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Brittany Luse Brittany Luse is an award-winning journalist, on-air host, and cultural critic.
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Brittany Luse

Host, It's Been A Minute

Brittany Luse is an award-winning journalist, on-air host and cultural critic. She is currently the host of It's Been a Minute from NPR. Previously, Luse hosted For Colored Nerds, The Nod and Sampler podcasts, and co-hosted and executive produced The Nod with Brittany and Eric, a daily streaming show. She's written for Vulture and Harper's Bazaar, among others, and edited for the podcasts Planet Money and Not Past It. Luse and her work have been profiled by publications like The New York Times, The New Yorker and Teen Vogue.

Story Archive

Tuesday

A taste of Black Appalachia

Crystal Wilkinson's praisesong biscuits Felix Cruz hide caption

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Felix Cruz

It's Been a Minute

A taste of Black Appalachia

Too often, our attempts at nailing the family recipes end up in disaster and disappointment. This week, host Brittany Luse is joined by former Kentucky Poet Laureate Crystal Wilkinson, author of Praisesong for the Kitchenghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks. The two talk about Appalachian food culture, turning oral recipes into written ones, and the emotional relationship between food, family and memory.

A taste of Black Appalachia

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Friday

Charli XCX and Lorde sure did make the internet go crazy
Victor Boyko; Michael Tran / AFP/Getty Images

Perspective

It's Been a Minute

Charli XCX and Lorde sure did make the internet go crazy

The internet freaked out when Charli XCX and Lorde revealed - and put to rest - their pop girl rivalry on Charli's "Girl, so confusing" remix. That same day, Brandy and Monica seemed to settle their decades long feud when they appeared on the remix of Ariana Grande's version of "The Boy is Mine." But while the pop girls are healing, a lot of fans still seem to want blood - can this music heal us? To break it all down, Brittany is joined by NPR Music Editor Hazel Cills, and Pop Pantheon podcast host, DJ Louie XIV.

Charli XCX and Lorde sure did make the internet go crazy

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Tuesday

Can't stop the (classical) music

Johann Sebastian Bach and Nina Simone Hulton Archive/Getty Images, hide caption

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Hulton Archive/Getty Images,

It's Been a Minute

Can't stop the (classical) music

It's Black Music month! This week, Host Brittany Luse invites Howard University professor and trombonist Myles Blakemore to talk about how classical music influenced some of our favorite musicians. They look at how the counterpoint technique of Johann Sebastian Bach may have inspired Nina Simone, and how a love of Ginuwine can turn into a career in classical music.

Can't stop the (classical) music

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Friday

Fouling Caitlin Clark; plus, a shoplifting panic!

Caitlin Clark. Deodorant locked up in a drugstore. Elsa/Getty Images; Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images hide caption

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Elsa/Getty Images; Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images

It's Been a Minute

Fouling Caitlin Clark; plus, a shoplifting panic!

First up, there has been a media frenzy around the fouls made against rising basketball star and Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark. Commentators and fans have called her fellow WNBA players bullies, jealous, and catty. But Code Switch co-host Gene Demby and Defector's Maitreyi Anantharaman say a lot of the people commenting misunderstand the WNBA. Host Brittany Luse learns what the new fans might be missing and how racism, sexism and homophobia could be fanning the flames of the latest hot takes. Brittany also leads Gene and Maitreyi through a game of "But Did You Know."

Fouling Caitlin Clark; plus, a shoplifting panic!

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Tuesday

Carvell Wallace searches for 'Another Word for Love'

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Carvell Wallace

It's Been a Minute

Carvell Wallace searches for 'Another Word for Love'

In his new memoir, Another Word for Love, Carvell Wallace lays out his journey to find self-acceptance after a childhood colored by instability. Host Brittany Luse sits down with Carvell to talk about how he built new language around love and his new perspectives on recovery and healing.

