Shows
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelLightning Round Carla Jimenez!2025-06-2607 minThe Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 29 - Carla Jimenez’s Journey to Broadway: Nacho Libre, The Mick, and Real Women Have CurvesActress Carla Jimenez has been acting and singing since childhood. This year, she’s made her Broadway Debut as Pancha in the original cast of “Real Women Have Curves: The Musical.” She joins host Chloe Aftel on The Other Pod to discuss her journey to where she is now and all the ups and downs along the way. They discuss her early career, including breakout roles in “Nacho Libre” and “Desperate Housewives”, as well as her recent key role in “The Mick”, and now her singing on Broadway. Carla’s story is a beautiful journey of dedication, passion, and hard work in a harsh indu...2025-06-251h 05
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelLightning Round Chelsea Devantez!2025-05-2905 minThe Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 28 - Chelsea Devantez’s Life in Comedy: Glamorous Trash, Celebrity Memoirs, & I Shouldn’t Be Telling You ThisIn this exciting interview with Emmy-nominated writer, comedian, and podcaster Chelsea Devantez, Chloe and Chelsea discuss what being a drag queen taught her about gender and self-acceptance, how she's navigated male violence, the experience writing her first memoir: I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This (But I’m Going To Anyway), her creative process, her marriage with fellow comedian Yassir Lester, and her podcast Glamorous Trash.Highlights:The differing comedy styles of Chelsea and her husband Yassir Lester;Different turning points in Chelsea’s career from Jon Stewart to Girls5Eva, amongst others;Her experiences making the wi...2025-05-281h 21
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 28 — Tara VanDerveer, NCAA Coaching Legend, on her Coaching Philosophy, PT 2In part two of this in-depth interview with NCAA coaching legend Tara VanDerveer, Chloe and Tara dive into how she built a career, her coaching philosophy, and how she helps her players reach their highest potential. They also discuss the significance of relationships built through sports and VanDerveer's ongoing involvement in the sport post-retirement.Highlights:How to foster a collaborative and supportive team environment where everyone has a voice, and where the focus is on collective success;What strategies VanDerveer uses to continuously evolve her coaching approach and maximize her team's strengths;How...2025-05-0138 minThe Other Pod with Chloe AftelLightning Round Tara VanDerveer!For the end of our interview feature with Tara VanDerveer, Chloe asks Tara closing questions about her other passions, her post game rituals, and stand out players Tara has coached over the years. About:Tara VanDerveer is one of the most accomplished coaches in the history of women's basketball, best known for her legendary 38-season tenure at Stanford University, where she led the Cardinal to three NCAA championships (1990, 1992, 2021) and 14 Final Four appearances. Born on June 26, 1953, she began her head coaching career in 1978 and became the highest winning coach in NCAA Division I basketball history, retiring in 2024 w...2025-04-2606 minThe Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 27 — Tara VanDerveer, NCAA Coaching Legend, on Great Leadership, PT 1Tara VanDerveer is a Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Coach, widely considered to be one of the most accomplished coaches in the sport. Now retired from coaching, she joins host Chloe Aftel on The Other Pod to talk about her unique and heavily lauded career in the world of basketball. In part one of this exciting episode, the pair discuss the unique aspects of coaching women's basketball, the generational shifts in players that VanDerveer has noticed over time, and how to develop great team relationships for group success. Highlights:Strategies that successful coaches use to he...2025-04-251h 01
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 26 - Alice Little on Intimacy Practices, Male Sexual Trauma, and Sex Worker EmpowermentAlice Little is widely recognized as the top-earning legal sex worker in the United States. As a passionate advocate for the safety and empowerment of sex workers, she joins host Chloe Aftel to explore the current state of legal sex work in the U.S. and how positive sexual experiences grounded in intimacy and consent can lead to transformative change for individuals and our society.Alice and Chloe delve into a range of key topics, from male sexual trauma and intimacy challenges to the advantages of legal sex work in a high-end Nevada brothel, compared to the critical...2025-03-271h 12
