Working

Latest Episodes:

Working Overtime: Managing New Hires Better Feb 08, 2024

Show notes

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, the hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler respond to some recent listener mail. The first message is from a listener who wonders how to find an assistant to help with their workload and tasks around the home. June and Isaac offer up their own experiences and extoll the importance of making time to supervise someone you hire's work. Later they tackle another response from a listener in the publishing world, who found Isaac’s recent remarks about the pitfalls of publishing to be shortsighted.

Do you have a question about creativity? Reach out at (304) 933-9675 or email us at working@slate.com.

Podcast production by Kevin Bendis and Cameron Drews.

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

Malcolm X’s Story, Told Through Opera Feb 04, 2024

Show notes

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Anthony Davis, a Pulitzer Prize winning opera composer whose work includes the 1986 opera X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X, which was recently revived and produced for the Metropolitan Opera. In the interview, Anthony discusses the inspiration for X and the many genres he drew from to compose its music. He also talks about how to craft a story using music and why it’s important to him to make political art.

After the interview, Isaac and co-host June Thomas discuss creative career pivots and the act of finding inspiration from eavesdropping.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Anthony and Isaac talk about their mutual love of science fiction.

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 an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus to help support our work.

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

How Children’s Book Ideas Begin Jan 28, 2024

Show notes

This week, host June Thomas talks to children’s book author and illustrator Mika Song, whose work includes the Norma and Belly series about two squirrels with big appetites. In the interview, Mika explains how she collects ideas just by moving around her neighborhood and jotting down notes and drawings. She also talks about her materials, her audience, and her experiences giving book presentations to her young readers.

After the interview, June and co-host Isaac Butler discuss how to find inspiration in the everyday.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Mika shares some of her current favorite children’s books.

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.

Working Overtime: Breaking Stubborn Habits Jan 25, 2024

Show notes

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler examine their most habitual work routines and think of new ways to improve them. For Isaac, it’s all about switching up your physical workspace, while June likes to audit her creative expenses and get rid of unnecessary subscriptions. Both of them have encountered the anxious feelings of what to do with your day once a big project is complete. They also offer tips for the best interview practices.

Do you have a question about creativity? Reach out at (304) 933-9675 or email us at working@slate.com.

Podcast production by Kevin Bendis and Cameron Drews.

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

The Sounds That Make a Movie Jan 21, 2024

Show notes

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to the very in-demand sound designer Johnnie Burn, who has worked on multiple great and sonically rich films like Nope, Poor Things, and the dark historical drama The Zone of Interest, which tells the story of a Nazi commandant and his family who live right outside the walls of Auschwitz. In the interview, Johnnie discusses the crucial role that audio plays in the film and his close attention to historical accuracy. He also discusses the difference between his theatrical mix and a mix he creates for smaller devices, like phones and ipads.

After the interview, Isaac and co-host June Thomas discuss the role of sound in their own work.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Johnnie shares a strange discovery he made while tweaking the audio levels for The Zone of Interest.

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 to Portray a Hollywood Legend Jan 14, 2024

Show notes

This week, host June Thomas talks to Jason Isaacs, an actor known for roles like Lucien Malfoy in the Harry Potter film series and Georgy Zhukov in The Death of Stalin. In the interview, Jason discusses the extensive research that went into his portrayal of Cary Grant in the Britbox series Archie, including the work of capturing Grant’s accent, which changed over time. He also talks about his impressively long IMDB page and his life-changing experience working on the play Angels in America.

After the interview, June and co-host Ronald Young Jr. talk about accent work and thorough research.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Jason talks more about Cary Grant’s career. Then June asks Jason if he ever borrows clothing and style choices from his characters.

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.

Working Overtime: Harnessing All Five Senses Jan 11, 2024

Show notes

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler expand their world by exploring the senses we often neglect. Isaac recounts a method acting technique of attaching a memory or feeling to a specific scent, or color from our past. June remembers the sight of a dress made by a friend bringing back the memory of childhood Christmas chocolates. They also dive into other sensory-building exercises and take a walk through the streets of Edinburgh.

Do you have a question about creativity? Reach out at (304) 933-9675 or email us at working@slate.com.

Podcast production by Kevin Bendis and Cameron Drews.

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

Drawing Strangers to Build Empathy Jan 07, 2024

Show notes

This week, guest-host Ronald Young Jr. talks to Wendy MacNaughton, an artist whose work can be found in many places, including the bestselling cookbook Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat. In the interview, Wendy discusses her unique artistic style, which stems from her practice of interacting closely with her subjects. She also talks about her educational project DrawTogether and its sister project DrawTogether Strangers, which encourages people to draw portraits of complete strangers in public places around the U.S.

After the interview, Ronald and co-host June Thomas discuss the courage it takes to find and pursue a passion.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Wendy shares techniques for talking to strangers.

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.

You can learn more about Wendy’s work at her website, wendymacnaughton.com, and you can learn more about the DrawTogether Grown-Ups Table at club.drawtogether.studio.

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

Our New Year's Resolutions for 2024 Dec 31, 2023

Show notes

This week, working hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler share their goals for the year ahead and devise strategies to help each other accomplish them. They also reflect on their resolutions from last year and share how well they stuck to them.

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.

Working Overtime: Lightening Your Workload Dec 28, 2023

Show notes

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler discuss the value of finding people who can help take work off your plate and let you focus on your primary tasks. Isaac found employing a research assistant for both his books was an integral part of discovering and collating details. June has utilized software programs to stay productive and organized, yet both hosts are wary of the role that A.I. may play. They also discuss how other jobs such as copy editing, canvas stretching, and housekeeping can help you get through your work.

Do you have a question about creativity? Reach out at (304) 933-9675 or email us at working@slate.com.

Podcast production by Kevin Bendis and Cameron Drews.

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

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