Podcasts about Illustration

Illustration by David Wynne In which you should use drugs only with caution; a famous shirt makes its debut; Wolverine is the new Mary Worth; and you were never Quentin Quire's age (unless you were). X-PLAINED: What Quentin Quire's been up to since discorporating New X-Men #135-138 The Special Class Basilisk Ernst Dummy No Girl Whether the Xavier School should admit human students Quentin's new look Kick (more) (again) The Omega Gang That one t-shirt How to punch up your Power Point presentation A somewhat fraught camping trip The Special Class vs. U-Men A secret Some kind of weird affair A riot, of sorts Wolverine's unfortunate soul patch What actually happened to Jumbo Carnation Telepathic deconstruction The Cuckoos vs. Emma Frost A somewhat mysterious secondary mutation Denouement The subsequent evolution of Quentin Quire What's happening to xplainthexmen.com when the show ends The telepathy-telekinesis overlap NEXT EPISODE: Murder! Check out the visual companion to this episode on our blog. Find us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Jay and Miles X-Plain the X-Men is 100% ad-free and listener supported. If you want to help support the podcast–and unlock more cool stuff–you can do that right here! Buy rad swag at our Dashery shop!

With both Brad and Dave nominated for awards this year, the guys spiral into a surprisingly deep conversation about awards, marketing, ego, and whether creators should plaster “award nominee” stickers all over their books. Later, they tackle a listener question about using 3D models, digital sets, and reference material in comics production — leading to a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how both creators actually build comics pages in tools like Clip Studio Paint and Photoshop. Along the way, they discuss why imperfections matter in cartooning, how typography affects visual storytelling, and why “cheating” is often just another word for “working smarter.” Today's Show Should you put an award nomination on a book cover? UPDATE: Hugo Award voter packet "WSFS Membership"  Using sets and other pre-made background materials  UPDATE: Patreon Quips is now available on desktop You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Before the AI chatbot boom, psychologist and New Yorker contributor Paul Bloom wrote about how populations vulnerable to loneliness might be helped by the illusion of connection they offer. He discusses his more recent, updated reflection on the topic titled "A.I. Is About to Solve Loneliness. That's a Problem," which is the subject of Wednesday evening's Theater of War on the Radio at BAM.  Illustration by Moor Studio via Getty Creative Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is there more to illustration than storytelling with pictures? D.B. Dowd joins Sam Cotterill and Jake Parker to discuss the influence of illustration on society, taking ownership of your work, and the history of the field.

Illustration by David Wynne In which Warren Kenneth Worthington III is a terrible teacher; we are all Magneto's children; Sooraya Qadir deserves a better origin story; teenagers have a lot of feelings; and we meet one of the modern age's most controversial mutants. X-PLAINED: The destiny of Quentin Quire New X-Men #131-134 An underattended funeral How to fly? Kinda? I guess? A kiss A friendship Another bit of ruby quartz marginalia that will never be mentioned again A somewhat ill-founded psychic metaphor Emma Frost's Dark Phoenix costume Some kind of weird affair Echoes of 9/11/2001 Genosha, a year later Ghosts Polaris's paternity Shocker (the mutant one) The last words of Genosha Islamophobia post 9/11 Sooraya Qadir (Dust) An attempted hijacking and the aftermath thereof Some Shi'ar nonsense X-Corporation Mumbai Jumbo Carnation Telepathy class An artist's interpretation of the fate of mankind if mutants are not driven out, as predicted by Bolivar Trask Accountability Professor X's weird little paintings X-adjectives Best and worst X-Men with whom to share a psychic rapport NEXT EPISODE: Quentin Quire's teen angst bullshit gets a body count! Check out the visual companion to this episode on our blog. Find us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Jay and Miles X-Plain the X-Men is 100% ad-free and listener supported. If you want to help support the podcast–and unlock more cool stuff–you can do that right here! Buy rad swag at our Dashery shop!

Mina et Jade s'intéressent au dernier film de Reem Kherici. Inspirée librement par l'histoire des créateurs du Womanizer, véritable révolution dans l'industrie des jouets pour adultes, la réalisatrice propose d'en faire une comédie française pour parler de sexualité portée par Alexandra Lamy et François Cluzet. Alors, qu'est-ce que ça vaut ?Extrait : Bande annonce du film sur YoutubeFiche Allociné de Pour le plaisirInterviews avec la réalisatrice et les acteur.ices chez InPower Podcast, Bliss Stories et Conversation avant la fin du monde.Le compte Instagram Je m'en bats le clitoPage dédiée au film sur le site du Passage du désirPour plus de contenu exclusif et chaud comme la braise, viens suivre le N'importe cul sur InstagramCréditsCréé et animé par Mina et Jade. Produit par Mauvaises Ondes. Générique par Maxence Moogin. Musique de Stefano Mastronardi. Illustration d'Amandine Jonniaux. Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

Brooklyn-born surrealist blues poet, vocalist, and composer aja monet's sophomore album nods to the Black Arts Movement's legacy and lineage. She joins us for a Listening Party for her album, the color of rain, ahead of her Carnegie Hall concert tonight at 7:30 p.m. Illustration by tokio aoyama/ courtesy of drink sum wtr Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

THE INTERNET WILL NOT BE TELEVISED — The tech industry is easy to dislike, admire, ridicule, resent, need, and all of the above. Look, this podcast doesn't exist without tech. But there is also no "enshittification" without tech. Coined by writer Cory Doctorow that word has entered the general lexicon with a speed and ubiquity that might make someone like, I don't know, Shakespeare envious. If he knew what was going on. Which he doesn't. All of this to introduce InFormation, a magazine about tech, but more importantly, a magazine about “what tech is doing to us.” The people behind it work in the industry and so understand it, which makes them dislike it even more. Twenty-five years ago, InFormation was like the Spy magazine of the dot com boom, a bit of a kick in the pants to an industry and a group of people who saw themselves in utopian if not messianic terms. And while they might still see themselves that way (spoiler alert: they most certainly do), a lot of people in the world do not, and so InFormation is back, it has reformed, and is being published again, with the same attitude, that is it continues to kick ass but with more feeling, because Silicon Valley is no longer a place but a mindset, techbros are a thing and a wealthy thing at that, and, well, there's a general feeling that the world has been thoroughly colonized and completely enshittified. — This episode is made possible by our friends at Freeport Press. A production of Magazeum LLC ©2021–2025

