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CultureKlatsch®: A Humanities Podcast
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What kind of podcast is CultureKlatsch?
CultureKlatsch, a production of the English Department at the University of Colorado Denver, extends our conversations about contemporary and local culture by sharing nuanced, perceptive commentary on the stories and issues that matter most. The conversations happening in our daily lives have the ability to point our cultural lenses in a thousand different directions. CultureKlatsch examines the narratives that are most relevant to the current cultural moment and most likely to emerge in our everyday discussions with friends. We’ll recreate the spontaneous conversations that happen in coffee shops while delving deeply into what books, television, film, and local history have to tell us about who we are and what we care most about.
Episodes
CultureKlatsch in the Auraria Media Center Sound Studio. From left: Madison Cook (guest + editor), Jake Sorensen (media specialist + sound engineer), Kendall Adamson (guest), Michelle Comstock (instructor), Jake Johnson (host). Not pictured: Landon Sickler (guest) and David Debonis (guest + editor).
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Targaryens, Television, and Trauma: Watching George R. R. Martin's House of the Dragon 1.17.23
This episode of CultureKlatsch discusses House of the Dragon (the Golden Globe winning prequel to Game of Thrones) in terms of spectatorship and genre. Host Jake Johnson, along with guests Kendall Adamson, Madison Cook, David Debonis, and Landon Sickler (all CU Denver students), create a roundtable discussion on a wide range of topics, including television consumption patterns and rituals, violence against women as a plot device, trauma and spectatorship, the cultural appeal of high fantasy television, the ways HOD mirrors current social relations, the politics of gender and colonialism, artistic intent and HOD as historical account, and the ongoing celebration of “masculine strength” in both GOT and HOD. They speak with several CU Denver professors—Dr. Sarah Hagelin (Ethnic Studies and English), Katy Mohrman (Ethnic Studies), and William Wagner (History)—as well as CU Denver film student Darcen McCampbel and spectators outside the university, Beth Hall and Allie Borgsmiller. Listen now on Spotify, SoundCloud, and Apple Podcasts. Listen to a longer interview with Drs. Sarah Hagelin and Katy Mohrman in this bonus episode of CultureKlatsch (hosted and edited by Jake Johnson). Listen now on Spotify, SoundCloud, and Apple Podcasts. |
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Marketing Mountains: Denver's Urban & Nature Balance 5.5.22
This episode of CultureKlatsch dives into the complex relationship between Denverites and their environment. Specifically, this work explores the dynamic between Colorado's cultural values towards the outdoors versus the actions done to preserve the environment. It looks at the language used to promote "green" culture and the steps being taken (or that have been taken) to show an appreciation for the Rocky Mountains and plains. We talk to several CU Denver professors--Dr. Rachel Gross from the History Department, Professor Kirsten Christensen and Dr. Benjamin Crawford from the Environmental Science Department, and Dr. Michelle Comstock from the English Department--for their expert opinion on the concepts of green marketing, environmental rhetoric, and urban sustainability or resilience. We explore the history of environmental consciousness and pursue an understanding of our present-day relationship with our environment. Listen now on Spotify, SoundCloud, and Apple Podcasts. |
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Gentrification: The Denver Experience
We talk about the history and politics of gentrification here on the CU Denver campus, as well as in the Denver Metro Area. Many news organizations and libraries have documented the ongoing disenfranchisement of the “Displaced Aurarians”—a largely Hispanic neighborhood “relocated” by the Auraria Campus, which houses CU Denver, Metro State University, and Community College of Denver. However, very few news sources have framed that notorious displacement within Denver’s larger culture of gentrification. According to a 2020 study by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, Denver is the second most gentrified city in the nation, with over 27% of its neighborhoods affected by skyrocketing home prices and rising inequality. We first interview two Auraria campus employees: Francine Olivas-Zarate, who is our CU Denver English Department Program Coordinator, and her sister Benita Olivas, who was an advisor and worked in the Women’s Center at the Community College of Denver. Their family members lived on 9th Street Park before the mass displacement by Auraria Higher Education Center in the 1970s, and both have worked on campus near their family’s original home. Second, we interview Dr. Jeremy Nemeth, Professor in CU Denver’s Urban and Regional Planning Department, and Dr. Brian Page, Associate Professor in our Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, about Denver’s history of gentrification and current economic effects on particular neighborhoods. Finally, we interview Laura McKenna, Development Director of HomeAid America, who discusses the impact of gentrification on the growing number of unhoused people in Denver. Listen now on Spotify, SoundCloud, and Apple Podcasts. |
