Slate Conversations

By Slate Podcasts

Society & Culture

What's Slate Conversations about?

A feed of the up close and the personal, drawn from Working and across the Slate podcast network. Let’s talk.

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Slate Conversations episodes:

04.18.2024
Care & Feeding: Ask A Weed Mom
On this episode: Elizabeth, Lucy and Jamilah answer questions from our Slate Parenting Facebook group about using marijuana as a mom. As 4/20 approaches, we decided there was no better time to tackle big-picture questions about substance use… and practical...
04.17.2024
Well, Now: We Don’t Need to Cure Autism
April is Autism Acceptance Month, and how we’ve come to understand autism has evolved over the past several decades. For years, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was thought of as something that needed to be cured. Through better data and years of...
04.16.2024
How To!: ‘Do the Work’ of Racial Justice
“Doing the work” is a phrase often heard when talking about racial justice. We heard it a lot after the death of George Floyd in 2020. And we need to continue talking about it—but there’s an important aspect of “the...
04.16.2024
Death, Sex & Money: A Sociopath's Guide to Death, Sex, and Money
Patric Gagne says being a sociopath is like having an emotional learning disability. In this episode, she talks about the good and the bad of having limited access to shame and guilt, how she overcame violent compulsions, and becoming a...
04.16.2024
Hear Me Out: Legalize Weed, But Not Like This
On today’s episode of Hear Me Out: blaze it. Ahead of the honorary stoner holiday that is 4/20, we’re taking a look at the marijuana landscape. Public opinion has warmed considerably to legal weed in the past few decades – both...
04.16.2024
Money Talks: Felix Wins His Crypto Bet
Five years ago, tech investor Ben Horowitz of Andreessen Horowitz bet our own Felix Salmon a 100-year-old bottle of wine that 10% of Americans would be using Bitcoin to pay for something by now. Ben lost, of course, but he’s...
04.15.2024
Care & Feeding: Parenting While Polyamorous
On this episode: Elizabeth sits down with Jess Daylover and her metamour, Ash, of the Remodeled Love podcast, to talk all things polyamory and parenting. There are a lot of misconceptions out there about what polyamory is and isn’t —...
04.14.2024
Working: A Clarinetist Finds His Flow State
This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Anthony McGill, principal clarinetist for the New York Philharmonic. In the interview, Anthony describes his weekly routine, which includes practicing lots of different pieces at any given time, rehearsing, and playing multiple shows...
04.13.2024
ICYMI: What “Quiet on Set” Leaves Out
Candice Lim is joined by Slate culture writer Nadira Goffe to discuss their takeaways from Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, a documentary series that details the toxic work environment, child abuse and disturbing events that occurred...
04.12.2024
Dear Prudence: I Lost a Lot of Weight and Now I Enjoy Being a Mean Girl. Help!
In this episode, Anna Sale (host of Death Sex and Money) joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters from readers about how to navigate being the friend who always initiates plans, how to handle entitled stepdaughters moving into your home,...
04.11.2024
Care & Feeding: Longtime Listener, First-Time Parent
On this episode: Elizabeth, Lucy and Zak help a longtime listener who’s expecting her first baby. We’ll offer suggestions for how to manage your whole life changing in an instant – plus, enjoying the before-times, and staying afloat in the...
04.10.2024
Well, Now: Most Skincare Products are BS. Here Are the Facts.
As we approach the warmer months and start spending more time outside, healthy skin couldn’t be more important. So how can we best protect our body’s largest organ? Feel free to stock up on all the products for a 10-step routine...
04.09.2024
Hear Me Out: Interracial Marriages Can Still Be Racist
On today’s episode of Hear Me Out: amore, but make it anti-racist. Honoring interracial marriage has only been the law of the land for a few decades in this country; there are couples alive today whose relationships were illegal within their...
04.09.2024
Death, Sex & Money: From Indie Rockers to Full-Time Caregivers
When musician Johnny Solomon hit rock bottom, he turned to his mom for help. Then, as his mother’s health declined, he and his wife (and bandmate) Molly moved in with her to lend a hand. But caring for Johnny’s mother...
04.09.2024
How To!: Bring a Big Idea to Life
Mia is a professional violinist. She’s played in symphonies. She’s played in improv groups. She’s played as a form of personal exploration. But now she’s taking on a big, conceptual project that may have nothing to do with music. Instead,...
04.08.2024
Care & Feeding: What’s the Deal With American Baby Food?
On this episode: a Swedish member of the Slate Parenting Facebook group is getting ready to visit the U.S. with her baby and is wondering about all things puréed, squished, and jarred. We’re here to help. We’ll also share a round...
04.07.2024
Working: How to Be Both a Critic and a Creator
