Morning Meeting

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Welcome to Morning Meeting, where AIR MAIL’s Ashley Baker and Michael Hainey take you inside the stories people are talking about this week—and tip you off to the ones the editors are talking about for next week. We cover the people shaping your world that you want to know more about (and more often the stuff they don’t want you to know about). And we talk with friends of AIR MAIL—writers, reporters, and style-setters. So listen in every Saturday as Morning Meeting brings you what’s new and exciting from the world of AIR MAIL. 

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    • May 31, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 31m AVG DURATION
    • 339 EPISODES

    4.6 from 154 ratings Listeners of Morning Meeting that love the show mention: saturday morning, addition, news, informed, smart, intelligent, banter, current, refreshing, entertaining, funny, hosts, topics, love this podcast, world, great, show, good, air mail, might also like.


    Ivy Insights

    The Morning Meeting podcast is a smooth and challenging, occasionally brutal yet always kind, honest, bright, and chic podcast that I absolutely love. Hosted by Michael and Ashley, this podcast offers a refreshing and smart mix of topics from modern culture and politics to lighthearted banter. Saturday mornings have become much more interesting with their intelligent and informed discussions.

    One of the best aspects of The Morning Meeting podcast is the chemistry between Michael and Ashley. Their banter is fantastic, bringing a sense of fun and liveliness to the show. They complement each other perfectly, creating an enjoyable dynamic that keeps me engaged throughout each episode. Their wit and humor add an extra layer of entertainment to the already engaging content.

    Another great aspect of this podcast is its ability to keep listeners up to date on current topics from a New Yorker's perspective. As someone who grew up in NYC but now resides in Barcelona/London, The Morning Meeting provides me with insightful views on both global issues and local news from New York. It's like having a conversation with intelligent friends who keep me in the loop while offering thoughtful insights.

    Furthermore, The Morning Meeting podcast covers a wide range of topics, including current events, gossip, and the arts. This diverse mix ensures that there is something for everyone in each episode. The hosts manage to strike a balance between informative discussions and entertaining banter, creating an engaging escape from daily life.

    While it's difficult to find any major flaws with this podcast, one minor downside could be that occasional listeners may find it challenging to follow along if they haven't been keeping up with previous episodes or are unfamiliar with the hosts' style. However, regular listeners will appreciate the continuity and familiarity that comes with each new episode.

    In conclusion, The Morning Meeting podcast hosted by Michael and Ashley is a truly remarkable addition to my Saturday mornings. With their intelligence, humor, and fresh perspectives on various topics, they have created a podcast that stands out from the rest. Whether you're interested in staying informed on global affairs or simply looking for an escape, this podcast delivers a perfect blend of entertainment and enlightenment. It's a must-listen for anyone seeking a fun and relevant podcast experience.



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    Latest episodes from Morning Meeting

    Episode 246: The Genius Whom Hollywood Forgot

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2025 37:54


    This week, Sam Tanenhaus discusses the life of William F. Buckley Jr., the man who set the blueprint for the modern conservative movement, which has reached a new iteration in Donald Trump. Then, speaking of consequential figures, we consider a man who left an enormous impact on Hollywood: Desi Arnaz. Todd S. Purdum tells us all about Arnaz's groundbreaking life and career. And finally, a special treat: Cazzie David joins us from Los Angeles to share her answers to 50 of life's most pressing questions in this week's Perfect Ending.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 245: The Newest Flex for .01-Percenters—Building a Golf Club

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2025 36:00


    This week, Carrie Monahan reports from East Hampton on a shooting range for locals that has allegedly been peppering million-dollar homes of part-time residents with bullets. Then William D. Cohan looks at the new flex for billionaires—building private golf clubs. And finally, Molly Haskell remembers filmmaker Robert Benton, who gave us Bonnie and Clyde, Kramer vs. Kramer, and other masterpieces.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 244: Why Gen Z College Grads Are Ditching Wall Street for Farming

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2025 31:03


    This week, Jeanne Malle reveals why some Gen Z college graduates are choosing blue-collar jobs instead of working on Wall Street. Then Stuart Heritage reports on the family drama that's riveted the U.K. No, it's not the rift in the House of Windsor; this is the rift in the House of Beckham. And finally, Elena Clavarino has the story that's scandalized Italy: how the son of the family that once owned one of Venice's grand hotels now stands accused of forcing hundreds of women into making pornographic videosSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 243: When a Billionaire Buys the General Store

