The Other Pod with Chloe Aftel

Welcome to our 'Lightning Round' with Other podcast guest and Catholic Priest Michael Pfleger! The idea is to ask questions that he — and hopefully you — don't expect, and that the answers will be as equally interesting and hopefully amusing. Please enjoy.


Biographies:

Michael Pfleger is an American Catholic priest and social activist who has gained notoriety in recent years for being outspoken about the countless systemic issues and injustices that exist within the Catholic Church and how they impact the world around us. Pfleger was ordained as a priest in May of 1977 by the Roman Cath...

American Catholic Priest and social activist Michael Pfleger sits down with host Chloe Aftel to discuss the weaponization of faith to target marginalized populations, the importance of taking care of your communities, and what it means to practice your faith through action. Pfleger discusses how he believes that justice and faith are inherently intertwined and in order to create safe and inclusive environments for those who most need it, they need to be met where they are with love rather than judgement. He criticizes many Republican leaders who use faith as a means to justify their attacks on the rights...

Welcome to our 'Lightning Round' with Other podcast guest and food scientist Marion Nestle! The idea is to ask questions that she — and hopefully you — don't expect, and that the answers will be as equally interesting and hopefully amusing. Please enjoy.


Biographies:

Marion Nestle is an award winning author, molecular biologist, and health advocate. She received her Bachelors in bacteriology from UC Berkeley in 1959, as well as a Ph.D. in molecular biology and a MPH in public health nutrition. She went on to teach at NYU, where in 1996 she co founded the university’s Food S...

Renowned American molecular biologist, nutritionist and health advocate Marion Nestle joins host Chloe Aftel to discuss the ways that politics, industry, and food production have created the health crisis and distrust in science that now dominates our news cycles. Throughout the years, Nestle has written countless articles on these topics and has won a number of awards for her writing, including The American Public Health Association’s Food and Nutrition Section Award for Excellence in Dietary Guidance, The James Beard Literary Award, and a Harry Chapin Media Award for Best Book. They discuss Nestle’s education and career, as well as h...

Welcome to our 'Lightning Round' with Other podcast guest and political theorist Cristina Beltrán! The idea is to ask questions that she — and hopefully you — don't expect, and that the answers will be as equally interesting and hopefully amusing. Please enjoy.


Biographies:

Cristina Beltrán, Ph.D., is a NYU Associate Professor and award-winning author as well as political theorist. Born to parents of Mexican descent, Beltrán grew up in Southern California and New Mexico, obtaining a Doctorate in Political Science from Rutgers University and B.A. in Politics from University of California at Sant...

Author and Associate Professor at New York University working in Latinx, race and gender, plus political theory, Dr. Cristina Beltrán joins host Chloe Aftel for a fascinating dive into modern America. Speaking on her upbringing, academic theories, and U.S. politics spanning the last forty years, Professor Beltrán breaks down myriad political/social concepts found within politics and, more broadly, the fabric of America. From the idea of layered colonialisms to Ezra Klein's The New York Times opinion piece on Charlie Kirk's murder, Beltrán and Aftel pick apart organizing tactics on the left and right, the politics of p...

Welcome to our 'Lightning Round' with Other podcast guest and writer Jamelle Bouie! The idea is to ask questions that he — and hopefully you — don't expect, and that the answers will be as equally interesting and hopefully amusing. Please enjoy.


Biographies:

Jamelle Bouie is a writer, photographer, and columnist for The New York Times. Obtaining degrees in political plus social thought and government from the University of Virginia in 2009, Bouie started out at The American Prospect magazine. Also writing for The Daily Beast early in his career, Bouie became Slate magazine's chief political correspondent in 2014 before work...

Hillman Prize for Opinion & Analysis winner, The New York Times columnist, and prolific photographer, Jamelle Bouie is Other's latest guest in discussion with host Chloe Aftel. From The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story to covering Trump-era politics and policies through an historical lens, Bouie lets us in on his upbringing, career, and creative processes in this insightful interview. Unafraid to set the record straight, listeners learn about how Bouie shapes both his writing and reporting. Come join us in hearing this guest's fascinating perspective on current American politics and meeting audiences where they're at; plus stick around for the lighting round...

