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Lorne Michaels
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Kind Of Blue
The Handmaid's Tale
Stand-Up Comedy
Better Call Saul
Elaine May
Hounds Of Love
Kate Bush

"BETA" comes from producer/host Doug Gordon. BETA is a polyphonic mosh pit where high culture and low culture collide, taking an immersive, innovative, playful and provocative approach to exploring arts, culture and technology.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes26Founded8 years ago
Category
Society & Culture

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Artwork for BETA

Latest Episodes

This week on "BETA,"we’ll chat with the one and only Charlie Berens and find out what so funny about bein’ from Wisconsin. Then we’ll chat with Green Bay’s own Patrick Summerville about his work on the HBO series Station 11. And we'll talk with Eau C... more

This week on BETA, comedian Demetri Martin deconstructs his Netflix special. Also, filmmaker Priyanka Mattoo tells all in her memoir, “Bird Milk & Mosquito Bones.” And Alexandra Tanner on her Seinfeldian debut novel, “Worry.”

We're revisiting conversations with some of our favorite authors. Ottessa Moshfegh will talk with us about her novel "My Year of Rest and Relaxation," and Megan Abbott will discuss writing for HBO's "The Deuce" and her novel, "Give Me Your Hand." Als... more

Noah Hawley, creator of the FX series, “Fargo” gives us the true story about adapting a masterpiece. Also, comedian Hari Kondabolu pulls the curtain back on his career and graphic […]

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Podcast Host

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Recent Guests

Demetri Martin
Comedian, writer, actor, and the creator of 'Demetri Deconstructed'
Netflix
Episode: Episode 705: Demetri Martin, Priyanka Mattoo, Alexandra Tanner
Priyanka Mattoo
Author and filmmaker; former talent agent
Episode: Episode 705: Demetri Martin, Priyanka Mattoo, Alexandra Tanner
Alexandra Tanner
Author of the novel 'Worry'
Episode: Episode 705: Demetri Martin, Priyanka Mattoo, Alexandra Tanner
Susan Morrison
Articles editor of The New Yorker and author of the book Lorne, The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live
The New Yorker
Episode: Episode 723: Susan Morrison, Leah Kardos, Maggie Su
Leah Kardos
Composer, musician, and author of the 33 and a third book Hounds of Love
Episode: Episode 723: Susan Morrison, Leah Kardos, Maggie Su
Maggie Su
Debut novelist of Blob, A Love Story
Episode: Episode 723: Susan Morrison, Leah Kardos, Maggie Su
Clay McLeod Chapman
Author of Wake Up and Open Your Eyes
Episode: Episode 722: Clay McLeod Chapman, Paul de Jong, Karen Russell
Paul de Jong
Co-founder of the collage pop duo The Books and found sound pioneer
Episode: Episode 722: Clay McLeod Chapman, Paul de Jong, Karen Russell
Karen Russell
Award-winning author and MacArthur Genius Grant recipient
Episode: Episode 722: Clay McLeod Chapman, Paul de Jong, Karen Russell

Host

Doug Gordon
Producer and host, known for his immersive and playful approach to exploring arts and culture, engaging in deep conversations that unravel the complexities of creativity.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 42 ratings
  • My favorite arts and culture podcast - insightful questions

    Excellent way to discover new artists (authors, musicians, filmmakers) and gain novel insights about artists you might already know. Doug Gordon does his research and I’m often inspired to look up more about the guests and related topics after the show. The conversations are surprisingly in depth within a short amount of time and I find myself listening more than once Ito soak in the multifaceted content. The well-placed and playful sound clips really increase the entertainment value and make... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ugwamp
    United States5 years ago
  • Smart and engaging

    Beta is a truly unique show from WPR. Fun and relevant, beta balances playful banter with deep discussions with diverse guests. This is my favorite look at art and culture today from the perspective of creators themselves

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bhyjgswrhhg
    United States6 years ago
  • Beta is the Alpha in my book!

