A Brief Chat

In which Emma Bolden reads her poetry, including the WORLD PREMIERE of a new poem. (I know!) Emma Bolden is the author of House Is an Enigma (Southeast Missouri State University Press), medi(t)ations (Noctuary Press), and Maleficae (GenPop Books). The recipient of a 2017 Creative Writing Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and a 2019 Literary Arts Fellowship from the Alabama State...

In which I conclude my conversation with disability support worker Danny McCormick in Tasmania. He talks about how he and his fellow labor union members have advocated for more respect and better pay. You can follow Danny on Twitter at @yinyangman69 . — This show is only possible because of people like you. Visit A Brief Chat ‘s Patreon page and become a supporting member today. Member...

In which I continue my conversation with disability support worker Danny McCormick in Tasmania. He talks about how the disability care system has changed and how the current government is harming it. You can follow Danny on Twitter at @yinyangman69 . — This show is only possible because of people like you. Visit A Brief Chat ‘s Patreon page and become a supporting member today. Members...

In which I talk with Danny McCormick, a disability support worker in Tasmania, about the nature of his work and how the pandemic is impacting it. You can follow Danny on Twitter at @yinyangman69 . — This show is only possible because of people like you. Visit A Brief Chat ‘s Patreon page and become a supporting member today. Members get a weekly bonus episode on Saturdays and more. Tha...

In which I talk about three somewhat unexpected things I’ve gotten into since the lockdown started: Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels, Star Trek: The Next Generation , and The Grateful Dead. — This show is only possible because of people like you. Visit A Brief Chat ‘s Patreon page and become a supporting member today. Members get a weekly bonus episode on Saturdays and mo...

Dave Bonta is the featured poet on the inaugural weekly edition of Poetry Fridays. Find more of Dave’s work at DaveBonta.com and on Twitter at @morningporch . — This show is only possible because of people like you. Visit A Brief Chat ‘s Patreon page and become a supporting member today. Members get a weekly bonus episode on Saturdays and more. Thank you. Follow Jason on Twitter:...

In which I respond to listener comments, and give a basic overview of metta meditation. — This show is only possible because of people like you. Visit A Brief Chat ‘s Patreon page and become a supporting member today. Members get a weekly bonus episode on Saturdays and more. Thank you. Follow Jason on Twitter: @jasondcrane Follow Jason on Instagram: @jasondcrane Follow A Brief Chat on...

In which I talk with Dr. Cedric Johnson about the false narrative of the effect of Mardis Gras culture on the spread of the Covid-19 virus, and the ongoing problems of austerity. This is part 3 of 3. Read Dr. Johnson’s article with Thomas J. Adams in Jacobin magazine . — This show is only possible because of people like you. Visit A Brief Chat ‘s Patreon page and become a support...

In which I talk with Dr. Cedric Johnson about the false narrative of the effect of Mardis Gras culture on the spread of the Covid-19 virus, and the ongoing problems of austerity. This is part 2 of 3. Read Dr. Johnson’s article with Thomas J. Adams in Jacobin magazine . — This show is only possible because of people like you. Visit A Brief Chat ‘s Patreon page and become a support...

In which I talk with Dr. Cedric Johnson about the false narrative of the effect of Mardis Gras culture on the spread of the Covid-19 virus, and the ongoing problems of austerity. This is part 1 of 3. Read Dr. Johnson’s article with Thomas J. Adams in Jacobin magazine . — This show is only possible because of people like you. Visit A Brief Chat ‘s Patreon page and become a support...

In which Owen joins me to talk about the benefits of keeping in touch with people using technology, both now during the lockdown and always. This episode was inspired by Jake Yapp’s podcast Not Today, Thank You . Also, despite what I say in the episode, today is April 10. Oh, and you can follow Owen on Twitter at @shimmylizard . — This show is only possible because of people like you....

In which I talk about the fictions we allow to rule our lives, such as the idea that we should pay other people for the right to a place to live. This episodes includes the audio of a video poem I made for my piece “The Covid-19 Blues.” You can also watch the video . My video was inspired by this video by Angus Hall . Oh, and here’s a photo of my new shaved head . Well, it’...

