Season 3 of Some Things Considered wrapped up a remarkable run that continued to peel back the layers of how creativity works—from the personal routines and philosophies of master storytellers to the broader cultural currents shaping art and expression in America today.
Hosted by award-winning author and cultural critic Sean Murphy, Some Things Considered remained a weekly podcast and Substack newsletter that went deep with creative minds across literature, music, art, politics, and tech. These weren’t just interviews—they were immersive conversations about what drives creativity, why story matters, and how our most inspired thinkers turn vision into impact.
This past season, Sean dove deeper into the currents shaping our creative, cultural, and political landscapes with a fresh lineup of writers, thinkers, musicians, critics, and change-makers.
From the dystopian rise of tech oligarchs to the future of political messaging, investigative journalist Jacob Silverman opens the season with a wide-ranging conversation on the post-2024 election climate, the influence of crypto billionaires, and why Democrats keep missing the messaging memo.
Legendary jazz pianist and thinker Matthew Shipp explores authenticity, artistic integrity, and how NYC’s underground scene shaped a generation of innovators. This episode is a masterclass in how to live—and think—creatively.
Ed Simon, English professor and Belt Magazine editor, unpacks the myth of the Great American Novel and how literature continues to challenge, reflect, and reshape American democracy.
Cultural critic and iconoclast Jessa Crispin holds nothing back, tackling class, feminism, media, and the uneasy politics of visibility in a chaotic age. It's a sharp, insightful look at narrative power and building meaningful communities.
Leeya Mehta and Bill Miller reflect on a decade of the Alan Cheuse International Writers Center, the role of the literary arts in global dialogue, and why nurturing creativity matters now more than ever.
Jason Zinoman, NYT critic and comedy chronicler, joins to unpack how self-promotion is reshaping art itself—and how comedians are navigating the increasingly blurred line between craft and content.
Will Boast digs into literary indigestion—literally—with a brilliant discussion on bodily woes, con artists, and the literary roots of discomfort. It’s funny, unsettling, and deeply researched.
Ryan Flahive, host of Climate Changers, offers a timely reflection on climate storytelling, narrative-driven activism, and the challenges of making meaning in a media-saturated world.
Dr. Shawn DuBravac, economist and futurist, closes the season with a big-picture look at how emerging tech—AI in particular—is reshaping our future. He breaks down complex ideas with clarity and heart.
Paula Whyman, author and naturalist, shares the personal and political layers of her new memoir—an immersive journey through nature, identity, and belonging. She reflects on writing, teaching, and the solace found in wild places.
Season 3 showed just how much story matters—and how much there is still to explore.
If you enjoyed the show, I hope you’ll stick around: Some Things Considered is ready to roll out Season 4 next week, starting Tuesday, July 22nd. See you then!
Listen and subscribe at seanmurphy.live.
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