Best Tess Chakkalakal Podcasts (2025)

1
709 Black American Humor (with Damon Young) | The Greatest American Joke Ever Told? 1:31:52

5d ago1:31:52

1:31:52

DAMON YOUNG (⁠What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker: A Memoir in Essays⁠) is a Pittsburgh writer and humorist. In this episode, Jacke talks to Damon about his work editing and writing an introduction for That's How They Get You: An Unruly Anthology of Black American Humor, which emphasizes how and why Black American humor is uniquely transfixing.…

1
708 Science Fact and Science Fiction (with Keith Cooper) | AI Discovers a Work of Ancient Philosophy and Dreams Up a Reading List 1:11:01

9d ago1:11:01

1:11:01

For decades, writers and filmmakers have imagined worlds where characters can do things like watch a double sunset (on Tatooine, of course), or stand among the sand dunes of Arrakis, or gaze at the gas-giant planet Polyphemus from the moon Pandora. But even as works like Star Wars, Dune, and Avatar have enticed us with their fictional renditions of…

1
Ep. 112 - Free Thoughts with Bowen & Twyman, Ep. 21 1:45:49

8d ago1:45:49

1:45:49

Wink and Mike dive into how AI is shaking up everything—from jobs and schools to global power plays. They keep it real, balancing excitement with skepticism as they talk about the big stuff: job loss, AI in education, ethical gray areas, and whether machines could one day be conscious. They also touch on China’s AI strategy, the idea of an intellig…

1
707 Emile Zola (with Robert Lethbridge) | Graham Greene's Only Ghost Story | My Last Book with Irina Mashinski 1:00:42

12d ago1:00:42

1:00:42

For years, listeners have been requesting an episode devoted to the French novelist, journalist, playwright, and public intellectual Émile Zola (1840-1902). In this episode, Jacke talks to author Robert Lethbridge, whose new book Émile Zola: A Determined Life presents a comprehensive exploration of the life, work, and times of the celebrated French…

1
706 Living with Jane Austen (with Janet Todd) | A Listener Changes His Life | Bored Parents 1:12:23

19d ago1:12:23

1:12:23

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that Jane Austen's novels make us wish she was our friend. She wouldn't be just any old friend: she'd be the sharpest and wisest, the one we turn to in a crisis, the one who understands our flaws and helps us see our blind spots. As we navigate the perils of love and life, she'd be the friend who gently point…

1
705 Runaway Poets - How the Brownings Fell in Love (And Why It Matters) 59:34

22d ago59:34

59:34

Elizabeth Barrett (1806-1861) was one of the most prolific and accomplished poets of the Victorian age, an inspiration to Emily Dickinson, Oscar Wilde, Edgar Allan Poe, and countless others. And yet, her life was full of cloistered misery, as her father insisted that she should never marry. And then, the clouds lifted, and a letter arrived. It was …

1
Ep. 111 - Free Thoughts with Bowen & Twyman, Ep. 20 2:31:21

22d ago2:31:21

2:31:21

Michael DC Bowen and Winkfield Twyman explore how AI is reshaping law, identity, and human connection. From legal ethics to cultural shifts, they unpack the challenges and possibilities of living with intelligent machines in a rapidly evolving world.By Free Black Thought

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704 Butterflies Regained 1:26:31

26d ago1:26:31

1:26:31

Poetry, butterflies, and original music oh my! With some help from poets Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, William Wordsworth, and John Keats, along with original music by composer Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal, Jacke tackles the topic of butterflies. Yes, yes, we all know that butterflies are symbols of beauty and transformation - but can great poets get beyon…

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Ep. 110 - Can DEI Be Fixed? (George Yancey) 59:08

29d ago59:08

59:08

Dr. George A. Yancey shares how his experiences shaped his work as a race scholar and why he thinks today’s DEI efforts are missing the mark. He and host Connie Morgan talk about the need for real, collaborative conversations around race, the politics of Juneteenth, and the rise of black Republicans. Show notes: George’s “The Future of DEI” for the…

1
Ep. 109 - Free Thoughts with Bowen & Twyman, Ep. 19 1:45:58

1M ago1:45:58

1:45:58

Michael DC Bowen and Wink Twyman dive into wide-ranging conversations about writing, the stock market, AI, and Black identity. They explore how personal experience, culture, and technology shape the way we live and think today—always with curiosity and a fresh perspective.By Free Black Thought

