What Rough Beast
Virginia Heffernan and Stephen Metcalf
What Rough Beast, hosted by Virginia Heffernan (Wired, Trumpcast) and Stephen Metcalf (Slate, Culture Gabfest) is a podcast where we bear witness to America’s demise, and ask what might be built from the rubble. The sludge. The sparkly phosphorescent faerie dust of recombinant DNA.
It is a spiritual successor to Trumpcast, but with a radical reimagining. Instead of focusing on opposing Trump or trusting institutions, this podcast explores imaginative, unexpected responses to our current political moment. The show takes inspiration from the '68ers' motto "all power to the imagination" and seeks unconventional solutions beyond traditional political frameworks. virginiaheffernan.substack.com
It is a spiritual successor to Trumpcast, but with a radical reimagining. Instead of focusing on opposing Trump or trusting institutions, this podcast explores imaginative, unexpected responses to our current political moment. The show takes inspiration from the '68ers' motto "all power to the imagination" and seeks unconventional solutions beyond traditional political frameworks. virginiaheffernan.substack.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
4 snips
Dec 28, 2024 • 46min
Episode 1: What's to Become of Us?
Dive into the emotional rollercoaster of national pride and political despair following an election that took many by surprise. The hosts blend despair, gallows humor, and reflections on high school experiences while analyzing electoral integrity and societal pressures. Discussions about how wealth influences politics reveal the dangers of consolidating power. Plus, the allure of charismatic leaders and the psychological dynamics at play in today’s political landscape are explored. A call for media reform rounds out the conversation!
Dec 23, 2024 • 2min
TRAILER: What Rough Beast
In this preview of our podcast “What Rough Beast,” Stephen Metcalf and I discuss what this podcast is, why it matters now, and what the deal is with our NAME. Let us know what you think, and stay tuned for episode 1. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit virginiaheffernan.substack.com/subscribe
