Released in 2016 to critical and commercial success, Zootopia tells the story of rabbit Judy Hopps in her evolving dream to police the streets of the the titular animal metropolis. Along the way, she forms a partnership with the cunning fox, Nick Wilde. While the film may have catered to younger audiences in its animation style, the strong, articulate commentary it makes on race and racism remains its most impressive feat. This week, we’re joined by Charneil Bush to discuss and review this film that is just as much creative fun as it is earnest reflection. Does an animated film succeed where more raw calls for conversation won’t? How does art help us relate to the world with more compassion, clarity and patience?
Episode 222: A Pale Blue Launch I
What would you send into outer space to commemorate Earth and humanity, to a potential audience of alien life? This week, we begin a new interview series to tackle that question. In each entry, we’ll interview someone about the five objects - with a stipulation - they would place in a space capsule to launch into the starry beyond. For our inaugural episode, we spoke with Leland Holcomb about the five objects that he would launch - all of which had to contain glass.
Episode 217: Escapism vs. Happiness
In the most basic senses, it is human to move towards pleasure or comfort and away from pain, difficulty and hardship. But where do these impulses and instincts intersect? This week, we welcome Dan Farina to explore the relationship between escapism and happiness. Is it common to conflate or confuse the two? Does a distinction between them require a certain cultural narrative or sense of self? Is one ever a more important focus than the other?
Episode 207: "Fake It 'Til You Make It"
At various points of uncertainty in our lives, many of us have heard the common encouragement to "Fake it 'til you make it". This week, we wanted to dissect its meaning, intentions and how much wisdom actually lies in these words. Do the pronouns here refer to knowledge, skills, feelings? Perhaps something else is implied? Does false behavior prevent genuine understanding or relationship to one's environment?
Episode 205: Canbeam
Language has a clear impact not only on how others perceive and react to us, but on how we treat and see ourselves. What are our internal narratives of who we are and how we live? How do linguistic distinctions affect these perceptions? This week, we welcome Dan Farina to explore one such verbal line: the difference between using "can be" and "am". How do these and associated terms represent a spectrum of being? Where does language fail to capture the nuances and potential within lived experience?
