Arts and culture criticism in the United States has never been more endangered, and this is especially true for critics of color. On the Critical Minded Podcast, you’ll hear directly from critics themselves about the conditions and challenges they face – from the difficulty of making a living in a shrinking publishing landscape, to widespread exclusionary practices that keep critics of color from enjoying the same opportunities and prestige as their white peers.
Critics also weigh in on the increased influence of social media, online fandoms, and AI, and how they are changing the way we understand and experience culture. Based on a series of research reports, including national surveys and in-depth interviews, the Critical Minded Podcast presents an unprecedented portrait of our rapidly changing moment from some of our most astute cultural voices.
ABOUT CRITICAL MINDED
Critical Minded is a grantmaking and learning initiative whose work is focused on resourcing and raising the visibility of critics and writers through direct support to publications and individuals, research, and convening. Launched from a national convening of critics in 2017, Critical Minded emerged from the belief that engaging critically with the ideas and images that surround us is a prerequisite for transforming our cultural landscape and preserving democracy. https://criticalminded.org/reports/
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 downsize. As a result you have writers operating with little to no editorial oversight, leaving newer writers to navigate the publication world without much guidance. And when there is a lack of transparency around editorial decision-making, that usually disadvantages critics of color. On this episode of the Critical Minded podcast, Oliver and Reanna probe the editor and writer dynamic, speaking to several esteemed colleagues on both sides of that divide, including Mano Sundaresan, Suzy Exposito, and LaTesha Harris.
29 Sept 2026
Online fandom, stan culture, and music criticism
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 of music, but of criticism itself. The past few years have seen an influx of stan attacks on the working critic, from coordinated hate campaigns on social media to full-scale doxxing, and for most working writers, the hostile climate can be overwhelming.
On this episode of the Critical Minded podcast, Reanna and Oliver chat about the untouchable "third rails" of pop music criticism, the necessity of social media self-promotion, and the emerging power dynamics between writer, reader, and publisher – featuring interviews with Pitchfork editorial director Mano Sundaresan, acclaimed music journalist Suzy Exposito, and TCB PR director of publicity-slash-artist, Clarke Sondermann.
11 Sept 2026
The stereotypical image of a music critic
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 distributed to over 200 pop music critics of all backgrounds, asking about their relationship to their own profession.
On this episode of the Critical Minded Podcast, Dr. Lucy March (data analyst and co-author of the “Beautiful Struggles” report) joins Reanna and Oliver to discuss the results of the survey: from the traditional image of the critic reflected (or not reflected) in the results, to the emerging frameworks of social media and content creation.
As we see in the results found at https://criticalminded.org/reports, the journalism landscape is constantly morphing, and as the goalposts continue to move, people are inventing new ways of advancing their careers. Critic Dylan Green of Hearing Things joins the back half of the podcast to talk about one emerging model gaining some steam: worker-owned collectives.
24 Aug 2026
What does it mean to be a music critic today?
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 Wang (longtime music writer, former co-host of the Heat Rocks podcast) and report researcher Reanna Cruz (music writer, producer of the Switched On Pop podcast), this season explores the state of criticism at a moment of profound transitions, pitfalls, and possibilities.
It has never been easier to publish ideas and opinions about music, yet it feels like criticism as a field has never been less sustainable. For the first of five episodes, through interviews with journalists, creators, and academics alike, we ask: what does it mean to be a music critic today?
This episode, Oliver and Reanna talk to Sharon Mizota, rashid shabazz, John Morrison, and Crystal Alejandro, to reflect on how music criticism is being challenged by the changing worlds of publishing and multimedia industries. From the era of zines and alt-weeklies to the rise of influencers, podcasts, and video essays, we trace how criticism has evolved and what those changes mean for critics of color navigating the field today.
14 Apr 2025
Unpacking the Myth of Critics v. Artists
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 together for a roundtable discussion about the importance of building community between critics and theater artists of color.
7 Apr 2025
The Future of Theater Criticism
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.
Host Steven Vargas speaks with BIPOC Critics Lab founder Jose Solís, 3Views co-editor Brittani Samuel & Gate co-owner Adlan Jackson about their crucial efforts to reform the critical ecosystem.
To read the full 'Topdogs & Underdogs' report, visit https://criticalminded.org/
24 Mar 2025
What Does It Take to Be a New Critic Today?
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.
With personal accounts of navigating publications and industry constraints, host Steven Vargas unpacks the current criticism landscape for new writers of color with Washington D.C. critic Nathan Pugh, New York critic Brittani Samuel, and Miami critic and educator Cristina Pla-Guzman.
17 Mar 2025
A Day in the Life of a Critic
Culture criticism may sound glamorous, but being a critic takes resilience, a lot of writing and (in most cases) a day job.
Host Steven Vargas speaks with freelancer Brittani Samuel, educator Cristina Pla-Guzman, Playbill Editor-in-Chief Diep Tran, and Washington Post critic Naveen Kumar for this episode of the Critical Minded podcast. Together, they’ll share an authentic look into a typical workday for a critic of color today, and discuss the common challenges they face.
10 Mar 2025
The State of Criticism for Writers of Color
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 Lab founder Jose Solís as they explore the challenges facing theater critics of color in today's climate & unpack Critical Minded's new report, "Topdogs and Underdogs: Critics of Color and the Theatrical Landscape."
3 Mar 2025
Welcome to the Critical Minded Podcast
Welcome to the Critical Minded podcast!
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. Hosted by Steven Vargas, an LA-based theater and dance critic.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 17 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
22
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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