
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


This week, guest-host Kristen Meinzer talks to Stephen Seals, an actor and historical interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. In the interview, Stephen breaks down his process for researching and portraying Revolutionary War double-agent James Lafayette, a notable Black American whose story is seldom told. Stephen explains what it’s like to write for his character on the fly, to answer audience questions, and to add meaning and texture to an important historical figure.
After the interview, Kristen and co-host Isaac Butler talk about how to handle harsh audience feedback.
In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Stephen describes a philosophy of “social history” which centers individual experiences instead of dry data alone. He also shares which historical figures he would like to play in the future.
Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to [email protected] 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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
By Slate Podcasts4.2
380380 ratings
This week, guest-host Kristen Meinzer talks to Stephen Seals, an actor and historical interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. In the interview, Stephen breaks down his process for researching and portraying Revolutionary War double-agent James Lafayette, a notable Black American whose story is seldom told. Stephen explains what it’s like to write for his character on the fly, to answer audience questions, and to add meaning and texture to an important historical figure.
After the interview, Kristen and co-host Isaac Butler talk about how to handle harsh audience feedback.
In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Stephen describes a philosophy of “social history” which centers individual experiences instead of dry data alone. He also shares which historical figures he would like to play in the future.
Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to [email protected] 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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

90,918 Listeners

38,537 Listeners

6,849 Listeners

27,104 Listeners

11,593 Listeners

26,254 Listeners

3,915 Listeners

1,378 Listeners

2,841 Listeners

999 Listeners

1,029 Listeners

7,722 Listeners

5,627 Listeners

2,629 Listeners

1,870 Listeners

112,987 Listeners

53 Listeners

2,068 Listeners

236 Listeners

23,878 Listeners

2,119 Listeners

393 Listeners

1,285 Listeners

1,197 Listeners

1,941 Listeners

450 Listeners

16,381 Listeners

60 Listeners

662 Listeners

48 Listeners

97 Listeners

6 Listeners

131 Listeners

0 Listeners

45 Listeners