This week, host Ronald Young Jr. talks to Linda Holmes, host of NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast and author of two novels: Evvie Drake Starts Over and Flying Solo. In the interview, Linda explains how she started her career...
04.05.2024
Dear Prudence: From Choice Words: Live in Fear or Love? (with Karamo)
We’re bringing you an episode of Choice Words with Samantha Bee from our friends at Lemonada Media. In this episode, Sam speaks with Queer Eye’s Karamo about the biggest choices he’s made in his life, his unconventional journey to fatherhood,...
04.04.2024
Care & Feeding: Will My Picky Eater Ruin Our Trip?
On this episode: Elizabeth, Lucy and Zak put the “feeding” in Care & Feeding by answering a question about traveling with a picky eater. Going to Kenya is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity… so should a kid with an American kid’s palate...
04.03.2024
Well, Now: Spring Cleaning Your Medicine Cabinet
Spring is a time for fresh starts. For a lot of us, that means spring cleaning. But don’t worry, we’re not talking about the whole house. This week, the Well, Now team is spring cleaning our medicine cabinets. What are some medicinal...
04.02.2024
Slate Money: How to Escape the Invisible Factory
For this edition of Money Talks: Are you feeling trapped in Zoom/Teams/Slack purgatory? Author Cal Newport’s book Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout has a way forward. Host Emily Peck speaks with him about how the digital...
04.02.2024
Hear Me Out: Don’t Blame Capitalism For The Housing Crisis
On today’s episode of Hear Me Out: housing the nation. We have an affordable housing problem — and an affordability problem, period, but that’s another show. When we talk about solutions to homelessness and cost burden for renters and homeowners alike, many...
04.02.2024
How To!: Crack Up Your Coworkers (Encore)
Last week we learned about using the four different styles of humor to your advantage, and who makes a good target for a joke. But what if you read the room wrong and absolutely bomb? On this episode of How...
04.02.2024
Death, Sex & Money: I Was In Debt. Then My Sister Offered Me $16,000.
In 2021, we talked to a listener that we’re calling Tessa, who found themselves in $19,000 worth of credit card debt. When Tessa’s sister offered to pay a huge chunk of the debt, new problems arose. First, the offer didn’t...
04.01.2024
Care & Feeding: Why Can’t I Find (Or Keep) A Babysitter?
On this episode: Zak, Jamilah and Elizabeth help a listener who’s having trouble securing a babysitter for their toddler… and starting to resign themselves to just not going anywhere. We’ll talk about what might be causing the end of the...
03.31.2024
Working: How a Magician Designs Original, Mind-Blowing Tricks
This week, guest-host Kristen Meinzer talks to Joshua Jay, a world-class magician, storyteller, and author of multiple books about the history and craft of magic. In the interview, Joshua explains how he’s able to conceive of, design, and execute original...
03.31.2024
What Next TBD: The Psychological Toll of Mars
From science fiction writers to American presidents to Elon Musk, everyone’s eager to send people to Mars. But, even if you could nail the physical aspects, are Earthlings cut out for life on Mars mentally? Guest: Nathaniel Rich, contributing writer for...
03.29.2024
Dear Prudence: My Partner Sticks Her Finger in Food to Taste Test It. Help!
In this episode, Dan Pashman (The Sporkful and Anything’s Pastable) joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters from readers about how to handle a person who tastes food in an unsanitary fashion and deeply annoys you while you’re trying to cook in...
03.28.2024
Care & Feeding: My Son’s Getting Ready to Walk Home Alone
On this episode: Elizabeth, Jamilah and Zak help a member of the Slate Parenting Facebook group who’s getting ready to have their 10-year-old walk home from school. Communication without a phone is one thing… but what about tracking and other...
03.27.2024
Well, Now: Eating Disorders Are Rising Among Boys. Why?
Eating disorders are one of the most deadly psychiatric disorders. But for decades, much of the criteria to diagnose one applied only to cisgender girls and those assigned female at birth – like a loss of menstruation. This meant that many...
03.26.2024
Hear Me Out: Anti-Vaxers Aren’t Just Extremists
On today’s episode of Hear Me Out: getting the jab. Vaccine hesitancy is not a new phenomenon in the United States, but it is a growing one… particularly in conservative Evangelical circles. At the same time, there’s a lot for all of...
03.26.2024
How To!: Make Humor Your Superpower (Encore)
Did you know that we, as a society, have fallen off a comedy cliff? No joke. Studies have shown that we largely stop laughing when we enter our mid-twenties, which is a shame because delighting in humor has a ton...
03.26.2024
Death, Sex & Money: The Very Hot Marriage of Niecy Nash and Jessica Betts
This week, we’re revisiting our conversation with (now Emmy-winning) actor Niecy Nash and her wife, singer-songwriter Jessica Betts. They discuss their initial friendship, their steamy first date, the process of going public with their relationship, and much more. Death, Sex &...
03.25.2024
Care & Feeding: Helping Little Wild Things Learn To Read
