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Filmmaker and rapper Boots Riley explores the intersection of art and systemic critique through his new film I Love Boosters, which examines the role of shoplifters in providing essential goods to marginalized communities. Riley maintains that art serves as a tool to expose the contradictions inherent in capitalism. Ac...
War and nature documentary filmmaking define the human experience through vastly different lenses. Philip Caputo reflects on the psychological toll of combat in Vietnam and his subsequent work as a journalist in Beirut, noting how the loss of idealism and the confrontation with personal darkness shaped his writing. Dav...
The U.S.-China relationship has reached a critical juncture defined by a shift in geopolitical leverage and structural economic competition. China’s 2025 restriction on rare earth minerals effectively forced a U.S. retreat from aggressive tariff policies, signaling China’s emergence as a true geopolitical peer. This po...
Filmmaker and rapper Boots Riley discusses his latest film, I Love Boosters, a satirical exploration of women shoplifters in the Bay Area who redistribute luxury goods to underserved communities. Riley argues that capitalism creates inherent contradictions, and his work aims to make these visible by focusing on the phy...
Tech reporter Joanna Stern chronicles a year-long experiment testing the limits of artificial intelligence by integrating it into nearly every facet of her daily life, from medical diagnostics to professional tasks. AI tools successfully assisted in research and administrative duties, though they failed to replace huma...
Actor, writer, and director Will Sharpe discusses his creative process and recent projects, including his portrayal of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the limited series Amadeus. Sharpe details the physical and mental preparation required for the role, emphasizing his use of music as a meditative tool to embody Mozart’s com...
Douglas Stuart’s new novel, John of John, examines the intersection of faith, isolation, and secret queer identities within a conservative Scottish island community, drawing on his own experiences growing up in Glasgow. Cal and his father navigate hidden desires while struggling with the decline of the traditional text...
Broadway producer Jeffrey Seller reflects on his career, detailing the creative evolution of mega-hits RENT and Hamilton. Seller emphasizes the necessity of rigorous editing, such as trimming rap battles and reprises to maintain narrative pacing, and highlights the collaborative environment required to foster groundbre...
Nathan Lane reflects on his evolution from a comedic stage performer to a dramatic actor, anchored by his recent Tony-nominated portrayal of Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman. This performance marks a significant shift in his career, mirroring his earlier pivot in The Iceman Cometh to challenge audience perceptions. L...
Silicon Valley’s political shift toward Donald Trump and the MAGA movement stems from a desire to dismantle federal regulatory oversight, particularly regarding cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence. Venture capitalist David Sachs serves as a central figure in this alliance, leveraging his influence to secure favo...
Legal scholar Kimberly Williams Crenshaw examines the interplay between personal history and the evolution of American civil rights law. Drawing from her memoir Backtalker, she traces the origins of "intersectionality," a framework developed to address how legal systems fail to recognize the overlapping discrimination ...
Douglas Stuart, author of the Booker Prize-winning Shuggie Bain, explores the intersection of faith, secrecy, and identity in his latest novel, John of John. Set in a conservative Hebridean community, the story follows a father and son who remain closeted to one another while navigating the stifling pressures of their ...
Artistic evolution and personal transformation drive the creative journeys of musician Flea and actor Nick Offerman. Flea reflects on his transition from the aggressive, punk-inspired energy of the Red Hot Chili Peppers to the introspective, jazz-inflected compositions of his solo album Honora, illustrating how he tran...
Michael Tilson Thomas, the renowned conductor and composer who led the San Francisco Symphony for 25 years, left a profound legacy that extended from classical music to the preservation of Yiddish theatre. His career was deeply influenced by his grandparents, Boris and Bessie Tomaszewski, whose pioneering work on the Y...
Richard Gadd, the creator of the Netflix phenomenon Baby Reindeer, examines the complexities of male identity, vulnerability, and the dangers of emotional repression. His work, including the upcoming HBO series Half Man, challenges traditional archetypes by deconstructing the performance of masculinity and the often-bl...
Lee Zeldin’s tenure as head of the Environmental Protection Agency marks a fundamental shift in the agency’s mission, moving away from public health protection toward a deregulatory agenda that prioritizes fossil fuel interests. The dismantling of the Office of Research and Development, a scientific arm previously inde...
Flea, co-founder of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, reflects on his evolution as a musician and human being while discussing his first solo album, Helen Burns. The conversation traces his early exposure to jazz through his stepfather, a talented but volatile addict, and how that complex upbringing shaped his approach to mus...
Nick Offerman explores the emotional complexities of his recent acting roles, particularly his portrayal of Jinx, a former professional wrestler battling addiction and attempting to reconnect with his daughter in Margo's Got Money Troubles. He contrasts this with his Emmy-winning performance as Bill in The Last of Us, ...
Malala Yousafzai reflects on her transition from a targeted schoolgirl activist in Pakistan to a global advocate, detailing the profound psychological impact of surviving a Taliban assassination attempt and the challenges of balancing public expectations with personal recovery at Oxford University. The conversation hig...
Schmigadoon satirizes classic Broadway musicals by placing modern characters in a magical, musical-governed town, using parody to explore the nature of true love. Co-creator Cinco Paul notes that the show’s songs, such as "Corn Pudding," intentionally mimic and subvert traditional musical theater tropes to advance the ...
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