Best John Spano Podcasts (2025)

1
Justin Bieber Surprises With Swag, Plus New Music From Cardi B, Drake, Katseye & More (with Troy McEady) (Patreon Preview) 10:18

1d ago10:18

10:18

Friend of the pod Troy McEady returns to Pop Pantheon All Access for a super sized New Music Speed Round. Troy and Russ give their first impressions of Justin Bieber's surprise album Swag, Cardi B's lead single for her sophomore record, "Outside," Katseye's EP Beautiful Chaos, Lizzo's rap mixtape My Face Hurts from Smiling & more! To hear the rest …

1
#598 - Shana L. Redmond and Michael Gillespie on Body & Soul and Us 40:35

3d ago40:35

40:35

This week we’re excited to present a conversation between film scholars Shana L. Redmond, Director of the Center for the Study of Social Difference at Columbia University, and Michael Gillespie, Associate Professor in NYU’s Department of Cinema Studies, as they discuss a double feature of Oscar Micheaux's 1925 silent film Body and Soul and Jordan P…

1
PARIS HILTON & LINDSAY LOHAN (with Nora Princiotti) 2:12:14

6d ago2:12:14

2:12:14

Hit Girls author Nora Princiotti returns to Pop Pantheon to discuss two infamous celebrities turned fleeting pop divas of the early 2000s, Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. Nora and Louie discuss Lindsay’s Radio Disney hits, like “Ultimate You” and her TRL moment with “Rumors” and 2004’s pop rock Speak. Then, they work through Paris’ 2006 light regga…

1
128. The Charade (Scott W. Rothstein) 1:28:41

7d ago1:28:41

1:28:41

A Fort Lauderdale lawyer's ostentatious lifestyle is supported by the largest Ponzi scheme in Florida history. Prelude: The body of attorney Melissa Britt Lewis is found in a Florida canal. –––-–---------------------------------------- BECOME A VALUEDLISTENER™ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ –––-–-----------------------------…

1
Kesha Finds Her Independence on Period (with Rolling Stone's Brittany Spanos) (Patreon Preview) 10:12

8d ago10:12

10:12

Kesha released her sixth studio album on Friday – notably, her first as an independent artist. Friend of the pod Brittany Spanos of Rolling Stone joins Russ to break down Period's highs and lows, what it means for Kesha to make unapologetic party music again and where she sits in the pop firmament as she heads out on a roaring summer tour with The …

1
Reacting To Unpopular Opinions about Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Chappell Roan + more (with Reanna Cruz) 1:03:23

13d ago1:03:23

1:03:23

We put out another call for our audience's most unpopular pop opinions and boy did you deliver. Switched on Pop producer Reanna Cruz joins Russ to field unpopular pop opinions about Lady Gaga’s vocal abilities, Taylor Swift’s videography AND discography, Charli XCX’s refusal to let the brat moment die and, of course, Benson Boone. Plus Reanna and R…

1
Lorde Deconstructs Herself on Virgin (Patreon Preview) 11:03

16d ago11:03

11:03

In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Lorde's long-awaited fourth studio album, Virgin, dropped this past Friday and finds the New Zealand savant both looking backwards at past sounds and versions of herself while exploring new writing modalities. Louie and Russ dig into the new music, its candid, grimy explorations of gende…

1
"Brad Culpepper" Replay 1:10:00

16d ago1:10:00

1:10:00

Send us a text 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Nominee! Revisit when the 1991 Consensus All-American and UF Athletics Hall of Famer joins the show and talks about his Gator teams including the first official SEC Champs, overcoming illness to begin his Gator career, how tragedy in Gainesville and Spurrier coming in impacted the team, "Losers get …

1
#597 - Paul Thomas Anderson and His Star-Studded Cast on Inherent Vice 31:16

18d ago31:16

31:16

This week we’re excited to present an archival conversation from the 52nd New York Film Festival in 2014 with Inherent Vice director Paul Thomas Anderson and his very large and talented cast. For one week only from July 4-10, join Film at Lincoln Center in revisiting this great American film on 70mm film, ahead of the director’s highly anticipated …

1
Are Miley Cryus, Drake, The Weeknd, & Ed Sheeran Moving Up Or Down in the Pop Pantheon? 40:55

20d ago40:55

40:55

Louie and Russ gather for an installment of "Step Up, Step Down," where they discuss recent career developments for Miley Cyrus, Drake, The Weeknd, Megan Thee Stallion, & Ed Sheeran and whether they are currently trending up or down in the Pop Pantheon. BUY TICKETS TO MAIN POP GIRLS: POP GIRL SUMMER ON 7/25 AT THE MEADOWS! Join Pop Pantheon: All Ac…

