Anastasia Tsioulcas
@anastasiat.bsky.social
Knight-Wallace Fellow at UMichigan 24-25. Culture correspondent at NPR, music critic at the New York Times. ah-nah-STAH-zee-ah tsee-OOL-kahs/Αναστασία Τσιούλκα(ς)/اناستازيا تسيولكاس
Unsolicited very strong recommendation of the day for the Jad Abumrad-led podcast on Fela Kuti. An absolute masterclass on how to tell a story — many stories — in audio. (And, of course, I adore Fela, as complicated and problematic as he is.) www.audible.com/pd/B0FRCQHHX...
Fela Kuti: Fear No Man
Check out this great listen on Audible.com. In a world that’s on fire, what is the role of art? What can music actually…do? Can a song save a life? Change a law? Topple a president? Get you killed? In...
www.audible.com
October 11, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Unsolicited very strong recommendation of the day for the Jad Abumrad-led podcast on Fela Kuti. An absolute masterclass on how to tell a story — many stories — in audio. (And, of course, I adore Fela, as complicated and problematic as he is.) www.audible.com/pd/B0FRCQHHX...
ICYMI
Mychal Threets, a social media star librarian, is hosting the new iteration of the series. It's back for four episodes starting on Saturday. From @anastasiat.bsky.social
Take a look! 'Reading Rainbow' is back
Mychal Threets, a social media star librarian, is hosting the new iteration of the series. It's back for four episodes starting on Saturday.
n.pr
October 6, 2025 at 12:03 PM
ICYMI
I suggest reading to get the full statement that DHS gave me today re Bad Bunny. (But also broadcast today on All Things Considered.)
Artists from abroad are worried that the current climate is making American tours not worth the time and effort.
Bad Bunny skipped touring the states. Will other performers follow suit?
Artists from abroad are worried that the current climate is making American tours not worth the time and effort.
n.pr
September 18, 2025 at 10:21 PM
I suggest reading to get the full statement that DHS gave me today re Bad Bunny. (But also broadcast today on All Things Considered.)
An @npr.org exclusive: four Democratic senators are urging the Smithsonian to resist White House attempts to “bully” the institution. Our report:
Four Democratic senators urge Smithsonian to resist White House attempts to 'bully the institution'
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and three other Democrats are reminding the Smithsonian's secretary that the institution "is the responsibility of Congress."
www.npr.org
September 5, 2025 at 2:19 PM
An @npr.org exclusive: four Democratic senators are urging the Smithsonian to resist White House attempts to “bully” the institution. Our report:
Today is one of those days I am happy to have studied Russian (with the dashed hopes of reading all the greats in their original language).
My favorite letter continues to be Щ, as in the composer Щедрин — Shchedrin — whose name I wrote out in phonetics for our Newscast team as <<sh-cheh-DREEN>>.
My favorite letter continues to be Щ, as in the composer Щедрин — Shchedrin — whose name I wrote out in phonetics for our Newscast team as <<sh-cheh-DREEN>>.
August 29, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Today is one of those days I am happy to have studied Russian (with the dashed hopes of reading all the greats in their original language).
My favorite letter continues to be Щ, as in the composer Щедрин — Shchedrin — whose name I wrote out in phonetics for our Newscast team as <<sh-cheh-DREEN>>.
My favorite letter continues to be Щ, as in the composer Щедрин — Shchedrin — whose name I wrote out in phonetics for our Newscast team as <<sh-cheh-DREEN>>.
ICYMI: Once a prominent musician in New York City, Julian Wachner was working as a grade school teacher in Indiana. Prosecutors have accused him of possessing abuse imagery of young children.
www.npr.org/2025/08/28/n...
www.npr.org/2025/08/28/n...
Conductor Julian Wachner charged with possession of child sex abuse material
Once a prominent musician in New York City, Wachner was working as a grade school teacher in Indiana. Prosecutors have accused him of possessing sexual abuse imagery of young children.
www.npr.org
August 29, 2025 at 7:28 PM
ICYMI: Once a prominent musician in New York City, Julian Wachner was working as a grade school teacher in Indiana. Prosecutors have accused him of possessing abuse imagery of young children.
www.npr.org/2025/08/28/n...
www.npr.org/2025/08/28/n...
The Kennedy Center has announced its new head of dance programming, Stephen Nakagawa. Per his bio, he does not seem to have any experience as a curator or arts administrator.
His predecessor believes she was fired bc she supported unionization efforts. My reporting:
His predecessor believes she was fired bc she supported unionization efforts. My reporting:
Kennedy Center names new director of dance programming, days after former staff firings
Stephen Nakagawa, a former Washington Ballet dancer, will be the new director of dance programming. The announcement comes five days after the Kennedy Center's previous chief was dismissed.
www.npr.org
August 25, 2025 at 7:08 PM
The Kennedy Center has announced its new head of dance programming, Stephen Nakagawa. Per his bio, he does not seem to have any experience as a curator or arts administrator.