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 25 - Nobel Prize Winner Victor Ambros on MicroRNAs and the Infinite Unfolding of Scientific DiscoveryVictor Ambros, a Nobel Prize winner for his work on nematodes and microRNA, joins host Chloe Aftel on The Other Pod for an exciting conversation on the joys of scientific discovery. The pair discuss his work and research, as well as his childhood and his father's fascinating life story escaping Nazi Germany. Victor describes his work with passion and devotion to his research and field of study as well as life itself. Highlights:The key insights and collaborative nature that enabled the groundbreaking discoveries in C. elegans research;Victor's love and devotion for his wife and scientific partner Rosalind Lee, h...2025-02-251h 26
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 24 - Labor Activist Ai-Jen Poo on the Future of Carework and Protecting Immigrant CommunitiesAi-Jen Poo is a lifelong activist, current director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), and author of the book “The Age of Dignity: Preparing for the Elder Boom in a Changing America.” She joins Chloe on The Other Pod to discuss the current landscape of carework in the United States amidst political turmoil and threats of mass deportation. Chloe and Ai-Jen discuss:How can we effectively advocate for universal access to care and the recognition of carework as essential infrastructure despite political setbacks? What innovative approaches or programs can be developed to support and empower caregivers, such as the improv...2025-01-301h 01
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 23 - Rosemary Gladstar, Godmother of Modern Herbalism, on our Ancient Relationship with PlantsAuthor, teacher, and expert herbalist Rosemary Gladstone joins host Chloe Aftel for a long-awaited interview about her career and fundamental understanding of nature’s healing properties. The pair explores how modern medicine got to where it is today, the misconceptions people may have regarding herbalism, and the divide between Western medicine and herbalism. Rosemary discusses the importance of native traditions and how it’s never too late to explore a connection with nature. Highlights:Rosemary’s early education from her grandmother, a survivor of the Armenian Genocide; Her definition of what it means to be an herbalist and the differen...2024-12-2759 min
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 22 - Musician K.Flay on Vulnerability, Trust, and New Release: I’m Making Friends With The SilenceIndie artist and songwriter K. Flay celebrates the release of her new EP I’m Making Friends With Silence through an honest and philosophical conversation with host Chloe Aftel on The Other Pod. K. Flay (Kristine Flaherty), reflects on her start in the music industry while in school at Stanford, the influence of her psychology and sociology studies, and her musical and personal evolution from early records like Life as a Dog to now. She speaks on the importance of trust and reliability above all else and the transformative nature of her queer awakening. HighlightsK. Flay’s coming to te...2024-11-261h 15
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 21 - Actor Aya Cash on Her Creative Process: The Franchise, You’re The Worst, and The BoysTheater and TV actor Aya Cash joins host Chloe Aftel to discuss her past and present projects and reflect on an acting career that has been 20 years in the making. She talks about having artist parents, growing up in the Bay Area, and what that taught her about not compromising on a creative vision. She also highlights the importance of instinct in acting, her thoughts on the collaborative nature of filmmaking, and the impact of good writing. HighlightsHow she understands and embodies evil characters, from Gretchen Cutler on You’re The Worst, to playing a nazi as a Jewish woman on...2024-10-2959 min
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 20 - Writer and Artist Jeff Lemire on Comic Influences, Sweet Tooth Success, and Staying Close to Your RootsThrough his graphic novel works like Sweet Tooth (now a Netflix original), Black Hammer, Gideon Falls, Essex County, and more, Jeff Lemire creates new worlds with distinct styles while representing a myriad of identities and experiences. In this month's episode of The Other Pod, Jeff gets candid with host Chloe Aftel about his career, from making up stories as a child in rural Ontario, to writing Essex County during the day while working night shifts as a cook in Toronto, to now expanding his creative world into film and television with international acclaim. He shares about...2024-09-3054 min
