Stephanie Bastek

Stephanie Bastek is the senior editor of the Scholar and the producer/host of the Smarty Pants podcast.

Riot Girls

Jessica Hopper shines a spotlight on the too-often-overlooked women of rock history

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday July 24, 2026

To the Manor Born

Adrian Tinniswood dissects the myth of the deteriorating British estate

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday July 10, 2026

The Industrial Revolution of Bees

Jennie Durant on the vicious cycle involving beekeepers and almond farms

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday June 26, 2026

The Geek Squad

A. D. Jameson on how the nerds finally won

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday June 12, 2026

Weather Kids and Panther Cubs

Zayd Ayers Dohrn on growing up on the run and in his parents’ revolutionary shadow

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday May 29, 2026

For Better or for Wurst

Jamie Loftus on the wild American world of hot dogs

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday May 15, 2026

Learn the Ropes of Estate Sailing

Kate Davis gives advice on secondhand scores

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday May 1, 2026

Safe From Sin

Peter Jones on what medieval psychology can do for you

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday April 17, 2026

Hue and Cry

Kory Stamper on the weird ways we define color

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday April 3, 2026

Shotgun Ornithology

James H. McCommons on the first American efforts to save the birds

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday March 20, 2026

American Horror Story

By Stephanie Bastek | Thursday October 31, 2024

The Writing on the Wall

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday October 18, 2024

This Woman’s Work

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday October 4, 2024

Queen of the Night

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday September 20, 2024

A Toothsome Tale

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday September 6, 2024

A Rebel to Remember

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday August 23, 2024

Going for Gold

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday August 9, 2024

Paradise Reclaimed

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday July 26, 2024

Femmes Fantastiques

By Stephanie Bastek | Thursday July 25, 2024

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