Confronting Reality w/ Yasha Levine

Guest Yasha Levine and Host Joshua Turek discuss the complexities of California's agricultural landscape, the impact of media and technology on society, and the challenges of political engagement in a world overwhelmed by information, pseudo events and how they shape our understanding of reality, the struggle for meaningful engagement in a distracted world. They also get into literature that reflects dark themes and humor, discussing how these narratives resonate with the realities of contemporary life, the intersection of technology and society, emphasizing the paranoia and control that stem from historical events. Turek and Levine go on to explore the intricate history of California's water infrastructure, the myth of the rugged individual in American history, the centralization of power through technology, and the challenges of genuine political engagement in today's society. They discuss the influence of billionaires on public parks like Central Park, the dark side of philanthropy, and the ongoing legacy of genocide against Native Americans. The dialogue explores the myths shaping settler colonialism and how it influences contemporary society and its denial.San Francisco! For tickets Nov 1 to see Yasha's new documentary at Roxie Theater with live Q&A hosted by Joshua Turek hereFor Josh's poetry books and his weekend Zoom workshop on Nov 8 & 9 visit his siteBooks Talked About IncludeSociety of the Spectacle - Guy DebordSurveillance Valley - Yasha LevineThe Image - Daniel BoorstijnNeil Postman - Amusing ourselves to deathRaven RockDead Cities - Mike DavisModeran - David BunchShadow of the torture - Gene WolfThe Dying Earth Series - Jack Vance sci fiCadillac DesertThe American GenocideThe End of th Myth Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded remotely from Bad Animal Books in Santa Cruz, CA. Joshua Turek and Maddy Power explore the impact of literature on identity, the challenges of modern communication, and the importance of curiosity in a technology-driven world. Maddy shares her personal experience of losing her home and books in the Eaton Canyon Fire in Alta Dena and the two books she grabbed before evacuating, prompting a deep reflection on the role of physical objects in shaping one's identity. They discuss the complexities of feminism, the power of language, and the necessity of being open to the world around us. The conversation emphasizes the value of walking, observing, and finding meaning in the mundane, while also addressing the societal pressures of performance and the impact of technology on human connection.To sign up to Joshua's Zoom Poetry Weekend Workshop visit joshuaturek.comBooks talked about include:Werener Herzog's Guide for the PerplexedAgnes Varda interviewsDavid Sedaris “Theft and Finding”bell hooks "The Will to Change" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On a pit stop in Santa Cruz with family between dates on my comedy tour (Get your tickets to my San Diego show Friday and L.A., SF, Eureka, next week then Seattle and Portland) before heading up the west coast. I get into a little of what I'm reading, my favorite bookstores so far on this trip, and why I took this podcast off of Spotify (hint they're evil). Come to my shows if I'm in your city!All my shows7/11 San Diego7/16 L.A.7/18&19 SF7/20 Eureka7/25 Seattle8/15 Portland8/21-23 Boise8/27 Tulsa8/28 Kansas City8/29 New Orleans9/6 TucsonBooks Talked About:The Bell Jar - Sylvia PlathMeet Me in the BathroomPerfect Victims - Mohammed El KurdOur American Israel - Amy KaplanOne Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This - Omar El AkkadBlue Desert - Charles Bowden Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Officially on my comedy tour across the United States during particularly distressing times. It took six nights and five days but the morning after my first headlining show at Rodney's in Manhattan I managed some time to visit the staple bookstore of NYC "The Strand". CHICAGO my show at Zanies is tonight! Tickets are getting low. You can use discout code TUREK10 for $15.75 tickets here. The rest of my tour is here with more dates and cities to come so follow my bandsintown to get notified for when I come to yours. Tour dates below.6/24 CHICAGO6/27 PHILADELPHIA6/29 DALLAS 7/11 SAN DIEGO7/16 L.A.7/18&19 SF7/20 EUREKA7/25 SEATTLE8/15 PORTLAND8/21-23 BOISE8/27 TULSA8/28 KANSAS CITY8/29 NEW ORLEANS9/6 TUCSON9/18 TAMPA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedian Cam George of Talking Talk Tuah now Talking Talk podcast discusses being mystified by Infinite Jest and encountering this red flag memed book with new eyes.Joshua's U.S. comedy tour starts this Saturday in New York City. That's Saturday night June 21 at Rodney's on the Upper Eastside. Followed by Chicago on Tuesday June 24 at Zanies. Philadelphia June 27. Dallas