On this episode: Zak, Jamilah and Lucy offer some quick advice to a listener who’s wondering how to help a young student with possible ADHD focus up, particularly about homework. Then, Elizabeth sits down with Australian author Sally Rippin to discuss...
03.24.2024
Working: How to Curate a Small Town Art Museum
This week, host June Thomas talks to Courtney Gilbert, curator of the Sun Valley Museum of Art in Ketchum, Idaho. In the interview, Courtney digs into the process of curating a “non-collecting” museum, which means they start from scratch with...
03.22.2024
Dear Prudence: My Parents Are Flaunting Their Wealth While I’m Drowning in Debt. Help!
In this episode, Joel Anderson (host of Slow Burn and writer of Emotional Investment) joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters from readers about when to stop funding a “train wreck” daughter’s lifestyle, how to deal with watching your parents take expensive vacations...
03.21.2024
Care & Feeding: A Teacher Weighs In On Grades
On this episode: Lucy, Jamilah and Zak ask a teacher! We heard your desire to hear from the professionals about education… and we’re so excited to welcome dad, 9th grade English teacher, and longtime C&F listener Jeff Olsen Biebighauser to...
03.20.2024
Well, Now - "People Feel Like They’re Drowning": The Long Covid Survivors Left Behind
While most of the world moves on from Covid-19, millions of Americans remain in limbo: Those living with Long Covid. Long Covid symptoms are vast and can impact all parts of the body: from gastrointestinal tract issues and fatigue to autoimmune...
03.19.2024
Hear Me Out: You Probably Don’t Need Therapy Forever
On today’s episode of Hear Me Out: talk it out. Talking about therapy isn’t taboo anymore — and that’s great, because everyone deserves help when they need it. The question is… do you really need it? Dr. Richard Friedman of Weill Cornell...
03.19.2024
Slate Money: What Happens When a Country Won’t Pay Its Debt?
For this edition of Money Talks, Felix Salmon chats with Jay Newman, the former hedge fund manager who helped Ellis Management recover $2.4 billion from Argentina after that country defaulted on its loans. Jay shares his philosophy on sovereign debt...
03.19.2024
Death, Sex & Money: A Former Pro Climber On Enduring Chronic Illness
This week, we get an update from Mason Earle, a former professional rock climber who we spoke to back in 2021. Mason had been diagnosed with ME/CFS, commonly called chronic fatigue syndrome, and he discussed his former career, how he...
03.19.2024
How To!: Help a Loved One With Dementia
Forgetfulness. Repetitiveness. Confusion. Dementia is a long, painful road for both the person living with it, caregivers, and their additional loved ones. Mara’s mom just received her diagnosis and Mara is wondering what is next for their family. She turned...
03.18.2024
Care & Feeding: Does Identity Need To Be Taught?
On this episode: Elizabeth, Jamilah and Lucy answer a question from the Slate Parenting Facebook group… about whether identity is implicit or explicit in the way we raise kids. This mom is “an invisible minority three times over…” and musing...
03.17.2024
Working: From Corporate Job to Broadway Playwright
This week, host Ronald Young Jr. talks to Bekah Brunstetter, a TV writer and playwright whose most recent project is the new Broadway musical version of The Notebook. In the interview, Bekah discusses her early career journey, when she was...
03.15.2024
Dear Prudence: My Ex Had Sex With My Brother. Help!
In this episode, Michael Arceneaux (I Can’t Date Jesus and I Finally Bought Some Jordans) joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters from readers about an interracial couple’s debate over African-centered home decor, how to cope with homesickness for a place you...
03.14.2024
Care & Feeding: “You’re Mad At Me” and Other Big Feelings
On this episode: first, a quick update about our discussions on grades. TL;DR: We hear you, and we’re already working on ways to do better. Then: Lucy, Elizabeth and Jamilah help a listener who wrote in looking for advice on a...
03.13.2024
Well, Now: Life After Lockdown
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization named Covid-19 a pandemic, and public health around the globe changed forever. Countries shut down their borders, businesses closed and furloughed workers, and millions of students went to remote learning. Two years in,...
03.12.2024
Hear Me Out: Purity Is Poisoning the Progressive Movement
On today’s episode of Hear Me Out: the purity test. Purity, in political science, doesn’t have anything to do with morality. It has to do with whether your policy aligns with your principles. From “Bernie Bros” to the uncommitted vote against Biden,...
03.12.2024
How To!: Say What You’re Thinking
Shannon is set to become an ordained minister—but she has always struggled with public speaking. Here’s the thing: She’s fine in front of large gatherings. In smaller gatherings, however, she mentally “freezes up” and rambles until she regains her train...
03.12.2024
Slate Money: Her Boyfriends Couldn’t Handle Her Success
In a special episode of Money Talks, Emily Peck chats with writer/director Chloe Domont, whose feminist thriller Fair Play explores what happens when an ambitious woman outshines her well-meaning but insecure partner. It was inspired by Chloe’s experience surpassing the...

