Hi all, dropping into your inbox with some news about a project I’m extremely excited about — Oprahdemics, the latest show from Radiotopia, which I’m producing.
It’s hosted by Kellie Carter Jackson (my co-host on This Day) and Leah Wright Rigueur, two good friends, academics and Oprah obsessives.
To my mind, it’s a little strange that Oprah isn’t more in the discussion. It feels like every once in a while she’ll pop up and do something like the Megan Markle interview and people will remember “oh, right, Oprah, she’s incredible.”
So this show tries to really explore her impact and treat her like the cultural and societal force that she is. It’s half rewatch show, half cultural appraisal.
It’s also really really fun. Don’t tell Kellie I said this, but I think she’s THE NEXT BIG PODCASTING STAR.
The show is getting some good press, including a nice write-up in NY Mag:
Jackson and Rigueur are able to pack a stunning amount of information and insight into a 45-minute conversation that feels a lot brisker than that. It says a lot not only about their pedagogical strengths, but also about the fun, lively chemistry of their friendship.
I promise, despite the use of “pedagogical” in that review, the show is a blast. The first episode was about veganism and food politics, this week’s episode revisits the incredible moment when Oprah took her show to LA after the Rodney King verdict.
Please check it out, let me know what you think, and spread the word.
You can also sign up for the Oprahdemics newsletter on the website.
Also, while we’re here, I do try to keep all my latest work updated in the “projects” tab of my website.
More Things I’ve Enjoyed Lately
Mouth to Mouth. A snappy summer read.
Cha Ca La Wong. Cook it with friends. Use fresh turmeric.
Warm Chris by Aldous Harding
Not sure if you can read this, but Jeff Tweedy wrote the liner notes to Mountain Man’s “Made the Harbor” re-release and it’s some of my favorite writing about music (for one of my favorite records) ever.