Sign inOpen the app
Artwork for The Lack
Society & Culture

The Lack

Helen Rollins, Benjamin Studebaker, and Nina Power

The Lack is a weekly podcast from political theorist Benjamin Studebaker, philosopher Nina Power and filmmaker Helen Rollins. We take a work each week (film, poem, essay, book...) and relate it to a philosophical theme for a wide-ranging discussion about ideas, culture and society. Each week, there is an A-side public episode and a B-side, patreon only, private episode.

You can subscribe to our patreon at https://www.patreon.com/thelackpodcast

Our email contact is thelackpodcast@gmail.com.

Our music is by Dom Kirtley.

Our graphics are by Bryce Behrman.

SubscribeListen in podnodRSS feedShow website
  • 189 episodes
  • Updated Wednesday

Episodes189

Newest first
  • Oct 7, 2021 · 1 hr 1 min

    Arcadia & Nature

    This episode is on the 2017 Paul Wright documentary Arcadia. The theme is "nature".

  • Oct 2, 2021 · 1 hr 3 min

    On Motherhood & Sexual Fantasies

    This week we're releasing one of our B-side episodes to the public. It's on mothers and motherhood. Next week we'll have a new A-side about "nature".

  • Sep 22, 2021 · 1 hr 7 min

    Let it Breathe & Community

    This episode is on the first act of Let it Breathe, a novel by S. Matisko. The theme is "community". The novel is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09GJS7RNV

  • Sep 9, 2021 · 59 min

    Kristeva, Nine Inch Nails, & Hatred

    This episode is on a selection from Julia Kristeva's 2010 book, Hatred and Forgiveness, along with Nine Inch Nails' first album, Pretty Hate Machine. The theme is "hatred".

  • Sep 2, 2021 · 1 hr 2 min

    Twilight & Anemoia

    In this episode, Benjamin forces his reluctant co-hosts to watch Twilight. The theme is "Anemoia".

  • Aug 26, 2021 · 1 hr 3 min

    Instagram Poetry & Regime Aesthetics

    This episode is on Instagram poetry. The theme is "regime aesthetics". To hear the B side, subscribe on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thelackpodcast

  • Aug 19, 2021 · 1 hr 4 min

    Andrei Rublev

    Benjamin and Nina debate the artistic merits of the 1966 Soviet classic Andrei Rublev.

  • Aug 12, 2021 · 1 hr

    Agora & Decline

    This episode is on the 2009 film Agora. The theme is "decline". To hear the B side, subscribe on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thelackpodcast

  • Aug 6, 2021 · 1 hr 4 min

    Atame & Desire

    This episode is on the 1989 film Atame. The theme is "desire". To hear the B side, subscribe on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thelackpodcast

  • Jul 29, 2021 · 1 hr

    The Canyons & Failure

    This episode is on the 2013 film The Canyons. The theme is "failure". To hear the B side, subscribe on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thelackpodcast

  • Jul 25, 2021 · 1 hr 2 min

    Terry Eagleton, Roger Scruton, & High Culture

    This episode is on the YouTube video "Terry Eagleton in conversation with Roger Scruton." The theme is "high culture". You can watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOdMBDOj4ec&t=2643s&ab_channel=IntelligenceSquared To hear the B side, subscribe on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thelackpodcast

  • Jul 14, 2021 · 59 min

    Roma & Class in the Twenty-First Century

    This episode is on the 2018 film Roma. The theme is "Class in the Twenty-First Century." To hear the B side, subscribe on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thelackpodcast

  • Jul 7, 2021 · 59 min

    Safe & Allergies

    This episode is on the 1995 film Safe. The theme is "allergies". To hear the B side, subscribe on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thelackpodcast

  • Jun 30, 2021 · 57 min

    Storytelling & Narrative

    This episode is on the 2001 film Storytelling. The theme is "narrative". To hear the B side, subscribe on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thelackpodcast

  • Jun 24, 2021 · 1 hr 2 min

    American Beauty & Midlife Crisis

    This episode is on the 1999 film American Beauty. The theme is "midlife crisis". To hear the B side, subscribe on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thelackpodcast

  • Jun 16, 2021 · 1 hr 1 min

    F for Fake & Fakery

    This episode is on the 1973 film F for Fake. The theme is "fakery". To listen to the B side, subscribe on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thelackpodcast

  • Jun 9, 2021 · 57 min

    Blue Collar & Co-option

    This episode is about the 1978 film Blue Collar. The theme is "co-option". To hear the B side, subscribe on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thelackpodcast

  • Jun 2, 2021 · 59 min

    There Will Be Blood & Hustlers

    This episode is on the film There Will Be Blood and the theme of "hustlers". To listen to the B side, come join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thelackpodcast

  • May 21, 2021 · 59 min

    The Devils and Repression

    This episode is on the 1971 film The Devils and the theme of repression. To hear the B side, subscribe on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thelackpodcast