His predecessor believes she was fired bc she supported unionization efforts. My reporting:
His predecessor believes she was fired bc she supported unionization efforts. My reporting:
A small tip to publicists: I’m sure the idea of putting black text against a dark brown background seemed like it would give your pitch a cool, dark academia vibe. But it was unreadable and I do not have time for nonsense
August 22, 2025 at 1:54 PM
A small tip to publicists: I’m sure the idea of putting black text against a dark brown background seemed like it would give your pitch a cool, dark academia vibe. But it was unreadable and I do not have time for nonsense
Reposted by Anastasia Tsioulcas
The White House said that after the administration eliminates "woke" culture from the Smithsonian, it would expand to other museums around the country. Would that be possible? By @anastasiat.bsky.social
Trump vows to expand his review of U.S. museums. Can he do that?
The White House said that after the administration eliminates "woke" culture from the Smithsonian, it would expand to other museums around the country. Would that be possible?
n.pr
August 21, 2025 at 1:34 PM
The White House said that after the administration eliminates "woke" culture from the Smithsonian, it would expand to other museums around the country. Would that be possible? By @anastasiat.bsky.social
At a time when a majority of U.S. adults say that they are concerned about the cost of food, a new generation of home cooks on social media are teaching cheap, easy and filling recipes -- folks like Your Barefoot Neighbor & Kiki, aka the Recession Recipes Lady. More on @npr.org Morning Edition
Recession-era recipes flourish on TikTok
Influencers on TikTok and other social media platforms are going back to recession-era recipes for nutritious and filling food — and building new communities online.
www.npr.org
August 7, 2025 at 2:34 PM
At a time when a majority of U.S. adults say that they are concerned about the cost of food, a new generation of home cooks on social media are teaching cheap, easy and filling recipes -- folks like Your Barefoot Neighbor & Kiki, aka the Recession Recipes Lady. More on @npr.org Morning Edition
Best typo (?) or faulty auto-correct (?) or neologism (?) I’ve come across in a long time:
Hors d’oeuvres ➡️ hour-devours
Hors d’oeuvres ➡️ hour-devours
August 6, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Best typo (?) or faulty auto-correct (?) or neologism (?) I’ve come across in a long time:
Hors d’oeuvres ➡️ hour-devours
Hors d’oeuvres ➡️ hour-devours
A great pleasure to reconnect with composer Michael Abels to talk about his music-making, from orchestral works to opera to those Jordan Peele scores like “Get Out.” www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/a...
He Put Vivaldi ‘in a Mixmaster’ and Is Serious About Classical Humor
www.nytimes.com
July 24, 2025 at 4:51 PM
A great pleasure to reconnect with composer Michael Abels to talk about his music-making, from orchestral works to opera to those Jordan Peele scores like “Get Out.” www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/a...
Thank you to the many folks who have, especially in recent months and weeks, expressed support for public media in the US.
If you'd like esp to support stations that have lost more than 50% of their revenue due to the federal cuts, please look at this fabulous resource.
adoptastation.org
If you'd like esp to support stations that have lost more than 50% of their revenue due to the federal cuts, please look at this fabulous resource.
adoptastation.org
Adopt A Station - Rescue Public Media
Help preserve independent journalism and community programming across America by adopting a public media station. Congress has voted to rescind public media's funding.
adoptastation.org
July 23, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Thank you to the many folks who have, especially in recent months and weeks, expressed support for public media in the US.
If you'd like esp to support stations that have lost more than 50% of their revenue due to the federal cuts, please look at this fabulous resource.
adoptastation.org
If you'd like esp to support stations that have lost more than 50% of their revenue due to the federal cuts, please look at this fabulous resource.
adoptastation.org
My kid the completist is now four movies into watching the entire James Bond series. However, he took time out of his busy schedule this morning to try to get his bestie to watch Pride & Prejudice with him during their next sleepover. (His enduring fave adaptation: 2005.)
July 19, 2025 at 1:25 PM
My kid the completist is now four movies into watching the entire James Bond series. However, he took time out of his busy schedule this morning to try to get his bestie to watch Pride & Prejudice with him during their next sleepover. (His enduring fave adaptation: 2005.)
It was another wild day yesterday inside & outside court at the Sean Combs trial. More here & this afternoon on @npr.org Weekend All Things Considered.
www.npr.org/2025/06/27/g...
www.npr.org/2025/06/27/g...
Defense says Combs led 'swinger's lifestyle,' was not coercive
Defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo called the tumultuous relationship between Combs and singer Cassie Ventura "a great modern love story," and sought to dismantle the credibility of key witnesses.
www.npr.org
June 28, 2025 at 4:29 PM
It was another wild day yesterday inside & outside court at the Sean Combs trial. More here & this afternoon on @npr.org Weekend All Things Considered.
www.npr.org/2025/06/27/g...
www.npr.org/2025/06/27/g...
