Slate Culture Feed

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin talk about the Patriots’ and Eagles’ wins in the NFL’s title games; the New York Times’ Juliet Macur discusses the sex abuse scandal in U.S. gymnastics; and Deadspin’s Dave McKenna helps remember D.C. sports legend Gary Mays. NFL playoffs (1:41): A conversation about the Patriots’ inevitability, the rise and fall of the Jaguars, the state of being Blake Bortles, and the shocking excellence of Nick Foles. Larry Nassar (24:40): The New York Times’ Juliet Macur discusses the power of the victim impact statements from Aly Raisman and other gymnasts, and talks about how the sport should reckon with its massive sexual abuse scandal. Gary Mays (42:52):Deadspin’s Dave McKenna memorializes the one-armed basketball and baseball star, who died last week at the age of 82. McKenna explains how Mays shut down Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor, and how he thrived despite being deprived of opportunities due to segregation. Afterballs (1:00:21): Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Best friends Cat and Christine met in college and have stayed close in the years since. But their class differences became very clear—and uncomfortable—when they both struggled to get pregnant. This episode is part of our series Opportunity Costs: Money and Class in America. All this week we're bringing you five conversations about the moments in life when you've felt your class status the most, in collaboration with our partners at BuzzFeed News. Find out more at deathsexmoney.org/opportunitycosts. Did you know we have a weekly email newsletter for the Death, Sex & Money community? Every Wednesday we send out podcast listening recommendations, fascinating letters from our inbox and updates from the show. Sign up at deathsexmoney.org/newsletter.And follow the show on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Got a story to share? Email us any time at deathsexmoney@wnyc.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From January 22-26, we're sharing your stories about your class status, and when you've felt it most in your life.  Don't miss the launch of Opportunity Costs! Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter and every Wednesday we'll send you show updates as well as listening recommendations, letters from our inbox and a note from Anna. Sign up at deathsexmoney.org/newsletter.Got a story to share or an episode idea for Death, Sex & Money? Email us any time at deathsexmoney@wnyc.org.Stay up to date and follow the show on Twitter and on Facebook. We're on Instagram too! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin discuss the Vikings’ last-second win over the Saints and other NFL playoff doings; the Wall Street Journal’s Ben Cohen joins to talk about Trae Young; and Sam Miller comes on for a conversation about a 50-inning baseball game. NFL playoffs (1:35): Stefan consoles Josh about the Saints’ tragic defeat. They also talk about whether Blake Bortles is an elite quarterback and the dominance of the Jaguars’ and Vikings’ defenses. Trae Young (20:15): Ben Cohen explains how Stephen Curry influenced Oklahoma’s freshman superstar and other members of the “Curry Generation.” Fifty-Inning Baseball (37:25):Sam Miller dares to imagine what might happen if a major-league game lasted much, much longer than any game has ever lasted before. Afterballs (59:49): Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis, former NFL player Nate Jackson, and football writer Melissa Jacobs discuss the NFL playoffs. Then Stefan talks to Spencer Hall of SB Nation about the University of Central Florida’s claim on college football’s national championship. And Stefan talks to soccer writer Jonathan Wilson about Manchester City’s dominance of England’s Premier League.NFL playoffs (1:09): Stefan Fatsis, former NFL player Nate Jackson, and football writer Melissa Jacobs discuss the first round of the NFL playoffs, more controversy over head injuries, a reported rift inside the New England Patriots, and Jon Gruden’s hiring as head coach of the Oakland Raiders.College football (14:35): Stefan talks to Spencer Hall of SB Nation about unbeaten Central Florida’s self-declaration as the national champion of major college football.Manchester City (29:50): Stefan talks to Blizzard editor Jonathan Wilson about Manchester City’s dominance in England’s Premier League, and the chances it can pull off an unprecedented “quadruple”—winning the league title, FA Cup, League Cup, and European Champions League.Afterball (39:51) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get ready to get mad.Stay in the loop and subscribe to our weekly email newsletter. Every Wednesday we'll send you our favorites from the audio world, fascinating letters from our inbox and updates from the show. Sign up at deathsexmoney.org/newsletter.And right now, if you support the show with a gift of $30 or more, we'll send you a special thank you at the start of the New Year: our new mini-podcast experiment, "Pull Quote." To learn more, go to deathsexmoney.org/donate.Follow the show on Twitter @deathsexmoney and Facebook at facebook.com/deathsexmoney. Email us any time at deathsexmoney@wnyc.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by the Gist’s Mike Pesca to discuss a whole bunch of sports conundrums. Among the questions they ponder: How many seventh-grade basketball players would it take to beat LeBron James? How would you change an NBA court or an NFL field if irregularities were allowed? What’s a more worthwhile career—a few years of brilliance or a decade-plus of mediocrity? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we begin 2018 together, we're sharing our first mini-episode of Pull Quote, our latest podcast experiment, with all of you. It's not too late to sign up for the entire first batch of Pull Quote episodes. Chip in $30 or more to support our work at Death, Sex & Money right now, and we’ll email you a special link every morning for a week where you can listen in. Plus, you’ll get to tell us what you think about this Pull Quote series and whether we should make more.Are you subscribed to our weekly email newsletter? If you're not, you should be! Every Wednesday we send out our favorites from the audio world, fascinating letters from our inbox and important updates from the show. Sign up at deathsexmoney.org/newsletter.Follow the show on Twitter @deathsexmoney and Facebook at facebook.com/deathsexmoney. Email us any time at deathsexmoney@wnyc.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Billboard Hot 100, two  can be the loneliest number. While having a No. 1 song can define an artist’s career, there’s far less glory in finishing one spot shy  of the top slot. Yet some No. 2 hits have gone on to become classics. This month, Chris Molanphy looks at three songs that still loom large in our culture: “Shop Around” by the Miracles; “We Got the Beat” by the Go-Gos; and “Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Ben Strauss to discuss why academically rigorous universities like Wesleyan are betting big on football. They also speak with Rick Telander about the life and legacy of hoops legend Connie Hawkins.Division III football (3:09): Ben Strauss joins to assess the trend of elite schools investing big in sports, and what happens on campus when universities prioritize football. Connie Hawkins (23:15): Rick Telander, the author of Heaven Is a Playground, explains how Connie Hawkins—who died back in October—became a mythical figure on the New York playground scene, and why he’s a tragic figure. Afterballs (33:33): Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.