Philanthropy is so weird. Celebrities: also weird. When the two collide, you get something even more bizarre. Why should we believe what Ashton Kutcher has to say about human trafficking? How did Bill Gates change the very core of his image? What does The Gilded Age teach us about philanthropy and social position? And why does giving feel more and more like shopping? Amy Schiller joins the pod to work through the tangled knot of modern philanthropy. If you like the show, it is SO INCREDIBLY HELPFUL for our fledging pod if you can share it with others. Send it to your nerdy friend or coworker who’d love it. Post it on Instagram. Follow or subscribe to the pod on your podcast app, and/or write us a quick review on iTunes.Also: we’ve made enough through subscriptions to pay Melody through early March, but without more…..we can’t keep making the show. So if you like the pod, if you want it to continue, consider subscribing today. (And if you’re already a Culture Study newsletter subscriber, you get a screaming deal).Got a question or idea for a future episode? Let us know here. This week, we’re looking for your questions for future episodes about: The romance novel boom; your thoughts and feelings on student loans; whatever Bradley Cooper's whole deal is.You can submit them (and ideas for future eps) here. To hear more, visit culturestudypod.substack.com

Adam Conover discusses the cultural shifts in philanthropy with Amy Schiller, author of 'The Price of Humanity: How Philanthropy Went Wrong—And How to Fix It.' They explore the pitfalls of utilitarian philanthropy, the connection between effective altruism and neoliberalism, and the rise and fall of the movement. They also highlight Mackenzie Scott's transformative philanthropy and discuss challenges and solutions for fixing philanthropy.

Amy Schiller, political theorist and author of 'The Price of Humanity', discusses the pitfalls of modern philanthropy and suggests solutions. She explores the history of giving, critiquing the shift towards individual salvation over community-based support. Schiller delves into the dehumanizing effects of market-driven philanthropy, highlighting the need for a more democratic and communal approach to charitable giving.