In this powerful and deeply reflective episode of Lattes & Art, host James William Moore sits down with groundbreaking playwright, director, and author Karen Malpede, a pioneering voice in American theater whose work has shaped socially and politically engaged performance for almost six decades.
Karen’s writing confronts mortality, political violence, environmental collapse, and the ethical responsibility of artists in times of crisis. With the recent release of her memoir, Last Radiance: Radical Lives, Bright Deaths (Vine Leaves Press, October 2025), she reflects on love, loss, grief, and the enduring role of art as a force for witness, resistance, and transformation.
This conversation explores what it means to make make space for a form of truth-telling in death and dying, and why we have a responsibility not to look away. Thoughtful, urgent, and deeply human, this episode is a meditation on legacy, courage, and the radical power of creative practice.
Lattes & Art is presented by J-Squared Atelier.
You can order your copy of Last Radiance: Radical Lives, Bright Deaths here: https://vineleavespress.myshopify.com/products/last-radiance-by-karen-malpede
Be sure to follow, rate, and subscribe — and check out Art Happens: The Divine Mess of Art History for an art history lesson that ain't like those ones your grandparents took.
J-Squared Atelier, LLCFor the love of art
Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!
Start for FREE
PodMatch
Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Hosts & Guests For Interviews While Streamlining the Process
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Follow & Subscribe to Lattes & Art
Stay inspired with new episodes every week! Don’t miss out on deep conversations with artists, curators, and creators exploring the vibrant world of contemporary art.
Connect with Us:
J-Squared Aterlier (J2Atelier)
🌐 Website: J2 Atelier
📸 Instagram: @J2Atelier
James William Moore
🌐 Website: James William Moore
📸 Instagram: @the_jwmartist
Leave a Review:
Love what you hear? Help us grow by leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform! Your feedback keeps us inspired. 🎙️☕
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
Two Guys, Five Rings: Matt, Bowen & The Olympics
Two Guys (Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers). Five Rings (you know, from the Olympics logo). One essential podcast for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Bowen Yang (SNL, Wicked) and Matt Rogers (Palm Royale, No Good Deed) of Las Culturistas are back for a second season of Two Guys, Five Rings, a collaboration with NBC Sports and iHeartRadio. In this 15-episode event, Bowen and Matt discuss the top storylines, obsess over Italian culture, and find out what really goes on in the Olympic Village.