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. Endorse...
Feb 22, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 with El...
Feb 15, 2023•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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 call...
Feb 08, 2023•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Dana, Julia, and Stephen start by talking about Natasha Lyonne’s modern take on Columbo, aka the new Peacock series Poker Face. Then they discuss Netflix’s Oscar-nominated All Quiet On The Western Front. Finally, the chat about the changed aesthetics of shopping, inspired by this Grub Street article. In Slate Plus, the panel talks about the sleepover panic. Email us at culturefest@slate.com. Endorsements: Dana: Kiss Me Petruchio is an hour long documentary about the 1981 Shakespeare i...
Feb 01, 2023•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Dana, Julia, and Stephen start by discussing the film, Women Talking. Then they chat about the new U.K. import Traitors with Slate’s own Carl Wilson. Finally, they finish by talking ChatGPT and the coming of AI chatbots. In Slate Plus, the panel talks about this year’s Oscar nominations. Email us at culturefest@slate.com. Also, we're hiring! If you'd like to apply to be the production assistant for the Culture Gabfest, please send a cover letter with two suggestions for topics to cult...
Jan 25, 2023•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Dana and Julia are joined by Slate writer Dan Kois. They start by discussing HBO’s new series, The Last of Us, a video game adaptation with culture editor and writer at The New Yorker, Alex Barasch. Then they discuss the French film, Saint Omer, shortlisted for Best International Film at the 2023 Oscars. Finally, they finish by talking about Dan's essay on how the Trunchbull, the formidable villain of Roald Dahl’s 1988 novel Matilda, is still evolving. Email us at culturefest@slate.co...
Jan 18, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Dana, Julia, and Stephen begin by reviewing the very buzzy horror comedy M3GAN. Then the panel dives into Slate’s annual movie club. Finally, L.A. Times columnist Carolina A. Miranda joins to talk about her article on how TikTok is changing our culture. In Slate Plus, the panel answers a listener's question about whether it is more fun to love or hate a piece of art when working as a critic. Email us at culturefest@slate.com. Endorsements: Dana: Eleonor Bindman is an incredible pianis...
Jan 11, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Dana, Julia, and Stephen bring you their yearly call-in episode where they answer questions from Culture Gabfest listeners. In Slate Plus, the panel answers one final question from a listener named James. Email us at culturefest@slate.com. Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Yesica Balderrama. Outro music: "Blue Nights and Yellow Days" by Matt Large. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experienc...
Jan 04, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we're taking a break from our usual programming to bring you a great episode of Slate's "Working" podcast. In it, host June Thomas talks to author Taffy Brodesser-Akner, who recently adapted her novel Fleishman is in Trouble into a limited series for Hulu. After the interview, June and co-host Isaac Butler discuss the faulty metric of character likeability in both fiction and nonfiction. They also chat about creative collaboration and tough career decisions. In the exclusive Slate Plu...
Dec 28, 2022•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Dana, Julia, and Stephen get started by discussing Avatar: The Way of Water. Then they discuss the new Netflix documentary series Harry & Meghan. Finally, they finish by talking about the new Lensa AI art app and all the photos it’s generating online. In Slate Plus, the panel answers a listener question about which works of art they like to revisit again and again? Email us at culturefest@slate.com. Endorsements Dana: Spending an afternoon at the Aftel Archive of Curious Scents in Ber...
Dec 21, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Isaac Butler and Dan Kois fill in for Stephen and Dana, joining to chat about Netflix’s new series, Wednesday. Then, they talk about the documentary, All the Beauty and the Bloodshed. Finally, they discuss what our Spotify Wrapped results tell us about ourselves. In Slate Plus, the panel shares a fun follow-up on one of Julia’s recent endorsements. Email us at culturefest@slate.com. Endorsements Dan: I’m endorsing a delightful book called What Artists Wear by Charlie Porter. It is exa...
Dec 14, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, the Gabfest team starts by discussing Spirited, the new AppleTV+ musical comedy starring Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell. Then, they talk about comedian Matt Rogers’ new Showtime special, Have You Heard of Christmas?. Finally, a chat about the sending and receiving of holiday cards. In Slate Plus, the panel talks about when the holiday season officially begins for each of them. Email us at culturefest@slate.com. Endorsements Dana: Natalie Walker is a wonderful actress, singer, and perf...