Welcome to our 'Lightning Round' with Other podcast guest and filmmaking legend Phil Tippett! The idea is to ask questions that he — and hopefully you — don't expect, and that the answers will be as equally interesting and hopefully amusing. Please enjoy.


Biographies:

Phil Tippett is an American filmmaker who has been working in creative roles and contributing to iconic visuals for over five decades, from creatures like 'Rancor' in 1983's Return of the Jedi to a stop-motion rat in 2024's Alien: Romulus and credits such as 'Dinosaur Supervisor' in Jurassic Park. Additional credits include everything from...

Two-time Academy Award® winning filmmaker Phil Tippett has led an incredibly creative, not to mention successful, career spanning the likes of directing, producing, and visual effects supervising. His legendary stop-motion, computerized character animations, and creature designs can be traced from the original Star Wars, Jurassic Park, RoboCop, and Starship Troopers to his own recent, acclaimed film Mad God. Joining host Chloe Aftel, Tippett dives into all of the above and more, revealing anecdotes behind specific work as well as inner philosophical processes behind such a storied journey.


Highlights:
Aftel and Tippett discuss four different creations throughout the...

Actress Carla Jimenez has been acting and singing since childhood. This year, she’s made her Broadway Debut as Pancha in the original cast of “Real Women Have Curves: The Musical.” She joins host Chloe Aftel on The Other Pod to discuss her journey to where she is now and all the ups and downs along the way. They discuss her early career, including breakout roles in “Nacho Libre” and “Desperate Housewives”, as well as her recent key role in “The Mick”, and now her singing on Broadway. Carla’s story is a beautiful journey of dedication, passion, and hard work in a harsh indu...

Actress Carla Jimenez has been acting and singing since childhood. This year, she’s made her Broadway Debut as Pancha in the original cast of “Real Women Have Curves: The Musical.” She joins host Chloe Aftel on The Other Pod to discuss her journey to where she is now and all the ups and downs along the way. They discuss her early career, including breakout roles in “Nacho Libre” and “Desperate Housewives”, as well as her recent key role in “The Mick”, and now her singing on Broadway. Carla’s story is a beautiful journey of dedication, passion, and hard work in a harsh indu...

In this exciting interview with Emmy-nominated writer, comedian, and podcaster Chelsea Devantez, Chloe and Chelsea discuss what being a drag queen taught her about gender and self-acceptance, how she's navigated male violence, the experience writing her first memoir: I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This (But I’m Going To Anyway), her creative process, her marriage with fellow comedian Yassir Lester, and her podcast Glamorous Trash.

Bios:
Chelsea Devantez is an Emmy-nominated writer, comedian, and filmmaker. She hosts the widely-loved independent podcast Glamorous Trash which has over 5 million downloads. Her TV credits include Girls5Eva, Not...

In this exciting interview with Emmy-nominated writer, comedian, and podcaster Chelsea Devantez, Chloe and Chelsea discuss what being a drag queen taught her about gender and self-acceptance, how she's navigated male violence, the experience writing her first memoir: I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This (But I’m Going To Anyway), her creative process, her marriage with fellow comedian Yassir Lester, and her podcast Glamorous Trash.

Highlights:
The differing comedy styles of Chelsea and her husband Yassir Lester;
Different turning points in Chelsea’s career from Jon Stewart to Girls5Eva, amongst others;Her experiences making the wi...

In part two of this in-depth interview with NCAA coaching legend Tara VanDerveer, Chloe and Tara dive into how she built a career, her coaching philosophy, and how she helps her players reach their highest potential. They also discuss the significance of relationships built through sports and VanDerveer's ongoing involvement in the sport post-retirement.

Highlights:
How to foster a collaborative and supportive team environment where everyone has a voice, and where the focus is on collective success;

What strategies VanDerveer uses to continuously evolve her coaching approach and maximize her team's strengths;

How...

For the end of our interview feature with Tara VanDerveer, Chloe asks Tara closing questions about her other passions, her post game rituals, and stand out players Tara has coached over the years. 

About:

Tara VanDerveer is one of the most accomplished coaches in the history of women's basketball, best known for her legendary 38-season tenure at Stanford University, where she led the Cardinal to three NCAA championships (1990, 1992, 2021) and 14 Final Four appearances. Born on June 26, 1953, she began her head coaching career in 1978 and became the highest winning coach in NCAA Division I basketball history, retiring in 2024 w...

