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Romance novels have long had a reputation for being flimsy, sexist, trashy bodice-rippers. But there’s lots more to the genre than meets the eye. This hour, we look at what makes romance novels work – and why so many of us are devouring them.

GUESTS: 
Olivia Waite: The New York Times Book Review’s romance fiction columnist who writes queer and historical romance, fantasy, and critical essays on the genre’s history and future
Jason Rogers: Olympic medalist, journalist covering masculinity, and the founder of a now-defunct romance book club for men
Tony Horvath: Creative director for the long-time romance-novel publisher Harlequin, where he oversees production of about 80 book covers a month

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Romance novels have long had a reputation for being flimsy, sexist, trashy bodice-rippers. But there’s lots more to the genre than meets the eye. This hour, we look at what makes romance novels work – and why so many of us are devouring them.
GUESTS: 
<ul>
<li>Olivia Waite: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/olivia-waite">The New York Times Book Review</a><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/olivia-waite">’s romance fiction columnist</a> who <a href="https://www.oliviawaite.com/books">writes</a> queer and historical romance, fantasy, and critical essays on the genre’s history and future</li>
<li>Jason Rogers: Olympic medalist, journalist covering masculinity, and the founder of a now-defunct romance book club for men</li>
<li>Tony Horvath: Creative director for the long-time romance-novel publisher <a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/index.html">Harlequin</a>, where he oversees production of about 80 book covers a month</li>
</ul>
Join the conversation on <a href="https://facebook.com/ColinMcShow">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/colinmcshow">Twitter</a>.

The Colin McEnroe Show is public radio’s most eclectic, eccentric weekday program. The best way to understand us is through the subjects we tackle: Neanderthals, tambourines, handshakes, the Iliad, snacks, ringtones, punk rock, Occam’s razor, Rasputin, houseflies, zippers. Are you sensing a pattern? If so, you should probably be in treatment. On Fridays, we try to stop thinking about what kind of ringtones Neanderthals would want to have and convene a panel called The Nose for an informal roundtable about the week in culture.

<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/the-colin-mcenroe-show/about">The Colin McEnroe Show</a> is public radio’s most eclectic, eccentric weekday program. The best way to understand us is through the subjects we tackle: Neanderthals, tambourines, handshakes, the Iliad, snacks, ringtones, punk rock, Occam’s razor, Rasputin, houseflies, zippers. Are you sensing a pattern? If so, you should probably be in treatment. On Fridays, we try to stop thinking about what kind of ringtones Neanderthals would want to have and convene a panel called <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/tags/the-nose">The Nose</a> for an informal roundtable about the week in culture.

The Colin McEnroe Show

We ❤️ romance novels

Gregg Phillips, the current head of the largest division at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has said that he has teleported multiple times — including at least once to a Waffle House.

We checked, and it’s still true that we don’t have the technology for human teleportation.

At the same time, quantum teleportation is totally a thing!

This hour, a look at teleportation in science, philosophy, pop culture … and politics.

GUESTS:
Eden Gordon: A writer and editor; she writes the Ink Roads Substack
Tal M. Klein: A writer and musician and the chief marketing officer at Lakeside Software; he is the author of the novel The Punch Escrow
Nikki McCann Ramírez: A politics reporter at Rolling Stone
Eric Schwitzgebel: Distinguished professor of philosophy at the University of California, Riverside; he writes a Substack called The Splintered Mind

Music featured (in order):
Theme from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – Dennis McCarthy as performed by Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
Once in a Lifetime – Talking Heads
Waffle House – Jonas Brothers
Beam Me Up – Pink
Uncle Walter – Ben Folds Five
Teleport – Baely

The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!

Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show.

Gregg Phillips, the current head of the largest division at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/fema-official-gragg-phillips-teleported-waffle-house-1235534828/">has said that he has teleported multiple times</a> &mdash; including at least once to a Waffle House.
We checked, and it&rsquo;s still true that we don&rsquo;t have the technology for human teleportation.
At the same time, <a href="https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/physics/is-teleportation-possible">quantum teleportation is totally a thing</a>!
This hour, a look at teleportation in science, philosophy, pop culture &hellip; and politics.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Eden Gordon: A writer and editor; she writes the&nbsp;<a href="https://inkroads.substack.com/">Ink Roads</a>&nbsp;Substack</li>
<li>Tal M. Klein: A writer and musician and the chief marketing officer at Lakeside Software; he is the author of the novel&nbsp;<a href="https://www.inkshares.com/books/the-punch-escrow">The Punch Escrow</a></li>
<li>Nikki McCann Ram&iacute;rez: A politics reporter at Rolling Stone</li>
<li>Eric Schwitzgebel: Distinguished professor of philosophy at the University of California, Riverside; he writes a Substack called&nbsp;<a href="https://eschwitz.substack.com/">The Splintered Mind</a></li>
</ul>
Music featured (in order):
<ul>
<li>Theme from Star Trek:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc_0ii3SLp0">Deep Space Nine</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Dennis McCarthy as performed by Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IsSpAOD6K8">Once in a Lifetime</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Talking Heads</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TasKo5HHWb4">Waffle House</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Jonas Brothers</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFYm9LKsuUo">Beam Me Up</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Pink</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWpqD3zzNpU">Uncle Walter</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Ben Folds Five</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh8cYaDBC0g">Teleport</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Baely</li>
</ul>
The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-colin-mcenroe-show/id714179884">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0AXtqrzWounIoJyIqz003p">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9b6b3cee-f69b-4729-a78b-181f851d80e8/the-colin-mcenroe-show">Amazon Music</a>, <a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/The-Colin-McEnroe-Show-p1208473/">TuneIn</a>, <a href="https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-colin-mcenroe-show-connecticut-public-lXR08dxQSM5/">Listen Notes</a>, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/newsletters">Subscribe to The Noseletter</a>, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.
Join the conversation on <a href="https://facebook.com/ColinMcShow">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/colinmcshow">Twitter</a>.
Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show.