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 19 - Novelist Rachel Kushner on Her Writing Process and Creation Lake: “A Little Plot Goes a Long Way”Author Rachel Kushner and host/visual artist Chloe Aftel first met after the success of Rachel’s first novel and have worked collaboratively ever since. Now, the pair reunite for the latest episode of The Other Pod to discuss her new novel, Creation Lake, and dive into everything creative process and ideation. They discuss the way their artistic processes align and differ across mediums, the journey to capture shifting perspectives, and the kinetic, alive energy that comes with creating. Highlights:Rachel reflects on the tricky balance and ultimate catharsis of writing first-person characters whose thoughts and judgments are antithetical to her...2024-09-0459 min
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 18 - Philosopher Serene Khader on Maintaining Hope in the Face of OppressionSerene Khader may not be what you typically think of when you hear the word philosopher. She came into philosophy with the heart of an activist and an eye for public policy, interested in reconsidering the ways in which we think about, advocate for, and ultimately drive movements for justice forward. Serene talks with host Chloe Aftel about what exactly the job of a philosopher is, the role of philosophy in changing the lives of women from the global South and here in the United States, as well as how being inquisitive about our mental frameworks and assumptions may just...2024-07-281h 22
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 17 - Rapsody on Please Don’t Cry; The Rapper’s Loving Permission for All of Us to Be Human“You have to allow yourself to sit in your fire and burn.”Rapsody is back from her hiatus with the jam-packed, undeniably raw and emotionally attuned new album Please Don’t Cry. Host Chloe Aftel dives deep with Rapsody to explore all the emotional healing that took place behind the scenes for this record to come into creation, how her background and upbringing influence the music she makes decades later, and all that Rapsody has learned along the way about love, spirituality, and the music industry. Highlights:The rapper’s journey from growing up as youngest sibling of five in N...2024-06-2750 min
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 16 - Feminist Punk Icon Kathleen Hanna on “Rebel Girl” and Her Lifetime in the MovementKathleen Hanna has been defying expectations and stereotypes on and off the stage since she was a teenager playing in Bikini Kill. Join host Chloe Aftel in an intimate conversation with the revolutionary Kathleen Hanna on the process of writing her new memoir Rebel Girl, how writing such an honest reflection was more vulnerable than performing on stage ever was, and where she finds herself now finally pursuing a calm(er) life. Kathleen reflects on her career in the feminist and punk movement, her music with Le Tigre and Bikini Kill, raising money for girls' education in Togo, her experience...2024-05-291h 20
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 15 - Grammy, Tony Award winner J. Harrison Ghee on Gender Fluidity, Self-Expression, Spirituality, and the Art of DragJ. Harrison Ghee has never fit in in the traditional sense; in fact, it’s their very ability to stand out that allows them to reflect humanity so beautifully in their roles in shows like Kinky Boots, Some Like It Hot, Mrs. Doubtfire & Chicago. As Ghee sits down for an inspiring conversation with host/artist Chloe Aftel, they are fresh off a Tony win and in preparation for their upcoming solo concert in Indianapolis, titled "The Beauty of Life." The pair discuss the positive impact of theater on exploring difficult topics, and Ghee shares just how much theater and drag ha...2024-04-301h 02
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 14 - Climate Justice Activist Catherine Coleman Flowers on Turning to Strategy In Place of RageCatherine Coleman Flowers grew up in the rural South amidst a tight-knit family, from a line of determined women with no choice but to make a bad situation better. In this inspiring conversation, host Chloe Aftel talks with Catherine about the good, the bad, and the ugly of a life spent advocating for community justice and the work still left to do. From working on the raw sewage issue in her rural community to now working in national policy and governmental strategy, Catherine Coleman Flowers has seen it all — and is still nowhere near done. Highlights:Catherine’s guide...2024-03-2658 min
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpsiode 13 - Yes, Lois McMaster Bujold is Still Writing: Self-Publishing, World-Building, and FanfictionSc-Fi legend Lois McMaster Bujold joins host Chloe Aftel on this episode of The Other Pod for an in-depth conversation on her background, writing inspirations, and reflections on a literary career 40+ years in the making, including where she finds herself now: retired, self-employed, and still passionately writing new adventures and engaging with readers. She reflects on the relationship between sci-fi and fantasy writers to their readers, her origin story writing fanfiction at 8 years old, and her first adventures into professional writing as a new mom in the 1980s as a means to support herself.Highlights:- How...2024-02-251h 15
