On today’s episode, Rachelle Hampton is joined by Deepti Sahrawat, the host of Pop Culture Prisoner , to discuss a shocking cheating scandal within the cast of the Bravo reality series Vanderpump Rules , and why it blew up on the internet in such a big way. They talk about how the history of the show led us up to this point, the ways it’s so different from the usual cycle of reality scandals, and where the show can go from here. This podcast is produced by Daniel Schroeder, Rachelle Hampton, and...
Mar 11, 2023•40 min
Alecia Moore was so fearless, they put an exclamation point in her name. Pink—a.k.a. P!nk—was full of bravado from the moment she broke at the turn of the millennium, singing a frothy style of teen pop&B. She was promoted as ethnically ambiguous and sold to white and Black audiences as a sassy Total Request Live starlet. She even joined an all-star remake of “Lady Marmalade.” But Pink felt misrepresented, even Missundaztood —so she recorded an album by that name, fusing rock guitar, dance be...
Mar 11, 2023•48 min•Ep. 160
Anna first talked with Liam and Marisa about their love story back in 2014 . Nine years later, we hear about the next chapter of their relationship: becoming parents. Update: We changed the title of this episode after publishing to be more accurate. It was initially called "Adopting As A Trans Couple." Did you know we have a weekly email newsletter for the Death, Sex & Money community? Every Wednesday we send out a note from Anna, fascinating listener letters from our inbox, and updates from...
Mar 08, 2023•39 min•Ep. 388
On today’s episode, Daisy Rosario is joined by Nitish Pahwa and they’re talking about the places they go to when they need online comfort. They discuss cute cartoon affirmations, the need for satisfaction, and hear from a few Slate colleagues about their own comforting online enclaves. Some of our recommendations: @unclogging_drains on TikTok @catsofyore on Instagram @itslennie , an animated blob sharing affirmations on TikTok @Jesssoweird , the baby that tries on wigs on TikTok ASMR rug cleanin...
Mar 08, 2023•37 min
This week, Dana, Julia, and Stephen begin by talking about Creed III . Then they chat about the Oscar-nominated animated short My Year of Dicks . Finally, a conversation about the history of the Oscars and their relevancy. In Slate Plus, the panel talks about the poor state of projection at movie theaters. Editor’s note: In the episode, the historian Kim Phillips-Fein is incorrectly referred to as “he” instead of “she.” Email us at culturefest@slate.com . Endorsements: Dana : Charlie Kaufman’s s...
Mar 08, 2023•56 min
Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by the Washington Post’s Molly Hensley-Clancy to discuss her reporting on the troubles surrounding Ja Morant. ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr. also joins to talk about whether Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder will get forced out of the NFL. Finally, they speak to Slate’s Alex Kirshner about the quarterback dilemmas at the top of the NFL Draft. Morant (3:17): What comes next for the Memphis Grizzlies star? Snyder (22:07): The scandals are mounting. Will he fi...
Mar 07, 2023•1 hr 9 min
On today’s episode, Rachelle Hampton is joined by Gita Jackson to talk about a video game that has stirred up anger across the internet, Hogwarts Legacy . They discuss the controversy surrounding it, how the game reveals so many holes in JK Rowling’s world building, and why it’s not even fun to play. Instead of playing Hogwarts Legacy , Gita’s got some recommendations. Books: Annihilation , by Jeff VanderMeer Vita Nostra , by Maryna and Serhiy Dyachenko Magic for Liars , by Sarah Gailey Games: P...
Mar 04, 2023•38 min
Erick Adame was a TV weatherman. Then someone sent pictures to his employer, his mother, and his boyfriend of him performing sex acts on a webcam. 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 Instagram . Got a story to share? Email us at dea...
Mar 01, 2023•43 min•Ep. 387
On today’s episode, Rachelle Hampton is joined by Time’s Moises Mendez II to talk about Selena Gomez’s internet history. They look at her early days on YouTube, discuss her tumultuous relationship with Justin Bieber, and explain why TikTok has blown up with commentary on the recent feud between Gomez and Justin’s wife, Hailey Bieber. This podcast is produced by Daniel Schroeder, Rachelle Hampton, and Daisy Rosario. Subscribe to Slate Plus at http://slate.com/icymiplus Hosted on Acast. See acast....
Mar 01, 2023•37 min
This week, Dana, Julia, and Stephen begin by talking about the return of the Starz comedy Party Down . Then they discuss Andrea Riseborough’s Oscar-nominated performance in To Leslie . Finally, NPR’s Aisha Harris joins to chat about the newest entries to the Black Film Canon; a collaboration between Slate and NPR . In Slate Plus, the panel talks about the controversial changes to Roald Dahl’s books. Email us at culturefest@slate.com . Endorsements: Dana : Nathan Hiller’s article ‘The End of the ...
