Rough Drafts

Rough Drafts
  • 4.2 (5)
  • Arts
  • Biweekly

Rough Drafts is a Black digital salon hosted by Maurice Rippel and Luke McGowan-Arnold. Maurice and Luke, classmates from their time at a small liberal arts college in the 2010s, reconnected after their respective odyssey in the early 2020s. Through their work facilitating writing groups and public events at a bookstore in Philadelphia, the idea for this podcast emerged, and in fact, was requested. Rough Drafts is exactly what it sounds like: ideas in their nascent stages, first impressions, best foot forward. The concept of each episode is simple: we bring a topic, present a question, or a works-in-progress; we do some research, then have a conversation (often with a guest who commits to reading, research and hot takes). The goal is to start a conversation, and commit to learning, growing, and building for the next draft.

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 209: Sports as an Avenue w/ Jeffrey Lawrence

    Jeffrey Lawrence is a professor at Rutgers University, teaching 20th and 21st century American and Latin American literature courses, and writing in both English and Spanish. Jeffrey starts with a sense of his intellectual trajectory, then he talks about the influence of studying Spanish and traveling Latin America and the role of sports in his journey. They explore this latter point through his piece on David Foster Wallace, and think through how understanding sport can be a way of thinking through other things, particularly an academic or writer’s life. Sport is a particular avenue in Jeffrey’s view to think about merit and meritocracy, and they discuss these contours through various historical and contemporary figures. Their conversation pivots to a focus on charisma and how it complicates horizontalism with Jeffrey offering reflections from #OccupyWallStreet. Jeffrey and Luke offer particular critiques of contemporary literature and the structures publishing might put on folks based on identity. Would Alice Walker’s Meridian or James Baldwin’s Another Country be published today? How have figures like Toni Morrison and James Baldwin become representative or meme-ified, such that it makes it hard to talk about their actual views? Maurice asks Jeffrey about writing in English and Spanish, and more about his most recent novel El Americano. Their conversation concludes with reflections on the transnational quality of social movements and the tendency to "Monday morning quarterback” or the hesitance to satirize left-wing social movements. You can find more about Jeffrey on his Substack, Avenue of the Americas.  Notes Meridian by Alice Walker (1976) Another Country by James Baldwin (1962) Distant Star by Roberto Bolaño (1996) Magic Action: Looking ack on the George Floyd rebellion by Tobi Haslett US Open? David Foster Wallace, Tennis, and the Crisis of Meritocracy by Jeffrey Lawrence The Democrat Intellectual Complex by Jeffrey Lawrence American Fiction by Percival Everett; film 2023 Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine (2014). That Winter the Wolf Came by Juliana Spahr (2015)

  2. Nov 5

    Episode 208: Freestyling in Houston w/ Kendre Thomas

    Luke and Maurice interview Kendre Thomas, an educator and lifelong resident of Houston, Texas. Maurice asks Kendre about what it was like to grow up in Houston in the 2000s and 2010s, and what it meant to leave home for school (4:40), and he shares what it meant for him to grow up in a matriarchal family, and the education pathway programs that supported his trajectory to college. Maurice asks Kendre about what it meant to go from the south to a school in the north (10:44), and vice versa, what it meant to return to Houston from the north  (14:12). Luke and Maurice reflect on their “Welcome to Houston” moment on the bus, and relate it to preliminary reflections on a recent trip to the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. Collectively, they think about the unique anti-Black aspects of Houston, including reflections on the use of the n-word by non-Black people (25:26). They then turn to a conversation about education in Houston, the impact of AI and its relationship to the so-called literacy crisis. (36:48). Kendre offers his perspective teaching at an all boys school in computer science for 9th-11th graders, and how that’s changed cheating, reading, critical thinking, and more. They then turn to a conversation about social media addiction, the psychological effects of isolation, and the consequences of passive consumption (47:58). Kendre offers educators some ways he’s adapted his classroom to the changing technological and pedagogical demands of the moment. The conversation concludes with some talk about Kendre’s recent foray into film criticism, reflecting on his favorite horror films, his feelings on Sinners (58:22), and the portrayal of toxic parenthood and masculinity in 28 Years Later. They wrap up with Kendre’s reflection about what it means to be American at 250. Find more about Kendre on his tik-tok where he covers gaming content–everything but sports games! : @tesarcos_gaming   Notes  BbyMutha, “The Mutha of Tears” (2018) Incantation (2022) Sharif El-Mekki, “A Viral ‘Can You Read?’ Moment Shows It Takes a Village To Get Our Youth Literate (May 2026) Rose Horowitch, “The Elite College Students Who Can’t Read Books” (Oct. 2024) World War Z (2006) Night of the Living Dead (1968) The Conjuring  (2013) The Purge (2013) 28 Years Later (2025) Monaleo, “Sexy Soulaan” (2025)