Det fanns en oro i riket när de församlade ständerna den 16 juni 1527 steg in i dominikanernas kloster i Västerås för att samlas till Sveriges första riktiga riksdag med representation av alla fyra stånden.Gustav Vasa var pressad av upprorsrykten från Dalarna och stora skulder till Lübeck, men han hade en lösning – kyrkan skulle betala. Med mycken politisk teater, åtminstone enligt Peder Svarts krönika, lyckades Gustav vingklippa den mäktiga kyrkan och ta en stor del av deras rikedomar. Riksdagen blev också ett godkännande för en försiktig reformation.I detta avsnitt av podden Historia Nu samtalar programledaren Urban Lindstedt med historikern Olle Larsson som skrivit boken Gustav Vasa – Furstar bland furstar. Detta är ett betalt samarbete med Västersås stad i inför 500 års-jubileet av Västerås riksdag år 1527.Västerås år 1527 räknas ofta som den första riksdagen i modern mening därför att ständerna här framträder tydligare som politiska aktörer i en förhandlingsprocess. Omkring 200 ledamöter nämns, och kungen lade fram sin proposition medan ständerna gav egna svar – ett mönster som gör det möjligt att tala om en riksdag som institution snarare än ett utvidgat rådsmöte.Att riksdagen hamnade i Västerås var inte självklart. Den var ursprungligen tänkt att hållas i Söderköping, men de oroliga förhållandena, särskilt i Dalarna, gjorde platsvalet osäkert. Västerås låg strategiskt så att kungens militära uppbåd snabbt kunde sättas in om läget försämrades norrut.Själva mötet kunde inte hållas på slottet eftersom det var härjat av unionsstriderna, och därför samlades man i dominikanernas kloster. Att just klostret blev riksdagens arena är talande: kort efteråt revs byggnaden och teglet användes för att renovera slottet – ett konkret eko av hur kyrkans resurser skulle komma att styras om till kronans behov.Det är också viktigt att notera att representationen inte var fullständig; den östra rikshalvan, Finland, var inte representerad. Ändå var uppslutningen och dokumentationen tillräckligt stark för att ge besluten särskild tyngd och för att Västerås 1527 i efterhand ska uppfattas som en milstolpe i riksdagens framväxt.I svensk tradition berättas också hur Gustav Vasa under förhandlingarna spelade högt – bland annat genom att antyda att han kunde avsäga sig ansvaret att styra om han inte fick stöd. Själva förloppet är källkritiskt svårt att följa i detalj; en central berättande källa är Peder Svarts krönika, som är omdiskuterad. Utfallet är däremot entydigt: ständerna accepterade en kursändring som gjorde kyrkans rikedomar åtkomliga för kronan.Bildtext: Västerås riksdag. Illustration av Elias Martin till Peder Svarts krönika, sent 1700-tal. På bilden skildras hur de fyra stånden håller enskilda överläggningar under riksdagen i Västerås 1527: adeln längst till vänster, därefter prästerna samlade kring biskop Brask (med biskopsmitra), följda av borgare och bönder. Bakom dem står kanslern Laurentius Andreæ, igenkännbar med långt skägg och kalott. Bilden ingår i samlingarna vid Uppsala universitetsbibliotek.Musik: Aria för sopran med obligat oboe ur Johann Sebastian Bachs kantat BWV 80, Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott, komponerad och framförd i kyrklig kontext i Leipzig 1723. Musikexemplet belyser hur luthersk koraltradition blev konstmusik under reformationstidens efterklang. Johann Sebastian Bach. Wikimedia Commons. Public domain,Klippare: Emanuel Lehtonen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the latest episode of Busy Body, if you are not already, please take a moment to become a paid subscriber. It's only $7/mo which is less than a bougie cappuccino! Instead of a caffeine buzz help support this podcast, the writing that I do here, and the small team that makes it all happen. Subscribe now If you are mainly a podcast fan we're now on Patreon! There are tiers (both of which include receiving a pack of Busy Body stickers from me - in the mail! fun!) Get ad free video versions and new segments with ‘unfiltered' content! Join the Patreon HERE and support the pod - the more support, the more often I can get these episodes out. Share Today I'm speaking with author and self described public intellectual (now my new career goal) Sophie Lewis about her book Enemy Feminisms which is out now in paperback BUT ALSO she has a NEW book of essays which just came out called Femmephilia - which you can order here. This is an absolutely riveting conversation for anyone out there who calls themselves a Feminist. Get ready to lose your monocle and let go of some of your feminist icons. Sophie is ripping the band-aid off so much of glossed over Feminist history, our perception of how liberated women came to be, and introduces us to some truly incredible characters; replete with costume changes, perpetual monocles and irreconcilable droves of ‘savages' who carry them about. It's a fascinating ride through our history of leaning in, out and all over the place. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did! You can buy Enemy Feminisms HERE Follow Sophie Lewis HERE Find her Patreon and book tour information HERE (I'll be going to one of the Brooklyn readings!) And her website and full offerings HERE Please take a moment to like, share or comment! Putting these episodes out takes many hours of effort and even a little ‘like' heart lets me know you're listening ❤️ Share Leave a comment Music by Rob Byrne, performed by the Wild Yaks. Podcast produced by Brad Parsons at Trains Sound Studio. Illustration by Azul Trejo.

Matt Haig was already several books into his career as a writer by the time he published “The Midnight Library” in 2020. One of those books, the 2015 memoir “Reasons to Stay Alive,” had even been a best seller in England, his home nation. Yet, “The Midnight Library” was a true breakout phenomenon. The novel, about a depressed woman who, after deciding to end her own life, ends up in a magical library in which every book presents her with an alternative life, eventually sold more than 10 million copies worldwide. The author's new book, “The Midnight Train,” takes place on a parallel track. In it, an older man dies and finds himself on a train, able to revisit key moments in his life on his way to the hereafter. Like its blockbuster sibling, the book is concerned with questions of gratitude, regret and perspective. Haig joined the “Book Review” podcast and spoke to the host, Gilbert Cruz, about his new book and why he returned to the world of “The Midnight Library.” If you are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources. Books Discussed on This Episode “The Midnight Library,” by Matt Haig “Reasons to Stay Alive,” by Matt Haig “The Labrador Pact,” by Matt Haig “Winnie-the-Pooh,” by A. A. Milne “The House at Pooh Corner,” by A. A. Milne “Alice's Adventures in Wonderland,” Lewis Carroll “The Outsiders,” by S. E. Hinton “Walden,” by Henry David Thoreau “Paris Trance,” by Jeff Dyer “Invisible Cities,” by Italo Calvino “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue,” by V. E. Schwab “The History of Love,” by Nicole Krauss “We Burned So Bright,” by T. J. Klune “A Novel Love Story,” by Ashley Poston “The Someday Garden,” by Ashley Poston Listen to and Follow the ‘Book Review' Podcast Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube | iHeartRadio Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. We Want to Hear From You We would love to hear your thoughts about this episode, and about the Book Review's podcast in general. You can send them to thebookreview@nytimes.com. Credits The “Book Review” podcast is hosted by Gilbert Cruz and produced by Sarah Diamond, Amy Pearl, and Patricia Sulbarán. The show is edited by Larissa Anderson and mixed by Pedro Rosado. Special thanks to MJ Franklin, Dahlia Haddad, and Brooke Minters. Illustration by The New York Times; Photo: Andrew Testa for The New York Times Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's show is sponsored by Huion, makers of the Huion Kamvas 22 (Gen 3) — a 21.5" pen display with a gorgeous 2.5K screen and really smooth performance. Bottom line: it feels great to draw on — and it punches way above its price. • Check it out at https://comiclabshop.com • Use code COMICLAB5 for an exclusive 5% discount! (Valid through June 14th) Brad and Dave tackle a listener question that gets to the heart of creative careers: Can you make a living telling shorter stories, or does success demand long-form work? As always, the answer is equal parts practical advice and creative philosophy — grounded in real-world experience and delivered with ComicLab's signature mix of humor and honesty. TODAY'S SHOW • Can you build a career on individual short stories? • Market expectations around story length (comics, film, TV) and perceived value • Creative problem-solving as a business tool — making unconventional formats work • Strategies for packaging short stories (genre consistency, shared setting, through-lines) • Examples of experimental storytelling formats (anthologies, vignette structures) • PROMO: Huion Kamvas 22 (Gen 3) — features, workflow integration, and discount code ComicLab5 at https://comiclabshop.com • Estate planning for cartoonists — what happens to your IP after death? • Debate: Should creative work become public domain sooner? • Should kids continue your comic… or make their own work? • The reality of legacy comics vs. modern independent publishing You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Replay 109 / 5-stelliges Honorar, tolle Aufgabe – und trotzdem Nein. In dieser Folge aus dem Archiv erfährst du, warum das manchmal die beste Entscheidung ist und wie du lernst, Aufträge im Bereich Design und Illustration mit 2 einfachen Fragen strategisch zu bewerten.