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 12 - Corin & Carrie of Sleater-Kinney on New Record Little Rope and Maintaining Successful Creative Partnership Over 30 YearsNot many bands can say they have been performing, writing, and evolving together for over 30 years with their friendship intact, but Sleater-Kinney can. Corin and Carrie of Sleater-Kinney sit down for a conversation with host Chloe Aftel to discuss their new album, Little Rope, a new side to the Portland-based rock band. Chloe shares the way their music in the 90s impacted her own life with their fearlessness, honesty, and emotional exploration, and the pair dive into the ways their creative process and sound have evolved since then. They talk about failure as a gift, how their songwriting has shifted...2024-01-301h 04
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 11 - Philosopher Linda Martín Alcoff on Social Construction of Gender & RaceLinda M. Alcoff is a Panama-born American Philosopher from a family she describes as 'natural feminists.' She joins host Chloe Aftel for a deeply impactful conversation on how her upbringing contributes to her relation to Philosophy, the importance of considering class in conversations of feminism and equality, and the often dismissed sophistication of care work. The pair also discusses pressing issues of our time, such as social media and influencer impacts on our culture, the nuances of understanding oneself or others as victims or not, and how long-term social change is created.Highlights:Linda shares her background...2023-11-301h 16
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 10 - Comedian Trae Crowder, the Liberal Redneck with Deep RootsThis month, host Chloe Aftel welcomes stand-up comedian and fellow podcaster Trae Crowder to the show. They discuss Trae's origins as a Southern guy from working-class Salina, Tennessee, into the comedy world, his new life in Los Angeles, and the misconceptions people have about the rural South. Crowder's comedy, which addresses issues like abortion and Confederate flags, is influenced by his experiences and aims to challenge stereotypes about the South. Highlights:- Trae reflects on the impact of NAFTA on his hometown, leading to widespread poverty and family struggles;- The importance of empathy and understanding...2023-11-0157 min
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 9 - Rapper & Activist Killer Mike on new album 'Michael' and the Future of Hip HopKiller Mike, aka Michael Render, joins his friend host Chloe Aftel for an in-depth and intimate interview going over everything from his childhood family dynamics to his new studio album Michael, as well as Mike’s political philosophies. The Atlanta native and one-half of the powerhouse rap group Run The Jewels reflects on the impact of his wife, Shana, on his career and success and the lessons on love he learned from his grandparents. Plus, hear Mike share insights on his musical journey, how he wrote key songs, and the evolution of hip-hop.Highlights:The role of Killer Mike’s fait...2023-10-011h 16
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 8 - Activist Alicia Garza on Co-Founding the Black Lives Matter Movement and the Transformative Power of Collective ActionMost known for co-founding the reverberant Black Lives Matter movement in the 2010s, activist and author Alicia Garza joins host Chloe Aftel on The Other Pod for an in-depth and expansive conversation on Alicia's lifetime commitment to social movements and community justice. They discuss the narratives of power and success people receive and how to disrupt, the impact of collective action, and the impact of Black Lives Matter on Alicia's life. Highlights:- Garza shares the impact her mother, an activist in her own right, had on her life and perspective; - The direct impact of...2023-08-311h 01
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 7 - Artist and DJ Jasmine Infiniti, Queen of Hell, on Ballroom Culture, Trans Identity, and the Gothic Nature of RavesDJ and Producer Jasmine Infiniti joins host Chloe Aftel for a new episode of The Other Pod. The pair discuss Jasmine’s experiences in the rave scene, her background in ballroom culture, and what she’s learned along the way. They talk about how Jasmine’s music reflects her personal struggles and evolving identity, blending darker emotions with a desire for joy and authenticity.Highlights:How the rave scene has evolved to become more inclusive and diverse over time;Jasmine’s creative process for transmuting emotion and hard experiences into house music;The importance of holding space for darker emotions as well...2023-08-011h 14