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2025 35:19


    This week, Leigh Giangreco reports on why so many foreigners—as well as American citizens living abroad—are now afraid to travel to, of all places, the United States. Then, Clara Molot has an update on a mysterious cancer surge among young alumni of Roanoke College. And finally, Carrie Monahan looks at the general store in the small Long Island town of Sagaponack and its new proprietor who, it turns out, is a billionaire. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 242: Save America—Deport Lorne Michaels!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2025 30:47


    This week, David Kamp explains why it's time to make Trump deport the creator of Saturday Night Live, Lorne Michaels. Then, Stuart Heritage tells us how and why the notorious Fyre Festival is back. We think? And finally, Jean Marsh, one of the great actresses of the past 50 years, who also co-created the beloved and influential television series Upstairs, Downstairs, died recently, and Michael Lindsay-Hogg will join us to share his tribute to the beautiful woman he knew and loved.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 241: 20,000 Kilos Under the Sea—Why Submarines Are the New Way to Smuggle Cocaine

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2025 30:59


    This week, Jacob Silverman looks at what he believes is the biggest financial fraud in American history: how the Trump family reportedly made $100 million from trading fees on their own crypto-currencies.Then, speaking of murky businesses, Dana Vachon has his wild report on how drug traffickers in Europe have taken to using submarines in order to move their goods onto the Continent. And finally, Sloane Crosley tells us about the joys of paperback books.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 240: Taylor Swift and Harvard Business School—Secrets to Her Success

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2025 34:11


    This week, Jennifer Gould reports on Ivy League professors living the Handmaid's Tale life—fleeing America for Canada out of fear for their freedoms. Then, Barbara Schroeder looks at the murder that shocked Los Angeles and its impact on the victim's family and the community. And finally, Kevin Evers of the Harvard Business Review looks at the creative and business decisions that transformed Taylor Swift into a multi-millionaire, and what we all can learn from her. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 239: "Brad Pitt," His Kidney Transplant, and the Cyber-Scammers

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2025 31:49


    This week, Mark Seal reveals the amateur detectives who busted a group of cyber-scammers who impersonated Brad Pitt and swindled a woman out of more than $850,000. Then, speaking of swindles, Jeffrey Toobin explains why no one can stop Trump from handing out pardons. And finally, Mark Ellwood reports on the island of battling billionaires. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 238: Another Reason to Hate Nepo Babies

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2025 34:39


    This week, Andrew Zucker reports on the latest luxury for Ivy League nepo babies of the 1-percenters: private, white-glove housing stocked with amenities. (So long, grungy communal bathroom down the hall!) Then, George Pendle takes us inside what he calls the March (of) Madness—his version of college basketball's March Madness bracket, but this is your chance to choose which of Trump's actions in the past month has been The Worst. And finally, Linda Wells discusses Ozempic 2.0, how to schedule a midlife divorce, and more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 237: Graydon Carter on His Memoir, Magazines, and Rules for Living

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2025 40:53


    The founder and Co-Editor of AIR MAIl, Graydon Carter, has written his long-awaited memoir, entitled When the Going Was Good: An Editor's Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines, and we're excited to have him join us to talk about his book, the enduring magic of New York, and more. Then, for years Danny Elfman was one of the most sought-after composers in Hollywood, writing scores for movies such as Beetlejuice, Batman, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. But now his reputation is in tatters as he faces accusations of sexual harassment. Jacob Bernstein joins us to discuss the story that has riveted—and perplexed—Hollywood.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 236: Putin, Trump, and the Evil Finance Bro

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2025 35:43


    Would you be surprised to learn that the man Putin has tapped to negotiate a Ukraine peace agreement with Trump is a rich, Ivy League smoothie who spent time on Wall Street? Andrew Ryvkin tells us about the man who has Trump's ear. Then Alessandra Stanley explains why the Anti-Defamation League should be standing up to the president, rather than coddling him. And continuing on the theme of organized criminal behavior, Michael Sragow joins with his review of the new Robert De Niro gangster movie, The Alto Knights.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 235: Tick, Tick, Boom? The Lost Nuclear Bomb That Could Destroy Savannah, Georgia

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2025 32:04


    If you think things can't possibly get worse, you might want to duck and cover. John von Sothen has the incredible story of how the U.S. Air Force dropped a nuclear bomb off the coast of Savannah, Georgia—and it is still there. Then, there was a time when New York's Waldorf Astoria was the epitome of a great hotel … until the Chinese Communist Party bought it. What could possibly go wrong? Our writer Ben Ryder Howe reports. And finally, with the arrival of an outpost of one of France's most influential department stores in Lower Manhattan, Christine Muhlke asks: Can Printemps make shopping fun again?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 234: What's Behind "Spermageddon," the Male-Fertility Crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2025 28:01


