TL;DR
- Audie Cornish and Ari Shapiro launch their new podcast, Engagement Party.
- The show brings their off-air friendship into the spotlight.
- They discuss topics like ketamine culture and internet aesthetics.
- Shapiro openly shares his queer identity in a new format.
- The podcast aims for a casual, unfiltered vibe.
In a world where public radio has often felt like a stuffy, buttoned-up affair, Audie Cornish and Ari Shapiro are flipping the script with their new CNN podcast, Engagement Party. Gone are the days of measured tones and polished segments; this dynamic duo is ready to dive into the chaotic, colorful mess of modern culture, and they’re doing it with style.
For years, these two have been the calm, collected voices on NPR, but now they’re letting loose. The podcast, which officially launches on the CNN app and various podcast platforms, promises to be a riot of laughter and insight, tackling everything from ketamine culture to the bizarre world of internet fame. “This is the first time we’re talking about it together publicly,” Cornish noted, amused at the novelty of their joint interview.
The premise? Simple yet revolutionary. Imagine the backstage chatter of All Things Considered, but with the mics off. Shapiro describes it as an attempt to recreate that intimate vibe, where they can hash out their obsessions without the constraints of traditional journalism. “We were paid to cosplay as grownups for so long,” Cornish quipped, and boy, do they have a lot to say now.
The pilot episode kicks off with Shapiro casually breaking down the difference between “California sober” and “Brooklyn sober,” leaving Cornish to deadpan, “Why exactly do you know so much about ketamine discourse?” The answer? “Because I have friends who live in Brooklyn.”
Years in the making, this reunion was a long time coming. Both Cornish and Shapiro had been eyeing a collaboration for ages, but various hurdles kept them apart. Now, they’re finally on the same side of the table, and the energy is palpable. “There are projects that fill your batteries and projects that drain your batteries,” Shapiro explains. “This is a project that fills our batteries.” And it shows.
What’s refreshing about Engagement Party is its ability to blend serious discussions with playful banter. The duo dives into topics like the algorithmic rise of influencers, internet masculinity, and the psychological whiplash of sudden fame. Cornish’s insights into “young fame” and its implications for identity are particularly poignant. “What happens when you actually get that spotlight when the dog catches the car?” she wonders, highlighting the often overlooked psychological toll of internet fame.
Shapiro, who has always been openly queer, finds that the podcast allows for a more organic exploration of his identity. “I’ve never been shy on the radio about being out, about being queer,” he says, noting that such discussions rarely fit into the traditional news format. On Engagement Party, however, conversations about sexuality and identity are woven seamlessly into the fabric of their discussions. “It is not a gay show. It is not a mommy show. It is not a Black show,” Cornish clarifies. “We just are not hiding.”
As they navigate this new landscape, Shapiro describes the liberating experience of being able to express himself more freely. “It’s kind of liberating,” he admits, still sounding a bit surprised by the freedom he feels on this platform. The podcast embodies a shift in media where audiences crave authenticity over polished presentations.
So, if you’re ready for a podcast that’s as smart as it is sassy, Engagement Party is your new go-to. Audie and Ari are here to redefine what it means to be a public radio star in the age of the internet, and trust us, you won’t want to miss it.