Get Lit Podcast

Send us a textFor our final episode, we're celebrating seven years of Get Lit with an exploration of our statistics, a few games and great trivia, a few guest stars (thank you Dan, Ailey, and Jack!), and our reflections and gratitude! We're so so so appreciative to all of our listeners around the world who have listened, supported us, and made this community such a special space to explore literature. Thank you, as always, for keeping it lit! 

Send us a textOur live episode is now live! Jon and Steph attempt to capture roughly 3,000 years of literary history in under an hour! We answer our listener AMA questions, play games, and celebrate our community in this special penultimate episode! 

Send us a textNeed to be inspired this week? Look no further than our author this week, Christine de Pisan! de Pisan was a poet, novelist, and biographer who used her voice and talents with a pen to advocate for women all over Europe. Her early feminist works explore the role of women in the late medieval period, providing valuable insight to the lives of those so often left out of the narrative. She was also the person to document (via poem) the life of Joan of Arc during her lifetime. Her remarkable work is even more compelling in the circumstances of her life. Join us to learn more about this extraordinary writer! We also share a bittersweet announcement and encourage you to join us in celebrating Get Lit at our live show! Reserve your spot here!

Send us a textThis week, Jon takes over and presents a biography of David Foster Wallace. This thinker, writer, and teacher, had a fraught legacy in spite of his short and relatively tragic life. He asks us to consider this author, his work, and his legacy as his cultural impact continues to evolve. We also share a bittersweet announcement and encourage you to join us in celebrating Get Lit at our live show! Reserve your spot here!**Content Warning: This episode contains references to and discussions of suicide. 

Send us a textThis week, we're pleased to likely introduce you to poet, writer, actress, lampshade maker, and general adventurer, Mina Loy! We'll traverse away across the world, learning about her unique legacy and the people she inspired along the way. Her work was celebrated, controversial, and compelling. Join us for a splendid time! JOIN US FOR OUR LIVE SHOW ON MARCH 28th at 7pm at the Bramble Arts Loft in Chicago!! Reserve your seat here! 

Send us a textUp this week, it's Ella Wheeler Wilcox everybody! This very famous American poet and novelist has been largely forgotten despite her popularity at the time. Known generally for her sentimental poetry, Wheeler Wilcox was not without her own adventures or scandal. Follow us from Wisconsin to Connecticut to Europe and beyond, as we shine a light on this most deserving writer. 

Send us a textGot a question? Just ask Jeeves! Or P.G. Wodehouse, the creator of this iconic character. This week, we explore Wodehouse's storied past across Europe and the United States, from Hollywood to Broadway and beyond. Wodehouse's novels, plays, lyrics, short stories, and more represent a moment in our cultural past that seemed nostalgic even as it was published! Join us to explore the iconic character behind his iconic characters! 

Send us a textThis week, we take a dive into Irish playwright, outspoken thinker, and vegetarian George Bernard Shaw! Shaw's works revolutionized modern drama and sparked classics beloved by generations of theatre people. Known for Pygmalion, Major Barbara, Mrs. Warren's Profession, Shaw's explorations of human characters and political plots have stood the tests of time! He's also one of only two people to win a Nobel Prize for Literature and an Academy Award! Join us - it'll be loverly! 

Send us a textIf you haven't made space for a little play in your life, maybe take a little inspiration from this week's author, educator, and improvisor Viola Spolin. Spolin revolutionized play as a tool for community building and connection, using games to help struggling members of her community in Chicago and beyond. Her work combined improvisation with principles of social work, literacy, and more. Her impact can be felt today in classrooms, theater companies, community centers, Hollywood Blockbuster movies and beyond! Join us this week and bring a sense of magic back to your life. 

Send us a textWe expanded our postcard from a few weeks ago and are bringing you a full episode on the extraordinary Belle da Costa Greene! This incredible, formidable, and relentless librarian has a remarkable story and legacy. We unpack her accomplishments as an educator, book collector, and advocate, along with her navigation of white society as a 'passing' bi-racial woman. Join us in honoring her and her place in American and Black histories! 

Send us a textEver wanted to smoke a cigar in your bed with precisely 16 pillows, accompanied by your seven dogs on your 10-acre estate? Our author this week could do just that. Meet Amy Lowell, a Pulitzer-Prize winning poet and the 'demon saleswoman of poetry,' according to some... This week, we talk about her remarkable, colorful, albeit, short career! 

Send us a textWe're taking a trip to the non-fiction realm of literature with Margaret Sanger. Sanger is known for her tireless work advocating for women's reproductive health. She wrote dozens of articles, pamphlets, and other publications to help educate the public, specifically immigrant communities about reproductive healthcare and birth control. We unpack her legacy and the implications of her work today. 