Beam me up! A look at teleportation

Rope has been foundational to so much of human civilization. It's made sailing, hunting, building, and so much more, possible. This hour, we look at the history and utility and future of rope.

GUESTS:


Tim Queeney: Author of Rope: How a Bundle of Twisted Fibers Became the Backbone of Civilization, among other books


Manuel Medrano: A PhD candidate in Harvard’s History Department, who studies quipus


Tahira Reid Smith: Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Design and the Director of the REID Lab at Penn State. She is also the patented inventor of the Automatic Double Dutch Machine, and the founder of Jump Dreams, Inc.

MUSIC FEATURED (in order):


Flamingo – Kero Kero Bonito


The Last Shanty – Derina Harvey Band


Rope – Foo Fighters


Tightrope – Janelle Monae


Rope A Dope – Victor Oladipo, 2 Chainz


Double Dutch – Charity

Join the conversation on Facebook.

Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.

The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!

Our programming is made possible thanks to listeners like you. Please consider supporting this show and Connecticut Public with a donation today by visiting ctpublic.org/donate.

Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show, which originally aired on October 15, 2025.

Rope has been foundational to so much of human civilization. It's made sailing, hunting, building, and so much more, possible. This hour, we look at the history and utility and future of rope.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
Tim Queeney: Author of <a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250346452/rope/">Rope: How a Bundle of Twisted Fibers Became the Backbone of Civilization</a>, among other books
</li>
<li>
Manuel Medrano: A PhD candidate in Harvard&rsquo;s History Department, <a href="https://medranomanuel.com/">who studies quipus</a>
</li>
<li>
Tahira Reid Smith: Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Design and the Director of the REID Lab at Penn State. She is also the patented inventor of the <a href="https://tahirareidsmith.com/">Automatic Double Dutch Machine</a>, and the founder of <a href="https://jumpdreamsinc.com/">Jump Dreams, Inc.</a>
</li>
</ul>
MUSIC FEATURED (in order):
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY-FJvRqK0E">Flamingo</a> &ndash; Kero Kero Bonito
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugpTBrhWDss">The Last Shanty</a> &ndash; Derina Harvey Band
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbpqZT_56Ns">Rope</a> &ndash; Foo Fighters
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwnefUaKCbc">Tightrope</a> &ndash; Janelle Monae
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UdSJ-6Utcc">Rope A Dope</a> &ndash; Victor Oladipo, 2 Chainz
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpPa4e3nLyQ">Double Dutch</a> &ndash; Charity
</li>
</ul>
Join the conversation on&nbsp;<a href="https://facebook.com/ColinMcShow">Facebook</a>.
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/newsletters">Subscribe to The Noseletter</a>, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.
The Colin McEnroe Show&nbsp;is available as a podcast on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-colin-mcenroe-show/id714179884">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0AXtqrzWounIoJyIqz003p">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9b6b3cee-f69b-4729-a78b-181f851d80e8/the-colin-mcenroe-show">Amazon Music</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/The-Colin-McEnroe-Show-p1208473/">TuneIn</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-colin-mcenroe-show-connecticut-public-lXR08dxQSM5/">Listen Notes</a>, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!
Our programming is made possible thanks to listeners like you. Please consider supporting this show and Connecticut Public with a donation today by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://ctpublic.org/donate">ctpublic.org/donate</a>.
Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show, which originally aired on October 15, 2025.

Rope has been knotting humanity together for centuries

Billboard

Westend61/Getty Images

What happens when the people reshaping our world don't believe in introspection? This hour, a look at looking inward. And, we explore the spectrum of mental imagery.

GUESTS:
Elizabeth Lopatto: Senior reporter for The Verge
Maja Spener: Associate Professor in Philosophy at the University of Birmingham. She is the author of Introspection: First-Person Access in Science and Agency
Reshanne Reeder: Lecturer in Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience at the University of Liverpool

Music featured (in order):
Who Knows – Daniel Caesar
What Kind of Fool Am I – Sammy Davis Jr.
Man in the Mirror – Michael Jackson
There’s No Telling – Duncan Sheik
I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry – Cassandra Wilson
Pretty Little Picture – Zero Mostel (Original Broadway Cast)

Westend61/Getty Images
What happens when the people reshaping our world don't believe in introspection? This hour, a look at looking inward. And, we explore the spectrum of mental imagery.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Elizabeth Lopatto:&nbsp;Senior reporter for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theverge.com/authors/elizabeth-lopatto">The Verge</a></li>
<li>Maja Spener:&nbsp;Associate Professor in Philosophy at the University of Birmingham. She is the author of&nbsp;<a href="https://academic.oup.com/book/55721">Introspection: First-Person Access in Science and Agency</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.reshannereeder.com/">Reshanne Reeder</a>:&nbsp;Lecturer in Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience at the University of Liverpool</li>
</ul>
Music featured (in order):
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glscfhJyZHo">Who Knows</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Daniel Caesar</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7Hv5Bw-AUc">What Kind of Fool Am I</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Sammy Davis Jr.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PivWY9wn5ps">Man in the Mirror</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Michael Jackson</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZL-XeZvv5k">There&rsquo;s No Telling</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Duncan Sheik</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBvVwgEjRsM">I&rsquo;m So Lonesome I Could Cry</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Cassandra Wilson</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/7qBLJCZZPi4">Pretty Little Picture</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Zero Mostel (Original Broadway Cast)</li>
</ul>

We ❤️ romance novels

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