Culture Gabfest
Slate Podcasts
New York Times critic Dwight Garner says “The Slate Culture Gabfest is one of the highlights of my week.” The award-winning Culturefest features critics Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner debating the week in culture, from highbrow to pop. For more of Slate’s culture podcasts, check out the Slate Culture feed.Want more Culture Gabfest? Subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of the Culture Gabfest show page. Or, visit slate.com/cultureplus to get access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 18, 2026 • 52min
Heathcliff, It’s Me Cathy Edition
Jamelle Bouie, NYT columnist known for sharp cultural and political takes, and Amy Nicholson, LA Times film critic and classic-cinema buff, dig into Emerald Fennell’s campy Wuthering Heights adaptation and its casting choices. They unpack Ryan Murphy’s glossy Love Story about JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, then celebrate the anarchic, nostalgia-forward revival of The Muppet Show.
10 snips
Feb 11, 2026 • 1h 4min
Bad Bunny Spikes the Football Edition
Nadira Goffe, journalist and culture critic who centers Caribbean music and film, joins the conversation. They revel in Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl spectacle and its Puerto Rican cultural markers. They discuss the intense new film If I Had Legs I’d Kick You and why Rose Byrne’s performance unsettles. They also ponder why the history podcast The Rest Is History has such broad appeal.
Feb 4, 2026 • 59min
The Boss Responds to Minneapolis Edition
Carl Wilson, Slate music critic known for cultural essays, and Sam Adams, Slate senior writer and film critic who covered Cannes, join the conversation. They discuss Jafar Panahi’s secretive, politically sharp Cannes film. They dive into Mel Brooks’s revolutionary comedic legacy. They close with the shape of protest music in 2026, from TikTok folk to cross-genre political songs.
13 snips
Jan 28, 2026 • 1h 28min
Is Hamnet this Year’s Oscar Villain? Edition
Clare Malone, New Yorker writer known for sharp cultural and media reporting, joins to discuss her profile of Bari Weiss and reporting-based context about Weiss’s leadership at CBS News. They explore Weiss’s managerial style, clashes with legacy TV norms, and how billionaire ownership and corporate pressures shape newsroom decisions. Short takes on Hamnet and The Rip round out the conversation.
15 snips
Jan 21, 2026 • 1h 5min
Game of Thrones Buddy Comedy Edition
Join Laura Miller, Slate's insightful book critic, Nadira Goff, a keen cultural commentator, and Dana Stevens, an expert film critic, as they explore thought-provoking themes. They delve into Kleber Mendonça Filho’s The Secret Agent, blending paranoia and magical realism. The discussion shifts to the buddy comedy dynamics in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, a quirky Game of Thrones prequel focusing on relatable characters. Finally, they reflect on the immersive yet extreme teaching methods of UPenn's Justin McDaniel, sparking conversations on literature's evolving landscape.
35 snips
Jan 14, 2026 • 1h 3min
Sydney Sweeney’s Box Office Triumph Edition
Aaliyah Hana Habib, a nonfiction book agent and author of 'Take It From Me', joins the conversation to share her insights on navigating the publishing world. She discusses the importance of literary agents and offers practical advice for aspiring writers, emphasizing the value of fan letters and building community. The dialogue also touches on mental health in writing, urging generosity among writers to combat envy. Additionally, Aaliyah highlights her Substack, 'Delivery & Acceptance', filled with templates and industry advice.
Jan 7, 2026 • 1h 4min
The Timothée Chalamet vs. the Blue Aliens Edition
This discussion features Sam Adams, a film critic stepping in to analyze the latest film trends, and Michael Schulman, a New Yorker staff writer known for his insightful cultural commentary. The duo delves into Timothée Chalamet's polarizing role in 'Marty Supreme,' exploring its charm and flaws. They also debate the cultural impact of 'Avatar: Fire and Ash,' with Adams defending its spectacle and Schulman questioning its lasting significance. The conversation turns lively as they tackle the meaning of cultural impact in today's cinematic landscape.
10 snips
Dec 31, 2025 • 1h 10min
The 2025 Call-In Spectacular Edition
As 2025 winds down, the hosts dive into listener questions on untold historical eras, debating cinematic adaptations from Mesopotamia to Toussaint Louverture. They navigate wedding registry etiquette with plenty of humor and tackle how to explain culture to kids. A fun rant segment surfaces, addressing everything from hyphen pet peeves to the importance of airplane window shades. Plus, they recommend thoughtful literary pairings for Wuthering Heights and explore their quirky book collections. It's a lively farewell to the year!
10 snips
Dec 24, 2025 • 49min
We Found Our Archives: The Abstract Noun Edition
Uncovering a 2013 treasure, the hosts dive into the intricacies of language, exploring vocabulary, conversation, and voice. They humorously dissect overused words and their linguistic pet peeves, while revealing what makes a compelling conversation. Anecdotes versus listening skills take center stage as they discuss enhancing mundane small talk. An intriguing debate on defining an artist's voice hints at the thin line between uniqueness and self-parody. As a bonus, they share delightful recommendations, including a mind-bending puzzle that challenges your intuition.
13 snips
Dec 17, 2025 • 1h 3min
The Biggest Show on Paramount Is Big Oil Propaganda Edition
In this engaging discussion, guest host Rebecca Onion, a senior writer at Slate, dives into the Taylor Sheridan universe, examining the complexities of season 2 of *Landman*, starring Billy Bob Thornton. They explore themes of masculinity, gender dynamics, and the show's immersive worldbuilding. Later, they shift to HBO's *Heated Rivalry*, analyzing the tension between hockey and a steamy romance between closeted players. The conversation wraps up with a heartfelt tribute to director Rob Reiner, highlighting his cinematic legacy and the emotional depth he brought to his films.
