Episodes
Tuesday Dec 04, 2018
Tuesday Dec 04, 2018
This special episode has a little bit of everything. The Spoliers, satiated by an unbelievable Ghaniain meal prepared by their friend Nasreen, fight through the haze of the itis to tackle some deep issues in Yaa Gyasi's wonderful novel HOMEGOING. And as they do it, they have plenty of trouble remembering the names of all those characters ("they" means "Todd"). They talk about genre, clock some literary allusions, and even take on the eminent Isabel Wilkerson's critique of the book. And maybe most important of all -- they argue for at least five minutes about whether Marcus and Marjorie are in love (Duh, of course they are). You may want to pour yourself a glass of wine as you listen to this snowy Saturday night show. It goes well white both white and red . . .
Monday Oct 29, 2018
Monday Oct 29, 2018
In this episode the Spoilers go another round with the THE HATE U GIVE, but this time it's the movie. In it we discuss what a Black Lives Matter movie might look like, question the apparently dwindling black lighting budget, and you knew we were going to complain some more about Chris. It gets a little rowdy, but we keep our Spoiler selves on point with a rash of academic-type hot takes that may or may not be brilliant or useful. We also pay tribute to the great Ntozake Shange, whose death caught us all off guard, but whose work made us who we are today. And finally we rep the Black Youth Project 100, whose music is restoring our spirits after a week of depression and pain. This is what real activist art looks like!
Tuesday Oct 09, 2018
Tuesday Oct 09, 2018
Do you hear what I hear? Yup -- THE DRIP is back and this time you can actually hear us talking! In this episode, the Spoilers work through how to think about representations of sexual violence in the wake of Kavanaugh; they talk marriage, mass incarceration, race and masculinity, and creepy Roy dolls; and they resist the desperate urge to line up on Team Roy or Team Celestial (no Team Dre).
This gem is packed full of delectable moments, mostly because it's the second time we've talked about this novel. You won't hear the first because no one could hear us over the raucous crowd at Heritage when we first tried to record this episode a couple weeks ago. This time we took it all back home to a quiet place, and if we don't say so, we are a little more thoughtful, generally brilliant, and much easier on the ears. Listen all the way to the end for the added treat of a sweet outtake from our first recording effort at Heritage -- that's right, it's Crystal rocking an impromptu performance of "Sorry" from FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE/ WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF during sound check. It is so worth it.
Thursday Aug 30, 2018
Thursday Aug 30, 2018
In this episode, Adriana proves how big her brain is by easily besting Todd in a literary genre battle, Crystal reveals which story "elicited the most emotional reaction," and Anita shouts out Todd's mom. Also, Carmen Maria Machado gives us an excuse to fan-folk LAW AND ORDER. All the while, we sip delicious drinks and listen to the same dulcet tunes we used to hear at Lake Cofee House. Wait - have we entered some sort of time-shift? Abler, is that you? Henson? Bonita?!!!??!!
Friday Jul 27, 2018
Friday Jul 27, 2018
The All Spoilers Collective gets a little bit critical in this episode about a book we also like a lot. We find ourselves saying things like, "I cried but," or "the book is trying to do this, but." Let's just say there are a lot of "buts." While we praise this novel for putting black girls at the center, we have a lot of questions about the representation of radical activism and freedom movements, the consequences of snitching, and what it really means to move to the suburbs. There's also an aopologia for King, and Todd bags on the Fresh Prince maybe a little too much. You're going to love this hot little episode in which the Collective gets as prickly as they ever have.
Friday Jul 27, 2018
Friday Jul 27, 2018
In this episode, the All Spoilers Collective recognizes both Jane and Katherine's bad-assedness while also tackling zombies, the definition of YA literature, boarding schools, Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, and the power of corsets. It is our first episode at Cahoots Coffee Bar in St. Paul and we're outside, so you, our loyal listeners get to hear us dodge planes, ambulances, and window air conditioners. Don't worry, you can hear the team brilliance (confusion?) pretty well. All aboard the train to Spoilerland!
Wednesday May 23, 2018
Driplet #1: We Just Can't
Wednesday May 23, 2018
Wednesday May 23, 2018
In this extremely short episode, Anita and Todd talk about why the collective decided not to discuss Junot Diaz's book for our next show. We also discuss YA literature, the tragic closing of Lake Coffee House, and our fantastic new recording equipment. And fInally -- we announce the new books for July.
Saturday Apr 21, 2018
The Drip Episode Four: Audre Lorde's ZAMI: A NEW SPELLING OF MY NAME
Saturday Apr 21, 2018
Saturday Apr 21, 2018
In this episode we talk about everything Audre Lorde -- language and silence, anger and love, intersectionality, bermuda shorts and dungarees, historical texts and literary ones, and how every woman Audre ever loved left "her print" on her. Listen to the crew as we rediscover one of the great books of African American Studies.
Tuesday Mar 06, 2018
The Drip Episode Three: Eve Ewing's ELECTRIC ARCHES
Tuesday Mar 06, 2018
Tuesday Mar 06, 2018
In this episode we explain why you should read poetry, learn all about Crystal's days as a youth recitation specialist, and try not to cry as we discuss and read from Eve Ewing's new collection, Electric Arches.
Tuesday Mar 06, 2018
The Drip Episode Two: Jesmyn Ward's SING, UNBURIED, SING
Tuesday Mar 06, 2018
Tuesday Mar 06, 2018
The Drip is back for another hot episode in which: Crystal diplomatically disagrees, Adriana wonders what a plait is, Anita takes over as show host, and Todd bungles a fifteen second history of African American literature! Oh -- and of course, we talk about Jesmyn Ward's novel, Sing, Unburied, Sing. You're going to love this one. We've got new music, we're a tad more organized, and we've kept the whole thing to under an hour -- just like a real podcast. You don't want to miss it!