PODCAST · society
Centered Subject
by Yelena Zhelezov
A podcast about current events, moral circles, alienation, the algorithm, and being a body in digital times.Two friends, an artist and a therapist, spend an hour discussing a topic – while it varies from episode to episode, Jenny's insight into human behavior and Yelena's post-Soviet-ness reliably make an appearance.by Yelena Zhelezov and Jenny Campbellmusic by Julia HolterFollow: https://www.instagram.com/centeredsubjectpodcast
Episodes
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Springtime on Mars: a Year Later
What can we do but lament and watch the snow melt, count buds, and discuss: the end of Covid-world, loss, perfume, and boiling milk. Plus much more! Say hello: https://www.instagram.com/centeredsubjectpodcast/
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Solaris Episode
Are we cyborgs yet? Is it all just an episode of Solaris (by A. Tarkovsky, not G. Clooney) and if so, where is our invitation to the Space Federation Lunar Fashion Show? How to mine Mars, are we ready for aliens, and why go to the philharmonic if your skull provides plenty of acoustic…
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Crying and Laughing, with Special Guest Flora Wellesley Wesley
A dream-state episode in which emotional, physical, and cinematic spaces overlap. Jenny and Yelena reflect on what they learned in solitude: Jenny tunes in to the bean soak clock, Yelena overcomes the fear of being alone (not really) and takes a laughing workshop with Flora Wellesley Wesley, a...
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The Body Erotic and the Body Social in Quarantine, with Special Guest Daniela Seitz
Part 1: Jenny and Yelena consider the body’s erotic insistence by casting their gazes to the sexiest of the pandemic classics, The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio and the Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. J and Y wonder about the nature of vibrators in the Middle Ages, and provide an overview...
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Zoom Rooms, Comforts of the Screen, and Quarantine Ads with Tanya Brodsky
Jenny and Yelena look at the body physical in the infinite digital room (zoom) that collapses distance and makes everything cinematography. Despite the omnipotent 21st century technology, we remain surprisingly fragile humans, though just from the waist up. The phone as oracle returns (we discuss...
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Corona-socialism? Managing the Body Restless & Casting Economic Predictions in Self-Isolation
Jenny and Yelena report on respective self-isolation in NYC and LA. Yelena compares the gutted supermarkets of LA to the empty shop shelves in the former USSR, and reflects on the concepts of corona-socialism and corona-capitalism. Jenny assesses the state of language in the times of coronavirus...
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On Eternity
Zoe Aja Moore stops by the pod and things get transcendental as we unravel the notion of an eternal object. Yelena finds wooden boxes on the internet and experiences spiritual panic induced by a selfie stick. Jenny channels Marianne Williamson and is sure she has met you before, and Zoe refuses…
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Who You Know...
Inspired by research that connects neurobiological development to social networks in adolescence, Jenny and Yelena trace the history of their friendship and discuss how friends make a difference in life through time. Parsed: differing friend finances, friends with bens, bullies and allies,...
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Staged and Confused
A brisk episode wherein Jenny and Yelena examine the performative qualities of public and private lives. Props and settings covered: border wall drop, car as costume, coronavirus mask, selfie filters, oratory politics props, giving birth to objects, and putting them on one’s head. Bonus: Yelena...
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Why robot?
In this episode cobots Jenny and Yelena vacation in the uncanny valley and discuss stars for cars and crackers so rustic they are supernatural. Also considered: corporate surveillance of worker health, Marx’s grave livestream, and the ontology of robots. Bonus - Yelena is actually baby yoda.
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Cyber Chat, with special guest Stephen van Dyck
In the first episode of 2020, Stephen van Dyck stops by the pod to read from his book, People I've Met From the Internet. S, J, Y and friends remember Y2K, Chatroulette, message boards and ye olde modem screech. Also discussed: personalization and anonymity, oral discourse versus texting…
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Bohemian?
Brigitte Nicole Grice joins Jenny and Yelena for a final party episode of 2019; together we take an immersive plunge into the notion of Bohemian. From dadaists, constructivists, and vagabonds to fast fashion floppy hats, love triangles, and OG tubercular Parisian artists, we cover all. Bonus...
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On Time
Listen in for timeless reporting on the memories of learning about politics in Soviet and Texan elementary schools; reflecting on the way that pants and jackets carry us through the years; studying history with films/series – how does it feel to be one of the royal horde and watch oneself on “The...
