Podcasts about James Baldwin

Nicholas Boggs, whose new book, "Baldwin: A Love Story," offers a fresh, intimate portrait of James Baldwin. Drawing on letters, archives, and conversations, Boggs traces Baldwin's search for connection across Harlem, Paris, and beyond, revealing how love shaped his politics and prose.

Love isn't just desire, provision, or possession—yet too often that's what men are taught to believe. In this episode, we dive into 5 Things Men Don't Understand About Love, drawing from the wisdom of bell hooks, James Baldwin, and John Makransky.We explore why love requires vulnerability, accountability, and daily practice—and why true love is always liberation, not control. This isn't about shaming men, but about breaking free from harmful myths and discovering what real, connected love can look like.✨ What you'll hear in this episode: • The difference between desire, possession, and love • Why vulnerability is the heart of intimacy • How love is a daily practice, not just a feeling • Why accountability matters in relationships • How love frees us rather than controls us

Biographer Nicholas Boggs joins co-hosts Whitney Terrell and V.V. Ganeshananthan to discuss his groundbreaking new book, Baldwin: A Love Story, the first major biography of James Baldwin to be published in three decades. Boggs recalls how finding Baldwin's only children's book in a Yale library as a college student led him to track down the volume's illustrator, the French artist Yoran Cazac, Baldwin's last great love. He talks about interviewing people who had never previously spoken about their relationships with the iconic author, including Cazac, whom at least one previous biographer had wrongly guessed was deceased. Boggs reflects on the importance of considering Blackness, queerness, and chosen family as central to Baldwin's life and art. He discusses Baldwin's youth in Harlem, his years in Europe and Istanbul, and his relationships with the painters Beauford Delaney and Lucien Happersberger, the actor Engin Cezzar, and Cazac, as well as many others. Boggs considers how Baldwin's deepest friendships and romances influenced his life and work, including Another Country, Go Tell It on the Mountain, Notes of a Native Son, and Giovanni's Room. He reads from the book. To hear the full episode, subscribe through iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app (include the forward slashes when searching). You can also listen by streaming from the player below. Check out video versions of our interviews on the ⁠Fiction/Non/Fiction Instagram account⁠, the ⁠Fiction/Non/Fiction YouTube Channel⁠, and our show website: ⁠https://www.fnfpodcast.net/⁠ This podcast is produced by V.V. Ganeshananthan, Whitney Terrell, and Moss Terrell. ⁠Nicholas Boggs⁠ ⁠Baldwin: A Love Story⁠ ⁠Little Man, Little Man (ed.)⁠ ⁠“They Will Try to Kill You”: James Baldwin's Fraught Hollywood Journey | Vanity Fair⁠ ⁠James Baldwin's Love Stories | Vogue⁠  ⁠James Baldwin⁠ ⁠"Open Letter to the Born Again" | The Nation⁠ “⁠If Black English Isn't a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?⁠” | The New York Times ⁠Giovanni's Room⁠ ⁠Another Country ⁠ ⁠Notes of a Native Son⁠ ⁠Go Tell It on the Mountain⁠ ⁠Everybody's Protest Novel⁠ Others: ⁠James Baldwin′s Turkish Decade by Magdalena J. Zaborowska⁠  ⁠James Baldwin: A Biography by David Leeming Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Sunday Gathering message that draws upon the work of James Baldwin and the teachings of A Course in Miracles, Emily Perry explores how hate functions like a spiritual cancer—growing silently within us until it erupts into division, violence, and despair. If you've ever wondered how to confront the hostility in our world—and in yourself—without losing sight of love, this message will encourage you to look honestly at your own heart and discover the freedom that comes with letting hate go. ___________________________ Since 1993, our purpose has been to help with both the theory and practical application of A Course in Miracles. We are the publisher of the Complete and Annotated Edition of the Course (known as the “CE”), which is available as a paperback*, ebook*, and via Audible. Our work grows out of our commitment to be as faithful as possible to what A Course in Miracles says,  years of dedication to walking this path ourselves, and a desire to see the Course's purpose realized in the lives of students and in the world. You are invited to download the free ACIM CE App to read, search, or listen to the Course wherever you are in the world, by following the instructions at https://acimce.app/ Whether you are new to ACIM or you've been a student for many years, you are welcome to join our online community and learning platform to access a vast collection of resources designed to help you understand and apply Course teachings in everyday life: https://community.circleofa.org/ To submit a question or suggest a topic for a future podcast episode, please email info@circleofa.org. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider subscribing and leaving a review, as this will help us reach other listeners. You are also welcome to make a donation to help support our work at circleofa.org/donate. *Amazon affiliate links  

Eric Newman speaks with Nicholas Boggs about his monumental new biography, James Baldwin: A Love Story. Drawing on fresh archival research and interviews, Boggs offers an intimate portrait of the literary legend anchored by the romances that shaped his life, writing, and political vision. Spanning Baldwin's formative mentorship under artist Beauford Delaney, his romance with Lucien Happersberger, and lesser-known relationships with Turkish actor Engin Cezzar and French artist Yoran Cazac, the book explores how these relationships, alongside periods of isolation, served as the engines of Baldwin's literary production. Arriving amid a renaissance of interest in Baldwin's life and work, Boggs' biography offers a fresh perspective on the iconic writer for longtime fans and younger generations who may be encountering him for the first time.

Finalist, Award for Excellence in the Study of Religion, Constructive-Reflective Studies, given by the American Academy of ReligionExplores how Black Buddhist Teachers and Practitioners interpret Western Buddhism in unique spiritual and communal waysIn Black Buddhists and the Black Radical Tradition: The Practice of Stillness in the Movement for Liberation (NYU Press, 2022), Rima Vesely-Flad examines the distinctive features of Black-identifying Buddhist practitioners, arguing that Black Buddhists interpret Buddhist teachings in ways that are congruent with Black radical thought. Indeed, the volume makes the case that given their experiences with racism—both in the larger society and also within largely white-oriented Buddhist organizations—Black cultural frameworks are necessary for illuminating the Buddha's wisdom.Drawing on interviews with forty Black Buddhist teachers and practitioners, Vesely-Flad argues that Buddhist teachings, through their focus on healing intergenerational trauma, provide a vitally important foundation for achieving Black liberation. She shows that Buddhist teachings as practiced by Black Americans emphasize different aspects of the religion than do those in white convert Buddhist communities, focusing more on devotional practices to ancestors and community uplift.The book includes discussions of the Black Power movement, the Black feminist movement, and the Black prophetic tradition. It also offers a nuanced discussion of how the Black body, which has historically been reviled, is claimed as a vehicle for liberation. In so doing, the book explores how the experiences of non-binary, gender non-conforming, and transgender practitioners of African descent are validated within the tradition. The book also uplifts the voices of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer Black Buddhists. This unique volume shows the importance of Black Buddhist teachers' insights into Buddhist wisdom, and how they align Buddhism with Black radical teachings, helping to pull Buddhism away from dominant white cultural norms. Please also check out her forthcoming book, The Fire Inside: The Dharma of James Baldwin and Audre Lordre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/african-american-studies

Finalist, Award for Excellence in the Study of Religion, Constructive-Reflective Studies, given by the American Academy of ReligionExplores how Black Buddhist Teachers and Practitioners interpret Western Buddhism in unique spiritual and communal waysIn Black Buddhists and the Black Radical Tradition: The Practice of Stillness in the Movement for Liberation (NYU Press, 2022), Rima Vesely-Flad examines the distinctive features of Black-identifying Buddhist practitioners, arguing that Black Buddhists interpret Buddhist teachings in ways that are congruent with Black radical thought. Indeed, the volume makes the case that given their experiences with racism—both in the larger society and also within largely white-oriented Buddhist organizations—Black cultural frameworks are necessary for illuminating the Buddha's wisdom.Drawing on interviews with forty Black Buddhist teachers and practitioners, Vesely-Flad argues that Buddhist teachings, through their focus on healing intergenerational trauma, provide a vitally important foundation for achieving Black liberation. She shows that Buddhist teachings as practiced by Black Americans emphasize different aspects of the religion than do those in white convert Buddhist communities, focusing more on devotional practices to ancestors and community uplift.The book includes discussions of the Black Power movement, the Black feminist movement, and the Black prophetic tradition. It also offers a nuanced discussion of how the Black body, which has historically been reviled, is claimed as a vehicle for liberation. In so doing, the book explores how the experiences of non-binary, gender non-conforming, and transgender practitioners of African descent are validated within the tradition. The book also uplifts the voices of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer Black Buddhists. This unique volume shows the importance of Black Buddhist teachers' insights into Buddhist wisdom, and how they align Buddhism with Black radical teachings, helping to pull Buddhism away from dominant white cultural norms. Please also check out her forthcoming book, The Fire Inside: The Dharma of James Baldwin and Audre Lordre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Eric Newman speaks with Nicholas Boggs about his monumental new biography, "James Baldwin: A Love Story." Drawing on fresh archival research and interviews, Boggs offers an intimate portrait of the literary legend anchored by the romances that shaped his life, writing, and political vision. Spanning Baldwin's formative mentorship under artist Beauford Delaney, his romance with Lucien Happersberger, and lesser-known relationships with Turkish actor Engin Cezzar and French artist Yoran Cazac, the book explores how these relationships, alongside periods of isolation, served as the engines of Baldwin's literary production. Arriving amid a renaissance of interest in Baldwin's life and work, Boggs' biography offers a fresh perspective on the iconic writer for longtime fans and younger generations who may be encountering him for the first time.