    This week, is Donald Trump smarter than we think he is on foreign policy? Could he, as some say, be pulling a "Reverse-Nixon"? Our colleague George Pendle joins us with his insights. Then, Tesla used to be the car of choice for virtue-signaling Democrats. Now, as liberals all over the world unload what some are calling their "Swasticars," in anger at Elon Musk, our writer Simon Mills asks if MAGA loyalists will step in to help with the drop in sales. And finally, Linda Wells stops by with the latest news on all things health- and beauty-related, including a report on "Spermageddon" among men and what they can do to increase their odds of becoming fathers.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 233: How "Annie Hall" Went from Disaster to Masterpiece

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2025 34:45


    This week, Air Mail Co-Editor Alessandra Stanley explains how Trump has replaced D.E.I. with his own brand of affirmative action. Something you might call L.O.O.—loyalty, obsequiousness, and obedience. Then, everyone knows Annie Hall as one of the great movies of the past 50 years. But Alex Belth reveals how Woody Allen's 1977 love story was considered a total fiasco when he first edited it and how the director and his team reconceived the movie in the cutting room. And finally, as the founders of MGM, Louis B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg were among the most consequential figures in the history of Hollywood, and Sam Wasson joins us from L.A. to discuss their role in creating movies as we know them today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 232: Elon Musk, Welfare Queen—the Dirty Truth

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2025 34:51


    Elon Musk is all over Washington, D.C., these days. But did you know that before he became the emperor of DOGE, he was a needy recipient of government spending? Oz Woloshyn reveals all the details. Then Lesley M. M. Blume tells the riveting story of a woman who discovered her grandfather's secret history: he survived a Nazi death camp and was the subject of a powerful profile written by one of the great journalists of World War II. And finally, here at Air Mail, we have a new podcast. It's called Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli, and it is all about The Godfather, and co-hosts Mark Seal and Nathan King stop by to tell us about it.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 231: Are Aperol Spritzes Really the New Birth Control?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2025 32:35


    It's become a common worry in America: why can't we listen to each other? Well, 60 years ago, the great American writer Studs Terkel showed us all what happens when we do listen to the stories and perspectives of others, when he wrote his landmark book, Division Street, and Ash Carter tells us why the book is more relevant than ever. Then Simon Mills joins us from London with his investigation into how and why Aperol has, like a bubbly orange tsunami, overtaken cocktail lounges from Naples to New York—and why Italians fear it's keeping down birth rates. And finally, Jennifer Gould reports from New York City on how Trump is rolling out the red carpet for kleptocrats and anyone looking to bribe U.S. government officials.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 230: Bridget Jones—Gen Z and the Single Girl

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2025 36:05


    Tom Goldstein was one of Washington, D.C.'s top lawyers, arguing 44 cases before the Supreme Court. Yet few knew he was also one of the world's highest-rolling—and most reckless—poker players, racking up millions of dollars in winnings and losses. Then his worlds collided. Our writer George Pendle has the full, jaw-dropping account. Then, after an almost 10-year absence, a new Bridget Jones movie is coming to theaters, and two of our writers, Carolina de Armas and Victoria Herman, couldn't help but wonder: How would Bridget navigate the Gen Z New York City of 2025? And speaking of movies, Stuart Heritage joins us from London with his report on the Prince Charles Cinema. For years, this independent movie theater has been beloved by such movie greats as Quentin Tarantino and Paul Thomas Anderson, who are just a few cinephiles who consider it perhaps the greatest movie house in the world. But now it is under threat of closure, and Stu will tell us if it is indeed the last picture show.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 229: Trump's Big Payday—Crypto and Crime

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2025 35:08


    Under Donald Trump, crypto-currency is challenging the dollar's supremacy, and Jacob Silverman is here to explain why, in doing the bidding of crypto's boosters, Trump has inadvertently revealed the industry's true face—and it's not pretty. Then Howard Blum has an update on the story of Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students. And finally, Johanna Berkman tells us about her exclusive interview with Alice Nderitu, the former U.N. special adviser on the prevention of genocide. It's a revealing conversation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 228: Is Capitalism to Blame for Luigi Mangione?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2025 35:11


