Best Michele McPhee Podcasts (2025)

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Dancing Mr. Talley Beatty's Blackness 21:02

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1M ago21:02

21:02

Dance Scholar Mora-Amina Parker illuminates the historical and cultural context of Mr. Talley Beatty's choreography as well as the significant impact on in her course as a professional dancer after discovering his ballets.By Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival

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Resident Dance Photographers at Jacob's Pillow 26:41

2M ago26:41

26:41

Guest host Benjamin Richards focuses the lens on four different resident dance photographers: John Lindquist, Stephan Driscoll, Mike van Sleen and Christopher Duggan.By benjamin richards, john lindquist, mike van sleen, christopher duggan, stephan driscoll, norton owen

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La Nijinska 46:41

3M ago46:41

46:41

Highlights from a 2022 PillowTalk with Lynn Garafola, author of the biography La Nijinska: Choreographer of the Modern speaking with scholar-in-residence Brian Schaefer. Garafola illuminates Bronislava Nijinska’s life as a Russian born dancer, sibling to Vaslav Nijinsky, and groundbreaking 20th century ballet choreographer. Garafola also shares som…

1
Celebrating Carmen de Lavallade 32:26

4M ago32:26

32:26

Highlights from Carmen de Lavallade's Pillow debut as a dancer in Lester Horton's company in 1953, all the way through the premiere of her one woman show at the age of 83. Host Norton Owen guides us through the many spirited connections Ms. de Lavallade holds both in American dance history and with Jacob's Pillow.…

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Documenting The Hustle 42:35

5M ago42:35

42:35

Choreographer and teacher Maria Torres, historian Cassie Mey, and dancer Abdiel are each passing along Hustle social dance traditions in dynamic ways. Former Associate Curator Ali Rosa-Salas guides this 2022 PillowTalk about the origins of The Hustle, the resurgence of its popularity worldwide, and preservation efforts such as creating original the…

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Beyond the First 50 Years of Hip Hop with Michele Byrd-McPhee 1:00:20

6M ago1:00:20

1:00:20

What could representation and opportunity for Hip Hop dance look like in the near future? Guest host Michele Byrd-McPhee revisits the 2023 conversation during PillowTalk: Hip Hop at 50, to build upon and expand into what is possible for the next 50 years. Interstitial music for this episode is from the live performance Hip Hop Across the Pillow as …

1
Luxury Asset 38:06

7M ago38:06

38:06

Sara dives into the OC’s dark underbelly of dirty deals, high stakes scams, and hustlers. A mysterious new friend starts passing Sara off as his sister, and teaches her how to loan money to desperate people to make big returns, quickly. There’s no turning back now. Lady Mafia is part of The Binge - subscribe to listen to all episodes, all at once, …

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“Anna Delvey of the OC” 34:28

7M ago34:28

34:28

Sara King, a high powered lawyer in Orange County, had scammed investors out of $10 million. Her story splashed the headlines. But to this day, she says she’s no con artist. So what the hell happened? Lady Mafia is part of The Binge - subscribe to listen to all episodes, all at once, ad-free right now. From serial killer nurses to psychic scammers …

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Introducing ... Lady Mafia 2:00

7M ago2:00

2:00

The “Female Bernie Madoff.” The “Anna Delvey of the OC.” Slot Whisperer. Lady Mafia. Sara King is a woman of many monikers. But who is she really? Veteran reporter Michele McPhee takes us into Sara’s world to detail her rise and impossible fall in this riveting behind-the-scenes look at a master of deception. Sara is a glorified loan shark swimming…

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Fluid Roots and Resistance in Contemporary Indian Dance 46:21

7M ago46:21

46:21

Dance Scholar Dr. Arushi Singh dives into the historical and cultural context of three Contemporary Indian artists who are engaging with their own cultural inheritances as a vital aspect of reclaiming identity on their own terms. Video links: Inside the Pillow Lab: Hari Krishnan/inDANCE (2024) https://youtu.be/rS1QWdC771E?si=RDdlOkle16g-EGQD Inside…

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Comedy and Drag in Ballet: 50 Years of The Trocks 28:45

