Do it LIVE! with Sam Han

I speak to Collier Meyerson, a writer and reporter for Fusion (fusion.net), about the US Presidential campaign. Since we recorded this on the day of the announcement of President Obama's nomination of Merrick Garland to the SCOTUS, we discuss that decision in light of the Obama's presidency and also what this campaign means for the future of American electoral politics. We ponder what effects, if any, of Donald Trump there will be irrespective of whether he becomes the eventual Republican nominee. Videocas: https://youtu.be/2ToZX4rgIt8 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doitlivesamhan/ Theme Music: Charles & Beck

Andrew McKinney, PhD candidate in Sociology and Teaching and Learning Center Fellow at the Graduate Center, City University of New York, and I talk have a wide-ranging, and quite long, discussion about all things basketball. Because we are two dudes who can't help themselves when talking about basketball, this podcast will be broken down into two parts. In part I, we talked about the state of the Knicks and the NBA more generally. In part II, we talk more about Andrew's intellectual interests as it relates to sports, labor and fan culture. Videocast: https://youtu.be/cPehhOf9ARI Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doitlivesamhan/ Theme Music: Charles & Beck

Andrew McKinney, PhD candidate in Sociology and Teaching and Learning Center Fellow at the Graduate Center, City University of New York, and I  have a wide-ranging, and quite long, discussion about all things basketball. Because we are two dudes who can't help themselves when talking about basketball, this podcast will be broken down into two parts. In part I, we'll be talking about the state of the Knicks and the NBA more generally. In part II, we'll be talking more about Andrew's research interests as it relates to basketball, labor and digital culture.  Videocast: https://youtu.be/BycOyFb0FU4 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doitlivesamhan/ Theme Music: Charles & Beck

I converse with my friend Donnie Kwak (formerly of ESPN and Complex) about a range of topics. I ask his thoughts on the state of journalism and criticism and his sustained interest in Korean hip hop. We get into his most recent involvement with the rapper Keith Ape and also the surprising popularity of the show "Unpretty Rap Star." We exchange thoughts about what these two may say about the state of hip hop in Korea today as well as about Korea generally. Videocast: https://youtu.be/rWHw2r-HyPk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doitlivesamhan/ Theme Music: Charles & Beck

I talk to Willy Friedman, a producer on "High Maintenance," which will soon premier as a series on HBO. I talk to Willy about the show, including the experience of going from a critically-acclaimed web series to joining the roster of shows on HBO, as well as other related topics like the social role of drug dealers in New York City and the greater climate of popular opinion regarding marijuana in the US. Videocast: https://youtu.be/-5HKHE8gzEs Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doitlivesamhan/ High Maintenance: https://vimeo.com/channels/highmaintenance Theme Music: Charles & Beck

I talk to author Kate Axelrod on the occasion of the publication of the paperback edition of her novel "The Law of Loving Others" (Razorbill, 2016). We discuss some of the themes of the book, such as mental illness and relationships, as well as the sorts of responses it has received since its initial publication last year. Kate also talks to me about what it's like to be a writer while also being a social worker in New York City, the limits and rewards of YA, and snarling vine of imposter syndrome, among other things. Kate's book on Amazon: http://amzn.com/1595147896 Videocast: https://youtu.be/39BcqzTN2MY Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doitlivesamhan/ Theme Music: Charles & Beck

I chat with Dr John D. Boy, Postdoctoral Researcher in the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Amsterdam, on the work of philosopher and cultural theorist Byung-Chul Han(no relation...I think). We discuss Han's current position in the German intellectual landscape and also the key themes in his work, including the most recently translated The Burnout Society (Stanford University Press, 2015) and The Transparent Society (Stanford University Press, 2015) but also other works that have not been translated from the original German. Videocast: https://youtu.be/ZZCrEKcN_bc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doitlivesamhan/ Theme Music: Charles & Beck

I sit down with Nazry Bahrawi who is a lecturer at Singapore University of Technology and Design to discuss "the fear of abstraction." Dr Bahrawi is a literary and cultural critic specializing in the study of intersections and interregnums of cultures, beliefs and the arts between Europe and Asia. Trained in comparative literature, his current research project explores secularism and modernity in the literary Global South. He is a prolific political commentator and has published op-ed commentaries on culture, society and politics in international newspapers, including Al Jazeera,The Guardian, South China Morning Post and Today. Videocast: https://youtu.be/vPhkhkz29vc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doitlivesamhan Theme music by: Charles & Beck

I sit down with my childhood friend Jon Coplon, who is a producer for the critically acclaimed film "Mediterranea" (2015) directed by our friend Jonas Carpignano. Jon is talking to me from New York, where he attended the New York premiere of the film at IFC. He discusses with to me not only about the making of but also the response to the film, which has been garnering a great deal of recognition from festivals, governmental organizations and critics around the world. In a wide-ranging discussion, Jon speaks to me about his unique perspective in the making of this film and also its significance in the current discussions of the migrant crisis in Europe. Mediterranea trailer: https://youtu.be/1tza2aOL_xk Check out the videocast: https://youtu.be/r-kqrQrChmE Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doitlivesamhan Theme music by: Charles & Beck