    This week, David Christopher Kaufman explains why Trump's first shot in the war on woke could backfire. Then, it was a cold-blooded murder that shocked the country when Luigi Mangione allegedly gunned down Brian Thompson, the C.E.O. of UnitedHealthcare. Bethany McLean will join us with her perspective on the case that's riveted the nation. And finally, Nick Turse will tell us why a shot of a certain bourbon costs $300 and bottles of it trade for $100,000 on the black market.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 227: The "Preppy Killer": The Murder That Riveted N.Y.C. in 1986

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2025 35:57


    Across the U.S. and Europe it's ski season, and Simon Mills will join us with his report on an exclusive destination in France that was once the domain of oligarchs and that has now been taken over by a very different group of high-rollers. Then, if you were in New York in the 1980s, you surely remember the infamous “Preppy Killer”—a 19-year-old named Robert Chambers who met an 18-year-old Jennifer Levin in an Upper East Side bar and strangled her later that night in Central Park. It was a killing that captivated the city, and Cynthia Weiner is out with a new novel that revisits the crime. She'll be with us to talk about her connection to the story. And finally, Linda Wells joins us to discuss the latest trends in health and wellness.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 226: It Ends with Mess—Inside the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni War

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2025 34:42


    Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni—it's the battle that has captivated Hollywood. But just what the hell's going on and who is to be believed? Stuart Heritage gives us his insights. Then Carrie Monahan, who worked as a fact-checker at Facebook, has some thoughts about Mark Zuckerberg's decision to kill off fact-checking at Meta. And finally, you may have missed some news on the street—Sesame Street, to be exact. The long-running series finds itself looking for a new home on television. Warner Bros. Discovery has opted not to renew its deal with the beloved children's show, and David Kamp joins with a look at just where Bert, Ernie, and Elmo might end up.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 225: Pico Iyer on the Perfect Place to Escape 2025

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2025 38:35


    It's the beginning of a new year and a time of resolutions, and if you are thinking of taking time to reflect on what you want to do in 2025, Pico Iyer joins us from Tokyo to share what he learned during his time at a secluded monastery perched high above the Pacific. Then, if seclusion is less your thing and indulgence is where you live, Rob LeDonne joins us from Williamsburg, the New York neighborhood where almost everything has changed, except for Bamonte's, the beloved 125-year-old Italian restaurant that is hotter than ever. And finally, Ernest Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms is one of the literary masterpieces of the past 100 years, and Amanda Vaill will share the story of unrequited love that inspired Hemingway to write his novel.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 224: How Two Cops in 1980s Miami Inspired "The Sopranos"

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2024 33:45


    This week, the man behind our infamous Attention-Whore Index, George Kalogerakis, takes us inside the year-end awards for the biggest winners—or, really, losers—of 2024. Then, it's been 40 years since the television show Miami Vice debuted, and Josh Karp is going to tell us how a show about two cops in the modern-day Casablanca transformed television and set the mold for The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, and more. And finally, Joseph Rodota has his report on Dr. Mary Calderone. In the 1970s, this woman, in her 60s at the time, helped lead American schools to teach sex education. Now the issues Calderone campaigned for are under fire again—this time from the far right. Joe's going to tell us all about this fascinating woman.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 223: Bella Freud on "Fashion Neurosis." Plus: When Jackie O Fought Back

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2024 34:57


    What would it be like if Sigmund Freud were alive in the age of podcasts? Would he have one? Well, his great-granddaughter the fashion designer Bella Freud does, and she's going to stop by to tell us all about how it's become a must-listen. Then, Jackie Kennedy Onassis was one of the most sought-after women in the world in her day. Not just by men who wanted to court her, but by one man in particular—a paparazzo named Ron Galella, who was obsessed with photographing her and would go to any length to do it. Karen M. Dunak has the revealing story of what happened when Jackie, eager to protect her privacy, took the photographer to court in 1972. And finally, everyone talks about “quiet luxury.” Well, our own Linda Wells shares her thoughts on why quiet restaurants are the true luxury these days.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 222: The Most Overhyped People and Things of 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2024 31:01


    This week, Jeanne Malle reveals the winners and losers of Air Mail's 2024 Over-Under List, wherein we present the year's most overhyped (and underhyped) people and things. Then, on the subject of well-deserved hype, Alex Belth reports on a magazine from the 1970s called New Times. It's long forgotten, unfortunately, but Alex tells us how this short-lived publication's impact endures in today's media landscape. And finally, lots of people claim they can reform education in America, most recently Donald Trump. William D. Cohan joins us from New York with the cautionary tale of Chris Whittle, the charter-school entrepreneur who went from being one of the most acclaimed operators in the education sphere to losing everything. Can he make a comeback?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 221: Ruthie Rogers, of the River Cafe—a Holiday Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2024 36:31