8M ago28:45

28:45

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo's Artistic Director, Tory Dobrin, speaks with Jacob's Pillow Scholar-in-Residence, Maura Keefe, in this 2024 PillowTalk. Dobrin shares his own firsthand stories and reflects on the impact of 50 years of blending serious ballet technique with comedy and drag in this all-male company. Full PillowTalk including co…

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Rachel Maddow: The Place of Art in a Democracy 37:48

9M ago37:48

37:48

Political analyst Rachel Maddow speaks with Pillow scholar Suzanne Carbonneau in a 2009 PillowTalk. Maddow humanizes the political context of the early years of Jacob's Pillow and then offers her personal perspective on the meaningful role that the arts play within an evolving democracy.By Rachel maddow, suzanne carbonneau, Norton owen

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Shen Wei: Abstracting Dance, Music and Visual Arts 28:57

10M ago28:57

28:57

In this excerpt from a 2004 PillowTalk, choreographer Shen Wei speaks with dance scholar Suzanne Carbonneau about his love of abstraction when making movement, stripping away narrative from musical scores, and integrating visual art into his stage works. Shen Wei also shares about his upbringing in the traditions of Chinese Opera and his early year…

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Moving Through Collective Grief Towards Self Actualization 40:30

11M ago40:30

40:30

Christian Warner hosts this episode focused on the human body’s capacity to navigate collective grief, moving toward not only healing, but self-actualization. Warner is a Black interdisciplinary performer, choreographer, and director. He shares his own experiences as well as excerpts from conversations with dance artists Dormeshia, Camille A. Brown…

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A Conversation with Choreographer and Visual Artist, Yin Mei 36:59

12M ago36:59

36:59

In this episode of PillowVoices, we bring you an interview with choreographer Yin Mei. PillowScholar Suzanne Carbonneau sat down with Yin Mei to discuss her work titled Empty Traditions / City of Peonies in August, 1999. In a 1999 interview with Pillow Scholar Suzanne Carbonneau, Yin Mei talks about growing up in China during the Cultural Revolutio…

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Representation, Identity, Diaspora, Through the Lens of Mimulus Dance Company 29:37

1y ago29:37

29:37

In this episode, professor and choreographer Silvana Cardell contextualizes the work of the Mimulus Dance Company through the lens of adjacent histories and influences: Cardell from Argentina and Mimulus from Brazil. Watch a clip of Por Um Fio: https://danceinteractive.jacobspillow.org/mimulus-dance-company/por-um-fio/ Insights and influences, Silv…

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Jacques d’Amboise, Dancer; National Dance Institute Founder 33:27

1y ago33:27

33:27

Jennifer Edwards hosts this episode honoring the life and legacy of former New York City Ballet dancer, Jacques d'Amboise, in his own words. Recorded during his only Pillow appearance in 2008, d'Amboise reflects on his beginnings as a dancer and his efforts to welcome more young people into his beloved art form.…

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Dancing Puppets & Emerging Technology 26:14

1y ago26:14

26:14

Lisa Niedermeyer hosts this episode exploring the connections between puppetry in contemporary dance and emerging technologies such as augmented reality, artificial intelligence and spatial computing. The episode focuses on a piece titled "Underground River" which was conceived and directed by Jane Comfort and developed in residency at Jacob’s Pill…

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Susan Marshall and Ralph Lemon: A Compelling Conversation 19:50

1+ y ago19:50

19:50

Jacob's Pillow Associate Archivist Patsy Gay hosts this episode featuring excerpts of a 1998 PillowTalk. In this conversation between choreographers Ralph Lemon and Susan Marshall, we hear insights about their own beginnings in dance along with their individual ways of creating work.By Susan Marshall, Ralph Lemon, Maura Keefe, Patsy Gay

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Spoken Word in Dance 24:52

1+ y ago24:52

24:52

Poet and dance writer Karen Hildebrand hosts this episode focusing on how text and spoken word are used in dance. Included are examples from works by Liz Lerman, Joe Goode, and Carmen de Lavallade. Hildebrand is the former editorial director for Dance Magazine, and a past editor in chief of Dance Teacher magazine. *Of note: the music that underlies…

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The Dance Between Choreography & Technology 23:46

1+ y ago23:46

23:46

Christy Bolingbroke, Executive / Artistic Director of the National Center for Choreography - Akron, hosts this episode focused on the the relationships of choreographic practice and various technologies. Referenced in this episode are works by David Parsons, David Rousseve, Compagnie Kafig, Rennie Harris/Puremovement American Street Dance Theater, …

