This week, host Charlotte Alter sits down with 2023 TIME100 Next Phenom R.F. Kuang. The #1 New York Times bestselling author shares insight into crafting characters with empathy, the emotional rollercoaster of being a novelist, the nuanced function of literary genres, and the vibrancy of BookTok. Through the lens of Kuang’s latest novel, “Yellowface,” and her worldwide journey through academia and publishing, the pair unpack the complexities of the literary world and touch upon a pressing question: who gets to tell which stories?

Read more about R. F. Kuang in TIME100 Next 2023:

• https://time.com/collection/time100-next-2023/6308472/r-f-kuang

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this first Executive Spotlight –presented by Verizon and TIME– Verizon Chairman & CEO Hans Vestberg joins TIME CEO Jess Sibley for a thoughtful conversation on digital equity and how improving connectivity will better people's lives.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, multifaceted phenom Fran Drescher joins host Charlotte Alter for a journey through the labyrinth of Hollywood. From Drescher’s early days in Queens, to her iconic role as Miss Fine in "The Nanny," to her current role as the Screen Actor’s Guild president, Fran and Charlotte recount the steps that led Drescher to becoming one of the most important labor leaders in America today. The pair discuss the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, the evolving landscape of the American workforce, the use of AI in creative production, and how the experience of breaking into Hollywood has changed over time. Tune in for an insightful conversation that merges the worlds of entertainment, activism, and personal growth.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, host Charlotte Alter sits down with acclaimed media theorist, author, and internet biographer Douglas Rushkoff. Credited by MIT as one of the "world's ten most influential intellectuals," Rushkoff shares his unique insights into how technological advancements shape our relationship with media, money, power, and each other. Together, they delve into generational shifts in media consumption, what screen proliferation means for humanity's future, the internet’s psychedelic countercultural roots, and the true meaning of artificial intelligence. Tune in and turn on for a compelling look into how our digital world is being reimagined and remapped with each passing nanosecond.

To hear more from Douglas Rushkoff, check out his Team Human! podcast – new episodes every Wednesday, wherever you like to listen. www.teamhuman.fm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're off this week and wanted to bring you something special from our colleagues at TIME and Georgia Public Broadcasting. Earlier this summer, TIME Senior International Climate and Environment Correspondent Aryn Baker teamed up with GPB reporter Sofi Gratas to document the impact that extreme heat has had on the most vulnerable members of America's workforce. As climate change drives rising temperatures across the globe, their on-the-ground reporting allows us to hear from the folks who feel its impact the most – farm workers, delivery drivers, and other essential workers who brave the hazardous heat and risk illness and injury to get the job done when it's too hot to work.

We'll be back next Thursday with a new Person of The Week – until then, tune in to this special report and read more at the links below. Special thanks to Justine Simons, Joey Lautrup, and Josephine Bennett.

Extreme Heat Is Endangering America's Workers—and Its Economy | Aryn Baker | TIME

• https://time.com/6299091/extreme-heat-us-workers-economy

Heat Makes Outdoor Work Dangerous | Aryn Baker & Joey Lautrup | TIME

• https://time.com/6301020/heat-makes-outdoor-work-dangerous

Too Hot to Work: How Climate Change is Driving Calls for Worker Safety | Aryn Baker & Sofi Gratas | GPB

• https://www.gpb.org/news/2023/08/03/too-hot-work-how-climate-change-driving-calls-for-worker-safety

Photo Credit: José Ibarra Rizo

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, renowned psychologist, author, and professor Jean Twenge joins host Charlotte Alter to delve deep into the corridors of generational differences. Just in time for back-to-school, the pair discuss the profound impacts of smartphones, screentime, and social media on the formative years of today's youth. From discerning the subtle changes between Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X, to addressing the challenges of remote schooling in the modern age, Twenge offers enlightening perspectives and practical solutions to the growing concerns about youth mental health. Whether you're a parent, educator, or just curious about the digital age's effects, this conversation promises profound insights and timely takeaways.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, 8-time Grammy award-winner Jack Antonoff joins host Charlotte Alter to talk about the indelible mark he’s left on music history. The pair discuss the magnetic pull of their shared hometown of New Jersey, the profound impact that Antonoff’s family has had on his work, and the intimate and intricate processes behind today’s chart-topping hits. Whether you're an aspiring musician or just hum to the rhythm of Bleachers, tune in for an inspiring and exciting backstage pass to the musical genius of Jack Antonoff.

And check out our episode playlist on Spotify to hear some of our producers' favorite Jack Antonoff hits! https://tinyurl.com/bp7cf7ek

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, host Charlotte Alter is joined by the formidable Eddie Ndopu. Recognized as one of the world's most influential disabled individuals, Ndopu has continually broken barriers, including making history this July by delivering the opening keynote address at the UN’s High-Level Political Forum on the Sustainable Development Goals in the General Assembly Hall. In their discussion, Eddie shares insights from his new memoir, “Sipping Dom Pérignon Through a Straw: Reimagining Success as a Disabled Achiever,” and candidly explores the loneliness, pressure, and resilience that comes with challenging bias and systemic ableism at the highest levels of power. Tune in for a powerful discussion of defying norms and carving a unique path in the world.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode, Charlotte Alter sits down with the iconic Candace Bushnell – the creative force behind the cultural phenomenon "Sex and the City." Bushnell shares her journey from her childhood in Connecticut to becoming a leading figure in the New York City publishing scene, and ultimately, a worldwide influencer. They delve into the glamorous, grueling world of 1970s NYC, the evolution of feminism, and the shifting dynamics of the publishing industry. Plus, Candace offers a rare glimpse into what it feels like to create a global sensation that forever shapes pop culture. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, host Charlotte Alter chats with America’s youngest congressperson, Maxwell Frost. A representative of Generation Z's political ambitions and changing viewpoints, Frost provides an unfiltered look into his groundbreaking first year in Congress. The pair explore the breadth and depth of American politics, from the victories and challenges of his freshman year to the increasingly prominent role of young voices in shaping the country's political discourse and touch on generational differences in political ambitions, the future of American politics, the rise of young voices, and how the upcoming generations are shaping the political landscape. Get an exclusive glimpse into the future of American politics through the eyes of a passionate, determined legislator. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.