1
Haim Works Harder Than Ever on I Quit (with Alex Frank) (Patreon Preview) 11:13

22d ago11:13

11:13

In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Sister auteurs Haim returned on Friday with their 4th studio album, I Quit. Writer and editor Alex Frank joins Louie to talk about the new record, how Haim fairs on their first songs without long-time collaborator Ariel Rechtshaid but— due to Danielle's and his' recent breakup— his spect…

1
Rerun: The Inferno (The Station nightclub fire) 1:18:12

24d ago1:18:12

1:18:12

Originally published September 27, 2021. Incompetence and negligence lead to a devastating loss of life at a concert in West Warwick, Rhode Island. Prelude: A fight in the E2 nightclub in Chicago triggers a deadly stampede. –––-–---------------------------------------- BECOME A VALUEDLISTENER™ ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ –––-–-------…

1
#596 - Albert Serra on Afternoons of Solitude 56:44

25d ago56:44

56:44

This week we’re excited to present a conversation from the 62nd New York Film Festival with Afternoons of Solitude director Albert Serra. An NYFF62 Spotlight selection, Afternoons of Solitude opens at Film at Lincoln Center on June 28. Get tickets at filmlinc.org/solitudeThis conversation was moderated by FLC Vice President, Programming, Florence A…

1
"Rob Roberts" 1:00:29

25d ago1:00:29

1:00:29

Send us a text SEC Champ and 2001 Team Captain former fullback Rob Roberts talks about his FREE football camp FLORIDACOMMUNITYFOOTBALLCAMP.org going on in July at Santa Fe High School, the unique way it formed and all the Gator Greats that participate as well as his time as a Gator knocking guys out of their cleats opening holes for EG and Gillespi…

1
ELTON JOHN: PART 2 (with Rolling Stone's Rob Sheffield) 1:59:05

27d ago1:59:05

1:59:05

Rolling Stone’s Rob Sheffield returns to Pop Pantheon for the second and final part in our Elton John series. Rob and Louie pick up on Elton’s career after his initial run of hits in the 1970s at the tail end of his imperial phase. They then discuss his prolific career from 1975’s autobiographical Captain Fantastic to his poorly received disco reco…

1
#595 - Peter Deming on Lost Highway 26:47

1M ago26:47

26:47

This week we’re excited to present a conversation with cinematographer Peter Deming, who recently joined us for two special screenings of David Lynch’s Lost Highway, courtesy of Deming’s personally owned 35mm film print. This conversation was moderated by FLC programmer Dan Sullivan.Most of Lynch’s later films straddle (at least) two realities, and…

1
ELTON JOHN: PART 1 (with Rolling Stone's Rob Sheffield) 2:00:55

1M ago2:00:55

2:00:55

Rolling Stone’s Rob Sheffield makes his Pop Pantheon debut for our special two-part Pride series on one of the most iconic queer figures in pop history, Elton John. Louie and Rob dig into Elton’s musical roots, his band Bluesology and his early work with lyricist and creative partner Bernie Taupin. From there, they discuss his 1970 breakthrough wit…

1
127. The White Knight (eBay) 1:19:16

1M ago1:19:16

1:19:16

A bizarre and sinister harassment campaign targeting a married couple in Massachusetts is linked to executives at one of the world’s largest e-commerce companies. Prelude: A content creator orchestrates a grievance-driven attack on YouTube's headquarters. –––-–---------------------------------------- PREORDER DEFORMR's "We've Met Before, Haven't We…

1
It's Addison Rae's World. We're Just Living in It (Patreon Preview) 11:13

1M ago11:13

11:13

In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Tik Tok Influencer turned gay pop fan cause célèbre Addison Rae dropped her debut album, Addison, last Friday following a series of surprisingly great singles. Does the record meet the hype? How does Addison translate in album form? And how unlikely is it for this former social media sta…

1
#594 - Rithy Panh and Elizabeth Becker on Meeting with Pol Pot 35:40

1M ago35:40

35:40

This week we’re excited to present a conversation from the 2025 edition of Rendez-Vous with French Cinema with Meeting with Pol Pot director Rithy Panh and journalist Elizabeth Becker, moderated by FLC’s Vice President, Programming, Florence Almozini. Meeting with Pol Pot will open at Film at Lincoln Center next Friday, June 13 with in-person Q&As …

