Best ONSTAGE PLUS Podcasts (2024)

1
The summer hits reveal some complicated vibes 21:58

40m ago21:58

21:58

Now that we're in the dog days of summer, host Brittany Luse wants to know - do we have a song of the summer this year? According to NPR Music reporter Sidney Madden and NPR Music host, writer and editor Stephen Thompson, there isn't one song - but many songs. "We are more disparate than ever, that's why it's hard to chart a single song right now,"…

1
Code Switch: Do we need to stop using the word "felon"? 35:42

1h ago35:42

35:42

Ever since Vice President Kamala Harris entered the presidential race, things changed. Her campaign almost immediately started framing the election as: Harris, the former prosecutor - vs. Trump the felon. And that word - "felon" - is one that our friends over at NPR's Code Switch have been thinking a lot about since former President Trump was convi…

1
The misunderstood humor of political memes 17:59

21m ago17:59

17:59

From the attempted assassination of former President Trump, to President Biden dropping out of the election, and VP Kamala Harris stepping up... The news these past few weeks has been buck wild. And the energy online is similarly unhinged. But what do most people get wrong when they try to interpret the latest explosion of political memes? And what…

1
Quality chills and feel good content on Dropout 29:33

24m ago29:33

29:33

It seems like there are countless streamers these days – there's Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, Max, Peacock, Roku, just to name a few. Still, success and profit remain elusive to even some of the biggest in the biz. However there is one smaller streamer that seems to have found a path to prosperity: Dropout. In this encore episode, IBAM host Brittany…

1
Olympic hurdles for women athletes; plus, big trucks and big questions 32:31

11d ago32:31

32:31

This is the first year the Olympics have gender parity between men's and women's teams - but does it mean gender equity? ESPN writer Katie Barnes and Rose Eveleth, host of NPR and CBC's Tested, join Brittany to discuss the barriers that women athletes still face - from men-only categories to women-only sex testing. And later - in recent years, you …

1
'Cats: The Jellicle Ball' gets 10s across the board 21:30

8d ago21:30

21:30

In the latest revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats, there are no singing cats. The actors have basically ditched the furry ears and velvet tails and reimagined the characters as competitors in the ballroom scene, vying for trophies and a new chance at life. This week, host Brittany Luse talks to Cats: The Jellicle Ball star Chasity Moore and co-di…

1
The rise of the AR-15; plus, why do comedians play so many cops? 34:46

1h ago34:46

34:46

Last Saturday, former president Donald Trump was speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania when a gunman shot at him – killing one spectator and clipping Trump in the ear. The response? Outrage, condemnations, and prayers on all sides... but there's been less chatter about the gun that shot at him. And this gun has a lot of symbolism: The AR-15. Host Bri…

1
Simmering over summer books 21:13

21d ago21:13

21:13

We're at the peak of summer, which means sunny days on the grass with a good book! Bestselling authors Tia Williams and Jean Chen Ho join host Brittany Luse to give their recommendations for great summer reads. They also offer some armchair theories on why we love a gossipy summer novel. Books mentioned in this episode: The Guest by Emma Cline Meet…

1
'Hawk tuah,' the Zynternet, & the bro-vote; plus, cowboys are having a moment 38:21

25d ago38:21

38:21

What did the raunchy joke say to the podcast host? That we might need to pay attention to the "zynternet." Host Brittany Luse is joined by Slate's Luke Winkie and sex and culture writer Magdalene Taylor to understand why the "hawk tuah" phenomenon is emblematic of a corner of the internet that's both culturally and politically powerful. Then, we're…

1
Mavis Staples on Prince, MLK and a life onstage 23:21

13d ago23:21

23:21

This week, the legendary singer and civil rights figure Mavis Staples is turning 85 and there's no sign of her slowing down: She released a new song, "Worthy," and a children's book, Bridges Instead of Walls: The Story of Mavis Staples. Today, Mavis joins host Brittany Luse to share stories from her life: what it was like to be mentored by Mahalia …

