00:00:00Intro
00:06:23Class Dynamics in Small American Towns
00:09:45Public Schools
00:16:36Pine Haven, Michigan
00:23:16Literature and Journalism
00:31:48Zohran Mamdani
00:37:25The Need for Progress and Optimism
ABOUT THIS EPISODE
In this episode, the Rough Drafts boys head back up to Brooklyn to talk with Ross Barkan, a writer and editor of the Metropolitan Review magazine, to talk about his novel, Colossus. In the interview, they talk about his inspiration for setting Colossus in a small Michigan town as a native New Yorker. Later on, Ross talks about class dynamics in small American towns (6:23) and how public schools are less segregated by class (9:45) in rural areas. The conversation moves to a discussion about how gentrification and development exists even in small towns like the fictionalized town of Pine Haven, Michigan (16:36). Ross ends up talking then about balancing his work as a political journalist with his work as a fiction writer. (23:16) He talks also about how the worlds of literature and journalism have bifurcated in our current era. (24:25). Briefly, he discusses his run for office and having Zohran Mamdani as his campaign manager (31:48). Finally, Maurice asks Ross about his opinions on America 250. Ross talks in depth about histories of racism and the need for progress and optimism (37:25). Read more from Ross on his Substack Political Currents at https://rosselliotbarkan.com/. His novel Colossus is out and available wherever you get your books!
Notes:
Colossus by Ross Barkan
Cherry by Nico Walker
Dead Stars by Bruce Wagner
Pet Sounds - The Beach Boys
Anora (2025)
Bugonia (2025)
Weapons (2025)
English
United States
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