Four Inane Questions with Art Bytes podcaster Kathleen Leighton
Kathleen Leighton never set out to work at a museum. Originally from Minneapolis, Leighton started her long legacy as a journalist, jumping from radio to TV, where she had a storied career as a news anchor. “At that point, I’d been in television for several decades and I was burned out,” she says. “I still loved telling stories, though.”
When Julián Zugazagoitia came to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in 2010, and a media relations job came open, Leighton was intrigued. When she landed the gig, it quickly evolved into a perfect fit for her storytelling abilities.
Enter the newly launched podcast Art Bytes, which grew out of a casual conversation less than a year ago. Each standalone episode, hosted by Leighton, takes the listener behind the art on the walls and into the stories of how art is made, where artists find inspiration, and how the world of art is filled with diversity. (Among the first episodes is a conversation with comedian Cheech Marin, formerly of Cheech and Chong, who has collected art for years and whose collection is now housed in a Southern California museum.)
A new episode will be launched on the first Friday of each month. (Yes, that’s today, if you’re paying attention.) Upcoming episodes feature conversations with Dutch Artist Jan Hendrix, master printer Michael Simms, founder of the Lawrence Lithography Workshop, and Jonathan Henery—who explores the legacy of the innovative artist Christo.
We caught up with Leighton in between recordings to zing her with our zany questionnaire. Like any pro podcaster, she tried to ask us questions, too. We shot that down real quick. Bless.
The Pitch: If you were a car air freshener, what scent would you be?
Kathleen Leighton: I would have to go with something that would calm even the most frustrating drive down Main Street as I navigate streetcar construction. Maybe the scent of my favorite tea—Constant Comment—with the warm, orangey spices wafting through the car and taking my tension down a notch.
What fashion trend desperately needs to make an immediate comeback?
Looking presentable for plane rides! A good friend of mine was a flight attendant for years and she always complained about how scruffy passengers looked compared to when she started her career. I only half-listened to her, because really, how realistic is it that we will wear dresses and hats to jump on a flight to New York?
I have to say that it does bug me a bit that some people look like they should be heading to bed with their ripped pajama pants and oversized tee shirts. I mean, you don’t have to wear white gloves, but please comb your hair.
Photo Courtesy of Kathleen Leighton
What famous chef do you want to create a dessert named after you? Also, what’s in The Leighton?
During COVID, my wonderful daughter gifted me with a ticket for Ina Garten’s virtual book tour. We mixed our Manhattans—she in Chicago, me in Kansas City—and joined the delightful conversation Ina had about her latest cookbook with Jennifer Garner. It was a ball! I have followed Ina for years, so she would have to be the one to make this dessert or her feelings might be hurt.
The Leighton should involve dark chocolate and pillowy whipped cream, with a bit of crunch from crisp puff pastry or toasted hazelnuts. I could also be persuaded to go the citrus route with tangy lemon or grapefruit curd layered in a tall glass with fresh raspberries.
Admit it—How long would you survive in a zombie apocalypse?
The first issue would be me realizing that an actual zombie apocalypse is happening. I was invited to go to the film screening of World War Z. I knew nothing except that Brad Pitt was in it. I had no idea what it was about. After a few minutes, I said, “This is a zombie movie??”
I’m thinking I would survive an actual zombie apocalypse as long as the Oreo cookie supply in my safe room holds out. So, maybe four hours?
