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Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson Wonder What You Will Build for the Future

Release Date: 05/06/2025

Chicago Humanities Tapes

Margaret Atwood is joined in conversation with author Elif Batuman to unfold the story of her life, linking seminal moments to the books that have shaped our literary landscape, from the cruel year that spawned Cat’s Eye to the Orwellian 1980s Berlin where she wrote The Handmaid’s Tale. As we travel with her along the course of her life, more and more is revealed about her writing, the connections between real life and art, and the workings of one of our greatest imaginations. Podcast Credits: Live event programmed by Michael Green Live event produced by Nikki Konomos Live event...

Ron Chernow on the Humorous Life of Mark Twain

Chicago Humanities Tapes

Acclaimed author Ron Chernow, of Hamilton fame, is one of the most renowned voices in history and politics. Recipient of the 2015 National Humanities Medal, Chernow has dedicated his life to telling the stories of some of the most notable figures in history. Chernow joins The Interview Show host Mark Bazer to discuss his newest work, Mark Twain, a nuanced portrait of “the father of American literature.” Drawing on thousands of letters and hundreds of unpublished manuscripts, Chernow captures the exuberant genius whose career reflected the country's westward expansion,...

Ed Helms on the World’s Biggest SNAFUs

Chicago Humanities Tapes

Actor, comedian, writer, and producer Ed Helms joins us in conversation with podcast host and producer Greta Johnsen to discuss his new book SNAFU, which brings you an absurdly entertaining look at history’s greatest screwups. Helms steps in as unofficial history teacher diving into each decade’s craziest SNAFUs like planting nukes on the moon to training felines as CIA spies to weaponizing the weather. SHOW NOTES: Read the CW: Mature language and subject matter Photo: Live event programmed by Michael Green Live event produced by Jesse Swanson Live event stage managed by Kait...

Ocean Vuong Uses the Sentence as a Tool to Understand Deep Mystery

Chicago Humanities Tapes

Beloved novelist, poet, and educator Ocean Vuong joins his friend and colleague Adrian Matejka, editor of Poetry magazine, for a hilarious, heartbreaking, and affirming conversation about the power of the sentence. SHOW NOTES: Read the . CW: Discussion of drug addiction PHOTO: Read: Ocean Vuong, Ocean Vuong, Magazine Explore: Djuna Barnes, Theresa Hak Kyung Cha's, Lady Murasaki, André Breton, Aimé Césaire, Live event programmed by Michael Green Live event produced by Jesse Swanson Live event stage managed by Danny Fender Live event produced...

Leslie Odom, Jr. on Learning that Love is Being Kind to Yourself

Chicago Humanities Tapes

Originator of the role Aaron Burr in the Broadway smash hit Hamiliton, Leslie Odom, Jr. reflects on his Tony and Grammy Award-winning, Oscar and Emmy Award-nominated career. With a loving eye toward his own creative practice and collaborative spirit, he gabs with NBC’s Matthew Rodrigues on self-care, fame, and might just bring us a little Christmas in June by the end. SHOW NOTES: Read the . PHOTO: Read: Leslie Odom, Jr., Watch: trailer PBS Great Performances Explore: Live event programmed by Kaity O’Reilly Live event produced by Jesse Swanson Live event...

Philosopher Agnes Callard Has Some Questions About Questions

Chicago Humanities Tapes

Our goal at Chicago Humanities Tapes is to help you get closer to the answers to life’s biggest questions with the brightest minds the world offers. And we’ll get those answers eventually according to philosopher Agnes Callard, though it might take another 10,000 years of humanity. So, how do we live our lives knowing we’ll never know the answers to life’s biggest questions such as: is there a God? What makes a good parent? Should I have gone into academia? Her and University of Chicago constitutional law professor William Baude think the answer is in the Socratic method – asking...

Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson Wonder What You Will Build for the Future

Chicago Humanities Tapes

Bestselling authors and popular podcasters Ezra Klein (The New York Times) and Derek Thompson (The Atlantic) are interested in societal abundance – how do we get closer to equality when it seems like we’re getting farther from having enough resources for everyone? Joined by historian and science fiction writer Ada Palmer, these three brilliant minds joyfully dig into everything from futurism to Shakespeare, encouraging listeners to combat daily despair with progressive action. to the podcast. SHOW NOTES Watch the full program . Read the . PHOTO: Read: , Ezra Klein and Derek...

How Classic Painted Signs Help Us Time Travel with Heavy Pages Press

Chicago Humanities Tapes

Join fine art painters turned sign designers turned book publishers Andrew and Kelsey McClellan of Heavy Pages Press on a lovingly nerdy investigation through the signs of Chicago’s small businesses of yesteryear. A chance encounter with a perfectly preserved “ghost sign” by the Beverly Design Co. from the 1930s led them to uncover previously lost sign design sketches. They sit down with podcast host Alisa Rosenthal to discuss their book The Golden Era of Sign Design: The Rediscovered Sketches of Beverly Sign Co., what it was like to interview tough talking old timer painters, and their...

Mini Tapes: The Journey is the Destination for the Jewish Museum of Chicago

Chicago Humanities Tapes

In support of Chicago-based klezmer band Upshtat Zingerai bringing Yiddish tunes and dancing to the Chicago Humanities Spring Festival, the creative partners behind the Jewish Museum of Chicago sat down with podcast host Alisa Rosenthal to preview the upcoming event. They chat artistic process, visions for having a future physical space, and how the museum project was started to fill a void in the Chicago arts scene as a hub for Jewish artists and community members. Explore the rest of the Lakeview Day 2025 events . to the podcast • Let us know what you think by taking the ...

Hebru Brantley on His Chicago Murals, Fine Art, and Everything in Between

Chicago Humanities Tapes

Bronzeville native and preeminent Black pop artist Hebru Brantley joins visual artist and MacArthur Fellow Amanda Williams for a life-affirming conversation that spans the power of unbridled creativity, his inviting marketing strategy, and naturally, a little bit of Chicago vs. LA discourse. This program was recorded live at the Illinois Institute of Technology in May 2024. to the podcast • Let us know what you think by taking the SHOW NOTES: Watch the full conversation . Read the . PHOTO: Read: Hebru Brantley, Explore: Find near you Amanda Williams, Live...

More Episodes

Bestselling authors and popular podcasters Ezra Klein (The New York Times) and Derek Thompson (The Atlantic) are interested in societal abundance – how do we get closer to equality when it seems like we’re getting farther from having enough resources for everyone? Joined by historian and science fiction writer Ada Palmer, these three brilliant minds joyfully dig into everything from futurism to Shakespeare, encouraging listeners to combat daily despair with progressive action.

Subscribe to the podcast.

SHOW NOTES

Watch the full program here.

Read the podcast transcript.

PHOTO: Ezra Klein, Derek Thompson, and Ada Palmer on stage at the UIC Dorin Forum at the Chicago Humanities Spring Festival in 2025.

Read:

Abundance, Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson

Why We’re Polarized, Ezra Klein

Inventing the Renaissance: The Myth of a Golden Age, Ada Palmer

Listen:

The Ezra Klein Show

Plain English with Derek Thompson