Podcasts about Literature

Elizabeth Jane Howard, Brian Moore, and authors’ personal lives – welcome to episode 138! In the first half of the episode, we do a question that Lindsey suggested: do we care about authors’ personal lives? It takes us to questions

How are David Lynch's films as much in dialogue with literary and musical traditions as they are cinematic ones? By interrogating this question, David Lynch's American Dreamscape: Music, Literature, Cinema (Bloomsbury, 2025) broadens the interpretive horizons of Lynch's filmography, calling for a new approach to Lynch's films that goes beyond cinema and visual art to explore how Lynch's work engages with literary and musical works that have shaped the American imagination. As much as Lynch stands as a singular artistic voice, his work arises from and taps into the cultural zeitgeist in a way that illuminates not only his approach to creativity but also the way works interact with each other in an age of mass media. From children's literature to teen tragedy ballads, Nathanael West and Cormac McCarthy to folk music and mixtapes, David Lynch's American Dreamscape investigates the cultural frequencies Lynch's films tune into and positions Lynch's work as a conduit for American popular culture, a medium or channel through which the subconscious of American life finds its way into full view. The book expands upon this approach by discussing how artists such as David Foster Wallace and Lana Del Rey graft Lynch's affiliative, cinematic sensibility onto their own projects. Reading their work as intertextual engagements with Lynch's films further illustrates the versatile interactions among creators and audiences to generate more works, readers, and readings. 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

1 Sam 10:1-11:15, John 6:43-71, Ps 107:1-43, Pr 15:1-3

How are David Lynch's films as much in dialogue with literary and musical traditions as they are cinematic ones? By interrogating this question, David Lynch's American Dreamscape: Music, Literature, Cinema (Bloomsbury, 2025) broadens the interpretive horizons of Lynch's filmography, calling for a new approach to Lynch's films that goes beyond cinema and visual art to explore how Lynch's work engages with literary and musical works that have shaped the American imagination. As much as Lynch stands as a singular artistic voice, his work arises from and taps into the cultural zeitgeist in a way that illuminates not only his approach to creativity but also the way works interact with each other in an age of mass media. From children's literature to teen tragedy ballads, Nathanael West and Cormac McCarthy to folk music and mixtapes, David Lynch's American Dreamscape investigates the cultural frequencies Lynch's films tune into and positions Lynch's work as a conduit for American popular culture, a medium or channel through which the subconscious of American life finds its way into full view. The book expands upon this approach by discussing how artists such as David Foster Wallace and Lana Del Rey graft Lynch's affiliative, cinematic sensibility onto their own projects. Reading their work as intertextual engagements with Lynch's films further illustrates the versatile interactions among creators and audiences to generate more works, readers, and readings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literary-studies

How are David Lynch's films as much in dialogue with literary and musical traditions as they are cinematic ones? By interrogating this question, David Lynch's American Dreamscape: Music, Literature, Cinema (Bloomsbury, 2025) broadens the interpretive horizons of Lynch's filmography, calling for a new approach to Lynch's films that goes beyond cinema and visual art to explore how Lynch's work engages with literary and musical works that have shaped the American imagination. As much as Lynch stands as a singular artistic voice, his work arises from and taps into the cultural zeitgeist in a way that illuminates not only his approach to creativity but also the way works interact with each other in an age of mass media. From children's literature to teen tragedy ballads, Nathanael West and Cormac McCarthy to folk music and mixtapes, David Lynch's American Dreamscape investigates the cultural frequencies Lynch's films tune into and positions Lynch's work as a conduit for American popular culture, a medium or channel through which the subconscious of American life finds its way into full view. The book expands upon this approach by discussing how artists such as David Foster Wallace and Lana Del Rey graft Lynch's affiliative, cinematic sensibility onto their own projects. Reading their work as intertextual engagements with Lynch's films further illustrates the versatile interactions among creators and audiences to generate more works, readers, and readings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/film

