Death, Sex and Money is an interview-style podcast hosted by Anna Sale that discusses the big questions "often left out of polite conversation."[1][2] The podcast launched at WNYC Studios in May 2014 and is currently produced by Slate. It covers the topics of finance, grief, love, and relationships, featuring celebrities and experts, as well as guests with little to no name recognition.[3][4][5]
 | |
| Other names | DSM |
|---|---|
| Genre | Interview talk show |
| Running time | ca. 30 min. |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Language(s) | English |
| Home station | WNYC |
| Hosted by | Anna Sale |
| Created by | WNYC Studios (2014–2023) Slate (2024–present) |
| Produced by | Katie Bishop Anabel Bacon Andrew Dunn Afi Yellow-Duke |
| Executive producer(s) | Emily Botein |
| Recording studio | New York City |
| Original release | May 2014 – present |
| Opening theme | "Take a Ride" by The Reverend John DeLore |
| Podcast | deathsexmoney |
Format
editHost Anna Sale describes Death, Sex, and Money saying, "It really came down to having a show that goes right at the things that shape our lives and that we have the most difficulty navigating—that I was having the most difficulty navigating."[6] In addition to stories from guests, the podcast includes stories from Anna Sale's own life, as well as testimonies and voicemails left by the show's listeners.[6]
In deciding which stories to cover, Sale takes into account current events as well listener suggestions and her own beliefs on what might lead to an interesting conversation.[7]
History
editWhile working at WNYC as a political reporter, Anna Sale submitted her idea for the show to an internal contest at WNYC.[8] Sale describes her inspiration for the podcast as "a reaction to the artifice of politics, here you're talking about things without really talking about them specifically, concretely or honestly."[7] Sale's pitch won the contest and Death, Sex and Money launched in 2014 as a 30-minute podcast.
Celebrity guests on the show have included Jane Fonda, Bill Withers, Dan Savage, and Brooke Shields.[9]
The first episode which aired in 2014 consisted of a conversation with singer Bill Withers about the open-ended topic of how to be a man.[7] Another early episode of the podcast entitled This Senator Saved My Love Life, covered the story of a friendship between Arthur (Sale's then-boyfriend, now-husband) and Wyoming senator Alan Simpson.[7]
On the November 25, 2015, episode of Death, Sex, and Money actress Holland Taylor opened up about her sexuality saying, "I haven't come out because I am out," adding, "I live out."[10][11][12][13]
On the May 25, 2015, episode of the podcast, actor Jeff Daniels discussed relapsing at 50 after 14 years of sobriety.[14][15]
In 2018 Death, Sex and Money won a Webby Award for Best Interview/Talk Show[16] and was also nominated for Best Series[17] and Best Individual Episode.[18] The show won a 2021 Ambies award for "Best Interview Podcast".[19]
WNYC canceled the show in October 2023 as part of a larger station-wide cutback. In 2024, it was acquired by Slate.[20][21]
Book
editSale wrote Let's Talk About Hard Things, which was published in 2021 by Simon & Schuster. The book is split into five sections: death, sex, money, family, and identity. She conducted a series of new interviews for the book, although she references conversations from the podcast occasionally.[22]
In 2022, Sale appeared on Storybound (podcast) for a conversation regarding her book and having tough conversations.
References
edit- ^ "The 50 podcasts you need to hear". The Guardian. May 14, 2016. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
- ^ "Elevate Your Porn: The 12 Best Sex Podcasts". June 30, 2016. Archived from the original on July 9, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
- ^ "17 Podcasts That Will Make You Smarter". June 16, 2016. Archived from the original on July 23, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
- ^ Mistich, Dave (May 9, 2014). "Former WVPB Reporter Anna Sale's 'Death, Sex & Money'". wvpublic.org. Archived from the original on April 12, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
- ^ "25 podcasts to add to your queue". Boston.com. Archived from the original on April 26, 2016. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
- ^ a b Brun, Lily Le (August 4, 2015). "A new medium that harnesses the ancient power of storytelling". Financial Times. ISSN 0307-1766. Archived from the original on August 12, 2015. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
- ^ a b c d Locker, Melissa (July 23, 2015). "Death, Sex and Money: the podcast that unwraps the sweetest taboos". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on April 15, 2016. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
- ^ "Anna Sale on podcasts: 'People feel a relationship with the show'". Current. November 13, 2015. Archived from the original on April 15, 2016. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
- ^ "The Creative Genesis Of WNYC's "Death, Sex & Money"". Fast Company. Archived from the original on July 11, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
- ^ Wong, Curtis M. (November 30, 2015). "'Two And A Half Men' Star Holland Taylor Opens Up About Her Sexuality". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
- ^ Times, Los Angeles (March 3, 2016). "Sarah Paulson confirms and opens up about Holland Taylor romance". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 10, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
- ^ "Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor Continue Adorable PDA Parade at Another Broadway Opening". Archived from the original on June 12, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
- ^ "'Two And A Half Men' Actress Holland Taylor Talks About Falling In Love With A Woman At Age 72". December 2015. Archived from the original on May 12, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
- ^ "Jeff Daniels opens up on relapse". May 30, 2016. Archived from the original on July 11, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
- ^ "Jeff Daniels Talks About Relapsing After 14 Years of Sobriety | The Fix". Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
- ^ "NEW Webby Gallery + Index". NEW Webby Gallery + Index. Archived from the original on July 24, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
- ^ "Best Series". Archived from the original on May 9, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
- ^ "Best Individual Episode". Archived from the original on May 9, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
- ^ "2021 WINNERS". The Ambies — Awards for Excellence in Audio. Archived from the original on November 7, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
- ^ Rotinwa, Ayodeji (May 1, 2024). "Q&A: Anna Sale on the second coming of Death, Sex & Money". Columbia Journalism Review. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
- ^ Rayford, Katie (January 11, 2024). "Death, Sex & Money podcast: the beloved podcast has a new home". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. OCLC 728292344. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ McGuire, Nneka (May 10, 2021). "'Let's Talk About Hard Things' makes a compelling case that we should". Washington Post. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2021.