Best Blerd Thoughts Podcasts (2024)

1
Death, Sex & Money: What’s Missing From the Overdose Crisis Conversation 52:26

39m ago52:26

52:26

From a young age, James T. Morrison used drugs to help him feel better. He started with pills that were prescribed to him–medications like Xanax and Klonopin–but he soon moved on to basically whatever he could get his hands on. In this episode, James discusses his experience with substance use disorder, housing instability, and the criminal justice…

1
How To!: Date With a Disability 46:24

39m ago46:24

46:24

Todd is looking for love, but he’s unsure about disclosing something in dating profiles: his multiple sclerosis. With symptoms that are increasingly visible, Todd feels compelled to be upfront about his disability with potential dates—but he doesn’t know when or how to discuss it. On this episode of How To!, Carvell Wallace brings on Jessica Slice …

1
Hear Me Out: You Don’t Need A BFF 41:05

39m ago41:05

41:05

On today’s episode of Hear Me Out: make the friendship bracelets. Or don’t. Like all relationships, friendships can grow, change… and, yes, end. Sometimes for good reason. But we romanticize the BFF as the goal – to find your person – and that might not be realistic. Author and podcast host Kristen Meinzer joins us to make the case for not needing …

1
Money Talks: How to Write a Trashy Airport Book 35:20

39m ago35:20

35:20

For this Money Talks, lawyer/podcaster Peter Shamshiri, co-host of If Books Could Kill, reveals the secrets of junk nonfiction to host Emily Peck. He explains why “airport books” like The Secret, Hillbilly Elegy, and The Tipping Point tend to be rife with non-advice, pseudoscience, and outright junk, and what that means for our culture at large. He…

1
What Next: Kamala Harris: Meme Queen to Madame President? 30:34

39m ago30:34

30:34

And just like that, it’s (almost definitely) Kamala. Her rise has fueled a whole species of internet memes—but the questions about her platform are serious. Guest: Scaachi Koul, Slate senior writer Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subs…

1
Hang Up: Sex Testing and Women’s Sports 1:01:50

1h ago1:01:50

1:01:50

Joel Anderson, Josh Levin, and the CBC’s Morgan Campbell check in on the WNBA at the halfway point of a historic season. They also talk about ESPN’s list of the 100 greatest pro athletes of the 2000s. Finally, they interview Rose Eveleth about their podcast Tested, on the history of sex testing in sports. WNBA (4:19): What’s the story with the new …

1
Care & Feeding: What Does My Son Need To Shave? 38:01

41m ago38:01

38:01

On this episode: Lucy, Jamilah, and Dan Kois help a member of the Slate Parenting Facebook community who’s wondering how to help her teenage son through the rite of passage that is shaving. We’ll also help out a listener whose six-year-old is an overzealous shaver, and talk through whether it’s a real problem. We also dole out a round of recommenda…

1
What Next: Joe Biden Passes the Baton 30:43

41m ago30:43

30:43

Just over three weeks ago, Joe Biden was heading to the stage to debate Donald Trump. Now, he’s out. Guest: David Faris, Slate contributor, associate professor of political science at Roosevelt University and author of It’s Time to Fight Dirty: How Democrats Can Build a Lasting Majority in American Politics. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate …

1
Working: A Newspaper Comic That Shows a Changing America 52:29

25m ago52:29

52:29

This week, host Ronald Young Jr. talks to Darrin Bell, creator of the syndicated newspaper comic strip Candorville. In the interview, Darrin explains how hard it was to get Candorville picked up for syndication and how all newspaper comics artists face an up-hill battle to get published. He also talks about his routine for creating new strips every…

1
What Next TBD: The Conspiracy Theory Election 27:04

1d ago27:04

27:04

In the hours after the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, conspiracy theories started circulating all over social media, often amplified by powerful voices on both sides of the aisle. It shows a complete breakdown of trust in institutions during a critical election. Guest: Drew Harwell, technology reporter at the Washington Post. Want more What…

