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High Theory

High Theory
Feminism
Literary Criticism
Sisterhood
Plagiarism
Capitalism
Inhuman
Modernism
Close Reading
Solidarity
National Organization For Women (NOW)
Consumer Behavior
Climate Change
Art History
Gender Studies
Writing Practice
Economic Enchantments
Self-Help
Aesthetic Conversions
Poetry
Brutalism

High Theory is a produced and edited by Kim Adams and Saronik Bosu, two tired academics trying to save critique from itself, along with two amazing collaborators, Júlia Irion Martins and Nathan Kim. In this podcast, we get high on the substance of theory, and we try to explain difficult ideas from the academy with irreverence. You can learn more about us on our website, or find us on Facebook, Ins... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes165Founded6 years ago
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ArtsPhilosophySociety & CultureBooks

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Artwork for High Theory

Latest Episodes

In this special student edition of High Theory, Andrew Bennett, Jo Hoffman, Kai North, and Ally Sullivan tell us about Rugged Individualism, a concept they link to Marxist theory. They made this episode for an assignment in Professor John Linstrom’s ... more

In this episode of High Theory, Kim talks to Ben Mangrum about Generic. A curious term that denotes both the conventions and rules of genre, and the impersonal or nameless quality of things like generic drugs or generic devices; the generic structure... more

In this episode of High Theory, Zac Zimmer talks to Kim about Decolonizing the Novum. The novum is a concept developed by Darko Suvin that names the new element of a science fiction or speculative fiction narrative. SF narratives from the Americas th... more

In this episode of High Theory, Saronik talks to Senthorun Raj about the Emotions of LGBT Rights. Emotions from disgust and fear to love and joy shape the legal frameworks that attempt to govern human sexual behavior around the world. Sen cautions ag... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Ben Mangrum
Associate professor of literature at MIT; author of The Comedy of Computation
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Episode: Generic
Zac Zimmer
Associate Professor of Literature at University of California, Santa Cruz
University of California, Santa Cruz
Episode: Decolonizing the Novum
Senthorun Raj
Reader in Human Rights Law at Manchester Law School; academic, activist, human rights scholar
Manchester Law School
Episode: Emotions of LGBT Rights
Milan Terlunen
Literary scholar focusing on novels, narrative, and reading practices
Episode: Pre-Reading
Gloria Fisk
Associate Professor of English at Queens College, CUNY
Queens College, CUNY
Episode: Prolepsis
Erik Baker
Lecturer in History of Science at Harvard; associate editor at The Drift; author
Harvard University; The Drift
Episode: Entrepreneurial Work Ethic
Jason Schneiderman
Poet and author of the book Nothingism
Author
Episode: Nothingism
Nasser Mufti
Member of UICUF, focusing on 19th century British and postcolonial literature.
University of Illinois at Chicago
Episode: Brutalism
Nathan Hensley
Author and professor at Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Episode: Action Without Hope

Hosts

Saronik Bosu
Host providing guidance and moderating discussions; affiliated with High Theory (New Books Network)
Kim Adams
Co-host guiding dialogue and framing discussions; Host of High Theory

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 79 ratings
  • So helpful!

    I am new to the podcast and already grateful for several things: 1) tight editing means each episode is packed with solid content 2) variety of topics helps orient me to new discussions and fields 3) fun and passionate hosts and guests!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    roryandclara
    United States4 years ago
  • Theory Is Fun

    By engaging scholars who are enthusiastic about their favorite concepts, this pod manages to make ideas that might otherwise seem ephemeral and abstract into conversations that are accessible and entertaining. Great premise, well executed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hippeaux
    United States4 years ago
  • Interesting and not over long

    Nice

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BH lawyer Sydney
    Australia5 years ago
  • A funny and warm take on theory

    Kim and Saronik have created a kind and open podcast that allows the listener, whether they are versed in many of these concepts or not, to understand complex ideas in a fun and digestible format.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Christiansico
    United States5 years ago
  • Excellent

    Saronik and Kim are doing such a great job making theory fun and playing with concepts that are sometimes familiar and always presented in a new light :) How will High Theory save the world? By being smart and warm!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    aee12345
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Conversations feel thoughtful and fun without sacrificing rigor.
Scholars make abstract ideas accessible and entertaining.
Tight editing keeps episodes dense with solid content.
Warm, open delivery helps non-experts engage with theory.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Rugged Individualism
Q: How can readers use rugged individualism as a lens when engaging with texts?
Readers can use rugged individualism to trace how authors depict labor, class, gender, and policy, and then compare those depictions with Marxist and feminist critiques to uncover the tensions between idealized self-sufficiency and actual social dependencies.
Rugged Individualism
Q: What is rugged individualism and how does it function in American discourse?
Rugged individualism is a norm that valorizes self-reliance and personal initiative, historically tied to frontier life and laissez-faire capitalism; the episode explains how this idea has been mobilized to justify policy choices and social arrangements that reward independence while often neglecting structural supports for the vulnerable.
Generic
Q: How did you come to frame the generic as a lens for understanding both genre and everyday usage of that term?
Mangrum discusses the two senses of the generic — genre-based conventions and the broader everyday sense — and argues that both operate simultaneously, shaping our experience of technology and culture rather than existing as a simple dichotomy.
Generic
Q: So Ben, can you introduce yourself to our listeners?
Ben Mangrum introduces himself as an associate professor of literature at MIT, author of two books including The Comedy of Computation, and explains his interest in how comedy and the generic reveal our experience of computing technology.
Decolonizing the Novum
Q: Okay. So then tell us, what the heck is Decolonizing the Novum?
Decolonizing the Novum reframes the novel concept of novelty in SF by tying it to colonial history and indigenous cosmologies, using archival sources to imagine other possible futures and to open up space for anti-colonial resistance within speculative narratives.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About High Theory

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

This show centers rigorous theoretical discussions presented with warmth and playfulness, making dense ideas accessible through lively host-guest conversations. Recent episodes blend literary theory, philosophy, and social critique with concrete examples from culture, technology, and politics, often revisiting how ideas shape everyday life. Notable strengths include sharp, well-edited conversations, a knack for pairing theory with relatable examples, and a welcoming tone that invites both newcomers and seasoned thinkers. Listeners can expect a steady stream of guest experts—scholars and critics—who help translate complex concepts into practical commentary on current events, media, and education.

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Which podcasts are similar to High Theory?

These podcasts share a similar audience with High Theory:

1. New Books in Critical Theory
2. Theory & Philosophy
3. Ideas

How many episodes of High Theory are there?

High Theory launched 6 years ago and published 165 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on High Theory?

Recent guests on High Theory include:

1. Ben Mangrum
2. Zac Zimmer
3. Senthorun Raj
4. Milan Terlunen
5. Gloria Fisk
6. Erik Baker
7. Jason Schneiderman
8. Nasser Mufti

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