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Remembering Gus Solomons jr 26:13

1+ y ago26:13

26:13

Jennifer Edwards hosts this episode honoring Gus Solomons jr, the celebrated choreographer, writer, and teacher. As the first Black dancer in the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, Solomons was both a trailblazer and a trendsetter, forming his own company and making more than 150 works before his death in August 2023 at the age of 84. In this episode:…

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Trisha Brown: Choreographer and Visual Artist 36:17

1+ y ago36:17

36:17

Jennifer Edwards hosts this episode focused on Trisha Brown, one of the most celebrated choreographers to emerge from Judson Dance Theater and the postmodern era. Brown is in conversation with Deborah Jowitt, the influential choreographer, scholar, dance critic, and educator. We also hear from art historian and Brown specialist Susan Rosenberg. Ess…

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Creating with the Cosmos 25:20

1+ y ago25:20

25:20

Many choreographers draw inspiration from their ancestors, nature, and the spiritual world, and Teena Marie Custer explores some examples with help from Sandra Laronde, Christopher K. Morgan, Ananya Chatterjea, Michelle N. Gibson, and others.By Teena Marie Custer, Christopher K. Morgan, Maria Torres, Ananya Chatterjea, Alexis Arimina Renee, Michelle N. Gibson, Nana Sula Sprit, Neyda Colón-DiMaria, Nicole Marie Machado, Joelle Santiago, Sandra Laronde

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Umfundalai Technique with Dr. Kemal Nance, Part 2 26:56

2y ago26:56

26:56

In this second part of a 2-episode series, Dr. C. Kemal Nance examines the movements, meaning, and structure of the contemporary African dance technique known as Umfundalai. https://www.umfundalai.netBy Dr. C Kemal Nance, Monique Newton Walker, Melanie George, Dr. Kariamu Welsh

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Kariamu Welsh, Founder of Umfundalai, with Dr. Kemal Nance, Part1 18:13

2y ago18:13

18:13

Dr. C. Kemal Nance hosts this episode honoring Dr. Kariamu Welsh and celebrating the dance technique that she developed called Umfundalai. https://www.umfundalai.netBy Dr. Kemal Nance, Dr. Kariamu Welsh, Melanie George

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Remembering Bessie Schönberg 22:40

2y ago22:40

22:40

Jennifer Edwards hosts this episode honoring the life and legacy of teacher and choreographic mentor, Bessie Schönberg. Included are excerpts of D.A. Pennebaker's documentary film entitled, "Bessie: A Portrait of Bessie Schönberg," with remembrances from Merce Cunningham, Jerome Robbins, Meredith Monk and from Schönberg herself. Schönberg speaking …

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On Site Dance with Stephan Koplowitz 41:05

2y ago41:05

41:05

With the help of his colleague Elise Bernhardt, Stephan Koplowitz traces his early years at Jacob's Pillow, where ideas were planted that led to a fruitful, life-long career and his book entitled “On Site: Methods for Site-Specific Performance Creation.” Featured are inside looks at Dancing In The Streets and Grand Central Dances, as well as Joanna…

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Dramaturgy at Jacob’s Pillow 33:52

2y ago33:52

33:52

Poet and dance writer Karen Hildebrand hosts this two-part podcast, focusing on dramaturgy and dance. In this second part, Hildebrand explores how dramaturgs have worked with choreographers at the Pillow, focusing on works by Bebe Miller, Jane Comfort, and Rennie Harris. Hildebrand is the former editorial director for Dance Magazine, and a past edi…

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What is Dramaturgy in Dance? 15:39

2y ago15:39

15:39

Poet and dance writer Karen Hildebrand hosts this two-part podcast focusing on dramaturgy and dance. In this first part, Hildebrand defines the role of a dramaturg, drawing extensively upon a 2014 PillowTalk with dramaturg Anne Davison and Scholar-in-Residence Maura Keefe.By Karen Hildebrand, Anne Davison, Maura Keefe

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Black Joy & Milton Myers with Dr. Iquail Shaheed 28:53