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On Animals Again
Yelena and Jenny turn to animals once again to discuss human relations and emotional self-expression – why do we use animals as metaphors for our behavior? Featured: elephant gossip, button-pressing dogs, turtle and octopus interactions, human in a monkey mask, Zeus in swan form, and centaurs....
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Astrothoughts
Jenny and Yelena contemplate the rising popularity of astrology as a way to navigate the times of chaotic uncertainty and interview Elina Tsvadari, an Athens-based psychological astrologer and columnist for the "Athens Voice". Discussed: Astrology apps as a social connector, advisor, and divider,...
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On Privacy
Jenny and Yelena gather in the middle of the night to discuss privacy and intimacy in digital times. Considered: the ethics of sharing screenshots, Trump’s proposal to re-enact the Ukraine transcript, playing bad tricks with a dog spy, genes and crimes, and the semiotics of sending nudes. Bonus:...
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Unhelpful Episode
The internet wants to help but do we need its suggestions? Discussed: octopuses on MDMA, Parisian blob with 730 sexes, unhelpful objects rankings, leaf chore worship and oppression, wormholes, AI for email tone, Cronenberg and the uncanny, online therapy and fleshy phones. Centered Subject is:...
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Geomagical Thinking
Jenny and Yelena convene to discuss magical thinking in uncertain economic times. Yelena reflects on being surrounded by marble in Athens, Jenny reflects on embodiment of thoughts and prayers and magma. Both are probably never buying crystals again. Referenced: The value of thoughts and prayers...
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Rent-a-Life
Jenny, Yelena and special guest Emily Curtin discuss insidious advertising techniques, troubling couch subscription, Freud and advertising, algorithms pretending to be human, humans pretending to be algorithms, 19th century robots, Jenny and the unpredictable scale of the buffalo, subscriptions…
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The Limited Guide to the Anthropocene
Live in NYC, Jenny and Yelena are joined by philosopher Brian Irwin who reports on “Designing a Green New Deal”, a conference that took place at UPenn on Sept. 13th. Also discussed: the climate strike, ways to effect political change, Jonathan Franzen (is he a dick?), anthropogenic urban…
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Oh, cult
Jenny and Yelena reunite to discuss 1960’s LA, Kenneth Anger, Marjorie Cameron, Edgar Cayce, drones, too fast a service at 7/11, instructions for collective humanity, will power, becoming a pixel, patience, materiality, immediacy, boredom, and country houses. Centered Subject is Jenny Campbell...
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Homemaker’s Guide to Cars, Sex and Convents
In this truly existential ep, Jenny and Yelena contemplate the nature of belonging and alienation, drive-in brothels, living in one’s car, the gendered nature of modernist architecture, and the Millennial nun trend. Tune in for guidance on intimate housework and being your own pet. References:...
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The New Medievalism?
A time-travel episode with special guest Julia Holter. Jenny moves to the Middle Ages and reports from the scene, Yelena draws contemporary parallels, and Julia provides the allegorical counterpoints. Discussed: emoji as modern iconography, area 51 Facebook group meet up vs peasant riots, plague...
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I R L
Jenny and Yelena get discursive about perfectionism, work ethics, envy, social media, and dick pics in the age of digital reproduction. Special appearances by Henry VIII, Anne of Cleves, and Greenland! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Centered Subject is Jenny Campbell (NYC) and Yelena...
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Sage and Self-Scare
Moderately personal episode in which Yelena and Jenny consider going off the rails. Discussed: smoking, disgrace insurance, Epstein, Kanye’s Tattooine architecture, bystander effect, Trump’s emoji diplomacy, ability to be alone and finding community through your smart fridge. DM/Follow us:...
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The Innovator’s Guide to Haunted Magma
Artist Robbie Nock joins Jenny and Yelena to ponder the relationship between innovation, hysteria, and the supernatural. We take a short trip to the center of the earth, read from books by John Patrick Leary and Jeffrey Sconce, and debate capitalism ONCE AGAIN. Bonus: Yelena goes rogue and…
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The Crystal, the System
Artist Nicolas Grenier joins Jenny and Yelena for a conversation on systems that propel the growth-oriented economy. Broached: Jack Burnham’s “System Esthetics”, Individualism vs Collectivity, Marianne Williamson’s appeal, Boris Johnson’s calculated clown act, contemporary medievalism…
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Pornographie?