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703 D.H. Lawrence (with David Ellis) | My Last Book with Dorian Lynskey 1:09:35

1M ago1:09:35

1:09:35

D.H. Lawrence (1885-1930) is one of the most famous novelists of his era - and one of the most difficult to pin down. Was he a tasteless, avant-garde pornographer? Or the greatest imaginative novelist of his generation (as E.M. Forster once said)? What should we know about his hard-luck childhood and turbulent adult life? In this episode, Jacke tal…

1
702 Writing in the World of Jane Austen (with D.G. Rampton) | Disaster at the Book Festival! 52:01

1M ago52:01

52:01

Jacke talks to D.G. Rampton, Australia's Queen of the Regency Romance, about her love for the novels of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer - and what it's like for a twenty-first-century novelist to set her novels in the early-nineteenth-century world of intelligent heroines, dashing men, and sparkling banter. Find PLUS Jacke dives into the story of a…

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Ep. 108 - Only the Poets (Tim Seibles) 1:28:45

1M ago1:28:45

1:28:45

Poet Tim Seibles discusses his journey into poetry, influenced by his mother's love for literature and a college creative writing class. He reflects on growing up in a predominantly black Philadelphia neighborhood and how the 1960s shaped his political perspective. Tim emphasizes the importance of accessible poetry that resonates emotionally and co…

1
701 Emerson's Struggle with Slavery (with Kenneth Sacks) | My Last Book with Victoria Namkung | We Had Sex Inside Moby-Dick! 1:11:31

1M ago1:11:31

1:11:31

For several decades, Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) was perhaps the most prominent writer and intellectual in America. As an advocate of personal freedom living in Massachusetts, surrounded by passionate abolitionists, one might expect that his positions regarding slavery would be obvious and uncomplicated. And yet, Emerson struggled with the issu…

1
Ep. 107 - It's Cool to Disagree (Miriam Thompson) 1:00:39

1M ago1:00:39

1:00:39

Miriam Thompson opens up about her journey from facing learning struggles to thriving in academia. She and host Connie Morgan speak on how COVID affected students, why it’s crucial to hear different perspectives, and the tricky territory of discussing controversial issues in school. Miriam also touches on preparing students for real life, staying o…

1
700 - Butterflies at Rest 28:08

2M ago28:08

28:08

Returning to some devastating news after a trip to Paris, Jacke searches for lost time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Jacke Wilson / The Podglomerate

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Ep. 106 - The Klan Whisperer (Daryl Davis) 1:16:37

2M ago1:16:37

1:16:37

In this conversation, Daryl Davis talks about growing up around the world, facing racism as a kid, and what led him to sit down with members of the KKK. It’s a wild, powerful story about curiosity, fear, and how real conversations can change minds. Show notes: Daryl’s book The Klan Whisperer Daryl’s website Prohuman Foundation…

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699 Gatsby's Daisy (with Rachel Feder) | My Last Book with Francesca Peacock 1:12:12

2M ago1:12:12

1:12:12

F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby might be one hundred years old, but it's still incredibly relevant: one list-of-lists site ranks it as the number-one book of all time. In this episode, Jacke talks to author Rachel Feder about this classic tale of reinvention - and the reinventing she did for her book Daisy, which retells the Gatsby sto…

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698 Dante in Love (with Ellen Nerenberg and Anthony Valerio) [Ad-Free Archive Edition] 1:05:26

2M ago1:05:26

1:05:26

It's springtime! A great time to be in love - and if you're a poetic genius like Dante Alighieri, a great time to catch a glimpse of a girl named Beatrice on the streets of Florence, fall madly in love with her, and spend the rest of your life beatifying her in verse. In this episode, we present a conversation that first aired in February 2018, in …

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Ep. 105 - Civil Rights Succeeded (Daniel Aldridge) 1:06:37

2M ago1:06:37

1:06:37

In this colorful conversation, Daniel Aldridge shares his journey from a civil rights-focused upbringing to life as a public defender and professor. He talks about the importance of self-education in black history, personal responsibility, and pushing past a victim mindset. Dan challenges romanticized views of crime, critiques how history is taught…