How are David Lynch's films as much in dialogue with literary and musical traditions as they are cinematic ones? By interrogating this question, David Lynch's American Dreamscape: Music, Literature, Cinema (Bloomsbury, 2025) broadens the interpretive horizons of Lynch's filmography, calling for a new approach to Lynch's films that goes beyond cinema and visual art to explore how Lynch's work engages with literary and musical works that have shaped the American imagination. As much as Lynch stands as a singular artistic voice, his work arises from and taps into the cultural zeitgeist in a way that illuminates not only his approach to creativity but also the way works interact with each other in an age of mass media. From children's literature to teen tragedy ballads, Nathanael West and Cormac McCarthy to folk music and mixtapes, David Lynch's American Dreamscape investigates the cultural frequencies Lynch's films tune into and positions Lynch's work as a conduit for American popular culture, a medium or channel through which the subconscious of American life finds its way into full view. The book expands upon this approach by discussing how artists such as David Foster Wallace and Lana Del Rey graft Lynch's affiliative, cinematic sensibility onto their own projects. Reading their work as intertextual engagements with Lynch's films further illustrates the versatile interactions among creators and audiences to generate more works, readers, and readings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/music

As usual there are spoilers ahead! You can follow the podcast on social media: Instagram, Threads and BlueSky.You can support the podcast and get ad-free episodes on Patreon.Please be aware that we touch upon sexual assault in this episode due to the content of the film.DescriptionUSA in 1959 was on the brink of a decade that would see major changes in the country in terms of race. But never without opposition. It was also the year in which Harry Belafonte, at the peak of his fame, would star in The World, the Flesh and the Devil.The film centres Belafonte's character, Ralph Burton, as the last man on earth. A Black man at a time when the country was wrangling with desegregation. Ralph is joined by Sarah and Ben: White survivors who enter what was for a while his world. This episode focuses on race and racism and I am so lucky to have two amazing guests to help us put the plot and frustrations into context.Mark Bould is a professor of Film and Literature at the University of West England, Bristol. He has written/edited extensively about science fiction cinema. Stéphanie Larrieux is the associate director of the Centre for the study of Race and Ethnicity at Brown University. She wrote about the World, The Flesh and the Devil as part of her PhD. Chapters (times may vary slightly due to advertising!) 00:00 Introduction01:07 Why is this film largely unknown?03:10 Source material10:05 Harry Belafonte16:25 An empty Manhattan18:53 The last man on earth23:12 Double sight and racial panopticism24:26 Cultured and capable28:03 Sarah's unnerving feet31:31 The frustrations of this film35:26 Free, white and 21: Ralph and Sarah's relationship39:25 The hair cutting scene41:42 Ben comes to town: Mel Ferrer45:31 The ending47:09 Inger Stevens48:29 Ben's “idealism”49:47 The title50:28 Black protagonists in science fiction53:36 Legacy NEXT EPISODE!Next episode we will be talking about On The Beach (1959) starring Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Fred Astaire and Anthony Perkins.You can visit Just Watch in your region to find out where you can watch this film although it seems to be easily available to rent or buy online. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  All Episodes of This Series Are Available by Subscribing to WeLoveCorey.com . AND THEY ARE AD FREE!!! It's less than a Starbucks a month, and sure would tickle Corey pink!   Below is the description from when this episode was released at WeLoveCorey.com over a month ago!   Hey, y'all! So i've had this idea floating around in my head for a while which means y'all get to hear it first and tell me if it's worth a lick!   Lately the only thing that has helped me fall asleep is by listening to audiobooks that i've heard a million times, preferably when the narrator has a calming voice..... so I thought.... well why don't I do that for people?   I like to read! I like to make people happy! I'd love to help people who have trouble sleeping because i'm a "people pleaser who needs everyone to like him" (sorry I was quoting my therapist!)   Anyways, heres the first ep of the first season in which we will be reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain   I really hope you enjoy!   Btw, SOOOOO many people are now swearing by this as the only way they can gwet to sleep, and have listened to the same episode multiple times! That really hits for me!   anyways, susbcribe at WeLoveCorey.com for this and much more!

