On the Media

Journalism professor Danielle K. Brown discusses how media coverage of pro-Palestinian campus protests distracts from students' demands. The conversation continues with debunking theories about Bill Gates' funding of activism and reporters' tendencies to draw parallels with past protests, obscuring the uniqueness of current events.

Renowned writer Paul Auster discusses Stephen Crane's impact on literature, exploring his works, rebel nature, and genre blending. The podcast reflects on unemployment during the Great Depression, contrasts journalism with fiction writing styles, and delves into mortality's influence on literature.

Guests Carlos Lozada, Vinson Cunningham, and Curtis Sittenfeld discuss mining political memoirs for truths about politicians, imagining private lives of former presidents, and exploring political figures through fiction. They cover insights from memoirs, complexities of portraying Obama in fiction, and challenges of crafting intimate scenes in novels based on public figures.

Chinese science fiction has become a major export, with 'The Three Body Problem' adaptation on Netflix attracting millions of viewers. The genre's rise was fueled by a 2008 book, surpassing all literary exports from China. Professor Jing Tsu discusses the genre as a soft power tool and its complex relationship with the Chinese government. The podcast delves into the evolution of Chinese science fiction from Western influences to its fusion with Chinese storytelling and socialist ideology, culminating in the success of 'The Three Body Problem'.

Dahlia Lithwick discusses how pundits approach Trump's legal challenges. Kelly McBride explores the push to 'defund NPR'. Alicia Montgomery delves into issues at NPR. The podcast highlights media coverage of Trump's legal battles and the controversy surrounding NPR's funding and editorial decisions.

Award-winning photojournalist Lynsey Addario discusses the real-life experiences of covering wars abroad and compares them to the depiction in Alex Garland's new film 'Civil War'. The podcast delves into the emotional toll and impact of being a war photographer, the changing perception and treatment of journalists, the emotional toll of war photography, and documenting human rights abuses and war crimes.

Guest Matthew D. Taylor discusses Christian nationalism shaping American politics and the role of independent charismatic Christianity. Zack Beauchamp talks about the new film Civil War and its portrayal of journalism during societal collapse.

Explore the wild ride of LSD's origins with Albert Hofmann, Ken Kesey's acid-fueled journeys, and Tom Wolfe's insights on Kesey's legacy. Dive into the counterculture revolution sparked by psychedelics, challenging societal norms and fostering creative genius.

Tricia Romano discusses The Village Voice's impact on journalism, focusing on its early days and eventual demise due to Craigslist. The rise and fall of alt-weekly mogul Mike Lacey is explored, shedding light on his controversial online presence and legal battles. The podcast dives into the influential legacy of alternative weeklies and the changing media landscape, emphasizing the importance of free speech and journalistic defiance.

Tricia Romano, author of The Freaks Came Out To Write, discusses the rise and fall of The Village Voice, an iconic alt-weekly. They explore the unconventional journalism of amateur writers, Robert Chris Gao's music grading system, the paper's evolution under new ownership, provocative performances, and its lasting impact on journalism and culture.