The Bat Segundo Show was a long-running cultural radio program devoted to quirky and very thorough long-form interviews with contemporary authors, idiosyncratic thinkers, and other assorted artists. Guests included David Lynch, Octavia Butler, John Waters, John Updike, Stephen Fry, Marilynne Robinson, Karen Russell, Weird Al Yankovic, Robert A. Caro, and more than 500 others. There was also a program called Follow Your Ears, which was a thematic investigative counterpart, in which I pursued a specific subject through several angles. The entire archive of what I did from 2005 to 2014 is included here.
Catherynne M. Valente is most recently the author of Palimpsest. Condition of Mr. Segundo: Looking for a way into a secret city. Author: Catherynne M. Valente Subjects Discussed: Writing a novel with four character perspectives, how structure influences perspective, the importance of numbers, color theory, thriving on restriction, Neal Stephenson, the importance of flow and […]
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MoreNeil deGrasse Tyson is most recently the author of The Pluto Files. Condition of Mr. Segundo: Reconfiguring his planetary paradigm, with the aid of minatory electrodes. Author: Neil deGrasse Tyson Subjects Discussed: The Great Planet Debate, sensible classification systems, “reorganizing” the solar system, why the International Astronomical Union wasn’t approached before the Rose Center display […]
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MoreRobert G. Kaiser has worked at the Washington Post since 1963. He is most recently the author of So Damn Much Money: The Triumph of Lobbying and the Corrosion of American Government. Condition of Mr. Segundo: Still waiting for the lobbyists to work out a deal with him. Author: Robert G. Kaiser Subjects Discussed: Obama’s […]
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MoreShauna Reid is most recently the author of The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl. Condition of Mr. Segundo: Still stinging from his measly memoir efforts. Author: Shauna Reid Subjects Discussed: Whether the pursuit of truth is more natural through an anonymous journal, writing as “burdening people,” compartmentalizing online identities, self-esteem, contending with the permanent nature of […]
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MoreAzar Nafisi is most recently the author of Things I’ve Been Silent About, as well as Reading Lolita in Tehran. Condition of Mr. Segundo: Reliving transcendent memories. Author: Azar Nafisi Subjects Discussed: Authenticity, W.G. Sebald, photographs and text, Iranian birth certificates, being true to the story when writing a memoir, accuracy and memoirs, the extraordinary […]
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MoreChazz Palminteri is the star of Yonkers Joe. Robert Celestino is the writer and director of Yonkers Joe. The film opens in theaters on January 9, 2009. Condition of Mr. Segundo: Fleeing the scene to avoid “coming together” with the imposing Mr. Palminteri. Guests: Chazz Palminteri and Robert Celestino Subjects Discussed: Robert Mitchum’s theory of […]
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MoreNorah Vincent is most recently the author of Voluntary Madness. Condition of Mr. Segundo: Challenging pseudonymous authorities about his voluntary commitment. Author: Norah Vincent Subjects Discussed: The Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, homelessness and mental health care, the revolving door of mental institutions, Marvin Olasky and community responsibility, the bureaucratic process of mental health care, why Vincent didn’t […]
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MoreSo far as we know, the National Book Awards has not authored anything aside from programs and informational pamphlets. The people that Our Young, Roving Correspondent talked with on that fateful night, however, have authored a few books. Or at least, this is what they have told us. Condition of Mr. Segundo: Deeply suspicious of […]
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MorePorochista Khakpour is the author of Sons and Other Flammable Objects. Condition of Mr. Segundo: Avoiding the seemingly erudite man with the flamethrower. Author: Porochista Khakpour Subjects Discussed: Professional doodling, italics that represent facial expressions, acting out dialogue, the protracted difficulties of editing, the creative benefits of neurosis, thinking of an audience vs. writing in […]
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MoreMarkos Moulitsas is most recently the author of Taking on the System. Condition of Mr. Segundo: Refusing to cut and run from Kenny Loggins and company. Author: Markos Moulitsas Subjects Discussed: Speculation on the effectiveness of protests, influencing the gatekeepers, Amy Goodman and other journalists arrested in St. Paul, small-time bloggers, Cindy Sheehan, “Free Mumia” […]
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MoreDaniel Levitin is most recently the author of The World in Six Songs. Condition of Mr. Segundo: Recalling a traumatic musical episode from his marriage. Author: Daniel Levitin Subjects Discussed: Songs that straddle multiple categories within Levitin’s taxonomy, neurological response vs. societal perception of a song, the original eight categories, oxytocin, “I Walk the Line,” […]
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MoreCourtney Humphries is the author of Superdove Condition of Mr. Segundo: Severely underestimating the carnivorous impulses of pigeons. Author: Courtney Humphries Subjects Discussed: Eating squab, pigeon dining options in restaurants, Robert Dunn’s pigeon paradox, urban forms of nature, pigeons as an ineluctable aspect of the city, people’s attitudes towards wildlife, the pigeon’s place in the […]
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