Best Helen Zhang Podcasts (2025)

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Introducing Happy To Be Here! 1:24

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22d ago1:24

1:24

Welcome to Happy To Be Here, the show for the perpetually curious! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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Goodbye for now! 35:07

1+ y ago35:07

35:07

As y’all probably know, we’re calling this the “goodbye for now” episode of Nerdette because it’s our last episode while we’re employees at WBEZ. So, we thought it was the perfect time to call up Nerdette co-creator Tricia Bobeda and Nerdette Recaps co-host Peter Sagal to play our favorite game, Burden or Delight. Then, we hear from YOU about what …

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Nerdette Book Club: More with Amor Towles, LIVE! 20:18

1+ y ago20:18

20:18

May’s Book Club selection is the fabulous short story collection ‘Table for Two’ by Amor Towles. It was amazing to get to talk to Amor in front of a LIVE audience in Chicago a few weeks ago. Since we were only able to share about half of that conversation in the podcast feed, we decided to bring you more from our chat and dive even deeper into the …

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Biden Taxes Building Your Dream (BYD) 1:03:30

1+ y ago1:03:30

1:03:30

The Biden Administration takes the trade war with China up a notch by significantly increasing import taxes on a range of Chinese electric vehicle, technology, and medical goods - plus, a brief update on the new Russian offensive in Ukraine. About the show: Intrigue Explained is a show where three former diplomats (John Fowler, Dmitry Grozoubinski …

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All the books to read this summer!!! 20:47

1+ y ago20:47

20:47

This week, we ask voracious reader Liberty Hardy to rave about the best books coming out this summer. Liberty is the host of the Book Riot podcast ‘All the Books!’ She and Greta trade their top picks. Here are the titles in the order that they’re mentioned in the episode: ‘Fire Exit’ by Morgan Talty (6/3) ‘The Ministry of Time’ by Kaliane Bradley (…

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A kitchen therapy session with Tamar Adler 38:00

1+ y ago38:00

38:00

This week, cookbook author and leftovers lover Tamar Adler joins us to answer YOUR questions on cooking, hosting and eating. Tamar is the author of 'The Everlasting Meal' and 'The Everlasting Meal Cookbook: Leftovers A-Z.' She also writes the newsletter “The Kitchen Shrink,” where she regularly gives out culinary advice. See Privacy Policy at https…

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Nerdette Book Club LIVE with Amor Towles! 31:59

1+ y ago31:59

31:59

This week, we are bringing you a special LIVE edition of Nerdette Book Club!!! The great Amor Towles, author of 'A Gentleman in Moscow' and 'The Lincoln Highway,' joined us in front of a live audience at the Athenaeum Theater in Chicago to discuss our May Book Club selection, his most recent book 'Table for Two!' It’s a collection of six different …

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Good Tok; Bad Tok 57:26

1+ y ago57:26

57:26

The TikTok "ban" has been signed into law, so we dive into how it happened, the reasoning behind it, what might happen next and the geopolitics of it all. About the show: Intrigue Explained is a show where three former diplomats (John Fowler, Dmitry Grozoubinski and Helen Zhang*) break down the big stories in international news. The show is based o…

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A joyfully defiant summer playlist 16:13

1+ y ago16:13

16:13

This week, we’re sharing some of the best new music out this summer! Our friend Kristen Kurtis is the assistant music director and Morning Show host at WXPN in Philadelphia. We asked her to bring us some fun and maybe even a little angry songs to rock out to this summer. You can find this collection of “joyfully defiant” songs below or listen along…

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Nerdette Book Club discusses ‘Beautyland’ 44:18

1+ y ago44:18

44:18

Our April Book Club pick is Marie-Helene Bertino’s second novel 'Beautyland.' It tells the story of Adina, a girl born in Philadelphia in 1977, just as the Voyager I spacecraft launches from Earth in search of extraterrestrial life. As a child, Adina learns she herself is an alien, and her mission is to send her observations about humanity to her s…