Dec 07, 2022•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Sam Adam sits in for Julia as the panel begins by reviewing Steven Spielberg’s new semi-autobiographical film, The Fablemans. Then, a discussion about the Hulu limited series Welcome to Chippendales. Finally, a chat about Ticketmaster. In Slate Plus, the panel answers a listener question about the songs that make us cry. Email us at culturefest@slate.com. Endorsements Dana: Inspired by chatting about the new Chippendales series this week, my endorsement is the true, non-fictionalized ...
Nov 30, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Jamelle Bouie sits in for Dana as the panel begins by reviewing She Said, the new film about investigating the Harvey Weinstein story. Then, a discussion about the Hulu limited series Fleishman is in Trouble. Finally, they chat about the auction of Joan Didion’s private items. In Slate Plus, the panel talks to the very online Jamelle Bouie about the recent wild weeks of Twitter. Email us at culturefest@slate.com. Endorsements Jamelle: The Criteron release of Spike Lee’s Malcolm X. Bio...
Nov 23, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Nadira Goffe sits in for Julia as the panel begins by reviewing the Black Panther sequel, Wakanda Forever. Then, a discussion about the Selena Gomez documentary, My Mind & Me. Finally, they chat about Gen Z’s impact on the midterms and the election of Maxwell Alejandro Frost. In Slate Plus, the panel talks about the art they resisted at first, but came to love. Email us at culturefest@slate.com. Endorsements Dana: I will recommend Spielberg, a 2017 documentary about Steven Spielberg t...
Nov 16, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of The Relentless, we look at how the people we surround ourselves with can help us move fearlessly on the road to success. Host Kristen Meinzer is joined by two inspiring guests who know that turning visions into reality means pushing past fear and, to do that, you need a solid support system. First, she talks to Aida Rodriguez, a comedian, writer, and actor, whose career took off when she stopped listening to critics and started aligning with people who resonated with her authe...
Nov 12, 2022•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, the panel begins by reviewing the Weird Al biopic, Weird. Then, a discussion about the entire run of Derry Girls. Finally, Matt Levine joins to explain crypto. In Slate Plus, the panel takes on a listener question and talks about comfort food. Email us at culturefest@slate.com. Endorsements Dana: A movie I saw a couple of weeks ago that is one of the best movies I’ve seen this year. If you can see it will depend on where you are but keep your eyes open for this Hindi-language document...
Nov 09, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, the panel begins by talking about Elon Musk taking over Twitter. Then, a discussion about the new film Aftersun. Finally, Angelica Jade Bastién joins to talk about her recent article about Brangelina. In Slate Plus, the panel takes on a listener question and talks about swap casting. Email us at culturefest@slate.com. Endorsements Dana: I know I’m constantly endorsing things on the Criterion Channel! They are streaming the noir films of 20th Century Fox all month long. I don’t know wh...
Nov 02, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, the panel begins by discussing the new Martin McDonagh dramedy, The Banshees of Inisherin. Then, they look at composer Michael Giacchino's foray into directing with Werewolf by Night on Disney+. Finally, they reflect on the generational divide over emoji use. In Slate Plus, the panel talks about Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American film star in Hollywood, being the new face on a US coin. Email us at culturefest@slate.com. Endorsements Dana: Happened upon this endorsement because ...
Oct 26, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, the panel begins by discussing Cate Blachett’s new film Tár. Then, they dig into the ways the Star Wars universe is expanded in the series Andor. Finally, Slate’s own Dan Kois joins the panel to discuss his recent feature on forgotten American poet Rod McKuen. In Slate Plus, the panel talks about the practice of reading out loud. Email us at culturefest@slate.com. Endorsements Dana: Sharing a musical endorsement after coming across a CD on the street by chance. Josquin Desprez’s chora...
Oct 19, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, the panel begins by going Blonde as they dive into Andrew Dominik’s Marilyn Monroe biopic on Netflix. Then, the panel continues by chipping in on the reboot discussion, specifically through the lens of Hulu’s new show (you guessed it) Reboot. Finally, Slate’s music critic, Carl Wilson, joins the panel to explain the legacy of the late country music titan Loretta Lynn. In Slate Plus, the panel discusses the on-going smear campaigns against cities and urban spaces—inspired by Henry Grab...
