Slate Culture Feed

I talk with the writer about going through fertility treatments in her late 30s, and why being "on the IVF train" made her get more comfortable with situations out of her control. Have you had to jump through medical or legal hoops to start a family? Tell us the moment you realized that becoming a parent was going to be more difficult than you expected. Send in an email or voice memo to deathsexmoney@wnyc.org.If you're not already subscribed to our newsletter, sign up! Every Wednesday, we send out podcast listening recommendations, your stories from our inbox, and behind-the-scenes updates from the show. Sign up at deathsexmoney.org. And don't forget to follow the show on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.Got a story to share? Email us any time at deathsexmoney@wnyc.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Steve is joined by Allegra Frank, Slate senior editor, and Heather Schwedel, Slate staff writer. First, the panel discusses the new Marvel blockbuster Black Widow. Next, they talk about the AMC show Kevin Can F**k Himself. Finally, the hosts are joined by Alexis Nowicki to discuss her essay in Slate “‘Cat Person’ and Me.”In Slate Plus, the panel talks about the rabbit holes they fell down during the pandemic.Email us at culturefest@slate.com.Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Cleo Levin.Outro music: "Stone Cookies" by Dusty DecksEndorsements Allegra: The cookies at City Cakes.Heather: The documentary Kid 90.Steve: “This Woman’s Work: Alice Neel’s Portraits of Feminized Labor” by Jessica Fletcher in The Baffler.DeFazio’s Pizzeria in Troy, NYSlate Plus members get ad-free podcasts, a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest, full access to Slate's journalism on Slate.com, and more. Sign up now at slate.com/cultureplus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s episode, Madison and Rachelle talk about two of the internet’s favorite subjects: cats and Wendy Williams. First, they talk about the story that made “Slate” itself trend on Twitter: the debate surrounding a Slate essay published last week in which writer Alexis Nowicki revealed that the 2017 New Yorker story “Cat Person,” which became the first work of short fiction ever to go viral, was based on her life. Then, Madison shares a listener letter that validates all of her suspicions about those TikTok missed connections. (It also happens to feature a cat.) Finally, they close out the episode with High Speed Downloads about two recent online controversies: one about a woman who faced a flood of hate for tweeting about feeding feral cats, and another about a tasteless segment from a recent episode of The Wendy Williams Show.Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John.Support ICYMI and listen to the show with zero ads. Sign up to become a Slate Plus member for just $1 for your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the year 2000, Dan Kois was a junior book agent working on selling a secretive book proposal called IT, a codename for what would eventually be revealed as the Segway personal scooter. This is the story of the invention and development of a potentially revolutionary device, how Dan may or may not have doomed it, how the hype got out of control, and how that speculation helped birth the modern internet.If you love the show and want to support us, consider joining Slate Plus. With Slate Plus you can binge the whole season of Decoder Ring right now, plus ad free podcasts, bonus episodes, and much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by Nicky Bandini of the Guardian to discuss Italy’s victory over England in the Euro 2020 final. Next, they talk about Giannis Antetokounmpo, Chris Paul, and the first three games of the NBA Finals. Finally, they assess the pitching and hitting phenom Shohei Ohtani.Euro 2020 (4:19): Italy beat England but the final was marred by racist and violent fan behavior. NBA Finals (25:04): Giannis Antetokounmpo is remarkable at a young age, Chris Paul at an old one.Shohei Ohtani (46:22): Is the Japanese pitcher and hitter better than Babe Ruth?Afterball (1:06:41): Josh on the reaction to Novak Djokovic’s Wimbledon triumph. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

GETTR, a new social media network from former Trump aide Jason Miller, launched on July 1 and quickly became an unmanageable mess. On today’s episode, Rachelle and Madison discuss this low-budget Twitter clone, how it got overrun with hentai, and why its privacy issues may indicate that the network is already dead. If you’d like to read more on GETTR, Slatester Aaron Mak wrote about what happened when he tried to make a profile on the platform as Donald Trump.Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John.Support ICYMI and listen to the show with zero ads. Sign up to become a Slate Plus member for just $1 for your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When musician Johnny Solomon hit rock bottom, he turned to his mom for help. As his mom's health declines, he and his wife—and bandmate—move in with her to reciprocate. Check out our podcast playlist roundup of recent audio recommendations from our newsletter here. And if you're not already subscribed to our newsletter, sign up! Every Wednesday we send out podcast listening recommendations, fascinating letters from our inbox and updates from the show. Sign up at deathsexmoney.org.And follow the show on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Got a story to share? Email us any time at deathsexmoney@wnyc.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zola, a new movie based on the infamous Twitter thread by Aziah “Zola” Wells King, follows a part-time stripper who goes on a weekend trip to Florida with a new friend to make money, and how things quickly escalated until their friendship fell apart. On today’s episode, Rachelle and Madison talk to Tony-nominated playwright and screenwriter Jeremy O. Harris about how he and director Janicza Bravo translated the 148-tweet saga into a feature-length film, the scene that almost made members of the crew quit, and why he considers Zola’s tale to be akin to Homer’s epic poetry.Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John.Support ICYMI and listen to the show with zero ads. Sign up to become a Slate Plus member for just $1 for your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Dana is accompanied by Allegra Frank, Slate senior editor. First the panel is joined by Slate’s music critic Carl Wilson to discuss Summer of Soul, a documentary about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. Next, the panel discusses season two of the Netflix sketch show I Think You Should Leave with Vulture senior editor Jesse David Fox. Finally, Carl returns to talk about the productions of Jack Antonoff.In Slate Plus, Carl and the panel talk about the concerts they’re looking forward to seeing and the live music experience.Email us at culturefest@slate.comPodcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Cleo Levin.Outro music: "Bloody Hunter" by Paisley PinkEndorsementsCarl: The work of Lauren Berlant, especially “Trump, or Political Emotions.” (And Dana recommends an episode of the podcast Big Brains Berlant appeared on: “Why Chasing the Good Life is Holding Us Back.”)Allegra: The video game Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!Dana: The website Radio Garden.Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts, a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest, full access to Slate's journalism on Slate.com, and more. Sign up now at slate.com/cultureplus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson’s marijuana suspension. Penn State professor Amira Rose Davis joins to discuss Olympic hammer thrower Gwen Berry and Black women activists in sports. And finally, a look at the first week of new name, image, and likeness rules in the NCAA. Sha’Carri Richardson (02:28): Why is marijuana a banned substance in the first place? Black women activists (20:59) How athlete protests have evolved and what to expect at the Tokyo Games. NIL (46:32): College athletes signed a range of deals in a wild first week of commercial rights. Afterball (1:03:06): Stefan on a Myanmar men’s national soccer team player who protested against the military dictatorship. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.