Finalist, Award for Excellence in the Study of Religion, Constructive-Reflective Studies, given by the American Academy of ReligionExplores how Black Buddhist Teachers and Practitioners interpret Western Buddhism in unique spiritual and communal waysIn Black Buddhists and the Black Radical Tradition: The Practice of Stillness in the Movement for Liberation (NYU Press, 2022), Rima Vesely-Flad examines the distinctive features of Black-identifying Buddhist practitioners, arguing that Black Buddhists interpret Buddhist teachings in ways that are congruent with Black radical thought. Indeed, the volume makes the case that given their experiences with racism—both in the larger society and also within largely white-oriented Buddhist organizations—Black cultural frameworks are necessary for illuminating the Buddha's wisdom.Drawing on interviews with forty Black Buddhist teachers and practitioners, Vesely-Flad argues that Buddhist teachings, through their focus on healing intergenerational trauma, provide a vitally important foundation for achieving Black liberation. She shows that Buddhist teachings as practiced by Black Americans emphasize different aspects of the religion than do those in white convert Buddhist communities, focusing more on devotional practices to ancestors and community uplift.The book includes discussions of the Black Power movement, the Black feminist movement, and the Black prophetic tradition. It also offers a nuanced discussion of how the Black body, which has historically been reviled, is claimed as a vehicle for liberation. In so doing, the book explores how the experiences of non-binary, gender non-conforming, and transgender practitioners of African descent are validated within the tradition. The book also uplifts the voices of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer Black Buddhists. This unique volume shows the importance of Black Buddhist teachers' insights into Buddhist wisdom, and how they align Buddhism with Black radical teachings, helping to pull Buddhism away from dominant white cultural norms. Please also check out her forthcoming book, The Fire Inside: The Dharma of James Baldwin and Audre Lordre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/buddhist-studies

What does it take to build the perfect first shelf? This week we tackle the joyful—and surprisingly stressful—task of creating a starter library. We're joined by John Williams, book editor at The Washington Post, to discuss how to choose ten books that someone can use as a starter library, offering comfort, surprise, and a little stretch along the way. We compare approaches, confess our struggles, and share the shelves we'd hand to a friend ready build their personal library.We'd love to hear from you—what books would make it onto your own starter library?We've got some fantastic author-focused episodes lined up for the foreseeable future, and we want to give you plenty of time to dive in if you'd like to read along with us. These episodes come around every ten episodes, and with our bi-weekly release schedule, you'll have a few months to get ready for each. Here's what we have in store:* Episode 115: Kazuo Ishiguro* Episode 125: Flannery O'Connor* Episode 135: William Faulkner* Episode 145: Elizabeth Taylor* Episode 155: Naguib MahfouzThere's no rush—take your time, and grab a book (or two, or three) so you're prepared for these as they come!Join the Mookse and the Gripes on DiscordWant to share your thoughts on these upcoming authors or anything else we're discussing? Join us over on Discord! It's the perfect place to dive deeper into the conversation—whether you're reading along with our author-focused episodes or just want to chat about the books that are on your mind.We're also just now in our second novella book club, where we're reading Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin. It's a fantastic book, and we'd love to have you join the discussion. It's a great space to engage with fellow listeners, share your insights, and discover new perspectives on the books you're reading.ShownotesWhat are we reading?* Paul: The Endless Week, by Laura Vasquez, translated by Alex Niemi* John: Giovanni's Room, by James Baldin* Trevor: Nadja, by André Breton, translated by Mark PolizzottiOur Starter LibrariesPaul* The Complete Calvin and Hobbes, by Bill Waterson* Moby-Dick, by Herman Melville* Finding Beauty in a Broken World, by Terry Tempest Williams* The Complete Works of William Shakespeare* Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry* The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson* The Complete Stories of Clarice Lispector* To the Lighthouse, by Virginia Woolf* Kindred, by Octavia Butler* Pride and Prejudice, by Jane AustenTrevor* Ex Libris, by Anne Fademan* The Remains of the Day, by Kazuo Ishiguro* The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas* A Good Man Is Hard to Find, by Flannery O'Connor* The Emigrants, by W.G. Sebald, translated by Michael Hulse* The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkein* Cockroaches, by Scholastique Mukasonga, translated by Jordan Stump* So Long, See You Tomorrow, by William Maxwell* Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, by Annie Dillard* The Complete Poems of Emily DickinsonJohn* The Collected Stories of William Trevor* The Varieties of Religious Experience, by William James* The Collected Poems of Philip Larkin* Notes from Underground, by Fyodor Dostoevsky* The Book of Disquiet, by Fernando Pessoa* The Sellout, by Paul Beatty* The Black Prince, by Iris Murdoch* Nixon Agonistes: The Crisis of the Self-Made Man, by Garry Wills* Essays in Disguise, by Wilfrid Sheed* Mrs. Dalloway, by Virginia Woolf* Why Does the World Exist, by Jim HoltOther* The Library, Duncan FallowellThe Mookse and the Gripes Podcast is a bookish conversation hosted by Paul and Trevor. Every other week, we explore a bookish topic and celebrate our love of reading. We're glad you're here, and we hope you'll continue to join us on this literary journey!A huge thank you to those who help make this podcast possible! If you'd like to support us, you can do so via Substack or Patreon. Subscribers receive access to periodic bonus episodes and early access to all new episodes. Plus, each supporter gets their own dedicated feed, allowing them to download episodes a few days before they're released to the public. We'd love for you to check it out! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe

In the first major biography of James Baldwin in over three decades, Nicholas Boggs presents an intimate portrait shaped by the people who inspired him. Boggs traces four of Baldwin's transformative relationships that depict him not just as a fearless social critic, but as an emotional, vulnerable man shaped by love. Geoff Bennett spoke with Boggs about his book, "Baldwin: A Love Story." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Three decades in the making, Baldwin: A Love Story by Nicholas Boggs explores the personal relationships that made James Baldwin the indelible figure we know today. Nicholas joins us to talk about what first led him to Baldwin, the future of biographies, how Baldwin became the writer we know now, the art of yearning and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.                     New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): Baldwin: A Love Story by Nicholas Boggs James Baldwin: A Biography by David Leeming Little Man, Little Man by James Baldwin and Yoran Cazac Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin Another Country by James Baldwin Sleepwalking Through History by Haynes Johnson If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin The Evidence of Things Not Seen by James Baldwin Jimmy's Blues and Other Poems by James Baldwin Tell Me How Long the Train's Been Gone by James Baldwin The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin

An expansive volume featuring over two decades of incisive reflections on race, art and pop culture by one of the greatest artists working today This long-awaited and essential volume collects writings and interviews by Glenn Ligon, whose canonical paintings, neons and installations have been delivering a cutting examination of race, history, sexuality and culture in America since his emergence in the late 1980s. No stranger to text, the artist has routinely utilized writings from James Baldwin, Zora Neale Hurston, Richard Pryor, Gertrude Stein and others to construct work that centers Blackness within the historically white backdrop of the art world and culture writ large. Ligon began writing in the early 2000s, engaging deeply with the work of peers such as Julie Mehretu, Chris Ofili and Lorna Simpson, as well as with artists who came before him, among them Philip Guston, David Hammons and Andy Warhol. Interweaving a singular voice and a magical knack for storytelling with an astute view of art history and broader cultural shifts, this collection cements Ligon's status as one of the great chroniclers of our time. Glenn Ligon was born in the Bronx in 1960. He began as an abstract painter but shifted to text-based works which often incorporate quotes from Black authors. His work can be found in the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art, New York. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/african-american-studies

An expansive volume featuring over two decades of incisive reflections on race, art and pop culture by one of the greatest artists working today This long-awaited and essential volume collects writings and interviews by Glenn Ligon, whose canonical paintings, neons and installations have been delivering a cutting examination of race, history, sexuality and culture in America since his emergence in the late 1980s. No stranger to text, the artist has routinely utilized writings from James Baldwin, Zora Neale Hurston, Richard Pryor, Gertrude Stein and others to construct work that centers Blackness within the historically white backdrop of the art world and culture writ large. Ligon began writing in the early 2000s, engaging deeply with the work of peers such as Julie Mehretu, Chris Ofili and Lorna Simpson, as well as with artists who came before him, among them Philip Guston, David Hammons and Andy Warhol. Interweaving a singular voice and a magical knack for storytelling with an astute view of art history and broader cultural shifts, this collection cements Ligon's status as one of the great chroniclers of our time. Glenn Ligon was born in the Bronx in 1960. He began as an abstract painter but shifted to text-based works which often incorporate quotes from Black authors. His work can be found in the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art, New York. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

An expansive volume featuring over two decades of incisive reflections on race, art and pop culture by one of the greatest artists working today This long-awaited and essential volume collects writings and interviews by Glenn Ligon, whose canonical paintings, neons and installations have been delivering a cutting examination of race, history, sexuality and culture in America since his emergence in the late 1980s. No stranger to text, the artist has routinely utilized writings from James Baldwin, Zora Neale Hurston, Richard Pryor, Gertrude Stein and others to construct work that centers Blackness within the historically white backdrop of the art world and culture writ large. Ligon began writing in the early 2000s, engaging deeply with the work of peers such as Julie Mehretu, Chris Ofili and Lorna Simpson, as well as with artists who came before him, among them Philip Guston, David Hammons and Andy Warhol. Interweaving a singular voice and a magical knack for storytelling with an astute view of art history and broader cultural shifts, this collection cements Ligon's status as one of the great chroniclers of our time. Glenn Ligon was born in the Bronx in 1960. He began as an abstract painter but shifted to text-based works which often incorporate quotes from Black authors. His work can be found in the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art, New York. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/art

The Grand Paloma Resort by Cleyvis Natera centers on a tropical paradise hiding a sinister secret. Cleyvis joins us to talk about the intricacies of sibling stories, class disparities, tourism, the Dominican Republic, literary influences and more with Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.                     New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): The Grand Paloma Resort by Cleyvis Natera Neruda on the Park by Cleyvis Natera The Farming of Bones by Edwidge Danticat A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin

Nineteenth-century Americans regarded Paris as a libertine paradise: a smorgasbord of food and fashion, of night life and sex. Today, the pull toward France endures, though the precise nature of its appeal has shifted. On the second in a series of Critics at Large interview episodes, Alexandra Schwartz talks with the staff writer Lauren Collins about her work as The New Yorker's woman on the ground in France and the long lineage of Francophilic Americans—from Edith Wharton to James Baldwin and, yes, even “Emily.” The two consider how French femininity has been marketed to American women and how modern influencers transmit an incomplete picture of Paris. “Yes, it's romantic, and, yes, it's picturesque, but it's also a big, loud, dirty, profane, complicated city that evolves and changes like everywhere else,” Collins says. “There's a lot of misbegotten essentializing that happens when Americans start talking about France.”Read, watch, and listen with the critics:“Ces restaurants qui gonflent l'addition des touristes américains,” by Mathieu Hennequin (Le Parisien)“Can Emmanuel Macron Stem the Populist Tide?,” by Lauren Collins (The New Yorker)“The Unlikely Rise of French Tacos,” by Lauren Collins (The New Yorker)“Dearest Edith,” by Janet Flanner (The New Yorker)“The Custom of the Country,” by Edith Wharton“Go Tell It on the Mountain,” by James Baldwin“Giovanni's Room,” by James Baldwin“The Discovery of What It Means to Be an American,” by James Baldwin (The New York Times)“Emily in Paris” (2020–)“Sex and the City” (1998–2004)“French Women Don't Get Fat,” by Mireille Guiliano“Bringing Up Bébé,” by Pamela DruckermanNew episodes drop every Thursday. Follow Critics at Large wherever you get your podcasts. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Hi Loyal Readers. Thank you for opening this week's issue of Article Club.Today's issue is dedicated to a beautiful conversation with Saint Trey W, author of this month's featured article, “They Burn Books to Burn Us Too.” He shares space with Sarai Bordeaux, Article Club contributor and Poet Laureate of Eureka, California.If you haven't yet, I hope you read the article. Then if you appreciate it, which I predict you will, I invite you to listen to the conversation, then join our discussion next Sunday, August 24. Kind, thoughtful people (like you!) will engage deeply with Saint Trey's piece on Zoom, beginning at 2:00 pm PT and ending at 3:30 pm PT.If you're interested, you can learn more and sign up by clicking the button below.When I first read “They Burn Books to Burn Us Too,” I was deeply moved. I was moved by the power of Saint Trey W's message. But I was equally moved by the beauty of his writing. Saint Trey is a poet. This essay is lyrical.“When a government begins to fear its own history,” Saint Trey writes, “it has already declared war on the people who survived it.”Yes, this is an essay about book banning. It is about erasure, the war on memory, and our government's attempt to dominate and destroy Black people. But the piece is also about dreaming. No matter the government's violence, Black people will not be silenced. They will not be unwritten. Saint Trey writes:What they do not know is that we were never written in the first place. We were sung. We were carved into tree trunks and kitchen counters and braided into our mother's hair. We are older than their archives. And our stories do not end with silence.When I finished the piece, I had three immediate thoughts:* I must share this essay with Sarai right now* Hopefully they appreciate it as much as I do* Wouldn't it be perfect if Sarai and Saint Trey got to talk to each other?If you're newish to Article Club, you may not have met Sarai yet, so here are a few words of (re)introduction: Sarai is one of the most astute readers I have ever met. Whenever we talk, they make me smarter. More importantly, Sarai helps me connect the dots and act with more compassion.So it was an obvious next step — given my three thoughts above — that I should reach out to Sarai and gather their perspective. The rest is history. Sarai loved the essay, I contacted Saint Trey, he generously said yes to doing the interview, and they met up on Zoom to talk about his beautiful piece.The result is this wholehearted conversation. Sarai and Saint Trey cover a wide range of topics. I won't try to list them all here. It was clear to me, as I listened to Sarai and Saint Trey — two poets thinking together and sharing their perspectives about a powerful essay — that I was struck by the mutual care they shared with one another. In their discussion of Saint Trey's piece, they centered on imagination and possibility, as well as the power of language and lineage.Here's an excerpt from the conversation that I especially appreciated. About ancestors, language, Blackness, libraries, and God, Saint Trey says:Our ancestors are not just bloodlines, right? They're also our bookshelves. People like Toni Morrison, you know — she taught me that language can be a spell. It can be a sword, but it also can be a sanctuary. Reading Beloved and The Bluest Eye — it was the first time I understood the sacredness of Blackness in a way, especially in its unspoken parts — her reminding us that, if you are free, then you must free somebody else.I think libraries are a portal to that. James Baldwin, giving permission to tell the truth, especially when it burns. This sort of clarity — this heat, this refusal to perform respectability — and his teaching that moral authority doesn't require approval. Audre Lorde, reminding us that silence is not going to protect us. She made queerness feel like gospel. So the reason I mentioned libraries is because they're all-encompassing of these stories. They're in a sense, I would say, akin to church, right, to those who are believers, right? For me, the way I have reimagined faith in God is in language, it is in words that, you know, are passed through vessels — the artists, the writers, the griots. All have showed me that craft and conviction can dance, right? — that words don't have to be soft to be sacred. And I think libraries, they feed us when the world try has tried to starve us.Seriously: I could listen to that passage over and over again. The clarity of Saint Trey's words — both spoken here in this conversation, as well as in “They Burn Books to Burn Us Too” — is a gift.I hope you take a listen to the conversation. A little disclaimer: The quality of the audio is a bit patchy at times, particularly at the beginning. The Internet was not behaving. It tried to be a nuisance. But it was unsuccessful, for two reasons: First, the audio smooths out after the first few minutes. Second, the quality of Sarai and Saint Trey's words will make you listen more closely and tune out the distractions.One more time, I'd like to thank Saint Trey for bringing us this piece. It's an essay I believe that everyone should read and reflect on. I appreciate your words and your generosity of spirit. And Sarai, I am grateful to you as well, not only for this conversation but also for your contribution to our reading community. An invitation to our discussion on August 24I warmly invite you to participate in our discussion on Sunday, August 24, 2:00 - 3:30 pm PT. We'll meet on Zoom. You can sign up below, it's free.Thank you for reading and listening to this week's issue. Hope you liked it.

Mini-series Part 3: The Shape-Shift of Good Intentions Still White at the CoreIn this episode, Maureen moves the lens from pointing the finger outward to turning it inward, tracing how whiteness shape-shifts inside us, softening edges, pleasing, and protecting the status quo even when wrapped in the language of justice.Drawing from Angela Davis, bell hooks, James Baldwin, Stokely Carmichael, and Ibram X. Kendi, Maureen examines the ways “good intentions” can mask white supremacist logic, and how liberalism often trades transformation for comfort.With help from Diedra Barber's insights on how patriarchy and white supremacy have co-opted the sacred, feminist, and ancestral art of shapeshifting, Maureen challenges listeners to reclaim that power, not for compliance but for connection, accountability, and liberation. The film Sinners returns as a metaphor for assimilation's hidden cost: the invitation that drains your soul while appearing generous.This episode is a call to notice where you have adapted yourself to fit systems, and to choose shapeshifting as a tool for survival, integrity, and transformation instead.This week's reflection:Where do I shape-shift to maintain comfort rather than create change?What have I been taught by white supremacy and patriarchy that I am ready to transmute?How can I use the power to shift as a practice of accountability, care, and liberation?Support the showThis episode was created with deep love, and deep thanks to the frameworks and tools within Cultivating Intersectional Leadership, a course I co-created with Diedra Barber. CIL isn't just a training. It's a transformative journey—one that supports individuals and organizations in making the systemic, strategic, and spiritual shifts needed to build something different. Something rooted in justice. Something aligned with who we say we want to be. You're invited to learn more or inquire about participation at:

Danny Bryant joins Will to discuss his book Unless a Seed Falls to the Ground: Welcoming the Death of the Whiteness Gospel. Part memoir, part theological critique, Danny's work traces his journey from growing up in a fundamentalist cult to becoming a pastor who now practices what he calls "hospice ministry", allowing cancerous forms of American Christianity to die.In this deeply personal conversation, Danny shares about:Growing up as a "misfit among misfits" in a cult that prided itself on exclusionHow patterns of control and superiority infected even "mainstream" churches he encounteredHis reimagined TULIP framework diagnosing the cancer of white American ChristianityWhy he believes certain forms of faith need to die—not be reformedThe difference between violent destruction and the natural death that leads to new lifeWhat it means to "side with the seeds" in our current momentHow his own motivation for ministry evolved from anger at harm to being grounded in loveWhat St. Mary of Bethany Parish looks like as a "field hospital" for the spiritually woundedDanny draws on voices like James Baldwin, Howard Thurman, Willie James Jennings, and Abraham Joshua Heschel to imagine what might grow after the death of Christianity-as-empire. This is a conversation about grief, hope, and the spacious places that await us when we stop clinging to what needs to die.About Danny Bryant: Danny Bryant is a pastor and priest at St. Mary of Bethany Parish in Nashville, Tennessee, where he also offers spiritual direction. He lives with his wife Rebecca, their four children, and several pets.Want to reach out and let us know your thoughts or suggestions for the show? Send us a message here; we'd love to hear from you.The Spiritual Misfits Survival Guide (FREE): https://www.spiritualmisfits.com.au/survivalguideSign up to our mailing list:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/Join our online Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spiritualmisfitspodcastSupport the pod:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/support-us/View all episodes at: https://spiritualmisfits.buzzsprout.com

 “The world is held together, really it is held together, by the love and the passion of just a few people.” That quote from James Baldwin captures the idea of the "Tzadikim" from Jewish mysticism. Tzadikim means, “the righteous ones." Based on Genesis 18, the Talmud elaborates: “There are no fewer than 36 righteous people in the world who daily greet the glory of God and uphold creation.” That is, a tiny group of people, because of their innate goodness; because of their humble, just, loving hearts, proves to God that humanity is worth all the trouble. Therefore, God would never go so far as to wipe away humanity, for that would mean wiping away the righteous, and “the Judge of all the earth will do what is right.” Yes, the world is full of corruption; it's full of every vice and evil - just as in the days of Sodom - and God surely must contemplate bringing it all to an end. But through these righteous ones and their persistent hidden holiness, the world is spared. The questions put to each of us, then, are these: "Could you be one of the righteous? Could you...would you...can you...will you - live in such a way that keeps hope alive in the world? You may be the one upholding God's creation.

We're back for another round of Women in Translation Month! Each August, readers around the world celebrate books written by women and translated into English, spotlighting voices the too often go unheard. In this episode, we each pick five WIT titles we're planning to read this month. We promise our goal is not to derail your carefully curated TBR list, but this is an event where we'll happily take responsibility for your reading detours!What WIT books are you reading to celebrate?We've got some fantastic author-focused episodes lined up for the foreseeable future, and we want to give you plenty of time to dive in if you'd like to read along with us. These episodes come around every ten episodes, and with our bi-weekly release schedule, you'll have a few months to get ready for each. Here's what we have in store:* Episode 115: Kazuo Ishiguro* Episode 125: Flannery O'Connor* Episode 135: William Faulkner* Episode 145: Elizabeth Taylor* Episode 155: Naguib MahfouzThere's no rush—take your time, and grab a book (or two, or three) so you're prepared for these as they come!Join the Mookse and the Gripes on DiscordWant to share your thoughts on these upcoming authors or anything else we're discussing? Join us over on Discord! It's the perfect place to dive deeper into the conversation—whether you're reading along with our author-focused episodes or just want to chat about the books that are on your mind.We're also just now in our second novella book club, where we're reading Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin. It's a fantastic book, and we'd love to have you join the discussion. It's a great space to engage with fellow listeners, share your insights, and discover new perspectives on the books you're reading.ShownotesBooks* The Adventures of China Iron, by Gabriela Cabezón Cámara, translated by Fiona Mackintosh and Iona Macintyre* We Are Green and Trembling, by Gabriela Cabezón Cámara, translated by Robin Myers* The Ghost Writer, by Philip Roth* Love in a Cold Climate, by Nancy Mitford* The Sun King, by Nancy Mitford* The Pursuit of Love, by Nancy Mitford* Don't Tell Alfred, by Nancy Mitford* Voltaire in Love, by Nancy Mitford* The Faces, by Tove Ditlevsen, translated by Tiina Nunnally* The Trouble with Happiness, by Tove Ditlevsen, translated by Michael Favala Goldman* Killing Stella, by Marlen Haushofer, translated by Shaun Whiteside* The Wall, by Marlen Haushofer, translated by Shaun Whiteside* Overstaying, by Ariane Koch, translated by Damion Searls* In Farthest Seas, by Lalla Romano, translated by Brian Robert Moore* A Silence Shared, by Lalla Romano, translated by Brian Robert Moore* Frontier, by Can Xue, translated by Karen Gernant and Chen Zeping* The Last Lover, by Can Xue, translated by Annelise Finegan* The Blue Room, by Hanne Ørstavik, translated by Deborah Dawkins* The Taiga Syndrome, by Cristina Rivera Garza, translated by Suzanne Jill Levine and Aviva Kana* New and Selected Stories, by Cristina Rivera Garza, translated by Sarah Booker with additional translations by Lisa Dillman, Francisca González Arias, and Alex Ross* Ultramarine, by Mariette Navarro, translated by Eve Hill Agnus* Voices in the Evening, by Natalia Ginzburg, translated by D.M. Low* The Dry Heart, by Natalia Ginzburg, translated by Frances Frenaye* Family Lexicon, by Natalia Ginzburg, translated by Jenny McPhee* Traces of Enayat, by Iman Mersal, translated by Robin Moger* Motherhood and Its Ghosts, by Iman Mersal, translated by Robin Moger* Animal Stories, by Kate Zambreno* Migratory Birds, by Mariana Oliver, translated by Julia SanchesOther* PEN/America: Women in Translation Month Reading Series 2025* Women in Translation Month websiteThe Mookse and the Gripes Podcast is a bookish conversation hosted by Paul and Trevor. Every other week, we explore a bookish topic and celebrate our love of reading. We're glad you're here, and we hope you'll continue to join us on this literary journey!A huge thank you to those who help make this podcast possible! If you'd like to support us, you can do so via Substack or Patreon. Subscribers receive access to periodic bonus episodes and early access to all new episodes. Plus, each supporter gets their own dedicated feed, allowing them to download episodes a few days before they're released to the public. We'd love for you to check it out! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe

This Week In White Supremacy 1HOOD centers on the fragility of democracy, particularly in states like Texas and Tennessee. The discussion of gerrymandering and redistricting reveals the relentless effort to undermine democratic processes to favor political gains. Said aptly describes this as "the end of days," with democracy appearing to collapse under the weight of its own inconsistencies and systemic racism.Economic challenges do not escape critique, as the reality of rising costs juxtaposes sharply against political assertions of a thriving economy. The commentary points to a disconnect between political narratives and everyday struggles faced by the American populace, exemplified by rising grocery prices and persistent inflation.Miracle's insight highlights the global nature of anti-Blackness. The inability of traditional Black institutions, like the NAACP, to fully support individuals like Chris Smalls reflects the ongoing struggle for genuine representation and protection of Black people in global movements.Ending with a poignant quote from James Baldwin, the script underscores the right to perpetual criticism of America. This criticism is portrayed not as unpatriotic, but as an essential component of true patriotism—a necessary step in the ongoing battle for an equitable and just society. --To help us build liberated communities through arts, education, and social justice visit our website 1hood.org to purchase your official 1HOOD apparel or consider making a tax-deductible donation to 1Hood Media. --WATCH THE SHOW: youtube.com/@twiws--FOLLOW 1HOOD youtube.com/@1hoodfacebook.com/1hoodmediainstagram.com/1hoodmediax.com/1hood--About:This Week In White Supremacy is the 1Hood podcast discussing the cultural effects and weekly injustices surrounding white supremacy; through intelligent, insightful commentary and often comedic conversations this podcast is geared towards adults who want to digest the latest news and events with humor and Hip-Hop.--DISCLAIMERS: The views and opinions expressed during this presentation are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of 1Hood Media, 1Hood Power, and or its affiliates. We do not own the copyrights to the selected songs, audios and/or videos shared in this broadcast. This Week In White Supremacy is brought to you by the 1HOOD Media NetworkExplicit LanguageParental Discretion is AdvisedTV-MA

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Amongst its pages, there are many familiar names—Oscar Wilde, Quentisn Crisp, Sappho, James Baldwin, Freddie Mercury — but also many we might not expect: Florence Nightingale, Marlene Dietrich, Cary Grant, J. Edgar Hoover, Eleanor Roosevelt, Tchaikovsky, Greta Garbo, Richard the Lionheart, even Abraham Lincoln,  along with 1000 other stories of artists, generals, politicians, kings, despots and many more figures drawn from 5000 years of hidden culture.   Keith Stern came to the Bureau to talk about his extraordinary encyclopaedia ‘Queers in History', what drove him to write it, and why it matters.   The book is more than a who's-who of queer life —it's a challenge to the official version of the past, a reminder of how history gets made, unmade, and remade,  depending on who's telling the stories, inviting us to consider how queerness has always existed, and has contributed to the culture. And we get into the subject of whether Gandalf was Queer - yes, we really do…

Family, this week on Queer News we're watching blue states draw a legal line in the sand as they sue the Trump administration for attacking gender-affirming care. In a major win for reproductive justice, a federal judge blocks efforts to defund Planned Parenthood. In culture and entertainment, we celebrate the crowning of the first King of Drag, bid farewell to Dinah Shore founder Mariah Hanson, and get a much-needed laugh from TS Madison and Laverne Cox on Family Feud. Plus, I bring you Baldwin's words, wisdom, and rage as we celebrate his birthday. Let's get into it. Want to support this podcast?

This 2020 episode covers James Baldwin, who was a brilliant essayist, one of the chroniclers of the Civil Rights Movement, and a powerful voice against racism.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this new episode of THE POLITICRAT daily podcast Omar Moore salutes James Baldwin on his 101st birthday with audio clips from some of his interviews. Also: News of the last 24 hours or so that you may not have been aware of. Recorded August 2, 2025.MUST-SEE:James Baldwin 1964 documentary "Take This Hammer" (uncut edition), directed by Richard O. Moore: https://diva.sfsu.edu/collections/sfbatv/bundles/216518SUBSCRIBE: https://mooreo.substack.comSUBSCRIBE: https://politicrat.substack.comPatronize Lanny Smith's Actively Black apparel business: https://activelyblack.comPatronize Melanin Haircarehttps://melaninhaircare.comPatronize Black-owned businesses on Roland Martin's Black Star Network: https://shopblackstarnetwork.comBlack-owned media matters: (Watch Roland Martin Unfiltered daily M-F 6-8pm Eastern)https://youtube.com/rolandsmartin Download the Black Star Network appRECOMMENDED READSOmar's latest article on Substack (subscribe!) "A Few Of The Restaurants In San Francisco That Welcome And Treat Black People With Respect" (July 22, 2025)https://open.substack.com/pub/mooreo/p/a-few-of-the-restaurants-in-san-francisco?r=275tyr&utm_medium=iosTHE POLITICRAT SUMMER 2025 BOOK READING LIST: https://substack.com/@politicrat/note/c-133449058?r=judrw&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-actionIf you would like to contribute financially to The Politicrat: please send money via Zelle to omooresf@gmail.comSocial media:https://fanbase.app/popcornreel(Invest in Fanbase now! https://startengine.com/fanbase)https://spoutible.com/popcornreelhttps://popcornreel.bsky.socialAnd spill.com (@popcornreel)

