logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2023
58m 35s

John Wick Whacks the Box Office

Slate Podcasts
About this episode

This week, Slate’s own Nadira Goffe joins Dana and Stephen as they begin by talking about John Wick 4. Then they discuss a new streaming series about fandom gone too far called Swarm. Finally, they chat about why classical music is getting more popular among young people. 


In Slate Plus, the panel discusses Freud’s comeback. 


Email us at culturefest@slate.com.


Endorsements: 

Dana: Lorraine Hunt sings Handel

Nadira: The app and website Music League

Stephen: “The Trails of the Young: A Semester” by Mary Gaitskill


Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Yesica Balderrama.


Outro music is: "Self Made Woman" by Katharine Appleton.


If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows. You’ll also be supporting the work we do here on the Culture Gabfest. Sign up now at Slate.com/cultureplus to help support our work.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Up next
Aug 20
Alien is Back Now With More Aliens Edition
This week’s episode journeys to dystopian corporate hellscapes present and future as Julia, Dana, and Steve dissect the horror and philosophical underpinnings of Alien: Earth, Noah Hawley’s new series adapting the Ridley Scott sci-fi masterpiece. Next, they set their course to Ar ... Show More
1h 2m
Aug 13
The Naked Gun And The Nearly Naked Momoa Edition
On this week’s show, Julia Turner is joined by guest hosts Nadira Goffe and Dan Kois to answer the urgent question: is The Naked Gun starring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson the vital satire we need for our time? (Answer: No, but does that matter? The joke-dense spoof reboot dire ... Show More
1h 7m
Aug 6
Summer Strut 2025 Edition
It’s the most feelin’ yourself time of the year; a time for uptempo jams to make the sidewalk your runway; a time for the annual Summer Strut playlist! As per tradition, Steve, Dana, and Julia are joined by music critic and chartologist Chris Molanphy to sift through the hundreds ... Show More
1h 22m
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2021
Culture Gabfest: Flying Puppet Baby
This week is a Bizarro Fest featuring associate editor Marissa Martinelli; June Thomas, senior managing producer of Slate podcasts; and Benjamin Frisch, senior producer, Decoder Ring. First, the panel discusses the bizarre experience of watching Annette. Next, they talk about the ... Show More
1h 1m
Sep 2021
Culture Gabfest: 10 Rings, 12 Minutes, and 20 Years
This week, Steve and Dana are joined by Slate senior editor, Allegra Frank. First, the panel discusses the surprising achievements of Marvel’s newest addition, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Next, the panel is joined by Slate senior editor Jeremy Stahl to talk about S ... Show More
1h 4m
Jun 2022
Working: How Normal Gossip Producer Alex Sujong Laughlin Helps Shape the Podcast
This week, Working producer Cameron Drews talks to Alex Sujong Laughlin, producer of the hit podcast Normal Gossip. In the interview, Alex explains what a producer does and talks about how important it is for producers to have creative input. Then she digs into the process behind ... Show More
57m 41s
Oct 2020
Working: Rumaan Alam’s New Novel Started With a Daydream
This week, host June Thomas talks to novelist, critic, and co-host of Working Rumaan Alam about his new novel Leave the World Behind, which has already garnered critical acclaim and a nomination for the National Book Award. In the interview, Rumaan talks about the origins of the ... Show More
47m 44s
Aug 2021
Working: White Lotus' Composer on the Show’s Distinct Sound
This week, host Isaac Butler talks to composer Cristobal Tapia de Veer, who wrote the spooky, absolutely unmistakable score for the HBO series The White Lotus. In the interview, Cristobal discusses his career journey and explains why he switched from writing classical and pop mus ... Show More
1 h
Jul 2023
Slate Money: Can Threads Take Down Twitter?
Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers talk about Threads, the new competitor to Twitter. They also discuss Janet Yellen’s trip to China and what it means for American foreign policy. Finally, have tipping and service charges gone too far?In the plus segment: Pregnant wor ... Show More
54m 42s
May 2023
The Waves: I Don’t Care If You Like Me
On this week’s episode of The Waves, are female characters becoming less likable? Slate senior supervising producer, Daisy Rosario is joined by author and comedian Jena Friedman. Jena’s new book Not Funny explores likeability and what that means for women in comedy and the world. ... Show More
35m 22s