Margo is joined by illustrator and children's book artist Natalie Lundeen for a candid conversation about creativity, motherhood, burnout, and redefining what it means to be a "successful" artist. Based in Clearwater, Florida, Natalie specializes in children's books, greeting cards, and licensed artwork, with illustrations spanning indie publishing, Etsy products, and now traditional publishing through Flamingo Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Her newest books, Dear Mom and Dear Dad, were released this spring. Natalie shares the winding path that led her from fine art and gallery work into illustration, how becoming a mother completely reshaped her creative process, and the surprising timing of landing a two-book publishing deal just days after deciding to step away from illustration professionally. Margo and Natalie explore the freedom that can come from releasing pressure, the realities of balancing creative work with financial stability, and why having a part-time job outside the art world doesn't make someone any less of an artist. It's an honest and refreshing conversation about building a creative life that actually supports your wellbeing—not just your résumé. Margo and Natalie discuss: Natalie's transition from oil painting and gallery work into children's book illustration How motherhood reshaped both her artistic style and creative priorities Building early illustration opportunities through Etsy, Instagram, and indie authors The realities of self-publishing projects, client boundaries, and revision expectations Landing a traditional publishing deal after deciding to step away from illustration full time Why returning to part-time cleaning work helped her enjoy art again Redefining success outside of the "full-time artist" narrative The importance of flexibility, creative friendships, and sustainable creative cycles How personal projects and experimentation can open unexpected doors Why artists shouldn't feel shame around taking outside work to support their creativity Connect with Natalie: Website: https://natlundeen.myportfolio.com/ Instagram: @natlundeen

When we increasingly turn to AI to produce written work with just the click of a button, we risk not only eroding our capacity to imagine and give form to ideas, but we also strip writing of the mysterious process that makes it alive and meaningful. This week, Stephanie Krzywonos explores how the age-old labor of writing has always been a profoundly embodied act, and considers how all our creations, whether impressed in clay or typed on a computer, are microcosms of Earth's own generativity. As AI increasingly does work for us, she wonders if we are closing ourselves off from the intelligence of the Earth. Read the essay. Illustration by Aldo Jarillo.

Illustration by David Wynne In which Xorn goes out on the town; silverware is morally neutral; Cyclops pursues dubious counsel; the X means ten; and Fantomex is eminently enjoyable. X-PLAINED: The parentage of Hope Summers New X-Men #127-130 Mutant Town A monster who is not a monster but is, perhaps, a metaphor X-Corporation Paris The whole Phoenix situation Fantomex Weapon XII A gene-hazard Corporal Animal E.V.A. The Weapon Plus program (somewhat) The World (somewhat) The Shi'ar Empire vs. Earth Xorn variations NEXT EPISODE: A Memorial of Magnetism Check out the visual companion to this episode on our blog. Find us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Jay and Miles X-Plain the X-Men is 100% ad-free and listener supported. If you want to help support the podcast–and unlock more cool stuff–you can do that right here! Buy rad swag at our Dashery shop!

Let's dive in!   Part 2 3.  Hurts can be overcome Consider our texts 1 Peter 1 v. 3. Lively hope v. 4 incorrupt inheritance v. 5 Keeping power v. 6 heavy burdens 1 Peter 4   Consider Biblical examples who overcame   Joshua Daniel Hannah David Chosen to be king but ignored by his family Ridiculed and made fun of Threatened and hunted and had to run for his life Forced to leave his home and family Was mistreated But found healing These teach us that we are not alone when we are dealing with hurts These also teach us that we can overcome them Consider steps that are essential in overcoming Identify the hurt Do right in the hurt Think right about it Illustration of "the church hurt me" Stay in church Stay in the Word Stay faithful to God

Murugiah returns to Daring Creativity for a conversation that feels like watching someone step fully into who they were always meant to be. A multidisciplinary artist trained in architecture, living and working in London, Murugiah has spent the years since his last appearance developing a deeply personal body of work — acrylic paintings that fuse his digital aesthetic with a new emotional rawness, rooted in his Sri Lankan heritage and shaped by a decade of intentional craft. ~ One email to the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration led, against all expectations, to an invitation to open the entire centre with his debut solo exhibition.This is a conversation about patience, pursuit and the quiet power of just doing the work — without waiting for permission, without chasing the outcome, and without needing the world to show up before you get started.Key takeaways:Creating your own opportunity is not a strategy — it's a mindset. One email sent from a place of genuine excitement changed the entire trajectory of Murugiah's careerEmotional heft takes time. The years spent developing a visual aesthetic were necessary before the personal, introspective work could emergeFollowing the fun keeps you present. When imposter syndrome strips you of the now, curiosity and play bring you backTactility is a response, not nostalgia. Moving into acrylic painting was a deliberate turn towards what AI cannot replicate — intuitive, human, physical decision-makingThe journey is the reward. The hours at the table, the meetings, the exchanges — those are what you carry. The response to the work is secondaryRadical empathy fuels introspection. Putting yourself in someone else's shoes — even a bus driver's — creates the internal awareness that feeds deeply personal workA debut doesn't need to come early to matter. Coming to it at 38, with a full life behind him, made Murugiah's show richer and more resonant than speed could ever have allowed Daring Creativity. Podcast with Radim Malinicdaringcreativity.com |  desk@daringcreativity.comBooks by Radim Malinic Paperback and Kindle > https://amzn.to/4biTwFcFree audiobook (with Audible trial) > https://geni.us/free-audiobookBook bundles  https://novemberuniverse.co.ukLux Coffee Co. https://luxcoffee.co.uk/  (Use: PODCAST for 15% off)November Universe https://novemberuniverse.co.uk (Use: PODCAST for 10% off)

