The American Writers Museum Podcasts
Episodes
Episode 79: Layla Saad
24 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, for our first episode of 2022, AWM President Carey Cranston sits down with Layla Saad, author of the New York Times bestselling book Me and...
Episode 14: Rachel Carson
20 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we’ll discuss the life and work of Rachel Carson, a hugely influential marine biologist and nature writer. Her 1962 book Silent Spr...
Episode 78: Jonathan Lethem & Stacie Williams
20 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, tune into a conversation between Jonathan Lethem, award-winning author of The Fortress of Solitude, and Stacie Williams, whose book Bizarro...
Episode 6: Nora Ephron
15 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, co-hosts Jennifer and Zakiya discuss the life and work of prolific, multi-talented—and dramatic—writer Nora Ephron with pop cultu...
Episode 77: Gertrude Beasley
13 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, editors Nina Bennett and Marie Bennett discuss rediscovering and reprinting 1920s author Gertrude Beasley’s banned memoir My First Thirty...
Episode 76: Scott Turow
06 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, bestselling author Scott Turow discusses his novel The Last Trial with Olivia Bedi, a member of the AWM Board of Trustees. This conversatio...
Episode 75: Sigrid Nunez
29 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, award-winning writers Sigrid Nunez and Charlotte Wood discuss Nunez’s 2020 novel What Are You Going Through. This conversation originally...
Episode 13: Zitkála-Šá
26 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we’ll discuss the life and work of Zitkála-Šá, who also went by the name Gertrude Simmons Bonnin. Zitkála-Šá was a member of ...
Episode 74: A. O. Scott & Rafia Zakaria
22 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, editor Andrew Blauner chats with acclaimed writers A. O. Scott and Rafia Zakaria about their contributions to the essay anthology Now Comes...
Episode 73: Elliot Ackerman & Admiral James Stavridis
15 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, two former military officers and award-winning authors, Elliot Ackerman and Admiral James Stavridis, discuss their recent book 2034: A Nove...
Episode 72: Tom Roston
08 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, AWM Program Director Allison Sansone speaks with journalist Tom Roston about his new book The Writer’s Crusade: Kurt Vonnegut and the Man...
Episode 71: Asali Solomon
01 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, award-winning writers Asali Solomon and Rebecca Makkai discuss Solomon’s new novel The Days of Afrekete. This conversation originally too...
Episode 12: Shirley Jackson
27 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we’ll discuss the life and work of multi-dimensional writer Shirley Jackson, perhaps best known for her horror novels and short sto...
Episode 70: Scott Peeples on Edgar Allan Poe
25 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, just in time for Halloween, AWM Program Director Allison Sansone talks with historian Scott Peeples about Edgar Allan Poe and his book The ...
Episode 69: Joanne Lee Molinaro, The Korean Vegan
18 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, hear from Joanne Lee Molinaro about her new cookbook The Korean Vegan Cookbook: Reflections and Recipes from Omma’s Kitchen. Molinaro is ...
Episode 68: Sarah Gubbins
11 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, AWM Program Director Allison Sansone chats with playwright and screenwriter Sarah Gubbins, who most recently adapted the screenplay for the...
Episode 67: Juan Martinez
04 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, our celebration of Hispanic American Heritage Month continues with Juan Martinez, author of the short story collection Best Worst American....
Episode 11: Anthony Bourdain
29 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we’ll discuss the life and work of chef, author, documentarian, and tv personality Anthony Bourdain. We’re joined by his longtime...
Episode 66: Dear McSweeney’s
27 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we have a fun panel of writers who are featured in the anthology Dear McSweeney’s: Two Decades of Letters to the Editor from Writers, Rea...
Episode 5: Pauli Murray
22 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This month, co-hosts Jennifer and Zakiya discuss the incredible life and work of Pauli Murray with Barbara Lau, Executive Director of the Pauli Murray...
Episode 65: Lilliam Rivera
20 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, AWM Program Director, Allison Sansone, chats with Lilliam Rivera about her latest middle grade novel Never Look Back, which blends a touch ...
Episode 64: Shay Bravo
13 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, AWM Program Director, Allison Sansone, talks with Shay Bravo, a Mexican born author who has now lived half of her life in the U.S. Shay beg...
Episode 63: Leonard S. Marcus & Meg Medina
06 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, historian and critic Leonard S. Marcus discusses his book You Can’t Say Say That!: Writers for Young People Talk About Censorship, Free E...
