Kelefa Sanneh

Kelefa Sanneh, esteemed writer for The New Yorker and author of Major Labels, shares his insights on staying connected to new music as we age. He dives into how nostalgia influences our musical tastes and the challenge of balancing old favorites with fresh sounds. The impact of platforms like TikTok on music discovery is explored, along with the emotional bonds we have with songs from our youth. Kelefa offers practical tips for finding new music in today’s digital landscape, making it accessible for all generations.

Marion Nestle, a leading nutrition researcher, and Dhruv Khullar, a physician and contributor, unravel the complexities of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s health agenda amid his controversial stances on vaccines and junk food. They emphasize the urgent need for reform in food politics, focusing on the impacts of ultra-processed foods on public health. Meanwhile, Kelefa Sanneh reflects on the revolutionary influence of Kraftwerk, the pioneers of electronic music, discussing their profound legacy across various music genres and their cultural relevance today.

Kelefa Sanneh, a writer for The New Yorker and former pop music critic for The New York Times, dives into the fascinating origins of popular music genres. He shares insights about the evolution of hip hop and the shifting perceptions of music over time. Additionally, he examines the interplay between fashion and identity, revealing how what we wear can influence our behavior. On the financial front, expert Jill Schlesinger discusses strategies for better money management, emphasizing the importance of scrutinizing spending habits for achieving financial security.

Kelefa Sanneh, a staff writer for The New Yorker and former pop critic, joins the discussion on Toby Keith's 'Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.' They delve into the song's poignant themes and its cultural reception post-9/11, exploring how it reflects a unique political moment. The conversation also touches on the evolution of country music, Keith's influence, and the backlash faced by artists like the Dixie Chicks. They analyze how humor and emotion were interwoven in the arts during a time of national grief.

Once a Beltway neoconservative, Tucker Carlson came to embody the angry, forgotten white man—railing at “the élites” and propagating racist conspiracy theories and the lie of the stolen election. “Unlike a lot of his colleagues at Fox News, he made news, he set the agenda,” Kelefa Sanneh, who wrote about Carlson in 2017, says. “People were wondering, What is Tucker going to be saying tonight?” Sanneh joins Andrew Marantz and David Remnick to discuss Carlson’s demise, and what comes next. And Clare Malone reports on Candace Owens, the powerful right-wing influencer and provocateur who’s set her sights on the future of right-wing media—and on a younger and more female audience than that of Fox News.