Welcome to episode 91 of The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living, a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh's deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our lives. In this installment, Zen Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and leadership coach/journalist Jo Confino are joined by Nho Tran, who, after 17 years as a nun in the Plum Village tradition, is now continuing her spiritual journey as a layperson. Together, they explore the origins and evolution of the Plum Village tradition: the Buddhist lineage founded by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay). Thay worked to restore and renew Vietnamese Buddhism, integrating its rich history and diverse influences while increasing the teachings’ accessibility and relevance to the modern world. The participants describe Thay’s openness to adapting practices to different communities’ needs, while maintaining the tradition's core principles and lineage. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding one’s roots and cultural heritage, and of the flexibility to evolve and innovate within a spiritual tradition, and how these principles led to Thay’s vision of engaged Buddhism, which seeks to address societal issues and cultivate both inner and outer peace. Among other insights, Nho shares her personal journey of reconnecting with her Vietnamese heritage and identity through Thay’s teachings, while Brother Phap Huu reflects on Thay's intentional weaving together of the ancient roots of Vietnamese Buddhism with contemporary relevance and accessibility. Bio: Nho Tran is a scholar, facilitator, and former Buddhist nun in the Plum Village tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. For many years, she lived and practiced in monastic communities across Asia, Europe, and North America, where she cultivated a deep commitment to interbeing, cultural resilience, and the art of mindful living. Nho's work sits at the intersection of conflict transformation, ethics, and systems thinking. Drawing on her monastic formation and experience across diverse sectors, she supports individuals and communities in navigating difficult conversations, fostering cultural change, and reimagining leadership grounded in compassion and collective wisdom. She holds a joint degree in Cognitive Neuroscience and Religion from the University of Southern California, a Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School, and an MA from Harvard University. She is currently a PhD candidate at Harvard's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, where her research explores the intersections of religion, ethics, governance, and Vietnamese Buddhist history. Nho teaches negotiation, ethics, and conflict resolution at Harvard, and continues to serve as a bridge between contemplative practice and social transformation. Co-produced by the Plum Village App:https://plumvillage.app/ And Global Optimism:https://globaloptimism.com/ With support from the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation:https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/ List of resources Live show: The Way Out Is In podcast with special guest Ocean Vuong plumvillage.uk/livepodcastInterbeinghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interbeing James Baldwinhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Baldwin Dharma Talks: ‘Redefining the Four Noble Truths'https://plumvillage.org/library/dharma-talks/redefining-the-four-noble-truths Thich Nhat Hanh: Redefining the Four Noble Truthshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eARDko51Xdw ‘The Four Dharma Seals of Plum Village'https://plumvillage.org/articles/the-four-dharma-seals-of-plum-village Theravadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravada Mahayanahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahayana Champahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champa Vajrayanahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajrayana Prajnaparamitahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prajnaparamita Dhyanahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhyana_in_Buddhism Linjihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linji_school Pearl S. Buckhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl_S._Buck ‘Please Call Me By My True Name'https://plumvillage.org/articles/please-call-me-by-my-true-names-song-poem Quotes “Is it James Baldwin who says, ‘If you love something dearly, you can love it and, at the same time, critique it with your whole heart'?” “I remember Thay saying that when he met an individual, he never saw that person as themselves alone; he saw the entire lineage of what had brought that person to this present moment.” “Understanding is another name for love.” “One of the beauties of the teachings of the Buddha is that the monks are also scholars. They love to help articulate the teachings of Buddhism; they love to create lists and they love to categorize things as a means to transmit them. And then the deepest practice is being free from all of that and to see the weaving of all the teachings.” “In the will of our teacher, written to all of us, his monks and nuns students, he said that one of the greatest heritages of Buddhism, of the Buddha’s teaching, is this openness to ever grow, to ever change, and not to believe in a god, a doctrine. That is the only way.” “Thay once told me that we don’t have time to go and correct people. Instead, we have to develop our liberation and transmit this beautiful teaching to the next generation.” “Thay is very progressive in order for the tree to grow, but very conservative to restore the roots. That is the dance around and in the teachings of the Buddha: the middle way. To meet the present moment, we have to find a pathway that continues to evolve, but we also need to have roots.” “If we are practicing Buddhism, but we’re not practicing inner peace, outer peace, and liberation, then that is not Buddhism. So, Thay’s understanding of Buddhism goes beyond form.” “What is our compass? That is mindfulness. Come back to our awareness of the present moment.” “Buddhism is made of non-Buddhist elements. Plum Village is made up of non-Plum Village elements – but it does have foundations, and the Four Plum Village seals, which Thay said are our defining way of teaching and practice.” “There is so much richness and goodness in spirituality and in religion because religion is made of non-religious elements.” “If the identity or the moniker of ‘a Buddhist' gets in the way of the work that I’m trying to do, which is peace and liberation, I will let that go gladly. But it doesn’t mean I’m not a Buddhist, or that I don’t get to tap into the tradition. If that’s getting in the way, if that makes people suffer more, that’s not the name of the game. I’m trying to get to liberation; I’m trying to get to freedom for everyone; I’m trying to get to a place where everyone gets to tap into this endless source of love.” “The perfection of wisdom is to be able to hold two seemingly contradictory things together in perfect harmony.”

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 800-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Brad Onishi sits down with Dr. Anand Pandian, author of Something Between Us, to explore the everyday “walls” that divide Americans—from SUVs and suburbs to video doorbells and noise-canceling headphones. Drawing on James Baldwin's influence, Pandian reveals how our built environments and habits foster suspicion, loneliness, and disconnection. They exacertabe the ruthlessness of our political age. Onishi and Pandian discuss how activism, like the “Aunt Flow” movement, and simple neighborly acts can help rebuild empathy and community. This episode is a powerful reminder that polarization isn't just political—it's personal, physical, and fixable. Anand Pandian's book: https://anand.studio Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's episode comes with poor sound quality and excellent vibes. For the first time ever, Paul and Trevor met in person! Join us as we take the show on the road—through bookstores, libraries, and one unforgettable day of literary wandering. From the cozy aisles of The King's English to the rarified shelves of Moon's Rare Books, with stops at Poppy's Books and the Salem City Library (Trevor's wife makes as cameo!), this episode is a roving celebration of bookish friendship. We apologize in advance for the audio, but we hope you enjoy this day out with us. We'll be back to our usual mischief in the next episode.We've got some fantastic author-focused episodes lined up for the foreseeable future, and we want to give you plenty of time to dive in if you'd like to read along with us. These episodes come around every ten episodes, and with our bi-weekly release schedule, you'll have a few months to get ready for each. Here's what we have in store:* Episode 115: Kazuo Ishiguro* Episode 125: Flannery O'Connor* Episode 135: William Faulkner* Episode 145: Elizabeth Taylor* Episode 155: Naguib MahfouzThere's no rush—take your time, and grab a book (or two, or three) so you're prepared for these as they come!Join the Mookse and the Gripes on DiscordWant to share your thoughts on these upcoming authors or anything else we're discussing? Join us over on Discord! It's the perfect place to dive deeper into the conversation—whether you're reading along with our author-focused episodes or just want to chat about the books that are on your mind.We're also just now in our second novella book club, where we're reading Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin. It's a fantastic book, and we'd love to have you join the discussion. It's a great space to engage with fellow listeners, share your insights, and discover new perspectives on the books you're reading.ShownotesBooks* Sun City, by Tove Jansson, translated by Thomas Teal* The King of a Rainy Country, by Brigid Brophy* Rhine Journey, by Ann Schlee* I Am Alien to Life: Selected Stories, by Djuna Barnes* Waiting for the Fear, by Oguz Atay, translated by Ralph Hubbell* Last Stories, by William Trevor* Chronicle of a Death Foretold, by Gabriel García Márquez, translated by Gregory Rabassa* Love in the Time of Cholera, by Gabriel García Márquez, translated by Edith Grossman* One Hundred Years of Solitude, by Gabriel García Márquez, translated by Gregory Rabassa* The Adventures of China Iron, by Gabriela Cabezón Cámara, translated by Fiona Mackintosh and Iona Macintyre * The Sea, the Sea, by Iris Murdoch* Schattenfroh, by Michael Lenz, translated by Max Lawton* Miss MacIntosh, My Darling, by * The Stronghold, by Dino Buzzati, translated by Lawrence Venuti* The Remains of the Day, by Kazuo Ishiguro* Never Let Me Go, by Kazuo Ishiguro* The Buried Giant, by Kazuo Ishiguro* The Unconsoled, by Kazuo Ishiguro* Nocturnes, by Kazuo Ishiguro* An Artist of the Floating World, by Kazuo Ishiguro* A Pale View of Hills, by Kazuo Ishiguro* When We Were Orphans, by Kazuo Ishiguro* As I Lay Dying, by William Faulkner* A River Runs Through It, by Norman Maclean* On the Clock, by Claire Baglin* Your Absence Is Darkness, by Jón Kalman Stefánsson, translated by Philip Roughton* Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, by Susanna Clarke* The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien* Moby Dick, by Herman Melville* Songs of Innocence, by William Blake* Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen* Anne of Green Gables, by L.M. MontgomeryThe Mookse and the Gripes Podcast is a bookish conversation hosted by Paul and Trevor. Every other week, we explore a bookish topic and celebrate our love of reading. We're glad you're here, and we hope you'll continue to join us on this literary journey!A huge thank you to those who help make this podcast possible! If you'd like to support us, you can do so via Substack or Patreon. Subscribers receive access to periodic bonus episodes and early access to all new episodes. Plus, each supporter gets their own dedicated feed, allowing them to download episodes a few days before they're released to the public. We'd love for you to check it out! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe

In Episode 201, author Lidija Hilje talks with Sarah about her debut novel, Slanting Towards the Sea. Spanning two decades and one transformative summer in Croatia, Slanting Towards the Sea is a love story that also delves into the profound journey of coming of age in a nation younger than you are. Lidija shares lots of details about how this book came to be and the inspiration for the story and its lush Croatian setting, which becomes a character of its own. They also discuss how the Croatian War of Independence influenced both her own childhood and the novel's narrative. Plus, Lidija shares some of her top book recommendations! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights A brief, spoiler-free overview of Slanting Towards the Sea.  Hilje's inspiration for Slanting Towards the Sea. How Croatia became its own character in the novel. The ways Slanting Towards the Sea developed and was impacted by Lidija's never-to-be-published first novel. The impact of the Croatian War of Independence (1991–1995) on Lidija's childhood and the events of the book. How Lidija shaped the ending of the novel over time. What inspired making “people pleasing” such a strong element of Ivona's character. The complete, upending change that forever shelved her first attempt at a novel. Lidija's Book Recommendations [35:58] Two OLD Books She Loves Gioavanni's Room by James Baldwin (1956) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:12] Euphoria by Lily King (2014) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [39:10] Other Books Mentioned: Writers & Lovers by Lily King (2020) [41:10]   Two NEW Books She Loves Audition by Katie Kitamura (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:33] The Anthropologists by Ayşegül Savaş (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:55] Other Books Mentioned: Intimacies by Katie Kitamura (2021) [41:44]  Trust by Hernán Díaz (2023) [43:41]  Second Place by Rachel Cusk (2021) [43:43]  One Book She DIDN'T Love Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:34] One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About This Kind of Trouble by Tochi Eze (August 5, 2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[48:52] Last 5-Star Book Lidija Read We Were the Universe by Kimberly King Parsons (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:35] Books From the Discussion You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith (2023) [22:03]

We opened with the legendary James Baldwin, because this week, we're passing the mic to someone walking boldly in Baldwin's footsteps: Amber Wallin, Executive Director of the State Revenue Alliance and a fearless fighter for tax justice, equity, and economic power from the ground up. Whether she's calling out lawmakers, organizing communities, or reshaping policy, Amber is part of a new generation of leaders who refuse to back down. Here she shares the thinkers, art, and music that inspires her in the fight as she takes the Gaslit Nation Self-Care Q&A. Because self-care is an act of resistance.  Want more fierce, unfiltered conversations like this? Join the Gaslit Nation Salon, live every Monday at 4pm ET. It's our weekly dose of truth, strategy, and righteous rage with listeners from around the world. Sign up now at Patreon.com/Gaslit. Annual memberships are discounted, and your support keeps us going. Hitting the beach or binging podcasts from the couch this summer? Take along our graphic novel: Dictatorship: It's Easier Than You Think! Follow our corrupt narrator, Judge Lackey, as he bungles his way through authoritarianism, dodging activists and desperately clinging to power.Grab it at your local library or at BookShop.org.  EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: NEW DATE! Thursday July 31 4pm ET – the Gaslit Nation Book Club discusses Antoine de Saint Exupéry's The Little Prince written in the U.S. during America First.  Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon.  Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon.  Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect, available on Patreon.  Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon.  Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon.  Have you taken Gaslit Nation's HyperNormalization Survey Yet? Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit for our community Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit!

In love addiction, we avoid our reality through fantasy and other behaviors that keep us stuck and feeling powerless. But even in recovery, reality becomes overwhelming at times, and we might still find ourselves wanting to check-out and shutdown in order to bypass those feelings. In this episode, Jodi talks about her recent experience with checking-out and attempting to avoid reality; our collective issue with self-esteem; and navigating hopelessness while holding onto empathy. Show notes and resources: Music by JD Pendley Link to Jodi's website and additional resources Books mentioned in this episode: Facing Codependence by Pia Mellody and The Great Work Of Your Life by Stephen Cope Chelsea Handler shared a helpful post regarding "How To Help Texas" that includes resources and where to donate to support flood recovery efforts. In the episode Jodi shares a quote commonly attributed to James Baldwin: “We can disagree and still love each other unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist.” After recording, Jodi learned that there is some confusion regarding the actual source. According to Snopes: "It wasn't James Baldwin who said this, but essayist and novelist Robert Jones Jr., who used to write online under the moniker @sonofbaldwin. He wrote and posted these words on X (formerly Twitter) on Aug. 18, 2015." However other online sources continue to report it was actually James Balwin himself.  Disclaimer: This podcast is shared for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for mental health treatment with a licensed mental health professional or to be used in place of the advice of a physician. If you are struggling please don't delay in seeking the assistance of a licensed mental health practitioner or healthcare professional. If you're in crisis please visit NAMI.org or call 1-800-273-TALK for 24-hour assistance.    

How do you wrap up a great book? in this episode, Paul and Trevor dive into the final sentences that left them stunned, satisfied, or haunted. From quiet farewells to explosive conclusions, we're celebrating the art of the last line—and how a final passage can reshape everything that came before.What's a last line that you'll never forget?We've got some fantastic author-focused episodes lined up for the foreseeable future, and we want to give you plenty of time to dive in if you'd like to read along with us. These episodes come around every ten episodes, and with our bi-weekly release schedule, you'll have a few months to get ready for each. Here's what we have in store:* Episode 115: Kazuo Ishiguro* Episode 125: Flannery O'Connor* Episode 135: William Faulkner* Episode 145: Elizabeth Taylor* Episode 155: Naguib MahfouzThere's no rush—take your time, and grab a book (or two, or three) so you're prepared for these as they come!Join the Mookse and the Gripes on DiscordWant to share your thoughts on these upcoming authors or anything else we're discussing? Join us over on Discord! It's the perfect place to dive deeper into the conversation—whether you're reading along with our author-focused episodes or just want to chat about the books that are on your mind.We're also just now in our second novella book club, where we're reading Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin. It's a fantastic book, and we'd love to have you join the discussion. It's a great space to engage with fellow listeners, share your insights, and discover new perspectives on the books you're reading.ShownotesBooks* The Remains of the Day, by Kazuo Ishiguro* Giovanni's Room, by James Baldwin* The Bell, by Iris Murdoch* The Sea, the Sea, by Iris Murdoch* Miaow, by Benito Pérez Galdós, translated by Margaret Jull Costa* Tristana, by Benito Pérez Galdós, translated by Margaret Jull Costa* Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir* The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald* Ulysses, by James Joyce* Augustus, by John Williams* Butcher's Crossing, by John Williams* Stoner, by John Williams* The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway* Brideshead Revisited, by Evelyn Waugh* The Dead, by James Joyce* Finnegans Wake, by James Joyce* A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, by James Joyce* Swann's Way, by Marcel Proust* A River Runs Through It, by Norman Maclean* Wuthering Heights, by Emily Brontë* The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck* East of Eden, by John Steinbeck* Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck* Blood Meridian or the Evening Redness in the West, by Cormac McCarthy* The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien* Middlemarch, by George Eliot* The Namesake, by Jhumpa Lahiri* The Black Prince, by Iris Murdoch* The Green Knight, by Iris Murdoch* To the Lighthouse, by Virginia Woolf* Sons and Lovers, by D.H. Lawrence* The Member of the Wedding, by Carson McCullers* My Ántonia, by Willa Cather* The Transit of Venus, by Shirley HazzardOther* Proust Curious PodcastThe Mookse and the Gripes Podcast is a bookish conversation hosted by Paul and Trevor. Every other week, we explore a bookish topic and celebrate our love of reading. We're glad you're here, and we hope you'll continue to join us on this literary journey!A huge thank you to those who help make this podcast possible! If you'd like to support us, you can do so via Substack or Patreon. Subscribers receive access to periodic bonus episodes and early access to all new episodes. Plus, each supporter gets their own dedicated feed, allowing them to download episodes a few days before they're released to the public. We'd love for you to check it out! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe

James JankoA Vietnam vet and an award-winning novelist with a deep interest in peaceJames Janko is the author of three award-winning novels. He learned to write on Alcatraz Island National Park where he worked alone as a nightwatchman from 1979 to 1992. He read N. Scott Momaday, Maxine Hong Kingston, James Baldwin, García Lorca, Louise Erdrich, and many others. Over the years, word by word, he fell in love with language and learned to write. Janko's awards include: the Juniper Prize from the University of Massachusetts Press for his novel, The Wire-Walker; the Association of Writers and Writing Programs Award for the Novel for The Clubhouse Thief; The Northern California Book Award and The Association of Asian American Studies Prose Award for Buffalo Boy and Geronimo. His novel, What We Don't Talk About (University of Wisconsin Press), tells the story of his hometown in rural Illinois.Want to be a guest on Book 101 Review? Send Daniel Lucas a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17372807971394464fea5bae3 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daily QuoteWe are all like the bright moon, we still have our darker side. (James Baldwin)Poem of the Day宫词白居易Beauty of WordsThe Widow and Her SonWashington Irving

