This week, host Karen Han talks to sommelier Miguel de Leon, who currently works as the wine director for Pinch Chinese in New York City. In the interview, Miguel explains that his job is less about defining obscure tasting notes and more about curating experiences and telling stories. He also talks about the exclusionary nature of the wine world and his efforts to make that world more accessible to everyone.  
 After the interview, Karen and co-host Isaac Butler discuss how to be more welcoming to newcomers in creative fields. They also talk about how expensive art can be, both to make and to experience.  
 In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Miguel talks about some specific wines that he’s excited about.  
 Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.   Podcast production by Cameron Drews. __ Make an impact this Women’s History Month by helping Macy’s on their mission to fund girls in STEM. Go to macys.com/purpose to learn more.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Sommelier Without the Smugness

Hosts Isaac Butler, Ronald Young Jr., and June Thomas interview creative people about how they write, compose, paint, and more.

Personal Journals

Society & Culture

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Business

Investing

Careers

Management & Marketing

Business News

Shopping

This week, host Ronald Young Jr. talks to writer Emma Copley Eisenberg about her new novel Housemates, which features a burgeoning friendship between two artists who decide to road trip across Pennsylvania together. In the interview, Emma explains how her nonfiction writing and her interest in history influenced this new work of fiction. She also talks about her “feast or famine” approach to productivity, her desire to document her community, and her belief that physical descriptions of people are crucial to good fiction writing.  
 After the interview, Ronald and co-host June Thomas ponder why the most difficult projects can be the most exciting. They also talk about how rare it is to see good depictions of fat people in fiction.  
 In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Emma talks about a toxic mentor character in Housemates and why it’s so troubling when teachers of the arts abuse their positions of power.    Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675. 
 Podcast production by Cameron Drews. 
 If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus to help support our work.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Master Class in Character Description

This week on Working Overtime, host Isaac Butler talks to AJ Ayers, a personal finance expert who specializes in helping creative people manage their money better. In the interview, AJ offers tips on everything from retirement accounts and taxes to homeownership and family planning.  
 Do you have questions or advice of your own about the creative process? Reach out at (304) 933-9675 or email us at working@slate.com. 
 Podcast production by Cameron Drews.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Working Overtime: Money Advice for Freelancers

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Justin Peck, a dancer and choreographer who helped create the hit Broadway show Illinoise, which is based on a classic album with a similar name by Sufjan Stevens. In the interview, Justin breaks down how he adapted Sufjan’s album into a narrative dance piece, with clear characters and storylines. He also talks about his process for feeling out dance moves with his body, teaching those moves to other dancers, and then tweaking them based on the strengths of the performers.  
 After the interview, Isaac and co-host Ronald Young Jr. talk about the thrill of live performances and what it means to define success for a project.  
 In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Justin explains how the show varied in previous iterations before Broadway. Then he talks about his biggest dance influences.  
 Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675. 
 Podcast production by Cameron Drews. 
 If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus to help support our work.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Broadway Hit That Defies Genre

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Ronald Young Jr, unpack how to deal with life’s unexpected challenges and their effect on your work. A car accident, a sick child, or even a bad breakup can seem to be a bolt from the blue when you’re not expecting it. Currently, Ronald and his family are caring for his sick mom, and jumping between work and care can be a massive challenge. Both hosts discuss how to communicate your needs to a supervisor and how to take the time you need outside of work. 
 Do you have questions or advice of your own about the creative process? Reach out at (304) 933-9675 or email us at working@slate.com.   
 Podcast production by Kevin Bendis and Cameron Drews.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Working Overtime: When Life Gets in the Way

This week, host June Thomas talks to Francesca Zambello, artistic director of the Washington National Opera. In the interview, Francesca discusses the process of creating a brand new ending for Puccini’s unfinished final opera Turandot, from recruiting a composer and librettist to deciding on the visual language of the show. She also talks about her early career working overseas, the wide range of productions at the National Opera, and the kinds of shows that attract new opera fans.  
 After the interview, June and co-host Ronald Young Jr. talk about the ethics of changing or updating an artist’s work after their death.   
 In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, June asks Francesca if there are any other operas that she’d like to update or re-frame.  
 Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675. 
 Podcast production by Cameron Drews. 
 If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus to help support our work.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Sommelier Without the Smugness

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