1
The Best Pop of 2025 You Might Have Missed (with Rolling Stone's Larisha Paul) 1:17:14

1M ago1:17:14

1:17:14

Rolling Stone staff writer Larisha Paul returns to Pop Pantheon to discuss the best pop songs you might have missed so far in 2025. Larisha and Russ talk about what it takes to break through in today's over-saturated pop market and what's happening on the outskirts of the mainstream pop world, then they each share some of their favorite bubbling un…

1
Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour, Taylor Swift's Masters & Miley Cyrus' Something Beautiful (Patreon Preview) 11:39

1M ago11:39

11:39

In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Louie and Russ get together to talk Louie's night at Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter show in New Jersey, Taylor Swift buying back her masters and how it impacts the legacy of the re-recording project, and Miley Cyrus' latest opus, Something Beautiful, which dropped on Friday. Plus, Louie tries S…

1
#593 - Jonathan Millet on Ghost Trail 34:32

2M ago34:32

34:32

This week we’re excited to present a conversation from the 2025 edition of Rendez-Vous with French Cinema with Ghost Trail director Jonathan Millet. Ghost Trail is currently playing at Film at Lincoln Center. Get tickets at filmlinc.org/ghostThis conversation was moderated by FLC Vice President, Programming, Florence Almozini.Two years after being …

1
The Best Pop of 2025 So Far (with Legends Only's Bradley Stern) 1:22:58

2M ago1:22:58

1:22:58

Host of the Legends Only podcast Bradley Stern returns to Pop Pantheon to discuss the best pop songs of 2025 so far. First, Louie and Bradley discuss the broader trends— or perhaps the broader lack of trends— happening in pop music so far this year, before each sharing their list of favorites from the first half of 2025. Listen to Louie and Bradley…

1
Hot 100 Dumpster Dive (Patreon Preview) 11:00

2M ago11:00

11:00

In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Louie and Russ dive deep into the trenches of the Hot 100 to figure out what the hell is going on with mainstream pop music these days, parsing the songs of alleged popular artists such as "Alex Warren," "BigXThaPlug," "Myles Smith," "Benson Boone," and so many more. To hear the rest of …

1
126. The Baby Heaven (Camp Lejeune) 1:19:01

2M ago1:19:01

1:19:01

An estimated one million people are exposed to decades of toxic water contamination at a U.S. Marine Corps base in North Carolina, leading to serious health issues, cover-ups, and endless legal battles for justice. Prelude: A mysterious leukemia cluster appears in Woburn, Massachusetts. –––-–---------------------------------------- BECOME A VALUEDL…

1
#592 - John Hanson, Rob Nilsson, Susan Lynch, and Joe Spano on Northern Lights 27:49

2M ago27:49

27:49

This week we’re excited to present a conversation from the 62nd New York Film Festival with Northern Lights directors John Hanson & Rob Nilsson and cast members Susan Lynch & Joe Spano. This conversation was moderated by NYFF62 Revivals programmer Dan Sullivan.An NYFF62 Revivals selection, Northern Lights is currently playing at Film at Lincoln Cen…

1
Listener Mailbag: Grammy Album of the Year Frontrunners, Gaga Copying Taylor(?!), & More! 51:27

2M ago51:27

51:27

Louie and Russ answer listener questions about the current 2026 Grammy Album of the Year Frontrunners, why Chappell Roan's "The Giver" underperformed, Max Martin's trajectory as a collaborator, whether Gaga directly ripped Taylor off on "How Bad Do U Want Me," and more! BUY TICKETS TO MAIN POP GIRLS: PRIDE ON JUNE 7 AT PARKSIDE LOUNGE! Gorgeous Gor…

1
What Went Wrong on Lorde's Solar Power: A Track by Track Analysis (Patreon Preview) 12:17

2M ago12:17

12:17

In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, on the cusp of Lorde's forthcoming fourth studio album Virgin, due next month, Louie and Russ revisit her last album, 2021's divisive paean to the natural world, Solar Power. Neither loved this record on impact but how has it aged? Does it land differently out of the context of its momen…

