Best Talia Lavin Podcasts (2024)

1
Chapters 55-57: "Of the Monstrous Pictures of Whales; Of the Less Erroneous Pictures of Whales, and the True Pictures of Whaling Scenes; Of Whales in Paint; in Teeth; in Wood; in Sheet-Iron; in Stone; ... 1:10:23

3+ y ago1:10:23

1:10:23

After a long hiatus, we're back! Talia talks with Byrd Pinkerton, amazing podcast producer and multimedia artist, about three chapters in which Melville rambles about how people depict whales. We dissect monstrous pictures rendered in florid language. A link to the slideshow Byrd made so lovingly is here, posted to Medium! https://mobydickenergy.me…

1
Chapters 52-54: "The Albatross," "The Gam," "The Town-Ho's Story" 1:13:03

3+ y ago1:13:03

1:13:03

Talia talks with Beth Skwarecki, senior health editor at Lifehacker, about three fascinating chapters. That's right -- we're BACK! After 33 episodes last year, we're off on the second year of Moby Dick Energy, and with hellish strength we are taking another stab at this great book. This week, we examine Melville's glowing and romantic depictions of…

1
Chapters 50 & 51: "Ahab’s Boat and Crew. Fedallah" & "The Spirit-Spout" 51:14

3+ y ago51:14

51:14

Talia talks to author and producer Jay Bushman, author the new book "Novel Advice," about two marvellous chapters of this book. We're back, babey!!!! With an Agony Aunt letter from Ishmael, an exploration of Melville's orientalism, and the haunting beauty of the spirit-spout.By Talia Lavin

1
Chapters 48 & 49: "The First Lowering" and "The Hyena" 1:08:30

3+ y ago1:08:30

1:08:30

Prefacing this episode is Talia's prank call to the Trump Voter Fraud hotline. This episode Talia talks to the lovely, gentle-voiced and brilliant Lili Loofbourow, a staff writer at Slate, about THE FIRST TIME WE ENCOUNTER SOME REAL LIFE WHALES in the book and the racially fraught introduction of Ahab's mysterious, hitherto hidden companions, Fedal…

1
Chapters 46 & 47: "Surmises" and "The Mat-Maker" 44:53

3+ y ago44:53

44:53

Talia talks with Sarah Marshall, of the "You're Wrong About" and "Why Are Dads" podcasts, about 2 odd marooned mid-40s chapters of the book. It's Sarah's first experience with the book and we debunk some myths about Ahab -- as well as conveying that he's the ultimate Bad Dad of the Sea. "Man and whale must go down together, like Sherlock Holmes and…

1
Chapter 45: "The Affidavit" 53:17

3+ y ago53:17

53:17

Talia talks with New York Times bestselling author Morgan Jerkins about the bizarre and wonderful chapter "The Affidavit." With clips from "Matilda," asides about dairy, and as always, contemplation of the majesty and terror of The Sea.By Talia Lavin

1
Chapters 43 & 44: "Hark!" and "The Chart" 51:35

3+ y ago51:35

51:35

Talia talks to Justin Scheck (@ScheckWSJ) about a short chapter and a longer chapter, which are also a comical chapter and a profound chapter. In "Hark!" we see a bit more of daily life on the Pequod, while "The Chart" attempts to map Ahab's madness. Justin Scheck is a Wall Street Journal reporter and author of the recent book "Blood and Oil," whic…

1
Chapter 42: "The Whiteness of the Whale" 1:12:56

4y ago1:12:56

1:12:56

Talia talks to vaunted Melville scholar Christopher Freeburg about an infamous, complex and fascinating episode, "The Whiteness of the Whale." We discuss the meaning of whiteness, filled with both sinister and holy connotations. Has the author/protagonist line completely blurred? Is Ishmael going slightly insane? What does whiteness mean? Also, che…

1
Chapter 41: "Moby Dick" 56:10

4y ago56:10

56:10

Talia talks to James Beard Award nominated writer Rax King about Chapter 41, "Moby Dick." It's an encapsulation of the book in miniature: we talk about the feared whale himself, introduced to our antagonist at last; about the madness of Ahab; about the whaling industry; about sperm whales as the great terrors of the sea. With many thanks to produce…