In which Gesshin Claire Greenwood’s book Bow First, Ask Questions Later inspires me to consider shaving my head again. It’s been 8 years since the last time I shaved my head, which you can read about here . — This show is only possible because of people like you. Visit A Brief Chat ‘s Patreon page and become a supporting member today. Thank you. Follow Jason on Twitter: @ja...

In which Jason returns to getting up early and also applies for Medicaid. — This show is only possible because of people like you. Visit A Brief Chat ‘s Patreon page and become a supporting member today. Thank you. Follow Owen on Twitter: @shimmylizard Follow Jason on Twitter: @jasondcrane Follow Jason on Instagram: @jasondcrane Follow A Brief Chat on Instagram: @abriefchat Email the s...

In which the show goes back to its old daily format because Jason needs to talk to people. — This show is only possible because of people like you. Visit A Brief Chat ‘s Patreon page and become a supporting member today. Thank you. Follow Jason on Twitter: @jasondcrane Follow Jason on Instagram: @jasondcrane Follow A Brief Chat on Instagram: @abriefchat Email the show: jason@abriefchat...

Owen and Jason report back from their recent trip to Tucson and talk about their upcoming move. Then they chat with Madeline Biever and James McCready about friendship, love, relationships, and navigating all those things in public and private. — This show is only possible because of people like you. Visit A Brief Chat ‘s Patreon page and become a supporting member today. Thank you. Fo...

Owen and Jason talk about getting involved in electoral politics; the difference between politics and direct action; why they’re Bernie supporters; and how Jason’s opinions on electoral activism have changed over the years. This episode was particularly inspired by the latest edition of the Working People podcast . — This show is only possible because of people like you. Visit A...

Owen and Jason talk about their just-announced plan to move to Tucson at the end of February. This episode contains an impromptu song performance by Owen. Trust us, it’s worth hearing. — This show is only possible because of people like you. Visit A Brief Chat ‘s Patreon page and become a supporting member today. Thank you. Follow Owen on Twitter: @shimmylizard Follow Jason on Tw...

This week, we listen again to three interviews with Liss Waters Hyde from the Industrial Workers of the World . Liss introduces us to the IWW, talks about building global solidarity, and then explores the challenges and opportunities involved in organizing freelance workers. — This show is only possible because of people like you. Visit A Brief Chat ‘s Patreon page and become a support...

Owen and Jason talk about anti-war protests and whether they work. Then Jason continues that conversation with singer/songwriter David Rovics . David and Jason also talk about housing insecurity, direct action, and David’s new album, Strangers & Friends . Our podcast recommendation for this week is Five Years Rapid . — This show is only possible because of people like you. Visit A...

Caroline Shea talks about her first book, Lambflesh (Kelsay Books, 2019). This interview delves into personal versus public truth; writing into obsession; the nature of the body; and more.

Owen and Jason take a look back at their lives in 2019, a year that saw new bands, new podcasts, new jobs, family losses, big plans, medical issues, and more. You know, the stuff that happens in life. Owen also introduces us to the podcast Sawbones . And there may or may not be a post-credits sequence. (Hint: There is.) — This show is only possible because of people like you. Visit A Brief C...

Owen and Jason talk about latkes, tea time, and hosting Christmas dinner. Then Jason interviews photographer and punk musician Alexis Van Billiard about moving home, finding a new self, and shouting Bikini Kill songs. Plus our podcast recommendation of the week is SRSLY WRONG . — This show is only possible because of people like you. Visit A Brief Chat ‘s Patreon page and become a supp...

Owen and Jason talk about Jason’s recent attempts at baking, the joy of family dinners, and more. Then Jason interviews ballet dancer turned tattoo artist Miya Matsui about how she found her new path in life. Plus our podcast recommendation of the week is The Bugle . [Photo of Miya by Brigitte Park .] — This show is only possible because of people like you. Visit A Brief Chat ‘s...

Owen and Jason make chicken and dumplings (using this recipe from Slow Roasted Italian) and Toll House chocolate chip cookies, then Jason chats with Aunt Linda about her turkey adventure and her move to Tucson. Plus Owen recommends a favorite podcast called Wonderful . — This show is only possible because of people like you. Visit A Brief Chat ‘s Patreon page and become a supporting me...