1
#591 - Abderrahmane Sissako and Kessen Tall on Black Tea 31:06

2M ago31:06

31:06

This week we’re excited to present a conversation from the 2025 edition of the New York African Film Festival with Black Tea director Abderrahmane Sissako and producer Kessen Tall.This conversation was moderated by Film Comment editor Devika Girish.After saying no on her wedding day, Aya leaves the Ivory Coast for a new life in the buzzing “Chocola…

1
HAIM (with Ilana Kaplan) 1:32:26

2M ago1:32:26

1:32:26

Writer and editor Ilana Kaplan joins Pop Pantheon to discuss one of pop’s criminally under-appreciated secrets, Haim. Louie and Ilana unpack the sister trio’s origins in Southern California, including their family band Rockinhaim and Este and Danielle’s short-lived teen pop band The Valli Girls. From there, they dig into 2013’s Days are Gone, a rec…

1
"Bo Carroll" Replay 46:45

2M ago46:45

46:45

Send us a text Revisit when one of the original Gator speed demons and all-purpose back, Bo Carroll, joined the guys to discuss his career in the Orange and Blue! From the Northeast down to The Swamp, he climbed the depth chart under Spurrier to become 1st Team All-SEC tearing up over 100 return yards against Bama in the SEC Championship game - alo…

1
#590 - Pedro Almodóvar at the 50th Chaplin Award Gala 47:48

2M ago47:48

47:48

This week we’re excited to present a special episode featuring the star-studded speeches from our recent Chaplin Award Gala.FLC was pleased to honor Pedro Almodóvar as the recipient of the 50th Chaplin Award, presented in partnership with ROLEX, at a Gala evening on April 28. The full house at Alice Tully Hall was treated to a joyful celebration of…

1
What Will Be the Song of Summer 2025? 51:37

2M ago51:37

51:37

After debating the current chart fortunes of everyone from Kendrick Lamar to Benson Boone, Chappell Roan, Lady Gaga and a bevy of current-charting Tik Tok stars they've never heard of, Louie and Russ throw down cash in a high stakes betting game in which they attempt to figure out what will be the official Song of Summer 2025! Come back this fall t…

1
125. The Reporter (Jeff German) 1:14:31

2M ago1:14:31

1:14:31

An investigative journalist is murdered in an act of retaliation by a Clark County elected official accused of misconduct. Prelude: The mysterious death of Las Vegas casino heir, Ted Binion. –––-–---------------------------------------- BECOME A VALUEDLISTENER™ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠Patreon⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ –––-–---------------------------------------- DONAT…

1
"Lito Sheppard" Replay 58:10

2M ago58:10

58:10

Send us a text Revisit when UF Hall of Famer and NFL All-Pro Lito Sheppard joined the guys and discussed his early days of football, success at Raines High, early failures that helped mold him into the 2x All-American and SEC Champion he became at Florida, the can't miss stories about his favorite opponents, coaches, and plays in the NFL, and, of c…

1
Is Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department Misunderstood? (with Shaad D'Souza) (Patreon Preview) 11:49

2M ago11:49

11:49

In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Taylor Swift's eleventh studio album The Tortured Poets Department— a sprawling, 31 song, two disc, two+ hour melange of music from the superstar— arrived last April amidst peak Taylor cultural overload: her landmark Eras Tour had been globe-trotting for a year, she'd just recently domin…

1
#589 - A Programmer's Preview of Kira Muratova: Scenographies of Chaos 32:38

3M ago32:38

32:38

This week we’re excited to present a special programmer’s preview of our upcoming retrospective, Kira Muratova: Scenographies of Chaos, taking place in our theaters May 16-25.The episode features a conversation between FLC programmer Madeline Whittle, Marta Kuzma (Professor of Art at Yale University), and film scholar and writer Ivan Kozlenk.Get ti…

1
Britney Mailbag! (with Alim Kheraj) 53:09

3M ago53:09

53:09

In the wake of our epic Britney series, critic and writer of the Substack In the Zine Alim Kheraj joins Louie and Russ to answer all your burning follow up questions: What are our favorite Britney deep cuts? What do we make of the anti-Britneys like Avril? Who would we cast in a proper remake of the Britney, Beyoncé, and Pink Pepsi commercial? And …

1
Rerun: The Messenger (Kevin Trudeau) 1:26:00

3M ago1:26:00

1:26:00

Originally published April 30, 2023. A series of infomercials lands a TV pitchman in federal prison. Prelude: The founder of Hooked on Phonics is criticized over dubious advertising claims before he settles a sexual assault lawsuit with his corporate attorney, who then purchases a ranch from a phony French noblewoman who faked her own death. –––-–-…