“Angel Down,” a grisly novel about World War I told in a single, almost 300-page-long sentence, was awarded this year's Pulitzer Prize for fiction. In a review for The New York Times, Ben H. Winters described it as a “thunderous gallop” that captures the “cruel and self-perpetuating logic of war.” (It was also one of the Book Review's Top 10 books of 2025.) The day after the Pulitzers were awarded, the book's author, Daniel Kraus — who has written horror, fantasy and young adult novels — spoke to the Book Review's editor, Gilbert Cruz, about putting together his semi-experimental story. Cruz also spoke with Patricia Cornwell, a best-selling author who rose to prominence in the 1990s with novels about the character Kay Scarpetta, a chief medical examiner. A Scarpetta series starring Nicole Kidman debuted this year on Amazon. Cornwell has released a new memoir, “True Crime,” in which she tells the surprising story of her childhood and the events that led her to become a novelist. Listen to and Follow ‘The Book Review' Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube | iHeartRadio Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. We Want to Hear From You We would love to hear your thoughts about this episode, and about the Book Review's podcast in general. You can send them to thebookreview@nytimes.com. Credits The “Book Review” podcast is hosted by Gilbert Cruz and produced by Amy Pearl, Sarah Diamond and Patricia Sulbarán. The show is edited by Larissa Anderson and mixed by Pedro Rosado. Special thanks to Dahlia Haddad and Brooke Minters. Illustration by The New York Times; Inset cover: via Grand Central Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A listener asks whether some words are inherently funnier than others—and it opens the door to a deep dive on word choice, dialogue, and how to make jokes land harder. Brad and Dave break down why shorter, punchier words tend to win, how sound and rhythm affect comedy, and why you should always end on the funniest word. They also walk through their real-world writing process—cutting aggressively, reading dialogue out loud, and constantly swapping in better word choices. From there, the conversation expands into how to write strong dialogue (hint: it's not about realism—it's about impact), plus a list of pitfalls to avoid, including gimmicky accents, overstuffed word balloons, and writing that slows the reader down. They also revisit a past take on political cartoons (turns out, they're thriving on Reddit), talk about the return of Web 1.0 strategies like guest comics, and reinforce a core principle: own your platform and your audience. TODAY'S SHOW • Writing funny words: Why word choice makes or breaks a joke • Psychologist vs. psychiatrist — choosing the funnier word (it's "shrink") • How to edit your way to stronger, tighter dialogue • Dialogue pitfalls: accents, gimmicks, and readability traps • Political cartoons are thriving on Reddit (and what that means) • The return of Web 1.0 tactics: Guest comics and cross-promotion • Reclaiming your platform: Why websites still matter You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

As the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration prepares to open in London, we find out how illustrators are adapting to a changing world.Starting with a rare interview from Quentin Blake, we'll hear how this once undervalued side of the visual arts still creates the defining images of childhoods, whilst also now playing a central role in the visual language of the internet. Featuring voices working across illustration, including Posy Simmonds, Chris Riddell, Michael Rosen, Christoph Niemann, Lizzy Stewart, Benji Davies, Murugiah, Chie Kutsuwada and Jane Rosenberg and Olivia Ahmad. The Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration opens 5th June. Presenter: Tom Sutcliffe Producer: Harry Graham

Illustration by David Wynne In which Wolverine learns to fly; pants are a basic human right; we decide to cherry-pick our Xorn retcons; Xavier's eyebrows follow his mind; and the first year of New X-Men ends with a bang. X-PLAINED: The origin of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard New X-Men #124-126 The current state of Charles Xavier's body G-Type Neosaurus Plutonia Schism Oracle Stuf Gladiator (more) (again) Angel disambiguation Several plans Mutant justice Several miracles of magnetism Mummudrai Horror movie shit Subtle visual foreshadowing A ruse Education Long-lost family members What may or may not come after this NEXT EPISODE: Fantomex! Check out the visual companion to this episode on our blog. Find us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Jay and Miles X-Plain the X-Men is 100% ad-free and listener supported. If you want to help support the podcast–and unlock more cool stuff–you can do that right here! Buy rad swag at our Dashery shop!

REALITY BITES —  I am Gen X. I'm telling you this because, well, this is hardly something that is ever relevant to any conversation when, in fact, it is also always relevant to everything. But I just don't talk about it because who cares when I was born, or that we Gen Xers all live in the long and darkest of dark shadow of Boomers, or the loud echo of Millennials, or the annoyingly brash and unknowing living of whatever the other younger generations are called. I'm Gen X, and I just know one thing: there are more of you than there are of me, and there always have been. I'm saying all this because today we're gonna talk about Geezer magazine, as if any Gen X-er in their right mind would ever call themselves a geezer, because that's Boomer stuff. And hey, did you see we're turning 60? For fuck's sake. As if. So yes, Geezer, a magazine by and for Gen X that is both completely irreverent and surprisingly serious and even tender, that balances nostalgia with irony. And while Gen X's favorite word might be whatever, the secret is we care what you think. We always have. You just have to first extract a whole lot of other stuff, that cold exterior built up as a defense mechanism against a world that is stupid, and that for whatever reason the Boomers keep running. Meaning sure, we like to say never mind, but we also sang “Don't You Want Me” and “Debaser.” So just take a chill pill. I promise we'll talk about a rad magazine on today's show.. — This episode is made possible by our friends at Freeport Press. A production of Magazeum LLC ©2021–2025

This episode examines a Bluesky thread where cartoonists self-reported their financial realities. While the original question was thoughtful — seeking insight into full-time and part-time comic careers — the resulting discussion revealed a common problem: an echo chamber of discouragement. Brad and Dave emphasize that these threads often skew negative due to self-selection bias. Many successful creators don't participate—either because they're busy, uncomfortable sharing income, or wary of backlash. The result? A distorted picture where it appears that no one is succeeding, even though many are. TODAY'S SHOW Nobody makes a living in comics ComicLab LIVE at the NCS Conference and Reuben Awards, Aug. 6-8, Columbus, Ohio — nationalcartoonists.com Tattoos Baby Blues and Zits announce retirement Death of syndication   You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Illustration by David Wynne In which Marvel goes wordless; Cassandra Nova breaks space; none of the X-Men have media training; and Gus was the best dog ever. X-PLAINED: Erik the Red (more) (again) Kin Crimson A big messy bag of mutant glory New X-Men #121-123 ‘Nuff Said A journey into Charles Xavier's mind What Emma is drinking A fetus fight The criminal culpability of a fetus Space problems A cosplay challenge Space Charles Xavier's weird last wish A press conference Teen romance The Stepford Cuckoos Gus Charles Xavier's age Nanosentinels Stuf Pre-ride safety announcements from the X-Men Whether Cassandra Nova should've been a component of Onslaught NEXT EPISODE: Cassandra Nova vs. the X-Men (Round 2)! Check out the visual companion to this episode on our blog. Find us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Jay and Miles X-Plain the X-Men is 100% ad-free and listener supported. If you want to help support the podcast–and unlock more cool stuff–you can do that right here! Buy rad swag at our Dashery shop!

Lately, more people have been gravitating towards outdated technology, like Walkman, VHS tapes, record players, and more. What is behind this drive towards old tech? Is it nostalgia, or a desire to disconnect? Hanif Abdurraquib, contributing writer for The New Yorker, discusses his new piece "Our Longing for Inconvenience," and listeners share what outdated technology they have included in their own lives. Illustration by Bill Rebholz, courtesy of The New Yorker

In this episode, author/illustrator Philip Stead takes us behind the scenes of his first middle grade novel, A POTION, A POWDER, A LITTLE BIT OF MAGIC.

