Exclusively Black spaces online have faded away as platforms with wider audiences have taken over, but what, if anything, has been lost with those spaces? On today’s show, Rachelle is joined again by Nadira Goffe to discuss their own experiences growing up online as Black women, and they speak with Dr. Meredith D. Clark , a professor at Northeastern University who studies Black online spaces, about Black online history, how and why we interact the way we do, and what it means to know that non-Bl...
Aug 13, 2022•33 min
So, sure—Billy Joel’s first Top 40 hit, way back in 1974, was “Piano Man,” and the nickname stuck. But for a guy who became famous sitting behind 88 keys, few of his biggest hits are really piano songs. In fact, on all three of his No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, keyboards are not the primary instrument. The truth is, Joel isn’t the Piano Man, he’s the pastiche man. He has openly admitted to borrowing genre tropes, vocal styles, and even specific song hooks from his Baby Boom-era heroes, fr...
Aug 12, 2022•56 min•Ep. 140
We took some of your burning student loan questions to our favorite expert on the topic, Betsy Mayotte, president of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors . If you have a question that was not answered in this episode, you can contact Betsy by going to her website where you can also find all sorts of helpful resources, like a guide to forgiveness , and where to start when thinking about a repayment plan. Did you know we have a weekly email newsletter for the Death, Sex & Money community? Ev...
Aug 10, 2022•40 min•Ep. 356
Everybody loves indulging in thirst online. On today’s episode, Rachelle is joined by Slate’s Nadira Goffe to discuss exactly what makes internet thirst so much fun. They talk about the qualities of a good internet boyfriend, when thirsting can go wrong, and how much these thirst objects really owe us. This podcast is produced by Daniel Schroeder, Rachelle Hampton, and Daisy Rosario. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Aug 10, 2022•30 min
This week, the panel begins by discussing Peacock’s latest mystery series The Resort. Then, the panel takes a more light-hearted turn with Marcel the Shell With Shoes On . Finally, the panel is joined by author and Slate editor Dan Kois to discuss his recent Slate piece about “ The 50 Greatest Fictional Deaths of All Time .” In Slate Plus, the panel talks about movie and television credits. Email us at culturefest@slate.com . Endorsements Dana: A suggestion from Carl Wilson (and in memory for Ol...
Aug 10, 2022•54 min
When you think of an alien abduction, what do you picture? Humanoid creatures, medical experiments, lost memories retrieved through hypnosis? That narrative was largely unknown until Betty and Barney Hill went public about their own alien abduction in the 1960s. Betty Hill’s niece, Kathleen Marden , recounts how the story went viral and her aunt and uncle became unwitting celebrities. Then professors Susan Lepselter , Chris Bader , Joseph O. Baker and Stephanie Kelley-Romano explain how the Hill...
Aug 09, 2022•36 min
Josh Levin, the New Yorker’s Vinson Cunningham, and Slate’s Henry Grabar take an audio tour of Vin Scully’s broadcasting career. They also discuss the documentary NYC Point Gods . Finally, Josh interviews tennis players Maxime Cressy and Daria Saville. Vin Scully (2:36): Eight moments from 66 years in the booth. NYC Point Gods (33:11): Is the new basketball documentary worth watching? Tennis (48:33): Conversations with two of the most fascinating players on tour. Afterball (1:16:42): Josh on the...
Aug 08, 2022•1 hr 21 min
On today’s episode, Rachelle is joined by Daisy Rosario to open up the mailbag for another session of Read Receipts. They get into drama surrounding Nicki Minaj’s alleged former assistant airing the rapper’s alleged dirty laundry, Diane Warren stirring up trouble with Beyoncé, satisfying restocking videos, and an explanation of Ana Mardoll. This podcast is produced by Daniel Schroeder, Rachelle Hampton, and Daisy Rosario. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Aug 06, 2022•29 min
Your reactions to the end of Roe, plus, a conversation with Mississippi-based reproductive justice activist Laurie Bertram Roberts about how their work has shifted, and what's remained the same. Over the years, we've featured many conversations about navigating change and uncertainty around sex, gender, and reproduction. Here are a few more we're thinking about right now, from Ellen Burstyn describing her pre-Roe illegal abortion , to Jane Fonda talking about her own gender identity confusion as...
Aug 03, 2022•38 min•Ep. 355
Marcel the Shell With Shoes On was a viral sensation when he first popped up on the internet in 2010, and now he’s back in a major motion picture. On today’s episode, Rachelle is joined by Daisy Rosario to discuss Will Smith’s sneaky news dump, do some High Speed Downloads on the Pink Sauce, and the Little Miss meme, and get into why Netflix is suing the Unofficial Bridgerton Musical . Then, Rachelle speaks to Marcel the Shell With Shoes On director and co-writer Dean Fleischer-Camp to discuss w...
