Author: Slate Podcasts

**Today’s episode discusses sensitive language, including the n-word, and may not be appropriate for all listeners.**

For decades, words and phrases that originate in Black homes, churches, and entertainment have been pulled into the national conversation…where their meanings are often changed or widely misunderstood. And social media has accelerated the process, taking Black vernacular from a group chat, to Twitter, to national headlines in record time. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by journalists Tre’vell Anderson and Jarrett Hill, co-authors of the new book, Historically Black Phrases: From ‘I Ain’t One of Your Lil’ Friends’ to ‘Who All Gon’ Be There?’ They talk about what inspired their book, and how they hope the book can provide a snapshot of authentic Black language, and the spark to more honest conversations about race and identity.

Guests: 

Acclaimed writer Tre’vell Anderson, author of We See Each Other: A Black, Trans Journey Through TV and Film.

Award-winning journalist Jarrett Hill, professor at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Journalism.

Podcast production by Ahyiana Angel

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On today’s episode of Hear Me Out… what? Oh my god, who told you?

Adoption is a complicated thing. Raising a child who’s not related to you is challenging — and being that child, in many ways, is even harder. 

And it’s all too easy for adoption, particularly a white family adopting a black or brown child, to be framed as a heroic act. The truth, as adoptees will tell you, is a lot messier.

Angela Tucker, a writer and transracial adoptee, joins us to argue that adoption is traumatic… and with the right reforms, it shouldn’t need to happen as often as it does.

If you have thoughts you want to share, or an idea for a topic we should tackle, you can email the show: hearmeout@slate.com

Podcast production by Maura Currie

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This week, host Nate Chinen talks with Dave Chisholm, a jazz trumpeter who writes graphic novels about jazz musicians. His previous publications include Chasin' the Bird: A Charlie Parker Graphic Novel and Enter the Blue. His next book, Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound, will be released in November.

In the interview, Chisholm talks about how he uses the visual language of comics to explore the musical language of jazz and about the challenges of writing a book about a figure of the significance and complexity of Miles Davis.

After the interview, Chinen and co-host June Thomas discuss ways in which elements of music theory and practice can be applied to writing and share some pop-cultural pet peeves.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Chisholm names three essential Miles Davis albums and three mind-blowing graphic novels

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Zak Rosen.

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Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers are joined by Kashmir Hill to talk about her new book, Your Face Belongs to Us. They dig into the way facial recognition technology is used in unexpected (and sometimes creepy) ways. They also talk about the A.I. revolution and Rupert Murdoch’s “exit” from the Fox empire. 

In the Plus segment: Kashmir talks about tracking her husband. 

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Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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