1
697 Race in European Fairy Tales (with Kimberly Lau) | My Last Book with Rolf Hellebust 1:21:03

2M ago1:21:03

1:21:03

Anyone digging into fairy tales soon discovers that there's more to these stories of magic and wonder than meets the eye. Often thought of as stories for children, the narratives can be shockingly violent, and they sometimes deliver messages or "morals" at odds with modern sensibilities. In this episode, Jacke talks to Kimberly Lau about her book S…

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696 John Ruskin (with Sara Atwood) | My Last Book with Collin Jennings 1:00:25

2M ago1:00:25

1:00:25

John Ruskin (1819-1900) was a powerhouse of a man: writer, lecturer, critic, social reformer - and much else besides. From his five-volume work Modern Painters through his late writings about literature in Fiction, Fair and Foul, he brought to his subjects an energy and integrity that few critical thinkers have matched. His wide-ranging influence r…

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Ep. 104 - You Should be Reading Charles Chesnutt (Tess Chakkalakal) 56:25

2M ago56:25

56:25

Tess Chakkalakal chats with Connie Morgan about her deep dive into the life and work of Charles W. Chesnutt. They explore race, identity, and the challenges black writers face, especially when expectations clash with lived experience. The conversation highlights Chesnutt’s impact, his key relationships, and why his work still matters today. Show no…

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695 Ten Indian Classics (with Sharmila Sen) | My Last Book with Adam Smyth 1:03:57

2M ago1:03:57

1:03:57

For the past ten years, the Murty Classical Library of India (published by Harvard University Press) has sought to do for classic Indian works what the famous Loeb Classical Library has done for Ancient Greek and Roman texts. In this episode, Jacke talks to editorial director Sharmila Sen about the joys and challenges of sifting through thousands o…

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694 Apocalyptic Literature (with Dorian Lynskey) | My Last Book with Charles Baxter 1:07:02

2M ago1:07:02

1:07:02

For some reason, human beings don't seem to be content just thinking about their own death: they insist on imagining the end of the entire world. In this episode, Jacke talks to author Dorian Lynskey (Everything Must Go: The Stories We Tell About the End of the World), who immersed himself in apocalyptic films and literature to discover exactly wha…

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Ep. 103 - Do NOT Get Divorced (Anthony Bradley) 1:14:05

2M ago1:14:05

1:14:05

Anthony Bradley is an expert on family structure and its impact on academic success. He and host Connie Morgan discuss the importance of marriage, fatherhood, and strong family dynamics. Show notes: Anthony on X Anthony on Substack Anthony’s Heroic Fraternities: How College Men Can Save Universities and America…

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693 Understanding the Wonders of Nature (with Alan Lightman) | My Last Book with Alan Lightman 1:00:13

2M ago1:00:13

1:00:13

In today's world of specialization, Alan Lightman is that rare individual who has accomplished remarkable things in two very different realms. As a physicist with a Ph.D. from Cal Tech, he's taught at Harvard and MIT and advised the United Nations. As a novelist, he's written award-winning bestsellers like Einstein's Dreams and The Diagnosis. In th…

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692 An Investigation in Chinatown (with Radha Vatsal) | The Five Books (with Tali Rosenblatt-Cohen) 1:02:57

3M ago1:02:57

1:02:57

It's a two-for-one special! First, Jacke talks to novelist Radha Vatsal about her new book, No. 10 Doyers Street, which tells the gripping story of an Indian woman journalist investigating a bloody shooting in New York's Chinatown circa 1907. Then podcaster Tali Rosenblatt-Cohen stops by to discuss her experience hosting The Five Books, which asks …

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Ep. 102 - Together Without Race (Sheena Mason) 1:26:04

3M ago1:26:04

1:26:04

Dr. Sheena Mason opens up about her tough childhood and how it shaped her passion for racial justice and education. She talks about the role literature played in her life, and her journey into academia, where she developed her views on race and anti-racism. Sheena shares her vision of the Togetherness Wayfinder, a framework to challenge racial cons…

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Ep. 101 - Free Thoughts with Bowen & Twyman, Ep. 18 1:54:03

3M ago1:54:03

1:54:03

Mike and Wink dive into topics like U.S. military actions in Yemen, the impact of asymmetrical warfare, and media influence. They talk about the pros and cons of economic sanctions versus military intervention, plus the role of independent thinkers in today’s media. The conversation also touches on AI's limitations, its impact on society, and its p…

