The American Vandal

Matt Seybold, Center For Mark Twain Studies
  • 4.7 (43)
  • Books
  • Updated Biweekly

Each season of American Vandal is comprised of thematically-linked conversations about literature, history, higher education, media, technology, and political economy. Sponsored by the premier source for programming and funding scholarship on Mark Twain's life and legacy.

  1. The Production of Oil & Knowledge in Iran with Mattin Biglari & Katayoun Shafiee

    Jun 2

    The Production of Oil & Knowledge in Iran with Mattin Biglari & Katayoun Shafiee

    A discussion of the historical trajectory informing the current polycrisis reverberating from the Strait of Hormuz with two historians of Iranian Oil, authors of "Nationalising Oil & Knowledge in Iran" (Edinburgh UP, 2025) and "Machineries of Oil" (MIT Press, 2018). Cast (in order of appearance): Matt Seybold, Katayoun Shafiee, and Mattin Biglari Music: Danny Weiss Quartet, Moby For more about this episode, please visit TheAmericanVandal.substack.com

    50 min
  2. Beyond The White Suit with Kerry Driscoll, Ann Ryan, & Barbara Snedecor (Vandal Live in Elmira)

    May 28

    Beyond The White Suit with Kerry Driscoll, Ann Ryan, & Barbara Snedecor (Vandal Live in Elmira)

    Two events organized by the Center For Mark Twain Studies focus on the complex legacy of Mark Twain and the omissions and misrepresentations of his wife, Olivia Langdon Clemens, and extended family. Cast (in order of appearance): Matt Seybold, Ann Ryan, Kerry Driscoll, Barbara Snedecor, Chuck Lindsay Dates Recorded: October 16, 2025 and November 30, 2023 Music: Danny Weiss Quartet, Moby For more about this episode, please visit TheAmericanVandal.substack.com

    1h 38m
  3. This Guy Sucked with Claire Aubin & Erin Bartram (Vandal Live at Mark Twain House & Museum)

    May 21

    This Guy Sucked with Claire Aubin & Erin Bartram (Vandal Live at Mark Twain House & Museum)

    A live crossover podcasting event with the This Guy Sucked podcast, hosted at the Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford, Connecticut. The question is not only whether and how much Mark Twain might have sucked, but also the potential for Twain's complex legacy to be altered by politics, propaganda, education, and scholarship. Cast (in order of appearance): Matt Seybold, Claire Aubin, Erin Bartram Date Recorded: May 6, 2026 Music: Danny Weiss Quartet For more about this episode, please visit ThisGuySucked.com or TheAmericanVandal.substack.com

    1h 21m
  4. After OpenAI (Vandal Live at Wake Forest Humanities Institute)

    May 12

    After OpenAI (Vandal Live at Wake Forest Humanities Institute)

    As part of the Spring Symposium at the Wake Forest Humanities Institute, Matt Seybold discusses the present and future of AI speculation, including an extended discussion with Wake Forest faculty. Cast (in order of appearance): Jennifer Greiman, Matt Seybold, Derek Lee, Michaela Appeltova, Nisrine Rahal, Barry Trachtenberg, Jeff Bills-Solomon, Dean Franco, Amanda Gengler Date Recorded: April 29, 2026 Music: Danny Weiss Quartet, Moby

    1h 23m
  5. Muskism with Quinn Slobodian & Ben Tarnoff

    Apr 6

    Muskism with Quinn Slobodian & Ben Tarnoff

    A discussion of the forthcoming book "Muskism: A Guild For The Perplexed" with its authors. Topics includes Muskism as the antidote to Musk Fatique, methods of historical research under threat of enshittification, the cultural imaginary of Elon Musk and Grok, satellite data centers, and more. Date Recorded: April 1, 2026 Music: Redd Holt & The Heptet TheAmericanVandal.Substack.com

    1h 17m
  6. The Secret History of Canvas LMS, Corporate Raiders, & The Chatbot Bubble (Vandal Live at UVU)

    Mar 24

    The Secret History of Canvas LMS, Corporate Raiders, & The Chatbot Bubble (Vandal Live at UVU)

    Opens with Matt Seybold's short history of Instructure, the makers of Canvas LMS, with special emphasis on its acquisition by Dragoneer and KKR in 2024. This talk was delivered at Utah Valley University, with supplemental recording from University of Albany. The second half of the episode features a conversation with UVU faculty and students about the impact of the Generative AI boom on their institution. Cast (in order of appearance): Matt Seybold, Christa Albrecht-Crane, Angie McKinnon Carter, Chiler Moore Date Recorded: March 3, 2026 Music: Danny Weiss Quartet, Moby

    1h 52m
  7. Close Reading Is Not A Luxury (Vandal Live at Emory)

    Mar 17

    Close Reading Is Not A Luxury (Vandal Live at Emory)

    From the Close Reading For The 21st Century Symposium, hosted by Emory University. What are the challenges, strategies, and rewards for teaching close reading? What are the stakes of teaching close reading through the nightmare of the contemporary? Cast (in order of appearance): Johanna Winant, Brian Glavey, Matt Seybold, Nathan Suhr-Sytsma, Lindsay Reckson, Christopher Spaide, Katie Kadue, Dan Sinykin, Jeff Dolven, John Lysaker, Omari Weekes, Patrick Sui, Oren Izenberg, Paul Buchholz, Farah Bakaari, Annie Abrams, Beci Carver Date Recorded: November 7, 2025 Music: Danny Weiss Quartet, Moby TheAmericanVandal.Substack.com

    1h 48m
  8. Close Reading Is A Conversation (Vandal Live at Emory University)

    Feb 17

    Close Reading Is A Conversation (Vandal Live at Emory University)

    From the Close Reading For The 21st Century Symposium, hosted by Emory University. Why is close reading best understood as a conversation? What are its evaluative standards? How does it extend the conversation beyond literary studies? Cast (in order of appearance): Johanna Winant, Matt Seybold, Farah Bakaari, Nathan Suhr-Sytsma, Dan Sinykin, Kimberly Quiogue Andrews, Oren Izenberg, Beci Carver, Brian Glavey, Miranda Hickman, Patrick Sui, Jeff Dolven, Katie Kadue, Omari Weekes, Lisa Lee, Daniel Reynolds, Julie Orlemanski, Joshua Kotin Date Recorded: November 7, 2025 Music: Danny Weiss Quartet, Moby Episode Webpage: TheAmericanVandal.Substack.com/Collarbone

    1h 37m
See All (114)

4.7
out of 5
43 Ratings

About

Each season of American Vandal is comprised of thematically-linked conversations about literature, history, higher education, media, technology, and political economy. Sponsored by the premier source for programming and funding scholarship on Mark Twain's life and legacy.

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Seybold, Center For Mark Twain Studies
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    114
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Matt Seybold, Center For Mark Twain Studies
  • Show Website
    The American Vandal

You Might Also Like