Slate Culture Feed

Lawrence Bartley has been in prison for 23 years on a murder charge. Now, he's wondering what he'll say to the parole board—and to his sons, who are still too young to know of his past.Support Death, Sex & Money by becoming a monthly sustaining member. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dana Stevens, Julia Turner, and David Haglund discuss Chris Rock's latest movie Top Five, the Seven Wonders of the Modern World with Slate's Daniel Gross, and what the lumbersexual says about masculinity. Visit our sponsors: Blue Bottle Coffee at Home (bluebottlecoffee.com/redeem), promo code Culture. Harrys.com (harrys.com), promo code Culture. CreativeBug.com (creativebug.com), promo code Culture. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss Kobe Bryant’s legacy and the NBA’s conference imbalance. They also talk to Baseball Prospectus’ Sam Miller about MLB’s winter meetings and interview attorney Sharon Vinick about NFL cheerleader lawsuits.Show notes at www.slate.com/hangup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens take a field trip to MoMA to see the Henri Matisse exhibit, discuss the film Wild, and reveal the best second novels you'll read this year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss the pairings for the inaugural College Football Playoff and look at UAB’s decision to drop its football program. They also interview legendary journalist Robert Lipsyte about his tenure as ESPN ombudsman.Show notes at www.slate.com/hangup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike Pesca drives Josh Levin to Brooklyn's 176-year-old Green-Wood Cemetery. On a tour led by the cemetery's historian, they visit the graves of two great (but definitely dead) baseball pioneers. This extra was recorded on the 2014 National Gabfest Tour made possible by Acura. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liam and Marisa fell in love as college students. Then, Liam began his gender transition. Here, they speak candidly about staying committed through serious change.Support Death, Sex & Money by becoming a monthly sustaining member. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens take a spin around Los Angeles with native Angeleno (and Slate's executive producer of podcasts) Andy Bowers at the wheel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss the decision to overturn Ray Rice’s suspension and the injury-riddled careers of Robert Griffin III and Derrick Rose. Gideon Haigh also joins to talk about the on-field death of cricketer Phillip Hughes.Show notes at www.slate.com/hangup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss the Cosby scandal with Grantland writer Wesley Morris, the legacy of director Mike Nichols, and the cultural things the Gabbers are thankful for this year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Slate’s sports podcast on Odell Beckham Jr.’s amazing catch, painkiller usage in the NFL, and Adrian Peterson’s extended suspension. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Culturefest joins the Political Gabfest and Hang Up and Listen, onstage at the Music Hall of Williamsburg with emcee Dan Kois, for a blockbuster show in front of a live audience. Show notes at www.slate.com/culturefest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The best-selling author of The Color of Water lived large, and he lost his creative focus. Now, he drives a pickup and teaches music in Brooklyn, and he's happier than he's ever been.Support Death, Sex & Money by becoming a monthly sustaining member. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hang Up and Listen joins the Political and Culture Gabfests, onstage at the Music Hall of Williamsburg with emcee Dan Kois, for a blockbuster show in front of a live audience.Show notes at www.slate.com/hangup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss the film Interstellar, Lisa Kudrow's comeback TV series "The Comeback," and London taxi drivers' test The Knowledge with writer Jody Rosen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca talk to Whore of Akron author Scott Raab about LeBron James’s return to Ohio. They also examine the NFL’s obsession with London and review ESPN’s documentary about Livan and Orlando Hernandez, Brothers in Exile.Show notes at www.slate.com/hangup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Slate critics Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss the shapeshifting Taylor Swift's latest incarnation with Slate music critic Carl Wilson, the documentary film about The New York Review of Books, 50 Year Argument, and Hollaback's viral video on catcalling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Caleb Wilde, a sixth-generation funeral director, will bury many of his friends and family in his small town. In a culture so unable to talk about death, he tweets to feel less alone.Support Death, Sex & Money by becoming a monthly sustaining member. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin ask Paul Finebaum about ESPN’s alleged pro-SEC bias. They also talk to Amanda Hess about Lauren Hill and inspirational sports moments and quiz Seth Stevenson about the video game League of Legends and the rise of e-sports.Show notes at www.slate.com/hangup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Slate critics Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss the Edward Snowden documentary CitizenFour with Fred Kaplan, the camp TV comedy Jane the Virgin, and the human cost of protecting us from the Internet with Adrian Chen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss Madison Bumgarner’s World Series dominance and the latest claim that baseball is dying. They also talk to UNC whistleblower Mary Willingham and assess the bull Bushwacker with PBR statistician Slade Long.Show notes at www.slate.com/hangup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Burstyn has countless acting awards, but she says she is proudest of her son. Talking at home, she describes learning how to mother, leaving an abusive marriage and confronting death.Support Death, Sex & Money by becoming a monthly sustaining member. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Slate critics Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss the new Alejandro González Iñárritu film Birdman and revel in the absurdity of "Sexiest Woman Alive" features. They also talk poetry with former U.S. poet laureate Robert Pinsky. Show notes at www.slate.com/culturefest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca talk to Grantland’s Jonah Keri about the Royals-Giants World Series. They also discuss the ethics of NBA teams tracking their players’ biometric data, and Bob Ryan joins to talk about his new book Scribe.Show notes at www.slate.com/hangup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Slate critics Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss This American Life's wildly popular spinoff show Serial, talk with Dan Pashman about his book Eat More Better, and debate Zadie Smith's essay about New York. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss Fox Sports 1’s sabermetric-friendly NLCS broadcast and debate Georgia football player Todd Gurley’s suspension. They also talk to Dvora Meyers about superstar gymnast Simone Biles.Show notes at www.slate.com/hangup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a special live show in Brooklyn, Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss the baseball playoffs and the NBA’s TV deal. Roy Blount Jr. joins to discuss his classic book About Three Bricks Shy of a Load, and the hosts do a listener Q-and-A.Show notes at www.slate.com/hangup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a special live show in Los Angeles, Slate critics Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens try to bridge the gulf between West Coast culture creators and East Coast critics. The Gabbers talk with actors Jenny Slate and Natasha Lyonne; Scriptnotes podcast hosts and screenwriters John August and Craig Mazin, and debate the movie Gone Girl. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whitney Joiner's father told her he was HIV-positive in 1992. When she asked if he was gay, he said no. Now, she's looking for answers about the father she never knew.Support Death, Sex & Money by becoming a monthly sustaining member. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Slate critics Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens take a tour the Jeff Koons exhibit at the Whitney Museum with curator Scott Rothkopf, and discuss the myth of the self-made man with Slate's John Swansburg. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss ESPN’s decision to suspend Bill Simmons, talk about the Kansas City Royals with Grantland’s Rany Jazayerli, and look at the turmoil surrounding the Michigan football program with Slate’s Ben Mathis-Lilley.Show notes at www.slate.com/hangup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Slate critics Stephen Metcalf and Julia Turner discuss U2 with Slate music writer Carl Wilson, the ignored world of competitive chess with Seth Stevenson, and Shonda Rhimes and representation with Slate's TV critic Willa Paskin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Domonique Foxworth can't stand to see players getting knocked unconscious. In this candid interview, he explains how his need for relevance and security took him from the NFL to Harvard.Support Death, Sex & Money by becoming a monthly sustaining member. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca talk to ESPN’s Jane McManus about the NFL and domestic violence. They also discuss Jameis Winston, Hope Solo, and what their teams should do about them. Finally, Grantland’s Ben Lindbergh joins to talk baseball.Show notes at www.slate.com/hangup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Slate critics Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss A.O Scott's article which asks, "Who or what killed adulthood?", fingerprint words, and whether Apple Watch is the beginning of our wearable future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scott Aukerman and Kulap Vilaysack are the podcasting world's definitive power couple, but they couldn't have come from more different backgrounds. This is their origin story.Support Death, Sex & Money by becoming a monthly sustaining member. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss the NFL’s continued failures and whether Roger Goodell will go. They also examine the U.S. team’s dominant win at the FIBA World Cup and interview SB Nation’s Jon Bois about his Breaking Madden series.Show notes at www.slate.com/hangup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Slate critics Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens answer listeners calls from the Slate retreat at Mohonk Mountain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedian Chris Gethard and Hallie Bulleit met on a public access TV show that's beloved by its fans. Now they're getting married, which is great. Supporting a household is another thing.Support Death, Sex & Money by becoming a monthly sustaining member. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss the Ravens’ decision to cut Ray Rice. Slate’s Jamelle Bouie also joins to discuss the Atlanta Hawks owner’s racist email. Finally, Josh interviews Josh Keefe, the worst high school quarterback ever.Show notes at www.slate.com/hangup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's Culture Gabfest, Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and David Haglund discuss Whit Stillman's Amazon pilot "The Cosmopolitans," the online gaming and spectator sport TV channel Twitch.tv, and whether it's good to be against the against article. You can leave a question for next week's show on our voicemail: 725-222-FEST. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss college football’s opening weekend bonanza of games at NFL stadiums. They also interview ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr. about his profile of Jerry Jones and talk to SI.com’s Courtney Nguyen about the U.S. Open.Show notes at www.slate.com/hangup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's Culture Gabfest, Julia Turner, John Swansburg, and David Haglund discuss FXX's Simpson's marathon, the independent twist-filled romance The One I Love, and the Ice Bucket Challenge craze. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since Roger Ebert's death in 2013, his wife Chaz says they still communicate in unique and powerful ways. If that sounds out of the ordinary, so is the story of how they fell in love.Support Death, Sex & Money by becoming a monthly sustaining member. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss the pros and cons of NFL preseason. They also talk about MVP candidate Alex Gordon and baseball’s search for an all-in-one stat, and speak with ESPN’s Kevin Pelton about Cleveland acquiring Kevin Love.Show notes at www.slate.com/hangup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's Slate Culture Gabfest, Slate critics Dana Stevens, Julia Turner, and guest Dan Kois discuss the film The Giver, ironic misandry, and the makings of a memorable movie soundtrack. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Mike Pesca discuss the election of Rob Manfred as the new MLB head. They also speak with author Mark Hyman about Little League baseball and talk to ESPN's Bonnie Ford about Canada’s bid to host the Women’s World Cup on turf fields.Show notes at www.slate.com/hangup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Slate critics Dana Stevens, Julia Turner, and guest John Swansburg discuss the inestimable actor and comedian Robin Williams' career, Cinemax's the turn-of-the-century hospital drama The Knick, and the weather. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support Death, Sex & Money by becoming a monthly sustaining member. Sign up now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh Levin and Mike Pesca interview Motorsport.com’s Steven Cole Smith about the death of Kevin Ward Jr.; talk to Grantland’s Shane Ryan about Rory McIlroy’s PGA win; and chat with the New York Times’ Marc Tracy about big changes in college sports.Show notes at www.slate.com/hangup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.