CHQ&A

On today's episode, guest interviewer John Merino speaks with Nina Khrushcheva, a professor in the Graduate Program of International Affairs at The New School in New York City, where her research interests include global media and culture, world politics, Russian politics and culture, and propaganda and Hollywood. Nina presented an Amphitheater lecture during this week on "Russia and the West," on Wednesday, July 18.

On today's episode Chautauqua's Director of Literary Arts, Atom Atkinson, speaks with author Victor LaValle. LaValle's most recent book, The Changeling, is a captivating retelling of a classic fairy tale that imaginatively explores parental obsession, spousal love, and the secrets that make strangers out of the people we love the most. LaValle presented The Changeling for the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle on Thursday, July 12.

On today's episode we feature two conversations: First is a discussion with Jill Vialet, founder and CEO of Playworks, who opened Chautauqua's week of lectures on "The Art of Play" on July 9. Then, Chautauqua Theater Company Artistic Director Andrew Borba sits with playwright Chelsea Marcantel and champion air guitarist Matt "Airistotle" Burns. Chelsea's newest play, Airness, is about air guitar competitions — CTC's production of Airness runs July 14 to 29 on the Bratton Theater stage.

On today's episode we feature two conversations with presenters from Week Two of the Chautauqua season, themed "American Identity." First is a discussion with James and Deborah Fallows, who took the Amphitheater stage on the Fourth of July to present on their new book, _Our Towns: A 100,000-Mile Journey Into the Heart of America_. Then, Taína Caragol, who opened the week of lectures on July 2, joins us at the 47:00 mark to expand upon her work as a curator at the National Portrait Gallery.

Lexicographer Kory Stamper and playwright Lucas Hnath join interviewers Emily Morris and Andrew Borba in this packed episode featuring conversations with two presenters who helped shape the opening week of the 2018 Chautauqua Institution season, themed "The Life of the Written Word."

Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Tyehimba Jess, author of 2018 Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle selection OLIO, joins Atom Atkinson this episode to discuss his life, career and writing process. As part of a week at Chautauqua celebrating "The Life of the Written Word," Jess presented OLIO to the Chautauqua Amphitheater audience, taught a master class titled “Show the Receipts: Historical Documentation in Poetic Form” and even heard a performance inspired by his work by the Chautauqua Opera Company.

Elizabeth Sullivan, president of the Chautauqua Women's Club, joins the podcast this episode to share her family and personal history at Chautauqua, the CWC's important community work and her thoughts on following in the footsteps of Chautauqua giants as Anna Pennybacker and Barbara Vackar, plus a preview of the CWC's well-regarded Saturday lecture series, the Contemporary Issues Forum.

Dave Griffith, vice president and Emily and Richard Smucker Chair for Education at Chautauqua Institution, joins the podcast this episode to speak on his extensive background as a writer and teacher, what he's looking forward to in his first season at Chautauqua, plus a preview of 2018 programming in his areas of responsibility, including the literary arts, continuing-education and youth programming. See a full and up-to-date schedule of all 2018 programs at chq.org/2018.

Matt Ewalt, Chautauqua Institution chief of staff, joins the podcast this episode to speak on his work in overseeing Chautauqua's signature and historic 10:45 a.m. weekday Amphitheater lecture platform — the process of selecting themes and presenters, considerations of balance and representation, and a fulsome preview of each of the 2018 season's weekly themes. See a full and up-to-date schedule of all 2018 themes and lecturers at chq.org/2018.

Celebrated musician, composer, arranger, singer and pianist Michael Feinstein joins guest interviewer Brian Sheridan this episode to discuss his life and work in music, along with Feinstein's upcoming appearance with Pink Martini's Storm Large on Friday, July 13, 2018, in the Chautauqua Amphitheater.