Ep. 683: Cranford | Chapter 5 Book talk begins at 9:31 A mysterious stranger arrives in town, and you just know the ladies of Cranford are ready to investigate... politely, of course. --------------------------------------------------------------- 00:00 Episode start 01:28 2:42 Plum Deluxe . Plum Deluxe's CraftLit tea collection is here: Also, MAY RAFFLE - Sir Walter Scott Cross stitch from Rebecca S (Of Book it with Becca, who wrote the wonderful post: 04:25 Gardening! 09:30 - START BOOK TALK: Last week, the lovely Mr Holbrook and his very sad passing. 12:06 Joint- Stock bank: > A bank owned by shareholders, operating under a charter or act of Parliament, and offering services to the public. Unlike older private banks (run by individuals or families), joint-stock banks were corporations, meaning shared risk and more capital. How bank books worked— A bank book (also called a passbook) was given to bank customers to record all transactions in their account—- Every deposit and withdrawal was manually written into the book by a bank clerk. The customer's copy was their only proof of the account's balance. 14:12 Envelope usage / turning inside out (ETSY doing this NOW) Whole vs half sheet and crossed letters 16:36 STRING and Indian-rubber rings 17:24 “India-rubber” was the 19th-century term for what we now just call rubber—and India-rubber rings were small rubber loops or bands like we use today. Came from the latex of tropical trees (especially Hevea brasiliensis) 18:42 TONQUIN beans: TONKA beans: Tonka beans are the wrinkled, black seeds of the Dipteryx odorata tree, native to South America. Chefs outside the US use them in desserts and to replace nuts. AND ILLEGAL in the USA since 1954 due to the presence of liver damaging “coumarin” - - and 20:54 22:43 PADUASOY: heavy, rich corded or embossed silk fabric, From French - peau de soie, a cloth resembling serge (twill fabric with diagonal lines/ridges on both inner and outer surfaces per a two-up/two-down weave.) 24:19 Bottom of page a small “T.O.” = turn over / Molly's writing is full of spelling like “Bewty” which is a subsequent joke line 25:49 Dum memor ipse Mei, dum Spiritus regift artus - Virgil, Æneid, IV.382, “While memory shall last and breath still control my limbs” 25:28 Carmen (lowercase) like CARMINA (song poem or verse) 26:54 Gentleman's Magazine 1782—Kind of an Atlantic Monthly—guess who contributed? Samuel Johnson! 27:18 M. T. Ciceroni's Epistolae: The letters of Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43BCE) Roman statesman, orator, philosopher, and writer with 800+ letters surviving Heather before recording, in garden, with skewer pack: 28:41 “Rod in a pickle” - rod, method of punishment; pickle, something preserved for future use. 29:42 Life is a vale of tears: Psalm 84:6 also, description of a helicopter parent feels marvelously modern 30:21 Mrs Chapone (1727-1801) Contributed to the Rambler AND Gentleman's Magazine and wrote “Letters on the Improvement of the Mind (1773) and Mrs Carter (1717-1806) many languages and in 1758 published first translation of Epictetus THE Stoic Philosopher. 