Tara VanDerveer is a Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Coach, widely considered to be one of the most accomplished coaches in the sport. Now retired from coaching, she joins host Chloe Aftel on The Other Pod to talk about her unique and heavily lauded career in the world of basketball. In this exciting episode, the pair discuss the unique aspects of coaching women's basketball, the generational shifts in players that VanDerveer has noticed over time, and how to develop great team relationships for group success. 

Highlights:
Strategies that successful coaches use to help players set a...

Welcome to our 'Lightning Round' with Other podcast guest and multitalented content creator Alice Little! The idea is to ask questions that she — and hopefully you — don't expect, and that the answers will be as equally interesting and hopefully amusing. Please enjoy.


Biographies:

Alice Little is an Irish-American sex worker, content creator, educator, and activist. She gained media attention for her outspoken advocacy for sex workers' rights and her personal experiences within the legal brothel system. Alice has also used her platform to educate the public about the importance of safe, consensual, and legal sex work...

Alice Little is widely recognized as the top-earning legal sex worker in the United States. As a passionate advocate for the safety and empowerment of sex workers, she joins host Chloe Aftel to explore the current state of legal sex work in the U.S. and how positive sexual experiences grounded in intimacy and consent can lead to transformative change for individuals and our society.

Alice and Chloe delve into a range of key topics, from male sexual trauma and intimacy challenges to the advantages of legal sex work in a high-end Nevada brothel, compared to the critical...

Welcome to our 'Lightning Round' with Other podcast guest and Nobel Prize winner Victor Ambros! The idea is to ask questions that he — and hopefully you — don't expect, and that the answers will be as equally interesting and hopefully amusing. Please enjoy.


Biographies:

Victor Ambros is a renowned molecular biologist and a pioneer in the field of RNA biology. He is best known for his discovery of microRNAs, small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression. Ambros, along with his colleague Gary Ruvkun, identified the first microRNA, lin-4, in the early 1990s, which marked a revolutionary find...

Victor Ambros, a Nobel Prize winner for his work on nematodes and microRNA, joins host Chloe Aftel on The Other Pod for an exciting conversation on the joys of scientific discovery. The pair discuss his work and research, as well as his childhood and his father's fascinating life story escaping Nazi Germany. Victor describes his work with passion and devotion to his research and field of study as well as life itself. Highlights:
The key insights and collaborative nature that enabled the groundbreaking discoveries in C. elegans research;Victor's love and devotion for his wife and scientific partner Rosalind L...

Welcome to our 'Lightning Round' with Other podcast guest and president of the National Domestic Workers Alliance Ai-jen Poo! The idea is to ask questions that she — and hopefully you — don't expect, and that the answers will be as equally interesting and hopefully amusing. Please enjoy. 


Biographies:

Ai-jen Poo is a labor activist and the executive director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), an organization advocating for the rights of domestic workers in the U.S. She has been a leading voice in the fight for better wages, working conditions, and legal protections for n...

Ai-Jen Poo is a lifelong activist, current director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), and author of the book “The Age of Dignity: Preparing for the Elder Boom in a Changing America.” She joins Chloe on The Other Pod to discuss the current landscape of carework in the United States amidst political turmoil and threats of mass deportation. Chloe and Ai-Jen discuss:How can we effectively advocate for universal access to care and the recognition of carework as essential infrastructure despite political setbacks? What innovative approaches or programs can be developed to support and empower caregivers, such as the improv...

Welcome to our 'Lightning Round' with Other podcast guest and expert herbalist Rosemary Gladstone! The idea is to ask questions that she — and hopefully you — don't expect, and that the answers will be as equally interesting and hopefully amusing. Please enjoy.


Biography:

Rosemary Gladstar is a renowned herbalist, author, and teacher, widely recognized for her contributions to the modern herbalism movement. With over 40 years of experience in the field, she has played a pivotal role in reviving interest in plant medicine and herbal traditions. Gladstar is the founder of the California School of Herbal Studies and...

Author, teacher, and expert herbalist Rosemary Gladstone joins host Chloe Aftel for a long-awaited interview about her career and fundamental understanding of nature’s healing properties. The pair explores how modern medicine got to where it is today, the misconceptions people may have regarding herbalism, and the divide between Western medicine and herbalism. Rosemary discusses the importance of native traditions and how it’s never too late to explore a connection with nature. 
Highlights:
Rosemary’s early education from her grandmother, a survivor of the Armenian Genocide; Her definition of what it means to be an herbalist and the diff...

Welcome to our 'Lightning Round' with 'Other' podcast guest and musician K.Flay! The idea is to ask questions that she — and hopefully you — don't expect, and that the answers will be as equally interesting and hopefully amusing. Please enjoy.


Biographies:

K.Flay (born Kristine Flaherty) is a singer, songwriter, and rapper known for blending elements of indie rock, electronic, and hip-hop into her unique sound. K.Flay's breakthrough came with her debut full-length album, Life as a Dog (2014), and she later achieved critical success with her 2017 album, Every Where Is Some Where, which earned her...

Indie artist and songwriter K. Flay celebrates the release of her new EP I’m Making Friends With Silence through an honest and philosophical conversation with host Chloe Aftel on The Other Pod. K. Flay (Kristine Flaherty), reflects on her start in the music industry while in school at Stanford, the influence of her psychology and sociology studies, and her musical and personal evolution from early records like Life as a Dog to now. She speaks on the importance of trust and reliability above all else and the transformative nature of her queer awakening. 

HighlightsK. Flay’s coming to te...

Welcome to our 'Lightning Round' with 'Other' podcast guest and actress Aya Cash! The idea is to ask questions that she — and hopefully you — don't expect, and that the answers will be as equally interesting and hopefully amusing. Please enjoy.


Biographies:

Aya Cash is an American actress known for her wide range of characters in film and television. Born in San Francisco, she has gained widespread recognition for her role as Gretchen in the critically acclaimed series You're the Worst. Cash has also appeared in notable projects like The Boys and This Is Us. With a st...

Theater and TV actor Aya Cash joins host Chloe Aftel to discuss her past and present projects and reflect on an acting career that has been 20 years in the making. She talks about having artist parents, growing up in the Bay Area, and what that taught her about not compromising on a creative vision. She also highlights the importance of instinct in acting, her thoughts on the collaborative nature of filmmaking, and the impact of good writing. HighlightsHow she understands and embodies evil characters, from Gretchen Cutler on You’re The Worst, to playing a nazi as a Jewish woman on...

Welcome to our 'Lightning Round' with Other podcast guest and multitalented Jeff Lemire! The idea is to ask questions that he — and hopefully you — don't expect, and that the answers will be as equally interesting and hopefully amusing. Please enjoy.

Through his graphic novel works like Sweet Tooth (now a Netflix original), Black Hammer, Gideon Falls, Essex County, and more, Jeff Lemire creates new worlds with distinct styles while representing a myriad of identities and experiences.

Chloe Aftel has spent her career working in commercial photography, photojournalism, and film. She’s an established name in modern photog...

Through his graphic novel works like Sweet Tooth (now a Netflix original), Black Hammer, Gideon Falls, Essex County, and more, Jeff Lemire creates new worlds with distinct styles while representing a myriad of identities and experiences.

In this month's episode of The Other Pod, Jeff gets candid with host Chloe Aftel about his career, from making up stories as a child in rural Ontario, to writing Essex County during the day while working night shifts as a cook in Toronto, to now expanding his creative world into film and television with international acclaim. He shares about...

Welcome to our 'Lightning Round' with Other podcast guest and author Rachel Kushner! The idea is to ask questions that she — and hopefully you — don't expect, and that the answers will be as equally interesting and hopefully amusing. Please enjoy.


Biographies:

Rachel Kushner is an author long-listed for the Booker Prize, responsible for the widely loved novels Telex from Cuba, The Flamethrowers, and The Mars Room. Her latest novel, Creation Lake, released September 4, 2024. You can keep up with Rachel on her website and find all her written work here.

Chloe Aftel has spent her...