1
Defining 2024 so far; plus, why brands 'de-woked' 34:37

1M ago34:37

34:37

It is the first week of July, which means we are officially halfway through the year. And what a year it's been! Brittany sat down with NPR Politics reporter Elena Moore and co-host of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour Stephen Thompson, to take stock of what's happened so far in 2024. Then, remember when brands weighed in on politics? Like when Gushers …

1
A taste of Black Appalachia 20:40

1M ago20:40

20:40

Too often, our attempts at nailing the family recipes end up in disaster and disappointment. This week, host Brittany Luse is joined by former Kentucky Poet Laureate Crystal Wilkinson, author of Praisesong for the Kitchenghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks. The two talk about Appalachian food culture, turning or…

1
Girl, that remix, so healing; plus, gay vampires 38:03

1M ago38:03

38:03

The internet freaked out when Charli XCX and Lorde revealed - and put to rest - their pop girl rivalry on Charli's "Girl, so confusing" remix. That same day, Brandy and Monica seemed to settle their decades long feud when they appeared on the remix of Ariana Grande's version of "The Boy is Mine." But while the pop girls are healing, a lot of fans s…

1
Can't stop the (classical) music 20:25

2M ago20:25

20:25

It's Black Music month! This week, Host Brittany Luse invites Howard University professor and trombonist Myles Blakemore to talk about how classical music influenced some of our favorite musicians. They look at how the counterpoint technique of Johann Sebastian Bach may have inspired Nina Simone, and how a love of Ginuwine can turn into a career in…

1
Fouling Caitlin Clark; plus, a shoplifting panic! 39:41

2M ago39:41

39:41

First up, there has been a media frenzy around the fouls made against rising basketball star and Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark. Commentators and fans have called her fellow WNBA players bullies, jealous, and catty. But Code Switch co-host Gene Demby and Defector's Maitreyi Anantharaman say a lot of the people commenting misunderstand the WNBA.…

1
Carvell Wallace searches for 'Another Word for Love' 22:49

2M ago22:49

22:49

In his new memoir, Another Word for Love, Carvell Wallace lays out his journey to find self-acceptance after a childhood colored by instability. Host Brittany Luse sits down with Carvell to talk about how he built new language around love and his new perspectives on recovery and healing. Want to be featured on IBAM? Record a voice memo responding t…

1
Conservatives want to burn flags too; plus, the power of a singing POTUS 36:09

2M ago36:09

36:09

Flags have been making a lot of headlines lately, and it's not because today is National Flag Day. The upside down flag that was flown outside of Justice Samuel Alito's house after January 6th is back in the headlines again. Plus the Colorado Republican Party has been making news for their post on X to "burn all the #pride flags this June." Host Br…

1
Cole Escola literally changes history in 'Oh, Mary!' 18:51

2M ago18:51

18:51

Cole Escola is the star and creator of Oh Mary!, an upcoming Broadway play about Mary Todd Lincoln, the wife of President Abraham Lincoln. But there's a twist: Mary is reimagined as a raging alcoholic with cabaret dreams and Lincoln is portrayed as an evil closeted gay man plotting on her misery. On the cusp of the show's Broadway debut, Brittany c…

1
Republicans really want revenge; plus, can AI take a chill pill? 34:18

2M ago34:18

34:18

What is our justice system for? Many Republicans over the past week have suggested it's for revenge, calling for the prosecution of Democrats across the country following Trump's guilty verdict. Brittany looks at how the justice system can be politicized with NPR's national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson and national political correspondent M…

1
Devery Jacobs flies high in 'Backspot' 19:12

2M ago19:12

19:12

Cheerleaders are canonical when it comes to teen media - but is it time we expand our idea of who cheerleaders can be? Devery Jacobs's new film, Backspot, explores the internal life of a cheerleading backspot - the person making sure those high-flying cheerleaders don't break their necks. Devery joins Brittany to talk about redefining the cheerlead…