Carvell Wallace searches for 'Another Word for Love'

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Friday

Conservatives want to burn flags too; plus, the power of a singing POTUS

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Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images/Getty Images

It's Been a Minute

Conservatives want to burn flags too; plus, the power of a singing POTUS

Flags have been making a lot of headlines lately, and it's not because today is National Flag Day. The upside down flag that was flown outside of Justice Samuel Alito's house after January 6th is back in the headlines again. Plus the Colorado Republican Party has been making news for their post on X to "burn all the #pride flags this June." Host Brittany Luse is joined by Nick Capodice and Hannah McCarthy - hosts of NHPR's Civics 101 - to get into why both liberals and conservatives get so riled up by a piece of fabric.

Conservatives want to burn flags too; plus, the power of a singing POTUS

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Tuesday

Cole Escola literally changes history in 'Oh, Mary!'

Cole Escola as Mary Todd Lincoln in 'Oh, Mary!' Emilio Madrid hide caption

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Emilio Madrid

It's Been a Minute

Cole Escola literally changes history in 'Oh, Mary!'

Cole Escola is the star and creator of Oh Mary!, an upcoming Broadway play about Mary Todd Lincoln, the wife of President Abraham Lincoln. But there's a twist: Mary is reimagined as a raging alcoholic with cabaret dreams and Lincoln is portrayed as an evil closeted gay man plotting on her misery. On the cusp of the show's Broadway debut, Brittany chats with Cole about the inspiration behind Oh Mary!, their favorite joke and why it's fun to play older women.

Cole Escola literally changes history in 'Oh, Mary!'

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Sunday

Art & Design

'The Harlem Renaissance' and what is Black art for?

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is showcasing visual artists from the Harlem Renaissance in the exhibition, “The Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism.”

WATC IBAM Roll off

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Friday

Republicans really want revenge; plus, can AI take a chill pill?

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David McNew/AFP; Curtis Means-Pool/Getty Images

Analysis

It's Been a Minute

Republicans really want revenge; plus, can AI take a chill pill?

What is our justice system for? Many Republicans over the past week have suggested it's for revenge, calling for the prosecution of Democrats across the country following Trump's guilty verdict. Brittany looks at how the justice system can be politicized with NPR's national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson and national political correspondent Mara Liasson.

Republicans really want revenge; plus, can AI take a chill pill?

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Tuesday

Devery Jacobs flies high in 'Backspot'

Devery Jacobs as Riley in Backspot Kirsten Nolan hide caption

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Kirsten Nolan

It's Been a Minute

Devery Jacobs flies high in 'Backspot'

Cheerleaders are canonical when it comes to teen media - but is it time we expand our idea of who cheerleaders can be? Devery Jacobs's new film, Backspot, explores the internal life of a cheerleading backspot - the person making sure those high-flying cheerleaders don't break their necks. Devery joins Brittany to talk about redefining the cheerleader for a new generation, and keeping her sense of integrity while navigating the film industry.

Devery Jacobs flies high in 'Backspot'

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Friday

Is it time to re-name "summer?" Plus, prom fashion is all grown up

Two students dancing at prom. Sinking sun during the 2022 California wildfires. David McNew/AFP; Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption

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David McNew/AFP; Mario Tama/Getty Images

It's Been a Minute

Is it time to re-name "summer?" Plus, prom fashion is all grown up

Summer is supposed to be for vacation and more relaxation, right? Well, for climate watchers, this season goes by a more sinister name. Brittany and NPR climate correspondents Lauren Sommer and Nate Rott get into what changes in summer weather mean for how and where we live.

Is it time to re-name "summer?" Plus, prom fashion is all grown up

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Tuesday

You think you know true crime podcasts? Wait till you hear Tonya's story.

Antonio Wiley and Tonya Mosley. Courtesy Tonya Mosley hide caption

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Courtesy Tonya Mosley

Perspective

It's Been a Minute

You think you know true crime podcasts? Wait till you hear Tonya's story.

When a daughter or sister disappears how does a family move on without closure? Host Brittany Luse is joined by Fresh Air co-host Tonya Mosley and and her nephew Antonio Wiley. The two produced She Has A Name, a documentary podcast that unravels the disappearance and death of Tonya's half-sister, Anita Wiley. Brittany, Tonya, and Antonio get into how Anita went missing, and how their show breaks the stereotypes of true crime podcasting.

