The Study Hall Podcast

Kylie Cheung is a reporter at Abortion Everyday. In this conversation with host Daniel Spielberger, Kylie chats about her new book “Coercion Surviving and Resisting Abortion Bans.” Kylie discusses the various manipulative tactics conservative politicians utilize to criminalize abortion and what’s missing from mainstream media coverage of reproductive justice.    For more information about “Coercion”: https://www.plutobooks.com/9780745350615/coercion/   More info about Study Hall: studyhall.xyz    Music by KT The Terrible   

Kaila Yu is a writer, former model, and lead singer of Nylon Pink. In this conversation, she discusses her new book “Fetishized:A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty.” In the book, Yu chronicles her own journey in the entertainment industry and delves into the harmful stereotypes about Asian women. In this conversation, Yu offers advice on marketing, memoir writing, and more. More info about Yu’s book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/738645/fetishized-by-kaila-yu/ More info about Study Hall: studyhall.xyz. Music by KT The Terrible

Shawna Kenney’s writing has appeared in the Los Angeles Review of Books, VICE, PBS, and The New York Times. She’s the author of I Was a Teenage Dominatrix, a memoir. In this conversation, Shawna discusses her approach to publishing and teaching. She also shares insight into her DIY approach to publicity and the nuances of the creative nonfiction.  Shawna is teaching a course for Study Hall; click here for more information: https://courses.outvoice.com/products/courses/pitch-perfect-workshop If you're a Study Hall subscriber, check the latest newsletter for your 50% discount code. Music by KT The Terrible

Alicia Kennedy, a food and culture writer featured in major publications like The Washington Post and Vogue, dives into the transformative landscape of food media. She shares insights on her pandemic-launched newsletter and the importance of storytelling that intertwines food justice with personal narratives. The discussion highlights the critical differences between 'food desert' and 'food apartheid,' advocating for community-driven solutions. Kennedy also emphasizes the value of independent media and collaborative approaches, urging readers to engage authentically with food culture.

Brian Merchant is a tech journalist who writes the “Blood In The Machine” newsletter. In this conversation, Brian discusses his ongoing project chronicling the impact of AI on the jobs market and explains why tech companies often lean into dystopia when marketing new products. He also offers his take on how AI is changing the media industry.  Check out Brian’s newsletter: https://www.bloodinthemachine.com/ More info about Study Hall: studyhall.xyz. Music by KT The Terrible 

In this conversation, D.D. Guttenplan, the editor of The Nation, and Richard Kreitner, a contributing writer and host of the “Think Back” podcast (https://www.thinkbackpod.com/), chatted about The Nation’s 160th anniversary issue. With dispatches from 50 writers and arts across the 50 states, the issue ponders the current disunited of America. Guttenplan and Kreitner also chat about The Nation’s approach to foreign policy coverage and what it takes to spearhead an expansive project.    For more about the issue: https://www.thenation.com/issue/july-august-2025-issue/   More info about Study Hall: https://studyhall.xyz/   Music by KT The Terrible

Sam Adler-Bell’s writing has appeared in New York Magazine and The New Republic. He’s also the co-host of the “Know Your Enemy” podcast. In this conversation with Daniel Spielberger, Sam chats about researching conservative figures, writing about the internal ideological divide amongst Democrats, and presenting leftist populism to a broader audience.  Listen to the Know Your Enemy podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/know-your-enemy/id1462703434 More about Study Hall: studyhall.xyz Music by KT The Terrible

Zach Zimmerman, a celebrated comedian and writer known for his work in The New Yorker and his essay collection, reflects on the tumultuous journey of finding humor in rejection. He shares insights on navigating love and heartbreak, emphasizing the cathartic role of comedy. Zimmerman humorously discusses family dynamics amidst differing beliefs, his upcoming train adventure, and the authenticity crisis in corporate Pride. With wit, he unpacks self-talk and resilience in comedy, turning personal anecdotes into lessons on growth and vulnerability.

Alex Thompson is a national political correspondent at Axios. Along with CNN’s Jake Tapper, he co-authored the New York Times Bestselling book, Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again. In this conversation with host Daniel Spielberger, Alex shares why he was interested in covering Biden, what Democrats can take away from the book, political information bubbles, the current state of Washington D.C. journalism, and restoring trust in media institutions. For more information about Original Sin: https://sites.prh.com/originalsin/ For more information about Study Hall: studyhall.xyz  Music by KT The Terrible 

  Mike Isaac is a technology correspondent for The New York Times who has been covering Meta and Silicon Valley. In this conversation with host Daniel Spielberger, Mike discusses his experience covering the FTC vs. Meta trial, deepfakes, and the rise of AI. In addition, Mike offers some tips on how reporters can find overlooked stories. Keep up with Mike’s work: https://www.nytimes.com/by/mike-isaac More information about Study Hall: Studyhall.xyz  Music by KT The Terrible