Aug 03, 2022•33 min
This week, the panel begins by trying to tackle Jordan Peele’s most recent sci-fi, western, horror film NOPE. Then, the panel is joined by author and host of Slate’s Working podcast, Isaac Butler, to discuss the new HBO series The Last Movie Stars . Finally, Slate’s editorial assistant and production assistant for Culture Gabfest, Nadira Goffe, joins to discuss Beyoncé’s 7th studio album Renaissance . In Slate Plus, the panel gets into some NOPE spoilers. Email us at culturefest@slate.com . Endo...
Aug 03, 2022•56 min
Rod McKuen sold multiple millions of poetry books in the 60s and 70s. He released dozens of albums, was a regular on late night, and was even nominated for an Oscar. So, how did the most salable poet in American history simply disappear? On today’s episode, Slate writer Dan Kois went searching for Rod McKuen, a famous poet who isn’t so famous anymore. We’ll hear from Stephanie Burt, Mike Chasar and Barry Alfonso, author of Rod’s biography A Voice of the Warm . Along the way, Dan meets Andy Zax, ...
Aug 02, 2022•43 min
Josh Levin is joined by Aram Goudsouzian for a conversation about Bill Russell’s life and legacy; by Grant Wahl to talk about England’s historic victory at the women’s European soccer championships; and by Andscape’s Jason Reid to discuss Deshaun Watson, Kyler Murray, and Reid’s book Rise of the Black Quarterback . Bill Russell (2:21): The basketball legend’s biographer on his impact on and off the court. England (23:28): How the Lionesses won, and how that victory will change women’s soccer. Qu...
Aug 01, 2022•1 hr 1 min
Everybody loves to gossip, especially when it comes to celebrities. On the show today, Rachelle is joined by Normal Gossip host Kelsey McKinney to talk about the state of internet gossip. They discuss the early days of online gossip from Gawker, Perez Hilton, and Reality Steve, how social media changed the gossip landscape, and why those changes have made it so we all have the chance to be the subject of online gossip. This podcast is produced by Daniel Schroeder, Rachelle Hampton, and Daisy Ros...
Jul 30, 2022•31 min
After the so-called-but-not-really “death” of disco, dance music in the 1980s moved to its own beat. There was synthpop, electro, hi-NRG and house. But the scrappy genre that seemed to pull it all together was called freestyle —a breakbeat-tempo, Latin-flavored genre fortified with dizzying, proudly synthetic beats. Freestyle grew out of the clubs and streets of New York and Miami and briefly dominated ’80s dance-pop. Freestyle’s flagship artists were only medium-level stars: Shannon. Exposé. Li...
Jul 29, 2022•46 min•Ep. 138
We asked you about your relationships with alcohol—why you drink, or don't, the strategies you use to manage your consumption, and what alcohol brings you besides a buzz. Here's what you told us. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or seeking more information about alcohol consumption, check out these resources. Sign up for our newsletter at deathsexmoney.org/newsletter , and every Wednesday we'll send you podcast listening recommendations, listener letters from our inbox and u...
Jul 27, 2022•42 min•Ep. 354
This week, the panel is joined by the host of Slate’s Hit Parade podcast, Chris Molanphy, for our annual Summer Strut episode. First, they discuss this year’s chart-topping songs of the summer and their lack of strut-ness. Then, the panel dives into the longest listener-suggested summer playlist to date (42 hours!), and takes turns in a roundtable discussion of their top favorites from the list. You can find the panel’s shortlist of favorite summer strut songs here: https://open.spotify.com/play...
Jul 27, 2022•1 hr 18 min
On today’s show: more scams! Rachelle is joined by Daily Beast entertainment editor and former Slatester Allegra Frank; the two discuss the launch and social media rollout of the new multi-level marketing company Elomir. Later in the episode they examine how, despite the abundance of information on MLMs predatory nature, they still manage to pull people in. This podcast is produced by Daniel Schroeder, Rachelle Hampton, Daisy Rosario and Kevin Bendis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m...
Jul 27, 2022•32 min
What do we lose if we lose the mall? 70 years into their existence, these hulking temples to commerce are surprisingly resilient and filled with contradictions. In this episode, Alexandra Lange , the author of the new book Meet Me at the Fountain: an Inside History of the Mall walks us through the atriums, escalators, and food courts of this singular suburban space. We also hear from mall-goers whose personal experiences help us make sense of this disdained yet beloved, disappearing yet survivin...
Jul 26, 2022•40 min
Josh Levin and the New Yorker’s Vinson Cunningham are joined by Tim Layden to discuss the record breakers of the world track and field championships; by Abe Riesman to talk about Vince McMahon’s scandal-laden retirement from WWE; and by Sarah Larson for a conversation about her New Yorker feature on pickleball. Track and field (1:30): What’s next for Sydney McLaughlin, Noah Lyles, and the sport as a whole? Vince McMahon (25:24): Why did he retire now? What’s next for WWE? Pickleball (47:23): Why...
Jul 25, 2022•1 hr 11 min
It’s been a great run, but Madison is leaving ICYMI for new ventures. On today’s show, Rachelle interviews Madison about her time working on ICYMI, her own internet habits, and her first online scams. Plus, they’ve got a round of High Speed Downloads, perhaps the greatest one ever recorded, so get ready to be shocked and astonished in the best way. This podcast is produced by Daniel Schroeder, Rachelle Hampton, Madison Malone Kircher, and Daisy Rosario. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...
Jul 23, 2022•31 min
The Starbucks union is having a moment. We talked to three workers in three different states about the victories and the very real consequences of going up against a multi-billion dollar company. Did you know we have a weekly email newsletter for the Death, Sex & Money community? Every Wednesday we send out podcast listening recommendations, fascinating letters from our inbox, and updates from the show. Sign up at deathsexmoney.org/newsletter , and follow the show on Twitter , Facebook , and...
Jul 20, 2022•29 min•Ep. 353
On today’s show, Madison and Rachelle open up the mailbag to answer some more listener questions. They’ve got people wondering about a giant frog army on TikTok, Christy Carlson Romano doing sponcon cameos, dubious hygienic practices, and more. This podcast is produced by Daniel Schroeder, Rachelle Hampton, Madison Malone Kircher, and Daisy Rosario. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 20, 2022•28 min
This week, author, poet, and host of the podcast This Is Good for You , Nichole Perkins, fills in for Julia as the panel begins by digging into Apple TV+’s new series Loot . Then, the panel explores sex and sexuality in the film Good Luck to You, Leo Grande . Finally, the panel is joined by science writer and editor, Jaime Green, to break down the meaning of NASA’s new Webb Telescope images —her new book The Possibility of Life title comes out in April. In Slate Plus, the panel discusses their r...
Jul 20, 2022•52 min
Decoder Ring is coming back with a new season featuring a whole new set of questions.... Like, is the shopping mall really dying? How did a poet who sold millions of books and records 50 years ago, come to be completely forgotten? And what does a century old Broadway scandal involving Mae West have to tell us about the creation of celebrity? You can hear these episodes and more on the new season of Decoder Ring. Launching July 26, 2022. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. Hosted on Acast....
Jul 19, 2022•1 min
Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the opening weekend of the world track and field championships. They also talk about why the Angels are so bad in spite of Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout and the Nationals’ Juan Soto dilemma. Finally, Puck’s Julia Ioffe joins for a conversation about Brittney Griner’s detention in Russia. Track (4:07): Why an American hurdler got a raw deal. Baseball (25:02): Is Juan Soto crazy to turn down $440 million? Griner (44:43): Should we be more pessimi...
Jul 18, 2022•1 hr 11 min
Recently, it seems like our phones won’t stop buzzing with texts and phone calls about our expired car warranties or supposed IRS delinquency. On today’s show, Rachelle and Madison discuss their own recent brushes with scams, a recent piece in the Washington Post about how scams take more than an economic toll on us, and why none of us should feel bad if we get taken in by them. This podcast is produced by Daniel Schroeder, Rachelle Hampton, Madison Malone Kircher, and Daisy Rosario. Hosted on A...
Jul 16, 2022•28 min
After the so-called-but-not-really “death” of disco, dance music in the 1980s moved to its own beat. There was synthpop, electro, hi-NRG and house. But the scrappy genre that seemed to pull it all together was called freestyle —a breakbeat-tempo, Latin-flavored genre fortified with dizzying, proudly synthetic beats. Freestyle grew out of the clubs and streets of New York and Miami and briefly dominated ’80s dance-pop. Freestyle’s flagship artists were only medium-level stars: Shannon. Exposé. Li...
Jul 16, 2022•59 min•Ep. 137
As the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline becomes a 3-digit number, 988, I visit a call center in Wyoming, which had the highest suicide rate per capita in the US in 2020. If you or someone you love is at risk of harming themselves, or needs some help with mental health, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255. After July 16, you can just dial ‘988.’ Did you know we have a weekly email newsletter for the Death, Sex & Money community? Every Wednesday we send out podcast...
Jul 13, 2022•31 min•Ep. 352
This past week Doja Cat started fighting with Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp, and Cardi B beefed with the gossip blog the Shade Room. On today’s show, Madison and Rachelle break down what’s really going on in these two fights, and how the Shade Room became a toxic behemoth of internet gossip. Plus, they talk about Beanie Feldstein bowing out of Funny Girl on Broadway, and what it means now that Lea Michele is taking the stage. This podcast is produced by Daniel Schroeder, Rachelle Hampton, Ma...
Jul 13, 2022•31 min
