Best Of: Meshell Ndegeocello / Betty Gilpin
Oct 24, 2026 · 47m
Summary
Singer-songwriter and bassist Michelle Ndèghià Cello discusses her new album *Synonym*, which reimagines classic duets to explore themes of queerness, visibility, and liberation. Actor Betty Gilpin talks about her Emmy-winning role in the horror-comedy *Widow’s Bay* and her new season of the noir drama *The Lowdown*. The episode also features a review of Stevie Wonder’s new EP of unreleased tracks from *Songs in the Key of Life*.
Topics discussed
Sponsor: Capella University
Intro: Betty Gilpin on Widow's Bay
Sponsor: Whole Foods Market
Sponsor: Legacy Box
Music: Intro to Michelle Ingeia Cello
Interview: Michelle Ingeia Cello's background
Discussing 'The Sound of Colours' cover
Vocal techniques and Cat Power's influence
Music as a unifying force
Reimagining 'I Got You Babe'
Reaction to the new arrangement
The importance of arrangers
Collaboration with Anoni
Growth and feedback in a career
Voice changes with age
Album 'Synonym' and storytelling
Sponsor: Viking
Queer liberation and gender in music
Reimagining classic duets
Finding comfort in music
DC Go-Go music and community
Call and response in performance
Music and spiritual connection
Childhood of chaos and jubilation
Learning from her father
The role of the bass player
Groove and foundation in music
First gig with her father
Review: Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life
Review: 'It's Easier'
Review: 'My Life Story of Love'
Review: 'My Life Story of Love' analysis
Review: 'Treasures'
Review: 'I'm Into Livin'
Review: Stevie Wonder's legacy
Sponsor: Whole Foods Market
Sponsor: Google Workspace
Intro: Betty Gilpin's Emmy win
Gilpin's career highlights
Interview: Meeting Betty Gilpin
Welcome and congratulations
Balancing work and family
The Lowdown: Noir genre
Breaking character archetypes
Recognizing herself on screen
Outsourcing femininity
Widow's Bay success
Character description: Sarah Westcott
Approach to the horror-comedy tone
Clip: Widow's Bay scene
Clip: Widow's Bay dialogue
Filming logistics and cast
Anti-algorithm storytelling
Faith in humanity
Emmy speech poem
Clip: Emmy speech excerpt
Reaction to winning the award
Love for acting as connection
Early career beginnings
First role and husband
Credits and production team
Sponsor: Jerry
Listen ad-free on Castria