2+ y ago28:53

28:53

Dr. Iquail Shaheed offers a personal reflection on the life, work, and profound impact of his teacher and mentor, Milton Myers. Shaheed frames this exploration with thinking from his recent doctoral dissertation on Myers, a mainstay of The School at Jacob’s Pillow since 1985.By Dr. Iquail Shaheed, Milton Myers, Robert Battle, Maura Keefe, Bill T. Jones

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'Studio/Theater' at MoMA with Yve Laris Cohen 41:41

2+ y ago41:41

41:41

Visual artist Yve Laris Cohen reflects on his exhibition at The Museum of Modern Art entitled 'Studio/Theater' with Jacob's Pillow Director of Preservation Norton Owen. The exhibition featured remnants of the Pillow's Doris Duke Theatre, which was destroyed by fire in November 2020. This is a sequel to Episode 44 with MoMA curator Martha Joseph and…

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Dance and Belonging with Crystal U. Davis 33:44

2+ y ago33:44

33:44

Crystal U. Davis, dancer, movement analyst, scholar, and author of Dance and Belonging: Implicit Bias and Inclusion in Dance Education, unpacks implicit and explicit bias as it relates to the relationship between audiences, dance-makers, and styles of dance.By Crystal U. Davis, Rennie Harris, LaTasha Barnes, Melanie George, Lionel Popkin, Shobana Jeyasingh, Ella Baff

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Yve Laris Cohen's 'Studio/Theater' 29:12

2+ y ago29:12

29:12

The remains of the Pillow's Doris Duke Theatre were memorialized in an exhibition at The Museum of Modern Art by visual artist Yve Laris Cohen. In conversation are exhibition curator Martha Joseph and two participants in related performance events, former Pillow Director Liz Thompson and Preservation Director Norton Owen.…

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Artistic Directorship: Lourdes Lopez with Theresa Ruth Howard 26:16

2+ y ago26:16

26:16

In this episode, we join Pillow Scholar Theresa Ruth Howard in conversation with Lourdes Lopez on the occasion of her tenth anniversary as artistic director of Miami City Ballet. The entire talk can be experienced here: PillowTalk: Celebrating Lourdes Lopez *This episode was produced by Lisa Niedermeyer.…

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The ‘Secret’ Gay History of Jacob’s Pillow 18:20

2+ y ago18:20

18:20

Hosted by Brian Schaefer, this episode is an exploration of how gay history is intertwined with the Pillow’s very beginnings, often hiding in plain sight. Related episodes of PillowVoices: https://pillowvoices.org/episodes/barton-mumaw-a-cornerstone-of-the-pillow https://pillowvoices.org/episodes/ted-shawn-jacobs-pillow-founder-in-his-own-words *Th…

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The Legacy of Katherine Dunham 40:12

3y ago40:12

40:12

A recording of a conversation that took place in 2002, moderated by Reginald Yates. We hear the voices of Donald McKayle, Cleo Parker Robinson, and Julie Belafonte in addition to insights and reflections from Katherine Dunham herself.By Reginald Yates, Cleo Parker Robinson, Julie Belafonte, Katherine Dunham, Donald McKayle

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Disrupting Complacency with Jane Comfort 36:55

3y ago36:55

36:55

Dance scholar Cynthia Williams guides a deep dive into two different political works made by choreographer Jane Comfort in the 1990s, revealing the striking connections to American social injustices escalating today. *This episode was directed by Lisa Niedermeyer.By Nancy Alfaro, Cynthia Williams, Jane Comfort, Bob Dornan, Newt Gingrich, Anita Hill, Stephanie McKay, Randall Terry, Clarence Thomas, Joseph Ritsch, Pat Robertson, Klimchak

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The Body as Radical Canvas: Liz Lerman 22:47

3y ago22:47

22:47

Ellen Chenoweth hosts this exploration into the work of influential dance artist Liz Lerman, including the voices of Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, James Frazier, and Pamela Tatge, as well as numerous passages in Lerman's own words.By Vincent Thomas, James Frazier, Celeste Brace, Ellen Chenoweth, Liz Lerman, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Pamela Tatge, Paloma McGregor

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S1E8: This Season In Review (Feat. Michele McPhee) 42:25

