Tressie McMillan Cottom is professor and sociologist at Virginia Commonwealth University and author of her new book, ‘Lower Ed: The Troubling Rise of For-Profit Colleges in the New Economy.’’ The “gospel of education,” as tied to the “gospel of wealth.” Education as an article of faith. The arc of education investment in America since WW2. Why Bill Clinton was to the right of Ronald Reagan on education. How does class fit into our expectations of work and education. @tressiemcphd
May 25, 2017•30 min
Brand Eff Up “The Bro Romper Exists and I Don't Want to Live on This Planet Anymore,” Esquire (http://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/news/a55081/romper-for-men-romphim/) What’s Up? “THE RACE IS ON! How IBM, Accenture, PwC and Deloitte Are Shaking Up the Marketing Industry” AdAge (http://adage.com/article/news/consultancies-rising/308845/) What’s Next? “The Rise and (Maybe) Fall of Influencers,” NY Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/10/fashion/kendall-jenner-fyre-festival-pepsi-bella-hadi...
May 23, 2017•37 min
The three motivations Timothy had behind writing On Tyranny now. Why he is not an “American Exceptionalist” especially with regard to American authoritarianism. What the foresight into Trump’s chances in 2016 by many African-Americans signifies. How the internet mattered more than real life in 2016. The importance of “corporeal politics” and getting your body into the world to act. Why all art is political in our time and the important skill-sets of artists.
May 18, 2017•24 min
Brand Eff Up: “Black Passenger Says American Airlines Forced Her to Give Up Her 1st-Class Seat but Let Her White Friend Remain,” The Root (http://www.theroot.com/how-american-airlines-forced-black-passenger-to-give-up-1795045431) What’s Up? “Lil Yachty Clashes With Joe Budden in Heated Hip-Hop Debate,” High Snobiety (http://www.highsnobiety.com/2017/05/03/lil-yachty-clashes-joe-budden/) What’s Next? “Eugenio Derbez Delivers Box Office Hit With 'How To Be A Latin Lover,’' Forbes (https://www.forb...
May 16, 2017•35 min
How Synead knew caribbean soca/calypso influences, especially in a song like ‘Tropicao,’ would be so current. Where her interest in political activism came from, including her mother. How she organized the Millions March in 2014. Why society expects people to do good exclusively for free. Follow us on twitter @TheSynead @_michaelbrooks @philmckenzie @MattLech
May 11, 2017•24 min
Brand Eff Up: “The Day SheaMoisture Got Extra Ashy, Explained,” The Root (http://www.theroot.com/the-day-sheamoisture-got-extra-ashy-explained-1794635233) What’s Up? “Heineken's new ad gets totally political, and it's surprisingly great,” Upworthy (http://www.upworthy.com/heinekens-new-ad-gets-totally-political-and-its-surprisingly-great?c=ufb1) What’s Next? “Fyre Festival Head Billy McFarland: 'We Were a Little Naive',” Rolling Stone (http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/fyre-fest-head-bi...
May 09, 2017•51 min
Where the name and inspiration for @WeAreSoze, Michael's creative impact agency, came from. Michael’s earlier work in filmmaking. Working on Global Grind with Russell Simmons. Building co-ops and equity. Why Michael thinks we should re-imagine capitalism. The importance of expanding and sharing power. Michael’s work and observations on the movement to close Rikers. @MichaelSkolnik
May 04, 2017•32 min
Brand Eff Up “The Handmaid’s Tale cast has resisted calling it feminist. So did Margaret Atwood, once.” Vox (http://www.vox.com/culture/2017/4/25/15407972/handmaids-tale-margaret-atwood-feminism) What’s Up? “Breitbart has been denied permanent government press credentials,” FastCompany (https://news.fastcompany.com/breitbart-has-been-denied-permanent-government-press-credentials-4035680) What’s Next? “Uber is getting serious about building real, honest-to-god flying taxis,” The Verge (https://ww...
May 02, 2017•37 min
New York based actor/comedian/writer Tiara Francis joins us in studio this week. Her journey in performance arts since childhood. Starting at Totally Biased with W Kamau Bell. “Being allowed to talk,” on the set of creative enterprises. Her time at Upright Citizen’s Brigade doing improv and comedy. Tiara’s work on deadass.tv. Tiara recommends musical artist “No Name” and Neil Gaiman’s “American Gods.” Follow: @tiarafrancis
Apr 27, 2017•22 min
Brand Eff Up: “Juicero CEO Begs You: Do NOT Squeeze Our Juice Bags,” Gizmodo (http://gizmodo.com/juicero-ceo-begs-you-do-not-open-our-juice-bags-1794507811) What’s Up? “As KFC promises to launch sandwich into space, Rob Lowe stars as the new Colonel Sanders,” CNBC (http://www.cnbc.com/2017/04/24/kfc-promises-to-launch-sandwich-into-space-with-rob-lowe-as-colonel.html) What’s Next? “Stores are closing at an epic pace,” CNN Money (http://money.cnn.com/2017/04/22/news/credit-suisse-retail/) DitC: M...