1
Is it time to re-name "summer?" Plus, prom fashion is all grown up 30:49

2M ago30:49

30:49

Summer is supposed to be for vacation and more relaxation, right? Well, for climate watchers, this season goes by a more sinister name. Brittany and NPR climate correspondents Lauren Sommer and Nate Rott get into what changes in summer weather mean for how and where we live. Then, it's prom season and high schoolers are showing out! But styles have…

1
You think you know true crime podcasts? Wait till you hear Tonya's story. 18:22

3M ago18:22

18:22

When a daughter or sister disappears how does a family move on without closure? Host Brittany Luse is joined by Fresh Air co-host Tonya Mosley and and her nephew Antonio Wiley. The two produced She Has A Name, a documentary podcast that unravels the disappearance and death of Tonya's half-sister, Anita Wiley. Brittany, Tonya, and Antonio get into h…

1
The Real Housewife-ification of Congress; And, 25 years of being pilled by The Matrix 34:40

3M ago34:40

34:40

Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Jasmine Crockett exchanged heated words on the House floor. Greene commented on Crockett's eyelashes, and Crockett referred to Greene's body as "butch." We dive into the history of these two attacks, and look at what history the two representatives were pulling from — from misogynoir to transphobia. And wh…

1
Tony nominee Jocelyn Bioh puts braiders centerstage 20:08

3M ago20:08

20:08

This week, Brittany Luse sits down with playwright Jocelyn Bioh, whose new play, Jaja's African Hair Braiding, is up for five Tony Award nominations, including Best Play. The two discuss Bioh's unique approach to comedy, what it took to bring a hair affair to Broadway, and how to find humor in dark situations. Want to be featured on the show? Recor…

1
Bumble & the trap of modern dating; plus, living ethically in COVID's aftermath 32:16

3M ago32:16

32:16

This week, the dating app Bumble could not stay out of the news. First, the company launched an anti-celibacy advertising campaign mocking abstinence and suggesting women shouldn't give up on dating apps. Then, at a tech summit, Bumble's founder suggested artificial intelligence might be the future of dating. Both efforts were met with backlash, an…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

ONSTAGE PLUS Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
It's Been a Minute

NPR

1
The journey

ONSTAGE PLUS

1
The summer hits reveal some complicated vibes 21:58

1
Code Switch: Do we need to stop using the word "felon"? 35:42

1
The misunderstood humor of political memes 17:59

1
Quality chills and feel good content on Dropout 29:33

1
Olympic hurdles for women athletes; plus, big trucks and big questions 32:31

1
'Cats: The Jellicle Ball' gets 10s across the board 21:30

1
The rise of the AR-15; plus, why do comedians play so many cops? 34:46

1
Simmering over summer books 21:13

1
'Hawk tuah,' the Zynternet, & the bro-vote; plus, cowboys are having a moment 38:21

1
Mavis Staples on Prince, MLK and a life onstage 23:21

1
Defining 2024 so far; plus, why brands 'de-woked' 34:37

1
A taste of Black Appalachia 20:40

1
Girl, that remix, so healing; plus, gay vampires 38:03

1
Can't stop the (classical) music 20:25

1
Fouling Caitlin Clark; plus, a shoplifting panic! 39:41

1
Carvell Wallace searches for 'Another Word for Love' 22:49

1
Conservatives want to burn flags too; plus, the power of a singing POTUS 36:09

1
Cole Escola literally changes history in 'Oh, Mary!' 18:51

1
Republicans really want revenge; plus, can AI take a chill pill? 34:18

1
Devery Jacobs flies high in 'Backspot' 19:12

1
Is it time to re-name "summer?" Plus, prom fashion is all grown up 30:49

1
You think you know true crime podcasts? Wait till you hear Tonya's story. 18:22

1
The Real Housewife-ification of Congress; And, 25 years of being pilled by The Matrix 34:40

1
Tony nominee Jocelyn Bioh puts braiders centerstage 20:08

1
Bumble & the trap of modern dating; plus, living ethically in COVID's aftermath 32:16

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