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 6 - Xaviera Hollander, The Happy Hooker, on a lifetime in Sex Work, Queer Fluidity, Financial Freedom, and Great OrgasmsXaviera Hollander, the biggest madame in the 1970s and author of ‘The Happy Hooker,’ amongst other books, joins host Chloe Aftel to discuss her life and career. Now in her 80s, Xaviera reflects on her unique journey: her start in sex work, her sexual explorations, and her lifelong struggle with mental health (TW, suicide). She lays out her life history, from childhood in Indonesia and living in a Japanese internment camp, her multiple suicide attempts, her journey into sex work, and her career development into advocacy and writing. She describes her myriad of relationships with men and women and what she’...2023-06-301h 06
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 5 - Filmmaker Kevin Smith on Humor as a Coping Mechanism, Writing Great Characters, and Male Vulnerability in Comedy“I met Kevin Smith on a photo shoot when he was willing to speak publicly about his mental health struggles. It was a delicate shoot, as I wasn't sure how he'd feel coming out of it. He was somber but wonderful; vulnerable, hilarious, and utterly genuine. What struck me most about him was his honesty, and it changed the way I looked back on his work. I began to see it as something much deeper, heartfelt, and complicated.” Kevin Smith is a film auteur with a unique knack for bringing empathy and compassion to his characters. He only makes...2023-05-312h 26
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 4 - Orangutan Researcher Dr. Biruté Galdikas on Orangutans, Conservation, Climate Change, and EnvironmentalismDr. Biruté Mary Galdikas has spent the last 50 years living and studying the wild orangutans of Borneo, an island in Southeast Asia. She joins host Chloe Aftel while in transit back to Borneo to discuss her career and research, as well as what she’s observed about the natural world and life itself along the way. She tells the fascinating story of how she arrived in Indonesia for work, her daily routine in the field, the challenges of adapting to local culture, and even being held at knifepoint. Highlights:How Biruté’s childhood and Baltic heritage inspired her passion for nature...2023-05-011h 31
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 3 - Astrophysicist Anna Frebel on the Mysteries of the Cosmos and What We Can Learn From the Universe’s Oldest StarsAnna Frebel is an award-winning astronomer and professor of physics at MIT with a passion for understanding the grandeur and complexity of old stars. She joins host Chloe Aftel for a discussion on her journey from growing up in Germany and finding her passion for the stars and cosmos. They discuss how understanding the cosmos can change one’s perspective on human existence and the parallels between how stars and humans connect. Highlights:Frebel shares the serendipitous nature of scientific discovery and the unpredictable nature of science and the stars;She explains how studying the cosmos impacts her day to day...2023-03-311h 13
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 2 - Iconic Costumer Designer Heidi Bivens on Creating the Visual Language of Euphoria, Spring Breakers, and MoreProlific stylist Heidi Bivens has honed the ability to bring characters to life through clothes like no one else. From designing the costumes on Euphoria, Spring Breakers, Beach Bum, and Island Empire, or leading campaigns for Chanel, you’ve likely seen Heidi’s unique style whether you knew it or not. She joins her former collaborator, host Chloe Aftel, for the second episode of The Other Pod, to discuss her creative method, favorite projects, and upcoming work. She shares her experience working with auteur directors like David Lynch and how she got to the position she’s now in. Highlights:Heidi d...2023-02-2858 min
The Other Pod with Chloe AftelEpisode 1 - Author George Saunders on Writing Great Stories: Humor, Absurdism, and GeophysicsRenowned writer George Saunders joins artist Chloe Aftel for the first episode of The Other Pod. The unlikely pair have been friends since 2012, and today, sit down for an in-depth conversation on Saunders' career and creative journey. Starting from his upbringing in Oak Forest, Illinois, the two explore the highs and lows that led him to his current status as an internationally beloved and highly awarded author. Highlights:How Saunders balances humor and absurdism to address serious issues in his writing;His approach to crafting story: staying open to surprises and allowing the story to lead;Handling praise, criticism, and e...2023-01-311h 13