1
Chapter 40: "Midnight: Forecastle" 56:11

4y ago56:11

56:11

A RADIO PLAY. First, Talia talks to Akela Lacy, reporter at the Intercept, about the strange, drunken dream of this chapter; its racialized elements; and the feelings of Pip, the Black cabin-boy, about being alone on a ship of white madmen, threatening to knife each other. In the second half, produced painstakingly by Ilana Weinstein, we have the f…

1
Chapters 37-39: "Sunset," "Dusk," "First Night-Watch" 1:04:42

4y ago1:04:42

1:04:42

Talia talks with grand dame of stage and screen Natalie Walker (@nwalks) about these three Very Dramatic chapters. Reading aloud and Singing ensue. Soundscape, editing and production by Ilana Weinstein.By Talia Lavin

1
Chapter 36: "The Quarter-Deck" 54:01

4y ago54:01

54:01

I talk with Donni Saphire (@donni on Twitter) about the beginning of a stellar run of theatrical chapters. In "The Quarter-Deck," Ahab emerges and presents his quest for vengeance to the crew of the Pequod. Donni says Ahab reminds him of a boss he had at Radio Shack. We explore!By Talia Lavin

1
Chapter 35: "The Mast-Head" 59:20

4y ago59:20

59:20

Talia talks to the smart and charming Maris Kreizman of the literary podcast the Maris Review about a curious and wonderful chapter, "The Mast-Head," about standing watch on a whaleship; the dangers of reverie; and scurrilous young Platonists. We also meditate about what Melville would write about a Disney cruise, obelisks and erections, and the pu…

1
Chapter 34: "The Cabin-Table" 1:07:53

4y ago1:07:53

1:07:53

Talia talks to Kristian Fischer about a wonderful & strange chapter about dinner on the Pequod; the sailor's Kristian's dated; Jungian analysis of Moby-Dick; and the power of literature in times of social upheaval. Production by Ilana Weinstein. Theme song by Noam Hassenfeld.By Talia Lavin

1
Chapter 32: "The Specksnyder" 59:20

4y ago59:20

59:20

Talia talks to Isaac, an Aussie comrade, about a curious chapter that feature's a capsule theory of the corrupting nature of power. Is Melville an anarchist? Is Australia upside down? We explore these and other questions. NO GODS NO CAPTAINS NO MASTERSBy Talia Lavin

1
Chapter 32: "Cetology" 52:11

4y ago52:11

52:11

Talia talks to Lisa Munger, a marine biologist specializing in marine biological acoustics, about the legendary Chapter 32, "Cetology," featuring Ishmael's frankly bizarre, wonderful and inaccurate taxonomy of whales. We go into detail about whales from the Sulphur-Bottom to the Huzza Porpoise, discuss why common names are useless, talk about Lisa'…

1
Chapters 29-31: "Enter Ahab, to him Stubb," "The Pipe," "Queen Mab" 1:11:32

4y ago1:11:32

1:11:32

Talia talks with Manu Saadia, author of "Trekonomics," about 2020's protests, the rot at the heart of America, the moral core of the country being on the streets, racism from America to Paris, and the role of literature in times of revolution. We also discuss three short and remarkable chapters focusing on Ahab, his pipe, and dreams. Sound art and …

1
Chapter 28: "Ahab" 1:02:21

4y ago1:02:21

1:02:21

WE FINALLY MEET CAPTAIN AHAB. Talia's guest is Mary Davenport, a seminary student at Yale Divinity School, and we talk about the Biblical burdens of kingship, Ahab's livid birthmark, Mary's brother who sails on antique tall-ships, AND MORE!By Talia Lavin

1
Chapters 26 & 27: "Knights and Squires" 1:18:23

4y ago1:18:23

1:18:23

In Moby Dick Energy's longest--and most leftist--episode to date, Talia talks with the writer and teacher Nandini Balial about the crew of the Pequod. We meet Starbuck, Stubb, Flask, Tashtego, and Daggoo; discuss the inalienable dignity of man; Buddhism; the carceral state; homoeroticism (as always); caring for dogs and toddlers; and the nature of …

1
EMERGENCY EPISODE: Chapter 22!! 31:45

4y ago31:45

31:45

Talia talks with our Bildad and Peleg correspondent Alexandra Petri in this emergency episode, which is an emergency episode because Talia is a bit of an idiot and skipped Chapter 22 by accident (that is why I am the skipper of this podcast boat!). We discuss the Godfather of English Hymnody, Isaac Watts; parsimony; whale teeth; hubris; the meaning…