1
Lorde Returns, Katy Perry's Latest Flop & More (Patreon Preview) 11:39

3M ago11:39

11:39

In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, late last week, Lorde ushered in her much-anticipated new era by dropping her latest single, "What Was That," amidst a surprise live pop-up show in New York City's Washington Square Park, before releasing the song's music video soon after. So how is it? And what does it tell us about the…

1
#588 - Constance Tsang, Ke-Xi Wu, and Murielle Hsieh on Blue Sun Palace 27:41

3M ago27:41

27:41

This week we’re excited to present a conversation from this year’s edition of New Directors/New Films with Blue Sun Palace director Constance Tsang and cast members Ke-Xi Wu and Murielle Hsieh. This conversation was moderated by New Directors/New Films co-chair Dan Sullivan.Blue Sun Palace is now in select theaters, courtesy of Dekanalog.For more t…

1
PITBULL (with Reanna Cruz) 2:16:31

3M ago2:16:31

2:16:31

Reanna Cruz joins Pop Pantheon to break down the rise of Mr. Worldwide himself, Pitbull. Reanna and Louie explore Pitbull's genesis in the cultural hub of Miami and his breakthrough with 2004's dancehall-cum-reggaeton banger “Culo.” They then tackle his early work in both Spanish and English and his pivot towards big dance anthems and cross-cultura…

1
"David Reese II" 48:48

3M ago48:48

48:48

Send us a text The All-SEC linebacker talks about early success as a true freshman garnering Freshman All-American, playing and scoring in the SEC Championship, to becoming only the third linebacker to record a 100 tackle season, a 3x Team Captain, winning three bowl games, what kept his stellar defenses from the National Championship, ending up ju…

1
Latin Pop Speed Round: Bad Bunny, Nathy Peluso & more (with Isabella Gomez Sarmiento) (Patreon Preview) 11:58

3M ago11:58

11:58

In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, NPR's Isabella Gomez Sarmiento joins Russ to discuss the expansive world of latin pop, including Bad Bunny's latest album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, plus new songs from Nathy Peluso, Bb trickz & more. To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, ga…

1
124. The Pinto (Ford Motor Company) 1:12:12

3M ago1:12:12

1:12:12

An American automotive company is charged with reckless homicide related to the defective design of a popular car. Prelude: Toyota is held responsible for the ghastly deaths of three sisters. –––-–---------------------------------------- BECOME A VALUEDLISTENER™ Spotify Patreon Apple Podcasts –––-–---------------------------------------- DONATE: Sw…

1
#587 - David Cronenberg and Diane Kruger on The Shrouds 27:22

3M ago27:22

27:22

This week we’re excited to present a conversation with The Shrouds writer & director David Cronenberg and lead actress Diane Kruger, moderated by FLC programmer Tyler Wilson. An NYFF62 Main Slate selection, The Shrouds is now playing at Film at Lincoln Center. Get tickets: https://www.filmlinc.org/films/the-shrouds/In an eerie, deceptively placid n…

1
Where Are All the Queer Male Superstars? (with USC's Jason King) 57:21

3M ago57:21

57:21

Queer men are the backbone of modern pop fandom. And yet so few, even in 2025, get to the top of the mainstream pop star heap. Why is that? And how have queer male artists existed in the pop music firmament over the last hundred years? Dean of USC's Thornton School of Music Jason King is here to help unpack all these questions and more. Come to Gor…

1
Gagachella + new songs from Lana Del Rey, Miley Cyrus & more (with Nora Princiotti) (Patreon Preview) 11:12

3M ago11:12

11:12

In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, The Ringer’s Nora Princiotti joins Russ to talk about Lady Gaga’s extraordinary Coachella performance. They also play a New Music Speed Round with new songs from Lana Del Rey, Miley Cyrus, Ed Sheeran & more. To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop P…

1
#586 - Courtney Stephens and Callie Hernandez on Invention 34:20

3M ago34:20

34:20

This week we’re excited to present a conversation with Invention director Courtney Stephens and lead actress Calle Hernandez (moderated by FLC's Tyler Wilson) from this year’s edition of New Directors/New Films. Presented by The Museum of Modern Art and Film at Lincoln Center, the 54th edition of New Directors/New Films (ND/NF) takes place through …

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