    It's the holidays, which means entertaining and cooking, so who better to chat with than one of our favorite people who knows a bit about both: Ruthie Rogers, the owner of one of the world's great restaurants, the River Cafe in London. Then, as the new Bob Dylan biopic, starring Timothée Chalamet, comes to theaters this month, Ash Carter has the story of the studio that revolutionized graphic design and left a lasting visual mark on the culture, thanks in part to that now legendary illustration of Dylan with his hair rendered as psychedelic curls. And finally, Andrew Ryvkin reports on why countries around the world, from Georgia to South Korea, are playing Fascist whack-a-mole.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 220: The Man Who Made New York Special—Bobby Short at 100

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2024 33:24


    No one made New Yorkers feel better than Bobby Short. For 36 years there was no more quintessential New York experience than seeing him perform at the Café Carlyle, and Scott Asen remembers the great man on the occasion of what would have been his 100th birthday. Then Elena Clavarino reports on another side of living in Manhattan: losing a place you love. For more than 20 years, En Japanese Brasserie has served amazing food and attracted a Who's Who of New York's arts scene, from Lou Reed to Yoko Ono to Q-Tip. Now, however, it is closing—and not by choice. Finally, Linda Wells joins us to reveal everything new in the world of beauty and wellness.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 219: How Marlon Brando Almost Did Not Make One of His Masterpieces

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2024 32:52


    A masterpiece of movies, On the Waterfront, came out 70 years ago, and this week the writer Stephen Rebello reveals how the classic film almost did not get made due to a feud between Marlon Brando and director Elia Kazan. Then John Beck reports on foreign diplomats who turn to bootlegging, drug dealing, and more in order to keep the lights on at their consulates. And on the subject of foreign affairs and cloak-and-dagger exploits, Aatish Taseer joins us from Tokyo with an incredible yarn. It's the story of how, in the 1990s, the Iranian government traded a painting by Willem de Kooning for a priceless copy of an illustrated manuscript—and how the secret buyer of the painting was David Geffen.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 218: The Mysterious Murder of Sean Combs's Father

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2024 31:05


    This week, Legs McNeil reports on the murder of Melvin Combs—the man who was Sean “Diddy” Combs's father. As Legs reports, “Pretty Boy Melvin,” who had links to the notorious drug kingpin Frank Lucas, was gunned down in 1972, possibly by New York City's Gambino crime family for being a snitch. Then Jonathan Margolis reports on why Londoners may find themselves with a shortage of drinking water. And finally, we have a look at a bookshop in London that is a favorite haunt of espionage agents.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 217: A Stanley Kubrick Musical? It's True

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2024 23:46


    This week, in lighter matters, John Lahr joins us from London to give us his take on the new stage version of Dr. Strangelove. Then Emilie Hawtin joins us from New York City to tell us about the fashion item that has been a favorite of the doyennes and uptown gents for the past 70 years but suddenly is being snapped up by Gen Z–ers and Hollywood actors.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 216: Graydon Carter and Alessandra Stanley on Donald Trump and the Election

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2024 28:26


    This week, Graydon Carter and Alessandra Stanley explain why this election is the final legacy of the baby-boomers—and why Trump is the most lasting and unpleasant legacy of this generation. Then Clara Molot joins us with her shocking report revealing how an employee at an elite boarding school allegedly downloaded photos from 70 under-age female students' laptops. And finally, Piet Mondrian is seen as one of the supreme artists of the 20th century. Yet in many ways, he's as elusive and walled off as his revolutionary paintings. But a new biography pulls back the curtain on the Dutch painter, and its author, Nicholas Fox Weber, will join us to share his insights.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 215: The Secret Life of Joan Didion

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2024 35:17


    Lili Anolik looks at a question that's always intrigued the literati—what exactly was the nature of the relationship between Joan Didion and her husband, John Gregory Dunne? Then our man in Paris, John von Sothen, reports on one poll that has been quite reliable at predicting the winner of the U.S. presidential election: it's conducted at Harry's Bar among expats. And finally, it was 25 years ago that anarchists stormed a meeting of the World Trade Organization in Seattle to protest globalization. At the time, they were seen as left-wing extremists. Yet, as Michael Moynihan tells us, their radical cause has now become a rallying cry for the far right. How did it happen? Michael will explain.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 214: Inside the Mysterious and Deadly Sinking of the Luxury Yacht "Bayesian"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2024 28:54


