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When you hear the term “superproducer,” names like George Martin, Quincy Jones, Max Martin, Pharrell Williams or Missy Elliott might come to mind. But … Robert “Mutt” Lange? Probably not. Yet Lange was by some measures the biggest hitmaker—the producer of more top-selling albums than any of those better-known producers.The South African studio wiz crafted the arena-rock sound of AC/DC and Def Leppard. Then, Lange transformed the Cars, Billy Ocean, Bryan Adams, and Shania Twain into fist-pumping stadium-fillers, too.Join Chris Molanphy as he traces Mutt Lange’s legacy of loud—and his uncanny success on the pop charts. He poured sugar on every hit.Podcast production by Kevin Bendis.Get more Hit Parade with Slate Plus! Join for monthly early-access episodes, bonus episodes of "The Bridge," and ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Hit Parade show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/hitparadeplus to get access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mia Sato, a technology reporter for The Verge, dives into the fascinating online dupe economy where consumers can find cheaper knock-offs of trending products. She discusses how the internet's limitless shelf space and viral trends fuel rapid dupe production. Mia highlights beauty products as key players in this market and reveals how recommendation algorithms accelerate dupe popularity. The conversation also touches on the ethical considerations around duplicates, the challenges designers face with patents, and the impact of dupes on original creativity.

Austan Goolsbee, an influential economist and current president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, shares insights into the inner workings of the Fed. He explains the FOMC's meeting dynamics and how consensus emerges through debate and voting. Goolsbee champions modern transparency, arguing it fosters public trust. He addresses critiques of the Fed and the complexities of tackling stagflation, while distinguishing the Fed's monetary role from fiscal policy. His blend of economic wisdom and candid discussion reveals what truly drives monetary decisions.

This discussion dives into the erosion of trust in government as systemic dishonesty is revealed, spotlighting the DOJ and unsettling cases of false declarations. The cordial yet strategic meeting between Trump and NYC's mayor-elect raises eyebrows about political maneuvering. Tension in MAGA circles simmers as figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene resign and controversies around antisemitism bubble to the surface. Plus, a light-hearted dig into how travel civility campaigns are trying to elevate Thanksgiving flying—where decorum might just be an outfit away!

While the What Next team works their way from preparingfood to sleeping it off, enjoy this episode on fall’s flavorful favorites fromour friends at Decoder Ring. We’ll be back to regular programming on Sunday. Autumn may have more cozy signifiers than any otherseason—though we all have our own favorites. Maybe for you it’s sweaterweather, football games, spooky season, apple picking, leaf peeping, ormainlining candy corn. Whatever it is, in today’s episode we’re looking closely at three of these autumnal staples.First, we get to the bottom of a recurring complaint about the taste of the pumpkin spice latte. Then we gaze deep inside the enigma hiding inside colorful fall leaves. Finally we ask some hard-hitting questions about the seasonal availability of an elusive cookie. Snuggle up and enjoy!In this episode, you’ll hear from author and podcaster Don Martin who has a new audiobook out about loneliness called Where Did Everybody Go?. We also speak with Simcha Lev-Yadun, professor of botany andarcheology; Susanne Renner, botanist and honorary professor ofbiology at Washington University in St. Louis; and Prospect Park Alliance arborist Malcolm Gore. And you’ll also hear from Lauren Tarr, who runs the blog Midlife Moxie and Muscle, and her mother Grace Dewey, along with Caroline Suppiger, brand manager at Mondelēz.We’d also like to thank Brian Gallagher, Tom Arnold, SylvieRusso, and Laura Robinson.This episode was produced by Katie Shepherd. Decoder Ringis also produced by Willa Paskin, Max Freedman, and Evan Chung, our supervising producer. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. David Hill, a pediatrician and allergist at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, shares groundbreaking insights on peanut allergies. He discusses how early exposure to allergens, particularly peanuts, could significantly reduce allergy rates—contradicting prior avoidance strategies. Hill highlights the success of the LEAP trial, explains parents' concerns, and reflects on the hesitancy in the medical community to adopt these new guidelines. With real-world evidence backing his claims, he presents a hopeful future for allergy prevention.

Emily Kirkpatrick, the witty writer behind the Substack newsletter I Heart Mess, joins the conversation to unpack the surge of celebrities launching their own newsletters. They explore why figures like Dolly Parton and Charlie XCX turn to Substack for authentic expression and direct communication with fans. Kirkpatrick highlights the challenges celebrities face in maintaining a writer's life while examining the impact of their presence on indie creators. The duo ponders whether these celebrity ventures will last or fizzle out quickly.

Join guest Dan Kois, a seasoned cultural critic, as he dives into a thrilling discussion on three captivating films. The conversation kicks off with thoughts on 'Wicked: Part Two,' exploring its unexpected dark turns and Ariana Grande's standout performance. They then shift to 'Train Dreams,' debating the challenges of adapting Denis Johnson’s novella and its striking visual style. Lastly, they reflect on 'Peter Hujar’s Day,' a deeply engaging chamber piece, highlighting Ben Whishaw’s mesmerizing performance and the film's intricate exploration of memory and portraiture.

Jim Matulski, a longtime pastor of Metropolitan Community Church in San Francisco, shares his powerful journey after becoming publicly HIV positive in 1995. He reflects on the community's response and the stigma surrounding AIDS. Jim discusses his emotional collapse during a sabbatical, his return to ministry, and the spiritual healing that followed. His candid sermons challenge moral judgment while emphasizing companionship over blame. The conversation underscores how treatment advancements and community support reshaped lives amid the crisis.

Michael Schulman, a staff writer at The New Yorker and author of Oscar Wars, explores the evolution of movie press tours in the wake of 'Wicked: For Good.' He delves into the blockbuster-era publicity tactics established post-Jaws, the rise of viral marketing with Barbenheimer, and how stars like Timothée Chalamet are reshaping promotional strategies. Schulman also discusses the tension between authenticity and performance in stardom, and how studios are grappling with getting audiences back to theaters.