Episode No. 755 of The Modern Art Notes Podcast features artist Jess T. Dugan and author D.B. Dowd. Radius Books is publishing "Jess T. Dugan & Charlotte Cotton: Love Pictures," a collaboration featuring Dugan's photographs and conversations with Cotton and members of Cotton's and Dugan's communities, such as Dawoud Bey, Kate Palmer Albers, and Michelle Millar Fisher. Radius, Amazon, and Bookshop offer the two-volume publication for about $75. Dugan is a St. Louis-based artist whose work explores subjects such as personhood, relationship, desire, and love. Their work is in the collection of over 70 museums. The Pulitzer Arts Foundation, St. Louis, Saint Louis Art Museum, Minneapolis Institute of Art, and the University of New Mexico Art Museum are among the institutions that have presented solo exhibitions of Dugan's work. This is Dugan's sixth book. Dowd is the author of "Reading Pictures: A History of Illustration," which was just published by Princeton University Press. "Reading Pictures" details how, for many centuries, illustration has often worked between written, published text and art history to advance ideas and ideologies. Princeton, Amazon, and Bookshop offer it for $52-60. Instagram: Jess T. Dugan, D.B. Dowd, Tyler Green. Air date: April 23, 2026.

Today's show is sponsored by Huion, makers of the Huion Kamvas 22 (Gen 3) — a 21.5" pen display with a gorgeous 2.5K screen and really smooth performance. Bottom line: it feels great to draw on — and it punches way above its price. *Check it out here: https://comiclabshop.com *Use code COMICLAB5 for an exclusive 5% discount! (Valid through June 14th) On Today's Show: Your comic is gaining traction — but now readers want answers faster than you can tell the story. Brad and Dave explain why that's actually a great sign — and how to turn audience curiosity into a powerful engine that keeps readers hooked instead of overwhelming your narrative. PLUS — CONGRATULATIONS TO DAVE KELLETT FOR HIS HUGO AWARD NOMINATION! TOPICS Dave Kellett has been nominated for a Hugo Award How much to share with an eager audience ComicLab Confab (609) DRY-ELB-0 Update: USPS fuel surcharge will *not* affect Media Mail prices New tariff worries NCS conference and Reuben Awards Aug. 6-8, Columbus, Ohio Different ways to present a scene A listener question leads into the episode's central topic: what to do when a new project suddenly starts attracting attention and readers begin asking lore questions faster than the story can answer them. Brad and Dave frame this as the best possible problem for a storyteller to have — not a crisis, but proof that the story is working. Their advice is to resist the urge to dump exposition too early, and instead use reader curiosity as fuel to keep them engaged and coming back for more. Another listener question asks how to make necessary exposition more entertaining in a history comic, and the hosts widen that into a general storytelling discussion. They explore how to handle “problem panels” — moments where important information must be conveyed, but the raw facts feel static or dull. Their answer is that exposition does not need to be delivered plainly: creators can change the point of view, alter the tone, insert found documents, frame facts through action, or even break into totally different storytelling modes if it makes the comic more engaging. The episode also includes a couple of business updates for cartoonists. Brad shares good news about USPS fuel surcharges not applying to Media Mail, which matters for creators shipping books, while Dave warns that new tariffs may affect imported book shipments and advises cartoonists to build more buffer into Kickstarter budgets for 2026. It's a practical reminder that making comics also means staying alert to the changing realities of fulfillment and production costs. You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Welcome to the latest episode of Busy Body, if you are not already, please take a moment to become a paid subscriber. It's only $7/mo which is less than a bougie cappuccino! Instead of a caffeine buzz help support this podcast, the writing that I do here, and the small team that makes it all happen. Subscribe now If you are mainly a podcast fan we're now on Patreon! There are tiers (both of which include receiving a pack of Busy Body stickers from me - in the mail! fun!) Get ad free video versions and new segments with ‘unfiltered' content! Join the Patreon and support the pod (the more support, the more often I can get these episodes out) Todays Episode: I'm so thrilled to share this episode with returning guest Susanna Crossman! If you missed our first conversation on her incredible memoir, Home is Where We Start, listen to it here. Since then, I've visited Susanna and her family in Brittany, become fast friends, and I'm delighted to share her newest book, a work of fiction, The Orange Notebooks. This is a powerful conversation on processing grief, love, and making space for these huge experiences in a world that has long since abandoned the communal rituals that used to contain them. Life does leave it's mark on us, The Orange Notebooks beautifully describes this and leaves us battered but better for it. You can read an extract of the book here: Electric Literature: Order The Orange Notebooks in the US here You can find more about Susanna, including her writing mentorship here Follow her for more updates on her work and workshops on IG Please take a moment to like, share or comment! Putting these episodes out takes many hours of effort and even a little ‘like' heart lets me know you're listening ❤️ Share Leave a comment Music by Rob Byrne, performed by the Wild Yaks. Podcast produced by Brad Parsons at Trains Sound Studio. Illustration by Azul Trejo.

Artist, Mystic and all-around interpreter of worlds, Nikoo Bafti joins me to discuss the launch of The Transmutation Oracle Deck that she hand-crafted for the Philosophical Research Society. They have not made a tarot deck in over 100 years until they reached out to her. Wowsers. We get into the journey and her radical shift as an artist and what all people experience in form or another, as we navigate and try to interpret the world and magic around us. How does that unfold and what form does it take for you? We have a wonderful discussion about all things mystical and then get a sneak peek at The Transmutation Oracle she created in collaboration with writer Laura Hayes. More on the deck: The Transmutation Oracle Deck is here to serve as a guide, a navigational tool that helps you to engage with the world under the assumption that reality is holographic and far more malleable than we have been taught. Humans have far more agency than most of us believe, and this deck provides fun ways to interact with and influence reality, whilst also encouraging a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all things. The universe speaks in symbols and you can learn to read and respond to it. Sunday May 3rd see Nikoo's presentation at PRS by clicking here! Find the deck here! Nikoo's website here! Nikoo's Instagram here! Nikoo Bafti is a British-Iranian Visual Artist and Illustrator. After graduating with a BA (Hons) in Illustration & FdA in Visual Communication from the Arts University of Bournemouth, Nikoo began her career as an Animation Development Intern at Disney Channels in London and has since established her own freelance practice as an Illustrator and Visual Artist exhibiting internationally. Her clients include The Philosophical Research Society, Psychic Garden, Disney Channel & Truly Hard Seltzer. Nikoo's work takes a look behind a thinning veil to a realm of the mystical and anomalous through her intensely saturated and arresting colour palettes. Her use of fine detail and delicate, emblematic markings are reminiscent of the traditional Persian Miniature painting style of her heritage. You can find more on my stand-up schedule, short films and more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ryansingercomedy.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Commercial Free episodes here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SpectreVision Radio is a bespoke podcast network at the intersection between the arts and the uncanny, featuring a tapestry of shows exploring creativity, the esoteric, and the unknown. We're a community for creators and fans vibrating around common curiosities, shared interests and persistent passions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THE MAGAZINE'S THE THING — When you chat with a filmmaker who has become a magazine editor you start to note the parallels between filmmaking and magazine making that you never considered before. Ok, that I hadn't considered before. The relationship between editors and art directors, and the relationship between a director and cinematographer, well, that's actually almost the same thing. Editors and writers. Editors and actors. Copy editors and film editors. On and on. It's uncanny. Seen is a magazine about the art of film and filmmaking that comes from BlackStar Projects, home of an annual film festival in Philadelphia and a creative space that “uplifts the work of Black, Brown and Indigenous artists.” Seen grew out of the program notes for the festival and it is everything cinema magazines used to be: thorough, intellectually stimulating, challenging.  Heidi Saman, the editor, trained as a film maker and then worked at Fresh Air for over a decade. She doesn't come from the magazine world. But she's a storyteller. And after you listen to our chat, you, too, will see, perhaps, that making a magazine is a lot like making a movie. — This episode is made possible by our friends at Freeport Press. A production of Magazeum LLC ©2021–2025