Mar 01, 2023•53 min
Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Joseph Goodman of AL.com to talk about the murder roiling the Alabama basketball program. They’re also joined by Jeremy Woo to discuss his Sports Illustrated cover story on French basketball phenom Victor Wembanyama. Finally, CNBC’s Alex Sherman comes on for a conversation about the death of regional sports networks. Alabama (5:08): Why is star freshman Brandon Miller still playing? Wembanyama (27:42): Inside the media rollout of the next NBA superstar....
Feb 28, 2023•1 hr 22 min
On today’s episode, Rachelle Hampton is joined by WAMU’s Aja Drain to discuss North West’s TikTok presence. They talk about how North got started on the app like going live without her mother’s permission, the controversies that’ve bubbled up around her TikTok account, and what makes her so different from the other kids posting online. This podcast is produced by Daniel Schroeder, Rachelle Hampton, and Daisy Rosario. Subscribe to Slate Plus at http://slate.com/icymiplus Hosted on Acast. See acas...
Feb 25, 2023•33 min
One of the most improbable blockbuster successes of the ’90s was Hootie and the Blowfish: a South Carolina bar band fronted by a Black lead singer that played jangly alt-pop. That singer, Darius Rucker, built a career that’s one of a kind. Rucker’s tastes growing up were eclectic, as were the influences on his young bandmates. Their Cracked Rear View album took a year to catch on, but then it dominated the charts. The story gets more interesting after Hootie fell off: Darius Rucker’s career is a...
Feb 25, 2023•45 min•Ep. 158
Your stories of loving—and losing—your beloved animal companions. Plus, an end-of-life veterinarian offers advice on knowing when to say goodbye. Some of you also shared resources for dealing with the loss of a pet. Here are a few of those suggestions: Sara recommended a TEDx talk by veterinarian Dr. Sarah Hoggan on the lingering impact of pet euthanasia . Looking for books to read? Margaret recommended “Good Grief” by E.B. Bartels , Flora shared “Lifetimes” by Bryan Mellonie , Sophia offered Ma...
Feb 22, 2023•30 min•Ep. 385
On today’s episode Rachelle Hampton is joined by journalist and podcaster Wil Williams to discuss the podcast Welcome to Night Vale , and how its faceless narrator just won the poll as top “Tumblr Sexyman.” They talk about the show’s origins and importance in the early 2010s podcasting scene, the ways it deftly navigated queerness, and its impact on the audio fiction space. This podcast is produced by Daniel Schroeder, Rachelle Hampton, and Daisy Rosario. Subscribe to Slate Plus at http://slate....
Feb 22, 2023•36 min
This week, Dana and Stephen are joined by Jamelle Bouie, and they start by discussing Marc Maron’s new HBO comedy special From Bleak to Dark . Then they review the Oscar-nominated Polish film EO . Then, Slate writer Dan Kois joins to talk about his article on the importance of hanging out . In Slate Plus they talk about the Bing Chatbot and this article in the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/16/technology/bing-chatbot-microsoft-chatgpt.html Email us at culturefest@slate.com . End...
Feb 22, 2023•51 min
Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Kevin Van Valkenburg of No Laying Up to talk about Tiger Woods’ return to tournament golf. Claire Watkins of Just Women’s Sports also joins to discuss the Canadian women’s soccer team’s fight for equal pay. Finally, Michael Baumann of Fangraphs comes on to assess Major League Baseball’s latest rule changes. Tiger Woods (3:14): His competitors on the PGA Tour think he could win again. Equal pay (24:46): How the labor battle in Canada is different from th...
Feb 21, 2023•1 hr 11 min
On today’s episode, Rachelle Hampton is joined by NPR’s Candice Lim to discuss the online rise of Emma Chamberlain. They discuss her origins as a YouTuber in 2017, how she kept evolving her brand so it never got stale, and why she’s so different from her fellow it girls. This podcast is produced by Daniel Schroeder, Rachelle Hampton, and Daisy Rosario. Subscribe to Slate Plus at http://slate.com/icymiplus Make an impact this Black History Month by helping Macy’s on their mission to fund UNCF sch...
Feb 18, 2023•36 min
Today, we're celebrating the very short-term romance: the one night stand. Those moments in life when someone appeared in a flash, you connected, and then you went your separate ways. *This episode originally ran in 2021. Did you know we have a weekly email newsletter for the Death, Sex & Money community? Every Wednesday we send out a note from Anna, fascinating listener letters from our inbox, and updates from the show. Sign up at deathsexmoney.org/newsletter, and follow the show on Twitter...
Feb 15, 2023•22 min•Ep. 384
On today’s episode, Rachelle Hampton is joined by Slate’s Nadira Goffe to discuss Rihanna and Paramore. First, they talk about the Super Bowl halftime show and the discourse that Rihanna sparked, and what she does or doesn’t owe her fans. Then, they look at the new album from Paramore, This Is Why , discusses how the band respects and embraces Black culture, and why Black people feel so connected to the pop punk genre. And don’t miss Rachelle and Nadira’s roundtable discussion with Allegra Frank...
