The Downtown Writers Jam

After Party: Wanda M. Morris

02 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

One of our favorite authors, Wanda M. Morris, stopped by the Bunker for an After Party storytelling Q&A with Brad. Her latest book, Any Where You Run,...

Jam Sessions: David Lee Csicsko

26 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Designer David Lee Csicsko dropped by the Bunker for a Jam Session about his latest project, LGBTQ+ Icons: A Celebration of Historical LGBTQ+ Icons in...

Felice Cohen

12 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Author Felice Cohen dropped by the Bunker to talk about her latest book, Half In: A Coming-of-Age Memoir of Forbidden Love. Be warned, Felice came rea...

After Party: Sergio Troncoso

05 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

One of Brad's favorite guests, author Sergio Troncoso, dropped by the bunker After Party to talk about his latest novel, Nobody's Pilgrims. The two ta...

Natalia Molina

28 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Author and professor Natalia Molina stopped by the Bunker to talk about her latest book, A Place at the Nayarit: How a Mexican Restaurant in Los Angel...

Keri Blakinger

14 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Author and journalist Keri Blakinger stopped by the Bunker to talk about her memoir, Corrections in Ink, a fascinating examination of the women's pris...

Katie Hafner

07 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Journalist and author Katie Hafner stopped by the Bunker to talk about her debut novel, The Boys. She and Brad took a stroll through some of the diffi...

Emi Nietfeld

31 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Author Emi Nietfeld stopped by the Bunker to talk about her memoir, Acceptance, which is—in many ways—a story about the cost of surviving. For tha...

Angelique Pesce

17 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Author Angelique Pesce stopped by the Bunker to talk with Brad about her latest book, American Pastime, and the importance of family. She grew up work...

After Party: Elisabeth Sharp McKetta

15 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Author Elisabeth Sharp McKetta came back to the Bunker After Party to talk about her latest book, Awake with Asashoryu and Other Essays. She joined Br...

Jenny Colgan

10 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Author Jenny Colgan stopped by the Bunker to talk about her latest book, An Island Wedding, and the conversation was just delightful. She and Brad tal...

Jeevani Charika (aka Rhoda Baxter)

27 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Author Jeevani Charika—who also writes under the pseudonym Rhoda Baxter that was inspired by the bacteria she studied while getting her Ph.D. in Mic...

Rodrigo Ribera d’Ebre

20 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Author Rodrigo Ribera d’Ebre stopped by the Bunker to talk about his latest book, The Displaced. He and Brad talked a lot about finding your home an...

After Party: Bobi Conn

18 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Author Bobi Conn (A Woman in Time) stopped by the After Party to share a little Appalachian storytelling with Brad. Bobi's own story has been filled w...

Kelly Sokol

13 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Author Kelly Sokol (Breach) stopped by the Bunker this week to talk with Brad about her journey, which included a stop at the Capitol and a job on the...

After Party: Catherine Drake

11 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Vermont author Catherine Drake (The Treehouse on Dog River Road) stopped by the Bunker for a wild After Party with Brad to talk about how Christmas ca...

After Party: Rebecca van Laer

08 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Author Rebecca van Laer (How to Adjust to the Dark) stopped by the Bunker After Party to talk a bit one of our favorite topics: the anxiety of writing...

Nicole Exposito

06 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Writer Nicole Exposito stopped by the Bunker this week to talk about her fiction podcast, The Burned Photo, which frankly scared the crap out of Brad....

After Party: Louise Mumford

01 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Author Louise Mumford (The Safe House) stopped the Bunker for the After Party! She and Brad discussed why it's important to be less polite (especially...

Sophie Flynn

29 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Author Sophie Flynn stopped by the Bunker this week to talk about her latest book, Keep Them Close. She and Brad explored her transformation from a "m...

After Party: Colin Kersey

27 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Colin Kersey (Swimming with the Angels) joined Brad in the Bunker for an After Party Q&A to discuss how he became a writer (it took some time), the im...

Jam Sessions: Lisa Knopp

24 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Author Lisa Knopp joined Brad in the Bunker this week for the first Jam Session, a deep dive conversation into her book From Your Friend, Carey Dean. ...

Louise Mangos

22 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Author Louise Mangos joins us in the Bunker this week from her writing retreat in the Swiss Alps (!!!) to talk about her latest book, The Beaten Track...

After Party: Sam Holland

20 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Author Sam Holland (The Echo Man) stopped by Bunker for an After Party Q&A. She talked about her greatest writing epiphany (Post-it Notes!), and she p...

