Moby Dick Energy: A Moby Dick Podcast

After a long hiatus, we're back! Talia talks with Byrd Pinkerton, amazing podcast producer and multimedia artist, about three chapters in which Melville rambles about how people depict whales. We dissect monstrous pictures rendered in florid language. A link to the slideshow Byrd made so lovingly is here, posted to Medium! https://mobydickenergy.medium.com/moby-dick-pics-b58f6b9a25bfProduced by Ty Wood (@bobo_the_second on Twitter). Theme song by Noam Hassenfeld.

Talia talks with Beth Skwarecki, senior health editor at Lifehacker, about three fascinating chapters. That's right -- we're BACK! After 33 episodes last year, we're off on the second year of Moby Dick Energy, and with hellish strength we are taking another stab at this great book. This week, we examine Melville's glowing and romantic depictions of the Erie Canal and the Great Lakes; gam a lot; and go with Ishmael to Peru. ALSO: A BIG AUDIENCE REQUEST --We would *LOVE* to see some sea shanties by our listeners!!! If you are so moved, and want to write a sea shanty (to the tune of "Wellerman" or any other one you like, or an original tune) inspired by chapter 54, "The Town-Ho's Story," we want to feature it on the show!!!! Email your song creations to mobydickenergy@gmail.com, or @ us on Twitter at @mobydickenergy.With excellent production by Ilana Weinstein. Theme song, as always, by Noam Hassenfeld.

Talia talks to author and producer Jay Bushman, author the new book "Novel Advice," about two marvellous chapters of this book. We're back, babey!!!! With an Agony Aunt letter from Ishmael, an exploration of Melville's orientalism, and the haunting beauty of the spirit-spout.

Prefacing this episode is Talia's prank call to the Trump Voter Fraud hotline.This episode Talia talks to the lovely, gentle-voiced and brilliant Lili Loofbourow, a staff writer at Slate, about THE FIRST TIME WE ENCOUNTER SOME REAL LIFE WHALES in the book and the racially fraught introduction of Ahab's mysterious, hitherto hidden companions, Fedallah and his crew. The word "swart" recurs, as does our habit of reading monologues aloud.Theme song by Noam Hassenfeld.Production by Ilana Weinstein.

Talia talks with Sarah Marshall, of the "You're Wrong About" and "Why Are Dads" podcasts, about 2 odd marooned mid-40s chapters of the book. It's Sarah's first experience with the book and we debunk some myths about Ahab -- as well as conveying that he's the ultimate Bad Dad of the Sea. "Man and whale must go down together, like Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty." -Sarah Marshallmerch: mobydickenergy.threadless.com

Talia talks with New York Times bestselling author Morgan Jerkins about the bizarre and wonderful chapter "The Affidavit." With clips from "Matilda," asides about dairy, and as always, contemplation of the majesty and terror of The Sea.

Talia talks to Justin Scheck (@ScheckWSJ) about a short chapter and a longer chapter, which are also a comical chapter and a profound chapter. In "Hark!" we see a bit more of daily life on the Pequod, while "The Chart" attempts to map Ahab's madness. Justin Scheck is a Wall Street Journal reporter and author of the recent book "Blood and Oil," which is about Mohammad bin Salman, not whaling.Moby Dick Energy merch is available at http://mobydickenergy.threadless.comYou can support the show at www.patreon.com/talialavinProduction by Ilana Weinstein. Theme song by Noam Hassenfeld.

Talia talks to vaunted Melville scholar Christopher Freeburg about an infamous, complex and fascinating episode, "The Whiteness of the Whale." We discuss the meaning of whiteness, filled with both sinister and holy connotations. Has the author/protagonist line completely blurred? Is Ishmael going slightly insane? What does whiteness mean? Also, check out Professor Freeburg's new book, "Counterlife: Slavery after Resistance and Social Death," from Duke University Press!Production by Ilana Weinstein. Theme song by Noam Hassenfeld. Merch at mobydickenergy.threadless.com!

Talia talks to James Beard Award nominated writer Rax King about Chapter 41, "Moby Dick." It's an encapsulation of the book in miniature: we talk about the feared whale himself, introduced to our antagonist at last; about the madness of Ahab; about the whaling industry; about sperm whales as the great terrors of the sea. With many thanks to producer Ilana Weinstein for rescuing some truly dreadful audio, and adding her signature creative touches.

A RADIO PLAY.First, Talia talks to Akela Lacy, reporter at the Intercept, about the strange, drunken dream of this chapter; its racialized elements; and the feelings of Pip, the Black cabin-boy, about being alone on a ship of white madmen, threatening to knife each other.In the second half, produced painstakingly by Ilana Weinstein, we have the fruits of much labor!! Fans of the show have sent in lines from the Belfast Sailor to the St. Jago's Sailor, and together they form a radio play of Midnight: Forecastle that is the most ambitious effort of the show's run. Thank you thank you thank you to all the fans who took the time to record lines! And the ending is a recollection of our painful moment, and its reckonings. "Oh! thou big white God aloft there somewhere in yon darkness, have mercy on this small black boy down here; preserve him from all men that have no bowels to feel fear!"

Talia talks with grand dame of stage and screen Natalie Walker (@nwalks) about these three Very Dramatic chapters. Reading aloud and Singing ensue. Soundscape, editing and production by Ilana Weinstein.

I talk with Donni Saphire (@donni on Twitter) about the beginning of a stellar run of theatrical chapters. In "The Quarter-Deck," Ahab emerges and presents his quest for vengeance to the crew of the Pequod. Donni says Ahab reminds him of a boss he had at Radio Shack. We explore!

Talia talks to the smart and charming Maris Kreizman of the literary podcast the Maris Review about a curious and wonderful chapter, "The Mast-Head," about standing watch on a whaleship; the dangers of reverie; and scurrilous young Platonists. We also meditate about what Melville would write about a Disney cruise, obelisks and erections, and the purposes of pyramids.

Talia talks to Kristian Fischer about a wonderful & strange chapter about dinner on the Pequod; the sailor's Kristian's dated; Jungian analysis of Moby-Dick; and the power of literature in times of social upheaval.Production by Ilana Weinstein. Theme song by Noam Hassenfeld.

Talia talks to Isaac, an Australian rabbi who tweets under @crookedroads770, about a curious chapter that feature's a capsule theory of the corrupting nature of power. Is Melville an anarchist? Is Australia upside down? We explore these and other questions. NO GODS NO CAPTAINS NO MASTERS

Talia talks to Lisa Munger, a marine biologist specializing in marine biological acoustics, about the legendary Chapter 32, "Cetology," featuring Ishmael's frankly bizarre, wonderful and inaccurate taxonomy of whales. We go into detail about whales from the Sulphur-Bottom to the Huzza Porpoise, discuss why common names are useless, talk about Lisa's adventures tracking whales on the Bering Sea, and listen to the song of the humpback.

Talia talks with Manu Saadia, author of "Trekonomics," about 2020's protests, the rot at the heart of America, the moral core of the country being on the streets, racism from America to Paris, and the role of literature in times of revolution. We also discuss three short and remarkable chapters focusing on Ahab, his pipe, and dreams.Sound art and production by Ilana Weinstein.Theme song by Noam Hassenfeld.

WE FINALLY MEET CAPTAIN AHAB. Talia's guest is Mary Davenport, a seminary student at Yale Divinity School, and we talk about the Biblical burdens of kingship, Ahab's livid birthmark, Mary's brother who sails on antique tall-ships, AND MORE!

In Moby Dick Energy's longest--and most leftist--episode to date, Talia talks with the writer and teacher Nandini Balial about the crew of the Pequod. We meet Starbuck, Stubb, Flask, Tashtego, and Daggoo; discuss the inalienable dignity of man; Buddhism; the carceral state; homoeroticism (as always); caring for dogs and toddlers; and the nature of courage. Apologies for the delay, but we're off again on the Pequod!

Talia talks with our Bildad and Peleg correspondent Alexandra Petri in this emergency episode, which is an emergency episode because Talia is a bit of an idiot and skipped Chapter 22 by accident (that is why I am the skipper of this podcast boat!). We discuss the Godfather of English Hymnody, Isaac Watts; parsimony; whale teeth; hubris; the meaning of Christmas; AND MORE!!!! Like your host, this episode is short and goofy.

Talia talks with Adam Serwer, staff writer at the Atlantic, about three of the wildest and most delightful chapters in Moby-Dick: The Lee Shore, the Advocate, and Postscript. We talk about May Day, and Melville's passionate argument for the dignity of the common laborer; whether monarchs were truly anointed with whale oil; un-alienated whaling labor; essential workers; and more. "Drive down your hat in presence of the Czar, and take it off to Queequeg!"

Talia talks with journalist and author Jonathan Katz about a particularly strange and wonderful chapter, in which we learn that Queequeg sits on people's butts as a chaise lounge, and compare this favorably to the ravages of global capitalism. Once again we consider the use of nautical metaphors in a time of plague. And bonus F/M/K: Ishmael, Queequeg, Ahab!

Talia hangs out with her good pal Jim Higdon and we talk about the on-the-nose foreshadowing of having a poxy sailor named Elijah prophesy about Ahab. We also talk about provisioning a whaleship; the way pickles resemble humpback whales; and a salty Quakeress with a whaling lance. And the Moby Dick fried fish restaurant chain of Kentucky!

Despite some technical audio difficulties, Talia chats to historian Eric Rauchway about two chapters that are delightfully heavy on Queequeg. We discuss the tiki craze of mid-20th century America, Melville's experiences in Tahiti, snuggling, and whether hell was really born of an undigested apple dumpling.