Feb 15, 2023•37 min
This week, Dana, Julia, and Stephen start by talking about Rihanna’s Super Bowl Halftime performance with Slate’s Nadira Goffe . Then they discuss the new mockumentary series Cunk on Earth. Finally, they chat about Oscar-nominated documentary All That Breathes. In Slate Plus, the hosts discuss Leslie Jamison’s article in the New Yorker, “Why Everyone Feels Like They’re Faking It,” about Imposter Syndrome . Email us at culturefest@slate.com . Endorsements: Dana : Burt Bacharach’s live concert wit...
Feb 15, 2023•53 min
Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the Chiefs’ victory over the Eagles. They also discuss Kevin Durant’s move from the Nets to the Suns. Finally, the Athletic’s Chantel Jennings joins to talk about South Carolina and its challengers in women’s college basketball. Super Bowl (4:15): Was the game-clinching holding call the right decision? Durant (25:22): What’s the Nets’ legacy? What are the Suns’ title chances? Women’s college basketball (44:32): Can anyone stop the Gamecocks...
Feb 14, 2023•1 hr 14 min
In this episode of The Relentless , host Kristen Meinzer is joined by, not one, but two fearless Michelles who know that to be a successful leader, you need to take risks and have a strong support system. First, she speaks with Michelle “Mace” Curran, a former F-16 fighter pilot and the second woman to fly as Lead Solo in the Air Force Thunderbirds. Now an entrepreneur, Curran has made it her mission to empower others to make bold and brave choices. Afterwards, Kristen talks with Michelle Fermin...
Feb 11, 2023•37 min
On today’s episode, Rachelle speaks with writer and cultural critic Casey Johnston about weight lifting. They discuss what led Casey to pick up the barbell, how she found her way into the online weight lifting space and the following she built there, and the ways weight lifting might be able to break us out of diet culture’s torturous cycle. This podcast is produced by Daniel Schroeder and Rachelle Hampton. Subscribe to Slate Plus at http://slate.com/icymiplus Make an impact this Black History M...
Feb 11, 2023•40 min
One of the most improbable blockbuster successes of the ’90s was Hootie and the Blowfish: a South Carolina bar band fronted by a Black lead singer that played jangly alt-pop. That singer, Darius Rucker, built a career that’s one of a kind. Rucker’s tastes growing up were eclectic, as were the influences on his young bandmates. Their Cracked Rear View album took a year to catch on, but then it dominated the charts. The story gets more interesting after Hootie fell off: Darius Rucker’s career is a...
Feb 11, 2023•53 min•Ep. 157
The actor talks about having agency over her body, her relationships and her career, even as she lives with the trauma of sexual assault and infertility. Did you know we have a weekly email newsletter for the Death, Sex & Money community? Every Wednesday we send out a note from Anna, fascinating listener letters from our inbox, and updates from the show. Sign up at deathsexmoney.org/newsletter, and follow the show on Twitter , Facebook , and Instagram . Got a story to share? Email us at deat...
Feb 08, 2023•35 min•Ep. 383
On today’s episode, Rachelle Hampton is joined again by Slate’s Nitish Pahwa, this time to open up the mailbag. They answer questions about a child named Topher whose loud presence has swept across TikTok, Twitter’s bad bot decisions, and recent drama surrounding TikTok food reviewer Keith Lee. This podcast is produced by Daniel Schroeder, Rachelle Hampton, and Daisy Rosario. Subscribe to Slate Plus at http://slate.com/icymiplus Make an impact this Black History Month by helping Macy’s on their ...
Feb 08, 2023•36 min
This week, Dana, Julia, and Stephen start by talking about the new AppleTV+ series Shrinking. Then they discuss the Oscar-nominated film Triangle of Sadness . Finally, they chat about modern etiquette, inspired by The Cut’s piece on the topic. In Slate Plus, the panel talks about the closing of the “World’s Best Restaurant” Noma. Email us at culturefest@slate.com . Endorsements: Dana : I have great, great affection for Jason Segel. Nobody is talking about his children’s books. It’s this series c...
Feb 08, 2023•54 min
Joel Anderson and Stefan Fatsis are joined by NPR’s Gene Demby to discuss the trade of talented, problematic superstar Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets to the Dallas Mavericks, and to preview the Super Bowl match-up between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. Also, Sabreena Merchant of the Athletic helps explain what an unprecedented free-agent frenzy means for the WNBA. Kyrie Irving (5:05): The perpetually disgruntled superstar is on the move again. Super Bowl (28:54): After ...
Feb 07, 2023•1 hr 15 min
On today’s episode, Rachelle Hampton is joined by Slate’s Nitish Pahwa to discuss a major cheating scandal in the chess world this past fall between Magnus Carlsen and Hans Niemann, and how the story just keeps going. They talk about Niemann’s rise on Chess.com, ways people have tried to cheat in the past, and why anal beads entered the conversation. Plus, they talk about Mittens, the evil chess bot cat . This podcast is produced by Daniel Schroeder, Rachelle Hampton, and Daisy Rosario. Subscrib...
Feb 04, 2023•36 min
