The Backstory

Stan Lee Biographer Abraham Riesman Saw the Future in 'Children of Men'

Abraham Riesman is a cultural journalist and the author of 'True Believer: The Rise and Fall of Stan Lee' (as well as a forthcoming biography of Vince McMahon). He sat down with The Backstory crew to talk through the dopamine rush he got from watching the 2006 Alfonso Cuarón film 'Children of Men,' and how it helped him establish his moral compass in storytelling.

Curator Vikki Tobak Learned Individualism from Hip-Hop Jewelry

Today’s guest on The Backstory is Vikki Tobak, a curator, cultural journalist, and producer who specializes in the cultural history of hip-hop. Her recent book, Contact High, traces the impact of hip-hop through the imagery that chronicled it, and has been turned into exhibitions at LA’s Annenberg Center of Photography and New York’s ICP. She sat down with Sean and Dan to talk about hip-hop jewelry, individualism, and authenticity.

'Black in White America' Taught Photographer Jamel Shabazz to See the World

Photographer Jamel Shabazz joins Sean and Dan for a look at Leonard Freed's 'Black in White America,' a classic collection of kinetic civil-rights era photography.

Erin Thompson Feels "Radically Connected to Humanity" at the Mütter Museum

This week on The Backstory, hosts Sean Williams and Dan McQuade sit down with art crime professor Erin Thompson to talk heists, fakes, and why Philly’s Mütter Museum makes her feel radically connected to humanity.

Thirstin Howl the 3rd Still Has Love for Lo

This week, rapper and Lo-Lifes cofounder Thirstin Howl the 3rd speaks on his love for all things Polo.