31:32 “Before Miss Edgeworth's ‘Patronage' had banished wafers from polite society…”: Patronage was a book (1814) with a character who was offended by a letter she received that was sealed with a wafer: “I wonder how any man can have the impertinence to send me his spittle” (I, 248) 33:06 “Old original post with stamp in the corner” not exactly the right watermark, but you get the idea… 34:30 “Sesquipedalian” writing - foot and a half long sesqui = 1-½ pedalis =foot looonng polysyllabic words 35:13 Buonaparte (Bony)1805 invasion fears - In case you still need to build your own 36:55 David and Goliath, son of Jesse (I Samuel 17) Apollyon (Greek version) and Abbadon (Hebrew version) are names for an archangel In Revelation 9:11—> _“And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.” (Revelation 9:11, KJV) Meaning: Abaddon (Hebrew) means “destruction” or “place of destruction.” Apollyon (Greek) means “destroyer.” It's overblown biblical satire—calling someone “Apollyon” in Cranford is like referring to a strict schoolmarm as “Beelzebub.” 38:08 Bonus Bernardus non video omnia The Blessed Bernard does not see everything - maybe said by St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)— This quote is often attributed (possibly apocryphally) to Peter Abelard, the 12th-century theologian, as a gentle jab at St. Bernard of Clairvaux, with whom he clashed theologically. Meaning: Even the wisest man (here, Blessed Bernard) can be wrong sometimes. Post-chapter Notes Chapone and Carter and Bluestockings (see below for big notes) real historical women writers, both part of the 18th-century English Bluestocking movement—educated, literary women who promoted female intellectualism and moral development. Gaskell is absolutely name-dropping intentionally here for Cranford's themes of domestic gentility, moral seriousness, and self-improvement. ⸻ Mrs. Hester Chapone (1727–1801) Best known for Letters on the Improvement of the Mind (1773), addressed to her niece. It was a conduct book for young women, offering advice on moral character, reading habits, and proper behavior. Hugely popular—Cranford-adjacent readers would know her by name. ⸻ Mrs. Elizabeth Carter (1717–1806) A respected scholar, translator, and poet—a genuine intellectual heavyweight. Famously translated the Discourses of Epictetus from Greek in 1758—the first English translation by a woman, and one of the first of Epictetus at all. She knew multiple classical and modern languages and was close friends with figures like Samuel Johnson and Hannah More. *CraftLit's Socials* • Find everything here: https://www.linktr.ee/craftlitchannel • Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/2raf9  • Podcast site: http://craftlit.com • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CraftLit/ • Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/craftlit • Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/craftlit/ • TikTok podcast: https://www.tiktok.com/@craftlit • Email: heather@craftlit.com • Previous CraftLit Classics can be found here: https://bit.ly/craftlit-library-2023   *SUPPORT THE SHOW!* • CraftLit App Premium feed bit.ly/libsynpremiumcraftlit (only one tier available) • PATREON:   https://patreon.com/craftlit (all tiers, below) ——Walter Harright -  $5/mo for the same audio as on App ——Jane Eyre - $10/mo for even-month Book Parties ——Mina Harker - $15/mo for odd-month Watch Parties *All tiers and benefits are also available as* —*YouTube Channel Memberships*  —*Ko-Fi* https://ko-fi.com/craftlit  —*NEW* at CraftLit.com — Premium Memberships https://craftlit.com/membership-levels/ *IF you want to join a particular Book or Watch Patry but you don't want to join any of the above membership options*, please use PayPal.me/craftlit or CraftLit @ Venmo and include what you want to attend in the message field. Please give us at least 24 hours to get your message and add you to the attendee list.     • Download the FREE CraftLit App for iOS or Android (you can call or email feedback straight from within the app) • Call 1-206-350-1642