Mintie Das

15 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Author Mintie Das stopped by the Bunker to talk about her YA novel, Brown Girl Ghosted. It's rare to meet somebody more extroverted than Brad, but we'...

After Party: Hannah Mary McKinnon

10 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Author Hannah Mary McKinnon (Never Coming Home) stopped by the Bunker to be our first guest on a Q&A show. A master storyteller, Hannah is going to ha...

Wanda M. Morris

08 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Author Wanda M. Morris stopped by the Bunker to talk about her debut novel, All Her Little Secrets. She and Brad discussed their love of structure and...

Gillian McAllister

01 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Crime author Gillian McAllister dropped by the Bunker just a few weeks before we went on hiatus. We've been gone so long that her last book, That Nigh...

Chris Jones

12 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Two-time National Magazine Award winner and author Chris Jones stopped by the Bunker to talk about his latest book, The Eye Test, a treatise on expert...

Elisabeth Sharp McKetta

22 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A little tired from the holiday season? We've got the cure here in the Ohio Bunker! The fantastic and lovely Elisabeth Sharp McKetta stopped by to tal...

Mini Episode: Elizabeth B. Splaine

17 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author and friend of the program Elizabeth B. Splaine stopped by the Bunker to talk about her historical fiction novel, Swan Song. Buckle up for this ...

Ari Honarvar

15 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author and activist Ari Honarvar stopped by the Bunker to talk about her novel, A Girl Called Rumi. She immigrated from Iran when she was young, and s...

Mini Episode: Rachel Krantz

13 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Award-winning journalist and author Rachel Krantz stopped by the program to talk about her reporter memoir, Open: An Uncensored Memoir of Love, Libera...

Mini Episode: Jacqueline Friedland

10 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Friend of the program and author Jacqueline Friedland stopped by the Bunker to talk about her latest novel, He Gets That From Me, a story that mixes h...

Sophie Santos

08 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author, comedian, and TV writer Sophie Santos stopped by the Bunker to talk about her memoir, The One You Want to Marry, and her live stage show, The ...

Mini-Episode: Bruce Ledewitz

06 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Professor, anti-death penalty legal advocate, and author Bruce Ledewitz stopped by the Jam Bunker for a very soberting conversation about his latest b...

Mini-Episode: Sophie Cousens

03 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Television producer turned author Sophie Cousens joined Brad in the Bunker to talk about her latest book, Just Haven't Met You Yet. Sophie made the ca...

Clifford Garstang

01 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author Clifford Garstang stopped by the Bunker this week to talk about his latest book, Oliver's Travels. Clifford is one of those fascinating people ...

Mini Episode: Dan Sanders

26 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author and vending machine repair guide writer Dan Sanders stopped by the Bunker to talk about his novella, The Loop. But this turned out to be one of...

Kia Abdullah

24 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Travel writer and author Kia Abdullah stopped by the Bunker to talk about her latest novel, Next of Kin, which was the Times Crime Book of the Month S...

Mini Episode: Ann R. Williams

19 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author, archaeologist, and retired National Geographic writer Ann R. Williams stopped by the Bunker to talk with Brad about her latest book, Lost Citi...

Dr. Kara Cooney

17 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author, TV producer, and Egyptologist Dr. Kara Cooney stopped by the Bunker this week to talk about her latest book, The Good Kings: Absolute Power in...

Mini Episode: Louise Fein

15 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author and friend of the program Louise Fein is back to talk about her sophomore book, The Hidden Child, which is climbing the best-seller charts! Lik...

Mini Episode: Yanis Varoufakis

12 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Renowned economist, politician, and author Yanis Varoufakis stopped by the Bunker to talk about his latest book, Another Now, which is an alternate hi...

Laura Zlatos

10 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Playwright Laura Zlatos stopped by the Bunker to talk about her writing journey and her latest play, The Empress of Jupiter, which debuts in December ...

Mini Episode: Robert McCaw

08 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author Robert McCaw stopped by the Bunker to talk about the latest in his Koa Kane mystery series, Treachery Times Two. But Robert has led a fascinati...

Mini Episode: Teresa K. Miller

05 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author Teresa K. Miller stopped by the bunker to talk about her memoir reflection in poetry, Borderline Fortune. She and Brad talked about the impact ...

Nadine Matheson

03 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Introverts: buckle up! Author Nadine Matheson stopped by the Bunker to talk about her debut novel, The Jigsaw Man. But she and Brad got right down to ...

Mini Episode: Robbie Bach

01 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes Brad has a guest on for personal reasons. Like this week. Author Robbie Bach stops by the Bunker to talk about his debut thriller, The Wilke...