1
Chapters 23-25: "The Lee Shore," "The Advocate," "Postscript" 55:40

4y ago55:40

55:40

Talia talks with Adam Serwer, staff writer at the Atlantic, about three of the wildest and most delightful chapters in Moby-Dick: The Lee Shore, the Advocate, and Postscript. We talk about May Day, and Melville's passionate argument for the dignity of the common laborer; whether monarchs were truly anointed with whale oil; un-alienated whaling labo…

1
Chapter 21: "Going Aboard" 44:33

4y ago44:33

44:33

Talia talks with journalist and author Jonathan Katz about a particularly strange and wonderful chapter, in which we learn that Queequeg sits on people's butts as a chaise lounge, and compare this favorably to the ravages of global capitalism. Once again we consider the use of nautical metaphors in a time of plague. And bonus F/M/K: Ishmael, Queequ…

1
Chapters 19 & 20: "The Prophet" and "All Astir" 51:40

4y ago51:40

51:40

Talia hangs out with her good pal Jim Higdon and we talk about the on-the-nose foreshadowing of having a poxy sailor named Elijah prophesy about Ahab. We also talk about provisioning a whaleship; the way pickles resemble humpback whales; and a salty Quakeress with a whaling lance. And the Moby Dick fried fish restaurant chain of Kentucky!…

1
Chapters 17 & 18: "The Ramadan" and "His Mark" 42:27

4y ago42:27

42:27

Despite some technical audio difficulties, Talia chats to historian Eric Rauchway about two chapters that are delightfully heavy on Queequeg. We discuss the tiki craze of mid-20th century America, Melville's experiences in Tahiti, snuggling, and whether hell was really born of an undigested apple dumpling.…

1
Chapter 16: "The Ship" 1:07:24

4y ago1:07:24

1:07:24

These are ominous times, and difficult ones. I hope this podcast can provide some solace as we all ride in our lonely whaleboats through a storm-toss't sea. Talia talks with Alexandra Petri, an old friend and the humor columnist at the Washington Post, about "The Ship" -- in which we finally meet The Pequod, the whaleship on which we will spend the…

1
Chapter 15: "Chowder" 46:05

4y ago46:05

46:05

In a star-studded episode of the podcast, Talia talks with Kat Kinsman, senior editor of Food & Wine; Helen Rosner, food correspondent for the New Yorker; and Pete Wells, restaurant critic for the New York Times, about chowder, and also chapter 15, "Chowder," where Queequeg and Ishmael eat some chowder. We discuss regional chowder differences, chow…

1
Chapter 14: "Nantucket" 55:28

4+ y ago55:28

55:28

Hello my beloveds! Here is a new Moby Dick Energy for these troubled times. I don't have my podcast mic with me in self-isolation, so the sound quality is not ideal. Apologies! This episode, I speak to Sara David, Digitization Archivist at the Nantucket Historical Association, about that illustrious "elbow of land," its history, and the many many w…

1
Chapters 12 & 13: "Biographical" and "Wheelbarrow" 54:33

4+ y ago54:33

54:33

Talia talks to Jeet Heer, legendary Twitter personality and correspondent for the Nation, about two chapters that delve into Queequeg's biography. We talk about the Melville revival in the '20s, homoeroticism in nineteenth-century American literature, and what it's like to be two non-Christians in America reading about a non-Christian in America. A…

1
Chapters 10 & 11: "A Bosom Friend" and "The Nightgown" 47:40

4+ y ago47:40

47:40

"...he pressed his forehead against mine, clasped me round the waist, and said that henceforth we were married..." Things get hot and heavy -- physically and linguistically -- between Ishmael and Queequeg. Talia talks with brilliant Melville scholar Jordan Alexander Stein about Melville's wild soul; his love of Nathaniel Hawthorne; and the metaphys…

1
Chapter 9: "The Sermon" 56:19

4+ y ago56:19

56:19

By Talia Lavin

1
Chapters 7 & 8: "The Chapel" and "The Pulpit" 1:00:09

4+ y ago1:00:09

1:00:09

Talia talks with the brilliant Grace Lavery, associate professor of English at UC Berkeley, about chapters 7 & 8, "The Chapel" and "The Pulpit." We discuss the nature of mysterious disappearances at sea; asyndeton and the cave of Elephanta; Jove, stove boats, and the nature of immortality; the aphrodisiac qualities of oysters; AND MORE!…