You think you know true crime podcasts? Wait till you hear Tonya's story.

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Friday

The Real Housewife-ification of Congress; And, 25 years of being pilled by The Matrix

Representatives Jasmine Crockett and Marjorie Taylor Greene. Jemal Countess; Drew Angerer/Getty Images; BFA / Warner Bros hide caption

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Jemal Countess; Drew Angerer/Getty Images; BFA / Warner Bros

It's Been a Minute

The Real Housewife-ification of Congress; And, 25 years of being pilled by The Matrix

Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Jasmine Crockett exchanged heated words on the House floor. Greene commented on Crockett's eyelashes, and Crockett referred to Greene's body as "butch." We dive into the history of these two attacks, and look at what history the two representatives were pulling from — from misogynoir to transphobia. And what does this say about what we want from our politicians? Brittany is joined by NPR's Alana Wise and writer Kerry Manders.

The Real Housewife-ification of Congress; And, 25 years of being pilled by The Matrix

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Tuesday

Tony nominee Jocelyn Bioh puts braiders centerstage

Somi Kakoma and Lakisha May in Jaja's African Hair Braiding on Broadway Matthew Murphy/Manhattan Theatre Club hide caption

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Matthew Murphy/Manhattan Theatre Club

It's Been a Minute

Tony nominee Jocelyn Bioh puts braiders centerstage

This week, Brittany Luse sits down with playwright Jocelyn Bioh, whose new play, Jaja's African Hair Braiding, is up for five Tony Award nominations, including Best Play. The two discuss Bioh's unique approach to comedy, what it took to bring a hair affair to Broadway, and how to find humor in dark situations.

Tony nominee Jocelyn Bioh puts braiders centerstage

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Friday

Bumble & the trap of modern dating; plus, living ethically in COVID's aftermath

Bumble pickleball ad. COVID masks. Charley Gallay/Getty Images; Miguel Medina/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Charley Gallay/Getty Images; Miguel Medina/AFP/Getty Images

It's Been a Minute

Bumble & the trap of modern dating; plus, living ethically in COVID's aftermath

This week, the dating app Bumble could not stay out of the news. First, the company launched an anti-celibacy advertising campaign mocking abstinence and suggesting women shouldn't give up on dating apps. Then, at a tech summit, Bumble's founder suggested artificial intelligence might be the future of dating. Both efforts were met with backlash, and during a time when everyone seems irritated with dating - where can people turn? Shani Silver, author of the Cheaper Than Therapy substack, and KCRW's Myisha Battle, dating coach and host of How's Your Sex Life? join the show to make sense of the mess.

Bumble & the trap of modern dating; plus, living ethically in COVID's aftermath

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Tuesday

Author Interviews

Miranda July's new book asks: Is middle-age a cliff or a mountain peak?

Miranda July's latest novel, "All Fours," explores the transitional period of middle age and menopause through the journey of one unnamed protagonist.

Miranda July's new book asks: Is middle-age a cliff or a mountain peak?

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The miracle of middle age with Miranda July

Author Miranda July poses next to her novel, "All Fours" Elizabeth Weinberg/Amazon hide caption

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Elizabeth Weinberg/Amazon

Perspective

It's Been a Minute

The miracle of middle age with Miranda July

Our culture is full of stories about what it's like to be young: to find yourself, to fall in love, to leave home. But there aren't nearly as many scripts for what middle age might look like, especially for women. This week, host Brittany Luse is joined by author and filmmaker Miranda July, whose new novel 'All Fours' dives deep into the mystery and miracle of being a middle aged woman.

The miracle of middle age with Miranda July

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Friday

Drake and Kendrick are beefing, but who pays? Plus, moms as our social safety net

Kendrick Lamar. Drake. A woman holding a child. Frazer Harrison; Wang Zhao/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Frazer Harrison; Wang Zhao/AFP/Getty Images

It's Been a Minute

Drake and Kendrick are beefing, but who pays? Plus, moms as our social safety net

Drake and Kendrick have been trading diss tracks for weeks, and it's gotten darker and darker with each track. Drake accuses Kendrick of beating women, and Kendrick accuses Drake of abusing minors. It's a spectacle, but who are the pawns? Brittany chats with NPR Music's Sidney Madden and writer Tirhakah Love about the collateral damage in this rap beef.