  3. Oct 29

    Episode 207: American Literature at 250 w/ Ross Barkan

    In this episode, the Rough Drafts boys head back up to Brooklyn to talk with Ross Barkan, a writer and editor of the Metropolitan Review magazine, to talk about his novel, Colossus. In the interview, they talk about his inspiration for setting Colossus in a small Michigan town as a native New Yorker. Later on, Ross talks about class dynamics in small American towns (6:23) and how public schools are less segregated by class (9:45) in rural areas. The conversation moves to a discussion about how gentrification and development exists even in small towns like the fictionalized town of Pine Haven, Michigan (16:36). Ross ends up talking then about balancing his work as a political journalist with his work as a fiction writer. (23:16) He talks also about how the worlds of literature and journalism have bifurcated in our current era. (24:25). Briefly, he discusses his run for office and having Zohran Mamdani as his campaign manager (31:48). Finally, Maurice asks Ross about his opinions on America 250. Ross talks in depth about histories of racism and the need for progress and optimism (37:25). Read more from Ross on his Substack Political Currents at https://rosselliotbarkan.com/. His novel Colossus is out and available wherever you get your books!    Notes:  Colossus by Ross Barkan  Cherry by Nico Walker Dead Stars by Bruce Wagner  Pet Sounds - The Beach Boys  Anora (2025) Bugonia (2025) Weapons (2025)

  4. Oct 22

    Episode 206: Art Advice w/ Talia Pockhai

    Talia Pockhai is an art advisor and writer who lives in London. She operates her own art advising business, I&I Worldwide. In this episode of Rough Drafts, Luke and Maurice travel to Manhattan to interview Talia about art. She talks about the most recent Venice Biennale (5:45) and the boom in portraiture as a form (9:50). Later on, Maurice asks a question about art mentors, which comes from the bell hooks book, Art of My Mind. Talia talks about her neighbor, Laurie Sims (19:15), and her initial forays into the art world. The conversation ends up going to a discussion of cultural appropriation (25:30) and how that relates to both art and literature. Finally, the conversation goes to her art writing and art business. Talia gives suggestions for young art collectors (38:10) and why it’s critical to support avant-garde artists early in their careers. We talk about how Black artists' labor often for years and die in obscurity (40:50).  Find Talia on Instagam @2.pock and @i.and.i.worldwide   Notes:  Howardena Pindel: Off the Grid by Talia Pockhai  Art on My Mind: Visual Politics by bell hooks  Jack Whitten  Charles White  The Waterbearers: A Memoirs of Mothers and Daughters by Sasha Bonet  Black Woman - An Album by Sonny Sharrock

  5. Oct 15

    Episode 205: Sports Talk w/ Dr. Theresa Runstedtler

    Dr. Theresa Runstedtler is a historian and Chair of Critical Race, Gender, and Culture Studies at American University. She is the author of two books Black Ball: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Spencer Haywood, and the Generation that Saved the Soul of the NBA (2023), and Jack Johnson, Rebel Sojourner: Boxing in the Shadow of the Global Color Line (2012). Dr. Runstedtler talks about her intellectual trajectory; her book on Jack Johnson is a pivotal intervention in the misleading belief amongst some historians of an emergence of wider Black global consciousness as preceding WWI. She talks about reading the “white press against the grain” (23:45), Sitting with the legacies of DuBois and Josephine Baker, they discuss how Continental Europe has historically provided space for African Americans, simultaneously Dr. Runstedtler shares with us about her writing process (46:30), and insights into things she’s attuned to in the world of sports (53:00) including the WNBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement process. She gives insights into a future project on the history of cheerleaders and sideline entertainers, drawing in part on her own experiences as a dancer with the Dance Pak for the Toronto Raptors, which will explore visibility/invisibility, labor, gender and history of sport.

