All I want to do is talk about Madonna

Mark and Kenny pass the microphones over to our beloved listeners, who join the conversation and share their stories about their favorite Madonna song and moment up through 1998 on this Very Special Episode. Laugh, cry, and celebrate all the ways the music has changed our lives, together.

Kenny and Mark sync-up on the London trip packing lists, airport logistics, an episode correction, the social stigma of crossing the Thames, Kenny’s Ambien-tinged setlist wish list for the Celebration Tour, the valuable talent assistance of Billie Lourd, the re-emergence of MDNA, potentially watching “W.E.” on a plane, “Moonlighting”, Justine Bateman, and a harrowing prediction for the summer of 2023: grandchildren. Plus, beleaguered personal assistant (and dreamer) Tina takes a secret personal vacation to Milwaukee. SHOO-BEE-DOO!

Recorded LIVE on February 10, 2023 in London at the Omnibus Theatre in Clapham, Mark and Kenny sit down with playwright and performer Brian Mullin, director Deirdre McLaughlin, and fellow performer Dan De La Motte for a discussion about LIVE TO TELL: (A PROPOSAL FOR) THE MADONNA JUKEBOX MUSICAL and Madonna’s role as a muse and a conduit for reinvention throughout the many stages in these artists’ lives. Expect passionate reactions, AIDS history and its continuing impact and resonance on queer activism, female power dynamics, backstage secrets, and Dan’s penchant for astrology as we explore how each facet of this performance artist’s career has inspired, reacted, and repelled our culture across four decades. We also celebrate LIVE TO TELL’s return engagement of performances, this time at the Camden People’s Theatre, from April 4th - April 15th! Click here for tickets and more information.

As they ready Season Five, Kenny and Mark take a moment to remember, discuss, and celebrate the musical legacy of Sinead O’Connor – one of the defining voices of her (and their) generation. We love you, Sinead.

Mark and Kenny celebrate the publication of Madonna: A Rebel Life, a major new 800+ biography (in bookstores today!) with a frisky and fascinating conversation with its masterful author Mary Gabriel. Topics include justice for Miami, Bedtime Stories, and the University of Michigan, a sneak peek into the Hard Candy era and the Guy Ritchie of it all, an intriguing new theory about the song “I Love New York”, the evils of Live Nation, Madonna’s ultimate greatest collaborator, Mary’s personal favorite Madonna song, and why the culture is so resistant to a woman artist telling her own story. Get out your favorite bookmark and dive into this essential new book and order the book here or at any of your favorite independent bookstores. THANK YOU to the team at Little, Brown and Mr. Justin Ravitz for their assistance with this conversation.

Kenny and Mark channel Santa Claus and reach into their holiday sack for some confessional gifts to round out an eventful 2023. Topics include VHS tapes, dates at the shopping mall, the enduring theories around the lyrics to “Get Together”, Kylie Minogue, Borders Bookstore (RIP), Aunt Roxy Finkle, Michael Parkinson, Avicii’s version of “Rebel Heart”, and dinner with Stuart Price. Special Thanks to ALL who shared their confessions and ALL of our dear listeners who continue to join the conversation.

Mark and Kenny spend a long awaited spring afternoon in conversation about one of Madonna’s early musical influences - Joni Mitchell - and their favorite album 1976’s Hejira, as well as road trips and motels, a crackerjack collection of jazz fusion musicians, a genius’ search for bravery and clarity in both personal relationships and the relationship with herself, a renewed search in the American Dream. This episode is part of a two-part celebration of Joni Mitchell..Part Two arrives on friday June 14th, “No regrets Coyote”.

SPECIAL SUMMER EP: A Conversation with Ann Powers 14 jun 2024 · All I want to do is talk about Madonna SPECIAL SUMMER EPISODE: A Conversation w/ Ann Powers, author of Traveling: On the Path of Joni Mitchell For Part Two of our celebration of Joni Mitchell, the great ANN POWERS, esteemed rock writer and NPR music critic, joins Mark for a conversation about her brilliant new book Traveling: On the Path of Joni Mitchell.