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691 The Making of Sylvia Plath (with Carl Rollyson) | My Last Book with Cheryl Hopson 1:04:05

3M ago1:04:05

1:04:05

Since her death, poet and novelist Sylvia Plath (1932-1963) has been an endless source of fascination for fans of her and her work. But while much attention has been paid to her tumultuous relationship with fellow poet Ted Hughes, we often overlook the influences that formed her, long before she traveled to England and met Hughes. What movies did s…

1
690 Coleridge and the Person from Porlock [Ad-Free] 1:06:26

3M ago1:06:26

1:06:26

[This episode originally ran on July 18, 2016. It is presented here without commercial interruption.] In 1797, the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge took two grains of opium and fell into a stupor. When he awoke, he had in his head the remnants of a marvelous dream, a vivid train of images of the Chinese emperor Kubla Khan and his summer palace, Xanadu.…

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Ep. 100 - Reforming Black Thought (Chocolate Knox) 1:24:34

3M ago1:24:34

1:24:34

In this fun conversation, the Chocolate Knox shares his journey from a charismatic upbringing to embracing Reformed theology. Chocolate Knox also dives into his experiences in ministry, his move to Idaho, and his approach to parenting, highlighting the importance of nurturing each child’s unique talents. An episode for those who like discussing fai…

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689 Thomas Kyd (with Brian Vickers) | My Last Book with Jonathan D.S. Schroeder 47:28

3M ago47:28

47:28

For centuries, the playwright Thomas Kyd has been best known as the author of The Spanish Tragedy, a terrific story of revenge believed to have strongly influenced Shakespeare's Hamlet. And yet, a contemporary referred to Kyd as "industrious Kyd." What happened to the rest of his plays? In this episode, Jacke talks to scholar Brian Vickers about hi…

1
688 Georges Simenon 1:05:36

3M ago1:05:36

1:05:36

The Belgian-born French writer Georges Simenon (1903-1989) was astonishing for his literary ambition and output. The author of something like 400 novels, which he wrote in 7-10 day bursts (after checking with his physician beforehand to ensure that he could handle the strain), he's perhaps best known for his creation of Chief Inspector Jules Maigre…

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Ep. 99 - Not Black but Café au lait (Greg Thomas) 1:28:19

3M ago1:28:19

1:28:19

Music entrepreneur and race abolitionist Greg Thomas shares his passion for jazz and writing, discussing the role of education, music, and his views on race and culture. He emphasizes moving beyond racial identities to focus on cultural contributions and understanding regional differences within black American culture. In this conversation with hos…

1
687 Gatsby Turns 100 (with James West) 53:29

3M ago53:29

53:29

"I want to write something new," American author F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote in a letter to his editor, "something extraordinary and beautiful and simple and intricately patterned." Months later, he presented the results: the novel that would eventually be titled The Great Gatsby. Published in 1925 to middling success, the book has since become a can…

1
686 Russian Poetry After the Cold War (with Stephanie Sandler) 55:32

3M ago55:32

55:32

For decades, the Soviet Union was unfriendly territory for poets and writers. But what happened when the wall fell? Emerging from the underground, the poets reacted with a creative outpouring that responded to a brave new world. In this episode, Jacke talks to Russian poetry scholar Stephanie Sandler about her new book The Freest Speech in Russia: …

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Ep. 98 - Affirming Gender Reality (Gabrielle Clark) 1:19:40

3M ago1:19:40

1:19:40

Gabrielle Clark shares her journey from a diverse upbringing in Houston to becoming a single mother and homeschooling advocate. She discusses the challenges of raising five children after losing her husband, her concerns about indoctrination in the public education system, and her work as a parent coach. Gabrielle emphasizes the importance of paren…

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685 Charles Chesnutt (with Tess Chakkalakal) | My Last Book with John Goodby 1:01:41

3M ago1:01:41

1:01:41

Complex and talented, Charles W. Chesnutt (1858-1932) was one of the first American authors to write for both Black and white readers. Born in Cleveland to "mixed race" parents, Chesnutt rejected the opportunity to "pass" as white, instead remaining in the Black community throughout his life. His life in the South during Reconstruction, and his kno…

