Best Christopher Vance Podcasts (2025)

1
/487/ Did JD Vance Kill the PMC? ft. Christopher Lasch's Angry Ghost 51:51

16d ago51:51

51:51

On what is next for 'PMC theory' [For the full episode, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast] The social media avatar known as Christopher Lasch's Angry Ghost joins us to unpick the conjuncture: as the Trump administration makes cuts and seeks to do away with progressives in bureaucracies, where does that leave the left-wing critique of the PMC? What…

1
“It becomes more personal as you go along” — Wes Anderson on creating films about family 25:09

15m ago25:09

25:09

The Phoenician Scheme is Wes Anderson’s latest feature film. And if you are a fan of deadpan screw ball humour, meticulously shot and edited behind a colour pallet of muted earth tones, you will not be disappointed. But for his thirteenth feature film, Wes is leaning a little more into action and even violence to tell his new father daughter com…

1
Christopher Stowell on the future of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet 27:42

20m ago27:42

27:42

Christopher Stowell is the new artistic director of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet – Canada's oldest ballet company and the longest continuously operating ballet company in North America. He’ll speak with Tom about why ballet is his “family business,” his career as a principal dancer and ballet leader, and what the future holds for the Royal Winnipeg…

1
Suddenly struck by pain, Gabrielle Drolet learned to write and draw again 23:39

1d ago23:39

23:39

A few years ago, the cartoonist and writer Gabrielle Drolet developed a condition that made her unable to use her hands. It kept getting worse over time, and as Gabrielle searched for a diagnosis, she also had to find new ways to make art. Her new memoir “Look Ma, No Hands” is the story of an artist coming to terms with disability, adapting to t…

1
Savannah Ré bet on herself, and it led to a creative breakthrough 23:09

1d ago23:09

23:09

Whenever life got tough, Savannah Ré’s mom always used to quote a specific, motivational verse from the bible. Those words have now inspired Savannah’s new album, “Formed.” She tells Tom Power about the creative turn she’s taken on her new record, and the risks and rewards that come with going independent. Fill out our lis…

1
LIVE MUSIC FROM DEERHOOF! WINNERS & LOSERS! ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS! IAN MACKAY IN CRIMEBRIDGE! PAT FINNERTY! 3:02:14

1d ago3:02:14

3:02:14

DEERHOOF come through for a rousing performance in the Best Show/Forever Dog Theater! Tom takes calls about WINNERS & LOSERS, as well as ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS! PAT FINNERTY (aka Pat In Philly) checks in! Plus, a call from IAN MACKAY IN CRIMEBRIDGE! SUPPORT THE BEST SHOW ON PATREON! WEEKLY BONUS EPISODES & VIDEO EPISODES! https://www.patreon.com/TheB…

1
Prince--Bob Seger--(Same Guy?) & "Where's the Beef? Burger Wars" 1:01:24

1d ago1:01:24

1:01:24

This week’s episode is a wild ride through unexpected musical theories, fast food rivalries, and a heartfelt tribute to a classic TV star. Buckle up for a multi-course serving of nostalgia and surprises. Segment 1: “Raspberry Seger?” Prince’s Raspberry Beret turns 40 this summer, but here’s the question we can’t stop asking: Did Prince write that s…

1
Rebellious and reflective, Billy Idol looks back on a life in music 34:08

2d ago34:08

34:08

Turning 70 this year, legendary punk-rocker turned MTV Icon Billy Idol is back with his ninth studio album. “Dream Into It” reflects his life and career, with songs documenting his early days, his massive breakthrough, his drug addiction, and finally his rebirth. He tells Tom Power about why he’s looking back now.Fill out our l…

1
Dawn Macdonald on the mess and beauty of growing up in the Canadian North 18:39

2d ago18:39

18:39

Dawn Macdonald is a poet based in Whitehorse, Yukon whose 2024 debut poetry collection “Northerny” takes an honest, raw and unsentimental look at growing up and living in Canada’s North. Now, “Northerny” is the winner of this year’s Griffin Poetry Prize, Canadian First Book Prize. Dawn tells Tom Power about growing up off the grid without runnin…

1
/491/ Squeezed Between Two Empires ft. Maciej Szlinder 1:04:27

1d ago1:04:27

1:04:27

On Poland's election, its history, its self-conception. Philosopher Maciej Szlinder joins us to talk about Polish politics, society and history. Maciej is a member of the general council of the left-wing political party Razem ("Together"), as well as the president of the Polish Basic Income Network, so we discuss these matters as well as the genera…

1
/490/ Reading Club: Who Is Anti-Nationalist? 17:21

2d ago17:21

17:21

On the former Yugoslavia and the ethnography of anti-nationalists. [For the full episode, subscribe: patreon.com/bungacast] [Reading Club LIVE: Sat 14 June, 9am LA, 12am NY, 5pm London, 6pm Berlin] In the third installment of this block on inter/nationalism in the 21st century, we take a look at the other side of nationalism, through scholar Stefaa…