This week, Wes and Todd sit down with Canadian Contemporary Fine Artist and Illustrator, Gary Taxali. Gary discusses how his style doesn't differ between his personal and commercial work, business sense, work/life balance, his early career and moving to New York City, being exposed to the fine art world in New York, La Luz de Jesus Gallery, transition from illustration to the fine art world, his early engagement in art, drawing at an early age in school, the support of his family, the importance of doodling and mark making, teaching at OCAD and how it informs his work, creativity and problem solving, voice and personal style, philosophy of his creativity, trusting yourself and the process, confidence, play being the essence of creativity, having the support of music, Mississippi Delta Blues, feeding his soul, the Russian Avant Garde, connecting to people through art, his style and how it has evolved, the Fleischer Brother, Mad magazine, how he found inspiration from Depression era America, his political art, the Library of Congress acquiring some of his work, not self-editing, tattoos, charity, using old textbook pages to create on, process over work, being a working Artist, classical Indian music, spontaneity, rolling the dice of your creativity, embracing the flaws, working with musicians creating album covers and concert posters, Aimee Mann, his name Taxali, being commissioned by the Royal Canadian Mint to design six quarters, his children's book “This is Silly”, upcoming exhibitions, pricing art, and his parting thoughts on creativity and it's importance.Join us for a riveting and thoughtful conversation with Gary Taxali!Check out Gary's website – www.garytaxali.comFollow Gary Taxali on social media:Instagram - www.instagram.com/taxali/ - @taxaliFacebook – www.facebook.com/GaryTaxaliArtSend us Fan MailFollow us on Instagram:@tenetpodcast - www.instagram.com/tenetpodcast/@wesbrn - www.instagram.com/wesbrn/@toddpiersonphotography - www.instagram.com/toddpiersonphotography/ Follow us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/TenetPodcast/Email us at todd@toddpierson.com If you enjoyed this episode or any of our previous episodes, please consider taking  a moment and leaving us a review on your favorite podcast platform.Thanks for listening! 

Illustration by David Wynne In which John Sublime sucks; Angel Salvatore rules; trauma does not justify evil; and you should never, ever, ever mess with Jean Grey. X-PLAINED: A horrifying revelation The universe where Jay and Miles work for Cassandra Nova New X-Men #118-120 John Sublime (more) (again) The U-Men Psychic energy, gender-reveal party-style The Stepford Cuckoos One way to disperse a mob An uncivil conversation The death and/or discomfort of many U-Men An awakening of sorts Squaring the phoenix Hank McCoy's “coming out” NEXT EPISODE: The Shi'ar invade! The visual companion to this episode will be up later this week. Find us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Jay and Miles X-Plain the X-Men is 100% ad-free and listener supported. If you want to help support the podcast–and unlock more cool stuff–you can do that right here! Buy rad swag at our Dashery shop!

Ever wonder how your favorite illustrators design their workspaces? Jake Parker, Sam Cotterill, and Lee White take you into their studios, past, present, and future. Plus, discover the accessories they can't live without! 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

Does power truly flow from the barrel of a gun? Pop culture and conventional history often teach us that violence is the most effective way to produce change. But is that common assumption actually true? Political scientist Erica Chenoweth, who has studied more than 100 years of revolutions and insurrections, says the answer is counterintuitive. Then, Ranjay Gulati answers listener questions on how to cultivate courage. Hidden Brain is now on YouTube! Check out our first three videos, which explore how to cope in high-pressure situations, the secret behind artistic masterpieces, and an unexpected driver of bravery in our everyday lives.  Illustration by Kuliation for Unsplash+. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, Caldecott Medal winning author/illustrator Dan Santat takes us behind the scenes of his graphic novel series, SASHIMI.Subscribe to Sharp Read on SubstackJoin thousands of children's lit supporters reading Colby's weekly dispatches from the classroom.Subscribe to 100 Scope Notes on SubstackA bi-weekly deep dive into the world of picture books, delivered to your inbox.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

How do we find exoplanets? What is the Milky Way's “Thick Disk” and what makes it so special? To find out, Dr. Charles Liu and co-host Allen Liu welcome Harvard astronomer Dr. Victoria DiTomasso, who has discovered an exoplanet system that includes exoplanet HD60079 b, which she sometimes calls “Bubbles.” As always, though, we start off with the day's joyfully cool cosmic thing, a paper just recently published about the exoplanet Teegarden Star b. Dr. DiTomasso explains the difference in exoplanet research between the observational studies she does and the theoretical modeling represented in the paper. She goes on to discuss recent, exciting theoretical work coming out of UCLA that posits that rather than have our water brought to Earth by comets, we started out as a larger, sub-Neptune planet with a larger hydrogen-helium envelope that we've lost over time. This is a pattern seen in some exoplanets, especially given the fact that Super Earth and sub-Neptune planets are the most common types of planets we've found, yet we have none in our solar system. After we find out why a planet Chuck studied was called Flagellan, it's time to find out how Victoria goes looking for exoplanets, and how she found Bubbles – with an assist from a team of citizen scientists. You'll learn about using the transit method for discovering exoplanets and identifying potential targets with TESS, the Transiting Exoplanets Survey Satellite and other instruments. Dr. DiTomasso explains the differences between the Milky Way's younger “Thin Disk,” the older “Thick Disk,” and the oldest of all, the Milky Way's “Halo.” Victoria studies the chemistry of stars to categorize them and their planets by age. She's found 4 stars in the thick disk that have “Hot Jupiters” so far, which is more impressive when you learn that we only knew about one before her work. Then it's time for a question from the audience. Grace asks, “Has the environment ever been as bad as it is now, and can it heal by itself?” Chuck, Allen and Victoria discuss changing environments on exoplanets and on Earth, the difference between long and short term change, and the possibility of recovery. Finally, Chuck asks Victoria what she does outside of astronomy, and we learn all about her new hobby, crocheting. Don't miss her show and tell, which includes Fred, the cutest crocheted dinosaur to ever appear on The LIUniverse. Victoria also talks about her other hobby, visiting museums – especially art museums. If you're watching this episode on YouTube, you get to see one of her current favorite exhibits, which consists of semi-abstracted felted wool sculptures of creatures and supernatural beings (yōkai) at the MassArt Museum (MAAM) in Boston. If you'd like to know more about Dr. Victoria DiTomasso, you can find her on LinkedIn . But to see her latest telescope photos that she took during her observing trip to the Canary Islands, check out her Instagram @victoriaditomasso. (We've included some of those photos in the episode - just another reason to watch on YouTube!) We hope you enjoy this episode of The LIUniverse, and, if you do, please support us on Patreon. Credits for Images Used in this Episode: Radial velocity measurements graphic depicting the Radial velocity method to detect exoplanets. – Credit: ESA. Artist concept of the exoplanet Teegarden's Star b, also known as Teegarden b. – Creative Commons/ Bubblesong. Illustration comparing sizes of sub-Neptune exoplanets with Earth and Neptune. – Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Dani Player (STScI). Transit method for discovering exoplanets (animation). – Credit: NASA PlanetQuest. All-sky image showing the flat plane of the Milky Way galaxy. – Credit: E. L. Wright/UCLA, The COBE Project, DIRBE, NASA. Illustration of the Milky Way's halo. – Credit: Halo stars: ESA/Gaia/DPAC, T Donlon et al. 2024; Background Milky Way and Magellanic Clouds: Stefan Payne-Wardenaar. Masako Miki's "Midnight March" features semi-abstracted felted wool sculptures of creatures and supernatural beings (yōkai) at the MassArt Museum (MAAM) in Boston. – Credit: Masako Miki/MAAM Photos from Victoria DiTomasso's observing trip to the Canary Islands. – Credit: @victoriaditomasso on Instagram.   CHAPTERS 00:00 - Intro and Let's Meet Dr. Victoria DiTomasso 03:53 - Joyfully Cool Cosmic Thing of the Day: Exoplanet Teegarden Star B 06:20 - Super Earth and Sub-Neptune Exoplanets 12:46 - The Discovery and Naming of Bubbles the Exoplanet 20:32 - The Difference Between Milky Way's Thin Disk, Thick Disk, and Halo 27:58 - Audience Question: Has the Environment Ever Been this Bad? 36:51 - Crocheted Dinosaurs and Giant Felt Museum Creatures 45:14 - Victoria DiTomasso's Observing Trip to the Canary Islands   #LIUniverse #CharlesLiu #AstronomyPodcast #VictoriaDiTomasso #Exoplanets