1
Chapters 5 & 6: "Breakfast" and "The Street" 34:28

4+ y ago34:28

34:28

Talia talks with comedian Jamie Loftus about chapters 5 and 6, "Breakfast" and "The Street." We talk about breakfast, social anxiety, the New Bedford Whaling Museum, the false promises of capitalism and the musky, erotic smells of the women of Salem, Massachusetts. Theme song by Noam Hassenfeld.By Talia Lavin

1
Chapters 3 & 4: "The Spouter-Inn" and "The Counterpane" 46:08

4+ y ago46:08

46:08

Talia is joined by writer Moira Donegan to discuss chapters 3 and 4 of Moby-Dick, "The Spouter-Inn" and "The Counterpane." The book is starting to get delightfully gay and we talk about it! Other topics of discussion: Ishmael and Queequeg spooning, Melville's penchant for racist metaphor, being women reading aggressively male books, and the phallic…

1
Chapter 2: "The Carpet-Bag" 48:09

4+ y ago48:09

48:09

I'm joined by Connor Goldsmith, a senior literary agent at Fuse Literary who has never read Moby-Dick, to discuss chapter 2, "The Carpet-Bag." We talk about Vanderpump Rules, Judaism, the northeast wind known as Euroclydon, and how the word "podcast" is kind of a whale pun. Theme song by Noam Hassenfeld.…

1
Chapter 1: "Loomings" 47:43

4+ y ago47:43

47:43

Talia Lavin and David Roth discuss Chapter 1 of Moby-Dick, "Loomings." We also discuss the weird life of Herman Melville, how we fell in love with this book, and introduce the podcast. Theme song by Noam Hassenfeld.By Talia Lavin

1
Amy Lawless reads Robert Frost 53:28

6+ y ago53:28

53:28

Amy is an exceedingly fierce and hilarious poet whose most recent work Broadax is fresh off the press. Broadax is an exploration of being fearless in a world where fear is weaponized to keep women compliant. Amy brings to us her life long hate love of Robert Frost and reads Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. You get to hear this popular poem in …

1
Hans Jürgen Balmes reads W S Merwin 50:28

6+ y ago50:28

50:28

In this episode, We continue our conversation with Hans Hans Balmes and begin by reading Traveling Together by W S Merwin. Traveling together is at once a poem about love and separation. We talk about how Merwin’s life and poetry are connected and what makes him relatable. There is beautiful part about similarities between the lives of Merwin and J…

1
Hans Jürgen Balmes on translation and John Berger 24:23

6+ y ago24:23

24:23

In this episode, We talk to Hans Balmes about translating poetry and his relationship with John Berger. Hans is based out of Frankfurt, Germany. He works as an Editorial Director at S. Fischer in Frankfurt, is co-editor of the literary magazine Neue Rundschau, and translates from the English, including works by John Berger, Robert Hass, W. S. Merwi…

1
Eve Asher reads Wallace Stevens 37:17

6+ y ago37:17

37:17

In this episode, We listen to Eve Asher read 'The Emperor of Ice-Cream' by Wallace Stevens. Wallace Stevens was an American modernist poet. He won the pulitzer prize for his collected poems in 1955. Eve and I talk of death, the primary subject of this poem. She describes the multiple introductions to this poem through her life and how she came to a…

1
Talia Lavin reads Guillaume Apollinaire 52:33

6+ y ago52:33

52:33

In this episode, We listen to Talia Lavin read 'Zone' by Guillaume Apollinaire. Apollinaire was a French poet, playwright, short story writer, novelist, and art critic of Polish descent. Apollinaire is considered one of the foremost poets of the early 20th century, as well as one of the most impassioned defenders of Cubism and a forefather of Surre…

1
Coldplums reads Xin Qiji 1:03:26

6+ y ago1:03:26

1:03:26

In this episode, We listen to Coldplums read and translate a lyrical song poem by Xin Qiji. Xin was a chinese military leader in exile and a master at 'Ci' form of poetry. We dig in to Coldplums's gift of scissoring out the most moving and beautiful pieces of verse from the universe of literature. The conversation takes us to the intense romance be…

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