Send us a textThis week, we discuss the life and work of the wonderful, whimsical Barbara Park! Park is most known as the author of the Junie B. Jones series, but wrote dozens of books that helped children feel seen, loved, and understood. She wrote about all kinds of childhood problems with empathy and her signature sense of fun. Join us, especially if you need a little joy this week! 

Send us a textThis week, we celebrate the legacy of poet, children's book author, speaker, teacher and activist Nikki Giovanni who died on December 9th, 2024 at the age of 81. Giovanni's writing and her actions helped make this world a better place for Black people, Queer people, Women, and more. Her strength came forth in her written and spoken words and in the way she chose to live her life. Join us in remembering this extraordinary author and remember to think of her when you look up at the stars - or at a bat. 

Send us a textHappy New Year, Get Lit Listeners! We're delighted to help you ring in the new year with Ida Raue, an activist, actor, artist, poet, and director who let very little stand in her way during her fight for justice. She published a single book of poetry in her life, but her reach and influence had an impact on dozens of authors and writers around Greenwich Village and beyond. Join us for this inspiring start to 2025! 

Send us a textThis week, we conclude our special history episodes with an exploration of the literature of Hanukkah, the Festival of Rededication and Festival of Light! We look at some classic 'literature' (picture books), 'carols' beyond the dreidel song, and some poetry written by a Get Lit Alumni! It's a truly LIT episode... 

Send us a textWe're delighted to rerelease our first audiobook recording of A Christmas Carol from 2023! Join Steph, Jon, Jack, and other special guests as we read Charles Dickens classic novel. We'll be releasing a new stave each day leading up to December 25th. Listen along, or save it all for a big listen on Christmas! No humbug about it! 

Send us a textWe're delighted to rerelease our first audiobook recording of A Christmas Carol from 2023! Join Steph, Jon, Jack, and other special guests as we read Charles Dickens classic novel. We'll be releasing a new stave each day leading up to December 25th. Listen along, or save it all for a big listen on Christmas! No humbug about it! 

Send us a textWe're delighted to rerelease our first audiobook recording of A Christmas Carol from 2023! Join Steph, Jon, Jack, and other special guests as we read Charles Dickens classic novel. We'll be releasing a new stave each day leading up to December 25th. Listen along, or save it all for a big listen on Christmas! No humbug about it! 

Send us a textWe're delighted to rerelease our first audiobook recording of A Christmas Carol from 2023! Join Steph, Jon, Jack, and other special guests as we read Charles Dickens classic novel. We'll be releasing a new stave each day leading up to December 25th. Listen along, or save it all for a big listen on Christmas! No humbug about it! 

Send us a textWe're delighted to rerelease our first audiobook recording of A Christmas Carol from 2023! Join Steph, Jon, Jack, and other special guests as we read Charles Dickens classic novel. We'll be releasing a new stave each day leading up to December 25th. Listen along, or save it all for a big listen on Christmas! No humbug about it! 

Send us a textThis week, we explore Christmas Carols - quite literally - Jon recounts the history of the original songs that have paved the way for Christmas carol traditions today and Steph reports on the various iterations (both sensical and not) of the original Dickens' novella. It's a jolly good time, so join us for some holiday cheer! 

Send us a textYou know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen, but do you know where Jack Frost came from? Ever heard to the Yule Cat, or Krampus, or Lutin or the Yuki-onna? And you need our warnings about Gryla and the Yule Lads! We explore the literary origins of popular winter folk figures, so grab a cup of hot chocolate or cheer and join us this! 

Send us a textTired of horribly designed holiday cards? Ever wondered why a 'u' on some old stone buildings looks like a 'v'? Curious as to why some fonts have such weird names? Worry and wonder no more! This week, we're exploring all TYPES of fonts, and how we came to get just so many different ones today! Join us for this quirky, trivia filled episode! 

Send us a textJust in time for the holidays, we are pleased to serve up this excellent episode! We take a quick jaunt through culinary history, through a literary lens. We explore the interesting stories behind some of the most famous cook books in history, along with an examination of their intersectional nature. Join us for some inspiration and walk away with some gift ideas for your favorite home chef (we'd skip the stone tablet ones though...)! 

Send us a textIn this week's special episode, we explore the age old adage, "you can't judge a book by its cover." Book covers have evolved over the millennia, as displays of wealth, protective layers, advertisements, and art pieces. We look at the historical functions of the cover and investigate why all book covers seem to look the same in modern times! Join us for this deeply important journey through time and pulp! 