1
Christopher Caldwell's Case Against Civil Rights 1:28:24

3d ago1:28:24

1:28:24

Attentive listeners will notice that this episode is about a book but isn't an author interview. That's because it's the first in a new occasional series of episodes that will be dedicated to books by conservative writers that we think are important — whether because a book articulates the right's approach to an issue or problem in an especially re…

1
Losing her voice taught Melanie Fiona to speak up for herself 21:43

3d ago21:43

21:43

After over a decade away from the spotlight, Canadian singer Melanie Fiona is back with an EP. “Say Yes” is her first record since she won two Grammys in 2012. She tells guest host Talia Schlanger how her intense burnout led to her spiritual awakening, and why she’s saying yes to singing again.…

1
The wrestling saga at the heart of The Halluci Nation’s new EP 20:28

3d ago20:28

20:28

When Bear Witness and Tim “2oolman” Hill of The Halluci Nation watched wrestling as kids, they had to look past stereotypes and tropes to find Indigenous heroes in the ring. Now, their new EP “Path of The Baby Face” uses wrestling to tell a more empowering story. The music duo tell guest host Talia Schlanger about their collaboration with wrestl…

1
Extreme Sports Athlete Rad McKinney 52:56

5d ago52:56

52:56

BEST SHOW BESTS! In this classic clip, Tom gets a call from the legendary extreme sports champion RAD MCKINNEY! (Originally aired on February 2nd, 2016) New to the Best Show? Check out Best Show Bests, the greatest hits of The Best Show! Available every Friday on your podcast app. SUPPORT THE BEST SHOW ON PATREON! WEEKLY BONUS EPISODES & VIDEO EPIS…

1
/489/ Boomer Death Rattle 42:55

5d ago42:55

42:55

On the end of the (very) long 1960s. [For the full episode, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast] Contributing Editor Lee Jones joins Alex and George to talk through the themes and stories of the month, including MAGA's war on universities, right-populists in power, and culture war. Plus we deal with your questions and comments on: lawfare, video gam…

1
Wiz Khalifa found peace in not needing praise 25:29

6d ago25:29

25:29

Wiz Khalifa just dropped his latest album ‘Kush + Orange Juice 2,’ the sequel to his 2010 mixtape that introduced him to the world. Khalifa joins Tom to talk about his early days as a hip-hop artist, why he’s never cared about being a celebrity, and what important lessons he learned from Snoop Dogg. …

1
Sister Ray trades rejection for joy on their new album Believer 24:00

6d ago24:00

24:00

The Alberta folk singer-songwriter Sister Ray is known for writing songs about heartbreak and sadness. But they decided to try something different with their new album “Believer”— their latest record is all about love and connection. Ella Coyes of Sister Ray tells Tom Power about how “freeing” it is to write about joy, how growing up around Méti…

1
Why Sook-Yin Lee adapted her ex’s memoir about paying for sex 24:46

7d ago24:46

24:46

In Sook-Yin Lee’s film, “Paying For It,” a couple whose romantic attraction is waning decide to open up their relationship. While Sonny explores dating, her introverted boyfriend, Chester, opts to hire sex workers. The story is based on Sook-Yin’s real-life former relationship with Canadian cartoonist Chester Brown, who released a bestselling gr…

1
Amy Millan realized grief didn’t need to be a secret, so she wrote an album about it 24:57

7d ago24:57

24:57

Amy Millan from the band Stars is back with her first solo record in fifteen years. Millan tells Tom how her album “I Went To Find You” was inspired by the loss of her father at five years old. Plus, she tells the story behind her new song “Make Way for Waves.”

1
Dr. Jay Goes to Washington: Reforming Science from the Inside at NIH | Uncommon Knowledge | Peter Robinson | Hoover Institution 1:10:04

6d ago1:10:04

1:10:04

Peter Robinson speaks with Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a former Stanford professor and epidemiologist, and the newly appointed director of the National Institutes of Health. Once labeled a “fringe epidemiologist” by the previous administration at NIH, he now leads the world’s largest biomedical research agency and its $50 billion annual budget. Their con…

1
Justice’s best advice for artists: revel in your mistakes 24:22

8d ago24:22

24:22

You might not remember every song on the radio from 2007, but if you were anywhere near a club or dancefloor, you might remember the electronic duo Justice. Their debut album, with that glowing cross on the front, was impossible to ignore. Justice redefined electronic music for a new generation, and became one of the most influential acts of the…

1
This choreographer thinks of her work as “painting” on dancers 15:16

8d ago15:16

15:16

Jennifer Archibald is one of North America’s busiest and most in-demand choreographers. At the end of May, she’ll debut her first piece for the National Ballet of Canada called “Kings Fall,” one of nine world premieres that she’ll go on this season. Archibald tells Tom Power about the commonality between chess and her journey in choreography and…