Author Rachel Kushner and host/visual artist Chloe Aftel first met after the success of Rachel’s first novel and have worked collaboratively ever since. Now, the pair reunite for the latest episode of The Other Pod to discuss her new novel, Creation Lake, and dive into everything creative process and ideation. They discuss the way their artistic processes align and differ across mediums, the journey to capture shifting perspectives, and the kinetic, alive energy that comes with creating. Highlights:Rachel reflects on the tricky balance and ultimate catharsis of writing first-person characters whose thoughts and judgments are antithetical to her...

Welcome to our 'Lightning Round' with 'Other' podcast guest and philosopher Serene Khader! The idea is to ask questions that she — and hopefully you — don't expect, and that the answers will be as equally interesting and hopefully amusing. Please enjoy.


Biographies:

Serene Khader is a philosopher and feminist theorist with areas of research including ethics and moral psychology, political philosophy, and feminist philosophy. She holds the Jay Newman Chair in Philosophy of Culture at Brooklyn College and teaches Philosophy and Women’s and Gender Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center. Her book Faux Feminism: Why We Fal...

Serene Khader may not be what you typically think of when you hear the word philosopher. She came into philosophy with the heart of an activist and an eye for public policy, interested in reconsidering the ways in which we think about, advocate for, and ultimately drive movements for justice forward. Serene talks with host Chloe Aftel about what exactly the job of a philosopher is, the role of philosophy in changing the lives of women from the global South and here in the United States, as well as how being inquisitive about our mental frameworks and assumptions may just...

Welcome to our 'Lightning Round' with 'Other' podcast guest and rapper Rapsody! The idea is to ask questions that she — and hopefully you — don't expect, and that the answers will be as equally interesting and hopefully amusing. Please enjoy.


Biographies:

Rapsody (born Marlanna Evans) is a Grammy-nominated songwriter and rapper celebrating the release of her fourth studio album, Please Don’t Cry. The album brings together a multitude of profound artists, including Erykah Badu, Lil Wayne, Alex Isley, Baby Tate, and more. Largely hailed as one of the greatest living lyricists of her genre, Rapsody has a...

“You have to allow yourself to sit in your fire and burn.”Rapsody is back from her hiatus with the jam-packed, undeniably raw and emotionally attuned new album Please Don’t Cry. Host Chloe Aftel dives deep with Rapsody to explore all the emotional healing that took place behind the scenes for this record to come into creation, how her background and upbringing influence the music she makes decades later, and all that Rapsody has learned along the way about love, spirituality, and the music industry. 

Highlights:
The rapper’s journey from growing up as youngest sibling of five i...

Welcome to our 'Lightning Round' with 'Other' podcast guest, musician, and more Kathleen Hanna! The idea is to ask questions that she — and hopefully you — don't expect, and that the answers will be as equally interesting and hopefully amusing. Please enjoy.


Biographies:

Kathleen Hanna is a punk singer, musician, activist, and writer, famous for her bands Bikini Kill and Le Tigre. She was massively influential in the third wave feminism movement of the 90s and 2000s through music, activism, and multimedia projects like the notorious Riot Grrrl zine. Her new book Rebel Girl is out ever...

Kathleen Hanna has been defying expectations and stereotypes on and off the stage since she was a teenager playing in Bikini Kill. Join host Chloe Aftel in an intimate conversation with the revolutionary Kathleen Hanna on the process of writing her new memoir Rebel Girl, how writing such an honest reflection was more vulnerable than performing on stage ever was, and where she finds herself now finally pursuing a calm(er) life. Kathleen reflects on her career in the feminist and punk movement, her music with Le Tigre and Bikini Kill, raising money for girls' education in Togo, her experience...

Welcome to our 'Lightning Round' with 'Other' podcast guest, actor, and singer J. Harrison Ghee! The idea is to ask questions that they — and hopefully you — don't expect, and that the answers will be as equally interesting and hopefully amusing. Please enjoy.


Biographies:

J. Harrison Ghee is an award-winning American actor and singer known for their role in Some Like It Hot, Kinky Boots, and their role originating the character Andre Mayem in the musical Mrs. Doubtfire. They have won both a Tony and a Grammy for their immense talent and dedication to the craft, and...

J. Harrison Ghee has never fit in in the traditional sense; in fact, it’s their very ability to stand out that allows them to reflect humanity so beautifully in their roles in shows like Kinky Boots, Some Like It Hot, Mrs. Doubtfire & Chicago. As Ghee sits down for an inspiring conversation with host/artist Chloe Aftel, they are fresh off a Tony win and in preparation for their upcoming solo concert in Indianapolis, titled "The Beauty of Life." The pair discuss the positive impact of theater on exploring difficult topics, and Ghee shares just how much theater and drag ha...

