Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays!

Author: What's Contemporary December 23, 2025 Duration: 1:01
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The cultural landscape shifts constantly, and What's Contemporary Now? is a guide to its ever-changing terrain. Host Christopher Michael sits down with creators, critics, and innovators who are actively shaping the arts, from visual design and architecture to music and media. These conversations move beyond simple interviews, delving into the underlying philosophies and shared currents that connect seemingly disparate fields. Each episode unpacks a specific idea or movement through the lens of a guest's expertise, offering listeners a deeper understanding of the forces defining our current moment. Produced by Sasha Grinblat, the sound of the podcast is as considered as its content, creating an immersive space for genuine dialogue. You'll hear architects discuss the politics of space, musicians analyze the aesthetics of sound, and writers trace the lineage of new literary forms. It’s for anyone who feels that simply consuming culture isn't enough-who wants to understand the "why" behind the "what." By focusing on these broad, compelling perspectives, the series reveals the common threads woven through contemporary creative life, providing context and clarity in a fragmented world. Tune in to find your own place in the conversation.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

What's Contemporary Now?
Podcast Episodes
Fashion, Film, & Fantasy: The World of Shona Heath [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:28
Set and Production designer Shona Heath creates enchanting, dense, and detailed worlds. Dreams within themselves, her visions have been manifested across the pages of top publications, and in collaborative partnerships w…
The Muse and the Dream: Dara's Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:33
Dara is a model, stylist, and fashion director at Interview magazine. From her beginnings in San Diego to the iconic runways of New York, Dara speaks of a journey that is a testament to creativity and conviction. Recogni…
Zoe Ghertner on the Importance of Connection in a Fast World [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:07
Zoe Ghertner is a photographer renowned for captivating work blending art, fashion, and documentary storytelling. With a keen eye for detail and an innate sense of composition, Ghertner’s imagery transcends conventional…
Behind the Scenes with Emanuele Farneti: A Magazine Maker's Journey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:23
Editor-in-chief of all la Repubblica magazines, Emanuele Farneti, is an influential figure in the fashion and design industries. Born in Italy, Farneti’s career trajectory skyrocketed as he took the helm of esteemed publ…
The Marni Evolution: Francesco Risso's Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:37
Italian fashion designer Francesco Risso is renowned for his offbeat, innovative approach to contemporary clothing. He learned how to cut and sew from the age of eight with any fabric he could find, going on to study fas…
Pierre Rougier on Vision, Trends, and Challenging the Algorithm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:07
Pierre Rougier, a distinguished fashion publicist and founder of PR Consulting, boasts a career spanning several decades. After studying political science in Bordeaux, Rougier honed his skills in Paris and London with He…
The Evolution of Media: Insights from Willa Bennett [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:56
Willa Bennett, a trailblazing force in media, is the editor-in-chief of Highsnobiety, steering the publication to new heights of innovation and influence. A Forbes 30 Under 30 luminary, her journey began at Seventeen, pi…
Driven by Curiosity: Erik Torstensson on Brand Building [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:28
FRAME cofounder and chief creative director, Erik Torstensson, is a pioneering figure in the fashion industry. He created Mr. Porter, co-founded and led creative agencies Saturday Group and Wednesday Agency, and co-found…