News, Notes, & Podcasts

We’re listening to songs about distance this week, and I managed to make it not just long-distance love songs. Send your song recommendations to symposiumofsongs@gmail.com!

Paul Pastor describes his beloved home state as the end of the West.

I’m back from my vacation and ready to play songs about perseverance. Hot funk, cool punk--we've got it all. Send your song suggestions to symposiumofsongs@gmail.com!

Eric Adler praises Patrick Deneen’s new book on how Homer’s Odyssey reveals the character of America’s tensions.

I'm taking the month of July off from making new episodes of A Symposium of Popular Songs and taking the opportunity to replay some of my favorite episodes from last…

Luke Allen describes what it’s like to live in northern Michigan, a place that’s increasingly oriented toward tourism.

I'm taking the month of July off from making new episodes of A Symposium of Popular Songs and using the opportunity to share some older ones you might have missed.…

Sarah Reardon cautions against the typical American narrative that frames vacations as a respite from busyness.

I'm taking the month of July off from doing new episodes and using the opportunity to re-air some episodes you might have missed. This one is from 27 October 2025…

Plough is accepting submissions for its short fiction contest through September 1st. The winning story will be published in Plough, and the winning writer will receive a prize of $2,000.…

In this episode of A Symposium of Popular Songs, which originally aired 22 September 2025, we listened to songs about solidarity, one-half of the foundation of Catholic social teaching. Send…

Be gentle—we’re listening to songs about arguments this week, and trying to figure out the strange pleasure of them. Send your song suggestions to symposiumofsongs@gmail.com! Programming note: Francophile that I…