    This week, Sam Kashner reveals what happened when a huge luxury yacht owned by Mike Lynch, Britain's first Internet billionaire, sank in 15 minutes during a freak storm off the coast of Sicily, killing Lynch, his teenage daughter, and five others. Then George Pendle explains why politicians now out-scandalize rock stars. And finally, our own Ashley Baker looks at Noor Alfallah, a 30-year-old woman who has notched relationships with multiple boldface names over the age of 80, including Clint Eastwood, Mick Jagger, and Al Pacino (whose baby she recently had).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 213: The Dude Abides—The Making of "The Big Lebowski"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2024 32:12


    When it was released just over 25 years ago, The Big Lebowski was a flop with critics. Now it is regarded as among the funniest movies ever made, one by which we all, well, abide. Josh Karp tells us how it came to be, the people who inspired it, and those who turned down roles in it. Can you imagine Mel Gibson playing the Dude? It almost happened. Then Melania Trump was in the news this week as her memoir entitled—what else?—Melania was released. Andy Borowitz has read it, and he tells us all about what's in it. Finally, Katya V. joins us from Moscow with her report on how Putin is fighting one war in Ukraine but another one within Russia and against its citizens.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 212: James Carville on What Kamala Needs to Do to Win

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2024 35:00


    The presidential election is 31 days away, which means it's crunch time for the candidates. And we have a special guest who knows all about crunch time and campaigns: political strategist James Carville. He's the subject of a new documentary called Carville: Winning Is Everything, Stupid, and he shares his insights on the race, American politics, and more. Then, speaking of politics, there's no place where they are more mixed up at times than Italy. Mattia Ferraresi joins us from Rome to explain why Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has turned to her big sister for help. Finally, it's often been said that England and America are two nations separated by a common language. But as Joel Golby reports from London, they're also separated by morning-television shows. He tells us why America's morning TV shows are so boring, while their counterparts in the U.K. are so downright bizarre that they can't help but delight viewers.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 211: Inside the Secretive Asian Las Vegas That Is the World Capital of Crime

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2024 31:08


    Fifty years after Hunter S. Thompson brought us Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, we have a look at a 21st-century Vegas that is unlike anything you could ever imagine. Our writer Darius J. Rubin traveled to Laos, where an opulent casino lies at the heart of a vast human-drug-and-wildlife-trafficking operation, and he shares his report. Then, we all know Elaine May, who was Mike Nichols's partner in the transformative comedy duo Nichols and May. She's 92 now and has not retired, and Roger Friedman caught up with her recently over deviled eggs at Sardi's. And finally, speaking of legendary duos, during World War II, Lee Miller and Dave Scherman were one of the great photojournalistic teams. Their story is now the subject of a new movie, with Kate Winslet portraying Miller and Andy Samberg as Scherman. Scherman's son Tony shares his memories of his father and Miller and their exploits during the war. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 210: The Dorothy Stratten Story as Told by Her Sister, Louise

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2024 34:12


    If you're still trying to understand what exactly is, or was, a Brat summer, you are not alone. These days, “vibe trends” are increasingly incoherent—whether it is “the strawberry girl summer” or “hot rodent boyfriend.” Fortunately, the always wise Cazzie David joins us to make sense of all the madness. Then, many of you know the tragic story of Dorothy Stratten, the former actress and Playboy Playmate who was murdered by her husband in 1980. It was a horrible ending to her life, and this week her sister, Louise, tells her side of the story. Later, Ravi Somaiya explains how a turf war between rival gangs has turned Sweden into Europe's most violent country. And finally, the new Labour government in the U.K. wants to hike taxes substantially on the tuition parents pay to put their children in a private school. Ashley Baker has her report on whether the proposed tax will level the playing field or wreck one more of the country's revered institutions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 209: "The West Wing" at 25—Inside the Landmark Show