June 29 and more. Get tickets now! For all things Joshua Turek go to joshuaturek.comBooks Talked About Include:Infinite jestsound and the furyall the pretty horsesblood meridianlonesome doveconfederacy of dunceshunger gamesgirl with the dragon tattoo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Catch Joshua on tour! New York City show is in two weeks at Rodney's on 6/21! Chicago at Zainies 6/24! Philly at Next in Line Comedy 6/27! And More....Just added New Orleans! Boise! Coming soon with more dates. Follow my Bandsintown to be notified! And order signed copies of my poetry bookEMT and Political Creator Hugo of Seize the Means Shirts talks reading 70 books a year with host Joshua Turek. Hard to stomach nonfiction and breezy science fiction.Books talked about includeautobiography of malcom xhow to hide an empirejakarta methodassadaThe word for world is forestthe poppy fieldsparable of the sowerparable of the talentsnaomi klein shock doctrineWashington BulletsKing Leopolds ghostCobalt Redthe rediscovery of americathe indigenous peoples history of the united statesblack against empiremanufacturing consentinventing realityfight like helluprising by haddixBraiding sweetgrass Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Catch Joshua Turek on comedy tour this summer of 2025. To get notified of cities and dates follow his bandsintown and to buy signed copies of his new poetry book "Of Dumb Importance" on joshuaturek.comWriter and filmmaker Evgenia Kovda goes in depth with host Joshua Turek on sci-fi writer Philip K. Dick. Did this troubled man predict the future we are living in now or was he the architect of it for bad actors? Evgenia and Joshua discuss the writings of Dick as well as their own serendipitous interactions with each other in changing neighborhoods over the years as well as Josh's visit to her podcast with Yasha Levine "In Bed with the Russians". Check out Evgenia and Yasha's Substack it's a favorite of Turek Books! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh's sister musician and author Britt Warner brings books that make her miss L.A. and her own novella "Swimming with Horses".For tickets to Josh's Summer of Discontent Comedy Tour 2025 click here and to get a signed copy of the new poetry book "Of Dumb Importance" click here international friends who want to pay normal shipping for the book can get it hereBooks talked about include:Swimming with horses: Britt WarnerSlow Days and Fast Company : Eve BabitzDidion vs Babitz bookOf Dumb Importance by Joshua TurekJames Gandolfini Bio : Jason Bailey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedian and producer of Chatterbox comedy, Steve Hernandez, talks books about rich men seducing young women, polyamory, his own experiences with fatherhood, open relationships, comedy, and navigating his passions toward the shrinking prizes of industry. For even more on Steve check him out hereJoshua Turek is going on a 2025 summer comedy tour! New York City is first on June 21! Chicago, Philly, Dallas, San Diego, L.A., Eureka, Portland, Seattle, Tulsa, Kansas City, with more dates soon! Follow for tickets and new dates on his bandsintown or to buy tickets directly on his web site where his new poetry book "Of Dumb Importance" should be out any second now and is available for pre-order!Books Talked About Include:Careless People by Sarah Wynn Williams fb tell all book My Life in Heavy Metal by Steve AlmondWild by Cheryl StrayedThe Ethical Slut by Dossie Easton and Janet HardyOpen by Rachel KrantzMore by Molly Roden WinterWriters and Lovers by Lily KingColumbine by Dave CullenZealot by Reza AslanThe Bible the book of James Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Catch Joshua Turek on his comedy tour this summer! Tickets are up for shows in NYC, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Diego, L.A., Eureka, Seattle, Portland, Kansas City with more dates and cities coming soon at joshuaturek.com . First 3 in each city to send proof of tickets to [email protected] get a free copy of Josh's new poetry book after the corresponding show!Musician and sign language interpreter Dominique Matelson joins host Joshua Turek to discuss the pleasures and pitfalls of fantasy and how books from I Spy to Clarice Lespecter have helped her integrate her well being and creativity. Check out Dominique here https://www.instagram.com/dominiquematelson/ also wait until the very end to hear the song of hers "When I Told a Lie" they reference at the beginning of the conversation (music video on YouTube).Books Talked About Include:Books talked about includeI SPY Fantasy/MysteryClarice lespecter’s Complete StoriesNo One Belongs Here More Than You Miranda JulyAll Fours Miranda JulyCrime and PunishmentConfederacy of DuncesDunce Mary RuefleAlex’s journal Alex Cleo Rouboud Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.