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Artwork for The Lack
Capitalism
Violence
Feminism
Desire
Colonialism
David Cronenberg
Grief
Thatcherism
Philosophy
Locke
Living In Oblivion
Technology
The Life and Loves Of a She-Devil
Black Narcissus
Identity
Love
Christianity
Millennials
Stanley Kubrick
Vertigo

The Lack is a weekly podcast from political theorist Benjamin Studebaker, philosopher Nina Power and filmmaker Helen Rollins. We take a work each week (film, poem, essay, book...) and relate it to a philosophical theme for a wide-ranging discussion about ideas, culture and society. Each week, there is an A-side public episode and a B-side, patreon only, private episode. You can subscribe to our pa... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes184Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureTV & FilmPhilosophy

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Artwork for The Lack

Latest Episodes

This episode is on the 1966 film, A Man for All Seasons. To hear the B-side, subscribe on Patreon: www.patreon.com/thelackpodcast

This episode is on the 2016 film, Silence. To hear the B-side, subscribe on Patreon: www.patreon.com/thelackpodcast

This episode is on the 2013 film, A Field in England. To hear the B-side, subscribe on Patreon: www.patreon.com/thelackpodcast

This episode is on the 1952 film, Ikiru. To hear the B-side, subscribe on Patreon: www.patreon.com/thelackpodcast

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Doug Lane
Science fiction author and founder of Sublation Media
Sublation Media
Episode: The Parallax View
Helen Rollins
Director and filmmaker
Episode: Chinatown
Nina Power
Philosopher and writer
Episode: Chinatown

Hosts

Benjamin Studebaker
Political theorist and host, with a focus on political philosophy and critical theory.
Nina Power
Philosopher and co-host, contributing a critical theory perspective and commentary.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 139 ratings
  • Excellent

    This is the movie/philosophy podcast that I looked for for 10 years.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    xuxycyxyxyxtxttx
    United States9 months ago
  • Constant crisis vibes

    Let him who is without sin cast the first stone. Get stoned and listen to philosophy podcast at all the time.

    Audible
    5
    Barred Subject
    United States9 months ago
  • Let him who is without sin cast the first stone. Get stoned and listen to philosophy podcast at all the time.

    Audible
    5
    Barred Subject
    United States9 months ago
  • Great conversations

    This is absolutely one of my favorite podcasts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GrouchoGrouch
    United States10 months ago
  • Ran rings around Nina Power

    Stupendous episode. So many interesting angles and ideas coming from Benjamin Studebaker and utter lack of ability to engage, spar or be in any way additive from one note Nina Power.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Deeeeeedubya
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the dense, theory-forward conversations and banter, useful for guests and sponsors seeking a thoughtful audience.
Some episodes accumulate feedback about audio quality and occasional bias, but overall reception highlights the hosts' intellectual rigor and engaging debates.
The show's rigorous cross-disciplinary analyses of film and philosophy are a strong draw for listeners.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Birth of a Nation
Q: What are the underlying economic problems that continue to influence race relations in the U.S.?
Economic disparities between regions, particularly between the North and South, coupled with racial inequalities, perpetuate tension and prevent reconciliation. It's a complex challenge involving job creation and addressing deep-rooted economic issues.
Birth of a Nation
Q: How does the film impose certain categories and perspectives on its audience?
The film's portrayal imposes troubling categories regarding race and class, reflecting societal biases without irony or self-awareness, which is deeply disturbing.
May December
Q: How do you feel about the age gap discourse that surrounds relationships depicted in films like this?
This discourse raises questions about maturity and ethical responsibilities in relationships, indicating a societal discomfort with age disparities.
May December
Q: What do you think about the representation of arrested development in the film?
The film portrays characters stuck in their developmental stages, highlighting the consequences of their intertwined exploitations and relationships.
The Curse
Q: What did you think of the ending of The Curse?
The ending underscores the absurdity of trying to resolve the ideological contradictions of capitalism and reflects the show's deeper themes.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
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Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Lack

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

Presents a provocative fusion of philosophy, political theory, and film critique through in-depth conversations between two regular hosts and a rotating cast of guests. Episodes center on analyzing films, literature, and cultural artifacts through lenses like ethics, power, class, and modernity, often tracing how institutions shape meaning and public life. The format blends rigorous argument with sharp banter, producing dense, idea-forward discussions that appeal to listeners who enjoy theory-rich analysis wrapped in cultural commentary. A-side episodes are publicly accessible, with deeper B-side discussions available to patrons, suggesting a sustainable model for sustained intellectual exploration and community engagement.

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How many subscribers and views does The Lack have?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Lack?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Lack:

1. Why Theory
2. Hermitix
3. Bungacast
4. What's Left of Philosophy
5. Acid Horizon

How many episodes of The Lack are there?

The Lack launched 5 years ago and published 184 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 Lack?

Recent guests on The Lack include:

1. Doug Lane
2. Helen Rollins
3. Nina Power

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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