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2024 31:14


    This week, Mark Seal brings us part two of his story about Sergio Pino, the millionaire real-estate developer at the center of a murder case that has shocked the seemingly un-shockable home of bizarre and scandalous crimes: Florida. Then, speaking of scandals: What happens when one of New York's tony private schools decides that a homeless shelter will take over one of its buildings? Well, the neighborhood's long-standing liberal pieties are put to the test. Sage Lattman will take us inside the conflict. And finally, we have a special guest. No doubt many of you are fans of the show The West Wing. It's celebrating its 25th anniversary, and Janel Moloney, who played the idealistic assistant Donna Moss, joins us.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 208: The "Vogue" Wedding Curse: How Anna Wintour Destroys Marriages

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2024 34:25


    This week, Paulina Prosnitz and Carolina de Armas reveal the victims of the Vogue Wedding Curse and explain how it strikes. Then Mark Seal looks at a murder scheme that shocked the seemingly unshockable state of Florida—when a millionaire real-estate developer named Sergio Pino allegedly poisoned his wife of 32 years when she demanded a divorce. And finally, Bruce Handy tells us all about the most ill-advised sitcom in television history, which was canceled after a single episode—Heil Honey, I'm Home!, a domestic comedy about—yes—Adolf Hitler. You have to hear it to believe it. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 207: Did the F.B.I. Compromise the Case Against the Idaho-Murders Suspect?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2024 35:01


    This week, Howard Blum shares new details about Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students, and how the F.B.I. may have compromised the case against him. Then George Kalogerakis makes sense of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s now suspended campaign. And finally, India Hicks tells us all about the extraordinary life of her mother, Lady Pamela Hicks.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 206: Who Is Gwyneth Paltrow's Plastic Surgeon?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2024 34:44


    Does she or doesn't she? This week, Linda Wells, the Editor of Air Mail Look, has the scoop on Gwyneth Paltrow's “holistic” plastic surgeon. Then Henry R. Schlesinger shares the wild story of how the U.S. Navy used the lavish yachts of New York's richest robber-baron families—replete with Tiffany interiors—to fight German submarines in the North Atlantic during World War I. And speaking of wild stories, Marta Represa has one that's like something out of an Almodóvar film: how a group of chocolate-making Spanish nuns, a fake bishop, a mixologist, and a former Vatican ambassador with ties to Steve Bannon are trying to MAKE CATHOLICISM GREAT AGAIN. You'll have to hear it to believe it. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 205: How a Volunteer Firefighter Landed a Mansion in the Hamptons

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2024 30:56


    This week, Carrie Monahan joins us from East Hampton with her fascinating story about a volunteer fireman, a reclusive old man who lived in a dilapidated mansion on one of the town's most exclusive streets, and what happened to the man's property after he died. Then, Samantha Leach will tell us how the television show Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is leading more than a few members of the Mormon church to choose pomp over piety. And finally, David Christopher Kaufman joins us with his story about how, at a time of growing discord between Jewish Americans and Black Americans, an often overlooked chapter in the history of America's historically Black colleges and universities is providing a model for renewed cooperation between these once heavily allied minorities.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 204: J. D. Vance Is the New Dwight Schrute

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2024 36:34


    Kamala Harris announced her choice of running mate this week, but right now we need to talk about J. D. Vance. And who better to lead that chat than Andy Borowitz, who will explain why Mr. Hillbilly Elegy is so bad. Then Bruce Bozzi tells us about his recent sit-down with one of Hollywood's most elegant and handsome men, George Hamilton. And finally, Johanna Berkman reveals what she learned in her special investigation into Hamas in America.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 203: The Scandal Episode! "Saltburn" on the Riviera, and More

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2024 33:01


    This week, it's all about scandals. First, John von Sothen reports from the French Riviera on what feels like a real-life Saltburn. Then Pippa Cuckson joins us from the U.K. with her insights into the news that's rocked the Olympics—how one of the brightest stars of equestrianism was caught whipping a horse. And finally, Daphne Merkin looks at Nobel Prize–winning writer Alice Munro and her daughter's shocking claims that Munro's husband sexually abused her as a child.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 202: Understanding Your Baggage—What Your Canvas Tote Reveals About You

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2024 34:50


    As summer hits high season and the global smart set decamps to Martha's Vineyard, the Amalfi Coast, or Jeff Bezos's yacht, Harrison Vail reveals what your media-branded canvas tote bag (The Paris Review? A24? How Long Gone?) says about you. Then we have a terrific story courtesy of Alan Cowell, who tells us about a rather curious distinction he holds: in particular, he is the last correspondent to file a war-zone dispatch via carrier pigeon. And finally, Jensen Davis will join us to explain why the hashtag #toxictampons is everywhere on social media and what it means for women.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 201: Is Milano the New Monaco? Why the 1 Percent Are Moving to Italy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2024 33:27


