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How did you start your career in radio and podcasting?
I like to joke that I am a public radio nepo baby, but it's true! I sort of am. My parents met while working at WNYC, and although they had stopped by the time I was born, I grew up with the radio on. Sometimes I fear it was for lack of other ideas, I thought I would just do what they did- especially since they always talked about it so fondly. So I started by interning at various radio stations. I interned at Air America when Marc Maron was still there, and I had an "internship" at WNYC which was one day a week, the summer after my Freshman year of college. Then I interned at the mothership, at NPR in DC. Then I kept trying to apply to radio jobs, and I got rounded rejected from all of them. So I decided to give podcasting a try. I heard that my favorite show, 99% Invisible, was looking for an intern. Even though I was like "ok enough internships" I decided to apply and was surprised when I got it. I moved out to San Francisco with a duffle bag, and I crashed with my aunt, who lives out there. At the time, 99% Invisible was only two people: The host, Roman Mars, and a producer, Sam Greenspan. And me, the intern. They had launched a kickstarter to hire a producer, but when their chosen candidate got poached by This American Life (and who could blame him!?) they decided to hire me. Then I stayed there for seven years! I only moved back to New York in 2020, when I worked for New York Magazine during the pandemic.
We're avid listeners of Articles of Interest, your podcast about clothing and how it intersects with culture (and subcultures.) What has been one of your favorite episodes to bring into the world?
Thank you so much! Really, that means a lot. And you know we're in the mutual appreciation club. I've said this to you before but I'll say it here again: you helped me find my way in this city after I moved here. This is sort of a crappy answer, I'm sorry, but I love every episode. Honestly they all take so long to make- counting research and reading and interviews, I would say each takes about a year to make, and I'm usually working on like 6 at one time. I tend to get very obsessed with whatever I'm working on at the moment, and get consumed in a fleeting form of obsession. But I will say, last year I tried making stories with other people, and I think those are some of my favorite episodes. They pushed me into areas I would have never gone myself, and deepened a couple of friendships. There's nothing like engaging in a year-long research project with someone. It's very intimate!
When you think about New York City, what comes to mind in terms of dressing and fashion?
Oh I just love dressing in New York. When I lived in Oakland I rode my bike everywhere and had to be a bit of a dirtbag. Here I get to admire people like my very glamorous sister. She works at Lincoln Center, and truly wears the sort of Adult Clothes I fantasized about: long dresses, elegant statement earrings, chunky heels, and a long sumptuous fall coat. In other words, she makes sophisticated outfits that are not for biking (although in New York you could totally hop on a citi bike in clothes like that). I just couldn't believe that people actually wore these sorts of garments when they weren't like, a model for Khaite or The Row or something. Practicality seems to be less of a burden here: you only have to be able to walk. I love that!
Articles of Interest is currently on pause while you're on writing leave. Is there anything you can you tell us about your upcoming book?
Thank you for asking! The only thing I'll say is that it is not "Articles Of Interest: The Book." It's new research, and it's my first foray into the world of actual capital F fashion-- the kind with runway shows and supermodels and everything. Historically I've tried to avoid that world, but it's been a fascinating trip.
What is your favorite place in NYC?
The Transit Museum! I love the transit museum. Or maybe the TWA hotel? Ooh I can't decide. They do seem spiritually connected. I love an earnest historical transit showcase, one that's maybe a little kitschy. The kind of place you'd bring a kid OR a date. But I think another uniting factor is that both places show off old advertisements and transit posters.
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