Each year, the Center for Cartoon Studies and Dartmouth College host the Will and Ann Eisner Lecture, a public presentation by artists and storytellers at the top of their craft. This year’s event involved a conversation between two storytellers working in journalism and podcasts, Erica Heilman (Rumblestrip) and Emily Bazelon (NYT Magazine, Slate Political Gabfest). Heilman and Bazelon discussed their approaches to journalism and storytelling, with particular focus on the the difference between journalism that holds power accountable, and their work that aims to represents a person’s story. Bazelon talked about her goal of using storytelling to explain complex topics, and Heilman focussed on creating a narrative environment that listeners can climb into. Both discussed the growth of podcasting over the past decade, from an emerging form to an industry, and their hopes that the format will continue to be accessible to new creators.
“I want people to fall in love with each other across divides. That’s all I want.”
-Erica Heilman, Rumblestrip
The conversation between Bazelon and Heilman provided a unique opportunity for the cartoonists of the Center for Cartoon Studies and the Dartmouth Humanities community to reflect on the processes and questions we share across storytelling mediums.
Emily Bazelon is a journalist and co-host of the Slate Political Gabfest. Whether on the podcast, as a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, or as a lecturer at Yale Law School, Bazelon explores complex legal and social issues with clarity and depth. Bazelon’s insightful analysis and engaging storytelling captivate audiences and fosters crucial dialogues on contemporary issues reshaping our world. Emily is also the author of the award-winning book, Charged: The Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration.
Erica Heilman is the storyteller and the voice behind the acclaimed podcast Rumble Strip. With a keen eye for the extraordinary in the everyday, Heilman delves deep into the lives of ordinary people, uncovering profound truths and untold stories. Rumble Strip‘s “Finn and the Bell” episode won a Peabody Award in 2022. Rumble Strip was named #1 Podcast of 2022 by The New Yorker and ammong the top 10 podcasts of 2022 by The New York Times. Rumble Strip has aired on 99% Invisible, Radiolab, Snap Judgement, SOUNDPRINT, CBC, BBC, KCRW, and on major public radio affiliates across the country.