Brea and Mallory go through their most anticipated books for July and August. Email us at readingglassespodcast at gmail dot com!Reading Glasses MerchRecommendations StoreSponsor -GreenChefwww.greenchef.com/50GLASSESCODE: 50GLASSESLinks -Reading Glasses Facebook GroupReading Glasses Goodreads GroupAmazon Wish ListNewsletterLibro.fmTo join our Discord channel, email us proof of your Reading-Glasses-supporting Maximum Fun membership!www.maximumfun.org/joinBooks Mentioned -It Rhymes with Takei by George Takei and Harmony BeckerThe Lilac People by Milo ToddJulyFinding Grace by Loretta RothschildLiterary fiction, family drama, dual timelines, moral dilemmaThe Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth WareSequel to The Woman in Cabin 10Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly JacksonThriller, mystery, woman trying to solve her own murder before she diesA Resistance of Witches by Morgan RyanHistorical fantasy, WWII, British witches, magic book, magical espionage, FranceVolatile Memory by Seth HaddonSci fi, queer love story, adventure, novella, tech, AIThe Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-GarciaHorror, witches, 19th century Mexico, 1990s Massachusetts, dual timelinesAngel Down by Daniel KrausHistorical horror/fantasy, WWI, angels, soldiersTotally and Completely Fine by Elissa SussmanRomance, dual timelines, widowed single mom, normal person/celebrity, small town MontanaRose in Chains by Julie SotoRomantasy, first in trilogy, princess imprisoned in castle auctioned off to rivalsThe Irresistible Urge to Fall in Love with Your Enemy by Brigette KnightleyRomantasy, Dramoine, sick assassin falling in love with enemy healer, first in duology, slow burn enemies to lovers, rival magician ordersA Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu MandannaRomantasy, cozy, witch and magical historian at an enchanted inn, talking foxTenderly, I Am Devoured by Lyndall ClipstoneYA, gothic, horromance, queer, folklore, love triangle, rituals, godsGlorious Rivals by Jennifer Lynn BarnesYA, Inheritance Games saga, competition, puzzles, secretsImmortal Consequences by I.V. MarieYA, romantasy, dark academia, boarding school, competitionNo Sense in Wishing by Lawrence BurneyEssay collection, critical moments with art that transformed the author, Black diasporaA Marriage at Sea by Sophie ElmhirstNonfiction, married couple who sells everything to live on a sailboatI Want to Burn This Place Down by Maris KreizmanEssay collection, funny, living in AmericaKilling Stella by Marlen Haushofer, translated by Shaun WhitesideNovella, literary fiction, confession from housewife of crimeThe Age of Video Games: A Graphic History of Gaming from Pong to VR and Beyond by Jean Zeid, illustrated by Émilie Rouge, translated by Jen VaughnNonfiction, graphic historyThe Feather Detective: Mystery, Mayhem, and the Magnificent Life of Roxie Laybourne by Chris SweeneyNonfiction, forensic ornithologyNecessary Fiction by Eloghosa OsundeQueer literary fiction, multiple POV, Lagos, navigating identitiesBeasts of Carnaval: A Caribbean Historical Fantasy Tale of Mystery and Magic at El Carnaval De Bestias by Rosália RodrigoYA historical fantasy, Caribbean islands, Black diaspora, decadent carnivalHot Girls With Balls by Benedict NguyễnLiterary fiction, satire, queer, competitive volleyball, social media, trans volleyball players, romanceThe Convenience Store by the Sea by Sonoko Machida translated by Bruno NavaskyMagical realism, Japanese convenience store, three interconnected storiesSimplicity by Mattie LubchanskySurreal graphic novel, near future sci fi, trans protagonist, isolated communityThe Dance and the Fire by Daniel Saldaña París, translated by Christina MacSweeneyCli fi, love triangle, dancing, three friends returning to hometown, Mexico, surrealArchive of Unknown Universes by Ruben Reyes Jr.Literary fiction, dual timelines, Salvadoran civil war, loveThe Payback by Kashana CauleyLiterary fiction, three co-workers turned friends launch a heist to wipe out student debtPan by Michael CluneLiterary fiction, teen having panic attacks and thinks the god Pan is trapped inside of himLonely Crowds by Stephanie WambuguLiterary fiction, 1990s New England college campus, coming of age, Catholic guilt, art worldThe Original by Nell StevensQueer historical fiction, 1899 English country house, aspiring art forger must figure out if her long-lost cousin is an impostorHuman Rites by Juno DawsonBook 3 in Her Majesty's Royal CovenCall Your Boyfriend by Olivia A. Cole and Ashley WoodfolkYA sapphic rom com, two teen girls want revenge on the popular girl they're in love withMoon Rising by Claire BarnerQueer near future romantisci, lunar colony, battling eco terroristsThe Gryphon King by Sara OmerQueer Southwest Asian inspired epic fantasy, monsters, dynastic politics, slow burn romanceTaste the love by Karelia and Fay Stetz-WatersSapphic romance with rival chefsNo Body No Crime by Tess SharpeQueer thriller, romance, secrets, two girls killing a shitty guyHouse of Beth by Kerry CullenQueer literary fiction, unhinged women, OCD, family secretsWayward Girls by Susan WiggsQueer historical fiction, 1960s Buffalo, six girls in a Catholic reform schoolThe Lighthouse at the Edge of the World by J.R. DawsonQueer fantasy, waystation for the dead, ghostsThe Elysium Heist by Y. M. ResnikQueer sci fi, heist in a space casino with six women, intergalactic card tournamentThe Haunting of Bellington Cottage by Laura ParnumMiddle grade horror, two girls trying to see if they're still friends in a haunted vacation houseAnother by Paul TremblayPaul's middle grade horror debut!!!!!The Library at Hellebore by Cassandra KhawHorror, wicked dark academia, dark magic academy for the dangerously powerfulGirl in the Creek by Wendy M. WagnerHorror, Pacific Northwest, missing hiker, body horror, eco-horror, sporrorOddbody by Rose KeatingHorror short stories, “weird girl fiction”Never the Roses by Jennifer K. LambertRomantasy, epic fantasy, Circle meets The Witch's HeartThe Frozen People by Elly GriffithsSci fi thriller, time traveling cold case teamHow to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory ArnoldFantasy thriller, famous horror author dies & invites writers to his manor to play a game, locked room mysteryThe Secret Market of the Dead by Giovanni De FeoFantasy, Italian inspired, historical, gothic, magic competition, “young woman who finds her power in the nocturnal realm that lurks beneath her town.”The Art of Vanishing by Morgan PagerSci fi, love story between a museum employee and a man in a paintingThe Alchemy of Flowers by Laura ResauModern fantasy take on The Secret GardenArcana Academy by Elise KovaRomantasy, woman who wield magic tarot cards in a fake relationship with the headmaster of a mysterious academy, first in seriesHit Me with Your Best Charm by Lillie ValeYA fantasy, small magic town, autumn festival, secrets, magic forest, missing kidSoulgazer by Maggie RapierPirate romantasy, lost mystical isleAugustThe Hounding by Xenobe PurvisHistorical horror, mystery, small town, girls transforming into houndsThe Locked Ward by Sarah PekkanenPsychological thriller, psychiatric institution, solving a murder, shady rich familyToo Old for This by Samantha DowningFunny thriller, elderly female serial killer, small town OregonForget Me Not by Stacy WillinghamMystery, new series, journalist solving case, old diary, vineyard, SouthernHouse of the Beast by Michelle WongDark fantasy, fairy tales, pact with a magical entity, revenge on rich familyThe Magician of Tiger Castle by Louis SacharAdult cozy fantasy, princess escaping arranged marriage with quirky found familyThe Society of Unknowable Objects by Gareth BrownFantasy, secret society protecting world from powerful magical objects, LondonHemlock and Silver by T. KingfisherFantasy, Snow White retelling, herbal healing, potions, magic mirrorsKatabasis by R.F. KuangFantasy, two PhD students go to hell to rescue their crappy advisorThese Memories Do Not Belong to Us by Yiming MaSci fi, memory, thriller, memory-monitoring tech, memory capitalismBlack Flame by Gretchen Felker-MartinHorror, queer, sexual repression, film archives, exploitation films, lost filmLucky Day by Chuck TingleHorror, cosmic horror, Vegas casino, statistics, mysterious federal agentWhat Hunger by Catherine DangHorror, coming of age, teen angst, generational trauma, female rageThe End of the World as We Know It edited by Christopher Golden and Brian KeeneHorror anthology inspired by The StandThe Possession of Alba Díaz by Isabel CañasHorror, historical, 1700s northern Mexico, demon, gothicWell, Actually by Mazey EddingsRomance, second chances with publicly documented datesLove Arranged by Lauren AsherRomance, Lakefront Billionaires series, fake relationshipMistress of Bones by Maria Z. MedinaYA debut fantasy, multiple POV, necromancer who wants to bring her sister back from the dead, romance, floating continents, rapier fightsBaldwin: A Love Story by Nicholas BoggsBiography of James Baldwin, queer history Vulture by Phoebe Greenwood Literary fiction, Gaza war correspondent protagonist, dark comedy A New New Me by Helen Oyeyemi Surreal literary sci fi, protagonist with multiple personalities Extinction Capital of the World by Mariah Rigg Short stories, cli fi, Hawaii, love and regret The Re-Write by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn Romance, rom-com, lovers to enemies to lovers, her ex goes on a reality dating show while she's hired to ghost write his memoir Lessons in Magic and Disaster by Charlie Jane Anders Cozy fantasy in autumn in New England!!!, witch trying to reconnect with her mother, spellsThe Midnight Shift by Seon-Ran Cheon, translated by Gene PngQueer vampire murder mystery in KoreaToni and Addie Go Viral by Melissa MarrSapphic romance, fake relationship, Victorian historian and actress

James Baldwin once called his friend, artist Beauford Delaney, a "spiritual father." Delaney was born in Tennessee, and arrived in New York during the Harlem Renaissance, before following other Black artists to Paris in the 1950s. This summer, The Drawing Center is presenting a new exhibition of Beauford Delaney's drawings, the first New York retrospective of Delaney's work in over thirty years. "In the Medium of Life: The Drawings of Beauford Delaney" is on view through September 14, and Laura Hoptman, executive director, and Rebecca DiGiovanna, assistant curator, discuss why Delaney's drawings are important to understand his practice.

In this episode, Paul and Trevor are joined by Kate from The Book Club Review Podcast for a lively discussion about funny books. From dry wit to outright absurdity, we explore the kinds of humor that make us laugh out loud—or quietly smirk into our sleeves—and why comic novels deserve a place on every bookshelf. We also announce the winner of our June giveaway and introduce a brand-new challenge for July. Tune in for some laughs and let us know which books have made you laugh the most.We've got some fantastic author-focused episodes lined up for the foreseeable future, and we want to give you plenty of time to dive in if you'd like to read along with us. These episodes come around every ten episodes, and with our bi-weekly release schedule, you'll have a few months to get ready for each. Here's what we have in store:* Episode 115: Kazuo Ishiguro* Episode 125: Flannery O'Connor* Episode 135: William Faulkner* Episode 145: Elizabeth Taylor* Episode 155: Naguib MahfouzThere's no rush—take your time, and grab a book (or two, or three) so you're prepared for these as they come!Join the Mookse and the Gripes on DiscordWant to share your thoughts on these upcoming authors or anything else we're discussing? Join us over on Discord! It's the perfect place to dive deeper into the conversation—whether you're reading along with our author-focused episodes or just want to chat about the books that are on your mind.We're also gearing up for our second novella book club, where we'll be reading Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin at the start of July. It's a fantastic book, and we'd love to have you join the discussion. It's a great space to engage with fellow listeners, share your insights, and discover new perspectives on the books you're reading.ShownotesBooks* Lockwood & Co. Series, by Jonathan Stroud* Alex Verus Series, by Benedict Jacka* Southern Reach Series, by Jeff VanderMeer* Slanting Towards the Sea, by Lidija Hilje* Waiting for the Fear, by Oguz Atay, translated by Ralph Hubbell* The Pursuit of Love, by Nancy Mitford* All Systems Red, by Martha Wells* Hons and Rebels, by Jessica Mitford* Blood Meridian, by Cormac McCarthy* Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes* Middlemarch, by George Eliot* The Girls, by John Bowen* Catch-22, by Joseph Heller* Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, by Mary Roach* Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law, by Mary Roach* Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal, by Mary Roach* Hyperbole and a Half, by Allie Brosh* The Book Lover's Joke Book, by Alex Johnson* The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams* The Remains of the Day, by Kazuo Ishiguro* The Code of the Woosters, by P.G. Wodehouse* Leave It to Psmith, by P.G. Wodehouse* Wodehouse: A Life, by Robert McCrum* A Swim in the Pond in the Rain, by George Saunders* The Nose, by Nikolai Gogol* The Possessed: Adventures with Russian Books and the People Who Read Them, by Elif Batuman* War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy* Once Upon a Tome: The Misadventures of a Rare Bookseller, by Oliver Darkshire* Greta and Valdin, by Rebecca K. Rilley* The Literary Conference, by César Aira* The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Banks, by E. Lockhart* A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson* A Short History of Nearly Everything, by Bill Bryson* The Summer Book, by Tove Jansson, translated by Thomas Teal* The White Bear, by Henrik Pontoppidan, translated by Paul LarkinOther* “The Murder of Leo Tolstoy,” by Elif BatumanThe Mookse and the Gripes Podcast is a bookish conversation hosted by Paul and Trevor. Every other week, we explore a bookish topic and celebrate our love of reading. We're glad you're here, and we hope you'll continue to join us on this literary journey!A huge thank you to those who help make this podcast possible! If you'd like to support us, you can do so via Substack or Patreon. Subscribers receive access to periodic bonus episodes and early access to all new episodes. Plus, each supporter gets their own dedicated feed, allowing them to download episodes a few days before they're released to the public. We'd love for you to check it out! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Literally, Not OK, I sit down with my personal trainer James Baldwin—owner of Switch Fitness in Dallas and my Aries twin—to talk all things mental health, marriage meltdowns, sweat wraps (trash), and why cardio is NOT the magic fix we all think it is.We cover boob jobs, Barry's Bootcamp drama, and the emotional journey of finding your fit fam. Whether you're trying to lose weight, gain muscle, or just feel better mentally, this one's for YOU.Plus, James spills the tea on cheat meals, motivation, and why being uncomfortable is actually the key to growth.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After reviewing why the impromptu bombing of Iran violates the U.S. Constitution, we delve into the semantics of war, the optics of the post-bombing Presidential address, and various possible motivations, as well as potential outcomes. Then, how Trump continues to bring shame upon these lands by made sure to advocate for his dear friend, Vladimir, at the recent G7 meeting, all while our Vice President, JD "I'm a never Trump guy" Bowman, follows the ill-fitting suit by calling our former Presidents "dumb" while singing the praises of the grifting man he once warned people about. Recent NO KINGS protests exceeded the all important 3.5% mark, and made it clear that American citizens do not support the hateful mess in the White House. Lastly, and most importantly, we acknowledge the wave of senseless violence against peaceful protestors and politicians alike. BONUS: The importance of The Strait of Hormuz and antimonyAll opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company, person, or agenda. This podcast is hosted by a United States citizen, born and raised in a military family that is so very proud of this country's commitment to free speech. Information shared is cited via published articles, legal documents, press releases, government websites, executive orders, public videos, news reports, and/or direct quotes and statements, and all may be paraphrased for brevity and presented in layman's terms.Find your elected officials at: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials/ or via the "5 Calls" app and contact them, often. “I love America more than any other country in the world and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.” - James BaldwinWanna support this independent pod? Links below:BuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDB Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The queens talk literary confidantes; then we discuss the pros and pitfalls of poetic friendships.Please Support Breaking Form!Review the show on Apple Podcasts here.Aaron's STOP LYING is available from the Pitt Poetry Series.James's ROMANTIC COMEDY is available from Four Way Books.NOTES:Check out Toni Morrison's  1987 eulogy for James Baldwin in the New York Times.We read from Fran Lebowitz's remembrance of her friend Toni Morrison, printed in the Paris Review.If you haven't already, read Brenda Hillman's "Male Nipples" Read "The Curious Friendship of Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell" from The Atlantic.Check out this exploration of the dynamics in literary friendships published in Esquire. 

University of Texas at Austin history professor Peniel Joseph, author of "Freedom Season," talks about the pivotal events of 1963 that impacted the Civil Rights Movement in America. That year, which marked the centenary of Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, also saw the assassinations of President Kennedy and Mississippi civil rights activist Medgar Evers, the publication of James Baldwin's bestseller "The Fire Next Time," and the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, which killed 4 little girls. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textIn this episode, I chat with historian Peniel E. Joseph about his latest book, Freedom Season: How 1963 Transformed America's Civil Rights Revolution.Joseph's storytelling prowess brings James Baldwin, Martin Luther King Jn., President Kennedy, and Boobie Kennedy to vibrant life, not as static icons but as complex humans navigating treacherous terrain. Particularly fascinating is Joseph's exploration of the forgotten women who shaped the movement—Gloria Richardson, Lorraine Hansberry, Diane Nash—who confronted both racial oppression and patriarchal limitations within activist circles. Their stories provide crucial context for understanding today's intersectional movements.What resonates most powerfully throughout our conversation is how the struggles of 1963 remain eerily familiar six decades later. As we witness contemporary battles over voting rights and historical memory, Joseph reminds us that reconciliation can only emerge through confronting difficult truths about our past, a lesson America is still struggling to learn.Peniel E. JosephFreedom Season: How 1963 Transformed America's Civil Rights Revolution, Peniel E. JosephEvery Living Thing, Jason RobertsThe Daily Stoic, Ryan HolidaySupport the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin (1956)

University of Texas at Austin history professor Peniel Joseph, author of "Freedom Season," talks about the pivotal events of 1963 that impacted the Civil Rights Movement in America. That year, which marked the centenary of Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, also saw the assassinations of President Kennedy and Mississippi civil rights activist Medgar Evers, the publication of James Baldwin's bestseller "The Fire Next Time," and the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, which killed 4 little girls. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 146 - Matthew Specktor - Author Author Matthew Specktor joins us in this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast. In his recently released memoir, THE GOLDEN HOUR, Matthew, the son of legendary talent agent Fred Specktor, uses his parents' divergent professional and personal lives to reflect on the film industry as it was, and he writes about his own life and career in and around the movies to reflect on what it has become. After reading it (and Matthew's other novels), we felt we had to speak with him. What follows in this episode is a wide-ranging and lively conversation about Matthew's life, his and our views on the changes in the film business and in the films themselves, cinema's place in society, and the genuine love for Hollywood that comes out in his writing. We also discuss the changing economics of funding films, the shifts in who wields power in Hollywood, and Matthew details the brief window in the 1960s and 1970s in which filmmakers were afforded a relative freedom not seen since. In THE GOLDEN HOUR, Matthew at times places us inside the minds of industry figureheads such as Lew Wasserman and Michael Ovitz, and Matthew shares how understanding the men who changed the film industry can help us better understand where we are today. We also reflect on the all-consuming lifestyle of working in Hollywood, and Matthew likens it to being trapped in a casino at two in the morning—forever. Plus, Matthew shares what it was like learning how to write from a uniquely qualified professor: James Baldwin.  - Recommended Reading: THE GOLDEN HOUR - This episode is sponsored by Profoto & Aputure 

This week we will use the origin story of Philadelphia Freedom Schools to revisit the essential components of an African education: The intergenerational transmission of knowledge, values and wisdom; the development of character, social responsibility and accountability; and the training of next and future generations to assume roles currently held by elders. By re-membering from the deep well of African thought and practice, can “Blackness,” a concept invented as a tool of oppression, be recrafted beyond a strategy for resistance to become a space for social perfectibility?JOIN KNARRATIVE: https://www.knarrative.com it's the only way to get into #Knubia, where these classes areheld live with a live chat.To shop Go to:TheGlobalMajorityMore from us:Knarrative Twitter: https://twitter.com/knarrative_Knarrative Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knarrative/In Class with Carr Twitter: https://twitter.com/inclasswithcarrSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Adam and Dr. Drew begin by discussing artistic savants like Bruce Springsteen who are perceived as being genius until they speak their minds. Dr. Drew then dives in on Biden's cancer diagnosis and talks about the very probable theory that Biden was diagnosed with metastatic cancer years ago and the side effects of the treatment. Adam questions how the mainstream media lumped Trump in with Biden to downplay his condition. Finally they take a phone call from a concerned father. Enjoy!Thank You for Supporting Our Sponsors:Text ADS to 64000MINTMOBILE.com/ADSF*%k your khakis and get The Perfect Jean15% off with the code adamanddrew15 at theperfectjean.nyc/adamanddrew15 #theperfectjeanpodSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.