Slate Culture Feed

In the summer of 1986, both Time Magazine and Newsweek ran blockbuster cover stories on the same subject: a secret cache of provocative, intimate paintings by Andrew Wyeth, one of America's most famous artists. These paintings were completed over fifteen years and all featured the same, often-nude model named Helga, and had been hidden from his wife and the public for 15 years. The implication was obvious: Wyeth had been having an affair with this woman. But just as the story was breaking in Time and Newsweek, it began to unravel, and something even stranger and more complex emerged.On this episode we examine the story of these secret paintings, the backlash to that story, and question if, maybe, that backlash was itself overdrawn. This is the first episode of our winter season. If you love the show and want to support us, consider joining Slate Plus. With Slate Plus you can get ad free podcasts, bonus episodes, and much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss Aaron Rodgers’ claims about vaccination and how the Packers and the NFL should deal with him. They also talk about ESPN’s investigation into Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver. Finally, the Washington Post’s Candace Buckner joins for a conversation about the fashion choices of NBA coaches. Rodgers (2:52): What his interview about COVID and vaccines revealed about the Packers quarterback. Sarver (26:26): How will the NBA handle allegations of racism and misogyny against one of its owners? NBA coach fashion (48:22): Should we lament the rise of the quarter-zip and the demise of the suit? Afterball (1:08:37): Josh on Jameis Winston, Drew Brees, and the athletes we support, tolerate, and disdain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Earlier this month, Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook was rebranding to become Meta, shifting the company’s focus away from the single social media platform to some sort of amorphous, “embodied internet” concept. Khabane Lame, TikTok’s second biggest star right now, got tapped to do some spon-con for the rebrand, appearing in a video alongside Zuckerberg on Instagram. On today’s episode, Rachelle and Madison discuss who Lame’s rise to TikTok fame, why Facebook grabbed him for their publicity campaign, and how this might all just be a distraction from some rather unsavory news inside the Facebook Papers.If you would like to learn more about the Facebook Papers, check out:”The Nationalism of Facebook,” by Siva Vaidhyanathan in SlateThe What Next TBD episode, “Will the Facebook Whistleblower Make a Difference?”The What Next episode, “How Long Can Mark Zuckerberg Be King?”Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John.Support ICYMI and listen to the show with zero ads. Sign up to become a Slate Plus member for just $1 for your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A listener we're calling Jack wants to tell his dad that a passion for firearms is no longer something they share. We're looking for our next intern! Is it you? To find out more about eligibility and to apply, go to wnyc.org/careers.If you're not already subscribed to our newsletter, sign up! Every Wednesday, we send out podcast listening recommendations, your stories from our inbox, and behind-the-scenes updates from the show. Sign up at deathsexmoney.org. Got a story to share? Email us any time at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Steve and Dana are joined by Slate’s music critic Carl Wilson. First, the panel reviews Edgar Wright’s newest psychological horror film Last Night in Soho—which Dana reviewed for Slate. Next, the panel discusses the newest album in over 40 years from the legendary Swedish music group ABBA, titled Voyage. Finally, the panel is joined by host of Slate’s Hit Parade podcast (and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voter!) Chris Molanphy to discuss this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees and the institution at large.In Slate Plus, the panel discusses music they like to listen to while working. You can find Dana’s playlist of music to work and write to here, Steve’s here, and Carl’s here.Email us at [email protected]: The LA Times has been doing an incredible job of covering the ever-developing story of the tragic shooting on the set of the Alec Baldwin film, Rust. The story, which points to many bigger problems, including issues with labor relations in the entertainment industry at large. “The Day Alec Baldwin Shot Halyna Hutchins and Joel Souza” chronologically accounts the events of the entire day, written by three different reporters: Meg James, Amy Kaufman, and Julia Wick.Carl: First, the great late-80s rock musician Billy Bragg’s newest album The Million Things That Never Happened in which he reflects on aging, isolation, change, and being challenged ideologically by younger generations. This is specifically true of the track, “Mid-Century Modern.” Second, the new music historiography novel from Kelefa Sanneh (who, in the 2000s, wrote the great central piece on rockism for the New York Times), Major Labels: A History of Popular Music in Seven Genres, which is a celebration of what happens when you stay within a tradition.Steve: First, the ‘80s singer-songwriter Marshall Crenshaw’s live cover of ABBA’s song “Knowing Me, Knowing You.” Second, yet another Swedish indie band: The Amazing.Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe.Outro music is “Lonely Calling” by Arc De Soleil.Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts, a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest, full access to Slate's journalism on Slate.com, and more. Sign up now at slate.com/cultureplus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the Real Housewives of Potomac wraps its latest season, it’s clear how essential the cast’s social media presences are when trying to understand the dynamics at play on the show. On today’s episode, Rachelle and Madison talk to culture writer and critic Shamira Ibrahim about how the series has grown increasingly dependent on online drama, and how social media can be a useful tool for following the intricacies of race and class on display. They also explain the meme, “Let’s Go, Brandon.”Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John.Support ICYMI and listen to the show with zero ads. Sign up to become a Slate Plus member for just $1 for your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel, Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the ouster of Joel’s old football coach, TCU’s Gary Patterson. They also talk about how the NBA’s new rules are changing pro basketball. Finally, the New York Times’ Kevin Draper joins for a conversation about the Chicago Blackhawks’ cover-up of an alleged sexual assault.TCU (3:06): Why was it time for Gary Patterson to go? Who does Joel want to see replace him? NBA rules (30:11): Draymond Green is delighted. Trae Young and James Harden aren’t.Blackhawks (44:42): What the team’s investigation revealed about the culture of hockey and sexual assault.Afterball (1:04:30): Stefan on the surprising origins of the “tomahawk chop” music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this special Halloween episode, you’re in for a handful of treats. Rachelle and Madison reveal their Halloween costumes and talk about what scares and bugs them on the internet this spooky season. They’ll discuss listener-submitted Vines, tweets, and Tumblr posts that are iconic Halloween internet staples, including the viral song “Spooky Scary Skeletons." We’ll dive deep into the origins of the song with Victoria Gold, whose father Andrew Gold wrote the celebrated bop.Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder, Derek John, and Samira Tazari.Support ICYMI and listen to the show with zero ads. Sign up to become a Slate Plus member for just $1 for your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Part 2 of this episode of Hit Parade, Chris Molanphy traces the lineage of ’90s bands like Green Day, Offspring and Blink‑182 to their descendants in ’00s emo artisans Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the Disco and their skinny-jeans-wearing, smarty-pants contemporaries. Podcast production by Asha Saluja with help from Rosemary Belson.We have a special announcement! This year is the 25th anniversary of Slate. And for a limited time, we’re offering our annual Slate Plus membership at $25 off. As a Slate Plus member, you'll get to hear every Hit Parade episode in full, the day it arrives; plus Hit Parade—“The Bridge,” our bonus episodes, with guest interviews, deeper dives on our episode topics, and pop-chart trivia. Plus, you’ll get no ads on any Slate podcast, unlimited reading on the Slate site, and member-exclusive episodes and segments. This offer lasts until October 31st, so sign up now at slate.com/hitparadeplus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Five current and former food service workers reflect on their career changes and the future of their industry since the start of the pandemic.For more from Cara, Lesely, and on navigating child care in the pandemic, listen to last year's episode here.If you're not already subscribed to our newsletter, sign up! Every Wednesday, we send out podcast listening recommendations, your stories from our inbox, and behind-the-scenes updates from the show. Sign up at deathsexmoney.org. Got a story to share? Email us any time at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Steve and Dana are joined by Slate senior editor Allegra Frank. First, senior producer of Slate’s Decoder Ring podcast, Benjamin Frisch, chimes in to review the sci-fi megafilm Dune. Next, the panel discusses Netflix’s Maid. Finally, the panel dives into the IATSE strike, and the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust, involving the actor Alec Baldwin.In Slate Plus, the panel discusses Halloween as an adult.Email us at [email protected]: Lauren Michele Jackson’s piece for The New Yorker about corporate social media and the way Netflix’s social media teams have responded to the Dave Chappelle controversy, titled “Dave Chappelle, Netflix, and the Illusions of Corporate Identity Politics.”Allegra: Lately, the videogame Super Smash Bros. Ultimate—which she has been playing on Nintendo Switch. Recently, the lead character of another video game franchise, Sora from Kingdom Hearts, has been added as an avatar you can play as in the game. Steve: First, the song “Precious Memories” by Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Then, British political scientist David Runciman discussed Peter Thiel, silicon valley investor, for the London Review of Books’ podcast, in an episode titled, “The Peter Thiel Paradox.” Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe.Outro music is “Precious Memories” by Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re debuting our new segment, “Wormhole,” with this fascinating look into the phenomenon of the viral mukbang YouTuber and drama magnet, Nikocado Avocado. On today’s episode, Rachelle and Madison invite their internet obsessive colleague and senior producer of Slate’s Decoder Ring, Benjamin Frisch, to discuss who this infamous extreme eating content creator is, and why the internet is convinced Nikocado Avocado is eating himself to death.Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder, Derek John, and Samira Tazari.Support ICYMI and listen to the show with zero ads. Sign up to become a Slate Plus member for just $1 for your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Defector’s Drew Magary talk about the seeming decline of the Kansas City Chiefs. They also discuss who to root for in the World Series, the Houston Astros or the Atlanta Braves. Finally, they speak with Drew about his book The Night the Lights Went Out: A Memoir of Life After Brain Damage. Chiefs (3:54): What’s wrong with Patrick Mahomes and the former champs? World Series (25:47): Is the case against the Astros stronger than the case against the Braves? The Night the Lights Went Out (46:29): Drew on his traumatic brain injury and what came after. Afterball (1:07:00): Stefan on the history of the Atlanta Braves’ nickname. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why have so many young women developed tic disorders during the course of the pandemic? Well, apart from the obvious pandemic-related stressors, TikTok could be a big part of it. On today’s episode, Rachelle and Madison talk to science journalist Maddie Bender about her report for Vice unpacking this medical mystery. They discuss the correlation between exposure to Tic Tok, a subculture on TikTok where influencers share videos of their tic-related symptoms, and the rise of young women who have developed tic-like behaviors. Though social media could be a trigger for this phenomenon, they’ll discuss if TikTok could also be a part of the solution. Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder, Derek John, and Samira Tazari.Support ICYMI and listen to the show with zero ads. Sign up to become a Slate Plus member for just $1 for your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I talk with the Succession actor over egg creams and omelets in New York City.If you're not already subscribed to our newsletter, sign up! Every Wednesday, we send out podcast listening recommendations, your stories from our inbox, and behind-the-scenes updates from the show. Sign up at deathsexmoney.org. Got a story to share? Email us any time at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is it a bones day or a no bones day? That’s the question that’s swept across TikTok, thanks to Noodle the pug. Each morning, owner Jonathan Graziano wakes up and checks if his geriatric pug has bones or not, a helpful way of predicting what sort of day we’re all going to have. On today’s episode, Madison and Rachelle interview Jonathan (and Noodle) about his sudden viral fame, how Noodle is handling such celebrity, and exactly what it means to have a no bones day.Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John.Support ICYMI and listen to the show with zero ads. Sign up to become a Slate Plus member. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Steve and Dana are joined by Karen Han. First, Slate’s music critic Carl Wilson chimes in to discuss Todd Haynes’s new The Velvet Underground documentary, which he wrote beautifully about for Slate. Next, the panel (minus Dana) is joined by Slate staff writer Rebecca Onion to review Mike Flanagan’s newest Netflix horror series, Midnight Mass—which she also wrote lovingly about. Finally, the panel (minus Dana) is joined by Vulture senior editor and host of the Good One podcast, Jesse David Fox, to discuss the Dave Chappelle controversy.In Slate Plus, the panel discusses media they loved when they were younger that they have since outgrown.Email us at [email protected]: The book equivalent of Todd Haynes’s documentary, the first oral history Dana ever read and still one of the best she’s ever read to this day: Edie: American Girl by Jean Stein and George Plimpton. The oral history tells the story of actress and model Edie Sedgwick completely through testimony from people that were there, without any interstitial material. Karen: New World, the Korean crime drama film from Park Hoon-jung that stars Squid Game’s Lee Jung-jae. The film features Lee as an undercover cop who is tasked with infiltrating the mob, but ends up caught between two worlds. It also stars a slew of great Korean actors including Hwang Jung-min and Song Ji-hyo. Steve: First, Netflix’s series The Chestnut Man, a dark, taught crime drama which takes place in Copenhagen. Then, a whole genre of YouTube videos taking you from raw audio of rehearsal to mastertape of Elvis’s songs, including “And The Grass Won’t Pay No Mind”—though, Neil Diamond’s version of that one is better.Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe.Outro music is “I’ll Be Your Mirror” by The Velvet Underground. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson and Josh Levin talk with Slate’s Alex Kirshner about the split between LSU and its coach Ed Orgeron. They’re also joined by Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports for a preview of the 2021-22 NBA season. Finally, Stefan Fatsis speaks with Dave Zirin about his book The Kaepernick Effect. Orgeron (4:20): Why did LSU part ways with a championship-winning coach? NBA (29:53): What to expect from the Kyrie-less Nets and the LeBron/AD/Russ Lakers. The Kaepernick Effect (50:52): Looking back on five years’ worth of athlete protests. Afterball (1:12:00): Josh on erasing Derrius Guice’s records. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emily Mariko’s salmon rice bowl video has taken TikTok by storm, with fans praising its deliciousness and even claiming that her video helped heal their relationship with food. On this episode of ICYMI, Rachelle and Madison figure out where this story fits into the diet culture conversation and explain how the reaction to Mariko’s dish is about much more than just the ingredients she’s using. Of course, they weren’t about to talk about a viral recipe without trying it, so the hosts took to the kitchen to find out whether it really lives up to the hype.Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John.Support ICYMI and listen to the show with zero ads. Sign up to become a Slate Plus member. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Punk happened, past tense.” That’s what Boomer-era critics and true-believer punks told the younger generations. Punk’s whole reason for being was rejecting the mainstream. But punk wasn’t just a movement—it was also a genre. And 20 years after it first emerged, punk went from underground to overground, dominating the radio for the first time. In this episode of Hit Parade, Chris Molanphy traces how punk traveled from Sid Vicious to strip mall, through the lineage of ’90s bands Green Day, Offspring and Blink‑182, and ’00s emo artisans Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the Disco and their skinny-jeans-wearing, smarty-pants contemporaries. From the CBGB era to the current Billboard Hot 100, punk is no historical artifact—it’s still morphing and adapting. And for all its supposed opposition to convention, the dirty little secret is: Punk has always been catchy. Podcast production by Asha Saluja with help from Rosemary Belson.We have a special announcement! This year is the 25th anniversary of Slate. And for a limited time, we’re offering our annual Slate Plus membership at $25 off. As a Slate Plus member, you'll get to hear every Hit Parade episode in full, the day it arrives; plus Hit Parade—“The Bridge,” our bonus episodes, with guest interviews, deeper dives on our episode topics, and pop-chart trivia. Plus, you’ll get no ads on any Slate podcast, unlimited reading on the Slate site, and member-exclusive episodes and segments. This offer lasts until October 31st, so sign up now at slate.com/hitparadeplus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a child, Christy Carlson Romano starred in Disney Channel’s Even Stevens and voiced the character Kim Possible on the eponymous cartoon. Then she faded from the spotlight—until recently, when she reemerged as a chaotic YouTube genius. On this episode of ICYMI, Rachelle and Madison talk to Vanity Fair’s Chris Murphy about his recent profile of Romano and unpack why her candid, low-lift YouTube videos actually have quite the keen understanding of what drives clicks.Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John. Support ICYMI and listen to the show with zero ads. Sign up to become a Slate Plus member for just $1 for your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Steve and Dana are joined by author and co-host of Slate’s Working podcast, Isaac Butler. First, the panel reviews Sally Rooney’s most recent novel, Beautiful World, Where Are You?. Next, the panel discusses the new poignant and hilarious television series Reservation Dogs. Finally, the panel dissects the viral NYT Mag article “Who Is the Bad Art Friend?” in a larger discussion about literary responsibility.In Slate Plus, the panel discusses the choice to give up on media you just don’t like and, alternatively, why some people don’t.Email us at [email protected]: Devery Jacobs’s—the actress who plays Elora Danan on Reservation Dogs—beautifully written article “How Reservation Dogs Is Opening Up a Crucial Conversation About Suicide in Indigenous Communities.”Isaac: The 1996 romantic comedy and comedy of friendship from Nicole Holofcener, Walking and Talking, which is a perfect time capsule of ‘90s New York. Dana has written insightfully about the film, which has also been discussed on a previous episode of Gabfest.Steve: An essay from The New York Review of Books that blew Steve away from Jessica Riskin, titled “Nature’s Evolving Tastes” which talks about the misconstrued reactions to Darwin’s most politicized work Descent of Man.Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe.Outro music is "200 Dont's" by ConditionalSlate Plus members get ad-free podcasts, a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest, full access to Slate's journalism on Slate.com, and more. Sign up now at slate.com/cultureplus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin talk with Slate’s Alex Kirshner about the racist, sexist, and homophobic emails written by now-former NFL head coach Jon Gruden. Writer Roberto José Andrade Franco joins to discuss Mexican-American soccer star Ricardo Pepi. Finally, Chantel Jennings of the Athletic breaks down the WNBA playoffs.Gruden (4:07): What his emails reveal about the culture of the NFL? Pepi (209:07): The on-field and off-field significance of the USMNT’s new star. WNBA (51:47): What you need to know about the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury. Afterball (1:13:62): Josh on a women’s sports equivalent for “the Jimmys and the Joes.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How many details must a writer change before real life turns into fiction? That’s a central question of “Who Is the Bad Art Friend?” the seismic New York Times Magazine article about a kidney donation, a Facebook post, and the subsequent fallout that has consumed social media this week. On today’s episode, Madison tries to summarize the story using only what she learned about it from reactions online. Then, Rachelle catches her up on the real story and all its bizarre details. Finally, they discuss whether anybody comes out of this situation looking like a hero, what writers owe to the people they know IRL, and the best practices for making sure your group chats aren’t the subject of the next big New York Times story.Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amanda's husband Sam had a lot of secrets, most of which she discovered after his death. That made grieving, and moving on, a lot more complicated.We're putting together an audio survival kit for listeners going through infertility. If you've struggled with infertility, tell us—what's helped you through it? Tell us about the things you've listened to, read, done or thought to yourself in a voice memo (please keep it to under a minute) and send it in to [email protected]. If you're not already subscribed to our newsletter, sign up! Every Wednesday, we send out podcast listening recommendations, your stories from our inbox, and behind-the-scenes updates from the show. Sign up at deathsexmoney.org. Got a story to share? Email us any time at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It can feel nice to form bonds with people we don’t know by following their lives online! It can also be invasive. On today’s episode, Rachelle and Madison look at an instance of parasocial relationships gone wrong as one long-distance college couple’s reunion turned TikTok users into amateur investigators looking for signs of infidelity. Why did TikTok give these teens the true-crime treatment? Did they invite the scrutiny for even posting in the first place? To read more about parasocial relationships online, check out Madison’s piece, “John Mulaney Doesn’t Owe You Squat.”Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John. Support ICYMI and listen to the show with zero ads. Sign up to become a Slate Plus member for just $1 for your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Steve and Dana are joined by author and co-host of Slate’s Working podcast, Isaac Butler. First, the panel discusses the social implications of Netflix’s biggest hit to date, Squid Game. Next, the panel reviews the incredibly divisive (and gory) Cannes Palme d’Or winning Titane. Finally, the panel is joined by writer, researcher, and host of the Talking Scared podcast, Neil McRobert, to dissect the horror genre trope of the Final Girl.In Slate Plus, the panel discusses representations of parenthood in art.Email us at [email protected] panel revisits their previous discussion on eBooks and endorses more media.Dana: Scottish actor Alan Cumming’s harrowing, yet deeply moving book—particularly the audiobook version—Not My Father’s Son: A Family Memoir.Isaac: Two books consumed in eBook format! The first, a tome composed of every novella from author Ursula K. Le Guin titled, The Found and the Lost. The second, in this episode’s shadow theme of Halloween, Jason Zinoman’s book Shock Value: How a Few Eccentric Outsiders Gave Us Nightmares, Conquered Hollywood, and Invented Modern Horror. Which is, not clearly, a history steeped in love of 1970s horror cinema auteurs.Steve: Keeping it simple this week with three songs. First, the indie rock band from Leeds, The Wedding Present and their 1992 song “Blue Eyes.” Second (friend of a friend of the podcast) Courtney Barnett’s cover of The Velvet Underground’s “I’ll Be Your Mirror” from the recent Velvet Underground & Nico tribute album. Finally, Willow Smith’s (yes, as in Jada Pinkett and Will Smith) song with artist Tyler Cole “Meet Me At Our Spot,” which was released under their alias THE ANXIETY. (The live version has been blowing up on TikTok.)Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe.Outro music is "Meet Me At Our Spot" by THE ANXIETY, WILLOW, and Tyler ColeSlate Plus members get ad-free podcasts, a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest, full access to Slate's journalism on Slate.com, and more. Sign up now at slate.com/cultureplus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about Tom Brady’s win over the Patriots. Meg Rowley of FanGraphs also joins to discuss the end of baseball’s regular season and the start of the playoffs. Finally, the Athletic’s Steph Yang helps assess the present and future of the National Women’s Soccer League.Brady vs. the Pats (03:09): Did the game live up to the hype? Was there too much hype? Baseball (28:23): Should we be sad about the lack of chaos or happy about the possibility of chaos to come?NWSL (49:42): What are the allegations, and what happens next?Afterball (1:07:30): Stefan on the oldest players in NFL history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scams are everywhere. From the Fyre Festival to Anna Delvy to LuLaRoe, fraudsters just seem to be getting more and more popular these days. On today’s episode, Rachelle and Madison welcome Laci Mosley, host of the podcast Scam Goddess, to talk about her love of scams and scammers, how she’s been scammed herself, and why she thinks we are all so obsessed with these audacious grifters.Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you hit speed bumps on the road to having kids? Today, your stories of IVF, IUI, adoption, choosing to not have kids and managing your expectations through it all. We're putting together an audio survival kit for listeners going through infertility. If you've struggled with infertility, tell us—what's helped you through it? Tell us about the things you've listened to, read, done or thought to yourself in a voice memo (please keep it to under a minute) and send it in to [email protected]. If you're not already subscribed to our newsletter, sign up! Every Wednesday, we send out podcast listening recommendations, your stories from our inbox, and behind-the-scenes updates from the show. Sign up at deathsexmoney.org. Got a story to share? Email us any time at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s episode, it’s time for some High Speed Downloads: First, Rachelle and Madison tell you everything you need to know about a viral video of an unfortunate sea lion seeking refuge from a group of orcas. Then, they get to the bottom of a mythical version of Dear Evan Hansen featuring a digitally de-aged Ben Platt. Is it real? Finally, the hosts answer listener questions about the chair emoji on TikTok, “devious licks,” and “soaking.” (We bet you can’t guess which of those aren’t a weird sex thing.)Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Steve and Dana are joined by author and co-host of Slate’s Working podcast, Isaac Butler. First, the panel reviews Clint Eastwood’s most recent film Cry Macho. Next, the panel discusses the neoliberal parable that is Amazon’s docuseries LuLaRich. Finally, the panel discusses the advantages and pitfalls of eBooks.In Slate Plus, the panel discusses their favorite film credit sequences.Email us at [email protected]: Generally: Explore.Org, a live nature cam network. More specifically: Dana’s favorite live cam “The Mississippi River Flyway Cam” on the Raptor Resource Project in Brice Prairie, Wisconsin.Isaac: The novel A Lie Someone Told You About Yourself by Peter Ho Davies, about how a big early decision impacts a couple’s married life afterwards.Steve: A pound the table endorsement: the essay by the feminist critic Vivian Gornick in Harper’s Magazine called “Put on the Diamonds: Notes on humiliation” -- in which she thinks out loud about what humiliation and loneliness are.Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe.Outro music is “Ruins” by Origo.Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts, a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest, full access to Slate's journalism on Slate.com, and more. Sign up now at slate.com/cultureplus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about anti-vaxxers in the NBA. The Washington Post’s Molly Hensley-Clancy discusses allegations that the NWSL’s Washington Sprit have a misogynistic work culture, and Will Bardenwerper joins for a conversation about his Harper’s piece on the potential death of minor league baseball in small towns. NBA anti-vaxxers (4:36): How should the league deal with Kyrie Irving? Washington Spirit (26:33): What to do about alleged bad behavior in the National Women’s Soccer League. Minor leagues (47:27): The consequences of Major League Baseball’s plan to make the minors more efficient. Afterball (1;08): Josh on the College of Faith football program Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The little lad who loves berries and cream is inescapable on TikTok right now. A character from a 2007 Starburst commercial, the little lad has transcended his advertising origins and become a meme all his own. On today’s episode, Madison and Rachelle explain how and why this lad has taken over your feeds, and why there are so many remixes of his audio. They also talk about all the remixes on TikTok featuring rapper Cupcakke, how these are all part of the ubiquity of advertising, and if there’s anything viral that isn’t consumed by capitalism.Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John. Support ICYMI and listen to the show with zero ads. Sign up to become a Slate Plus member for just $1 for your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Part 2 of our 50th episode of Hit Parade, we go back 50 years, celebrating the semicentennial of the year when, critics claim, “music changed everything.” The Quiet Beatle became the Favorite Beatle, when Mick Jagger sang lyrics even he regrets, when Carole King graduated from songwriter to singer-songwriter, and commercial juggernaut, when blaxploitation took over the charts and the Oscars, and when the radio was somehow awash in Osmonds. It wasn’t a perfect year—but Hit Parade host Chris Molanphy is fond of ’71 for personal reasons. Podcast production by Asha Saluja with help from Rosemary Belson.Sign up for Slate Plus now to get episodes in one installment as soon as they're out. You'll also get The Bridge, our trivia show and bonus deep dive. Click here for more info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last year, a listener named Chloe had an unusual opportunity: to get on a Zoom call with the man who she says sexually assaulted her 10 years ago. If you or someone you know is a sexual assault survivor and you're looking for resources, we've compiled some helpful ones here: https://bit.ly/3EEC91hSign up for our weekly newsletter! Every Wednesday, we send out podcast listening recommendations, your stories from our inbox, and behind-the-scenes updates from the show. Sign up at deathsexmoney.org. Got a story to share? Email us any time at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While authorities searched for missing 22-year-old Gabby Petito, she was everywhere to be found on TikTok, Reddit, and Instagram. Content creators, some well-intentioned and others simply chasing clout and clicks, turned the story of Gabby’s apparent death into the latest in true crime drama. On today’s show, Madison and Rachelle talk about the murkiness of the true crime internet and the ethics of using tragedy for clicks. They’re joined later in the show by Hayley Toumaian, a TikTok creator and novice true crime podcast host who says the rapid pace of the news genre means sometimes getting things wrong in front of an audience of millions and willfully sharing misinformation.Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John. Support ICYMI and listen to the show with zero ads. Sign up to become a Slate Plus member for just $1 for your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Steve and Dana are joined by culture writer extraordinaire, Karen Han. First, the panel reviews the definitely problematic, yet overall divisive, popular Netflix film Kate—which Karen wrote about. Next, the panel discusses when Hulu’s risk-taking Nine Perfect Strangers pays off and when it doesn’t. Finally, the panel is joined by Slate’s TV critic and host of Decoder Ring Willa Paskin to discuss the Emmys, the value of award shows, and the evolving way we consume television.In Slate Plus, the panel discusses media they love but consume in moderation for fear of wearing it out.Email us at [email protected]: Netflix’s controversial and shocking Bob Ross documentary, Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal, & Greed, which was coincidentally co-produced by Nine Perfect Strangers’ Melissa McCarthy & Ben Falcone.Karen: The first season of The Righteous Gemstones and how it speaks to the current American climate. You can catch up before season two!Steve: A sad endorsement: The New Republic’s great article, “How Tucker Carlson Lost It” by Alex Shephard. A happier endorsement: it’s time to fall in love again with Gillian Welch, particularly with her songs “Picasso,” “Wayside/Back in Time,” and, honestly? All of the other songs she’s ever made.Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe.Outro music is "I Can Still Dance" by Tigerblood JewelSlate Plus members get ad-free podcasts, a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest, full access to Slate's journalism on Slate.com, and more. Sign up now at slate.com/cultureplus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by USA Today’s Marisa Kwiatkowski to discuss the Senate hearing on the FBI’s failures in the Larry Nassar case. They also assess Eli and Peyton Manning’s Monday Night Football debut and discuss whether the 2021 UConn Huskies are the worst college football team of all time. Nassar case (3:14): What stood out in the Senate hearings, and what will it take for the gymnasts to get closure? Mannings (23:18): How’d Peyton and Eli do on their first broadcast? Will their show have staying power? UConn (43:05): How the Huskies became historically bad. Afterball (59:00): Stefan on the U.S. women’s soccer team’s uncompetitive friendly matches. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Men’s Rights Asians are a group of men whose concern for anti-Asian racism in America has led them on a grim path of anti-Blackness and harassing Asian women. On today’s show, Rachelle and Madison are joined by Slate’s Aaron Mak, whose recent cover story, “Men’s Rights Asians Think This Is Their Moment,” dove into his two year stint embedded in this online Reddit community and what he’s learned about their structure, tactics, and the vitriolic anger constantly simmering within it. Rachelle and Madison also explain the baffling “good soup” meme on TikTok.Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Steve and Dana are joined by author and co-host of Slate’s Working podcast, Isaac Butler. First, the panel discusses how Paul Schrader’s most recent film, The Card Counter, replaces gambling and addiction with guilt and accountability. Next, the panel discusses the star-studded true crime satirical comedy, Only Murders in the Building. Finally, the panel is joined by Slate senior writer and ICYMI podcast host Madison Malone Kircher to discuss John Mulaney and parasocial relationships.In Slate Plus, the panel divulges more of their personal parasocial relationships.Email us at [email protected]: Nora Ephron’s great essay in The New Yorker “Moving On, A Love Story,” in which she struggles to move on from her apartment in the historical Apthorp building in the Upper West Side.Isaac: First, Scorcese’s 1982 film The King of Comedy—the ultimate parasocial relationship film. Second, the app Relisten, which allows you to stream live-music recordings from the vast number of internet archives.Steve: The great writer Saul Bellow’s 1956 novel, Seize the Day. Also: the 1984 collection of his short stories, Him with His Foot in His Mouth and Other Stories.Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe.Outro music is "Self Made Woman" by Katharine AppletonSlate Plus members get ad-free podcasts, a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest, full access to Slate's journalism on Slate.com, and more. Sign up now at slate.com/cultureplus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

LulaRich, a new documentary from Amazon, tells the story of LulaRoe, a multi-level marketing company on selling leggings to women. On today’s episode, Rachelle and Madison discuss their own encounters with MLMs, the importance of Facebook Live videos in this company's rise, and who the documentary chooses to ignore when telling this story.Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John. Support ICYMI and listen to the show with zero ads. Sign up to become a Slate Plus member for just $1 for your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and the New Yorker’s Louisa Thomas talk about Daniil Medvedev’s upset over Novak Djokovic and Emma Raducanu’s shocking U.S. Open title. They also discuss Jameis Winston, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Cam Newton’s interview with his dad. Finally, they assess the U.S. men’s national soccer team’s rocky opening to World Cup qualifying.U.S. Open (2:25): What to make of Djokovic’s loss, and his response to it. Plus, where did Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez come from? NFL (31:12): Making sense of pro football’s opening weekend. U.S. soccer (48:19): How concerning are the USMNT’s on-field struggles? Afterball (1:06;30): Stefan on Sheriff Tiraspol, the Moldovan soccer underdog that you maybe shouldn’t root for Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Somebody has been hurling raw eggs at people in Chicago. On today’s episode, Rachelle and Madison try to crack the case of these egg attacks, and speak to the man who created the Chicago Egg Hunters Facebook group that has been on the hunt for the culprit ever since.Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John. Support ICYMI and listen to the show with zero ads. Sign up to become a Slate Plus member for just $1 for your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At any given time, the music world is celebrating some anniversary, but 1971 has received more than its share of commemorations this year. And with good reason: Carole King. Marvin Gaye. Joni Mitchell. Sly Stone. Janis Joplin. The Who. All released their best work a half-century ago.For our 50th episode of Hit Parade, we go back 50 years, celebrating the semicentennial of the year when, critics claim, “music changed everything.” The Quiet Beatle became the Favorite Beatle, when Mick Jagger sang lyrics even he regrets, when Carole King graduated from songwriter to singer-songwriter, and commercial juggernaut, when blaxploitation took over the charts and the Oscars, and when the radio was somehow awash in Osmonds. It wasn’t a perfect year—but Hit Parade host Chris Molanphy is fond of ’71 for personal reasons. Podcast production by Asha Saluja with help from Rosemary Belson.Sign up for Slate Plus now to get episodes in one installment as soon as they're out. You'll also get The Bridge, our trivia show and bonus deep dive. Click here for more info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sister Josephine Garrett grew up Baptist and worked her way up the corporate ladder—only to realize in her late 20s that she wanted to convert to Catholicism and become a nun. Watch Anna's check-in with Sister Josephine earlier this year on our Instagram feed @deathsexmoney.If you're not already subscribed to our newsletter, sign up! Every Wednesday, we send out podcast listening recommendations, your stories from our inbox, and behind-the-scenes updates from the show. Sign up at deathsexmoney.org. Got a story to share? Email us any time at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Steve and Dana are joined by Slate senior editor, Allegra Frank. First, the panel discusses the surprising achievements of Marvel’s newest addition, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Next, the panel is joined by Slate senior editor Jeremy Stahl to talk about Spike Lee’s docuseries NYC Epicenters 9/11-2021½ and 9/11 trutherism on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Finally, the panel discusses the frustrations of the star-studded time-loop video game 12 Minutes.In Slate Plus, the panel discusses big swings—that missed—but, still hold special places in their hearts.Email us at [email protected] music: "Break the Line" by Coma SvenssonPodcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe.EndorsementsDana: The indie film Short Term 12 from Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton. Also, an endorsement for flood-proof spatial planning–especially for your precious physical media.Allegra: Upon the release of the famous rapper’s newest album, Allegra’s curated playlist of Drake Songs That Don’t Suck. And a quick shout out to the everlasting enjoyment of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.Steve: Christoph Reuter’s beautifully reported deep-dive on the Western presence in Afghanistan post-9/11 titled The Entirely Predictable Failure of the West’s Mission in Afghanistan for Der Spiegel.Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts, a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest, full access to Slate's journalism on Slate.com, and more. Sign up now at slate.com/cultureplus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s episode, Rachelle and Madison open up the mailbag to answer a few questions from our listeners. In addition to other things, they explain what acting POV TikToks are, the possibility of going to Chernobyl, and what, if any, meaning the different emoji heart colors have. If you’ve got questions you want us to answer, send an email to [email protected] production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John. Support ICYMI and listen to the show with zero ads. Sign up to become a Slate Plus member for just $1 for your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh Levin and Joel Anderson are joined by Spencer Hall to talk about the opening weekend of the college football season. They also discuss Bishop Sycamore, the fake high school that made its way into an ESPN football showcase. Finally, the CBC’s Morgan Campbell joins to assess Canada’s series of sporting triumphs. College football (1:48): Alabama looks like its old self. But what’s up with Clemson? Bishop Sycamore (24:37): Where did it come from? Is it unique or a sign of a larger phenomenon? Canada (40:44): Soccer, track, tennis. What’s behind Canada’s run of athletic success? Afterball (56:35): Josh on Dutch tennis player Botic van de Zandschulp. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Earlier this week, musician Jazmine Sullivan took to Instagram and requested her followers to send in secrets, which she then shared anonymously on her page. On today’s episode, Rachelle and Madison talk about how what Jazmine did isn’t new, secrets sharing as a useful online engagement strategy, and why we’ve all be sharing our secrets online for so long.Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John. Support ICYMI and listen to the show with zero ads. Sign up to become a Slate Plus member for just $1 for your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.