Podcast
The Colin McEnroe Show
Hosted by Connecticut Public Radio · EN
The Colin McEnroe Show is public radio’s most eclectic, eccentric weekday program. The best way to understand us is through the subjects we tackle: Neanderthals, tambourines, handshakes, the Iliad, snacks, ringtones, punk rock, Occam’s razor, Rasputin, houseflies, zippers. Are you sensing a pattern? If so, you should probably be in treatment. On Fridays, we try to stop thinking about what kind of ringtones Neanderthals would want to have and convene a panel called The Nose for an informal roundtable about the week in culture.
86episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Chion Wolf takes your calls!
5d ago00:42:00Tap to summarizeWe’ve been doing these shows where we don’t book any guests, where we fill the hour with your calls. And your calls have been interesting and surprising and amusing. This hour, the conversation — helmed this time by our old pal Chion Wolf! — winds around to the Connecticut Theatre Exchange, Chion’s mom, talking to strangers, America250, Theo of Golden by Allen Levi … Anything. (Seemingly) everything. These shows are fun for us, and they seem to be fun for you, too. So we did another one. Music featured (in order): The Windmills Of Your Mind - Oscar Peterson Trio Starting Line – Cory Wong, Emily Browning Like A Rembrandt – Julianna Riolino CUT FOR TIME Hail Mary – Dan Croll In A Good Way – Faye Webster CUT FOR TIME Phone a Friend – Ginger Root Don’t Want It to Be Over – Joey Dosik, Coco O. Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →The Nose looks at Steven Spielberg’s ‘Disclosure Day’
1w ago00:49:00Tap to summarizeDisclosure Day is the 35th commercially released feature film directed by Steven Spielberg. It’s his 10th sci-fi movie and his fifth specifically about alien encounters. It is written by David Koepp from a story by Spielberg, and it stars Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colman Domingo, and Colin Firth. And then: We did a whole show about Steven Spielberg when he turned 70. With his 80th birthday coming later this year, The Nose looks at Spielberg more generally through the lens of Wesley Morris’ recent profile. GUESTS: James Hanley: Co-founder of Cinestudio at Trinity College Shawn Murray: A stand-up comedian, writer, and the host of the Fantasy Filmball podcast Lindsay Lee Wallace: A writer and journalist covering culture, health, technology, bats, and anything else people will answer her questions about Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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What if we were addicted to forgiveness instead of revenge?
1w ago00:50:00Tap to summarizeRevenge is as old as humanity itself. And new research shows that revenge functions in our brains like a type of addiction. This hour a look at revenge in politics, literature, and everyday life — and what it would mean if we treated revenge differently. GUESTS: James Kimmel Jr.: Lawyer, author, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine, and the Founder and Co-Director of the Yale Collaborative for Motive Control Studies. His new book is The Science of Revenge: Understanding the World's Deadliest Addiction--and How to Overcome It Emily King: Visiting Assistant Professor of Writing and English at Washington and Lee University. She is author of Civil Vengeance: Literature, Culture, and Early Modern Revenge MUSIC FEATURED (in order): Il Trovatore: Anvil Chorus – Giuseppe Verdi, Budapest Festival Orchestra & Chorus The Payback – James Brown The Mariner’s Revenge Song – The Decemberists These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ – Nancy Sinatra Smile – Lily Allen no body, no crime - Taylor Swift Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show. The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show, which originally aired on November 5, 2025.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Mysteries, hoaxes, and magic: Decoding mystifying manuscripts
1w ago00:50:00Tap to summarizeOne of the most mysterious texts in the world lives here in Connecticut. The Medieval Voynich Manuscript is at the Beinecke Library at Yale University. Scholars have been trying for over a century to decipher it. This hour, we look at the Voynich and at other examples of mysterious manuscripts from around the world. GUESTS: Lisa Fagin Davis: Professor of Practice in Manuscript Studies at the Simmons University School of Library and Information Science and Executive Director of the Medieval Academy of America Garry J. Shaw: Author and journalist covering archaeology, history, and world heritage. His newest book is Cryptic: From Voynich to the Angel Diaries, the Story of the World's Mysterious Manuscripts David Weinberg: Podcast producer and writer. He is lead instructor for the Transom Traveling Workshops. He formerly worked at Marketplace and KCRW. He produced an episode about "Louie Louie" for the podcast Lost Notes MUSIC FEATURED (in order): Lost in Translation – The Neighbourhood Columba aspexit, BN 54 – Christopher Page, Emma Kirkby, Gothic Voices Secret Messages – Juliana Hatfield The Book of Love – Mike Doughty The Philosopher’s Stone – Van Morrison Louie, Louie – The Kingsmen Louie, Louie – The Sandpipers Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show. The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show, which originally aired on October 29, 2025.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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What can we learn from the myth of Antigone? For one, it’s so 2026
2w ago00:50:00Tap to summarizeSophocles' play Antigone was originally performed around 441 B.C.E., but the themes in the play still resonate today. This hour, we revisit the story of Antigone, and ask what it can teach us about compromise, wisdom, extremism, grief, and more. Plus, a look at how modern productions are exploring new ways for audiences to engage with the ancient Greek tragedy. GUESTS: Elizabeth Bobrick: A Visiting Scholar in Wesleyan’s Department of Classical Studies. She also teaches for Wesleyan’s Center for Prison Education. Her Substack is “This Won’t End Well: On Loving Greek Tragedy,” and her writing has also appeared in The New York Times and Salon Bryan Doerries: A writer, director, and translator who currently serves as Artistic Director of Theater of War Productions. He is author of The Theater of War: What Ancient Greek Tragedies Can Teach Us Today, among other books Anna Conser: Assistant Professor of Classics at the University of Cincinnati The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe and Eugene Amatruda contributed to this show, which originally aired on September 25, 2025.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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'A pretty low bar to clear' — Ask or Tell Me Anything gets a compliment