Mini Episode: Samantha Specks

29 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author Samantha Specks has one of the most interesting origin stories: A clinical social worker, she hadn't planned on becoming a writer. But she had ...

Ed Davis

27 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author Ed Davis stopped by the Bunker South (aka, our Birmingham studio) to talk about his latest book, The Last Professional. But he and Brad had so ...

Mini Episode: Jessica DuLong

25 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author, journalist, and mariner Jessica DuLong stopped by the Bunker to talk about one of the most fascinating books we've read here at the Jam. Her b...

Mini Episode: Lee Matthew Goldberg

22 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author Lee Matthew Goldberg stopped the Bunker to talk about his latest novel, Stalker Stalked. Lee, who came on the Jam last year (Episode 74), has b...

Jan Beatty

20 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author Jan Beatty stopped by the Bunker to talk about her award-winning memoir, American Bastard. If you follow the show, you know that title alone wa...

J.L. Torres

13 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author J.L. Torres stopped by the Bunker to talk about his latest book, Migrations, that takes a deep dive into the inbetween-ness many Puerto Ricans ...

Mini Episode: Spencer Fluery

01 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author Spencer Fluery stopped by the Bunker to talk about his first novel, How I’m Spending My Afterlife, a title that absolutely ensured Brad would...

Ellen Michaelson

29 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Ellen Michaelson stopped by the Bunker to talk about her debut novel The Care of Strangers. And this is one of those delightful interviews where t...

Mini Episode: Chevy Stevens

27 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes, we have unexpected conversations in the Bunker. That's exactly what happened when author Chevy Stevens stopped by to talk with Brad about h...

Mini Episode: Robyn Harding

24 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author Robyn Harding is the latest Canadian thriller writer to stop by the Bunker, and she joined Brad to talk about her latest book The Perfect Famil...

Sumbul Ali-Karamali

22 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Buckle up for this conversation. Brad strays from the traditional structure in the Bunker. Instead, he has a long discussion with author and speaker S...

Mini Episode: Louise Mumford

17 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author Louise Mumford stopped by the Bunker to talk about her debut book, Sleepless, which is out in stores now. A former middle-grade English teacher...

Colleen van Niekerk

15 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author Colleen van Niekerk stopped by the Bunker to talk about her debut novel, A Conspiracy of Mothers (October, 2021), which blends together life in...

Mini Episode: Eddy Boudel Tan

13 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author Eddy Boudel Tan stopped by the Bunker to talk about his latest book, The Rebellious Tide, which is out in stores now. But, Brad had more than j...

Mini Episode: Minal Bopaiah

10 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. We are all talking about those three ideas these days. But one of the big challenges is how to create systemic chang...

Tommy Swerdlow

08 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Buckle up, good people, because actor, screenwriter, and author Tommy Swerdlow stopped by the Bunker to talk about his novel Straight Dope. While you ...

Mini Episode: Roz Nay

06 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author Roz Nay is one of Brad's favorite types of people: a traveler and adventurer. She's been to twenty-eight countries, and has spent a lifetime ma...

Mini Episode: Nydia Hetherington

03 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author Nydia Hetherington has been creating worlds in her head since she was a child in Leeds, dreaming about fairies and the sea. She channeled that ...

Philippa East

01 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Scottish author Philippa East came out of the gate hot when her first book Little White Lies was longlisted for the Guardian's prestigious "Not The Bo...

Mini Episode: Tim Ewins

30 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There is nowhere better than here! You’ll know when you know. Author Tim Ewins came to the Bunker to talk about his book, We Are Animals. But, of co...

Mini Episode: Drs. Gale Sinatra and Barbara Hofer

27 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Drs. Gale Sinatra and Barbara Hofer are the latest researchers to stop by the Bunker to talk about their work understanding why people are rejecting s...

Mini Episode: Steven Tingle

25 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author Steven Tingle stopped by the Bunker to talk about his book, Graveyard Fields. And, along the way, Brad and he discussed his circuitous route in...

Bonnie MacBird

25 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You ever meet one of those people who just seem to be good...at everything? Well, you're about to meet one! Author, screenwriter, producer, and docume...

Mini Episode: Evan Morgan Williams

20 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Short story writer and author Evan Morgan Williams stopped by the Bunker to talk about his latest collection, Stories of the New West, an examination ...

Jiordan Castle

18 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Poet and author Jiordan Castle stopped by the Bunker to talk about her recently acquired memoir in verse, Disappearing Act. Even though it won't hit s...

Greg McGoon

11 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is a very special and wonderful episode with children's book author and actor Greg McGoon. Greg stopped by to talk about his latest Oliver Gilmor...