1
Gabfest Reads: Understanding the World Through Notebooks 41:33

25m ago41:33

41:33

John Dickerson talks with author Roland Allen about his new book, The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper. They discuss the historical origins of notebooks, how to keep a notebook and their own personal journeys documenting their lives. If you enjoyed this conversation, you’ll love an exploration into John Dickerson’s notebooks with his podcas…

1
Amicus: SCOTUS Doesn’t Have To Be This Way 1:08:13

30m ago1:08:13

1:08:13

So President Biden finally signaled an openness to maybe possibly thinking about Supreme Court reform. Too little, too late, perhaps - but also, desperately needed, certainly. The US Supreme Court views itself as separate and apart from all other courts - including international counterparts. What could Americans learn from other courts? One of the…

1
Slate Money: Did Y2K Finally Happen? 1:01:57

30m ago1:01:57

1:01:57

This week, as computers crash, computer makers are voting Trump. Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers discuss the behind-the-scenes company behind the global tech shutdown, why Silicon Valley entrepreneurs like Trump and J.D. Vance, and why ESG has survived while DEI is in the dumps. For Slate Plus members: Why is the swimming pool market…

1
ICYMI: What Next: TBD: The Blu-Ray-naissance Is Here. Sort of. 26:25

30m ago26:25

26:25

Today, we’re bringing you an episode from our friends and colleagues over at What Next: TBD. Guest host, Cheyna Roth is joined by Ash Nelson, journalist and author of “The Lost Art of the DVD Extra” for Slate. The two discuss the downsides of the streaming era are coming into focus for movie fans—uncontrollable, changing libraries; lower fidelity; …

1
What Next TBD: America’s Tech Trustbuster 36:09

1h ago36:09

36:09

The biggest companies in the world are now tech companies, which is why the biggest antitrust, anti-monopoly fights in recent memory are centered around Silicon Valley. Guest: Jonathan Kanter, Assistant Attorney General, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to th…

1
A Word: Trump’s Race Card 37:57

4d ago37:57

37:57

After a tumultuous week of campaign news, Republicans wrapped their convention in Milwaukee by officially making former President Donald Trump their nominee. While President Joe Biden struggles with doubts within his own party, many in the G.O.P. believe there’s a new opportunity to reach out to Black voters. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Joh…

1
Dear Prudence: I Am Swamped With Plans and I Hate It. Help! 42:59

22m ago42:59

42:59

In this episode, Carvell Wallace (author of Another Word for Love and host of Slate’s How To!) joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters from readers about how to cancel on family vacation plans that sound horrible to you, how to break it to your butch lesbian girlfriend that her friends might be misogynists, and how to convince your pa…

1
Political Gabfest: “Fight, Fight, Fight” 49:44

4h ago49:44

49:44

This week, John Dickerson is joined by What Next host Mary Harris to discuss Donald Trump’s pick for vice president, the excitement at the Republican National Convention (and why they’re talking about a victory), and the aftermath of the Trump assassination attempt. Here are this week’s chatters: John: The television series, Shetland on BritBox Mar…

1
"Can You Fight the Pope in Melee, Though?" - With Candace The Magnificent & Navaar Jackson 1:32:32

5d ago1:32:32

1:32:32

Jeremy, Candace The Magnificent and Navaar Jackson are back this week to talk about the news of the Assassin's Creed: Shadows release. Can you guess why? Yep, a lot of people seem very upset that one of the main protagonists - Yasuke - is a black man, in a game set in feudal Japan. Would we have this same backlash if it was a white guy? Is using th…

1
Care & Feeding: I Can’t Sleep When My Teen’s Gone 33:52

1d ago33:52

33:52

On this episode: Lucy, Jamilah, and special guest host Dan Kois help a member of the Slate Parenting Facebook group who’s unable to sleep unless everyone in the household is tucked in and all the doors are locked. That’s making it challenging to live with a 16-year-old night owl… so is the answer to just suffer through the evenings where not everyo…

