27 Rouge: A Quillette Podcast

Bill Deresiewicz is one of the sharpest cultural critics of our time. I may not agree with everything he says, but I have to hand it to the guy. He's a powerhouse of incisive, piercing insight into all things culture. His books include A Jane Austen Education and The Death of the Artist as well as my personal favorite Excellent Sheep. And now he's got a new one on the way. In July, we sat down and talked about The End of Solitude, an exceptionally well curated set of essays that I'd recommend to anybody. For those interested, the book drops on August 23rd and can be snagged here. Be sure to check out the Quillette website soon for an exclusive excerpt from The End of Solitude. And while you're there, throw in a subscription and join the club. You can thank me later.

 Iona Italia is the editor in chief of Areo, host of of the Two for Tea podcast, and the writer of The Second Swim Substack newsletter. She's also the author of a two-part book: Our Tango World, published by Milonga Press in 2018.

Bardee is a Melbourne-based tech startup in the circular economy space. They take food waste and feed it to black soldier flies who gorge themselves on it and blow up to the proportions of William Boss Tweed. This week, I sit down with founder & CEO: Phoebe Gardner, who has earned a spot on The Australian's top 100 innovators list two years running

The Manhattan Institute's Thomas W. Smith Smith Fellow, Heather McDonald is a tour de force. One of the most incisive voices of our time, her writing has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the New Republic, and the New Criterion, among others. This week's episode comes on the heels of two terrific but worrisome City Journal essays from Heathers: Classical Music's Suicide Pact and Making Beethoven Woke. While we focus mainly on music, museums, art galleries, and cultural commentary on higher education and moral cowardice also feature.

At the Karlovy Vary Inernational Film Festival, I interviewed Japanese director Masaaki Kudo about his forthcoming film A Far Shore. Raw, visceral, and unapologetic about its bleak subject matter—the film explores what it is to be broken by a cruel world—which, in this case, is the seedy underbelly of Okinawa. Drawing on Francois Truffaut and Ken Loach, Masaaki delivers a third feature film that captivates, enchants, and disgusts. This interview was conducted with the help of a translator. To preserve authenticity, I include both the Japanese and the English.

Martin Hudak's is a story of persistence and of a true commitment to excellence that I have seen only in a handful of others in my trips around the sun. His exploits are legend and while many of the guests that come on this show are accomplished, Martin's list of accolades could fill a podcast of their own. In 2017, he won the World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship. He's been honored as a Forbes 30 under 30 member and recognized in 2021 with a spot in Drinks' International Most Influential Figures. He's the author of Spiritual Coffee, a Mr. Black Brand Ambassador, and the co-owner of Sydney's finest establishments—Dean & Nancy on 22, Maybe Sammy, and Sammy Jr, all establishments at which you may well find on any given Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday.

This week, I sit down with Finnish cybercrime expert Antti Kurittu to discuss social attacks (think: Tinder Swindler), the Vastaamo data breach, and the crypto cult. A veteran of the protection business, Antti has worked as a security guard, a police detective, a digital forensics specialist, and a security operations manager. Needless to say, he understands the psychology of cybercrime better than most. Happy Listening

This week, worlds collide as Think Inc. CEO and true blue Aussie Suzi Jamil chats with Kevin Ryan, an award-winning writer and star-spangled columnist for The Blaze. As America meets Australia and genius meets delusions of grandeur, self-invention features as our star of the show. In the background, I do my best to moderate.

Noah Charney is a world expert on art crime. This week, he sits down with Scott to chat about forgery in the world of painting, sculpture, wine, and olive oil.

This week, Scott sits down with Ami Kozak, a comedian known for his impersonations. Together, they discuss the changing face of comedy and some of the strategies that have worked for Ami. This episode features impersonations of: Alex Jones, Bill Burr, Brett Weinstein, Charlie Sheen, Chris Mueller, Dave Portnoy, Eric Weinstein, Gary Vaynerchuk, Heather Heying, Jake Paul, Jordan Peterson, Rodney Dangerfield, Sam Harris, Scott Newman, Steve Irwin, Tim Dillon, and Vince Neill.

This week, Scott continues his discussion with Andy Bellin, this time focusing on his time at The Paris Review. Founded in 1953 by George Plimpton, The Review was among the first to publish V.S. Naipaul, Jack Kerouac, and Rick Bass, among others. This interview offers a rare, behind the scenes look at George and at an iconic American magazine.

Andy Bellin played in many of the original Molly Bloom games that formed the basis of "Molly's Game" and is the author of Poker Nation: A High Stakes, Lowlife Adventure into the Heart of a Gambling Country. He's also a successful screenwriter, journalist, and former Editor at The Paris Review. And an almost Astrophysicist.

This week, Scott sits down with bestselling author, former heavyweight boxer, and competitive chess player Ed Latimore to chat about boxing, stoicism, and life. Among many other gems, Ed has some simple advice: “Bad Things Happen Quickly. Good Things tend to take awhile.”

This week Scott sits down with Zuby—a celebrated rapper, podcaster, author, and influencer—to chat about hip hop, authenticity, and the creative process, among other things.

This week Scott continues his conversation with David Samuels, this time focusing on a quiet, insidious revolution engulfing us all.

This week, Scott sits down with award-winning writer and Tablet Editor David Samuels to discuss machine logic vs. human logic, why his sons are his heroes, and the three most important words in the English language. This is part one of the Samuels interview.

This week, Scott sits down with evolutionary biology Professor Rob Brooks to discuss his new book: Artificial Intimacy: Virtual Friends, Digital Lovers, and Algorithmic Matchmakers.

This week Scott sits down with Danish economist and Lecturer of Finance at the University of Western Australia Jonathan Karlsen to discuss sex, drugs, and bitcoin.

This week Scott sits down with Rolling Stone Editor and Useful Idiots Podcaster Matt Taibbi to discuss kingmakers, conmen, toxic media culture, and Hunter Thompson.