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684 The Minister's Black Veil by Nathaniel Hawthorne (with Mike Palindrome) 1:29:36

4M ago1:29:36

1:29:36

What happens when a respected church leader shows up one day wearing a mysterious veil that conceals his eyes, offering no explanation - and keeps wearing it for decades? How will the community respond? What conspiracy theories will they develop? And how will an author like Nathaniel Hawthorne, writing a hundred years later, spin a New England sin-…

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Ep. 97 - Leave the Kids Alone (Kofi Montzka) 1:15:30

4M ago1:15:30

1:15:30

Activist Kofi Montzka gives host Connie Morgan advice on finding like-minded individuals and building supportive communities. Kofi shares her thoughts on how the ethnic studies curriculum may promote a narrative of hopelessness for Black children and opens up about the backlash she’s faced for speaking out against these ideas. She also talks about …

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683 Marianne Moore (with Cristanne Miller) 1:12:13

4M ago1:12:13

1:12:13

Marianne Moore (1887-1972) achieved something rare in American letters: a modernist poet who was popular with both critics and the public. Famous for her formal innovation, precise diction, and wit - as well as her black tri-corner hat and cloak, which she wore as she dashed around Manhattan - she was lauded by T.S. Eliot (and numerous prize commit…

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682 The Profound Wisdom of Black Life and Literature (with Farah Jasmine Griffin) [Ad-Free Re-Release] 58:55

4M ago58:55

58:55

As America closes out this year's Black History Month, Jacke dives into the archives for one of his favorite episodes, which featured a conversation with Columbia University professor Farah Jasmine Griffin about her book Read Until You Understand: The Profound Wisdom of Black Life and Literature. PLUS friend of the show Scott Carter stops by to tal…

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Ep. 96 - Canceled From the Right (Khadijah La Musa) 1:04:59

4M ago1:04:59

1:04:59

Khadijah La Musa opens up about her unique upbringing, from growing up in a strict Muslim environment to experiencing life at a liberal university. She talks about the mental health struggles she faced during college, how social media and cancel culture impacted her, and her journey toward Buddhism. Khadijah shares her evolving views on feminism an…

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681 The Jolly Corner by Henry James - Part 3 | My Last Book by Colm Tóibín 56:02

4M ago56:02

56:02

It's the conclusion to "The Jolly Corner"! Spencer Brydon lived in Europe for 33 years (as did his creator, Henry James) before returning to his childhood home in New York City. Europe has changed him - and he can't help thinking, as he observes a highly transformed New York, that he'd have been a very different person had he stayed in America duri…

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Ep. 95 - Free Thoughts with Bowen & Twyman, Ep. 17 1:26:19

4M ago1:26:19

1:26:19

In this conversation, Michael DC Bowen and Winkfield Twyman Jr. discuss the varying perceptions of Black history, the importance of literature, and influential figures in Black history. They emphasize the need for curiosity and understanding of Black history as an integral part of American history, while also highlighting the impact of Black author…

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680 The Jolly Corner by Henry James - Part 2 1:16:34

4M ago1:16:34

1:16:34

After spending decades in Europe, the American Henry James felt haunted by the idea that he'd given up something essential. Inspired by a trip home to New York City, the place of his birth, he wrote an astonishing story about a man who creeps through his childhood home late at night, searching for ghosts, and one in particular he's desperate to see…

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Ep. 94 - DEI Pushes Untrue Caste Narratives (Pushpita Prasad) 1:31:50

4M ago1:31:50

1:31:50

Pushpita Prasad discusses the complex interplay between caste, media representation, and policy-making in the context of Hindu identity in North America. Pushpita is a board member of the Coalition of Hindus of North America. Show notes: “DEI Training Material Increases Perception of Nonexistent Prejudice, Agreement with Hitler Rhetoric, Study Find…

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679 The Jolly Corner by Henry James - Part 1 1:15:52

4M ago1:15:52

1:15:52

Although the writer Henry James (1843-1916) was born in New York City's Washington Square, he spent most of his adulthood in Europe, where he wrote such masterpieces as The Portrait of a Lady, The Wings of the Dove, and The Golden Bowl. Late in life, he returned to New York after a thirty-three year absence to find the city much transformed, as sky…

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Tess Chakkalakal Podcasts

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