The Worms Podcast

Fariha Róisín is a multidisciplinary writer and artist.
Her book Who Is Wellness For? examines the politics of self-care and the wellness industry.

Emily LaBarge is a Canadian-born writer and critic based in London, currently teaching at Royal College of Art. She writes essays and art criticism that appear in major publications including Artforum, The Paris Review, The London Review of Books, and Granta. Her debut book, Dog Days is out now.

Hi Wormies,

Unfortunately, we’ve had a technical hiccup this week (our brand new episode got corrupted 😅) But!!! We’re excited to share something special instead: a previously unpublished live event with CAConrad at Champ Lacombe.

Enjoy! xx

Chris Kraus is an American writer, filmmaker and art critic whose work often mixes memoir, fiction and cultural criticism.

Her latest novel, The Four Spent the Day Together (2025), continues her signature blend of autofiction and social commentary by weaving together the story of a murder in Minnesota, the ambitions of a working-class family, and the fall-out of a crumbling marriage.

Lynne Tillman is a novelist, essayist, and cultural critic known for her sharp, inventive prose and genre-defying work. She is the author of several acclaimed books, including American Genius, A Comedy and Men and Apparitions. Her latest book, Thrilled to Death: Selected Stories, published in 2025, showcases four decades of her short fiction.

We also mention The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales by Bruno Bettelheim and Fire in the Belly: The Life and Times of David Wojnarowicz by Cynthia Carr.

Heather McCalden is a multidisciplinary artist working with text image and movement. The Observable Universe is her first book.

Books mentioned

- Lady Sings The Blues by Billie Holiday

Ariana Reines is an award winning poet, playwright and performance artist.

Books mentioned- Paradise Lost by John Milton, The Rose, Waves Of Blood and A Sand Book by Ariana Reines.

Charlie Porter is a writer, fashion critic and curator. He has written for the Financial Times, the Guardian, The New York Times, GQ, amongst others, and has been described as one of the most influential fashion journalists of his time.

Books mentioned: The Gentrification of the Mind by Sarah Schulman, The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington

Judith Butler is a leading philosopher and gender theorist, best known for their book Gender Trouble, where they introduced the concept of gender performativity. Their work has greatly influenced feminist and queer theory.

Books mentioned: Who's afraid of gender? by Judith Butler, The second Sex by Simone De Beauvoir

Tilly Lawless is a queer, Sydney-based sex worker and writer. Her debut title Nothing But My Body was published in 2021 followed by Thora (2024).

Books mentioned:

Revolting Prostitutes: the fight for sex workers rights by Juno Mac and Molly Smith, Working girl: on selling art and selling sex by Sophia Giovannitti, The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter, In The Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado, Women Who Become Men by Antonia Young.