Reposted by Anastasia Tsioulcas
Defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo called the tumultuous relationship between Combs and singer Cassie Ventura "a great modern love story," and sought to dismantle the credibility of key witnesses. By @anastasiat.bsky.social
Defense says Combs led 'swinger's lifestyle,' was not coercive
Defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo called the tumultuous relationship between Combs and singer Cassie Ventura "a great modern love story," and sought to dismantle the credibility of key witnesses.
n.pr
June 28, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo called the tumultuous relationship between Combs and singer Cassie Ventura "a great modern love story," and sought to dismantle the credibility of key witnesses. By @anastasiat.bsky.social
After 29 days of testimony and more than 30 witnesses, the government has rested its case against Sean Combs.
Here's our attempt to suss out where and how the myriad witnesses' statements map out to the federal prosecutors' accusations.
www.npr.org/2025/06/24/g...
Here's our attempt to suss out where and how the myriad witnesses' statements map out to the federal prosecutors' accusations.
www.npr.org/2025/06/24/g...
As Sean Combs' prosecutors rest, here is the case they've made
The meandering trial of the hip-hop mogul can be difficult to parse. Here's a broad overview of the charges and the case the government has presented to the jury.
www.npr.org
June 24, 2025 at 6:55 PM
After 29 days of testimony and more than 30 witnesses, the government has rested its case against Sean Combs.
Here's our attempt to suss out where and how the myriad witnesses' statements map out to the federal prosecutors' accusations.
www.npr.org/2025/06/24/g...
Here's our attempt to suss out where and how the myriad witnesses' statements map out to the federal prosecutors' accusations.
www.npr.org/2025/06/24/g...
How does public funding for NPR actually work? My colleagues over at The Indicator explain. The near-death of NPR and the birth of the public radio funding model : The Indicator from Planet Money
A brief history of NPR funding : The Indicator from Planet Money
Where does NPR get its funding? Today on the show, we open our books and share a brief history of public radio. And we learn what's at stake with President Trump's executive order to cut off federal f...
www.npr.org
May 13, 2025 at 8:55 PM
How does public funding for NPR actually work? My colleagues over at The Indicator explain. The near-death of NPR and the birth of the public radio funding model : The Indicator from Planet Money
Reposted by Anastasia Tsioulcas
Prosecutors are scheduled to begin their arguments today against the rap mogul, who is accused of racketeering and sex trafficking. Here is an overview of Combs' career and the charges he faces.
By @anastasiat.bsky.social
By @anastasiat.bsky.social
The trial of Sean Combs: What you need to know
Prosecutors are scheduled to begin their arguments today against the rap mogul, who is accused of racketeering and sex trafficking. Here is an overview of Combs' career and the charges he faces.
www.npr.org
May 12, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Prosecutors are scheduled to begin their arguments today against the rap mogul, who is accused of racketeering and sex trafficking. Here is an overview of Combs' career and the charges he faces.
By @anastasiat.bsky.social
By @anastasiat.bsky.social
SO excited to see the next cohort of Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellows announced today! What an impressive group. I wish them all a year just as professionally and personally transformative as I was blessed to have! wallacehouse.umich.edu/announcing-t...
Meet 2025-2026 Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellows
This cohort of 18 journalists will join us in the fall and spend an academic year tackling individual journalism projects and pursuing solutions to help newsrooms respond to today's challenges. Meet t...
wallacehouse.umich.edu
May 9, 2025 at 4:07 PM
SO excited to see the next cohort of Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellows announced today! What an impressive group. I wish them all a year just as professionally and personally transformative as I was blessed to have! wallacehouse.umich.edu/announcing-t...
My weird oven wants to talk to me today about International Jazz Day, so I will count that as a win.
April 30, 2025 at 12:22 PM
My weird oven wants to talk to me today about International Jazz Day, so I will count that as a win.
Reposted by Anastasia Tsioulcas
My response to creators who don't like critics is always the same: You're not supposed to. Which doesn't mean you are specifically supposed to not like them, but you're not specifically supposed to like them, and whether you like them is beside the point. Criticism is not advice or correction.
April 21, 2025 at 2:06 PM
My response to creators who don't like critics is always the same: You're not supposed to. Which doesn't mean you are specifically supposed to not like them, but you're not specifically supposed to like them, and whether you like them is beside the point. Criticism is not advice or correction.
Michigan weather never misses the opportunity for rain. 4% chance in the forecast? 6%? Baby, you better bring that umbrella.
April 21, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Michigan weather never misses the opportunity for rain. 4% chance in the forecast? 6%? Baby, you better bring that umbrella.
I was not emotionally prepared for the April thundersnow in Michigan
April 2, 2025 at 7:26 PM
I was not emotionally prepared for the April thundersnow in Michigan
This hearing is scheduled to begin this morning at 10 am ET.
A U.S. House subcommittee led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has called the chief executives of the nation's two largest public broadcasters to Capitol Hill to testify on Wednesday, with an eye to wiping out the federal funding their institutions receive.
Republican lawmakers seek to put PBS and NPR in the hot seat
A House subcommittee led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and named after Elon Musk's government-efficiency team has set its sights on the public broadcasters.
www.npr.org
March 26, 2025 at 1:50 PM
This hearing is scheduled to begin this morning at 10 am ET.