Claire Cox

04 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author Claire Cox stopped by the Bunker to talk about her debut novel, Silver Beach. But before she and Brad got to that, they covered a lot of ground...

Mini Episode: Simon Van Der Velde

30 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Wanderer, drifter, lawyer, teacher, and author Simon Van Der Velde stopped by the Bunker to talk about his book, Backstories. An award-winning short s...

Mini Episode: Alice Kaltman

26 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dog lovers of the world: unite: Author Alice Kaltman stopped by the Bunker to talk with Brad (and Maxx) about her book, Dawg Towne, a series of interc...

Vanessa Carlisle

21 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author Vanessa Carlisle stopped by the Bunker to talk about her latest book, Take Me With You, a novel she wrote while getting her PhD in Creative Wri...

Mini Episode: Drs. Sara & Jack Gorman

16 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Drs. Sara and Jack Gorman stopped by the Bunker to talk about one of the most important issues we’re facing: science deniers. The father and daughte...

Mini Episode: B.B. Russell

12 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author B.B. Russell stopped by the Bunker to talk about her young adult novel Kindreds. She and Brad have more than just writing in common. B.B. has a...

Mini Episode: Amanda Headlee

09 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author Amanda Headlee has been thinking about fear and folklore more of her life, which was all Brad needed to hear to have her on the show. She stopp...

Sergio Troncoso

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Award winning author Sergio Troncoso stopped by the Bunker to talk about his eighth book, an edited collection titled Nepantla Familias: An Anthology ...

Mini Episode: Hannah Tovey

02 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author Hannah Tovey popped by the Bunker to talk about her forthcoming novel, Is This Is?, which hits shelves in July and a follow up to her first boo...

Mini Episode: Greg Larson

30 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author Greg Larson dropped by the Bunker to talk about one of Brad’s favorite subjects: baseball. Larson spent two years as the a clubhouse attendan...

Mini Episode: Ross Benes

25 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Award-winning author and researcher Ross Benes stopped by the Bunker to talk with Brad about one of his favorite topics: the transformation of the Rep...

Don Merrill

23 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes—ever so rarely—Twitter isn't a dumpster fire. And, a few weeks ago the hellsite brought author and journalist Don Merrill to the Bunker....

Mini Episode: Lucie Elven

18 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

British author Lucie Elven stopped by the Bunker to talk about her first book, The Weak Spot. She and Brad also talked about the weirdness of book rea...

Andy Abramowitz

16 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Buckle up GenX'ers. Author Andy Abramowitz and Brad sat down in the bunker to discuss Baltimore, baseball, David Simon, Phil Collins, music, and weir...

Lucy Leitner

02 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Brad enjoyed having horror-comedy author Lucy Leitner on the first episode of the video podcast so much, he invited her to Jam to talk about her lates...

Leah Hampton

26 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Brad came across author Leah Hampton on Twitter, and he was immediately sold for two reasons: She had Appalachia in her bio and her book is called Fuc...

Gian Sardar

19 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author Gian Sardar stopped by the Bunker to talk about her second novel, Take What You Can Carry, which is a fictionalized version of her mother and f...

Mini Episode: Peter Quinn

17 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Peter Quinn stopped by the Bunker to talk about the re-release of his 1995 American Book Award-winning novel Banished Children of Eve: A Novel of Civi...

Mini Episode: Kim Catanzarite

14 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Catanzarite stopped by the Bunker to talk about her novel, They Will Be Coming For Us. Kim is also an editor, working with Writer’s Digest Books...

Margo Orlando Littell

12 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author Margo Orlando Littell stopped by the Bunker to talk about her latest book, The Distance from Four Points, which is set in Northern Appalachia. ...

Mini Episode: Hannah Mary McKinnon

10 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hannah Mary McKinnon stopped by the Bunker to talk about her latest book, Look What You Made Me Do. But Hannah is a more than just a writer. She’s a...

Mini Episode: Nikki Smith

07 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Nikki Smith’s book All in Her Head was one of Brad’s favorite psychological thrillers from 2020. And now, Nikki is back with her follow up, Look W...

Sarah Elaine Smith

05 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week in the Bunker, author and poet Sarah Elaine Smith stops by to talk about her debut novel, Marilou Is Everywhere, "a coming-of-age tale that ...

Mini Episode: Phil Bowne

03 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes, we interview authors because of their book title. This is one of those times! Stop by the Bunker to listen to Brad interview Phil Bowne, wh...

Kathleen Rooney

28 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Anytime a third wave, GenX feminist writer stops by the Bunker, we know it's going to be a good day. And author Kathleen Rooney did not disappoint. Wh...