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CORGIS ARE DELIGHTFUL 20:20

1+ y ago20:20

20:20

This week, we are taking some time to reflect on the past *11 years* of Nerdette by listening to two of our all-time favorite interviews. First, Greta and Stephen King (yes, that Stephen King) bond over their shared love of corgis. Then, poet Ross Gay tells us about 'The Book of Delights,' a collection of essays about finding delight everyday. We a…

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[Bonus] Rebutting Arguments against US Aid to Ukraine 28:58

1+ y ago28:58

28:58

On the 20th of April, the US House of Representatives passed a bill appropriating billioins in aid for Ukraine. With world travelling co-hosts John and Helen taking some much needed rest, this bonus episode has Dmitry breaking down seven common arguments against US aid to Ukraine and offering his suggestions on how to engage with them. About the sh…

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Tortured poets and airlines for dogs 28:24

1+ y ago28:24

28:24

This week, senior Reset producer Meha Ahmad and journalist Araceli Gómez-Aldana join us to unpack the week. We get into friendship breakups over Taylor Swift, a new airline for dogs and Olympic fashion. Then, Maura Cheeks tells us about her debut novel Acts of Forgiveness. The book imagines a world where the U.S. government awards cash reparations …

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Iran and Israel - Pre-Attack Discussion 1:00:32

1+ y ago1:00:32

1:00:32

Recorded on the 12th of April as intelligence agencies were warning of an Iranian attack on Israel, this episode features a discussion about the likelihood of such an attack, its implications, and the policy choices involved. It also discusses the Western strategy of releasing the intelligence and how that might shape possible responses. Note: A lo…

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Is mayo a burden or a delight? WE FIND OUT. 21:06

1+ y ago21:06

21:06

This week, our friends Dan Pashman, host of 'The Sporkful' podcast and author of the new cookbook 'Anything’s Pastable,' and Helen Rosner, staff writer at The New Yorker and author of the newsletter 'The Food Scene,' go all in on food in another round of our favorite game: Burden or Delight. Plus, producer Anna Bauman adventured to Indianapolis thi…

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Making Friends and Influencing in Southeast Asia 1:00:45

1+ y ago1:00:45

1:00:45

A 2024 survey of experts across Southeast Asia found that for the first time, more would see themselves aligned with China than the US in a hypothetical confrontation between the two superpowers. What are the implications of that shift, and more broadly is soft power and public perception abroad a significant factor in foreign policy? A version of …

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Killer gams FTW 28:13

1+ y ago28:13

28:13

We are unpacking the week that was with Amory Sivertson, host of the WBUR podcasts Beyond All Repair and Endless Thread, and Kristina Lopez, producer of Glamorous Trash. We discuss the reasons why women need more sleep than men, age gap relationships and “Stick Nation.” Then, Vulture film critic Alison Wilmore tells us about why women in action mov…

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Nerdette Book Club: Marie-Helene Bertino on ‘Beautyland’ 17:51

1+ y ago17:51

17:51

Our April selection is Marie-Helene Bertino’s gorgeous and entrancing novel 'Beautyland.' It’s about Adina, who realizes she is actually an alien disguised as a young girl living in Philadelphia. Her task is to send reports on humanity back to her home planet via fax machine. The novel is tender, full of heart and weird in the best possible way. Li…

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Bonus: The Culture Study Podcast 40:40

1+ y ago40:40

40:40

We're on Spring Break this week so we're bringing you a podcast that we think you'll love from our friends at The Culture Study Podcast. Get ready for a deep conversation into the world of A Court of Thorns and Roses, and the 'romantasy' genre as a whole!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.…

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Nerdette Book Club discusses ‘Martyr!’ 44:40

1+ y ago44:40

44:40

Our March book club pick is Kaveh Akbar’s debut novel ‘Martyr!’ It’s about Cyrus, who was born in Iran and moved to the midwest as a child after his mom died. She was one of the victims of the real-life event where the United States Navy shot an Iranian passenger-plane out of the sky reportedly by accident. The book picks up when Cyrus is in his 20…

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Russian Terror and Macron's Flex 56:47

