Listen "#9: Fighting the Zika Virus with John Wayne (and John Aubrey)"
Episode Synopsis
Harriet Washington discusses how our current Zika crisis fits into the (tragic) pattern of ignoring tropical diseases until they hit our shores; Brian Doyle tries to justify watching 50 John Wayne movies in a row; and Ruth Scurr tells funny stories about John Aubrey, the most curious biographer of the Elizabethan age.Mentioned in this episode:• Harriet Washington’s cover story on neglected tropical diseases and mental health, “The Well Curve”• Brian Doyle on John Wayne• … and on his dog’s crush on Peter O’Toole• “You Remember John Aubrey. Chased by Debt Collectors, Chaser of Whores,” a New York Times review of John Aubrey, My Own Life by Ruth ScurrTune in every two weeks to catch interviews with the liveliest voices from literature, the arts, sciences, history, and public affairs; reports on cutting-edge works in progress; long-form narratives; and compelling excerpts from new books. Hosted by Stephanie Bastek.Subscribe: iTunes • Feedburner • Stitcher • Google Play • AcastHave suggestions for projects you’d like us to catch up on, or writers you want to hear from? Send us a note: podcast [at] theamericanscholar [dot] org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More episodes of the podcast Smarty Pants
For the Love of Foraging
17/10/2025
From Sofia to Chicago
03/10/2025
Why the Bronx Burned
12/09/2025
What Lies Beneath the Levee Camp Holler
29/08/2025
The Art of *Doing* Politics
15/08/2025
The Linguistics of Brain Rot
25/07/2025
Michael Douglas Explains It All
11/07/2025
Once in a Lifetime
27/06/2025
Family Values
13/06/2025
Lingua Obscura
23/05/2025