He first came on to talk about a suicide in the porn industry. Then he came back to help us explore the origins of our roiling culture wars. And now Jon Ronson returns for his third one-on-one conversation with Michael Moynihan, this time to discuss
I really wish Substack had listened to my suggestion to make podcasts downloadable for offline listening. I'm about to get on a plane and would love the company on my flight.
Ho-lee-fuck I just heard a Throbbing Gristle reference... I was waiting for a Current93 reference next! Moyn is clearly the Dennis Miller of alt ephemera :D
Terrific interview. The thing which sold me on Jon Ronson was the This American Life episode when he went to his class reunion and tried to find out why his school friends once threw him in a lake.
Toward the end of this great interview MM revealed that Jon Ronson’s “Things Fall Apart” is the only podcast that has made him cry. I think I know the episode because I must confess that shed some tears too. Ashamed to admit it was the episode featuring of all people Tammy Faye Baker, who conducted an unbelievably emotional interview with AIDS patient Steve Pieters on her TV show. I’m probably as cold hearted as MM but I lost it.
I cannot think of another writer whose work I bring up more often and across a wider spectrum of contexts than Jon Ronson. Any time spent listening to this luminous brain is time well spent.
Great conversation! It is important to remember what real neo nazis look like (we used to know when they were “platformed” in all their ridiculousness on tv for everyone to mock).
Today, without this exposure, we are left with box ticking to determine whether someone is a fascist or a neo, which means every public figure with a beak, feathers and claws automatically becomes a chicken.
Only halfway done, but I endorse the recommendation to listen to the podcast before listening to this. It's so well done and there is so much info there.
I know Moyn mentioned it in the episode, but Ronson's "Things Fell Apart" series is my favorite podcast series I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. Simply brilliant. And since my wife and I knew Tammy Faye Baker, that episode touched me deeply.
I LOVE JON RONSON
jon ronson's voice is sublime. he should be narrating bed time stories or something.
Michael's recommendation of Jon's podcast was a cracker. My first thought after listening to it...should I copyright "Dial an Anti Racist"?
Completely unrelated but TV news lost both Tucker Carlson and Don Lemon today. Just wanted to share the news
I really wish Substack had listened to my suggestion to make podcasts downloadable for offline listening. I'm about to get on a plane and would love the company on my flight.
Did Fox fire Tucker to make room for Moynihan? That’s what lots of people are saying...
Ho-lee-fuck I just heard a Throbbing Gristle reference... I was waiting for a Current93 reference next! Moyn is clearly the Dennis Miller of alt ephemera :D
Terrific interview. The thing which sold me on Jon Ronson was the This American Life episode when he went to his class reunion and tried to find out why his school friends once threw him in a lake.
That PBS doco on Ruby Ridge was fantastic:
https://www.thirteen.org/programs/american-experience/american-experience-ruby-ridge/
Also, here is a Texas Monthly profile of the Josey Wales writer referenced in the interview:
https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/the-real-education-of-little-tree/
Going on the record to say I love Melvyn Bragg.
Nothing makes a Monday like having a new episode to listen to while you fix fence--especially one that brings in Throbbing Gristle? Thanks fellas!
Toward the end of this great interview MM revealed that Jon Ronson’s “Things Fall Apart” is the only podcast that has made him cry. I think I know the episode because I must confess that shed some tears too. Ashamed to admit it was the episode featuring of all people Tammy Faye Baker, who conducted an unbelievably emotional interview with AIDS patient Steve Pieters on her TV show. I’m probably as cold hearted as MM but I lost it.
I cannot think of another writer whose work I bring up more often and across a wider spectrum of contexts than Jon Ronson. Any time spent listening to this luminous brain is time well spent.
Thank you for this!
Great conversation! It is important to remember what real neo nazis look like (we used to know when they were “platformed” in all their ridiculousness on tv for everyone to mock).
Today, without this exposure, we are left with box ticking to determine whether someone is a fascist or a neo, which means every public figure with a beak, feathers and claws automatically becomes a chicken.
Only halfway done, but I endorse the recommendation to listen to the podcast before listening to this. It's so well done and there is so much info there.
I know Moyn mentioned it in the episode, but Ronson's "Things Fell Apart" series is my favorite podcast series I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. Simply brilliant. And since my wife and I knew Tammy Faye Baker, that episode touched me deeply.
There's a concept album by The Indicates called David Koresh Superstar, which features Andy The German as a character.
Sadly, it's not as good as David Koresh's actual songs.