1+ y ago56:47

56:47

A double feature episode discussing the terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall Music Centre in Moscow, and the French President's increasingly assertive posture on the world stage. About the show: Intrigue Explained is a show where three former diplomats (John Fowler, Dmitry Grozoubinski and Helen Zhang*) break down the big stories in internation…

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Burden or Delight: Sourdough edition 23:23

1+ y ago23:23

23:23

This week, two of our favorite guests, City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran and Not Sorry Productions faculty member Margaret Willison, stop by to play a game of Burden or Delight. We discuss wide-legged jeans, sourdough starters and a few other unhinged topics. Plus, we are super excited to introduce an upcoming segment with chef and cookbook wri…

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Understanding China - Part 1 of 536: The Two Sessions 1:00:54

1+ y ago1:00:54

1:00:54

In this first episode of what could well be an endless series, resident China experts Helen and John walk us through China Politics 101 following a robust discussion of the proposed TikTok divestment bill in the US Congress. The episode draws its name from two 'sessions' taking place earlier in March: the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Con…

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The aggressively delightful Noel Fielding 36:57

1+ y ago36:57

36:57

This week, senior correspondent at Vox Alex Abad-Santos and Bridget Todd, host of the podcasts ‘City Cast DC’ and ‘There Are No Girls on the Internet,’ spill the tea on Kate Middleton’s photoshop debacle, a proposed TikTok ban and the World Banana Forum. Plus, Noel Fielding stars in the new Apple TV+ comedy series ‘The Completely Made-Up Adventures…

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Spying, Spies and Revelations 59:54

1+ y ago59:54

59:54

Is espionage running rampant, and is the new Western strategy of dragging it out into the light a winning one? We dive into the world of spies and spooks following some shocking allegations by the head of Australia's domestic counter-intelligence service ASIO and a spate of high-profile incidents around the world. About the show: Intrigue Explained…

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Xochitl Gonzalez on art, belonging and nostalgia 32:32

1+ y ago32:32

32:32

We unpack the week with Ronald Young Jr., host of ‘Weight For It,’ and Arionne Nettles, head of Northwestern’s audio journalism program and author of the upcoming book ‘We Are the Culture: Black Chicago's Influence on Everything.’ We chat about the fallacy of airplane mode, tweens at Sephora and the popularity of owl ring bearers. Plus, author Xoch…

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Nerdette Book Club: Kaveh Akbar on ‘Martyr!’ 28:35

1+ y ago28:35

28:35

Nerdette Book Club’s March selection is ‘Martyr!,’ the first novel from poet Kaveh Akbar. Our team chose it because it is vibrant, incisive and the perfect combination of devastating and funny. Listen to this spoiler-free conversation and read along with us! Then, send us a voice memo with your thoughts on the book. We’ll be back on the last Tuesda…

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We have some questions for Rebecca Makkai 18:09

1+ y ago18:09

18:09

This week, we are diving into the world of boarding school, wrongful conviction and true crime podcasts. Yes, we are talking about the book I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai. It was a Nerdette Book Club pick after it came out in March of last year, and it just came out in paperback. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and …

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Nerdette Book Club: ‘Come and Get It,’ discussed! 33:00

2y ago33:00

33:00

Nerdette Book Club is keeping things moving in 2024 with Kiley Reid’s sophomore novel, ‘Come and Get It.’ It’s a juicy, messy novel that takes place on a college campus and explores issues around class, ambition and constantly-shifting power dynamics. Our readers this month are the hosts of WBEZ’s ‘The Rundown’ podcast, Erin Allen and Adora Namigad…

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WTF is going on at the WTO 1:09:20

2y ago1:09:20

1:09:20

Against John's better judgement, trade nerd Dmitry attempts to provide a vaguely accessible explanation of the World Trade Organization and its 13th Ministerial Conference. Also includes brief discussions of the 2nd anniversary of Russia's re-invasion of Ukraine and the US veto of another UN Security Council Resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza…

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Here’s to mucking about! 28:26