Send us a textThis week, we're diving into the legacy of Frank Marshall Davis. Davis was a revolutionary poet, journalist, author, who whose writings advanced and amplified the experiences of Black Americans starting in the 1930's. He was an educator and advocate, using his appreciations of jazz and knowledge of politics to affect change across America. Join us for this trip across the US, with stops in Kansas, Chicago, and Hawaii. 

Send us a textToday, a hug from Tomie dePaola. This beloved children's book author created stories that have inspired children and adults alike across the globe. dePaola's whimsical, folk-inspired art style paired beautifully with his honest, earnest way of telling stories. He used his experiences to inspire others, while celebrating the best of us. He believed in hope, and he believed in the young people he wrote for, as do we. 

Send us a textThis week, we have a special episode to help you get in the Halloween Spirit. Steph tracks the origins of Witchcraft through literature, taking us through thousands of years and miles to explore the evolution of the witch. She and Jon discuss the various forms the witch has taken in pop culture and examine what these depictions reflect about women in our culture today. Join us for this Wickedly Wild and Wonderful episode! 

Send us a textJon leads this weeks dive into the biography of H.P. Lovecraft! Lovecraft wrote many of the tropes we understand in alternate worlds and world building. Jon covers his controversial legacy, as we bounce around between various places around the East Coast. Lovecraft's chilling tales reflected his short life in many ways, many of them haunting and tragic. Listen along with us as our spooky author features continue!

Send us a textThis week, Jack takes over and shares the absolutely wild biography of Occult author Dion Fortune with Jon! This will be one of those episodes in which every sentence ends with something you really couldn't have predicted. We explore assorted occult theories and fiction as we continue our foray into the supernatural themes of the month! Join us for this wild & wacky episode! 

Send us a textIt's TIME. The Time Machine, really. That's right! We're featuring H.G. Wells this week. Known as one of the founding fathers of science fiction, Wells wrote all sorts of prophetic work that envisioned technology and times that his contemporaries could only dream of. His work laid the ground plan for much of our modern 'alien invasion' fiction, and inspired generations of thinkers, writers, scientists, inventors, and dreamers. Maybe even someone or something you know! 

Send us a textIt's October, which means we're getting SPOOKY on Get Lit! This month, we'll be featuring all things scary, frightening, haunted, and in our opinion, fun! We're starting with Sheridan Le Fanu, author of Carmilla (considered to be one of the original vampire stories, and inspiration for Dracula!) and many other haunted tails. Le Fanu's legacy includes forays into short stories, novels, poetry, plays. His ideas and stories have inspired just as many adaptations! Get Lit & Get Scared (but in a fun way) this month! 

Send us a textThis week, we celebrate Banned Books Week with an exploration of the history of Book Banning around the world. We examine various cases of book burning, banning, and censoring over time and discuss the impacts that these acts have on the communities in which they occur. Listen and learn about this incredibly pressing issue, and what it means for all of us! 

Send us a textWe're back this week with our regularly scheduled programming and featuring the witchy words of desert and community advocate Mary Hunter Austin! Austin's work ranged greatly in form and topic - she was a tireless advocate for the environment, Indigenous Americans, women, and the communities around her. She lived around the world, learning and writing amongst the foremost thinkers of her time, but found the most joy and freedom in the deserts of California and New Mexico. Join us to learn about this remarkable author and advocate! 

Send us a textThis week, we have a very special set of episodes for you! We're featuring the voices and perspectives of Printer's Row Literary Festival! We asked all kinds of questions and had the chance to hear your thoughts on your favorite books, best authors, literary hot takes, and more! This is always such a joyful weekend and we love the chance to hear from all of you! Listen in for Sunday's responses and then go back and listen to Saturday's thoughts in our 2nd episode this week! (Although this says '286th' episode, it is indeed our 301st episode, when you include all the 'Get a Little Lit Episodes' and bonus content! Woohoo!) 

Send us a textThis week, we have a very special set of episodes for you! We're featuring the voices and perspectives of Printer's Row Literary Festival! We asked all kinds of questions and had the chance to hear your thoughts on your favorite books, best authors, literary hot takes, and more! This is always such a joyful weekend and we love the chance to hear from all of you! Listen in for Saturday's responses and then tune in to Sunday's thoughts in our 2nd episode this week! (Although this says '285th' episode, it is indeed our 300th epsiode, when you include all the 'Get a Little Lit Episodes' and bonus content! Woohoo!) 

Send us a textThis week, we're coving Latin American surrealist poet Alejandra Pizarnik. Pizarnik led a remarkable and interesting life, however fraught. She lived in duality, understanding some of life's highest highs and lowest lows. She would be recognized for her remarkable work during her short life, but her legacy, and her exceptional writing is worth studying today. We also explore New York's subway system and prepare for Lit Fest and our 300TH EPISODE!! 