Catherine Coleman Flowers grew up in the rural South amidst a tight-knit family, from a line of determined women with no choice but to make a bad situation better. In this inspiring conversation, host Chloe Aftel talks with Catherine about the good, the bad, and the ugly of a life spent advocating for community justice and the work still left to do. From working on the raw sewage issue in her rural community to now working in national policy and governmental strategy, Catherine Coleman Flowers has seen it all — and is still nowhere near done. 

Highlights:Catherine’s guide...

Welcome to our 'Lightning Round' with 'Other' podcast guest and author Lois McMaster Bujold! The idea is to ask questions that she — and hopefully you — don't expect, and that the answers will be as equally interesting and hopefully amusing. Please enjoy.


Biographies:

Lois McMaster Bujold is an acclaimed American author known for her contributions to science fiction and fantasy. Born in 1949, she is best known for her "Vorkosigan Saga," which follows the life and adventures of Miles Vorkosigan, a genetically enhanced nobleman. Bujold's writing is celebrated for its complex characters, intricate plots, and thoughtful exploration of t...

Sc-Fi legend Lois McMaster Bujold joins host Chloe Aftel on this episode of The Other Pod for an in-depth conversation on her background, writing inspirations, and reflections on a literary career 40+ years in the making, including where she finds herself now: retired, self-employed, and still passionately writing new adventures and engaging with readers. She reflects on the relationship between sci-fi and fantasy writers to their readers, her origin story writing fanfiction at 8 years old, and her first adventures into professional writing as a new mom in the 1980s as a means to support herself.

Highlights:
- How...

Welcome to our 'Lightning Round' with 'Other' podcast guest and American rock band Sleater-Kinney! The idea is to ask questions that they — and hopefully you — don't expect, and that the answers will be as equally interesting and hopefully amusing. Please enjoy.


Biographies:

Sleater-Kinney is an influential American rock band known for their powerful sound, feminist lyrics, and dynamic performances. The band formed in 1994 in Olympia, Washington, with Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein on vocals and guitar and Lora MacFarlane on drums, followed by Janet Weiss. Their early work garnered critical acclaim for their raw, energetic soun...

Not many bands can say they have been performing, writing, and evolving together for over 30 years with their friendship intact, but Sleater-Kinney can. Corin and Carrie of Sleater-Kinney sit down for a conversation with host Chloe Aftel to discuss their new album, Little Rope, a new side to the Portland-based rock band. Chloe shares the way their music in the 90s impacted her own life with their fearlessness, honesty, and emotional exploration, and the pair dive into the ways their creative process and sound have evolved since then. They talk about failure as a gift, how their songwriting has shifted...

Linda M. Alcoff is a Panama-born American Philosopher from a family she describes as 'natural feminists.' She joins host Chloe Aftel for a deeply impactful conversation on how her upbringing contributes to her relation to Philosophy, the importance of considering class in conversations of feminism and equality, and the often dismissed sophistication of care work. The pair also discusses pressing issues of our time, such as social media and influencer impacts on our culture, the nuances of understanding oneself or others as victims or not, and how long-term social change is created.

Highlights:Linda shares her background...

This month, host Chloe Aftel welcomes stand-up comedian and fellow podcaster Trae Crowder to the show. They discuss Trae's origins as a Southern guy from working-class Salina, Tennessee, into the comedy world, his new life in Los Angeles, and the misconceptions people have about the rural South. Crowder's comedy, which addresses issues like abortion and Confederate flags, is influenced by his experiences and aims to challenge stereotypes about the South.

Highlights:
- Trae reflects on the impact of NAFTA on his hometown, leading to widespread poverty and family struggles;
- The importance of empathy and understanding...

Killer Mike, aka Michael Render, joins his friend host Chloe Aftel for an in-depth and intimate interview going over everything from his childhood family dynamics to his new studio album Michael, as well as Mike’s political philosophies. The Atlanta native and one-half of the powerhouse rap group Run The Jewels reflects on the impact of his wife, Shana, on his career and success and the lessons on love he learned from his grandparents. Plus, hear Mike share insights on his musical journey, how he wrote key songs, and the evolution of hip-hop.Highlights:The role of Killer Mike’s fait...