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The Portrait of Britney Spears: On Media Celebrity
4.26.21 We talk about the documentary “The New York Times Presents: Framing Britney Spears,” directed by Samantha Stark. The documentary traces Britney’s rise to stardom and the events that ultimately led to her being placed in a conservatorship, examining the role of the media in the framing of female celebrities. We parse out the complexities of the frame with Dr. Rodney Herring. We discuss the lore of celebrity culture and how celebrities are portrayed in traditional and social media, limning the differences between how Britney is portrayed by the tabloids and by The New York Times. We look at some of the arcs of Britney’s portraiture that emerge in the documentary and how she is variously framed, now as a relatable and empowered role model for young people, now a panoramic laughingstock or monetized public meltdown. We consider these portraits along the theme of control in Britney’s mental health, her body and sexuality, and even her own capacity of personhood at the hands of her conservatorship. Listen now on Spotify, SoundCloud, and Apple Podcasts. The music on the show is "Belle et Triste" and "Roza Vertov,"by Kariatida, used under an Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. |
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Framing Empathy: Crossing Borders Through Virtual Reality
2.15.21 We talk about the virtual reality exhibit “Carne y Arena,” created by filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu, which allows us to experience what it’s like to cross the U.S. - Mexico border on foot. During the 20-minute journey, the participant walks along with a group of immigrants, who are based on real people, and the group is confronted by U.S. border patrol officers. We also speak with Dr. Andrew Scahill, Assistant Professor of Film in the English Department at CU Denver, about the potential for virtual reality to enhance or even transcend the capacity of traditional cinema to create empathy. We each made our solo walk through the desolate sands of the exhibit, joined by Film Studies majors Emilio Marquez and Starz Sanchez, as well as our own Student Assistant Producer Alyssa Haskel. We share our individual versions of the experience and consider how VR can go “beyond the frame” in how it elicits very real emotional reactions to virtual representations, constantly compelling the participant to shift between spectating and interacting directly with the narrative. Listen now on Spotify, SoundCloud, and Apple Podcasts. The music on the show is "Belle et Triste" and "Roza Vertov,"by Kariatida, used under an Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. |
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No, Thanks: The Aimless Female Antihero
12.7.20 We talk about the series 'Fleabag,' written by and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge. We discuss the title character as a comedic anti-hero who acts against the normative understanding of femininity in the 21st century. We examine the structure of the show, which begins as a raunchy comedy and evolves into an exploration of grief and forgiveness. We also explore the show’s relationship with contemporary feminism and the demands it makes of women. We’re joined by doctors Sarah Hagelin and Gillian Silverman, Associate Professors of English at CU Denver, as well as CU Denver students Brittney Finley, Alyssa Haskel, and Kamesh Saba. Listen now on Spotify, SoundCloud, and iTunes The music on the show is "Belle et Triste" and "Roza Vertov,"by Kariatida, used under an Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. |
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Season 2 Premiere: Poetry and Action
10.12.20 In our season two premiere, we welcome new co-host Sarah Tyson and discuss John Murillo's book Kontemporary Amerikan Poetry. Murillo joins us for an interview on his timely new collection of poetry that puts on display the visceral truth of the lived experiences of Black and Latino communities facing police brutality. We also hear from CU Denver students, who offer a rich and introspective response to the poems that speak to the history of police brutality in our country. Listen now on Spotify, SoundCloud, and iTunes The music on the show is "Belle et Triste" and "Roza Vertov,"by Kariatida, used under an Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. |
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Season Two Trailer
9.21.20 We're excited to announce our new partnership with the CU Denver philosophy department! Click here for CultureKlatsch's season two trailer and stay tuned for upcoming announcements. The music on the show is "Belle et Triste" and "Roza Vertov,"by Kariatida, used under an Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. |
Click here to hear our students' stories about the ways in which COVID-19 has affected their lives.