1
JAMES AUSTIN JOHNSON! ERIC RAHILL! WHITMER THOMAS! CARMEN CHRISTOPHER! AJ WEBERMAN! ROAD TRIP STORIES! PHILLY BOY ROY! 3:04:45

8d ago3:04:45

3:04:45

Best Show is back! JAMES AUSTIN JOHNSON comes to the studio to talk with Tom about his career, SNL, Bob Dylan and more! AJ WEBERMAN, noted Dylanologist and Garbologist, calls in to talk with Tom and James! Comedians and actors ERIC RAHILL, WHITMER THOMAS, and CARMEN CHRISTOPHER stop in to talk to Tom about their roles in the new A24 film FRIENDSHIP…

1
/488/ Homo-Techno, Homo-Solo ...Post-Homo? ft. Alex Gendler 33:47

8d ago33:47

33:47

On tech and the last hu-men. [For the full episode, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast] Writer Alex Gender is back, talking to Alex and George about his recent essay, "Homo Algorithmicus", as well as reflecting on how incel culture has widened and deepened in the past five years. How does healthcare CEO assassin Luigi Mangione exemplify a “rational…

1
“Having the space to fumble" shaped Hanorah’s music 13:09

9d ago13:09

13:09

Hanorah is a singer-songwriter from Montreal who’s opened for Mavis Staples, and grew up listening to Etta James and Joss Stone. On her latest EP “Closer Than Hell,” Hanorah moves beyond her early soul influences and explores a new voice. Hanorah tells Tom about surprising herself when she began songwriting, why she’s happy she didn’t win “La Vo…

1
From CIA to Ohana: Courtney B. Vance stars as Cobra Bubbles in Lilo & Stitch 29:29

9d ago29:29

29:29

Courtney B. Vance is known for playing men of power and purpose — from Johnnie Cochran in “The People v. O.J. Simpson,” to Uncle George Freeman in “Lovecraft Country,” Vance now takes on Cobra Bubbles in the live action remake of Lilo & Stitch. He joins Tom Power to talk about the emotional depth of Bubbles in the new remake, how growing up …

1
Sarah Levy on finding her voice after Schitt’s Creek 22:17

10d ago22:17

22:17

Sarah Levy comes from a pretty funny family. Her dad is the comedy legend Eugene Levy, her brother is Dan Levy, and all three of them were on the Emmy-winning show “Schitt's Creek.” But Sarah says the funniest one of them all is her mom, who’s also the person in her family who’s had the biggest influence on her comedy. Sarah joins Tom Power to t…

1
Dan Mangan’s new album was a surprise even to him 16:59

10d ago16:59

16:59

What happens when you let go? Dan Mangan found out when he stopped trying to make the best record of his career — and he ended up with one of the best records of his career. The Juno-winning singer-songwriter says it all goes to show that surrendering control might be the key to making something great. Dan sits down with Tom Power to tell us how…

1
Iconic Cars....Burger King Starts Burger Wars....NNNOOOOORM! 59:59

12d ago59:59

59:59

This week! From iconic wheels to flame-broiled beef to beloved comedic legends, we’re covering it all. Segment 1: Pop Culture’s Most Iconic Vehicles The cars that became characters themselves We tackle the burning questions that keep pop culture nerds up at night: • What makes a vehicle truly iconic in pop culture? We debate the criteria that eleva…

1
Michelle Zauner isn’t afraid to say no anymore 36:29

13d ago36:29

36:29

In 2021, Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner got everything she’d ever wanted: her memoir “Crying in H Mart” became a surprise New York Times bestseller, and her band’s breakthrough album “Jubilee” received multiple Grammy nominations. But all of that success came at the cost of her mental and physical health, so she moved to Seoul to regroup. …

1
How Crystal Shawanda found her peace through song 14:09

13d ago14:09

14:09

What do you do when the world around you is anything but calm? For the Juno-winning Indigenous blues artist Crystal Shawanda, the answer was to go inward. She joins Tom Power to talk about her powerful and deeply personal new track “This Peace,” which channels her family’s strength, her culture and her own journey of self-discovery to find calm …

1
Soundtracapella 45:15

13d ago45:15

45:15

BEST SHOW BESTS! In this classic clip, Tom is joined in studio by the a capella soundtrack vocal duo SOUNDTRACAPELLA! (Originally Aired on WFMU on October 22, 2002) New to the Best Show? Check out Best Show Bests, the greatest hits of The Best Show! Available every Friday on your podcast app. SUPPORT THE BEST SHOW ON PATREON! WEEKLY BONUS EPISODES …