These are ominous times, and difficult ones. I hope this podcast can provide some solace as we all ride in our lonely whaleboats through a storm-toss't sea.Talia talks with Alexandra Petri, an old friend and the humor columnist at the Washington Post, about "The Ship" -- in which we finally meet The Pequod, the whaleship on which we will spend the rest of the book. It's covered in bones and the captain is crazy and the journey is just beginning.Producer: Ilana Weinstein (@ilana_weinstein)Theme Song: Noam Hassenfeld (@nhassenfeld)Intro Music: by jason sigal @therewasaguy via @freemusicarchiv

In a star-studded episode of the podcast, Talia talks with Kat Kinsman, senior editor of Food & Wine; Helen Rosner, food correspondent for the New Yorker; and Pete Wells, restaurant critic for the New York Times, about chowder, and also chapter 15, "Chowder," where Queequeg and Ishmael eat some chowder. We discuss regional chowder differences, chowder memories, the weird cow that wears cod heads on its feet, how the Kennedys made chowder, Camille Paglia, cunnilingus, clamming and much, much more. Hark, sweet friends!Producer: Ilana WeinsteinTheme song by: Noam HassenfeldGay whale glory by: Herman Melville

Hello my beloveds! Here is a new Moby Dick Energy for these troubled times. I don't have my podcast mic with me in self-isolation, so the sound quality is not ideal. Apologies! This episode, I speak to Sara David, Digitization Archivist at the Nantucket Historical Association, about that illustrious "elbow of land," its history, and the many many whaling journeys Sara has read about! SHOW NOTES:Many thanks to Ilana Weinstein (@ilana_weinstein) for editing this episode.Music over intro: "Old Paper Houses" MDE Theme by Noam Hassenfeld.LINKS:Digitized, transcribable ship log from the Nantucket Historical Association here: https://fromthepage.com/nharlSearchable text of Melville's letter to Hawthorne:https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.84865/2015.84865.The-Letters-Of-Herman-Melville_djvu.txtEliza Brock ship's log: https://fromthepage.com/nharl/ladies-logs/ms220-log136You can find us on twitter at @mobydickenergy. And if you'd like merch, we have t-shirts, stickers and a mug here: https://mobydickenergy.threadless.com/Love and love and love,Talia

Talia talks to Jeet Heer, legendary Twitter personality and correspondent for the Nation, about two chapters that delve into Queequeg's biography. We talk about the Melville revival in the '20s, homoeroticism in nineteenth-century American literature, and what it's like to be two non-Christians in America reading about a non-Christian in America. Also, Jeet advances his theory that Queequeg and Ishmael are like Kirk and Spock: a man of action and a cerebral thinker. Let's get spicy!

"...he pressed his forehead against mine, clasped me round the waist, and said that henceforth we were married..." Things get hot and heavy -- physically and linguistically -- between Ishmael and Queequeg. Talia talks with brilliant Melville scholar Jordan Alexander Stein about Melville's wild soul; his love of Nathaniel Hawthorne; and the metaphysics of snuggling.

Talia talks with Noam Hassenfeld, reporter, producer and COMPOSER OF THE THEME SONG FOR THE SHOW, about Chapter 9 -- a fabulously nautical sermon on the Book of Jonah. We discuss faith, uncertainty, despair, penance, and several musical covers of the whale hymn contained in this chapter. What is life? What is faith? What is a whale? These questions and more will be answered on this extremely Jewish episode of Moby Dick Energy.

Talia talks with the brilliant Grace Lavery, associate professor of English at UC Berkeley, about chapters 7 & 8, "The Chapel" and "The Pulpit." We discuss the nature of mysterious disappearances at sea; asyndeton and the cave of Elephanta; Jove, stove boats, and the nature of immortality; the aphrodisiac qualities of oysters; AND MORE!

Talia talks with comedian Jamie Loftus about chapters 5 and 6, "Breakfast" and "The Street." We talk about breakfast, social anxiety, the New Bedford Whaling Museum, the false promises of capitalism and the musky, erotic smells of the women of Salem, Massachusetts. Theme song by Noam Hassenfeld.

Talia is joined by writer Moira Donegan to discuss chapters 3 and 4 of Moby-Dick, "The Spouter-Inn" and "The Counterpane." The book is starting to get delightfully gay and we talk about it! Other topics of discussion: Ishmael and Queequeg spooning, Melville's penchant for racist metaphor, being women reading aggressively male books, and the phallic nature of harpoons.Theme song by Noam Hassenfeld.

I'm joined by Connor Goldsmith, a senior literary agent at Fuse Literary who has never read Moby-Dick, to discuss chapter 2, "The Carpet-Bag." We talk about Vanderpump Rules, Judaism, the northeast wind known as Euroclydon, and how the word "podcast" is kind of a whale pun.Theme song by Noam Hassenfeld.

Talia Lavin and David Roth discuss Chapter 1 of Moby-Dick, "Loomings." We also discuss the weird life of Herman Melville, how we fell in love with this book, and introduce the podcast. Theme song by Noam Hassenfeld.