Zoe Aja Moore joins Yelena and Jenny for rock hard hammering, philately fetish, desire construction, consent and the bohemian, AOL chatrooms, object relations, and a meta review of Quinn and Dipsea audio erotica apps. Moan. Clinging to humanity despite harrowing news from The Internet, Jenny...
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On Place: In the Dopamine Playground
Intrigued by the Amazon Nomads phenomenon, J and Y discuss the erosion of brick and mortar retail and uncanny nature of networked economy. Jenny talks about the notion of “third place”, and Yelena waxes about Victor Gruen, the socialist father of the shopping malls. Also mentioned: teenage...
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Press, Released
A cacophonous mini-ep, in which Yelena calls Emily to read a press release for Y's upcoming show at Actual Size LA. The discordant mixture of sounds includes a fan, stifled laughter, and a brief discussion of being in/without nature and hybridization of art and academia.
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Melted and Shook
On the 4th of July, Yelena reports from the scene of a 6.6 earthquake and Jenny returns with ice cubes as she starts her neoliberal penance for America. There is discussion of generational divide among the electorate, aging, and magical thinking. Proposed action items include a collective spell…
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Hide and Speak
Anthropologist Emily Curtin joins Yelena as they travel through the 4th wall in Fleabag, cope with being addressed by inanimate objects, weigh in on the cultural milieu of the American smile and discover emoji porn. Emily reflects on doing fieldwork in Belarus and Yelena reads from "Dreamworld…
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Rhizomes and Radiation
Watching Chernobyl brings out Yelena’s recollections of radioactive Soviet childhood in 1986 Minsk. After considering socialism, climate change and Geiger counters, both J and Y get nervous. Jenny seeks solace in the language of mushrooms.
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The Bodyguide (June edition)
Y and J get ready for the summer with a timely discussion of inflatable couture, glass bodies and parties. Jenny reminisces about zen retreat failure and discloses her sweaty Sophia Loren fantasy. Yelena shares an espionage tale involving Lenin, gluten and dairy. Follow us ––>...
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On Love and Port Authority
Danielle Lessovitz stops by the pod to talk about Port Authority, her new feature film that just premiered at Cannes Film Festival (Un Certain Regard). A complex love story set in New York’s Kiki ballroom scene, Port Authority stars Leyna Bloom, the first trans actress of color in a Cannes...
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Muted and Scammed
Jenny and Yelena consider electoral advertising tactics, lying, and the perils of sharing economy. Bonus! Fake blood and tales of Belarusian forests. Follow: @yezhel Follow: @jwcamps Trump's FB/IG ad library Belovezhskaya Pushcha, where bisons live Travels in Hyperreality : Essays by Umberto Eco...
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On Animals
Reflecting on recent news of whale espionage, Jenny and Yelena human-shame, discuss sentience and prey fantasies, and cover everything in feathers. Quoted: Martin Buber, Henry Beston, Caitrin Kelper, Werner Herzog. The ghost of Susan Sontag makes a fleeting appearance.
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The Lazy Woman’s Guide to Decadent Work Ethic
Just in time for the International Workers' Day, Jenny and Yelena bring you another diligent conversation. Parsed: memories of parades, the Decadent Work Ethic, true leisure through shoes, play and political pyramids.
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The Ultimate Guide to Roomba Sadness
Ep 1, where we discuss AI therapists, networked objects, object relations, bourgeois philodendron, mass surveillance and furniture
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
A podcast about current events, moral circles, alienation, the algorithm, and being a body in digital times.Two friends, an artist and a therapist, spend an hour discussing a topic – while it varies from episode to episode, Jenny's insight into human behavior and Yelena's post-Soviet-ness reliably make an appearance.by Yelena Zhelezov and Jenny Campbellmusic by Julia HolterFollow: https://www.instagram.com/centeredsubjectpodcast
HOSTED BY
Yelena Zhelezov
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Centered Subject have?
Centered Subject currently has 39 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Centered Subject about?
A podcast about current events, moral circles, alienation, the algorithm, and being a body in digital times.Two friends, an artist and a therapist, spend an hour discussing a topic – while it varies from episode to episode, Jenny's insight into human behavior and Yelena's post-Soviet-ness reliably...
How often does Centered Subject release new episodes?
Centered Subject has 39 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Centered Subject?
You can listen to Centered Subject on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Centered Subject?
Centered Subject is created and hosted by Yelena Zhelezov.
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