    This week, Joseph Giovannini explains how Paris turned the requirement to build an Olympic Village into an opportunity to create a new, socially equitable and eco-friendly neighborhood that will be a shining legacy of the Games. Then, on the other side of housing, we have a report on what we call the “migration patterns of the very rich.” Elena Clavarino joins from Milan with her story on why the global 1 percent is relocating—and the cities they are flocking to. And finally, James Kirchick has a wise perspective on what we need more of right now, not less.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 200: Who's to Blame for the Biden Mess?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2024 34:52


    This week, Todd S. Purdum, a longtime political reporter for The New York Times, explains why Democrats have only themselves to blame for the Mexican standoff they're now locked in with a very stubborn octogenarian. Then, we all know how Ozempic and Wegovy have reduced millions of waistlines around the world in the last few years. But in Denmark, where the drugs are exclusively manufactured, Ozempic and Wegovy have made many people very, very wealthy. In fact, the drugs have added almost 2 percent to the country's G.D.P. So what are these people doing with their money? Mary Holland tells us about the beautiful coastal town where all these newly rich Danes love to escape to. Finally, Stuart Heritage will explain why Neil Gaiman, one of the most popular writers of the past three decades and the creator of such hits as The Sandman, finds himself accused of sexual assault.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 199: Graydon Carter on Joe Biden's Future

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2024 40:11


    This week, Graydon Carter joins us to talk about what's next for Joe Biden. Then, if you find yourself longing to be like the super-wealthy, floating on a massive yacht in the Mediterranean, our colleague Jonathan Margolis has some bad news: the market for a new yacht is booming. Which means long waiting lists. He'll tell us why. Then, if you don't have the money for a yacht, maybe you have the money to buy some Beatles memorabilia? Mike Lafavore explains why, nearly 50 years after the boys from Liverpool called it quits, the frenzy for all things Fab Four continues, generating millions every year through auctions and private sales. And finally, we have a gripping cold-case murder. In 1973, Cynthia Bouron, a notorious Hollywood hanger-on who had affairs with everyone from Cary Grant to Frank Sinatra, was found murdered. More than 50 years later, her death is still unsolved and Hadley Meares reveals why.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 198: Adolf Hitler and the Holy Grail—Crazier than Indiana Jones!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2024 29:50


    It's summer and for some that means golf. Lots of it. And Andrew Zucker tells us why, in the super-wealthy enclave of Palm Beach, the ritzy residents who usually play at their exclusive and expensive country clubs are now teeing up at a municipal course that's open to commoners. Then, not everyone is happy that summer travel season is here. We're talking specifically about Buzz Bissinger, who tells us why this is the time of year he dreads. And finally, Adam Hay-Nicholls has an incredible story that puts the adventures of Indiana Jones to shame. It's about how, during the Spanish Civil War, everyone from Spanish revolutionaries to M.I.6 agents tried to plunder the Holy Grail from a cathedral in Valencia.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 197: Trump and His Wall Street and Silicon Valley Enablers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2024 31:54


    This week, Alessandra Stanley explains why prominent tech and finance tycoons are giving piles of money to Donald Trump—and why their behavior might be similar to that of certain German bankers and industrialists in the 1930s. Then Rachel Hodin joins us with her report on Rebecca Minkoff. For the past two decades she's promoted herself as a designer and girlboss. Now she's a Real Housewife. But as Rachel will tell us, behind Minkoff's cultivated public image are rumors of a mismanaged business, dysfunctional professional behavior, and links to the Church of Scientology. Finally, Griffin Dunne has a new book out, The Friday Afternoon Club, an enchanting memoir about his friendship with Princess Leia, taking writing cues from his aunt, Joan Didion, and much, much more. He joins us to talk about his amazing life.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 196: How Big Oil Uses the Arts to Make Us Forget About Climate Change

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2024 35:41


    It's summer and it's travel season, and if you live on the East Coast of the United States, your travel will likely intersect with I-95, the great interstate that runs from Miami to Maine. Everybody knows it. Everybody hates it. And Rich Cohen explains why. Then Dana Brown will join us from New York to tell us about something that, unlike I-95, will soothe your mind and your stomach—a terrific restaurant that aspires to be, wonderfully, nothing more than that. And finally, Rebecca John joins us from London with her sobering report on how Big Oil companies give millions to cultural institutions from Masterpiece on PBS to the British Museum in order to launder their reputations. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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