Brooklyn Magazine: The Podcast

The inner victories of Sean Qualls

Sean Qualls is a Brooklyn-based artist, award-winning children’s book illustrator, author and occasional DJ. His latest book is a collaboration with Roots drummer Questlove called “The Idea in You,” a charming children’s book about finding that first spark of creativity. You can see Sean’s art on display now through November 10 in a solo exhibition called “Inner Victories” at Established Gallery here in Brooklyn. The show explores the idea that private victories precede public triumphs. His work across the board — both non-fiction and figurative — leans into notions of race and identity, and the intersection of history and mythology.   Brooklyn news and views you can use: bkmag.com [http://bkmag.com/] Email: hello@bkmag.com Follow along on Facebook: Brooklyn Magazine [https://www.facebook.com/brooklynmagazine] Twitter: @brooklynmag [http://www.twitter.com/brooklynmag] Instagram: @brooklynmagazine [https://www.instagram.com/brooklynmagazine/] Follow Brian Braiker on Twitter: @slarkpope [http://twitter.com/slarkpope]

Emily Nussbaum on the invention of reality TV

Love it or hate it, reality TV isn’t going anywhere. It’s also probably not going to stop being divisive any time soon, either. So maybe it’s time we take seriously a genre so many people dismiss as silly. That’s the central argument of Emily Nussbaum’s deeply reported warts-and-all history “Cue the Sun! The Invention of Reality TV,” which she succeeds at making in the most compelling and engaging prose. From Candid Camera to the Apprentice — from “The Real World” to the Kardashians — it’s a “dirty documentary” world and we can’t stop watching.   Brooklyn news and views you can use: bkmag.com [http://bkmag.com/] Email: hello@bkmag.com Follow along on Facebook: Brooklyn Magazine [https://www.facebook.com/brooklynmagazine] Twitter: @brooklynmag [http://www.twitter.com/brooklynmag] Instagram: @brooklynmagazine [https://www.instagram.com/brooklynmagazine/] Follow Brian Braiker on Twitter: @slarkpope [http://twitter.com/slarkpope]

The ‘Family Values’ of photography duo Guzman

For about 40 years now, the husband-and-wife team of Constance Hansen and Russell Peacock has created an indelible body of photography produced under the name Guzman. Now they have a new book out, called “Family Values,” a series of incredibly intimate photos taken in one day at the home of Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love, five weeks after their daughter Frances Bean was born in 1992. Here we talk about that day, what they remember about the young family, their process and highlights of their career — like hanging out with Iggy Pop. They also talk about one of their more challenging shoots … Soundgarden, we’re looking at you.   Brooklyn news and views you can use: bkmag.com [http://bkmag.com/] Email: hello@bkmag.com Follow along on Facebook: Brooklyn Magazine [https://www.facebook.com/brooklynmagazine] Twitter: @brooklynmag [http://www.twitter.com/brooklynmag] Instagram: @brooklynmagazine [https://www.instagram.com/brooklynmagazine/] Follow Brian Braiker on Twitter: @slarkpope [http://twitter.com/slarkpope]

The Brownstone Boys have some renovation tips for you

If you live in Brooklyn and have ever had a desire to renovate or restore your place — a total overhaul or a new kitchen, some shelving, maybe, or a rethinking of your lighting — chances are you’ve come across the Brownstone Boys online. Or if you live in Brooklyn and just have a kink for historic home restoration, you’ve probably followed the Brownstone Boys on Instagram or YouTube. The Brownstone Boys are Jordan Slocum and Barry Bordelon. They are a couple who live in Bed-Stuy and gained a following when they started blogging their own journey of restoring the house they bought in 2018. From there, a simple online diary of their progress morphed into a full-fledged online brand, and then an interior design and renovation firm, and TV appearances and, now, a book: ”For the Love of Renovating: Tips, Tricks and Inspiration for Creating your Dream Home.” Is out now.   Brooklyn news and views you can use: bkmag.com [http://bkmag.com/] Email: hello@bkmag.com Follow along on Facebook: Brooklyn Magazine [https://www.facebook.com/brooklynmagazine] Twitter: @brooklynmag [http://www.twitter.com/brooklynmag] Instagram: @brooklynmagazine [https://www.instagram.com/brooklynmagazine/] Follow Brian Braiker on Twitter: @slarkpope [http://twitter.com/slarkpope]

Emily Anadu lays out the Lay Out

Since its founding as an impromptu celebration of Black joy and community in response to the murder of George Floyd in May of 2020, the Lay Out has grown into a sprawling community platform that hosts year-round parties and offshoots like the BuyBLK. ByBLK. marketplace. This week, the Lay Out’s founder Emily Anadu joimed us on the podcast as she was in the final stages of prepping for the Lay Out’s annual Juneteenth party in Fort Greene Park. We discuss the origins of the Lay Out and her own background as someone who was born in Texas and raised in Nigeria before returning to Houston for middle school. We talk about building community and we talk about what’s next for the Lay Out. Brooklyn news and views you can use: bkmag.com [http://bkmag.com/] Email: hello@bkmag.com Follow along on Facebook: Brooklyn Magazine [https://www.facebook.com/brooklynmagazine] Twitter: @brooklynmag [http://www.twitter.com/brooklynmag] Instagram: @brooklynmagazine [https://www.instagram.com/brooklynmagazine/] Follow Brian Braiker on Twitter: @slarkpope [http://twitter.com/slarkpope]