1
Trump as Messianic Prophet (w/ Manvir Singh) [TEASER] 2:10

14d ago2:10

2:10

Listen to the rest of this premium episode by subscribing at patreon.com/knowyourenemy. In a recent New Yorker essay, our guest, UC Davis anthropologist Manvir Singh, argues, "The Trumpian mystique echoes a dynamic that has occurred for centuries and across cultures. Its core ingredients—an alleged league of pedophiles, a godlike miracle worker, pr…

1
Yanic Truesdale was told he spoke too quickly after Gilmore Girls 31:29

14d ago31:29

31:29

When Yanic Truesdale was growing up in Quebec, he used to watch American TV with his grandmother — but he didn't speak any English, so she had to translate the whole show to him line by line. When he started getting cast in TV roles, no one was prouder of him than his grandmother. Since then, Yanic has become a beloved actor all over the world, …

1
The Last of Us star Noah Lamanna on their breakthrough role 19:28

14d ago19:28

19:28

Canadian actor Noah Lamanna stars as Kat in the new season of the hit HBO show “The Last of Us.” Noah joins Tom Power to talk about the moment they found out they’d be on one of the biggest shows on TV, what it’s like working with Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, and how the film and TV industry has evolved for non-binary actors.…

1
Benito Skinner’s life changed when he dropped the golden boy act 23:10

15d ago23:10

23:10

Comedian Benito Skinner grew up attending Catholic school in Idaho, where he didn’t feel safe being an out gay man. Instead, he concealed his sexuality and threw himself into football. Now, Benito is mining that awkward and uncomfortable time in his life for his art. He’s the creator and star of “Overcompensating,” a new comedy show from A24 and…

1
How shy kids found the humanity in AI art 28:24

15d ago28:24

28:24

The Canadian indie pop band and filmmaking collective shy kids consists of three multi-hyphenate friends: Matthew Hornick, Walter Woodman and Patrick Cederberg. They’re musicians, but they’re also filmmakers, animators, writers, directors and technology advocates. Matthew, Walter and Patrick sit down with guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about…

1
THE BEST SHOW RETROSPECTIVE 2:47:29

15d ago2:47:29

2:47:29

Tom Scharpling sits down with Brett Davis to celebrate 25 years of The Best Show. Learn about the moments and people that led Tom to WFMU, and the development of Newbridge and Jon Wurster's incredible array of characters. Delve into the origins of fan favorites such as AP Mike, Pat, Dudio, Vance, and Gary the Squirrel, alongside insights into early…

1
How The Lion King musical creator pulled off the “impossible” 35:19

16d ago35:19

35:19

For nearly 30 years, “The Lion King” musical has been captivating audiences, becoming the highest-grossing production of all time, in theatre or in film. But when creator Julie Taymor was approached to make the stage show, she had never seen the original animated Disney movie it's based on. Julie joins Tom Power to tell us the story behind the p…

1
Iceland’s former first lady Eliza Reid on her debut novel 17:59

16d ago17:59

17:59

Bestselling Canadian writer Eliza Reid has written plenty of non-fiction, but she’s just released her first novel, “Death on the Island.” It’s a murder mystery involving diplomats in Iceland — a place that’s quite familiar to her, considering she served as the country’s first lady from 2016 to 2024. Eliza sits down with Tom Power to talk about h…

1
Dancer Guillaume Côté has reached his “expiration date” 32:00

17d ago32:00

32:00

After 26 years dancing with the National Ballet of Canada, Guillaume Côté will soon retire following his final performance on June 5. Last year, after announcing his decision to move on, the acclaimed Canadian dancer and choreographer sat down with Tom Power to talk about the physical demands of ballet, the “expiration date” that all professiona…

1
Sechile Sedare on their brother-sister collaboration 15:15

17d ago15:15

15:15

When you were growing up, did you get along with your sibling? When Leela and Jay Gilday were growing up in Northwest Territories, their dad wanted them to sing together more, but it wasn’t until decades later that they did. Leela and Jay both have distinguished music careers on their own, but more recently, they’ve come together as the contempo…

1
Composer Max Richter’s music put dozens of soldiers to sleep 35:09

20d ago35:09

35:09

Award-winning composer Max Richter is arguably the most streamed classical artist in the world. His scores feature in acclaimed films like “Arrival”, “Ad Astra”, “Shutter Island,” and popular series such as “Black Mirror,” “Bridgerton” and “The Leftovers.” Currently on his first world tour, Max drops by our studio to talk with Tom Power about hi…

1
These haunting photos capture Canada’s disappearing wilderness 13:39

20d ago13:39

13:39

In his latest series, “Southern Lights,” photographer Finn O'Hara shows how some of Canada’s most cherished and iconic natural landscapes are under threat of development. He sits down with guest host Gill Deacon to tell us what we risk losing as Canada’s wilderness disappears, why he used night club lasers to capture his photos, and how his conn…

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