I have this idea for a podcast — which I’ll never do because 1) time and 2) podcasts are about finished — and it’s to apply the Heat Rocks music podcast format to the discussion of a single academic article. So, it’s not having a guest discussing a recent article they wrote. Even journals try doing that for increased readership. I mean the guest chooses a classic, heat rock article (a fire, sure shot banger all the way through), and that’s what the episode is about — why that’s a heat rock to them. I like this format because it’s not about recency, and it’s not necessarily about esoterica. It’s just about something so good that you still have it in rotation — reading, teaching, or citing it. Two hosts, one guest, and one article each episode. So if I’m the guest, I might choose JDA’s 2007 “Gangstas, Wankstas, and Ridas.” Heat Rock all the way through. Still in rotation for me. Or Joyce King’s “Dysconscious Racism” from 1991. Yep, that’s the one I’m bringing. Functionally, this format cuts through some of the more prevalent ways people learn what they think they should read and cite. It’s like finding something new to listen to outside the Spotify algorithm. I like that. And as a host, it gives you the chance to read or reread things off the clock. The closing routine of “if you liked this album you should also listen to…” would transfer over well too.