Recently, The Journal of Michael Jackson Academic Studies put out a call for donations—because, as it turns out, 65+ episodes of Michael Jackson’s Dream Lives On: An Academic Conversation take up a lot of digital space. Dozens (dare I say hundreds) of hours of academic deep dives, literary analysis, and cultural discussions later, we had officially maxed out our hosting provider’s limits.
Now, as we approach Episode 67, we’re returning to the essay that started it all—a 400-word exploration of Michael Jackson’s many personas, paralleled with the biblical story of Naboth, a man who refused to sell his inheritance to the King of Samaria and was stoned to death for it. (Subtle? No. Fascinating? Absolutely.)
It got me thinking: I love this podcast.
I love its seven-episode seasons. I love its unapologetic commitment to academic rigor. I love its incredible guests, from scholars like Roberta Meek and Lisha McDuff (Episodes 8 & 9), to Dr. Joseph Vogel (Episode 10), to author Andy Healy (Episode 19), to sound engineer Dr. Susan Rogers (Episode 37)—who, by the way, worked with Prince. (Yes, that Prince.)
And then there are Brice Najar (Episode 46), director Marcos Cabota (Episode 57), columnist Kerry Hennigan (Episodes 59, 60, and 62), and cultural critics Geneva S. Thomas and Nina Fonoroff (Episode 63)—all of whom bring depth, perspective, and an academic lens to the conversation.
I find myself listening regularly, a steady stream of insights trickling into my ears. Whether I’m washing dishes, doing laundry, walking to the supermarket, or even standing in the aisle, debating which brand of pasta to buy, Michael Jackson’s Dream Lives On: An Academic Conversation is right there with me.
Despite tackling big themes—race, identity, artistic legacy—this podcast is not about controversy for controversy’s sake. Its foundation is academic scholarship. Every discussion is anchored in research, which means no wild speculation, no sensationalism—just well-sourced, deeply thoughtful analysis.
Now, as I work on my follow-up to The Dangerous Philosophies of Michael Jackson, I find myself returning to these episodes again and again—for study, for reference, for worksheets that push my own research further.
And with new donations rolling in, the future of Michael Jackson Studies looks bright.
What’s Your Favorite Episode?
If you haven’t yet, share, donate, and comment—because this podcast, like Jackson’s legacy itself, isn’t just about looking back—it’s about keeping the conversation alive.
What are your favorite episodes, and why? Let’s discuss.
It’s all for love.