This month, Anthony and Cece are joined by poet Steven Leyva. The trio discuss the use of pop culture references and literary allusions in Steven’s new collection, The Understudy’s Handbook (3:00); how a sense of place informs Steven’s work (9:00); and how teaching classes virtually might impact higher education post-pandemic (13:00). In the Pop! section, Cece, Anthony, and Steven share their takes on NeNe’s departure from The Real Housewives of Atlanta (24:00); the long list for the National Book Awards (32:00); the Emmys (41:30); and the introduction of trans and non-binary characters in the new season of Star Trek Discovery. Finally, in the Bang! section, the three talk natural disasters (52:15).
Links
Steven’s website:
https://stevenleyva.wordpress.com/
Steven on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/sdleyva
The Understudy’s Handbook:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54719190-the-understudy-s-handbook
Best American Poetry 2020:
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Best-American-Poetry-2020/David-Lehman/The-Best-American-Poetry-series/9781982106591
"Playing Levee" by Steven Leyva:
https://scalawagmagazine.org/2017/04/playing-levee/
Billy Porter talking Kinky Boots audition:
https://www.npr.org/2020/08/12/901959775/pose-star-billy-porter-love-always-wins
“At Pegasus” by Terrance Hayes:
https://poets.org/poem/pegasus
Nene Leakes retires:
https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/nene-leakes-leaves-the-real-housewives-of-atlanta
Andy Cohen's Shady NeNe Leakes goodbye IG post:
https://www.etonline.com/andy-cohen-reacts-to-nene-leakes-real-housewives-of-atlanta-exit-153238
National Book Award Longlist, Poetry:
https://www.nationalbook.org/2020-national-book-awards-longlist-for-poetry/
National Book Award Longlist, Nonfiction:
https://www.nationalbook.org/2020-national-book-awards-longlist-for-nonfiction/
How to Make a Slave, Jerald Walker:
https://ohiostatepress.org/books/titles/9780814255995.html
Star Trek: Picard Emmy:
https://www.emmys.com/shows/star-trek-picard
Star Trek trans and nonbinary characters:
https://www.startrek.com/news/star-trek-discovery-introduces-first-trangender-and-non-binary-characters
Baltimore Tornado Watch:
https://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2020/08/04/maryland-weather-tornado-watch-issued/