

Working
Slate Podcasts
Hosts Isaac Butler, Ronald Young Jr., and June Thomas interview creative people about how they write, compose, paint, and more.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 18, 2023 • 44min
A Painter Reveals the Beauty of Bicycles
This week, host June Thomas talks to Taliah Lempert, an artist who specializes in paintings and prints of bicycles. In the interview, Taliah tells the story of how she first discovered a passion for riding bikes and then painting their likeness. She also explains how she’s been able to turn her artistic practice into a satisfying full-time career. After the interview, June and co-host Isaac Butler talk about getting into a creative “flow” and embracing your art as your “life’s work.” In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Taliah discusses art fairs and other community events, and then she tries to list all of the bikes that she owns. Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.Podcast production by Cameron Drews. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 15, 2023 • 28min
Working Overtime: Working on Oneself
For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler discuss a listener’s query about how much importance one should grant ‘working on oneself.’ They share their different methods of pausing for self reflection, such as a quarterly, personal check-ins, mulling over problems that peers frequently encounter, and envisioning an ideal future.Do you have a question about creative work? Leave a message at (304) 933-9675 or email us at working@slate.com. Podcast production by Kevin Bendis and Cameron Drews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 11, 2023 • 54min
The Art of the On-Mic Interview
This week, Working producer Cameron Drews gets a masterclass in interviewing from Sam Fragoso, host of the Talk Easy podcast. They discuss in-person vs remote interviews, the importance of follow-up questions, and what it means to capture “an honest snapshot” of the guest. After the interview, Cameron and co-host June Thomas discuss the role of good taste and anxiety in creative work. In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Sam talks about collaborating with his producers and participating in post-interview photo shoots. Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675. Podcast production by Cameron Drews.__This Pride Month, make an impact by helping Macy’s and The Trevor Project on their mission to fund life-saving suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth. Go to macys.com/purpose to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 4, 2023 • 49min
A Prolific Novelist Takes a Breather
This week, host June Thomas talks to Ellen Hart, a mystery author who’s been active since the late 80’s and who is most famous for the long-running Jane Lawless series. In the interview, Ellen talks about her early career as a chef and explains why (and how) she pivoted to writing. Then she explains why, after so many years of heavy output, she’s deciding to write less and less, and both she and June reckon with the dreaded “R” word (retirement!). After the interview, June and co-host Isaac Butler discuss what happens when work becomes your identity. In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, June asks her favorite question to ask writers. Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.Podcast production by Cameron Drews. --This Pride Month, make an impact by helping Macy’s and The Trevor Project on their mission to fund life-saving suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth. Go to macys.com/purpose to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 1, 2023 • 36min
Working Overtime: What Publication Day Feels Like
For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler speak with Jaime Green, author of The Possibility of Life, about her experiences publishing her first book. Whether it's the repetitive promotional interviews or the countless rounds of revisions, the process of publishing a book can be surreal and exhausting. Luckily, as Green recounts, the support of a creative community and praise from strangers can make it all worthwhile.Do you have a question about creative work? Leave a message at (304) 933-9675 or email us at working@slate.com. Podcast production by Kevin Bendis and Cameron Drews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 28, 2023 • 51min
The Breakout Star of HBO’s Barry
This week, host Isaac Butler talks to actor Sarah Goldberg, who plays Sally on the hit HBO show Barry. In the interview, Sarah discusses her training at The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and the important lessons she learned there. Then she digs into the role of Sally and discusses her first impressions of the role, the many dimensions of the character, and her ability to access powerful emotions for certain scenes. After the interview, Isaac and co-host June Thomas talk about the emotional toll that acting can take. You can check out Isaac's piece about Barry here: https://slate.com/culture/2018/05/barry-sends-up-acting-class-vanities.htmlIn the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Sarah discusses the differences between theater acting in the U.K. vs the U.S. Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675. Podcast production by Cameron Drews. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Big Mood, Little Mood—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 21, 2023 • 49min
The Flawless Indie Pop of The Beths
This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Liz Stokes and Jon Pearce, who make up half of the New Zealand indie rock band The Beths. In the interview, Liz and Jon walk through their songwriting process step-by-step, from initial riffs and lyrics to their complex vocal harmonies and guitar solos. They also explain why the bridge is often the hardest part of a song to write. After the interview, Isaac and co-host June Thomas discuss why songwriting sometimes feels like magic. In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Isaac’s daughter asks Liz and Jon some questions of her own! Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.Podcast production by Cameron Drews.If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Big Mood, Little Mood—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 18, 2023 • 22min
Working Overtime: How To Promote Your Work
For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Karen Han answer one listener’s question about promoting their work. They also discuss how social media isn’t always ideal but it can still be an easy way to spread the word about your business and creative endeavors.Do you have a question about creative work? Leave a message at (304) 933-9675 or email us at working@slate.com. Podcast production by Kevin Bendis and Cameron Drews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 14, 2023 • 50min
A Hit YouTube Channel's Whimsical English Subtitles
This week, host Karen Han talks to Hannah Yim and Justine Won, subtitle translators for the YouTube channel SBS Animal Farm. The channel features cute animal videos with Korean subtitles, which Hannah and Justine adapt for an English-speaking audience. In the interview, they discuss the challenges of translating Korean slang and other culturally specific language into English. They also discuss their fast-paced workflow and what it’s like to get feedback from YouTube commenters. After the interview, Karen and co-host June Thomas talk about the positives and negatives of fast-paced work environments. In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Hannah and Justine talk more about their workflow and how they divide up their duties. Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.Podcast production by Cameron Drews. __Make an impact this Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month by helping Macy’s on their mission to fund APIA Scholars. Go to macys.com/purpose to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 10, 2023 • 16min
Sponsored Content: Secret Sauce for Business Owners
It’s not easy to start a business. It’s even harder to build a successful one. Luckily, we can ask experts, entrepreneurs, and business leaders for advice.In this special Slate episode, brought to you by Bank of America, we’ve gathered the best business advice from our hit shows How To! and Working. You’ll hear helpful tips and inspiring stories from business experts like Guy Raz, The Knot co-founder Carly Roney, Everything Everywhere All at Once fight choreographer Daniel Mah, and others.Join Working host June Thomas as she seeks answers to pressing questions, like: How do I take that leap of faith and start a business? How should I handle tricky workplace dynamics? How can I be a better communicator in uncomfortable situations?This episode is sponsored by Bank of America, a trusted partner for business owners. Visit BankofAmerica.com/bankingforbusiness to learn how they can help you.Do you have business advice to share? We want to hear it! Send us a note at secretsauce@slate.com.Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen.Podcast production by Emily Charash, Michele Siegel, Rosemary Belson, Cameron Drews, and Jessamine Molli, Ben Richmond, and Derek John. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices