The Big Listen ended production in May 2018. While this site is no longer updated, all the content remains available for archive purposes.
Hey, pals!
At age 12, Tavi Gevinson started a blog called Style Rookie. By age 15, she had founded an online magazine called Rookie dedicated to teenage girls and people who used to be them. At that age, a lot of kids just are failing driver’s ed, getting mediocre grades and driving their parents bananas. Not Gevinson. She was filling a niche, creating a smart, savvy teen magazine that spoke directly to girls.
Now Gevinson, newly 21, has entered the podcasting fray with Rookie the podcast. In keeping with the online iteration, Rookie features celeb interviews, advice segments and how-tos from the magazine’s many young contributors. But Rookie the podcast is not just for teens.
Gevinson told us she’s been a huge podcast listener for years — she once said podcasts “taught me how to be a person.” Here’s what she’s into now:
Tell Me More Shows To Check Out!
- WGRL — The Lower Eastside Girls Club in New York City is an amazing place. Girls can take classes on just about everything there — photography, astronomy and even podcasting. The girls in that class produce their own show featuring interviews with the likes of actress Amy Sedaris, DJs Stretch & Bobbito and magazine editor Cynthia Leive.
- First Day Back — In season one of the show, Tally Abecassis chronicled her return to work after an extended maternity leave. Season two is a little different. It follows a woman named Lucie Paquette who has just been released from prison after accidentally shooting and killing her partner. And to make matters worse, she has no memory of doing it. The show follows Paquette as she tries to rebuild her life after tragedy.
- The Hilarious World of Depression — Anyone who has struggled with mental illness or knows someone who has understands that sometimes despite the pain and sadness, there are moments of levity. Moments so ridiculous you just have to laugh. Host John Moe talks to comedians like Maria Bamford, Paul F. Tompkins and Andy Richter about the ups and downs of their own mental health and still can make jokes about it.
- Very attractive listener recommendations: Tell Me Something I Don’t Know and The Weekly Planet
Call Me!
Do you have a podcast recommendation you’d like to share with us? We want to hear it! Give us a jingle on the Pod Line at 202-885-POD1 and leave a message. Then we’ll put you on the radio and everyone will love you forever and ever, amen.
Thanks for reading, pals! ‘Til next time…keep listening, America.
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