1
What Next: What Republicans Really Want 33:14

39m ago33:14

33:14

With the presidential ticket set and the platform announced, the GOP of 2024 isn’t defined by fiscal conservatism and fighting to end abortion—although those issues are holding on, further down on the list. So what are Republicans fighting for now? Guest: Paul Farrow, county executive for Waukesha County, delegate at the RNC, former chair of the Wi…

1
Decoder Ring: The Secret Life of Lawn Ornaments 51:06

4m ago51:06

51:06

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 epis…

1
Culture Gabfest: Longlegs Has Legs 1:06:54

4m ago1:06:54

1:06:54

On this week’s show, the panel begins by dissecting Longlegs, director Osgood Perkin’s viral horror movie starring Nicolas Cage that’s sweeping the box office. Aided by a clever marketing campaign, Longlegs is undoubtedly the summer’s “you gotta see it” horror flick, but does the Silence of the Lambs copycat live up to the hype? Then, the three jum…

1
ICYMI: Amanda Mull on Titanic Fandoms and Frog Subreddits 35:36

4m ago35:36

35:36

Candice Lim is joined by Bloomberg Businessweek reporter Amanda Mull, whose pieces investigate your favorite big-box stores, the cult of exercise and the girlboss economy. They dive into Mull’s internet diary, which includes her golden rule for arguing online, her most beloved @dril tweets and why she’s changed her mind on Peloton. This podcast is …

1
Well, Now: How Nick Cannon Got Celebrities to Open Up About Their Mental Health 57:39

4m ago57:39

57:39

We all know about the mental health crisis wreaking havoc throughout the nation and world. On this week’s episode of Well, Now we’re continuing our ongoing discussions of mental health, and this time we’re tackling men’s mental health as a whole. Prime’s new show Counsel Culture, hosted by Nick Cannon and medical professionals across the spectrum, …

1
What Next: How to End One-Party Rule 34:04

6d ago34:04

34:04

A perennial presidential battleground state, Wisconsin became a warning—or blueprint—for how one party can subvert democracy and keep power without winning more votes. Does the Badger State hold any lessons about how to walk back a gerrymandered, minority rule? Guest: Ari Berman, Mother Jones’ national voting rights correspondent and author of “Min…

1
What Next: J.D. Vance: You're Hired 28:23

6m ago28:23

28:23

J.D. Vance, the Yale Law School graduate once hailed by the media as a white working class-whisperer, has been selected as Donald Trump’s running mate. But not too long ago, he was one of the former president’s critics. The former-Marine and San Francisco venture capitalist won over Trump with the hardline, America-first policies he championed in t…

1
Death, Sex & Money: The Mayor of the Most Controversial City in the U.S. 55:56

6m ago55:56

55:56

San Francisco mayor London Breed grew up learning again and again about the dangers of drugs and addiction. She lived in public housing in the city in the 1980’s and saw friends and family members in her community get hooked, get sick, and sometimes pass away. Fast forward to now, and San Francisco is seeing sky-high overdose numbers (though they’r…

1
Hear Me Out: AI’s Threat to Democracy Flopped 36:10

6m ago36:10

36:10

On today’s episode of Hear Me Out: tried and Turing tested. Coming into the 2024 election cycle, generative AI was one of the main concerns for democracy watchdogs; its power to create deceptive text, images and sounds at a rapid, unfettered pace seems ripe to spread misinformation. But of all the controversies and current events that have shaped t…

1
How To!: Be a Mindful Grandparent 43:51

6m ago43:51

43:51

Shirley Showalter and Marilyn McEntyre know that grandparenting is more than just cookies and Play-Doh. Don’t get us wrong, those things are fun! But the art of contemporary grandparenting requires mindfulness, intentionality, and navigating boundaries. On today’s episode, Courtney Martin talks with Marilyn and Shirley about their book, The Mindful…

