Best ONSTAGE PLUS Podcasts (2024)

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

1d 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

4d 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

8d 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

11d 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

16d 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…

351
Can't stop the (classical) music 20:25

18d 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…

401
Fouling Caitlin Clark; plus, a shoplifting panic! 39:41

23d 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.…

451
Carvell Wallace searches for 'Another Word for Love' 22:49

26d 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

1M 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…

601
Cole Escola literally changes history in 'Oh, Mary!' 18:51

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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…

1
The miracle of middle age with Miranda July 21:21

2M ago21:21

21:21

Our culture is full of stories about what it's like to be young: to find yourself, to fall in love, to leave home. But there aren't nearly as many scripts for what middle age might look like, especially for women. This week, host Brittany Luse is joined by author and filmmaker Miranda July, whose new novel 'All Fours' dives deep into the mystery an…

1
Drake and Kendrick are beefing, but who pays? Plus, moms as our social safety net 39:22

2M ago39:22

39:22

Drake and Kendrick have been trading diss tracks for weeks, and it's gotten darker and darker with each track. Drake accuses Kendrick of beating women, and Kendrick accuses Drake of abusing minors. It's a spectacle, but who are the pawns? Brittany chats with NPR Music's Sidney Madden and writer Tirhakah Love about the collateral damage in this rap …

1
A 'Wild Card' game with Rachel Martin 17:40

2M ago17:40

17:40

NPR's Rachel Martin is the host of a new weekly podcast called Wild Card. It's part-interview, part-existential game show. In this episode, Brittany sits down to play the game with Rachel, which brings up some surprising emotions for the both of them. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy…

1
Suburban decay and choking on nostalgia 20:48

2M ago20:48

20:48

Brittany sits down with Jane Schoenbrun, the director of A24's coming of age horror film, I Saw The TV Glow. Brittany and Jane discuss suburban decay, delightfully creepy kids shows, and new metaphors for the trans experience. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy…

1
An inside look at the campus protests; plus, Israel at Eurovision 33:58

2M ago33:58

33:58

Pro-Palestinian protests have been popping up at universities around the world, and in the last few days things have escalated at a number of those campuses. Columbia University called on police to shutdown the encampment on their university lawn and 300 people were arrested. At University of California Los Angeles, about 200 pro-Israel counter-pro…

1
How Chicago's Black press shaped America 20:53

2M ago20:53

20:53

Host Brittany Luse sits down with Arionne Nettles, author of We Are the Culture: Black Chicago's Influence on Everything. Arionne shares how Black media in Chicago influenced the way Black Americans see themselves and why the city deserves to be called 'the heart of Black America.' Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoi…

1
TikTok gets the boot; plus, a 'tradwife' fantasy 35:07

3M ago35:07

35:07

This week, President Biden signed a law that could ban TikTok nationwide unless its Chinese parent company sells the media platform within a year. Brittany is joined by NPR's Deirdre Walsh and Bobby Allyn to discuss the backdrop of this decision and its implications. Then, the tradwife - aka "traditional wife" - has taken social media by storm. But…

1
Dating skills vs. dating gimmicks in 'Love on the Spectrum' 24:45

3M ago24:45

24:45

One of Brittany's latest TV obsessions has been Netflix's Love on the Spectrum. It's a reality series that follows several autistic adults as they wade through the dating pool, guided by relationship coach Jennifer Cook. Brittany sits down with Jennifer to unpack how her own experience with autism informs the advice she gives. Then, Brittany is joi…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

ONSTAGE PLUS Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
It's Been a Minute

NPR

1
The journey

ONSTAGE PLUS

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

351
Can't stop the (classical) music 20:25

401
Fouling Caitlin Clark; plus, a shoplifting panic! 39:41

451
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

601
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

1
The miracle of middle age with Miranda July 21:21

1
Drake and Kendrick are beefing, but who pays? Plus, moms as our social safety net 39:22

1
A 'Wild Card' game with Rachel Martin 17:40

1
Suburban decay and choking on nostalgia 20:48

1
An inside look at the campus protests; plus, Israel at Eurovision 33:58

1
How Chicago's Black press shaped America 20:53

1
TikTok gets the boot; plus, a 'tradwife' fantasy 35:07

1
Dating skills vs. dating gimmicks in 'Love on the Spectrum' 24:45

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