2y ago28:26

28:26

This week, comedian and Fake the Nation host Negin Farsad and Ted Talks Daily host Elise Hu join us to discuss a week’s worth of litigious news. We learn about the guy who’s suing Powerball for posting the incorrect numbers, the dating app users who say the platforms are too addictive, and the proposed “right to disconnect” law protecting workers i…

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The US and NATO - What's the Pitch to US Taxpayers? 1:01:50

2y ago1:01:50

1:01:50

Following the comments by Former President Trump about a failure by some European states to meet their NATO spending commitments, we dive into the question: Should US taxpayers be underwriting European defense? About the show: Intrigue Explained is a show where three former diplomats (John Fowler, Dmitry Grozoubinski and Helen Zhang) break down the…

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Kelly Link’s uncanny novel is “a love letter to romance” 30:18

2y ago30:18

30:18

This week, Niala Boodhoo, host and editor of the Axios podcast 1 big thing, and Aubrey Gordon, subject of the upcoming documentary 'Your Fat Friend' and co-host of Maintenance Phase, stop by to chat about retailers cracking down on frequent returns and the new dating app for people with good credit scores. Then, MacArthur “Genius Grant” fellow and …

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Understanding Davos and the World Economic Forum 45:40

2y ago45:40

45:40

In an episode sure to do wonders for their inboxes the hosts (who have attended four times between them) try to explain the World Economic Forum's annual Davos meeting, and why everyone keeps shouting about it. All hail the lizard people! About the show: Intrigue Explained is a show where three former diplomats (John Fowler, Dmitry Grozoubinski and…

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The Tortured Nerdettes Department 19:23

2y ago19:23

19:23

This week, Rhaina Cohen, author of 'The Other Significant Others,' and The Stacks host Traci Thomas stop by to talk about the sports game happening this Sunday, whether aging Millennials are becoming culturally obsolete, and why algorithm recommendations might feel kind of … off. Plus, we take a listen to audio Valentines from Nerdette listeners to…

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Nerdette Book Club: Kiley Reid on 'Come and Get It' 20:58

2y ago20:58

20:58

Our February selection is Come and Get It by Kiley Reid! Reid’s debut novel, ‘Such a Fun Age,’ was a salacious, fizzy novel about the messy power dynamics of work and life, and her second book is no different. Set on the campus of the University of Arkansas, the multi-perspective book revolves around Millie, a fifth-year senior saving up to buy a h…

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Snacky and tired? Us too. 25:32

2y ago25:32

25:32

This week, we are beating the winter blahs and leaning into coziness. First, we talk to City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran and WBEZ’s Araceli Gómez-Aldana about ads upending streaming services, a $3,000 train trip and cozy rituals. Then, Bon Appétit food editor Shilpa Uskokovic shares some of her favorite cold weather recipes. Here they are… Dar…

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Nerdette Book Club: ‘Jonathan Abernathy You are Kind,’ discussed! 37:54

2y ago37:54

37:54

Nerdette Book Club is off to an excellent start with our first selection of 2024, ‘Jonathan Abernathy You are Kind’ by Molly McGhee! It’s a deeply strange novel that dabbles in dreamscapes while also being a very real critique of capitalism. Our readers this month are Maya Lau, the host of the personal finance podcast ‘Other Peoples’ Pockets’ and N…

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12 books to read in 2024 30:50

2y ago30:50

30:50

This week, co-hosts of the Just Between Us podcast, Gabe Dunn and Allison Raskin, stop in to play Burden or Delight. This week’s topics: double dipping, the snow salt chococcino, and gummy vitamins! Then, Greta and Book Riot’s Liberty Hardy rave about some of the buzziest titles coming out this year. For a full list of the books mentioned in the ep…

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Silent Book Club: An introvert’s dream 23:08

2y ago23:08

23:08

This week, we are distracting ourselves from the freezing cold weather with a game of Burden or Delight. Our panelists are Adora Namigadde, WBEZ metro reporter and host of the morning episodes of the WBEZ podcast The Rundown, and Erin Allen, host of The Rundown in the afternoons. We discuss the end of certain comedic road signs and the ethics of a …

