Podcast - WRITE CLUB NATION

Two of Chicago's favorite writer-performers do literary combat onstage at the Hideout in Chicago.

Chicago writers Noelle Krimm and Janna Sobel face off, performing essays as rallying cries, as the U.S. political landscape descends directly down the tubes.

Two beautiful, heartrending and funny performances by a couple of Chicago's best live lit performers.

Samantha Irby scorches the earth with RIDE and Carly Oishi slams one home with DIE—for a live audience a few months ago, packed into The Hideout tavern. Ian and Lindsay talk about a whole bunch of nonsense, none of which is related to the phrase "ride or die" but is sort of tangentially amusing and related to the words "ride" and "die." Also we learn about Ian's giant collection of blacklight posters. 

It's the dead of summer, over here at WRITE CLUB headquarters. The a/c can barely keep up with our core temperatures. The entire operation teeters on the brink of implosion. 
 If you can relate, then this episode is for you: A rallying burst of rejuvenation from Gwynn Fulcher (FIRST), and a smash-bang last day of school with Cher Vincent (FINAL).
 Yes, this episode just might save you from pushing your a/c unit out of the window and onto unsuspecting passersby. Not that we would ever consider such a thing.

This bout pits the always-incredible Nicholas Tecosky (LOST) against the incomparable Theresa Davis (FOUND), in a matchup that will 1) take whatever socks you are wearing, 2) whip them off your feet, and 3) throw them at least a thousand yards down the street. 
 his one comes straight from our Southern bureau in Atlanta, where Nick also hosts the whole shebang, per usual, with Myke Johns, at the Highland Ballroom. Podcast hosts Ian and Lindsay talk about nonsense they've lost and found and answer questions from totally made-up audience members, as real audience members have failed, thus far, to send in any questions for their Q&A segment.  Whatever, it's still good.

Chicago writers Bob Stockfish (HAWK) and Jessica Anne (DOVE) grace us with their powerful and funny essays. Bob Stockfish paints for us a disastrous country roadtrip, and Jessica Anne delivers a tilt-a-whirl of a riff on doves.

Atlanta writers Suehyla El-Attar and Topher Payne face off. Lindsay co-hosts with a guest, Chad the Bird, who is a bird.

From WRITE CLUB San Francisco, it's Kamala Puligandla (SEIGE) vs Seanan McGuire (CEDE)
 They're both fictional pieces this time, and full of delicious lines like: I watched Kelly Ripa selling sleek dishwashers on TV and wondered how much more dead I'd have to look in order to sell efficient appliances to Americans. Edited by Annie Costakis, directed by Josh Zagoren, produced by Lindsay Muscato. Hosted by Ian Belknap and Lindsay Muscato. 

Our Atlanta chapter brings us an incredible showdown: Joy vs. Sorrow. Our writers this episode are Myke Johns (JOY), a producer of WRITE CLUB Atlanta, and Chris Alonzo (SORROW), a seasoned pro at mopping the floor with WRITE CLUB combatants. Who will prevail? Only you can decide.

Randall Colburn reminds us of what can and cannot be amended. Diana Slickman urges us to repeal the worst of human nature, once and for all. Ian Belknap and Lindsay Muscato pummel through a tough conversation on guns, money, religion--you know, the funny stuff.

Carly Oishi pulls no punches, and Jeremy Owens takes on a champion. Ian and Lindsay debate the finer points of realistic architecture and whether Mark Twain qualifies as a love interest.

From the Bootleg Theater in Los Angeles, we hear two performers, Martha Marion and Heather Edwards, take on Obey vs Rebel. Ian and Lindsay debate how they would command a submarine, and other ridiculous things vaguely related to the theme. We also interview WC LA producer Jeffrey Dorchen. Our director Josh Zagoren calls the shots in the background. Annie Costakis is our sound engineer and editor.

Evan Burton weaves a tale of LSD, watermelon, and peasant farming, whilst Emily Epstein-White fires off a list of her bird-related standoffs.

Atlanta's own Jon Carr and Raymond Carr pummel each other with brotherly love/ire. Myke Johns of our Atlanta-based team gives the scoop on our Southern bureau's beloved bros. Ian and Lindsay battle their alter egos, themselves, each other.

Kevin Alves boldly declares the supremacy of beats, and Amanda Claire Buckley battles hard for rhymes.

When guts faces off against glory, you can bet there's a humdinger of a fight. Kirk Anderson and Erica Dreisbach dynamite the doors off this one. Bonus: Ian tells us just how much loves ukeleles, and Lindsay reveals her love of time travel.

This episode comes from Chicago's March 2015 live show.