    Playful and smart, quirky and complex- I so enjoy Beta! The topics and interviews are wide ranging. The conversations, questions, and quips show Doug Gordon’s interest and preparation for his guests. I find myself thinking about the episodes long after I listen to them, and am often inspired to dig even further to learn more about the historical event, book, comedian, podcast, etc. that was highlighted. I like that you can tune in during the middle of an episode to catch the next segment, and yo... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ada Q's mom
    United States6 years ago
  • Great interview magazine show

    Fun and interesting interviews about pop culture with the creators themselves. It's a nice magazine format that packs a lot into the hour. Spends just enough time on each segment to make it interesting but not so long that it gets boring. Great interviews that give the guest the chance to share their story but also challenges them to justify their points of view.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dispassport
    United States7 years ago
  • Daring & Lovely Doug Gordon Does It Again!

    If you like your pop culture shaken not stirred, fresh, insightful, smart & irreverant - have a listen. Beta is a cool breeze on a hot trumpy day.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cwscws
    Canada8 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Doug Gordon is noted for his kind and curious interviewing style that challenges guests while maintaining a respectful tone.
Listeners appreciate the insightful and in-depth exploration of artistic and cultural themes that elevate their understanding of various creative endeavors.
The engaging and varied guests contribute to a lively atmosphere, making each episode an enjoyable experience to discover new perspectives.

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This American LifeThis American Life
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Sword and ScaleSword and Scale
Behind the Bastards
Behind the BastardsCool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts
Radio Rental
Radio RentalTenderfoot TV & Audacy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 623: Moshe Kasher, Sloane Crosley, Tommy Orange
Q: What do you think the six subcultures that you cover have in common?
They all represent people who don't quite fit into mainstream society but find community and identity within those marginalized spaces.
Episode 623: Moshe Kasher, Sloane Crosley, Tommy Orange
Q: What was that experience like learning American sign language?
It was challenging yet rewarding, having to constantly navigate between interpreting for my mother and dealing with my own life issues.
Episode 708: Paul Scheer, Mateo Askaripour, James Kaplan
Q: James, what was Kind of Blue received when it first came out?
James explains that it was received with puzzlement, where some critics found it lacking in force but others recognized its genius.
Episode 708: Paul Scheer, Mateo Askaripour, James Kaplan
Q: Mateo, how did you come up with this idea of The Invisibles?
Mateo shares that the idea came from an experience where he felt invisible and began to wonder about the broader implications of visibility and perception in society.
Episode 708: Paul Scheer, Mateo Askaripour, James Kaplan
Q: Paul, can you tell us a bit about how you abused you?
Paul discusses the complexity of the term abuse and reflects on his experiences, clarifying that he had indeed experienced abuse from his stepfather.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About BETA

What is BETA about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Conversations explore a unique blend of high and low culture, emphasizing creativity, personal narratives, and critical insights across various art forms, including literature, music, and comedy. Guests, often noted creators and cultural critics, share their experiences in the arts, engaging in discussions that reveal the interplay between societal themes and artistic expression. Expect to encounter a playful and immersive approach, marked by insightful questioning and a deep curiosity about the creative process, making it a distinctive experience for those interested in contemporary culture and the arts.

Where can I find podcast stats for BETA?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for BETA. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to BETA and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does BETA get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for BETA, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for BETA?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for BETA, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does BETA have?

To see how many followers or subscribers BETA has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to BETA?

These podcasts share a similar audience with BETA:

1. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
2. Radiolab
3. Throughline
4. The Daily

How many episodes of BETA are there?

BETA launched 8 years ago and published 26 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact BETA?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for BETA?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for BETA from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for BETA?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of BETA. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on BETA?

Recent guests on BETA include:

1. Demetri Martin
2. Priyanka Mattoo
3. Alexandra Tanner
4. Susan Morrison
5. Leah Kardos
6. Maggie Su
7. Clay McLeod Chapman
8. Paul de Jong

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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