547 episodes
Working Slate Podcasts
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- Business
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4.2 • 381 Ratings
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Hosts Isaac Butler, Ronald Young Jr., and June Thomas interview creative people about how they write, compose, paint, and more.
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Working Overtime: Revisiting Your Resolutions
It's halfway through the year, and hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler are putting themselves back under the microscope to see which of their New Year's resolutions they’ve stuck with and which they’ve let peter out. June still wants to work more sustainably, and Isaac comes clean about his lapsed French studies. They get into routines that have truly worked out and how to let go of the goals that were far too lofty.
Do you have questions or advice of your own about the creative process? Reach out at (304) 933-9675 or email us at working@slate.com.
Podcast production by Kevin Bendis and Cameron Drews.
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A Newspaper Comic That Shows a Changing America
This week, host Ronald Young Jr. talks to Darrin Bell, creator of the syndicated newspaper comic strip Candorville. In the interview, Darrin explains how hard it was to get Candorville picked up for syndication and how all newspaper comics artists face an up-hill battle to get published. He also talks about his routine for creating new strips every week, how he develops his characters, and real-life issues that inspire the strip’s political commentary.
After the interview, Ronald and co-host Isaac Butler discuss ways for politically conscious artists to stay grounded and take care of their mental health.
In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Darrin talks about his love for Star Wars, Star Trek, and Battlestar Galactica.
Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.
Podcast production by Cameron Drews.
If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus to help support our work.
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An Author’s Mission to Make Her Readers Belly Laugh
This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Sally Franson, the author of two novels: A Lady’s Guide to Selling Out and the brand new release Big in Sweden, which was inspired by her real-life experience as a contestant on a Swedish reality competition show. In the interview, Sally digs into the challenges of writing her second novel and the realizations that got her unstuck. She also talks about her practice of plotting novels on gigantic pieces of butcher paper, her preference for writing under a deadline, and her decision to take clowning classes as part of a mission to write side-splittingly funny fiction.
After the interview, Isaac and co-host Ronald Young Jr. talk about reality TV, writing productivity exercises, and some of the challenges of the creative IP economy.
In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Sally and Isaac talk about a specific fiction device that always makes them laugh.
Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.
Podcast production by Cameron Drews.
If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus to help support our work.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Working Overtime: How to Ease Back into Work After Losing a Loved One
Hosts Ronald Young Jr. and Isaac Butler delve into coping with emotional trauma and the challenge of returning to work afterward. Following a death in his family, Ronald grapples with his grief while feeling overwhelmed by the backlog of work. Isaac, having faced his own unexpected personal struggles, explains that part of the return process is accepting that you simply can’t get everything done at once. They share practical tips, such as playing video games to decompress and breaking down urgent tasks into bite-size pieces.
Do you have questions or advice of your own about the creative process? Reach out at (304) 933-9675 or email us at working@slate.com.
Podcast production by Kevin Bendis and Cameron Drews.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
How to Photograph a Hardcore Punk Show
This week, host June Thomas talks to Jim Saah, a photographer who documented D.C.’s legendary hardcore punk scene in the 1980’s and 90’s. In the interview, Jim explains how he fell in love with punk music in high school and soon started photographing bands like Minor Threat and Fugazi. He also discusses the chaotic environments he had to work in, and he explains how certain punk rock conventions—like simple lighting and the practice of allowing pretty much anyone to hop on stage—allowed him to snap memorable and action-packed photos. His photo collection is called In My Eyes, and you can follow him on Instagram @jimsaah.
After the interview, June and co-host Ronald Young Jr. talk about the differences between using digital and analogue tools.
In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Jim explains why the D.C. punk scene was different from other punk scenes in the U.S. He also talks about some of his favorite photography collections.
Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.
Podcast production by Cameron Drews.
If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus to help support our work.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
How One of the Best Podcast Sound Designers Executes a Vision
This week, host Ronald Young Jr. talks to John DeLore, a podcast editor and sound designer who’s been in the industry since its heyday. He’s produced hugely popular shows for companies like Gimlet and Stitcher, and now he runs his own production company, Starlight Diner Studio. In the interview, John breaks down his sound design process, shares tips for collaborating with clients, and explains how he keeps surviving despite the industry’s downturn.
After the interview, Ronald and co-host Isaac Butler talk about the importance of defining what “good work” means to you.
In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, John discusses his favorite musical instruments and his feelings about Harry Styles.
Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.
Podcast production by Cameron Drews.
If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus to help support our work.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Customer Reviews
Host chat excessive
The interview are great, but the chat between the hosts becomes tedious and overpowers the guests. I really don’t think the interviews require explication; they speak for themselves.
Sell sell sell
All commercials. Amazing abuse of one’s time.
Missing Old Format
I appreciate interviews with creative people, but I am really missing the old format of the show. I really liked hearing from individuals in a wide range of jobs that I didn’t even know existed or couldn’t imagine how they did their work. I think the old format had both a depth and breadth that the newer episodes are missing. I also wish there was less emphasis on the hosts’ reflections - there are a million other podcasts that I could listen to for conversations between hosts, but I came to working for superb interviews.