Best Tressie McMillan Cottom Podcasts (2024)

1
Finding the Line Between Celebrity and Politician With Tressie McMillan Cottom 35:14

21d ago35:14

35:14

The sociologist and New York Times columnist Tressie McMillan Cottom joins the hosts this week to discuss the role of celebrity in politics. Could Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, with their tens of millions of fans, sway the presidential election? And beyond brand-name pop stars, what role does celebrity play within the political system? Plus, Tressie go…

1
Thomas Friedman on Iran, Israel and Preventing a ‘Forever War’ 28:13

3d ago28:13

28:13

Will Israel and Iran’s unprecedented attacks escalate into a wider mideast conflict? A “forever war”? This week, columnist Tom Friedman joins the hosts to unpack the latest developments, what it means for Gaza, and the implications for the region writ large. A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within 24 hours of publication on t…

1
Abortion, Trump and Religion in Politics 36:12

7d ago36:12

36:12

This week, the hosts debate how religious voters will react to Donald Trump’s betrayal of anti-abortion positions, the evolution of Christianity as the domain of the right and whether religion is actually as powerful as it seems in modern U.S. politics. Plus, Ross finds aliens, again. (A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within …

1
It's our second panel of SouthBound Live, a discussion about the future of Charlotte 53:13

9d ago53:13

53:13

This week on SouthBound, host Tommy Tomlinson convenes a panel of three experts on Charlotte for his second SouthBound Live event about the future of the city. This time we’re talking about affordable housing, equity, and what we can learn from the city’s history.By Tommy Tomlinson

51
Are Smartphones Just a Scapegoat for Our Unhappy Children? 36:10

14d ago36:10

36:10

It’s not just bad vibes — America’s kids are not OK. As study after study shows worsening youth mental health, a popular theory has emerged: The rise of smartphones and the addictive nature of social media is making young people miserable. But can it really be that simple? This week, the hosts debate the myriad possible factors contributing to teen…

1
It's SouthBound Live, a panel discussion about the future of Charlotte 50:29

25d ago50:29

50:29

This week on SouthBound, we've got a live recording of a SouthBound panel discussion on the future of Charlotte. The panelists are Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Crystal Hill; Sil Ganzó, the founder of ourBRIDGE, which provides after-school programs for immigrant and refugee children; and John Searby, director of the Catawba Riverkeep…

1
Texts From the Swamp 35:29

1M ago35:29

35:29

It can often feel as if politicians use a lot of words without saying much of anything. So how do journalists and citizens make sense of what’s said (and unsaid) in the many congressional reports, court decisions and campaign memoirs that pour out of Washington? This week, Carlos makes the case for reading the Capitol, and uses insights from his ne…

1
Lydia Finds Hope in a Moment of Crisis 6:21

1M ago6:21

6:21

We’re working on this week's episode. While you wait, listen to this audio essay from one of our hosts, Lydia Polgreen, on the situation unfolding in Haiti. This audio essay was originally made for the NYT Audio App, free for Times subscribers in the Apple App Store.By New York Times Opinion

1
The Election of Our Discontent 33:12

1M ago33:12

33:12

Many voters from both parties are less than enthusiastic about their likely options this November. This week the Opinion writer and editor Katherine Miller joins Michelle, Lydia and Carlos to talk about uncommitted voters, double haters and how they could affect the election, whether they turn out or not. Plus, Lydia makes a plea against the tyrann…

1
Alice Randall shines a light on the Black trailblazers in country music (including herself) 33:44

1M ago33:44

33:44

This week on SouthBound, host Tommy Tomlinson talks to Alice Randall, who became the first Black woman with a writing credit on a #1 country song with Trisha Yearwood’s 1994 hit “XXXs and OOOs.” Randall has now written a memoir called “My Black Country” and it comes with a companion album of the same name.…

1
Trump 2.0: ‘A Blueprint for Retribution’ 39:02

2M ago39:02

39:02

Could Donald Trump’s promise to be a dictator on day one come true? On this episode of “Matter of Opinion,” the hosts debate which policies could be most consequential in a potential second Trump term and whether a proposal set out by conservative allies could provide the tools to execute his vision. And Michelle Cottle shares her passion for a tre…

1
The Pro-Life Movement Had a Plan Post-Roe. The G.O.P. Didn’t. 34:35

2M ago34:35

34:35

When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the Republican Party declared victory. But the Alabama Supreme Court’s decision last month that frozen embryos are considered “extrauterine children,” which prompted hospitals to suspend I.V.F. procedures, has complicated that victory. Given Americans’ overwhelming support for in vitro fertiliz…

1
FLOWERS for Brandon Taylor | Ep. 172 10:33

2M ago10:33

10:33

In the final part of the mini-series FLOWERS, learn about the remarkable journey of Brandon Taylor, an American writer whose path took unexpected turns from biochemistry to the bestseller lists. From his days at Auburn University Montgomery to his pursuit of graduate degrees at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Iowa, Taylor'…

1
Kindred Motes helps companies doing well make sure they're doing good 35:47

2M ago35:47

35:47

This week on SouthBound, host Tommy Tomlinson talks to Kindred Motes, an Alabama native who works with nonprofits and small businesses to help them be more socially responsible. He also guides those companies to send money to places in the South that need it.By Tommy Tomlinson

