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The Critic and Her Publics

Merve Emre
Translation
Literature
The New Yorker
Editing
1001 Nights
Proust
Cultural Criticism
Feminism
Writing
Literary Criticism
Publishing Industry
Race In Publishing
Scheherazade
Richard Burton
Yasmin Seale
Food Criticism
Sophie Pinkham
Moira Donegan
Gender Rights
Women's Rights

Welcome to Season Four of The Critic and Her Publics: The Art of the Interview.

This season, host Merve Emre talks with professional interviewers of all kinds about how they get the answer they're looking for, what makes a good question, how do you listen for what's unsaid, and how hard do you have to push someone before they say something new?

Hosted by Merve Emre • Edited by Michele Moses • Mu... more

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Artwork for The Critic and Her Publics

Latest Episodes

We try to end each season of The Critic and Her Publics with a little twist on our theme, something different and often risky or uncomfortable. A few years ago, our final guest Anna Silman interviewed and profiled me for Business Insider. Back then, ... more

"I don't understand why people talk to Isaac Chotiner when his reputation precedes him. He's the best interview-assassin at work today, maybe the best ever. I suspect that each guest thinks they'll be the one to finally best Isaac—and Isaac makes goo... more

"The philosopher Agnes Callard is one of the most genuinely curious thinkers I have ever met. Whether she’s writing about unrequited love, parenting, politics in the classroom, or the moral failures of people who like to travel, I get a thrill hearin... more

"Rachel Syme has interviewed all the grand dames of New York and Los Angeles: she's had Cosmos with Carol Burnett, she's accompanied Sarah Jessica Parker to the ballet, she's shopped with Parker Posey at Rachel Comey, she's Skyped with Patti LuPone a... more

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Recent Guests

Isaac Chotiner
Interviewer known for 'interview assassin' style
The New Yorker
Episode: Isaac Chotiner
Agnes Callard
Philosopher at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
Episode: Agnes Callard
Rachel Syme
Celebrity profiler and writer
The New Yorker (profile work)
Episode: Rachel Syme
Orna Guralnik
Clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst
Showtime's Couples Therapy
Episode: Orna Guralnik
Sarah Stillman
Staff writer at The New Yorker; investigative journalist
The New Yorker
Episode: Sarah Stillman
Sheila Heti
Novelist and former interviews editor at The Believer Magazine
The Believer Magazine
Episode: Sheila Heti
Chana Joffe-Walt
Peabody Award–winning journalist and producer at This American Life
This American Life
Episode: Chana Joffe-Walt
Yahdon Israel
Senior Editor at Simon and Schuster and founder of the Literary Swag Book Club
Simon and Schuster
Episode: Yahdon Israel: "Faustian Bargains"
Ben Calhoun
Executive producer of The Daily from The New York Times
The Daily, The New York Times
Episode: Ben Calhoun: "Close Listening"

Host

Merve Emre
Host of The Critic and Her Publics; contributor to The New York Review of Books; central figure in the show's interview-focused format.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 204 ratings
  • Hmmm

    This was so great until the truly tedious bit on Zoe Leonard’s incredible piece.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    lee Lozano
    United States2 years ago
  • Learn more with each episode!

    Would I consider myself a literary person, no.. Do I enjoy learning about the subject, different pieces of work and those who critique, absolutely!

    I enjoy the back and fourth between Merve and her guest. I enjoy the entire process and have actually purchased more than one book either mentioned or based on the author mentioned.

    If you love learning this is an easy listen and something for everyone. I do love to read and learn about topics I may not go to naturally. This is a great podcast... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Heatherz70
    United States2 years ago
  • Please, more of the guests!

    I really appreciate the idea of this show and I do enjoy reading Emre’s writing. But she conducts each interview as if she is the teacher and inevitably brings the conversation to be about her or her own teaching /writing. This is fine for an episode but gets repetitive week after week. Please keep the focus on the guests.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shutongh
    United States3 years ago
  • such a disappointment

    This really is quite poor. I so wanted to like it, be captivated, be enlightened. But the tone is close to unbearable: cloying, self-absorbed, unctuous. And there hasn’t been a single moment that goes anywhere beneath the surface. The questions are beyond bland and anodyne, and the guests respond in kind. Everyone comes off seeming like the most self-absorbed, shallow bores I’d run screaming from at a party. The pity is that I’m sure at least some of the participants are far more interesting tha... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    joe appel
    United States3 years ago
  • Are the publics really plural ?

    Immense respect for this project, but the vibe… ça m’énerve

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    johnnyjonyzz
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall sentiment recognizes the show as a thoughtful, unique take on criticism and conversation.
Positive feedback highlights high-quality guests and rigorous discussion of literary criticism.
A few listeners wish for more diverse guests and a broader range of topics.
Some listeners feel the host's style may come across as self-promotional to a minority of episodes.
Fans value the behind-the-scenes look at interview techniques and ethics in inquiry.
Listeners admire the show for thoughtful, lively interviews and practical insights into questioning.
Some critics note a strong host presence that can shape conversations, for better or worse.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#144
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#128
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#133
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#234
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#246
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#166
Australia/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Agnes Callard
Q: How does the public/private dimension affect how Socrates conducts the interview in the Apology?
They discuss that many dialogues are public yet intimate, with the interview taking place in settings where audiences witness the exchange, influencing how both interviewer and subject participate and renegotiate the terms of the discussion.
Agnes Callard
Q: Is the Apology the best example of the Socratic interview for discussing this form of conversation?
The guest explains that Apology is revealing because it shows how Socrates presents himself and defends his life, but also notes that it is one among many dialogues that should not be taken as the sole template for the interview.
Chana Joffe-Walt
Q: What did you notice the most when you sent children to interview people in their communities?
Children were sometimes better at getting open-ended responses but could also rely on prompts that limited depth; the interviewer emphasizes letting questions evolve naturally, pushing for genuine detail, and steering back to the core story when needed.
Judgement
Q: Could you say something about balancing your personal judgment and your anticipation of who will be or might be reading the work?
The initial excitement and enthusiasm for a book is integral to the acquisition process, and it often reflects the tastes and impulses of the small publishing house.
First Sentences
Q: How does writing your own novels influence your translation work?
Translating helps me find freedom and creative ways to express ideas in English, shaping my own writing style.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Critic and Her Publics

What is The Critic and Her Publics about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This series centers on the craft of interviewing, exploring how interviewers elicit clear answers, surface what isn't being said, and balance probing with tact. Across conversations, it weighs how good questions, attentive listening, and strategic pressure shape revealing exchanges, with a particular emphasis on the interview as a form of critical dialogue. Notable themes include the dynamics between interviewer and guest, ethical considerations in questioning, and methods for obtaining meaningful insights in literary and cultural contexts. The season highlights practitioners from varied backgrounds, offering practical takeaways for anyone seeking sharper, more revealing interviews and conversations.

A standout throughline is the meta-ask:... more

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1. London Review Bookshop Podcast
2. The LRB Podcast
3. The Shakespeare and Company Interview
4. Critics at Large | The New Yorker
5. Marlon and Jake Read Dead People

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The Critic and Her Publics launched 3 years ago and published 39 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 Critic and Her Publics?

Recent guests on The Critic and Her Publics include:

1. Isaac Chotiner
2. Agnes Callard
3. Rachel Syme
4. Orna Guralnik
5. Sarah Stillman
6. Sheila Heti
7. Chana Joffe-Walt
8. Yahdon Israel

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