1 Sam 8:1-9:27, John 6:22-42, Ps 106:32-48, Pr 14:34-35

Guests: Andrew Klavan & Colin Brown Host Scot Bertram talks with Andrew Klavan, author and host of The Andrew Klavan Show, about making beauty out of the world as it is and his new book, The Kingdom of Cain: Finding God in the Literature of Darkness. And Colin Brown, recent graduate of the Van Andel Graduate School of […]

Brush off your English Major degree because we're flashing back to high school Literature class to talk about one of the greatest novel turned to films ever written -- Harper Lee's "To Kill A Mockingbird." Credits: Hosts: Jesse McAnally & Andrew DeWolf & Liz Esten Podcast Edited By: Nathan P. Keelan Keeper of the Cheese: Juliet Antonio This show is a part of the Broadway Podcast Network Social Media: ⁠⁠Our WEBSITE⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Musicals with Cheese on Twitter⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Musicals W/ Cheese on Instagram⁠⁠ Email us at ⁠⁠musicaltheatrelives@gmail.com⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Merch!!⁠⁠ Jess Socials ⁠⁠Jesse McAnally ⁠⁠⁠⁠on Twitter⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Jess McAnally on Instagram⁠⁠ Andrew Socials ⁠⁠Andrew DeWolf on Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Andrew DeWolf on Twitter⁠⁠ Liz Socials ⁠⁠Liz Esten on Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Liz Esten on Twitter⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Use our Affiliate Link⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

send us a text via Fan Mail!Dr. Christine Schintgen is a mom, homeschooler, professor and President of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College in Barry's Bay, Ontario. In this episode we discuss the home-life and work-life balance when God calls us to work outside the home.3:45 - Importance of flexibility 7:06 - Answering the call to work outside the home 8:45 - Coping with difficulties 12:14 - Madonna House and Catherine Doherty19:11 - Daily prayer 23:43 - Developing routine and connecting with family 31:22 What are your biggest takeaways? 34:03 - Taking time to assess things over the summer 40-53 - About Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College 48:11 - Advice and encouragement for working momsAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College offers a three-year Bachelor of Arts in Christian Humanities; a four-year Bachelor of Arts degree with a choice of majors in History, Literature, and Classical and Early Christian Studies; and one-year and two-year Certificates in Christian Humanities.Our Lady Seat of Wisdom CollegeTreasure in Heaven by Fr. Mark Goring (free PDF) Treasure in Heaven : Journal Edition by Fr. Mark Goring (Amazon) reflecting, part one (blog post)  Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at makejoynormal@gmail.com Search podcast episodes by topic www.bonnielandry.ca Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

This week brings the revisiting of a classic tale by Louisa May Alcott - 'Queen Aster'. Host Dan Scholz Find out where to subscribe to The Folktale Project at http://folktaleproject.com/subscribe Help keep The Folktale Project going by becoming a supporter on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/folktaleproject  

625. Part 1 of our interview with Gabrielle Perry. Gabrielle Angelique Perry, MPH, B.S., is a public health specialist. She's also the founder and executive director of The Thurman Perry Foundation, an award-winning Louisiana-based nonprofit operating nationally with a mission of aiding women and girls impacted by incarceration. Ms. Perry's organization has awarded tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships to currently incarcerated women, formerly incarcerated women, and the daughters of both demographics via her educational program. The Perry Second Chances Scholarship, which is reflective of her experiences as a woman impacted by incarceration who sought to achieve her own education.  Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 221 years. Order your copy today! This week in Louisiana history. May 10, 1781. Formal surrender of Pensacola to Galvez. This week in New Orleans history. The original Causeway was a two-lane span (now the southbound span), measuring 23.86 miles in length which opened in 1956 at a cost of $30.7 million. A parallel two-lane span, 1/100th of a mile longer than the original, opened on May 10, 1969 at a cost of $26 million. Each span was the longest over-water bridge in the world when completed. This week in Louisiana. Washington Parish Balloon Festival May 30, 2025 - June 01, 2025 100 Main Street Franklinton LA 70438 wpballoonfest@gmail.com Website Join us for a weekend of fun! Hot Air Balloon Glows, tethered rides, flights. Live Music Carnival Food Vendors Craft Vendors Rodeo Postcards from Louisiana. Roz's band plays at Bamboula. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

Maria Terrone, editor, educator, premiers her new collection of poems, "No Known Coordinates."