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New year, new Stanley tumbler 24:19

2y ago24:19

24:19

We’re back with our first pop culture panel of 2024! In that spirit, we are talking all about New Year's resolutions and the myth of fresh starts. Our guests are the host of Vox’s The Weeds podcast Jonquilyn Hill and the host of New Hampshire Public Radio’s The 13th Step podcast Lauren Chooljian. We also get into two recent trends: the rise of clos…

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Special Episode - Missing Pages 37:56

2y ago37:56

37:56

This week we're sharing an episode we think you'll enjoy. It's from the podcast Missing Pages and it is the first part of their two-part series on book banning. Host and acclaimed literary critic Bethanne Patrick explores America’s history of banning books. Missing Pages is produced by The Podglomerate. Listen to more episodes of Missing Pages here…

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Nerdette Book Club: Molly McGhee on ‘Jonathan Abernathy You Are Kind’ 27:31

2y ago27:31

27:31

Nerdette Book Club is kicking off a new year of reading with Molly McGhee’s debut novel Jonathan Abernathy You Are Kind. Our protagonist, Jonathan Abernathy, is completely subsumed by debt. So, he takes a job editing the bad dreams of middle class workers. It’s a searing critique of late-stage capitalism that also manages to be funny and tender. Re…

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The best TV shows of 2023 48:10

2y ago48:10

48:10

Despite two historic writers’ and actors’ strikes, there was a lot of TV to watch this year. We turned to two TV critics to weigh in on their favorites: The New Yorker’s Inkoo Kang and Vulture’s Kathryn VanArendonk For links, pics and more details, head to our website! Beef (Netflix) Reservation Dogs (Hulu) Succession (Max) Fellow Travelers (Showti…

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The best podcasts of 2023 39:10

2y ago39:10

39:10

To find the best podcasts of the year, we talked to two veritable experts in the form: Leah-Simone Bowen, host of ‘Podcast Playlist’ from the CBC, and Nick Quah, podcast critic for Vulture. In order to make it on their lists this year, both Leah and Nick said shows had to really push the envelope in format or reporting. From heavy investigations to…

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Ukraine War: Hard Questions 51:45

2y ago51:45

51:45

Recorded on the 658th day of the Russian escalation, against the backdrop of opposition to Western funding for Ukraine in Washington and Brussels, we take a look at the state of the war and grapple with some of the hard questions facing policymakers. About the show: Intrigue Explained is a show where three former diplomats (John Fowler, Dmitry Groz…

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The best books of 2023 39:44

2y ago39:44

39:44

We are reflecting on a year of reading by tallying up the books that we just can’t stop thinking about. Two professional readers – Miwa Messer, host of Barnes & Noble’s book podcast Poured Over, and Andrew Limbong, host of NPR’s Book of the Day podcast – join us to share their best of the year lists. Here are the books mentioned in the episode. For…

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The best cookbooks of 2023 19:03

2y ago19:03

19:03

It’s that time of year where we sit back, relax and reflect on some of the best stuff that came out this year! First up, we asked Alex Beggs — freelance food writer, former staffer at ‘Bon Appetit’ and all-around friend of the show — to tell us about her favorite cookbooks of 2023. Here’s Alex’s list. You can find pictures, links and more details a…

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Special Episode - Text Me Back 22:50

2y ago22:50

22:50

This week, we're sharing a podcast from our public radio friends KUOW in Seattle. It's called "Text Me Back" and it's all about friendship and making your favorite people laugh, even when this dumpster fire of a world gets you down. Bestselling writer Lindy West and democracy policy expert Meagan Hatcher-Mays are two award-winning best friends from…

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We're Al-Jabering about COP 43:45

2y ago43:45

43:45

It's the first day of COP28 and there's a new fund, controversy about the host and 70,000 people loitering around the coffee stall. We dive into some of the geopolitics. About the show: Intrigue Explained is a show where three former diplomats (John Fowler, Dmitry Grozoubinski and Helen Zhang) break down the big stories in international news. The s…