Arts and culture criticism in the United States has never seemed as endangered as it does now and this is especially true for critics of color. This inaugural season of the Critical Minded podcast looks at the organization’s new report, ”Topdogs and Underdogs: Critics of Color and the Theatrical Landscape,” which explores the challenges facing theater critics of color. Join host Steven Vargas, an LA-based theater and dance critic, as he speaks with a wide-range of critics including Naveen Kumar, Jose Solís, Brittani Samuel and more about what it is like to report on theater in today’s climate.
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Contact path
Public web form
Booking probability
15%
Guest openness
Selective
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Signup to Generate a PitchArts and culture criticism in the United States has never seemed as endangered as it does now and this is especially true for critics of color. This inaugural season of the Critical Minded podcast looks at the organization’s new report, ”Topdogs and Underdogs: Critics of Color and the Theatrical Landscape,” which explores the challenges facing theater critics of color.
Recent episodes include "The editor vs. critic divide" (20 October 2026, 31 minutes), "Online fandom, stan culture, and music criticism" (29 September 2026, 42 minutes), and "The stereotypical image of a music critic" (11 September 2026, 36 minutes).
Critical Minded publishes roughly every two weeks, with episodes averaging 32 minutes across 6 episodes.
Booking probability for Critical Minded is 15%, and the host is rated Selective on guests. Critical Minded requires a Pod Score of 80 or higher. Critical Minded's contact route on record: public web form.
The strongest fits for Critical Minded are Artists, Writers & Performers. Critical Minded has an arts audience.
Critical Minded is an arts podcast with 6 episodes published.
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Episode #6
For music critics, mentorship often comes through informal editorial relationships and connections. But as we’ve seen, over and over, editorial positions are often among the first to get cut when publications decide to...
It used to be that if someone was unhappy with a music review, they might write a Letter to the Editor, or mention a review in an interview. Now, with the democratization of the internet, everyone's a critic – not just...
There are few professions that love to be surveyed as much as critics. But for the first time in the 21st century, music critics were not surveyed about the music they listen to: instead, a national survey was...
Welcome to the second season of the Critical Minded podcast, as we welcome the latest Critical Minded report, Beautiful Struggles: Pop Music Critics of Color and the Critical Landscape. Hosted by report co-author Oliver...
Episode #5
<p >In this final episode, host Steven Vargas brings playwright Larissa Fasthorse, Latino Theatre Company Artistic Director José Luis Valenzuela, playwright & critic Amanda L. Andrei, and critic Martín Hernández...
Episode #4
<p>With some guidance from our report, “Topdogs and Underdogs,” today’s critics offer some insight into how we can work to create a more diverse landscape.</p> <p>Host Steven Vargas speaks with BIPOC Critics Lab founder...
<p>Entering a career as a critic today takes more than a good resume. The next generation of writers faces the aftermath of a global pandemic, a volatile job market and low pay rates.</p> <p>With personal accounts of...
Episode #2
<p>Culture criticism may sound glamorous, but being a critic takes resilience, a lot of writing and (in most cases) a day job.</p> <p>Host Steven Vargas speaks with freelancer Brittani Samuel, educator Cristina...
<p>Arts & culture criticism in the U.S. has never seemed as endangered as it does now. This is especially true for critics of color. Join host Steven Vargas, Washington Post theater critic Naveen Kumar and BIPOC Critics...
Critical Minded
<p>Welcome to the Critical Minded podcast! </p> <p >This inaugural season of the Critical Minded podcast looks at the organization’s new report, "Topdogs and Underdogs: Critics of Color and the Theatrical Landscape,”...
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