1
FLOWERS for Isabel Wilkerson | Ep. 171 6:49

2M ago6:49

6:49

In the next episode of the FLOWERS mini-series, we give flowers to Isabel Wilkerson. Inspired by Ava DuVernay's latest film, "Origin," I discovered the compelling narrative of Wilkerson's life and work. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National Humanities Medal, Wilkerson's storytelling prowess illuminates the human condition and our nation's h…

1
Paul Krugman on the Economy as a Voting Issue 35:57

2M ago35:57

35:57

Why does the economy look so good to economists but feel so bad to voters? The Nobel laureate economist Paul Krugman joins the hosts to discuss why inflation, interest rates and wages aren’t in line with voters’ perception of the economy. Then, they debate with Paul how big of an influence the economy will be on the 2024 presidential election, and …

1
FLOWERS for Curry J. Hackett | Ep. 170 7:04

2M ago7:04

7:04

In the second installation of the mini-series FLOWERS. In this episode, we give flowers to designer, artist, and educator Curry J. Hackett. He is a Virginia native gaining global recognition for his work which braids Black aesthetics, kinship with nature, and pop culture into surreal scenes of Black Joy. Listen and learn more about an up-and-coming…

1
The Presidential Fitness Test 32:04

2M ago32:04

32:04

Who’s your ideal American president? A strategic thinker who is calm in a crisis? A charmer with boundless aplomb? Perhaps a principled leader with an unwavering moral compass? This week, the hosts discuss what voters expect from “America’s daddy” and whether concerns about President Biden’s and Donald Trump’s fitness are overblown, given the histo…

1
Jason Kirk grew up an evangelical kid. Now he's written a novel about it 42:49

2M ago42:49

42:49

This week on SouthBound, host Tommy Tomlinson talks to Jason Kirk, whose novel “Hell Is a World Without You” draws from his experiences as a teenager in evangelical churches. We talk about how those churches shaped him, and what his beliefs are now.By Tommy Tomlinson

1
Our Super Bowls, Ourselves 33:01

2M ago33:01

33:01

What do Princess Diana’s wedding, the “Survivor” first season finale and Prince’s 2007 Super Bowl halftime show all have in common? They were huge cultural moments that brought millions of Americans together. In an era of streaming, social media bubbles and sharp political divides, are unifying events like these becoming relics of the past? On toda…

1
FLOWERS for Tressie McMillan Cottom | Ep. 169 7:28

3M ago7:28

7:28

This episode is part one of a mini-series, FLOWERS: An Ode to Modern Black Scholars Explore the captivating work of Professor Tressie McMillan Cottom, a renowned cultural critic, sociologist, and award-winning writer. Her insights challenge conventional wisdom and reshape our understanding of society. Allanté uncovers the breadth and depth of her i…

1
Men Are From YouTube, Women Are From TikTok 42:01

3M ago42:01

42:01

Around the world, the youngest cohort of voters are dividing themselves politically along gendered lines. What’s behind this “great gender divergence”? This week, the hosts debate the causes and consequences of a gender-divided world. Plus, Ross has some timing advice should you choose to improve the national birthrate. (A full transcript of this e…

1
SouthBound replay: Tressie McMillan Cottom explores deep American issues both public and personal 44:35

3M ago44:35

44:35

Today's SouthBound podcast is a replay of host Tommy Tomlinson's conversation from summer 2023 with Tressie McMillan Cottom, a sociologist, author, columnist for the New York Times and recipient of the MacArthur “genius grant.” Their conversation ranges from the concept of whiteness in American life to the tragedy that shaped her life.…

1
Could Israel Cost Biden the Election? 34:38

3M ago34:38

34:38

It’s an old truism that Americans don’t care about foreign policy when it’s time to cast their ballots. But with the crisis in Gaza, a prolonged conflict in Ukraine and a trade war brewing with China, could 2024 be the year that American voters finally care about what’s going on beyond the water’s edge? The hosts take a look at the importance (or l…

1
Primary Winners and National Wieners 33:43

3M ago33:43

33:43

The hosts take apart why Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis can’t seem to form competitive coalitions against Donald Trump, and whether Haley, DeSantis, the Supreme Court “or God himself” can keep the former president from becoming the Republican nominee. Plus, Michelle Cottle reveals her Plan B if her political reporting career doesn’t work out. (A tran…

1
Social media star Landon Bryant explains the South to the rest of the world 33:21

3M ago33:21

33:21

This week on SouthBound, host Tommy Tomlinson talks to Landon Bryant, the social media star known for his videos discussing the ways and words of the South. He used to be a Mississippi schoolteacher; now, he gets recognized at Disney World.By Tommy Tomlinson

1
Picking a Trump V.P.: The Field of Dreams or a Field of Nightmares? 40:32

3M ago40:32

40:32

This week, the hosts do the dirty work of strategizing the best vice-presidential candidate for Donald Trump to campaign with, and break down what goes into consequential (and not so consequential) V.P. picks. Plus, Carlos’s team has a Fightin’ chance next year. (A transcript of this episode can be found at the top of the episode page on the Times …

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Tressie McMillan Cottom Podcasts

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