184 episodes
Slow Burn Slate Podcasts
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- History
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4.7 • 1.3K Ratings
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Clarence Thomas is one of the most powerful figures in America today. Nearly every issue of national consequence has his fingerprints all over it, from voting rights to gun rights and from abortion access to affirmative action. But nothing about his journey from rural Georgia to the Supreme Court was inevitable.In the eighth season of Slate’s Slow Burn, host Joel Anderson traces Justice Thomas’ surprising path from youthful radical to conservative icon. You’ll hear about why he came to despise the race-based admission policies that personally benefitted him, how he credited his political rise to the Black self-sufficiency preached by Malcolm X, and what the American people didn’t hear during his explosive confirmation hearings.
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Plus: "One of the Guys"
In this member-exclusive episode, Slow Burn’s host Joel Anderson and producer Sophie Summergrad discuss Episode 1 of the new season, explaining how Joel pitched a series on Clarence Thomas and what parts of his life this will cover. And they discuss Joel’s trip to Georgia to seek out people from Thomas’ childhood. Then we’ll hear more from Joel's interview with Diane Brady, who wrote the book Fraternity about the 20 Black men—including Thomas—recruited to Holy Cross in 1968.
Production by Cleo Levin. -
America’s Blackest Child
Growing up in Georgia, Clarence Thomas wanted to make his mark. His goal was to become his hometown’s first Black Catholic priest. But in the 1960s, he abandoned that dream. Instead, he embraced campus activism and the teachings of Malcolm X.
Season 8 of Slow Burn is produced by Joel Anderson, Sophie Summergrad, Sam Kim, and Sofie Kodner.
Josh Levin is the editorial director of Slow Burn.
Derek John is Slate’s executive producer of narrative podcasts.
Susan Matthews is Slate’s executive editor.
Editorial direction by Josh Levin, Derek John, and Joel Meyer.
Merritt Jacob is Slate’s senior technical director.
Our theme music is composed by Alexis Cuadrado. Artwork by Ivylise Simones.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Plus: The Path to Black Republicanism
In this member-exclusive episode, Slow Burn’s host Joel Anderson and producer Sofie Kodner discuss Episode 2, explaining how they secured the interviews for this episode and delving deeper into Thomas’ early relationship with conservatives and Republican politicians. Then we’ll hear more from Joel’s interview with Leah Wright Rigueur, who wrote the book The Loneliness of the Black Republican, which tells the story of Black conservatives in the Republican Party from the New Deal to Ronald Reagan.
Production by Cleo Levin. -
Smiling Faces
Clarence Thomas went to Yale Law School because he thought it was a good fit for his left-wing politics. But when he arrived, it seemed like all the white liberals thought he was only there because he was Black. The sting Thomas felt fueled a lifelong resentment of affirmative action. It also drew him to a group of conservatives who helped sharpen his political beliefs.
Season 8 of Slow Burn is produced by Joel Anderson, Sophie Summergrad, Sam Kim, and Sofie Kodner.
Josh Levin is the editorial director of Slow Burn.
Derek John is Slate’s executive producer of narrative podcasts.
Susan Matthews is Slate’s executive editor.
This episode was edited by Josh Levin, Derek John, Sophie Summergrad and Joel Meyer.
Merritt Jacob is Slate’s senior technical director.
Our theme music is composed by Alexis Cuadrado. Artwork by Ivylise Simones.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Plus: The Man in the Mask
In this member-exclusive episode, Slow Burn’s host Joel Anderson and editorial director Josh Levin talk about Episode 3, discussing Clarence Thomas’ relationship with Lillian McEwen, and women in general, as he moves into adulthood. Then we’ll hear more from McEwen herself, as she discusses her experience working in Washington, the circumstances under which she got to know Thomas, and the connections they shared.
Production by Cleo Levin -
I’m Their Guy
When Clarence Thomas got nominated to the Supreme Court, his behavior during the 1980s would get put under a microscope. To understand who Thomas was then and who he is today, you need to hear how he treated the women he worked with. You also need to hear from the woman who knew him best during those critical years: his ex-girlfriend Lillian McEwen.
Season 8 of Slow Burn is produced by Joel Anderson, Sophie Summergrad, Sam Kim, and Sofie Kodner.
Josh Levin is the editorial director of Slow Burn.
Derek John is Slate’s executive producer of narrative podcasts.
Susan Matthews is Slate’s executive editor.
This episode was edited by Josh Levin, Derek John, Sophie Summergrad, and Joel Meyer.
Merritt Jacob is our senior technical director.
Our theme music is composed by Alexis Cuadrado. Artwork by Ivylise Simones.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Customer Reviews
Great to have this!
Such an important topic and this is so informative and interesting. Lovely mix of two ways and sound rich reporting. And educational.
Great podcast with 1 major drawback
Great podcast, hosting, production, music, pacing of the story etc. Very well made. Major drawback is the quantity and frequency of ad breaks. Ruins the flow.
David Duke Series lightweight journalism
David duke is not an interesting or consequential enough subject for a slow, pondering series of investigative journalism. Neither does the story contain any genuinely interesting twists and turns, or mysteries. It starts with how undeniably repugnant Duke is, and ends with it, with the story or character assessment not having moved on at all. This makes for a flat, unexciting listener journey. The biggest, gaping fail, is the college student-esque refusal midway through the series not to interview the man. If you deem the subject sufficiently interesting to make the series about it, I simply can’t fathom how you would then declare your refusal to interview him. There are many arguments against this approach, but especially given that the audience of this podcast is by its nature interested in the nuance of political testimony, and is capable of discerning their own views on a controversial subject, no matter how ‘offensive’. Duke is totally accessible online, so why put your fingers in your ears and try and block out what he has to say - if it’s an issue, then don’t give him the spotlight and make the podcast in the first place. Ultimately this just makes the whole process lightweight - what a waste.