Rephonic
Artwork for Smarty Pants
Reed College
People From Bloomington
Dust
Indonesian Literature
Modernity
Reedies Against Racism
Stephen Crane
Budi Darma
Translation
Pollution
Environmental Justice
Student Protests
Diversity Initiatives
Cultural Identity
Elderly Characters
Owens Valley
Aral Sea
Olympics
George Eyser
Eurocentrism

Tune in every other week to catch interviews with the liveliest voices from literature, the arts, sciences, history, and public affairs; reports on cutting-edge works in progress; long-form narratives; and compelling excerpts from new books. A podcast from The American Scholar magazine. Hosted by Stephanie Bastek.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes337Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Smarty Pants

Latest Episodes

In a cramped rent-controlled apartment on the lousy end of the Upper East Side, a dying woman in a diaper writes the story of her life. She is Barbara Rosenberg, high on OxyContin and determined to explain herself, if not exactly apologize, to the tw... more

Elizabeth Bathory is alleged to have been the most prolific serial killer of all time, responsible for butchering as many as 650 virgins and bathing in their blood. Her Hungarian water castles are the sites of gruesome ghost tours, a metal band named... more

Since 2011, the at-home DNA testing company 23andMe has invited its users to “celebrate your ancient DNA” with its Neanderthal report, which tells users whether their prehistoric genes predispose them to certain behaviors, like hoarding or not gettin... more

Audley Moore mentored Malcolm X, popularized reparations for African Americans in a 1963 essay, and advanced the cause of Black women in both the Black nationalist and civil rights movements. She rubbed elbows with the Mandelas, Jessie Jackson, and R... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Jordy Rosenberg
Author of Night Night Fawn
Massachusetts (home)
Episode: Eulogy for a Yenta
Stefanos Geroulanos
Professor of History at NYU and author of The Invention of Prehistory.
New York University
Episode: What We Talk About When We Talk About Prehistory
Ashley D. Farmer
Associate professor in the Department of History and African and African Diaspora Studies at the University of Texas at Austin.
University of Texas at Austin
Episode: The Midwife of Black Nationalism
Edward McPherson
Author of 'Look Out! The Delight and Danger of Taking the Long View'
Washington University in St. Louis
Episode: Ground Truths
John Blair
Emeritus professor of medieval history and archaeology
University of Oxford
Episode: The Dangerous Dead
Gabrielle Cerberville
Foraging educator, community mycologist, and climate advocate
Episode: For the Love of Foraging
Bench Ansfield
Assistant professor of history at Temple University and author of 'Born in Flames'
Temple University
Episode: Why the Bronx Burned
Eric McHenry
Poet and critic who teaches creative writing at Washburn University and is a former poet laureate of Kansas.
Washburn University
Episode: What Lies Beneath the Levee Camp Holler
Adam Aleksic
Linguist and content creator posting educational videos as the etymology nerd.
Episode: The Linguistics of Brain Rot

Host

Stephanie Bastek
Host of Smarty Pants, bringing interviews with lively voices from literature, history, and the arts.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 158 ratings
  • Unique topics of interest

    It’s the off the beaten path topics, not often seen elsewhere in the popular press, that most attract me to the show. The interviews are well done and the subjects fascinating.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Frances Perry
    United States3 years ago
  • Love this podcast!

    I can’t overstress how much I love this podcast! I always learn something new from it … and even when the topic of the day seems like something I may not be super interested in, the discussion always draws me in and enlightens me! LOVE.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Miela 82
    United States3 years ago
  • Pretty good

    Lively interviews with thoughtful people. The word “like” is used as a filler a lot which is distracting. This show deserves a listen

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    canteluevetyenicjnqme
    Canada3 years ago
  • Always Learn Something New

    This podcast has exposed me to a wealth of topics. It’s a nice treat to learn something completely new each time and learn about topics I have never been exposed to before.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    veccb
    United States5 years ago
  • Difficult to listen to.

    Can’t understand much of what the host is saying because of vocal fry. So distracting.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    cincysport
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The podcast features unique topics, often exploring lesser-known aspects of literature and society, which many listeners find refreshing.
Listeners appreciate the depth of discussion and the quality of interviews with knowledgeable guests.
Some feedback highlights the host's engaging style, though there are mixed comments regarding vocal delivery.
Audience members commonly express gratitude for discovering new ideas and gaining insights into unfamiliar subjects.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#228
Chile/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Eulogy for a Yenta
Q: What role does satire play in addressing transphobia through Barbara's voice?
He argues satire both exposes bigotry and provides a bridge for readers to confront uncomfortable truths, using humor to make the ethics of the issue more approachable without diluting the seriousness of the subject.
Eulogy for a Yenta
Q: Why did you choose fiction or perhaps an absurdist kind of auto-fiction for Night Night Fawn?
Rosenberg explains there are two paths: memoir-in-progress and a more distinctly fictional route that allows him to explore memory and history while giving the material space to become something more layered and performative.
What We Talk About When We Talk About Prehistory
Q: What does humanistic mean to you in a non-problematic way?
Geroulanos elaborates on humanism as a tendency to produce continuity and how definitions of humanity can become problematic.
What We Talk About When We Talk About Prehistory
Q: Can you talk about the origins of that course and how it evolved over that decade?
Stefanos discusses the class as an introduction to historical inquiry that evolved to focus on language and images in the context of human origins.
The Dangerous Dead
Q: What's your hypothesis about why the undead are walking again today?
John Blair suggests that the idea of the undead captures human imagination due to our innate curiosity about death and what happens to the dead, providing excitement and a sense of power.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Smarty Pants

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

This podcast features interviews with prominent figures from literature, arts, sciences, and history, focusing on thought-provoking discussions and insights. Episodes cover a range of topics, from historical analyses and cultural critiques to explorations of pressing social issues, offering listeners a unique blend of narratives and scholarly insight. The engaging format often involves deep dives into new literary works and emphasizes the relevance of diverse cultural voices in contemporary society. Listeners can expect varied discussions that challenge conventional narratives and encourage critical thinking.

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How many listeners does Smarty Pants get?

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How many subscribers and views does Smarty Pants have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Smarty Pants 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 Smarty Pants?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Smarty Pants:

1. A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over
2. Freakonomics Radio
3. Hidden Brain
4. Fresh Air
5. Planet Money

How many episodes of Smarty Pants are there?

Smarty Pants launched 10 years ago and published 337 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 Smarty Pants?

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 Smarty Pants?

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What guests have appeared on Smarty Pants?

Recent guests on Smarty Pants include:

1. Jordy Rosenberg
2. Stefanos Geroulanos
3. Ashley D. Farmer
4. Edward McPherson
5. John Blair
6. Gabrielle Cerberville
7. Bench Ansfield
8. Eric McHenry

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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