Episode 62: Elly Fishman
30 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, hear from journalist and editor Elly Fishman about her book Refugee High: Coming of Age in America, winner of the Studs and Ida Terkel awar...
Episode 10: Américo Paredes
25 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast is presented in conjunction with our new virtual exhibit, American Voices, which you can explore at NationOfWriters.org. In this episode,...
Episode 61: Charles Ardai
23 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, AWM Program Director Allison Sansone talks with Charles Ardai, editor of the short story anthology Killer, Come Back to Me: The Crime Stori...
Episode 60: Christie Hefner
16 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, AWM President Carey Cranston talks with former chairman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises Christie Hefner about the landmark publication and i...
Episode 58: Kathleen Rooney
02 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Kathleen Rooney talks about her recent novel Cher Ami and Major Whittlesey with fellow writer Michael Zapata, author of The Lost Book of Ad...
Episode 57: Dr. Haki Madhubuti
12 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, AWM Program Director Allison Sansone chats with renowned poet and a leader of the Black Arts Movement Dr. Haki Madhubuti about his recent c...
Episode 56: Jess McHugh
05 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, AWM Program Director Allison Sansone chats with writer and researcher Jess McHugh about her recent book Americanon: An Unexpected U.S. Hist...
Episode 9: Reinaldo Arenas
30 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast is presented in conjunction with our new virtual exhibit, American Voices, which you can explore at NationOfWriters.org. In this episode,...
Episode 55: Dominic A. Pacyga
28 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
June is Immigrant Heritage Month and we are celebrating all month long by sharing past programs presented in conjunction with our special exhibit My A...
Episode 4: James Baldwin
23 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This month, co-hosts Jennifer and Zakiya discuss the legacy of James Baldwin with Robert Jones, Jr., the author of the New York Times Instant Bestsell...
Episode 54: Aaron Bobrow-Strain
21 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, program director Allison Sansone chats with writer and professor Aaron Bobrow-Strain, whose book The Death and Life of Aida Hernandez tells...
Episode 53: Khaled Mattawa
14 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
June is Immigrant Heritage Month and we are celebrating all month long by sharing past programs presented in conjunction with our special exhibit My A...
Episode 52: Rebecca Deng
07 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
June is Immigrant Heritage Month and we are celebrating all month long by sharing past programs presented in conjunction with our special exhibit My A...
Episode 51: Nicole Chung
31 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Nicole Chung discusses her memoir All You Can Ever Know with fellow writer Rebecca Makkai. This conversation originally took place November...
Episode 8: Hisaye Yamamoto
26 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we’ll discuss the life and work of Japanese American author Hisaye Yamamoto. You can learn more about Yamamoto by exploring our vir...
Episode 50: Sean Latham
24 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today is Bob Dylan’s 80th birthday…may he stay forever young. To celebrate, we caught up with Sean Latham, Director of the Institute for Bob D...
Episode 49: Rowan Hisayo Buchanan & T Kira Madden
17 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and we continue our celebration of that with writers Rowan Hisayo Buchanan and T Kira Madden...
Episode 48: June Hur
10 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and we continue our celebration of that with June Hur, author of The Silence of Bones. This ...
Episode 47: R. O. Kwon
03 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and we begin our celebration of that with R. O. Kwon, author of The Incendiaries. This conve...
Episode 7: Maya Angelou
28 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we dive into the life and work of Maya Angelou with Nikki Giovanni and Glory Edim. About our guests: Nikki Giovanni is an acclaimed p...
Episode 46: Rigoberto González and Johanny Vázquez Paz
26 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our National Poetry Month celebrations continue with acclaimed poets Rigoberto González and Johanny Vázquez Paz. This program took place April 15th,...
Episode 3: Ernest Hemingway & F. Scott Fitzgerald
21 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This month, co-hosts Jennifer and Zakiya discuss the relationship between Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald with Amanda Vaill, the author of th...
Episode 45: Layli Long Soldier, Mark Turcotte, and Tanaya Winder
19 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our National Poetry Month celebrations continue with indigenous poets Layli Long Soldier, Mark Turcotte, and Tanaya Winder who read from and discuss t...
Episode 44: Sahar Mustafah
12 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month with Sahar Mustafah, who discusses her recent novel The Beauty of Your Face. This conversation took place April...
Episode 43: Billy Collins
05 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we kick off National Poetry Month with former US Poet Laureate Billy Collins, who is interviewed by Irish Ambassador to the US Daniel Mulha...