e-flux Education editor Juliana Halpert talks to Coleman Collins. Collins is an interdisciplinary artist, writer, and researcher whose work explores notions of diaspora in relation to technological methods of transmission, translation, copying, and reiteration. His most recent projects examine the connections between things-in-the-world and their digital approximations, paying particular attention to the ways in which real and virtual spaces are socially produced. Working across sculpture, video, photography, and text, Collins' practice attempts to locate a synthesis between seemingly opposed terms: subject and object; object and image; original and duplicate; freedom and captivity.   Coleman Collins is a 2025 Guggenheim Fellow. He has also received support from the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts, the New York Foundation for the Arts, and Cafe Royal Cultural Foundation. He received an MFA from UCLA in 2018, and was a 2017 resident at the Skowhegan School for Painting and Sculpture. In 2019, he participated in the Whitney Museum's Independent Study Program.  Recent exhibitions and screenings have taken place at e-flux, New York; Ehrlich Steinberg, Los Angeles; Herald Street, London; Soldes, Los Angeles; the Palestine Festival of Literature, Jerusalem/Ramallah; Larder, Los Angeles; Hesse Flatow, New York; Brief Histories, New York; Carré d'Art, Nîmes; and the Kunsthalle Wien in Vienna. His work is in the permanent collection of the Hammer Museum, Los Angeles. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Art at the University of California, Irvine. He lives and works in Los Angeles.

Experience the solemn beauty and haunting spirituality of Edgar Allan Poe's “Catholic Hymn” in this powerful dramatic reading. Often overshadowed by his more macabre tales, this rare and deeply moving poem explores themes of faith, sorrow, and redemption in Poe's unmistakable gothic style.Whether you're a longtime Poe enthusiast or discovering this hidden gem for the first time, this immersive audio performance brings his words to life with chilling clarity and emotional depth.

You won't want to miss this episode of “Follow to Lead!” As we celebrate the election of Pope Leo XIV on May 8, please join Dr. Brett Graham Fawcett and Fr. Randy Sly in a retrospective on the late Pope Francis' impact on Catholic Education. As a Jesuit educator, the pope spent his early years as a teacher of Literature and Psychology in Jesuit Schools. He later taught theology and served as a seminary rector. On this episode Brett will take us on a in-depth look at his background in Catholic Education and how it formed his papacy as well as his initiatives in Catholic Education.

1 Sam 5:1-7:17, John 6:1-21, Ps 106:13-31, Pr 14:32-33

Interview with JAY STINNETT, producer of the new documentary ‘BILL W. CONSCIOUS CONTACT.'. In this episode, the Montyman and his guest explore the importance of spiritual experiences in recovery, the legacy of Bill Wilson, and the role of meditation, particularly Transcendental Meditation, in Alcoholics Anonymous. Stinnett shares insights from his extensive research on Wilson and discusses the spiritual experiment that is Alcoholics Anonymous, emphasizing the need for personal exploration and understanding in recovery. In this engaging conversation, Jay Stinnett discusses the making of the documentary about Bill Wilson, the cofounder of Alcoholics Anonymous. He shares insights into the creative process, the historical significance of Wilson's story, and the evolution of A.A. Closing Song: Give Me New Eyes by John McAndrew. #higherpower #aa #na #alcoholicsanonymous #recovery #recovered #alcoholic #twelvesteps #wedorecover #narcoticsanonymous #addiction #bigbook

A conversation about Western Sydney Literature and Working Class Literature with creative writer Emma O'Neill-Sandham who is a PhD researcher at the University of Sydney. Emma's research and creative writing are in part informed by her own life experiences in Western Sydney. This episode features Emma reading parts of her creative nonfiction piece 'The Salon' set in her mother's home hair salon. Emma is interested in stories that are told from Western Sydney cultural perspectives, and her research is spotlighting the creative works of other writers from the western suburbs. Part of Emma's doctoral research is exploring working class and Western Sydney themes through a novel she is writing as a creative practice part of her PhD. Among other milestones Emma has been awarded a Varuna Fellowship, a Western Sydney Emerging Writers Fellowship, and a Master of Creative Writing qualification from Macquarie University.

