Join host David Humphrey for a conversation with multidisciplinary New York artist Rachel Mason. In this episode, Mason discusses her unique practice of inhabiting the psyches of political figures through songwriting. From imagining life as Saddam Hussein on his execution day to an unexpected correspondence with Manuel Noriega about their shared "infected canals," Mason's ability to forge profound connections across seemingly impassable divides is as disarming as it is insightful. Hear her perform tracks from her latest album, including the haunting "The Candidate" inspired by the 2008 presidential race, and gain insight into how nursing home visits shaped reflections on memory and presence in "The Oven Sky."

Rachel Mason (b. 1978) is an American filmmaker whose work includes performance art, music, films and multimedia projects.
Image: Holy Empire of The Jaw, 2009. Courtesy of Rachel Mason.