Patrick Radden Keefe joins “The Book Review” to discuss his new book, “London Falling,” which begins when a family loses a 19-year-old son, Zac Brettler, under mysterious circumstances. His parents eventually discover he had been living a secret life, posing as the son of a Russian oligarch. Speaking with the host Gilbert Cruz, Keefe describes the moment he first heard the story and how he immediately knew it would become his next major project. He talks about gaining the trust of the young man's parents, Matthew and Rachelle Brettler, and following the threads of their son's life into a world of wealth, influence and deception in London. The conversation also explores how the book moves beyond the night of Zac's death and into a broader story about ambition, reinvention and the uneasy question at its center: How well can we ever know the people closest to us? Books discussed on this episode: “Say Nothing,” by Patrick Radden Keefe “Seasons of Fury,” by Rozina Ali “The Emperor's Children,” by Claire Messud “Out of Sheer Rage,” by Geoff Dyer “Middlemarch,” by George Eliot “In Cold Blood,” by Truman Capote “The Power Broker,” by Robert A. Caro “Far From the Tree,” by Andrew Solomon “Chatter,” by Patrick Radden Keefe “The Last Samurai,” by Helen DeWitt Listen to and Follow ‘The Book Review' Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube | iHeartRadio Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. We Want to Hear From You We would love to hear your thoughts about this episode, and about the Book Review's podcast in general. You can send them to thebookreview@nytimes.com. Credits “The Book Review” podcast is hosted by Gilbert Cruz and produced by Amy Pearl and Sarah Diamond. The show is edited by Larissa Anderson and mixed by Pedro Rosado. Special thanks to MJ Franklin, Dahlia Haddad and Brooke Minters. Illustration by The New York Times; Photo: Erik Tanner for The New York Times Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's show is sponsored by Huion, makers of the Huion Kamvas 22 (Gen 3) — go to https://bit.ly/41pXyI7 or https://comiclabshop.com and use the code COMICLAB5 to unlock an exclusive 5% discount! (Valid 4/6/2026 - 6/14/2026) The Kamvas 22 (Gen 3) is the New 22" Benchmark. A powerful yet accessible 21.5'' pen display featuring a 2.5K QHD 90Hz screen, PenTech 4.0, and Canvas Glass 2.0. Designed for smooth, precise, and true-to-life creation, it redefines what an entry-level display can deliver — professional performance without the premium price. TODAY'S SHOW How to do a two-page splash page Get your discounted Huion Kamvas 22 (Gen 3) at comiclabshop.com - COMICLAB5 UPDATE: Got a comment for ComicLab? Dial the ComicLab Confab! ‪(609) 379-3520‬... that's (609) DRY ELB-0 NCS in Columbus, Ohio, Aug 6-8 USPS fuel surcharge goes into effect April 26th and ends (maybe?) Jan. 17, 2027 (NOTE: This will not affect Media Mail pricing) Editorial cartoonists on social media What's the deal with Susan MacTaggart? Introducing Dr. Reginald Wigglesby Splash Pages Brad and Dave take a deep dive into splash pages — what they are, how they've traditionally been used, and how they function differently in print versus webcomics. They discuss classic first-page splash images as attention-grabbing devices, as well as the practical reality that they can help creators hit deadlines. Dave shares how he uses splash pages sparingly in Drive to give big moments room to breathe, while Brad explains how he uses them consistently at the start of chapters in Evil Inc, both as storytelling tools and promotional assets. The conversation also explores why two-page splash spreads can struggle online — especially on mobile — and reinforces a key principle: a graphic novel page is not the same as a webcomic update, and each must be designed with its medium in mind. ComicLab Confab (Listener Calls) The guys remind listeners about the ComicLab Confab — their voicemail line where creators can call in with questions, comments, or hot takes. It's an easy, low-pressure way for the community to participate in the show and potentially have their thoughts featured on-air. If you've got something to say about comics, business, or creative life, you can dial ‪(609) 379-3520 — that's (609) DRY-ELB-0. National Cartoonists Society — Columbus, Ohio Brad and Dave highlight the upcoming National Cartoonists Society event in Columbus, Ohio (Aug. 6–8), encouraging cartoonists to attend. They emphasize the value of in-person networking, camaraderie, and professional development that comes from gathering with other working cartoonists — something that can be hard to replicate online. https://nationalcartoonists.com/registration-now-open-80th-reuben-awards-ncs-conference/ USPS Fuel Surcharge Update A practical business note: the USPS fuel surcharge goes into effect April 26 and is expected to run (possibly) through January 17, 2027. This will impact many shipping rates for creators who sell physical goods, though Media Mail remains unaffected. For cartoonists running Kickstarters, online stores, or Patreon rewards, this is a reminder to factor rising shipping costs into pricing and planning. https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2026/0325-usps-announces-transportation-related-time-limited-price-change.htm Editorial Cartoonists on Social Media The conversation touches on how editorial cartoonists are navigating social media — including the challenges of visibility, audience building, and platform changes. Brad and Dave reflect on how shifting algorithms and audience behavior can affect political and commentary-based comics, and what that means for creators trying to get their work seen. What's the Deal with Susan MacTaggart? In a classic ComicLab aside, Brad and Dave riff on the mysterious (and confusing) name “Susan MacTaggart,” using it as an example of how something presented without context can create intrigue — or just bewilderment. It ties back humorously to their broader discussions about clarity, audience expectations, and grabbing attention. Introducing Dr. Reginald Wigglesby The episode also features the introduction of Dr. Reginald Wigglesby — a comedic bit that adds to the show's ongoing tradition of playful world-building and running gags. It's a reminder that even in a craft-focused podcast, humor and character bits are part of what makes ComicLab feel like hanging out with friends. You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Can you hold your own against all the other illustrators in the world? In this minisode, Jake Parker and Anthony Wheeler reframe how you think about success and competition. 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