What's Slate Conversations about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Slate Conversations episodes:

Care & Feeding: Ask A Weed Mom

Well, Now: We Don’t Need to Cure Autism

How To!: ‘Do the Work’ of Racial Justice

Death, Sex & Money: A Sociopath's Guide to Death, Sex, and Money

Hear Me Out: Legalize Weed, But Not Like This

Money Talks: Felix Wins His Crypto Bet

Care & Feeding: Parenting While Polyamorous

Working: A Clarinetist Finds His Flow State

ICYMI: What “Quiet on Set” Leaves Out

Dear Prudence: I Lost a Lot of Weight and Now I Enjoy Being a Mean Girl. Help!

Care & Feeding: Longtime Listener, First-Time Parent

Well, Now: Most Skincare Products are BS. Here Are the Facts.

Hear Me Out: Interracial Marriages Can Still Be Racist

Death, Sex & Money: From Indie Rockers to Full-Time Caregivers

How To!: Bring a Big Idea to Life

Care & Feeding: What’s the Deal With American Baby Food?

Working: How to Be Both a Critic and a Creator

Dear Prudence: From Choice Words: Live in Fear or Love? (with Karamo)

Care & Feeding: Will My Picky Eater Ruin Our Trip?

Well, Now: Spring Cleaning Your Medicine Cabinet

Slate Money: How to Escape the Invisible Factory

Hear Me Out: Don’t Blame Capitalism For The Housing Crisis

How To!: Crack Up Your Coworkers (Encore)

Death, Sex & Money: I Was In Debt. Then My Sister Offered Me $16,000.

Care & Feeding: Why Can’t I Find (Or Keep) A Babysitter?

Working: How a Magician Designs Original, Mind-Blowing Tricks

What Next TBD: The Psychological Toll of Mars

Dear Prudence: My Partner Sticks Her Finger in Food to Taste Test It. Help!

Care & Feeding: My Son’s Getting Ready to Walk Home Alone

Well, Now: Eating Disorders Are Rising Among Boys. Why?

Hear Me Out: Anti-Vaxers Aren’t Just Extremists

How To!: Make Humor Your Superpower (Encore)

Death, Sex & Money: The Very Hot Marriage of Niecy Nash and Jessica Betts

Care & Feeding: Helping Little Wild Things Learn To Read

Working: How to Curate a Small Town Art Museum

Dear Prudence: My Parents Are Flaunting Their Wealth While I’m Drowning in Debt. Help!

Care & Feeding: A Teacher Weighs In On Grades

Well, Now - "People Feel Like They’re Drowning": The Long Covid Survivors Left Behind

Hear Me Out: You Probably Don’t Need Therapy Forever

Slate Money: What Happens When a Country Won’t Pay Its Debt?

Death, Sex & Money: A Former Pro Climber On Enduring Chronic Illness

How To!: Help a Loved One With Dementia

Care & Feeding: Does Identity Need To Be Taught?

Working: From Corporate Job to Broadway Playwright

Dear Prudence: My Ex Had Sex With My Brother. Help!

Care & Feeding: “You’re Mad At Me” and Other Big Feelings

Well, Now: Life After Lockdown

Hear Me Out: Purity Is Poisoning the Progressive Movement

How To!: Say What You’re Thinking

Slate Money: Her Boyfriends Couldn’t Handle Her Success