Episode 6: Ray Bradbury
31 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode we discuss Ray Bradbury with Bradbury scholars Jason Aukerman and Patrick Mullins. Be sure to check out our newest online exhibit Ray Bra...
Episode 42: Jennifer Keishin Armstrong
29 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, pop culture historian and bestselling author Jennifer Keishin Armstrong discusses her new book When Women Invented Television: The Untold S...
Episode 41: Claudio Lomnitz
22 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, anthropologist Claudio Lomnitz discusses his memoir Nuestra América: My Family in the Vertigo of Translation with Princeton University pro...
Episode 40: Alice McDermott & Joseph O’Neill
15 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, acclaimed Irish-American writers Alice McDermott, Joseph O’Neill and Irish Ambassador to the United Sta...
Episode 2: Ray Bradbury & the FBI
10 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This month, co-hosts Jennifer and Zakiya discuss Ray Bradbury, exploring how he defended freedom of imagination throughout his career, from using his ...
Episode 39: Nicole Perlroth
08 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, AWM President Carey Cranston chats with award-winning New York Times cybersecurity reporter Nicole Perlroth about her new book This Is How ...
Episode 38: Sara Paretsky
01 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, renowned mystery writer Sara Paretsky discusses her book Shell Game, her writing process and more. This conversation was recorded live at t...
Episode 5: Margaret Walker
24 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode we discuss Margaret Walker with Angela Stewart, Archivist at the Margaret Walker Center, an archive and museum dedicated to the preservat...
Episode 37: Aarti Shahani
22 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, NPR correspondent Aarti Shahani discusses her memoir Here We Are: American Dreams, American Nightmares with fellow NPR correspondent Sonari...
Episode 36: Dr. John Stauffer
15 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Harvard scholar Dr. John Stauffer discusses the legacy of Frederick Douglass, particularly his use of early photography. This lecture was r...
Episode 1: Langston Hughes & Zora Neale Hurston
08 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this monthly series, co-hosts Jennifer Keishin Armstrong and Zakiya Dalila Harris discuss the professional feuds, sex scandals, messy pub...
Episode 35: Jasmine Guillory
08 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jasmine Guillory discusses her romance novel The Wedding Party with writer and poet Diamond Sharp. This conversation was recorded live at t...
Episode 34: Walter Mosley
01 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we sit down with Walter Mosley and discuss his work and the craft of writing. This program took place October 24th, 2018 and was recorded l...
Episode 4: Abraham Lincoln
27 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we discuss the life and writings of Abraham Lincoln with our guests Carolyn Curiel, former U.S. Ambassador and Senior Speechwriter for Bill Cli...
Episode 33: Gary Paulsen
25 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, iconic young adult author Gary Paulsen discusses his new middle grade memoir Gone to the Woods, his own survival story. He is joined by chi...
Episode 32: Jacqueline Woodson
18 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For our first episode of 2021, we chat with renowned writer Jacqueline Woodson. She is the author of dozens of award-winning books for young adults, m...
Episode 3: Louisa May Alcott
30 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Nation of Writers Podcast, a monthly series from the American Writers Museum that aims to explore our ever growing Nation of Writers by...
Episode 31: Jacob Soboroff
28 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, AWM Program Director Allison Sansone chats with award-winning NBC News correspondent Jacob Soboroff. This conversation took place September...
Episode 30: Uri Shulevitz
21 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, hear from Caldecott Medal-winning author and illustrator Uri Shulevitz about his new illustrated memoir Chance: Escape from the Holocaust. ...
Episode 29: Daniel Yergin
14 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, AWM President Carey Cranston chats with Pulitzer Prize-winner and global energy expert Daniel Yergin about his timely new book The New Map:...
Episode 28: Catharine Arnold
07 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, AWM Program Director Allison Sansone chats with writer and historian Catharine Arnold about her recent book Pandemic 1918: Eyewitness Accou...
Episode 27: Glory Edim
30 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Glory Edim, founder of Well-Read Black Girl book club, discusses her essay anthology with fellow writer Charlene Carruthers. This conversati...
Episode 2: Sequoyah
25 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Nation of Writers Podcast, a monthly series from the American Writers Museum that aims to explore our ever growing Nation of Writers by...
Episode 26 – The Peanuts Papers
23 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we hit the funny pages and talk about the anthology The Peanuts Papers with editor Andrew Blauner, contributing artist Chris Ware and cartoo...
Episode 25: Manisha Sinha
16 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, AWM President Carey Cranston chats with Dr. Manisha Sinha about the legacy of Frederick Douglass and other abolitionists from her book The ...