Drake and Kendrick are beefing, but who pays? Plus, moms as our social safety net

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Thursday

A 'Wild Card' game with Rachel Martin

'Wild Card' host Rachel Martin NPR hide caption

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NPR

It's Been a Minute

A 'Wild Card' game with Rachel Martin

NPR's Rachel Martin is the host of a new weekly podcast called Wild Card. It's part-interview, part-existential game show. In this episode, Brittany sits down to play the game with Rachel, which brings up some surprising emotions for the both of them.

A 'Wild Card' game with Rachel Martin

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Tuesday

Suburban decay and choking on nostalgia in 'I Saw The TV Glow'

Justice Smith and Brigette Lundy-Paine. Courtesey A24 hide caption

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Courtesey A24

It's Been a Minute

Suburban decay and choking on nostalgia in 'I Saw The TV Glow'

Brittany sits down with Jane Schoenbrun, the director of A24's coming of age horror film, I Saw The TV Glow. Brittany and Jane discuss suburban decay, delightfully creepy kids shows, and new metaphors for the trans experience.

Suburban decay and choking on nostalgia in 'I Saw The TV Glow'

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Friday

An inside look at the campus protests; plus, Israel at Eurovision

Pro-Palestinian encampment at Columbia University. Eurovision 2024. NIKITA PAYUSOV/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images; LAURIE DIEFFEMBACQ/Belga/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images hide caption

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NIKITA PAYUSOV/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images; LAURIE DIEFFEMBACQ/Belga/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images

It's Been a Minute

An inside look at the campus protests; plus, Israel at Eurovision

Pro-Palestinian protests have been popping up at universities around the world, and in the last few days things have escalated at a number of those campuses. Columbia University called on police to shutdown the encampment on their university lawn and 300 people were arrested. At University of California Los Angeles, about 200 pro-Israel counter-protestors raided a pro-Palestinian encampment. To get first hand accounts of the protests, Brittany talks to two student journalists: Shaanth Nanguneri, an undergraduate reporter at UCLA, and Claire Davenport, a graduate reporter at Columbia University in New York.

An inside look at the campus protests; plus, Israel at Eurovision

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Tuesday

How Chicago's Black press shaped America

Left: An Ebony Fashion Fair Model. Right: A hand holds up a copy of Ebony magazine in front of a Chicago skyline. (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)/ (Photo By Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images) hide caption

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(Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)/ (Photo By Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

It's Been a Minute

How Chicago's Black press shaped America

Host Brittany Luse sits down with Arionne Nettles, author of We Are the Culture: Black Chicago's Influence on Everything. Arionne shares how Black media in Chicago influenced the way Black Americans see themselves and why the city deserves to be called 'the heart of Black America.'

How Chicago's Black press shaped America

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The Contenders, Vol. 8: The songs we can't stop playing this week

The artist known as Bnny. Her new album is One Million Love Songs. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

The Contenders, Vol. 8: The songs we can't stop playing this week

Brittany Luse, host of NPR's It's Been A Minute, joins All Songs Considered's Robin Hilton to update our running list of the year's best songs.

The Contenders, Vol. 8: The songs we can't stop playing this week

Listen · 36:58
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Friday

TikTok gets the boot; plus, a 'tradwife' fantasy

People gather for a press conference about their opposition to a TikTok ban. A couple looking at a cake. Brendan Smialowski / AFP; George Marks/Retrofile/Getty Images/Getty Images hide caption

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Brendan Smialowski / AFP; George Marks/Retrofile/Getty Images/Getty Images

It's Been a Minute

TikTok gets the boot; plus, a 'tradwife' fantasy

This week, President Biden signed a law that could ban TikTok nationwide unless its Chinese parent company sells the media platform within a year. Brittany is joined by NPR's Deirdre Walsh and Bobby Allyn to discuss the backdrop of this decision and its implications.

TikTok gets the boot; plus, a 'tradwife' fantasy

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