Send us a textEp 607: The Healing Power of Smut: Part 7, From Pastor to Spicy Pen, Amy W. Vogel's Empowerment Journey.Guest Bio:Amy W. Vogel is an author who writes about feminine empowerment, spicy reverse age gap romance, historical fantasy with romance, urban fantasy with romance, and she's a coach for women authors. She's a former pastor and shares her transformative journey from being a pastor to writing spicy romance. She shares about her venture into spicy storytelling and writing books.Find more about Amy here: https://www.amywvogel.com/Books: Feminine Rising (affiliate links) https://amzn.to/42OoKSyThe Assist: A Spicy Soccer Romance https://amzn.to/3RWQU7KTeleosis https://amzn.to/3ENSwxISummary:  Join Ruan Willow as she dives deep into a spicy conversation with writer Amy W. Vogel, a former pastor turned author, about the transformative journey of embracing sexuality and the healing power of smut in literature. Amy shares her unique experiences navigating the complexities of faith, femininity, and freedom, all while exploring the world of romance and erotic fiction. Together, they discuss the importance of female voices in writing, the liberation that comes from owning one's sexuality, and how the act of reading and writing can serve as a powerful tool for healing and empowerment. Get ready for a candid discussion filled with laughter, insights, and plenty of spicy revelations!Timeline:00:00 - Amy W. Vogel used to be a pastor04:06 - Do you do more non fiction or do you do some fiction06:31 - Sport  themed book07:06 - So what is it do you think that is healing about either reading or writing12:58 - People are trying to censor the spicy romance that people want to read17:16 - When I first started this podcast, I wasn't very judgmental, but now I'm even less so20:27 - What do you think about the fact that there are no female voices in the Bible26:56 - 67% of self published authors are female and most are romance writers32:00 - So I'm working on my sixth book and it's actually speaking of the Bible36:59 - Part of being a human is her sexuality and having sex41:21 - Romance bookstores are popping up all over the place owned by women45:11 - You don't immediately have to dive into dark erotica49:04 - A woman wrote a book about how to strengthen your vagina during sex Bel Di Lorenzo wrote The Goh!dess MethodShow notes created with the assistance of headliner appQuotes from Amy: "The healing for me is... whatever you decide to choose to do with that history allows you to either stay stuck or move forward.""Pleasure is our birthright. We have been given that gift as women.""If you want to explore, start slow and just have fun."Support the showSubscribe for exclusives: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1599808/subscribeSign up for Ruan's newsletters: https://subscribepage.io/ruanwillowhttps://linktr.ee/RuanWillowI Dare You book https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/idareyouthesaturdaysexchallenge NO AI TRAINING

A heavy complexity is on the shoulders of the young of our species in these years —  humans growing up in this time. At the same time, from the digital revolution and AI to the ecology and society, they have wisdom and instincts in their bones that will be essential if we are all to flourish and not merely survive this century. In November 2024, the Georgetown University Collaborative on Global Children's Issues brought Krista together with esteemed children's and young adult writer Jason Reynolds and Georgetown student Kessley Janvier. The encounter between the three of them spans generations from the 20s to the 40s to the 60s and extended out to a room of people of all ages and walks of life. The wisdom that unfolded is as much about who we will be and how we will be as what we have before us to do, each in our own lives.Jason Reynolds is a New York Times bestselling author of over 20 books for children and young adults. From 2020–2022 he served as National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. Among many honors, he has received the Newbury, Printz, and Coretta Scott King awards and in 2024 was named a MacArthur Fellow. He is on faculty at Lesley University for the Writing for Young People MFA Program.Kessley Janvier is a senior at Georgetown University, majoring in history. She's former president of the Georgetown University NAACP.  She has organized around reparations, as part of Hoyas Advocating for Slavery Accountability, and she has also led efforts to promote climate justice, police accountability, and racial justice.Special thanks this week to Gillian Huebner, Ian Manzi, Rabbi Rachel Gartner and Derek Goldman. On Being Young in America was sponsored by the Culture of Encounter Project and was convened by the Collaborative on Global Children's Issues, the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, and the Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics at Georgetown University in collaboration with The On Being Project.Find an excellent transcript of this show, edited by humans, on our show page. Sign yourself and others up for The Pause to be on our mailing list for all things On Being and to receive Krista's monthly Saturday morning newsletter, including a heads-up on new episodes, special offerings, recommendations, and event invitations.