Apr 25, 2017•37 min
Why Ingrid is running for Mayor of Detroit. Why creatives and those who are otherwise not politicians should get involved in politics. Detroit's sprawl and history of massive inequality along racial and geographic lines. The primacy of poverty and inequality. The water shut off policies and legacy of attacks on lower income people by Detroit's "Emergency Managers." Ingrid’s interest in political afrofuturism. Go to Ingridlafleur.com or follow her at @ingridlafleur
Apr 20, 2017•27 min
Brand Eff Up? “Overbooked flight on Delta? You now could get nearly $10,000 to give up your seat,” LA Times (http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-delta-overbooking-20170414-story.html) What’s Up? “How YouTube’s Shifting Algorithms Hurt Independent Media,” NY Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/17/arts/youtube-broadcasters-algorithm-ads.html?_r=0) What’s Next? “Netflix beats first-quarter earnings estimates, but slowdown in subscribers hits stock after hours,” LA Times (http://www.latimes.com...
Apr 18, 2017•46 min
Jason’s wide range of activities around music and culture. Launching the Clive Davis music program at NYU. What goes into determining a music program at a university. How to balance industry and economic concerns with artistry and creativity. The importance of consensus and pragmatism. The decimation of music’s middle class. The modern difficulty in getting people’s attention. Jason recommends Laura Mvula, his band “Company Freak,” and some more acts he’s enjoying currently. @jasonkingsays
Apr 13, 2017•37 min
Brand Eff Up: “Ad of the Day: Kendall Jenner protests with Pepsi and Skip Marley in "Jump In' ad,” The Drum http://www.thedrum.com/news/2017/04/04/ad-the-day-kendall-jenner-protests-with-pepsi-and-skip-marley-jump-ad What’s Up? “How Models Ended Up Having Actual Sex in Eckhaus Latta's Spring 2017 Campaign,” WMagazine http://www.wmagazine.com/story/eckhaus-latta-spring-2017-campaign-heji-shin-models-actual-sex What’s Good? “CONDÉ NAST WILL NOW CHARGE VENDORS MONEY IF THEY WANT TO GET PAID FASTER,...
Apr 11, 2017•40 min
Peter joins us to discuss his new book, "How to Kill a City: Gentrification, Inequality, and the Fight for the Neighborhood." How the popular media description of gentrification focuses too much on the individual. Gentrification as a symptom of inequality. How and why Manhattan was turned from a manufacturing hub to a real estate and office space center. The racist and anti-socialist development of suburbs in postwar America. Redlining. The 1970s as an intentional low point for cities. The subse...
Apr 06, 2017•34 min
Brand Eff Up “Here's What Happened When a Woman Mentioned Pay Before an Interview,” Attn http://www.attn.com/stories/15663/woman-tried-talk-about-fair-pay-interview What’s Up? “Pantsuit Nation Is A Sham,” Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/panstuit-nation-is-a-sham_us_585991dce4b04d7df167cb4d “‘Fearless Girl’ statue stares down Wall Street’s iconic bull,” Washington Times (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/mar/8/fearless-girl-statue-stares-down-wall-streets-icon/) What’s ...
Apr 04, 2017•46 min
Legend of the New York club scene Steve Lewis rejoins us in studio this week. On “finding himself” in a club. Why everyone should go to prison, and always expecting to go to prison, and what his 10 months in prison allowed him to catch up on. Teaching astronomy and birdwatching in prison. Opening “Plaid” 5 weeks after leaving prison. Why Steve thinks clubs need to became more overtly sexual.
Mar 30, 2017•30 min
“Ghost in the Shell's latest critic: its own viral marketing tool,” The Verge (http://www.theverge.com/2017/3/13/14911610/ghost-in-the-shell-viral-campaign-whitewashing) What’s Up? “Drake’s More Life Might Be The Key To The Music Industry’s Future,” The Fader (http://www.thefader.com/2017/03/21/drakes-more-life-streaming-playlists-labels-essay) What’s Next? “Germany’s Flawed Plan to Fight Hate Speech by Fining Tech Giants Millions,” Wired (https://www.wired.com/2017/03/tech-giants-cant-bear-weig...
Mar 28, 2017•56 min
Katie’s view on “culture coming from the margins.” Viewing herself as an artist and creative first as a “business artist.” How to get the “right” people in a room. Working in the music industry as iTunes was launched. Real relationships in a digital media relationship age. Follow Katie on twitter @GoodPeoples “Introducing Corporate to Cool: Katie Longmyer Connects Young Artists to Corporate Types,” NY Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/13/fashion/katie-longmyer-business-art-music.html?_r=1)...
Mar 23, 2017•25 min
Brand Eff Up: “Twitter Reacts to Sage Steele Getting Mad Because Iguodala Said N*gga at Presser,” Black Sports Online (http://blacksportsonline.com/home/2017/03/twitter-reacts-to-sage-steele-getting-mad-because-iguodala-said-ngga-at-presser/) What’s Up? “Heinz Taps Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce for Campaign (Yes, Really),” Creativity Online (http://creativity-online.com/work/heinz-pass-the-heinz/51254) What’s Good? “Trap Music Keeps Atlanta On Hip-Hop's Cutting Edge. Why Can't The City Embrace It...
Mar 21, 2017•40 min
