good sportsmanship on reality shows, and then Cameron asks June and Isaac for some creative advice.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Erin talks about how she got into reality show casting and what it’s like to work as a freelancer in the TV industry.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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