Slow Burn
Slate Podcasts
Slow Burn illuminates America’s most consequential moments, making sense of the past to better understand the present. Through archival tape and first-person interviews, the series uncovers the surprising events and little-known characters lurking within the biggest stories of our time.Want more Slow Burn? Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to Slow Burn and your other favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Slow Burn show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/slowburnplus to get access wherever you listen.Season 10: The Rise of Fox NewsHow a cable news channel became a cultural and political force—and how a whole bunch of people rose up to try and stop it.Season 9: Gays Against BriggsA nationwide moral panic, a California legislator who rode the anti-gay wave, and the LGBTQ+ people who stepped up and came out to try and stop him.Season 8: Becoming Justice ThomasWhere Clarence Thomas came from, how he rose to power, and how he’s brought the rest of us along with him, whether we like it or not. Winner of the Podcast of the Year at the 2024 Ambies Awards.Season 7: Roe v. WadeThe women who fought for legal abortion, the activists who pushed back, and the justices who thought they could solve the issue for good. Winner of Apple Podcasts Show of the Year in 2022.Season 6: The L.A. RiotsHow decades of police brutality, a broken justice system, and a video tape set off six days of unrest in Los Angeles.Season 5: The Road to the Iraq WarEighteen months after 9/11, the United States invaded a country that had nothing to do with the attacks. Who’s to blame? And was there any way to stop it?Season 4: David DukeAmerica’s most famous white supremacist came within a runoff of controlling Louisiana. How did David Duke rise to power? And what did it take to stop him?Season 3: Biggie and TupacHow is it that two of the most famous performers in the world were murdered within a year of each other—and their killings were never solved?Season 2: The Clinton ImpeachmentA reexamination of the scandals that nearly destroyed the 42nd president and forever changed the life of a former White House intern.Season 1: WatergateWhat did it feel like to live through the scandal that brought down President Nixon?
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 26, 2024 • 28min
Gays Against Briggs | The Story Behind Our Cover Art
In this special bonus episode host Christina Cauterucci interviews Silvana Nova and Larry Hermsen. Silvana is the person you see raising a fist on this season’s cover art — and Larry is the one who made the photo in 1978. We hear about how they turned it into a poster to raise money to fight the Briggs Initiative, and how gender non-conforming gays like Silvana and Larry (aka "street queens") had their own flourishing culture in San Francisco outside the mainstream gay scene. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 17, 2024 • 49min
Decoder Ring: The Secret Life of Lawn Ornaments
Lawn ornaments are everywhere—but for something so ubiquitous, they’re also mysterious. What’s the person with the flamingo or the gargoyle in their yard trying to say—and why do they want to say it so publicly? From the garden-variety to the not so common, the adorable to the odious—lawn ornaments speak volumes, without saying a word. In this episode, we travel from Germany to England and back home to look at the history and meaning behind three specific lawn ornaments: the garden gnome, the lawn jockey, and the 18th century ornamental hermit.You’ll hear from historian Twigs Way, Sven Berrar of the Zwergstatt Gräfenroda, David Pilgrim of the Jim Crow Museum, Kenneth Goings who is an emeritus professor at the Ohio State University, and art historian Ned Harwood.This episode was written by Evan Chung and Willa Paskin. It was produced by Evan Chung. We produce Decoder Ring with Katie Shepherd and Max Freedman. We had additional production from Cheyna Roth and Martina Weber. Derek John is Executive Producer. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director.Thank you to Friedemann Brenneis, Heather Joseph-Witham, and Elise Gramza.If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, email us at DecoderRing@slate.com.If you love the show and want to support us, consider joining Slate Plus. With Slate Plus you get ad-free podcasts, bonus episodes, and total access to all of Slate’s journalism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 15, 2024 • 1h 35min
Gays Against Briggs | Tribeca Festival Live Show
In a lively live taping at the Tribeca Festival, Eric Marcus, host of Making Gay History, and activist DeRay Mckesson join filmmaker Sam Feder and comedian Esther Fallick for a spirited discussion. They dive into pivotal moments in LGBTQ history, like the Briggs Initiative, and reflect on the complexities of visibility and activism today. Personal stories shine a light on challenges faced by the community, with humor woven throughout, culminating in a celebration of identity and the ongoing fight for rights and representation.
Jul 3, 2024 • 52min
Gays Against Briggs | 7. Turn Around. Fight Back.
The podcast explores the aftermath of a controversial verdict in George Moscone and Harvey Milk's killings, leading to escalating tensions and violent protests. It delves into the LGBTQ rights movements, reflecting on past struggles and ongoing activism. The narrative highlights the resilience and unity within the community, emphasizing the importance of continuous fight for equality.
9 snips
Jun 26, 2024 • 56min
Gays Against Briggs | 6. The Murders at City Hall
The podcast explores the nerve-wracking election night victory against Prop 6, the tragic murders at City Hall, the aftermath of political maneuvering, the assassination of Harvey Milk and Mayor Moscone, and Milk's premonition of his own death.
15 snips
Jun 19, 2024 • 55min
Gays Against Briggs | 5. Strange Bedfellows
The podcast explores the challenges faced by gay rights activists in defeating Proposition 6, the creation of the iconic rainbow flag, grassroots activism against the Briggs Initiative, the portrayal of ideal families, David Mixner's meeting with Reagan, Harvey Milk's advocacy, intense debates on gay rights, and the closing chapters on gay rights struggles in San Francisco.
5 snips
Jun 12, 2024 • 58min
Gays Against Briggs | 4. You Must Come Out
During a fundraising event in 1977, a comedian's powerful message supports gay rights. The podcast delves into the controversial stand-up comedy performance and the differing opinions within the movement. It explores the political climate in 1970s California, unity against anti-gay leaders, and the interplay of religion and politics in fundraising efforts for LGBTQ rights. The episode also highlights Sally Gearhart's activism and coming out, as well as the unraveling of an unsolved murder case.
Jun 5, 2024 • 57min
Gays Against Briggs | 3. Harvey Milk vs. the Machine
Harvey Milk, a gay community leader, and his allies fought against John Briggs' ban on gay teachers. The podcast explores Milk's political journey, Coors beer boycott, and activism for LGBTQ+ rights. It delves into the 1978 anti-gay wave, the Briggs Initiative, and Milk's impactful work as a supervisor in San Francisco.
May 29, 2024 • 53min
Gays Against Briggs | 2. Defend Our Children
In 1977, Senator John Briggs planned to ban gay teachers, sparking a national debate. The podcast explores his rise as a right-wing hero and enemy of the gay rights movement. It delves into threats against Briggs and the political influences shaping his career. The episode highlights the discriminatory Briggs Initiative and the fight for LGBTQ rights in education, showcasing the challenges faced by gay teachers in California during a divisive time.
May 22, 2024 • 51min
Gays Against Briggs | 1. A Hotbed of Homosexuality
Explore the 1970s San Francisco gay scene and the fight for equality amidst discrimination. Learn about the activism for gay rights in California and Florida, with Anita Bryant's campaign causing a backlash. Dive into the political maneuvers leading to the repeal of the sodomy ban and the impact on the LGBTQ+ community.