3y ago42:25

42:25

Carly and Michele talk about biased reporting practices, the media's responsibility as a political instrument, and how technology can be better integrated in law enforcement. Stay up to date with Carly and Mayhem: https://www.instagram.com/officialcarlyroland/ Engage with MOVE here: https://movechicago.org/ Come see the live podcast recording July …

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S1E7: Breaking The Cycle 41:58

3y ago41:58

41:58

Episode 7: Breaking the Cycle Vann’s confessing to strangling women in Illinois points to a profound reality: not only is Hargrove’s algorithm effective at detecting serial murder activity, but it detected two clusters involving the same serial killer… While many unanswered questions in the case of the 51 remain, grassroots activists and organizati…

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1941, When Ballet Came to Jacob's Pillow 23:36

3y ago23:36

23:36

In this episode, hosted by dance and costume historian Caroline Hamilton, we learn about the summer of 1941 and the events that led to the incorporation of the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and the building of the Ted Shawn Theatre.By Caroline Hamilton, Frederic Franklin, Ann Hutchinson Guest

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S1E6: A Serial Killer’s Confession… 34:15

3y ago34:15

34:15

Back in 2014, Thomas Hargrove’s algorithm sounded the alarm on a cluster of potential serial murder activity brewing Gary, Indiana. Despite Hargrove’s repeated efforts to share his data, the Hammond Police turned a blind eye until a few months later when the information became a reality. In October of 2014, Darren Deon Vann was arrested for the mur…

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Carly Sullivan-Roland on Journalists as Legislators 31:26

3y ago31:26

31:26

This week on Mayhem, I talk to my friend and host of the hot new podcast about the twenty year murder spree in Chicago that has been grossly under-reported. We talk about the DNA backlog and the role of journalism in spurring legislation. You can subscribe to her podcast here: https://instabio.cc/truecrime…

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S1E5: The Washington Park Murders 23:04

3y ago23:04

23:04

While Reverend Robin Hood and Senator Patricia Van Pelt unite in reducing the DNA backlog, Gerald Hamilton, a retired Chicago Homicide Detective, introduces one of the most chilling cases in the 51… The Washington Park Murders. In 2007, Theresa Bunn and Hazel Marie Lewis’ bodies were found one day apart in Washington Park. They were both strangled …

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Brooklyn to Baghdad with Chris Strom 43:27

3y ago43:27

43:27

Michele talks with NYPD Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism expert Chris Strom about his transfer from the Narcotics division to a very different type of work. They talk about the work the NYPD does on the ground in foreign nations to prevent terrorism in New York (and, consequentially, other cities.) Specifically we get into applying organized crim…

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S1E4: Murderers Amongst Us 34:47

3y ago34:47

34:47

Episode 4: Murderers Amongst Us Despite ample DNA found at the scene of Gwendolyn Williams’ murder pointing to a suspect named Gerald Lyons, the District Attorney refuses to prosecute this case, bringing the wheels of justice to a screeching halt. When little is done to eradicate the massive DNA backlog, local community activists and state politici…

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MERCHANT OF DEATH - WORLD'S MOST NOTORIOUS WEAPONS TRAFFICKER COULD BE TRADED FOR WNBA STAR BRITTNEY GRINER IN RUSSIAN PRISON SWAP 43:20

3y ago43:20

43:20

Tom Pasquarello, our guest this week, led the DEA operation that resulted in the extradition and arrest of Russian national, and highly active weapons dealer Victor Bout. The word in Washington is that he is going to be traded in a prisoner exchange for Brittney Griner and Ex-Marine Paul Whelan. In light of the recent push for stricter gun laws, it…

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S1E3: Justice for Gwen? 24:46

3y ago24:46

24:46

Episode 3: Justice for Gwen? In 2001, Dr. Sharon Pritchett’s life is upended when her oldest sister, Gwendolyn Williams, is found strangled to death behind a 99 cent store. Her murder is seemingly random until Pritchett learns that her sister’s case is a part of a mysterious pattern of 51 murders that has plagued the city of Chicago for the last tw…

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Barton Mumaw: A Cornerstone of the Pillow 14:58

3y ago14:58

14:58

As a founding presence at Jacob's Pillow from 1931 to 2001, Barton Mumaw embodied much of the institution's history, brought into the light by episode host Lisa Niedermeyer with Mumaw's own words.By Lisa Niedermeyer, Barton Mumaw