Sit back, relax, and do some reading.
The Syllabus
- The Office Hours Interviews – Season 2 Highlights
- Around The World
1. THE OFFICE HOURS INTERVIEWS: SEASON 2 HIGHLIGHTS
Hi! The pod is going on hiatus until the fall. If you haven’t noticed, we’ve been doing some reorganizing around here and that includes the pod. In my opinion, this season is where the pod shifted into the format you’ll see it in going forward: Conversations with big thinkers in the cultural industries. We’re grateful to both everyone who appeared and the people behind-the-scenes who made it all happen.
For context, here’s the guest list we sought out for season 2.
As Season 2 is now concluded, I think it’s worth spotlighting some of the best & most insightful episodes. While you’re here, this thing is only as good as the people who listen to it, so if you have any questions, comments or feedback about the pod or things you’d like to see for Season 3, you know where to find me.
Ana Andjelic, Chief Brand Officer – Banana Republic
This was taped before she became the person responsible, according to GQ, for the Banana Republic comeback. This isn’t a podcast episode, it’s a mini-MBA in marketing. I am literally smarter now because of this episode. Listen for yourself.
Folu Akinuototu, Unsnackable Newsletter, Rare Snack Aficionado
Folu’s newsletter Unsnackable features rare snacks, drinks and fast food from around the world and has been in The New Yorker, SBS Australia and The Face Magazine.
Speaking of rare, this is one of the rarer interviews with a literal influencer who influences the people you’re likely allocating holiday money towards.
Jack L Carlson, founder of Rowing Blazers
I’m not gonna hold you, this is more of a fly-on-the-wall conversation between us at a bar than a Formal Interview About Culture. I kicked off this conversation with a prompt: “Tradition Builds Connections”. Listen to what his response is. Jack is gonna take over the world, this one is when I was like…ok we gotta get it together lol.
Lauren Sherman, editor The Business Of Fashion
The Season 2 finale featured one of the smartest conversations I’ve been privy to in my years of doing this. Lauren is one of the most important people in the world of fashion, hard stop. The conversation we have in this episode about the Stone Cold Steve Austin of fashion Kerby-Jean Raymond (of Pyer Moss, whom you’ll see again in this newsletter) was eerily prescient!
2. AROUND THE WORLD
Three longer reads/watches for the weekend. If the usual links are Cultural Industry 101, this is the 300-level, only for big thinkers and these are the type of links paid subscribers will get exclusively, starting in August. More next week about subs!
- The Internet’s Influence on the Production and Consumption of Culture: Creative Destruction and New Opportunities – Prof. Paul DiMaggio
“In this essay, I consider the impact of the Internet on the arts and media, focusing, though not exclusively, on film, journalism, and, especially, popular music, which serves as an extended case study.” - The State of American Friendship – The Survey Center on American Life
“Coming out of a once-in-a-generation global pandemic, Americans appear more attuned than ever to the importance of friendship. However, despite renewed interest in the topic of friendship in popular culture and the news media, signs suggest that the role of friends in American social life is experiencing a pronounced decline” - DJ Kay Slay – Rollin’ 110 Deep
ONE HUNDRED PLUS rappers, from KRS ONE to Grandmaster Caz to Ice-T to Black Thought to Ghostface to Big Daddy Kane to Kool G Rap to Melle Mel to Chuck D…look, this is the Avengers: Endgame of rap and will never happen again. Watch it, this should be in the Blacksonian or something.
Psst, if you want Office Hours Mag to curate an private & exclusive list of cultural industry-relevant links for you/your team at work, we do that now. Get in touch.
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