Death, Sex & Money Plus

In this bonus episode, musician Riley Downing talks about his new album Landfill Poetry and the joy of being signed to John’s Prine’s label Oh Boy Records. He also discusses the decision to quit his trash collector job in his 20s to pursue music full-time.This episode is member-exclusive. Right now you can get 50% off a year’s membership by going to slate.com/dsmplus and using promo code DSM50. By joining, not only will you unlock this episode, but you’ll also access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts.

To mark John Prine’s 80’s birthday, Anna catches up with his wife Fiona. Then we revisit Anna’s 2018 conversation with John, where he discussed his bestselling album Tree of Forgiveness. Podcast production by Cameron Drews.If you’re new to the show, welcome. We’re so glad you’re here. Find us and follow us on Instagram and you can find Anna’s newsletter at annasale.substack.com. Our email address, where you can reach us with voice memos, pep talks, questions, and critiques, is deathsexmoney@slate.com.

HK Lee had a stable full-time job when she came across an article in National Geographic about a “natural burial” cemetery in Texas. That led to a big career pivot.In this week’s bonus episode, HK talks about what it’s like to be in the early planning stages of starting Aeon Woods, a large-scale green burial cemetery in upstate New York. She digs into the red tape, soil science, and the process of convincing local decision makers to green-light the project. She also discusses her family’s burial grounds in Korea, where 30 generations rest.This episode is member-exclusive. Right now you can get 50% off a year’s membership by going to slate.com/dsmplus and using promo code DSM50. By joining, not only will you unlock this episode, but you’ll also access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts.

After three years as Poet Laureate, Ada Limón craved a smaller, more private life. Then she saw a sign: her childhood home was for sale. In this episode, Anna and Ada talk about writing, memory, chronic pain and making a life where she started.Ada Limón’s latest book is called Against Breaking: On the Power of Poetry. She’s also the editor of You Are Here: Poetry In the Natural World. And if you’re new to the show, welcome. We’re so glad you’re here. Find us and follow us on Instagram and you can find Anna’s newsletter at annasale.substack.com. Our new email address, where you can reach us with voice memos, pep talks, questions, critiques, is deathsexmoney@slate.com.

This year, Stavros Halkias released a stand-up special, appeared in the Anthony Bourdain biopic Tony, and continued his run on the hit Netflix show Tires. Despite the high points, he says this year has also been “torture.”This week on the show, Stavros breaks down why success and unhealthy habits go hand in hand for him. He also traces his upbringing in a working-class immigrant family in Baltimore, his experiences in therapy, and his growing aptitude for flirting with women. Podcast production by Cameron Drews. If you’re new to the show, welcome. We’re so glad you’re here. Find us and follow us on Instagram and you can find Anna’s newsletter at annasale.substack.com. Our email address, where you can reach us with voice memos, pep talks, questions, critiques, is deathsexmoney@slate.com.

Days after Erica gave birth to her first child, she felt unstoppable — walking for miles, staying up all night pitching work ideas, imagining herself as "Supermom." Her husband, James, was terrified.In this bonus episode, Erica and James talk to Anna about their family's experience with postpartum psychosis: the warning signs, the treatment, and how it brought them closer.Erica Schwiegershausen is  a senior writer at The Cut. Read her recent story What If Doctors Missed My Postpartum Psychosis, Too? Lindsay Clancy’s story isn’t unthinkable. I know because it almost happened to me. James Ramsay, is a digital producer at WNYC.Podcast production by Zoe AzulayThis episode is member-exclusive. Listen to it now by subscribing to Slate Plus. By joining, not only will you unlock this episode, but you’ll also access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/dsmplus to get access wherever you listen.

Stefan’s mother said he was too smart for public school and took him out of 4th grade. But instead of studying, Stefan’s homeschool curriculum was organized around keeping his mother company and pretending he wouldn’t grow up and leave her. In this episode, Stefan Merrill Block talks about his five year homeschool experience, how it shaped him as a father and writer, and the ambivalence of loving a parent while recognizing the harm they caused. Stefan Merrill Block’s memoir Homeschooled is out now.Podcast production by Zoe Azulay And if you’re new to the show, welcome. We’re so glad you’re here. Find us and follow us on Instagram and you can find Anna’s newsletter at annasale.substack.com. Our new email address, where you can reach us with voice memos, pep talks, questions, critiques, is deathsexmoney@slate.com.

Anna first met Jay Clayton when she worked at WNYC, when Jay was brought in to help hosts and reporters with their pledge drive season. In other words, he was teaching them how to ask listeners for money. In this bonus episode, Jay gives Anna a refresher, and they discuss the importance of Death, Sex & Money Plus memberships. They also extend a big thank you to all the listeners who’ve joined the club. This episode is member-exclusive. Right now you can get 50% off a year’s membership by going to slate.com/dsmplus and using promo code DSM50. By joining, not only will you unlock this episode, but you’ll also access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts.