Rephonic
Artwork for The American Vandal
The Gilded Age
Mark Twain
Literary Criticism
Capitalism
Insecurity
Economic Insecurity
Deconstruction
Criticism
Existentialism
Activism
American History
The Fall Of the House Of Usher
Environmental Catastrophe
Close Reading
Appletv+
Criticism LTD
Jacques Derrida
Literary Theory
Literature
Netflix

An ever-growing collection of conversations about literature, humor, and history in America, produced by the premier source for programming and funding scholarship on Mark Twain's life and legacy.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes105Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsPhilosophyBooksSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The American Vandal

Latest Episodes

Hosted by the University of Illinois-Chicago United Faculty, a roundtable discussion about confronting the challenges facing higher education labor organizing. Topics included education technology, faculty autonomy, power mapping, board composition, ... more

The event launching the 2025 Quarry Farm Symposium on Energy Studies begins with opening address by co-organizer Jeffrey Insko, then discussion of the theory of Everyday Ecofascism with collaborators from University of Connecticut [8:00}, then questi... more

A spirited discussion of the state of higher education, the history of criticism, and the future of literary knowledge production, recorded with a live audience at University of Pennsylvania's English Faculty Lounge as part of the annual Penn English... more

A chance to reflect, with journalism professor Jeff Sharlet, on his book, "The Undertow: Scenes From A Slow Civil War," the looming threat of acceleration, the methods and media of lingering, documentary modernism, and monsters within. For a bibliogr... more

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Recent Guests

Caleb Smith
Professor of English and American Studies and Chair of English at Yale University
Yale University
Episode: The Jameson Tapes, Side B
Brandon Taylor
An author and critic engaged in academic literary criticism.
Episode: Literary Sociology a.k.a. The Institutional Turn a.k.a The Spreadsheet School of Literary Criticism
Rachel Sagner Buurma
Associate Professor of English at Swarthmore College.
Episode: Literary Sociology a.k.a. The Institutional Turn a.k.a The Spreadsheet School of Literary Criticism
Laura Heffernan
Professor of English at University of North Florida.
Episode: Literary Sociology a.k.a. The Institutional Turn a.k.a The Spreadsheet School of Literary Criticism
J.D. Connor
Academic focusing on post-45 literary criticism.
Episode: Literary Sociology a.k.a. The Institutional Turn a.k.a The Spreadsheet School of Literary Criticism
Alexander Manshel
Associate Professor of English at McGill, author of Writing Backwards.
Episode: Literary Sociology a.k.a. The Institutional Turn a.k.a The Spreadsheet School of Literary Criticism
Jordan Carroll
An independent scholar and author of 'Speculative Whiteness, Science Fiction, and the Alt-Right'
Episode: The Mutational Romances of Silicon Valley Speculation
Jacob Silverman
A freelance journalist and author of 'Gilded Rage, Elon Musk, and the Radicalization of Silicon Valley'
Episode: The Mutational Romances of Silicon Valley Speculation
John Kenneth Galbraith
A prominent 20th-century American economist known for his work on post-war capitalism and the documentation of corporate power.
None
Episode: From Technostructure To Technofeudalism

Host

Matt Seybold
Host recognized for his insights on literature and culture, often blending historical analysis with contemporary issues.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 74 ratings
  • Still Excellent

    Truly a hidden gem of podcasting

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    WanderAll
    United States3 months ago
  • Excellent

    I’m excited for the new season

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    WanderAll
    United States2 years ago
  • thoroughly good

    great show, consistently impressive coordination of culture and current events, and equally impressive wrangling of knowledgeable and charismatic guests; it always feels a little sad to say that listening to a good podcast is like listening to your smart friends on their best day, these people don’t know me, but this podcast is like listening to my smart friends on their best day. also: as of S4, extremely good intro music

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    agenbiter
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

There is a recurring praise for the engaging hosting style, which evokes a sense of camaraderie among listeners.
The show is recognized for its impressive curation of knowledgeable guests and thought-provoking topics.
Listeners appreciate the intellectual depth and critical discussions throughout the episodes.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#39
Austria/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#108
Austria/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Everyday Ecofascism with April Anson & Alexander Menrisky (Vandal Live at 2025 Quarry Farm Symposium)
Q: How do you theorize threshold objects in the context of eco-fascism?
Threshold objects refer to items that signify deeper connections to land and identity, often used in eco-fascist narratives to justify entitlement.
Everyday Ecofascism with April Anson & Alexander Menrisky (Vandal Live at 2025 Quarry Farm Symposium)
Q: Why is it important to think about fascism as a politics that has a grassroots origin?
Because historical fascism was not only top-down, it emerged from grassroots movements and resonated across the political spectrum.
Inside Slow Civil War with Jeff Sharlet
Q: What are the techniques of being an insider-outsider?
The insider-outsider perspective involves understanding the necessary complexities of language and experience within marginalized communities.
Inside Slow Civil War with Jeff Sharlet
Q: What do you see as the praxis if we are trying to avoid that continuous acceleration?
Jeff emphasizes the importance of deliberate perception and accuracy in journalism and community engagement.
Inside Slow Civil War with Jeff Sharlet
Q: What brought you to the idea of Slow Civil War?
Jeff discusses January 6, 2021, as a pivotal moment that changed his perspective towards understanding gradual political upheaval.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About The American Vandal

What is The American Vandal about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Conversations center around the intersections of literature, history, and humor, often reflecting on American culture and society through a critical lens. Key themes explored include literary criticism, political narratives, the role of newspapers, and the influence of historical figures such as Mark Twain and Fredric Jameson. Episodes frequently engage with pressing contemporary issues like ecofascism, technofeudalism, and the evolution of journalism, making for intellectually stimulating discourse. A notable aspect is the depth of analysis provided by scholars and critics, suggesting a strong emphasis on fostering understanding through nuanced discussions of both past and present.

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Which podcasts are similar to The American Vandal?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The American Vandal:

1. Ordinary Unhappiness
2. The Dig
3. What's Left of Philosophy
4. Why Theory
5. Acid Horizon

How many episodes of The American Vandal are there?

The American Vandal launched 5 years ago and published 105 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 The American Vandal?

Recent guests on The American Vandal include:

1. Caleb Smith
2. Brandon Taylor
3. Rachel Sagner Buurma
4. Laura Heffernan
5. J.D. Connor
6. Alexander Manshel
7. Jordan Carroll
8. Jacob Silverman

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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