The duo behind Black Nerd Problems join the panel to unpack the week so you don’t have to. Plus, two authors share stories on women’s self portraits and coming out at any age.

Nerdette

The women who painted themselves against all odds

This week, our panel takes a look at some of the most complicated friendships in our lives: Facebook friends, unvaccinated friends, and ‘bad art friends.’ We even talk about some animal ones too, with bestselling author Mary Roach.

When life gives you kidneys, make 'bad art friends'

We discuss deals with the devil, intergalactic warfare, and defiant joy with author Ryka Aoki.

Nerdette Book Club: Ryka Aoki on ‘Light From Uncommon Stars’

It’s not easy being the first in any field. Just ask our two trailblazing guests, former NCAA swimmer Schuyler Bailar and tubist Richard Antoine White.

What It Means To Be The First

Lit Society Pod co-hosts Kari Herrera and Alexis Honoria join Greta to process Michelle Zauner’s devastating, delicious memoir. (Heads up: you might want tissues for this one.)

Nerdette Book Club: ‘Crying in H Mart’

It's all TV and trees this week! We're joined by culture reporter Hannah Giorgis (The Atlantic), canopy ecologist Meg Lowman, and Chicago's finest "Bachelor"-ologists: Mina Bloom and Brandon Pope.

When Reality Meets TV

You asked, we delivered! Infectious disease expert Emily Landon is back to take your questions on variants, vaccines, and more.

The Doctor Is In — Again!

This one’s all about anxiety! We talk about how Naomi Osaka is paving the way for all of us with WBEZ education reporter Susie An and Axios Today host Niala Boodhoo, then neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki talks to us about why anxiety is still so misunderstood. Plus, we catch up with Lauren Groff about her wonderfully weird novel, 'Matrix.'

When The Pressure’s Just Too Much

Today on Nerdette we're bringing you a fascinating interview from another WBEZ podcast - Art of Power. Leigh Bardugo is the author of the bestselling 'Shadow and Bone' trilogy. Leigh talks with Aarti Shahani about the many ups and downs she traversed before ultimately landing at success.

Book Club: Bonus Interview with Leigh Bardugo

How is it September already?! We talk music news with Certified Music People™ Jasmine Garsd (NPR) and Jill Hopkins (Vocalo). Then, we check in with actor Harvey Guillén, who does all his own stunts as Guillermo de la Cruz in 'What We Do in the Shadows,' and walk through a recommendation from the American Medical Association that could make life a lot easier for trans and intersex folks.

Queens Of Pop And Vampire Slayers

It's our long-awaited episode on Kazuo Ishiguro’s 'Klara and the Sun'! We dive into the Nobel prize-winner’s latest with writer Anita Felicelli, who recently reviewed ‘Klara and the Sun’ for the Los Angeles Review of Books, and author Veronica Roth (‘Divergent,’ ‘Chosen Ones’).

Nerdette Book Club: ‘Klara and the Sun’

WTTW anchor Brandis Friedman and WBEZ reporter Araceli Gómez-Aldana talk to us about Lil Nas X’s new gig with Taco Bell, if anything we watch is “good” in the age of armchair critics, and why the baby from the cover of Nirvana’s 'Nevermind' isn’t smiling anymore. Then, TV critic Kathryn VanArendonk christens a new genre we can get behind (White Man As Obstacle) and author Jess Zimmerman takes a feminist spin on Greek myths.

Is Anything Even Good Anymore?

We’re back with a panel! This week, we talk COVID, Jeopardy!, and #RushTok with WBEZ daily newsletter writer Hunter Clauss and New York Times TV critic Margaret Lyons. Then, Eve Ewing tells us about 'Maya and the Robot,' her lovely new book for middle grade readers. (Note: We recorded this week’s panel on Thursday, before the news broke about Mike Richards leaving Jeopardy!)

#RushTok 101

This week, it’s all about SUMMER MOVIES. First, we check in with TIME’s Eliana Dockterman about what’s been good, what to avoid, and what the deal is with that whole ScarJo/Disney lawsuit situation. Then, we ask film critic Robert Daniels about his favorite movies of 2021 so far. His list may surprise you!

Is the New Nicolas Cage Movie … Actually Good?

This week, two of our favorite eaters — Bon Appetit senior staff writer Alex Beggs and New York Times restaurant critic Tejal Rao — tell us why the best picnics might just be the least photogenic ones. They’re all about tiny swimsuits, big sandwiches, cold wine in insulated water bottles, and minimal, minimal effort.

All Hail the Slacker Picnic

Interviews with your favorite (or soon-to-be favorite) authors, artists, astronauts and more. From WBEZ.

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