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Connectivity and Creativity in Isolation
5.26.20 In this episode, we discuss Ada Limón'sbook of poetry, The Carrying, with Dr. Nicky Beer. We talk about how poetry belongs to everybody, and the shelter that something as small as a poem can provide. We also talk to English Department Chair Dr. Philip Joseph about how the CU Denver community is adapting to the pandemic, featuring stories by students who share a range of experiences, from the challenges teachers and medical professionals are facing to the role of creativity in isolation. Listen now on Spotify, SoundCloud, and iTunes The music on the show is "Belle et Triste" and "Roza Vertov,"by Kariatida, used under an Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. |
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A Message from Nathalia
3.23.20 It's a scary time right now. We're isolated, our world has changed drastically, and no one knows with certainty when or if we'll be able to return the lives we led before. But through technology, we're still able to connect -- to share, to discuss, to learn. And we want to hear from you. Tell us how you've been coping, and what life has been like for you these past few weeks. You can send written or recorded stories to [email protected]. |
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Oscar Season: The Best Films of 2019
2.17.20 We talk about the Academy Awards, the success of Parasite, our picks for the best film of 2019, the politics of the Oscars, and the ways in which the Academy is starting to change. This episode features Dr. Andrew Scahill and UC Denver students Alyssa Haskel, Kamesh Saba, and Jake Johnson. Spoiler alert: We discuss the endings of Parasite, 1917, Jojo Rabbit, Little Women, Midsommar, and Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood. Listen now on Spotify and SoundCloud The music on the show is "Belle et Triste" by Kariatida, used under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. |
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Jordan Peele and Millennial Horror
12.2.19 We talk about Jordan Peele’s films Get Out and Us, how he's challenging the representations of black characters in horror film, and how the themes and tropes of horror films have changed in the past decade. This episode features Dr. Andy Schahill, the students of Dr. Sarah Hagelin’s CU Denver film theory class, and culture editor Kyle Harris from Westword. Listen now on Spotify and SoundCloud The music on the show is "Belle et Triste" by Kariatida, used under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. |
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NEW EPISODE PREVIEW
Episode 2: Jordan Peele and Millennial Horror Coming 12.2.19 Assistant Professor Andrew Scahill, a horror genre expert who teaches Film Studies at CU Denver, gives us a glimpse of what's coming up on CultureKlatsch's second episode, airing on December 2nd. The horror-centric episode will focus on the work of Jordan Peele. |
CultureKlatsch Launch Party Panelists
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Bonus Episode, Recorded Live at Our Launch Party
10.8.19 Our audience steers the discussion during this episode, asking questions about The Handmaid's Tale, its commentary on today's cultural values, and the ways in which podcasts have changed how we share and experience stories . Panelists include Associate Professor Rodney Herring, CU Denver Student Maddy Lutz, and Associate Professor Cate Wiley. Listen now on Spotify and SoundCloud The music on the show is "Belle et Triste" by Kariatida, used under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. |
Photo Credit: Hulu
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Episode 1. The Handmaid's Tale
9.23.19 We talk about Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel, its contemporary adaptations and symbolism, and its permeation of politics and pop culture. Featured guests include Professor Colleen Donnelly, Associate Professor Sarah Hagelin, and Associate Professor Rodney Herring. Listen now on Spotify and SoundCloud The music on the show is "Belle et Triste" by Kariatida, used under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. |