With the largest and most precious repertory of any American ballet company, the New York City Ballet is one of the country’s most prestigious cultural institutions. But its 76-year history hasn’t been scandal free, as a new podcast hosted by Nicky Anderson details. George Balanchine, N.Y.C.B.’s co-founder and artistic director for 35 years, was one of the greatest choreographers of all time (“like taking dictation from God,” describes one of his former dancers). But his genius was aroused by infatuation and love; consequently he slept with and sometimes married his muses. This practice would not pass muster today. Balanchine’s successor, Peter Martins, was forced to retire in 2018 after five former dancers accused him of verbal and physical abuse. That same year, a female dancer’s bombshell lawsuit accused several of the company’s male dancers of sharing nude pictures of her. For the first time, on the podcast, one of the accused dancers breaks his silence. —Paulina Prosnitz