1
Hang Up: Chaos at the Copa 1:06:37

4m ago1:06:37

1:06:37

Copa America (7:03): A security breakdown outside the stadium marred Argentina’s 1-0 win over Colombia. U.S. soccer ( 21:19): Will a big-name European replace Gregg Berhalter? Crossword puzzles (34:26): An interview about the art of solving crosswords really fast. (Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad free.) Want…

1
Care & Feeding: My Kid’s Friend Has Zero Supervision 22:43

16h ago22:43

22:43

On this episode: Zak, Lucy and Jamilah help a member of the Slate Parenting Facebook Group who’s torn about her kid’s new bestie. This girl is mostly unsupervised and tends toward naughtiness — ding-dong ditching, messy play, and watching adult YouTube — and that tendency is trickling down to our group member’s son. How can this parent make sure he…

1
What Next: After the Trump Assassination Attempt 32:58

12m ago32:58

32:58

Former president Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt Saturday during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. While the gunman has been identified, law enforcement have not offered a potential motivation for the attack. The incident comes at a time of heightened political violence, when more Americans think such acts are justifiable. Guests: Is…

1
What Next TBD: The New World of DIY Medical Tests 25:54

1h ago25:54

25:54

“Home diagnostics” are a $5 billion industry—and growing. Spurred by social media, people are buying into at-home health tests, without input from their doctors, and often, not even the FDA. Guest: Elizabeth Dwoskin, reporter for the Washington Post Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next …

1
Working: An Author’s Mission to Make Her Readers Belly Laugh 54:33

1h ago54:33

54:33

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Sally Franson, the author of two novels: A Lady’s Guide to Selling Out and the brand new release Big in Sweden, which was inspired by her real-life experience as a contestant on a Swedish reality competition show. In the interview, Sally digs into the challenges of writing her second novel and the realizations …

1
Slate Money: When Are You Too Old to Work? 48:37

7h ago48:37

48:37

This week, older people are ditching the office. Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers discuss what a retirement wave means for young workers left behind, why Gen X-ers aren’t financially prepared to retire, and the rise of non-disclosure agreements in everyday life. For the Plus segment: What’s so special about the $150,000 luxury guard d…

1
ICYMI: The “Hawk Tuah Girl” Is the New Scott Disick 38:24

8h ago38:24

38:24

Candice Lim is joined by Slate culture writer Nadira Goffe to play a game of High Speed Downloads, where they get 60 seconds to break down an internet story they’re obsessed with. From the rapidly rising star of the “Hawk Tuah girl” to the awkward BET Awards moment involving Taraji P. Henson and TikTok star Keith Lee, they also give some advice on …

1
Amicus Opinionpalooza: This SCOTUS Decision Is Actually Even More Devastating Than We First Thought 53:22

8h ago53:22

53:22

Administrative law may not sound sexy. And maybe that’s because it truly isn’t sexy. But it is at the very center of the biggest decisions this past Supreme Court term, and also widely misunderstood. In this week’s show, we asked Georgetown Law School’s Professor Lisa Heinzerling to come back to help hack through the thorny thicket of administrativ…

1
Hit Parade: Song(s) of the Summer Edition Part 1 1:02:22

10d ago1:02:22

1:02:22

“Summer in the City.” “I Feel the Earth Move.” “Bette Davis Eyes.” “Whoomp! There It Is.” “Get Lucky.” “Espresso.” What do these big summer hits all have in common? None of them was Billboard’s official Song of the Summer. Wait…there’s an official Song of the Summer? Isn’t that something that just happens organically? Every year, it seems everybody…

1
"All my white friends ask 'What's Juneteenth?'" - With Candace the Magnificent & Navaar Jackson 1:09:55