    Episode 205: Sports Talk w/ Dr. Theresa Runstedtler

  6. Oct 8

    Episode 204: “Born ignorant” w/ Blake Parker

    Blake Parker is a multi-hypenate artist based in New York City who joins the pod in a wide-ranging conversation about his journey and creative process (2:56). He cites early influences in his Soundcloud journey such as Hannah Diamond’s work, and his favorite rappers. Blake shares his critique of so-called corny/cheesy rap, citing specific artists who are corny, and those who get a pass. They then discuss how Blake’s first album Cairo comes together, when he knows a project is complete, and how he navigates streaming services with analog forms of distribution (13:33). He talks about thinking about content creation as an art, reframing it to navigate its opportunities as well as its challenges. Blake shares about his listening practice (38:23), which includes listening to music videos for music, and amplifying platforms like Soul Seek. They wrap up the conversation with Blake sharing his perspective on living in the Socialist Republic of New York City under the reign of Zohran Mamdani (45:43), and his creative influences beyond music. Find Blake on Instagam @earnestblackmale   Notes Amazing Spider-Man: Beyond Baltasar Kormakur, 2 Guns Deelodoitall, Born Ignorant (TELL THE CANDY LADY I GOT 75 CENTS) Jean Baudrillard, Simulacra and Simulation Scott Snyder, Absolute Batman #5

    Episode 204: “Born ignorant” w/ Blake Parker

  7. Oct 1

    Episode 203: Quilombo, Nostalgia, and Grief w/ Ice City Maroon

    Ice City Maroon is a Muslim poet and rapper who joins the pod to talk about his debut book, Quilombo. The conversation begins with a discussion of his inspiration on the title and the project more broadly centering new Afrikan resistance. Ice then talks about his process. Throughout the conversation, Ice City sits with the grief he’s experienced from the gentrification and passing of loved ones (10:25). He gives insight into the archive he draws on throughout his book, particular the book’s photographs (23:33). Luke notes in one of these photos the space that intergenerational friendships between men hold (32:30) and Ice goes on to note how these intergenerational relationships formed him and other men in his community. Maurice asks him about the differences between when his words are on the page and when he performs his work (37:06). Ice talks about not being a traditionally trained musician and how it impacts his process, citing influences like billy woods. The conversation concludes with some reflections on the possibilities for future change outside nonprofits and moderate reforms, and commentary on Zendaya’s The Drama.  Find IG on @icecitymaroon and buy his book Quilombo: shadedspace.bigcartel.com    Notes Darius Simpson, You’ll Never Catch Me George Jackson, Blood In My eye Kristoffer Borgli, The Drama Michael Mann, Heat  Soft Landing by billy woods and Kenny Segal

    Episode 203: Quilombo, Nostalgia, and Grief w/ Ice City Maroon

  8. Sep 24

    Episode 202: Thinking and Writing in Translation w/ Mordecai Martin

    On this episode of Rough Drafts, the Rough Drafts boys interview writer and translator Mordecai Martin in Baltimore. This interview took place while they were in town for the AWP Conference. Mordecai talks to them about his Yiddish translation work specifically around the literature from 1880-1945 and how that relates to family history with his great-grandfather Julius. Mordecai talks about a novel in progress he’s been working on called Keep Reading Said the Dead Man which features both a frame narrative and a translation of a Yiddish detective story called A House on Staten Island. This prompts Luke to ask questions about the intersection between fiction and anti-zionist Jewish organizing (19:10) as it relates to the project. Eventually, there’s a discussion about political zionism (31:45) and how it related to the broader Jewish Left back in the day. We finally talk a bit about Mexico City and Mordecai’s move there (49:56) as it relates to some of his work with translation. To read more of Mordecai’s work, check out his website and his Substack Fartaytsht un Farbesert: Thoughts on translation and craft.    Notes and Sources:  Mordecai Martin Translates William Gropper : https://anmly.org/ap38/mordecai-martin-translates-william-gropper/  Romance of American Communism, Vivian Gornick  A Hunt for Optimism - Viktor Shklovsky, Translated by Shushan Avagyan Bowstring: On the Dissimilarity of the Similar - Viktor Shkylovsky, Translated by Shushan Avagyan  VOLODYA - Vladimir Mayakovsky, edited by Rosy Carrick

    Episode 202: Thinking and Writing in Translation w/ Mordecai Martin
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Ratings & Reviews

4.2
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Rough Drafts is a Black digital salon hosted by Maurice Rippel and Luke McGowan-Arnold. Maurice and Luke, classmates from their time at a small liberal arts college in the 2010s, reconnected after their respective odyssey in the early 2020s. Through their work facilitating writing groups and public events at a bookstore in Philadelphia, the idea for this podcast emerged, and in fact, was requested. Rough Drafts is exactly what it sounds like: ideas in their nascent stages, first impressions, best foot forward. The concept of each episode is simple: we bring a topic, present a question, or a works-in-progress; we do some research, then have a conversation (often with a guest who commits to reading, research and hot takes). The goal is to start a conversation, and commit to learning, growing, and building for the next draft.

Information

  • Creator
    Rough Drafts
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Rough Drafts