Imaginative freedom and authoritarian clout come head to head in this episode as we journey through the imposing architecture of North Korea; the heyday of Funk, Soul, and RnB; and Christo’s latest grand-scale happening in London’s Hyde Park.

First up, Guardian critic Oliver Wainwright shares his journey to Pyongyang and the outlandish constructions of the Kim regime. Next, photographer Bruce Talamon takes us back to a heyday in black music, sharing anecdotes — and tips — from his time capturing Aretha Franklin, Al Green, The Jackson Five, not to mention Thanksgiving Dinner with Marvin Gaye. Finally, our friend Christo calls in to discuss his latest project, the London Mastaba in Hyde Park, and his and Jeanne-Claude’s long-standing fascination with barrels as a creative material.

The TASCHEN Podcast is presented by Kevin Caners and produced by Eliza Apperly.