Most known for co-founding the reverberant Black Lives Matter movement in the 2010s, activist and author Alicia Garza joins host Chloe Aftel on The Other Pod for an in-depth and expansive conversation on Alicia's lifetime commitment to social movements and community justice. They discuss the narratives of power and success people receive and how to disrupt, the impact of collective action, and the impact of Black Lives Matter on Alicia's life.

Highlights:
- Garza shares the impact her mother, an activist in her own right, had on her life and perspective;
- The direct impact of...

DJ and Producer Jasmine Infiniti joins host Chloe Aftel for a new episode of The Other Pod. The pair discuss Jasmine’s experiences in the rave scene, her background in ballroom culture, and what she’s learned along the way. They talk about how Jasmine’s music reflects her personal struggles and evolving identity, blending darker emotions with a desire for joy and authenticity.Highlights:How the rave scene has evolved to become more inclusive and diverse over time;Jasmine’s creative process for transmuting emotion and hard experiences into house music;The importance of holding space for darker emotions as well...

Xaviera Hollander, the biggest madame in the 1970s and author of ‘The Happy Hooker,’ amongst other books, joins host Chloe Aftel to discuss her life and career. Now in her 80s, Xaviera reflects on her unique journey: her start in sex work, her sexual explorations, and her lifelong struggle with mental health (TW, suicide). She lays out her life history, from childhood in Indonesia and living in a Japanese internment camp, her multiple suicide attempts, her journey into sex work, and her career development into advocacy and writing. She describes her myriad of relationships with men and women and what she’...

“I met Kevin Smith on a photo shoot when he was willing to speak publicly about his mental health struggles. It was a delicate shoot, as I wasn't sure how he'd feel coming out of it. He was somber but wonderful; vulnerable, hilarious, and utterly genuine. What struck me most about him was his honesty, and it changed the way I looked back on his work. I began to see it as something much deeper, heartfelt, and complicated.” 

Kevin Smith is a film auteur with a unique knack for bringing empathy and compassion to his characters. He only makes...

Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas has spent the last 50 years living and studying the wild orangutans of Borneo, an island in Southeast Asia. She joins host Chloe Aftel while in transit back to Borneo to discuss her career and research, as well as what she’s observed about the natural world and life itself along the way. She tells the fascinating story of how she arrived in Indonesia for work, her daily routine in the field, the challenges of adapting to local culture, and even being held at knifepoint. Highlights:How Biruté’s childhood and Baltic heritage inspired her passion for nature...

Anna Frebel is an award-winning astronomer and professor of physics at MIT with a passion for understanding the grandeur and complexity of old stars. She joins host Chloe Aftel for a discussion on her journey from growing up in Germany and finding her passion for the stars and cosmos. They discuss how understanding the cosmos can change one’s perspective on human existence and the parallels between how stars and humans connect. Highlights:Frebel shares the serendipitous nature of scientific discovery and the unpredictable nature of science and the stars;She explains how studying the cosmos impacts her day to day...

Prolific stylist Heidi Bivens has honed the ability to bring characters to life through clothes like no one else. From designing the costumes on Euphoria, Spring Breakers, Beach Bum, and Island Empire, or leading campaigns for Chanel, you’ve likely seen Heidi’s unique style whether you knew it or not. She joins her former collaborator, host Chloe Aftel, for the second episode of The Other Pod, to discuss her creative method, favorite projects, and upcoming work. She shares her experience working with auteur directors like David Lynch and how she got to the position she’s now in. Highlights:Heidi d...

Renowned writer George Saunders joins artist Chloe Aftel for the first episode of The Other Pod. The unlikely pair have been friends since 2012, and today, sit down for an in-depth conversation on Saunders' career and creative journey. Starting from his upbringing in Oak Forest, Illinois, the two explore the highs and lows that led him to his current status as an internationally beloved and highly awarded author. Highlights:How Saunders balances humor and absurdism to address serious issues in his writing;His approach to crafting story: staying open to surprises and allowing the story to lead;Handling praise, criticism, and e...