Atsuko Okatsuka, Jack Balderrama Morley, and Tyler Ballgame

Atsuko Okatsuka, Jack Balderrama Morley, and Tyler Ballgame

Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka tells us about Craigslist comedy, her trend-setting haircut, and how she never left America after visiting Disneyland as a child; writer Jack Balderrama Morley dives deep into the architecture of reality TV in his new book Dream Facades; and singer Tyler Ballgame performs the title track off his debut album For The First Time, Again.

Melissa Febos, Evan Ratliff, and Tropa Magica (REBROADCAST)

Writer Melissa Febos discusses her latest book The Dry Season, wherein she explores the transformative—and at turns erotic—year she spent celibate; journalist Evan Ratliff takes us into the uncanny world of his podcast Shell Game, which examines the consequences of unleashing an AI version of himself out into the world; and psychedelic cumbia punk band Tropa Magica perform "Price of Life" from their album III.

Sarah Marshall, Camille Dungy, and Kassa Overall

Podcaster Sarah Marshall (You're Wrong About) unpacks her latest series The Devil You Know, which dissects the tangled web of Satanic Panic in the 1980s and 90s... and why it still lingers today; poet Camille Dungy explores living and loving as a Black woman and mother in present day America with her latest collection America, A Love Story; and drummer Kassa Overall interprets classic 1990s hip hop as new jazz standards.

J. Kenji López-Alt, Ann Powers, and Khatumu (REBROADCAST)

Celebrated chef J. Kenji López-Alt schools us on the food history of teriyaki, nachos, and broccoli cheddar soup; music critic Ann Powers unpacks her latest book Traveling: On the Path of Joni Mitchell, which explores the musician's life and career, while addressing her own feelings about tackling the legend; and singer-songwriter Khatumu dispels the rumors that she was an "industry plant," before performing her song "allergy season."

Earlonne Woods & Nigel Poor, Dylan Adler, and Margo Cilker

Earlonne Woods & Nigel Poor discuss how they launched their award-winning podcast Ear Hustle while Earlonne was still incarcerated — and why the stories they share inside and outside of prison are not about redemption; stand-up comedian Dylan Adler reveals what he considers a real missed opportunity on this college application essay; and singer-songwriter Margo Cilker chats about signing her first artist to her new label — her husband Forrest VanTuyl, who joined her to perform "Lowland Trail."