Send us a Text Message.We're staying local this week after a few far flung episodes to feature the remarkable work of Studs Terkel. Terkel was a pioneering journalist and storyteller who helped show the world the value of the average life. Terkel's radio programs and literary works captivated the country with his unique interview style and his passion for the stories of those around him. We visit some familiar places and extraordinary events in history, through Terkel's signature lens and voice. 

Send us a Text Message.This week, we're going way back to a less-conventionally known author who's usually talked about as a wife... the last wife of the notorious King Henry VIII! We're bringing Catherine Parr into the spotlight! She wrote two texts about her religious faith, helped advocate for translations of Protestant texts, and served as a patron for various arts throughout her time as Queen and beyond! Join us to learn more about this remarkable woman in her own context! 

Send us a Text Message.This week, we present a back to school special with Andrew Clements. Clements was a teacher-turned-author who wrote dozens of books that helped children foster a love of learning. Known for Frindle, The Landry News, The School Story, and other texts, Clements' characters helped encourage young readers to believe in themselves and dare to bring their dreams to life. We salute all the amazing educators out there about to start their new years! Your students are so lucky to have you! 

Send us a Text Message.We take a summer trip to Provincetown, Massachusetts and other places across the United States to explore the legacy of novelist, journalist, playwright, and member of the Provincetown Players, Floyd Dell! Dell's work is often overshadowed by his other more famous contemporaries, including Eugene O'Neill, Susan Glaspell, Jack Reed, and others. This week, we shine a spotlight on his work and adventures through Bohemian culture and beyond! 

Send us a Text Message.We're featuring a listener request (thanks, Dad!) - Ken Kesey. Known for his novel 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest', Kesey wrote many other works through various forms, including articles and stories over the course of his storied career. We explore the other jobs he had, the adventures he took in between (to prison and beyond!), and the important work he advocated for! Join us on our very own trip in the Further with our own Merry Pranksters! 

We are delighted to feature Ethel Payne on Get Lit this week! Payne was known as the 'First Lady of the Black Press', a pioneering force in journalism who broke down barriers, created space for the voices of Black Americans, and became a problem for the White House in a truly rebellious way. Her journey takes us across the United States and overseas, and her impact to this day echos just as far! 

We have a rather whimsical episode for you all this week as we cover author, illustrator, cartoonist, and artist Tove Jansson. Jansson is most popularly known as the creator of the Moomin characters, whose colorful world brought delight to readers around the globe. She had a unique voice that spoke through words, through art, and through her relationship with a particular island. Grab a ticket and join us in Finland for a midsummer trip!

We're featuring a founding father this week! A founding father of modernist drama, that is: Henrik Ibsen. He is also our first Norwegian author, first 3-time Nobel prize nominee (not winner), and first author to use his own life experiences in his work (jk lol). This episode is a wild ride with stories, analysis, and a visit from Edgar Allan Poe to start, so come along for the journey! 

We could all use a bit of magic in our lives these days, so join us for the most delightful episode about the wittiest, witchiest, wordsmith: Betty MacDonald! Known for her clever reflections in her autobiographies and her wonderful character, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, MacDonald is remembered as a unique voice in literature who helped adults and children alike find theirs.  

'According to Emily Post', she's the subject of our episode this week! We explore another version of 'literature', examining Emily's advice and articles on how best to handle any social situation. We discuss the role of etiquette, society, communication, and culture, along with the intersection of feminism amidst all of this! Join us for the answers to all your most important etiquette and more! 

And he's here tonight, everybody! It's Leo Tolstoy! We examine the writing, life, and legacy of author and philosopher and radical thinker and failed farmer ?  His contributions to writing and literature have changed not only how we write but also the way we think. We unpack some of the context around his work and the stories that have made this man a myth. Join us! 

Steph & Jon are back to discuss Fairy Tale Legend, Mary De Morgan. Growing up in varied intellectual circumstances, De Morgan used her original fairy tales to critique the society she lived in. She wrote about gender roles, power, class, and of course, capitalism! Natural fodder for fairy tales, really. Join us this week to learn more about your new favorite fairy tale author! 

We're joined by a very special guest host: Paige Zukauskas! Paige brings her knowledge and passion for Dreiser to this week's episode as we explore another mostly midwest author, discuss Sister Carrie, and track adventures across political and social ideologies! Dreiser wrote many groundbreaking novels but isn't often celebrated as other authors from this period. We speculate on this and celebrate his legacy, it's a trip!