Graydon Carter, former editor of Vanity Fair and current head of digital magazine Air Mail, shares his thoughts on various topics including phone colors, renting in France, running a physical newsstand, vintage cars, and favorite memoirs. The hosts discuss Instagram follows, Taylor Swift, therapy, tattoos, making martinis, nostalgic TV shows, and the relationship between happiness and wealth.
Graydon Carter served as the editor of Vanity Fair for 25 years.
Air Mail is a digital magazine headed by Graydon Carter.
The podcast discusses topics ranging from phone colors to vintage cars and restaurant businesses.
Deep dives
The Arts Intelligence Report: A Curated Search Engine
The Arts Intelligence Report is a curated search engine that helps people find concerts, exhibits, and cultural events based on their preferences and location. Unlike other search engines, it focuses on cultural events, museums, restaurants, and hotels. The report is curated by experienced writers and editors who provide recommendations and insights. The goal is to help people discover arts and culture experiences easily, whether they are traveling or looking for events in their own city.
The Growth of Airmail and the Future of Small-town Newspapers
Airmail, the popular newsletter, is built on a platform created by John Torno, an engineering genius. The platform handles subscriptions, photo research, and more, making it a convenient tool for content creation and curation. The team plans to license the platform to other publishers, particularly small-town newspapers, helping them streamline their operations and provide valuable content to their communities. Griddin also mentions their plans to introduce a downtown list for London and potentially expanding to other cities like Los Angeles, defining the youth culture and vibrant areas.
Griddin's Love for Cars, Martini-making, and Newsstands
Griddin has owned and enjoyed many cars throughout his life, including a vintage Chevrolet, Mercedes, Land Rover, MG, and more. He appreciates the design and craftsmanship of classic cars. As for martinis, he prefers Duke-style martinis, which are essentially frozen vodka without the step of shaking or stirring. Griddin plans to open curated newsstands in London and New York, offering a unique experience with curated selections, coffee, books, and more, departing from the typical convenience store-style newsstands.
The Life and Legacy of Jimmy Buffett
The podcast discusses the life and legacy of iconic musician Jimmy Buffett. Known for his laid-back lifestyle and feel-good music, Buffett was admired for living the life he preached and finding success in various endeavors, from fishing to flying sea planes. Despite his billionaire status, he was unusually happy, unlike many wealthy individuals. His recent passing left a significant impact, as Buffett's authenticity and unique approach to life resonated with countless fans.
The Fascinating Story of Mr. Chow
The podcast delves into the captivating story of Michael Chow, the restaurateur behind the famous Mr. Chow restaurant. Michael's life journey and his establishment's evolution are explored, revealing his early tragedies and the current success he enjoys. As a renowned artist and a key figure in the restaurant industry, Michael's documentary sheds light on the lesser-known aspects of his life, providing viewers with a deeper understanding of his art, creative process, and personal experiences. The documentary is set to premiere on HBO in October.
Graydon Carter is a Canadian who served as the editor of Vanity Fair from 1992 until 2017. As well as confounding the monthly magazine Spy. He currently heads the digital magazine Air Mail. We announce our LA and NY shows later this year, what your phone color says about you, a tale of two Olivia Rodrigo photoshoots, Taylor caught herself a manly man, why it's better to rent in France, a bunch of Air Mail stuff, defining the youth of important cities, his restaurant businesses over the years, how to run a physical newsstand in 2023, he makes fun of our tattoos for a bit, his thoughts on straight men dancing, he runs down his entire list of vintage cars, his neighborhood smells like zaza, a time when the world was at peace, television's Fraiser, his new documentary on Mr. Chow, and some of his favorite memoirs, and how they're influencing his own.