11d ago1:09:55

1:09:55

Back once again with the ill behaviour, honorary halflings Navaar Jackson and Candace The Magnificent join Jeremy this week to chat about a recently federally recognised holiday - Juneteenth! Taking a look into its (revisionist) history, the horrendous conversations our hosts have had around it as black americans growing up, other federally recogni…

1
A Word: Blerd Up 36:42

11d ago36:42

36:42

It's convention season, and nerds everywhere may be suiting up to attend the Cons, gatherings of hardcore science-fiction, comic book, fantasy or anime fandoms. That includes BlerdCon, the gathering where Black nerds celebrate their interests in comics, anime, gaming, and much more. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by two artis…

1
Dear Prudence: My BFF Bullied Her Husband Into Allowing Her to Sleep With Other Men. Help! 37:42

1d ago37:42

37:42

In this episode, Ronald Young Jr. (host of Weight For It and Slate’s Working) joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters from readers about what to do when your fatphobic in-laws are overstaying their welcome and whether to interfere when your best friend is pressuring her husband into an open marriage. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe…

1
What Next TBD: Boeing Pleads Guilty 28:28

4d ago28:28

28:28

Boeing just pled guilty to felony charges of defrauding the federal government, leading to millions of dollars in fines, and new, external oversight. Is this how the company finally turns it around? Guest: Oriana Pawlyk, POLITICO’s aviation reporter. Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next…

1
Political Gabfest: Even George Clooney Has Abandoned Biden 1:01:46

2d ago1:01:46

1:01:46

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz continue to debate if Joe Biden should stay in the presidential race and who might replace him if he goes; discuss Project 2025; and ponder if Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett deserves a strange, new respect. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: George Clooney in …

1
Care & Feeding: I Took a Break. Why Don’t I Feel Refreshed? 41:07

2d ago41:07

41:07

On this episode: Lucy, Zak, and Jamilah help a listener who wrote in wondering how to soften her landing after taking a break from the kids. She’s grateful for them, and for time away… but why doesn’t she feel refreshed? We’ll also debrief with a round of parenting Triumphs & Fails, and share some of your responses to our recent episode about short…

1
What Next: How to Survive This Heat 25:29

2d ago25:29

25:29

Air-conditioning can feel like the only way to get through increasingly hot summers, but it’s an expensive, power-hungry way to keep cool. How necessary is it? And how necessary is it to raise our thermostats up from 72 degrees? Guest: Adam Clark Estes, senior technology correspondent at Vox. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access a…

1
Working: How to Ease Back into Work After Losing a Loved One 22:21

2d ago22:21

22:21

Hosts Ronald Young Jr. and Isaac Butler delve into coping with emotional trauma and the challenge of returning to work afterward. Following a death in his family, Ronald grapples with his grief while feeling overwhelmed by the backlog of work. Isaac, having faced his own unexpected personal struggles, explains that part of the return process is acc…

1
Culture Gabfest: Has The Bear Jumped the Shark? 1:03:46

3d ago1:03:46

1:03:46

On this week’s show, June Thomas (co-host of Slate’s Working podcast and the author of A Place of Our Own) sits in for Julia Turner. The panel first explores The Bear, now in its third season, and questions whether Christopher Storer’s beast has become too self-aware. Then, they discuss Fancy Dance, a profoundly moving film by Native writer-directo…

1
Outward: What's A Gender Doula? 42:12

6d ago42:12

42:12

In this episode, Jules talks to Gender Doula Eli Lawliet. They break down what it means to offer non-medical support to people during transition, the long history of trans support networks, and the value of ritual and spirituality during transition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

1
What Next: This Congressman Wants Biden to Drop Out 26:42

3d ago26:42

26:42

Should Joe Biden still be the Democratic nominee in this presidential race? Elected Democrats have almost all said Biden is still the man. But Rep. Mike Quigley put his misgivings on the record. Guest: Rep. Mike Quigley, Democratic representative for Illinois’ fifth district. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening …

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