Episode 24: Colin Asher on Nelson Algren
09 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we discuss the legacy of Nelson Algren with Colin Asher, author of the biography Never A Lovely So Real: The Life and Work of Nelson Algren. Th...
Episode 23: Norman Mailer discussion
02 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we discuss the legacy of Norman Mailer with J. Michael Lennon, Mailer’s archivist and authorized biographer, and Maureen Corrigan, book cr...
Episode 1: Edgar Allan Poe
27 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Nation of Writers Podcast, part of the American Writers Museum podcast network. This episode is the first in a new monthly series that ...
Episode 22: Nicholas Buccola
26 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we present an excerpt from a previously recorded conversation with author and historian Nicholas Buccola about his recent book The Fire Is ...
Episode 21: Baseball Writing
19 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, get your peanuts and Cracker Jack ready because we’re chatting with essayist Joe Bonomo and sportswriter Rick Telander about their favori...
Episode 20: Frank Waln & Tanaya Winder
12 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today, in recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day, we talk with Native poets and performing artists Frank Waln and Tanaya Winder, who will also play som...
Episode 19: Juan Felipe Herrera
05 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, AWM Facilities Supervisor, Cristina Carrera, chats with former U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera about his new collection Every Day We...
Episode 18: Adrianna Cuevas
28 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, AWM Assistant Director of Programming and Education, Sonal Shukla, chats with Adrianna Cuevas, debut author of the middle grade fantasy nov...
Episode 17: Louie Pérez
21 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We continue celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month this week with singer-songwriter Louie Pérez, lead singer of Los Lobos, who chats with radio...
Episode 16: Julissa Arce
14 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, AWM President Carey Cranston sits down with bestselling author and immigrant rights advocate Julissa Arce to kick off National Hispanic Her...
Episode 15: Michelle Duster
07 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, AWM President Carey Cranston sits down with author and historian Michelle Duster who discusses the indelible impact and lasting legacy of h...
Episode 14: Isabel Ibañez
31 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, AWM Program Director Allison Sansone sits down with Isabel Ibañez to chat about her Bolivian heritage, writing process, and her debut Youn...
Episode 13: John Scalzi
24 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we honor Ray Bradbury’s recent Centennial on August 22nd with more science fiction. The prolific writer John Scalzi talks about his novel...
Episode 12: Annalee Newitz
17 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, journalist Dan Sinker talks with Annalee Newitz about Annalee’s recent time-traveling, punk rock novel The Future of Another Timeline. Th...
Episode 11: J. Michael Straczynski
10 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, American Writers Museum Program Director Allison Sansone chats with renowned screenwriter and comics writer J. Michael Straczynski ab...
Episode 10: Natasha Trethewey
03 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Booklist editor Donna Seaman talks with Pulitzer Prize-winner and former U.S. Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey about her powerful new memoir...
Episode 9: Tayari Jones
27 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Booklist editor Donna Seaman chats with Tayari Jones, author of An American Marriage, which was a selection for Oprah’s Book Club. We hop...
Episode 8: Ross Gay & Eve L. Ewing
20 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we are thrilled to present a discussion between award-winning poets Ross Gay and Eve L. Ewing, who talked about Gay’s recent collection T...
Episode 7: Keah Brown
13 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, AWM Program Director Allison Sansone talks with writer and disabled rights advocate Keah Brown about her essay collection The Pretty One. W...
Episode 6: Saeed Jones
06 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, AWM Program Director Allison Sansone talks to award-winning poet Saeed Jones about his memoir How We Fight For Our Lives, which tells his i...
Episode 5: David Treuer
29 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, AWM Program Director Allison Sansone talks to National Book Award finalist David Treuer about his book The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee, a swe...
Episode 4: Ngozi Ukazu
22 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we are pleased to present a discussion between AWM Program Director Allison Sansone and graphic novelist Ngozi Ukazu about the latest insta...
Episode 3: Laila Lalami
15 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we are pleased to present Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award finalist Laila Lalami, who chats with American Writers Museum President Car...
Episode 2: Viet Thanh Nguyen, Kao Kalia Yang & Vu Tran
08 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we are pleased to present writers Viet Thanh Nguyen, Kao Kalia Yang, and Vu Tran who’ll discuss their contributions to the anthology The D...
Episode 1: Sandra Cisneros & Fernando A. Flores
01 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This first episode of the American Writers Museum podcast is a discussion between Sandra Cisneros and Fernando A. Flores, who visited the AWM in May 2...