Oct 12, 2022•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, the panel begins by discussing the moral quandaries surrounding Netflix’s newest hit Dahmer—Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. Then, the panel breaks down the successes and failures of Billy Eichner’s gay romcom Bros. And finally, the panel lends their opinions on the trope of the wife guy, spurred on by Ned Fulmer’s (formerly of the Try Guys) recent adultery scandal. In Slate Plus, the panel discusses society’s growing appetite for true crime. Email us at culturefest@slate.com. Endor...
Oct 05, 2022•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Slate writer and editor Dan Kois fills in for Julia as the panel begins by revisiting a familiar character in the Jon Hamm-led reboot Confess, Fletch. Then, the panel is joined by Slate’s book critic, Laura Miller, to remember the legacy of the recently departed British author Hilary Mantel. Finally, the panel is joined by Slate's web editor, Nitish Pahwa, to explain the cheating scandal that has embroiled not only the world of competitive chess, but also the general public. In Slate ...
Sep 28, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Julia and Dana invite different guests to temporarily fill in for Steve. First, Julia and Dana are joined by Slate’s technology editor, Jonathan L. Fischer, as they hulk out and lawyer out with She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Then, the panel is joined by Slate’s music critic, Carl Wilson, to take a look at one of music’s larger-than-life figures, David Bowie, with the documentary Moonage Daydream. Finally, the panel is joined by Sam Adams, a senior editor at Slate, to discuss the ethics of...
Sep 21, 2022•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast This week, the panel begins by settling into the scenic Irish mystery of Bad Sisters. Then, the panel begrudgingly watches the Breitbart funded uh…indie film…My Son Hunter which may end up being the most interesting text the panel has discussed in a while. Finally, the panel is joined by co-host of Slate’s Working podcast and special friend of the pod, June Thomas, to discuss the recent death of Queen Elizabeth II. In Slate Plus, the panel discusses the 2022 Emmy Awards. Email us at culturefest@...
Sep 14, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, the panel begins by assessing the most expensive television show to date: Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Then, the panel breaks down Breaking, the John Boyega-led hostage crisis film that also includes one of the last performances of late actor Michael K. Williams. Finally, the panel discusses the pros and cons of child acting, a topic choice that was influenced by HBO’s The Rehearsal and Jennette McCurdy’s recent memoir. In Slate Plus, the panel talks with Ultimate Major Supe...
Sep 07, 2022•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Dana and Julia are out but never fear, we’ve brought on two great guest host to join Steve: slate alumnus and NYT columnist Jamelle Bouie and senior editor at Slate, Sam Adams. First, the panel breaks down the moral quandaries of the socially unhinged HBO hit The Rehearsal. Then, the panel dips a toe into the dark side with the Aubrey Plaza-led film Emily the Criminal. Finally, the panel discusses the article “Why Do Rich People Love Quiet?” by Xochitl Gonzalez for The Atlantic. In Sl...
Aug 31, 2022•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Dana and Julia hold down the fort in Steve’s absence while Slate’s book critic, Laura Miller, fills in as a third host. First, the panel breaks down the Neil Gaiman adaptation that no one thought would happen, The Sandman. Then, the panel discusses the new installment in the Predator franchise: Prey. Finally, supplemented by Laura’s great piece on the author, the panel attempts to answer: Who is Colleen Hoover? In Slate Plus, the panel discusses pairs of notable people that they’d lik...
Aug 24, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Julia and co-host of Slate’s Working podcast, June Thomas, steer the ship with a rotating panel of guests as Dana and Steve take a break. First, Julia and June are joined by Slate’s Editorial Assistant and Production Assistant for Gabfest, Nadira Goffe, to discuss A24’s new Gen-Z slasher film Bodies Bodies Bodies. Then, the panel is joined by Slate’s Editor-in-Chief, Hillary Frey, to discuss the new female-led adolescent ‘80s sci-fi series Paper Girls. Finally, the panel is joined by ...
Aug 17, 2022•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast 