2w ago00:49:00Tap to summarizeWe’ve been doing these shows where we don’t book any guests, where we fill the hour with your calls. And your calls have been interesting and surprising and amusing. This hour, the conversation winds around to The 79th Tony Awards, central casting, The Knicks, “Strike Force Five”, wildflowers, vampires, “60 Minutes”, unidentified aerial phenomenon … Anything. (Seemingly) everything. These shows are fun for us, and they seem to be fun for you, too. So we did another one. Music featured (in order): String Quartet No. 10 in E-flat major, Op. 51, "Slavonic": IV. Finale, Allegro assai – Antonín Dvořák, as performed by the Stamitz Quartet Probably Up – Lawrence Don’t Leave Me Behind (Acoustic) – Beta Radio Things We Like To Do – NRBQ Don’t Remind Me – Amber Mark, Anderson .Paak Canned Heat – Ginger Root In These Shoes? – Kirsty MacColl Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The bold, beautiful, and dramatic world of soap operas
2w ago00:50:00Tap to summarizeThe soap opera began on the radio in the 1930s, and since then it's evolved quite a bit. This hour, we take a look at soaps and soapiness, from daytime dramas to reality TV. GUESTS: Charlotte Druckman: Journalist and the co-author of Love in the Afternoon, and Evening: Essays and Conversations on Soap Operas Mayukh Sen: Co-author of Love in the Afternoon, and Evening: Essays and Conversations on Soap Operas. He is also a professor at NYU and author of Love, Queenie: Merle Oberon, Hollywood’s First South Asian Star Justis Bolding: Actress, singer, voice artist, and narrator, who played Sarah Roberts in ABC’s One Life to Live Music featured (in order): Faces of the Heart – Dave Koz No More Drama – Mary J. Blige Erica Kane – Aaliyah A Little Bit of Soap – The Jarmels General Hospi-tale – The Afternoon Delights Soap Opera – Brandy Clark Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Fly with us to Neverland: Why we’re forever hooked on Peter Pan
2w ago00:50:00Tap to summarizeIt's been over one hundred years since J. M. Barrie first told the story of Peter Pan, Wendy, and Neverland. Since then, Peter Pan has been adapted countless times, and become a constant reference point in popular culture. This hour, a look at the lasting cultural and psychological impact of Peter Pan. GUESTS: Maria Tatar: Professor emerita of folklore and mythology at Harvard University; her latest book is The Heroine with 1001 Faces; she is also the editor of The Annotated Peter Pan: The Centennial Edition Jonathan Russell Clark: The author of Skateboard and An Oasis of Horror in a Desert of Boredom; his writing has appeared in The New York Times, L.A. Times, The Boston Globe, and Esquire Ann Yeoman: A Jungian analyst and the author of Now or Neverland: Peter Pan and the Myth of Eternal Youth and the co-author of C.G. Jung's Collected Works: The Basics MUSIC FEATURED (in order): I Don't Wanna Grow Up – Tom Waits Never Never Land – James Taylor I’ve Gotta Crow – Mary Martin, Kathy Nolan Darling Children – Alison Fraser I'm Flying – Mary Martin Captain Hook’s Waltz – Cyril Ritchard, Peter Pan Ensemble I Won’t Grow Up – The Fools The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe, Jonathan McNicol, and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show, which originally aired on September 17, 2025.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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How Marshall McLuhan and Neil Postman can help us break the spell of technology on our lives
2w ago00:50:00Tap to summarizeIf you listen to The Colin McEnroe Show regularly, you likely know that Colin has been influenced by two media theorists: Marshall McLuhan and Neil Postman. Postman wrote Amusing Ourselves to Death, among other books, and McLuhan is probably most famous for the phrase "The medium is the message," in addition to other influential ideas. This hour, we look at the ideas of McLuhan and Postman, and discuss why they still resonate so much today. GUESTS: Bill Yousman: Professor of Media Studies at Sacred Heart University Megan Garber: Staff Writer at The Atlantic who writes about the intersection of politics and culture. She is the author of On Misdirection: Magic, Mayhem, American Politics. She previously worked for Neiman Journalism Lab and the Columbia Journalism Review Andrew McLuhan: Founder and director of The McLuhan Institute, which was founded to conserve and continue media studies in the McLuhan tradition. He is the son of Eric McLuhan and the grandson of Marshall McLuhan MUSIC FEATURED (in order): Passacaglia by Johan Halvorsen (performed by Grégoire Blanc) Please Mr. Postman by The Marvelettes The Revolution Will Not Be Televised by Gil Scott-Heron Medium is the Massage by Akira the Don, Marshall McLuhan Fish n’ Chip Paper by Elvis Costello Amusing Ourselves to Death by Winston Apple The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show, which originally aired on September 5, 2025.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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What is culture without the guidance of critics?
3w ago00:50:00Tap to summarizeThis hour, we take a critical look at the role of art critics in our world. What is the status of criticism, and is it under threat? GUESTS: Naveen Kumar: Theatre critic and journalist. He is associate director of the National Critics Institute, the leading arts-writing workshop for professional journalists. He has twice served on the jury for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama Kathryn VanArendonk: Critic at Vulture and New York Magazine Matt Singer: Editor and Critic at ScreenCrush and a member of the New York Film Critics Circle. He is the author of numerous books, including Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel & Ebert Changed Movies Forever Aleksandra Mir: Artist, whose work has been included in 370 exhibits worldwide. She is co-editor of the book Bad Reviews: An Artists' Book by 150 Artists The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe, Dylan Reyes, and Isaac Moss contributed to this show, which originally aired August 21, 2025.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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