The Backstory

Abraham Riesman is a cultural journalist and the author of 'True Believer: The Rise and Fall of Stan Lee' (as well as a forthcoming biography of Vince McMahon). He sat down with The Backstory crew to talk through the dopamine rush he got from watching the 2006 Alfonso Cuarón film 'Children of Men,' and how it helped him establish his moral compass in storytelling.

Today’s guest on The Backstory is Vikki Tobak, a curator, cultural journalist, and producer who specializes in the cultural history of hip-hop. Her recent book, Contact High, traces the impact of hip-hop through the imagery that chronicled it, and has been turned into exhibitions at LA’s Annenberg Center of Photography and New York’s ICP. She sat down with Sean and Dan to talk about hip-hop jewelry, individualism, and authenticity.

Photographer Jamel Shabazz joins Sean and Dan for a look at Leonard Freed's 'Black in White America,' a classic collection of kinetic civil-rights era photography.

This week on The Backstory, hosts Sean Williams and Dan McQuade sit down with art crime professor Erin Thompson to talk heists, fakes, and why Philly’s Mütter Museum makes her feel radically connected to humanity.

This week, rapper and Lo-Lifes cofounder Thirstin Howl the 3rd speaks on his love for all things Polo.

Sean and Dan are joined by Chris Gibbs, owner and operator of Union Los Angeles, for a look at the work of Jayson Musson, whose provocative riffs on high and low culture touch everything from Coogi sweaters to YouTube performance art.

Welcome to The Backstory — an insider's look at some of the most interesting people shaping our culture today.