Illustration by David Wynne In which several individuals are not what they seem; John Sublime sucks; Cyclops talks Xorn down from a cosmic ledge; we meet the inimitable Beak; and Cassandra Nova makes herself (limitedly) known. X-PLAINED: John Sublime Marvelscope™ New X-Men 2001 Annual New X-Men #117 Xorn X-Corporation The U-Men Ao Jun (and his super gross mutant power) Synchronized heists Psychometry vs. telepathy A big eventual twist Beak (Barnell Bohusk) A kiss Some really fucked up use of telepathy Some Moira MacTaggert continuity nonsense NEXT EPISODE: U-Men vs. X-Men Check out the visual companion to this episode on our blog. Find us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Jay and Miles X-Plain the X-Men is 100% ad-free and listener supported. If you want to help support the podcast–and unlock more cool stuff–you can do that right here! Buy rad swag at our Dashery shop!

We have made it to April. We survived the snowstorms and the cold, and now that the days are getting longer, there's more time to read. So this week, if you are looking for some books to tide you over until summer, our Book Review editors Gilbert Cruz and Joumana Khatib have got you covered. Also on this week's episode, the former United States poet laureate Ada Limón joins us to talk about her new book, “Against Breaking: On the Power of Poetry.” And she reads two of her poems. Books discussed on this episode: “Transcription,” by Ben Lerner “This Land Is Your Land,” by Beverly Gage “The Witch,” by Marie NDiaye “London Falling,” by Patrick Radden Keefe “Prophecy,” by Carissa Véliz “Ghost Town,” by Tom Perrotta “From Life Itself,” by Suzy Hansen “The Calamity Club,” by Kathryn Stockett “Dog Days,” by Emily LaBarge “The Midnight Train,” by Matt Haig “The Land and Its People,” by David Sedaris “On the Calculation of Volume (Book 4),” by Solvej Balle “Famesick,” by Lena Dunham “The Sane One,” by Anna Konkle “On Witness and Respair,” by Jesmyn Ward “John of John,” by Douglas Stuart “The Things We Never Say,” by Elizabeth Strout “Yesteryear,” by Caro Claire Burke “Arsenio,” by Arsenio Hall “Five Weeks in the Country,” by Francine Prose “The Ending Writes Itself,” by Evelyn Clark (V.E. Schwab and Cat Clark) “Go Gentle,” by Maria Semple “True Crime,” by Patricia Cornwell “Against Breaking,” by Ada Limón Listen to and Follow ‘The Book Review' Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube | iHeartRadio Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. We Want to Hear From You We would love to hear your thoughts about this episode, and about the Book Review's podcast in general. You can send them to thebookreview@nytimes.com. Credits “The Book Review Podcast” is hosted by Gilbert Cruz and produced by Amy Pearl and Sarah Diamond. The show is edited by Larissa Anderson and mixed by Pedro Rosado. Special thanks to MJ Franklin, Dahlia Haddad and Brooke Minters. Illustration by The New York Times; Inset photos: Scribner; Viking; Spiegel & Grau Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Should you let trends drive your creativity? How concerned should you be about saturated markets? Sam Cotterill, Lee White, and Jake Parker discuss the state of the publishing industry and how to navigate it successfully in 2026. 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

Should you tell a harsh truth if it will only cause pain? Or is it sometimes kinder to keep someone in the dark? Psychologist Emma Levine explores the unwritten rules that guide when people feel it's acceptable to lie — and what those choices reveal about trust, harm, and our deepest moral values. In our companion Hidden Brain+ episode, we explore ways to bridge the gap between the many lies we condone in practice, and the lying we claim to hate. If you're a subscriber, that episode is called “Telling The Truth About Lies.” If you're not yet a Hidden Brain+ subscriber, please visit support.hiddenbrain.org or apple.co/hidden brain for a free seven-day trial.  Illustration by Masantocreative for Unsplash+ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Illustration by David Wynne In which we start the Morrison Run; Professor X gets his hands on Chekhov's gun; Cassandra Nova raises X-villains to a new level of weird; and humanity is running on borrowed time. X-PLAINED: No-Girl New X-Men #114-117 Grant Morrison and their approach to the X-Men Superhero fashion Cerebra Beast's new look Ugly John Interpersonal dynamics Cassandra Nova (somewhat) Donald Trask Master Molds Wild Sentinels Emma Frost (more) (again) Negasonic Teenage Warhead (the original) The fall of Genosha Secondary mutations The most strapless bra of all time The Black Bug Room Summers problems Official X-Men and the designation thereof Wonder Man and mutants NEXT EPISODE: Beast has a bad day Check out the visual companion to this episode on our blog. Find us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Jay and Miles X-Plain the X-Men is 100% ad-free and listener supported. If you want to help support the podcast–and unlock more cool stuff–you can do that right here! Buy rad swag at our Dashery shop!

Andy Weir's first time at the Hollywood rodeo was a singular trip. His debut novel, “The Martian,” went from self-published project to blockbuster, best picture-nominated film starring Matt Damon. His third book, “Project Hail Mary,” was also a sensation, and its adaptation, starring Ryan Gosling as a middle school science teacher tasked with saving humanity from slow extinction, charts warmly familiar territory: a lone man, stuck in space far from Earth, solving science problem after science problem with many a humorous aside. Weir joined the Book Review's podcast and spoke to the host Gilbert Cruz about the similarities and differences between Mark Watney and Ryland Grace (the main characters of “The Martian” and “Project Hail Mary”), his second novel “Artemis” and the alien character that readers have fallen in love with. We Want to Hear From You We would love to hear your thoughts about this episode, and about the Book Review's podcast in general. You can send them to thebookreview@nytimes.com. Credits “The Book Review Podcast” is hosted by Gilbert Cruz and produced by Sarah Diamond and Amy Pearl. The show is edited by Larissa Anderson and mixed by Pedro Rosado. Special thanks to MJ Franklin, Dahlia Haddad, and Paula Szuchman. Illustration by The New York Times; Photo: Taylor Glascock for The New York Times Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Disgust is a strong emotion, one designed by evolution to protect us from danger and diseases. But disgust also spills into other areas of our lives, influencing our morals, our intuitions about right and wrong, even our politics. We talk with psychologist David Pizarro about how disgust is used to persuade and divide us, and why it remains such a potent force in public life today. Then, in our latest installment of “Your Questions Answered,” Huggy Rao returns to respond to listeners' thoughts and questions about why big ideas fail. There's still time to join Shankar at one of our upcoming stops on Hidden Brain's live tour! Join us in Philadelphia on March 21 or New York City on March 25. And stay tuned for more tour dates to be announced soon!  Illustration by Alvaro Montoro for Unsplash Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.