Katie Kitamura is the author of the novel Audition, available from Riverhead Books. Kitamura's other novels include A Separation and Intimacies, which was longlisted for the National Book Award and the PEN/Faulkner Award and was a finalist for a Joyce Carol Oates Prize. She is a recipient of the Rome Prize in Literature, a Lannan fellowship, and many other honors, and her work has been translated into twenty-one languages. She teaches in the creative writing program at New York University. *** ⁠Otherppl with Brad Listi⁠ is a weekly podcast featuring in-depth interviews with today's leading writers. Available where podcasts are available: ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠, etc. Subscribe to ⁠Brad Listi's email newsletter⁠. ⁠Support the show on Patreon⁠ ⁠Merch⁠ ⁠Twitter⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠  ⁠TikTok⁠ ⁠Bluesky⁠ Email the show: letters [at] otherppl [dot] com The podcast is a ⁠proud affiliate partner of Bookshop⁠, working to support local, independent bookstores. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scuzz Nation: Britain's slow and grubby decline If you want to understand why voters flocked to Reform last week, Gus Carter says, look no further than Goat Man. In one ward in Runcorn, ‘residents found that no one would listen when a neighbour filled his derelict house with goats and burned the animals' manure in his garden'. This embodies Scuzz Nation – a ‘grubbier and more unpleasant' Britain, ‘where decay happens faster than repair, where crime largely goes unpunished, and where the social fabric has been slashed, graffitied and left by the side of the road'. On the podcast, Gus speaks to Dr Lawrence Newport, founder of Crush Crime, to diagnose the issues facing Britain – and offer some solutions to stop the rot. (01:28) Next: is it demeaning to study Dickens? In the magazine this week, Philip Hensher reviews ‘Literature and Learning: A History of English Studies in Britain' by Stefan Collini. Philip's main gripe is that the history stops short of charting the threats posed to the study of English literature in the past fifty years. Accessible, ‘relevant' short stories are increasingly replacing the classics, as the monuments of Victorian literature defeat today's undergraduates. So can English literature still teach us how to read deeply in an age of diminishing attention spans? Philip joins the podcast alongside Orlando Reade, author and assistant professor at Northeastern University London, where he teaches English and creative writing. (17:47) And finally: are you a bad house guest? In the magazine, Christa D'Souza bemoans terrible house guests. Set against the idyllic backdrop of her home in the Greek Cyclades, she gives an account of the trials and absurdities of hosting – from towel-hoarding Americans to the toddler-like breakfast habits of many grown adults. She joins the podcast alongside our very own agony aunt, Mary Killen, to discuss further – and hopefully offer some advice on how better to deal with rude house guests. (29:04) Hosted by Lara Prendergast and Gus Carter. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

In this thought-provoking lecture, Dr. Scott Roninger explores the profound connections between literature, philosophy, and our understanding of human nature, focusing especially on Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov and Plato's philosophical dialogues. Through Mark Twain's reflections on mastering the Mississippi River, Roninger introduces the distinction between viewing life practically versus contemplatively, emphasizing the importance of awe and beauty. He then delves into Dostoevsky's characters, aligning them with Plato's three parts of the human soul—appetite, spirit (thumos), and intellect (nous)—highlighting the Christian dimension of these philosophical concepts. Roninger argues that true human flourishing and societal health stem from properly orienting our deepest desires toward truth, virtue, and ultimately God.

During WWII, the government created the National War Labor Board to regulate labor and control inflation. Instead, says Bryant Etheridge, the Southern regional board raised wages for the lowest earners. And: The Black Panther Party famously advocated for Black revolutionaries to arm themselves for self-defence. Edward Onaci explores the long history of Black revolutionary movements for self-defense. Later in the show: For a brief moment in time after Reconstruction, a biracial coalition called The Readjuster Party took power in Virginia. Sheren Sanders tells the story of how Black republicans, white working class Virginians, former Confederates, and Democrats, all came together to readjust Virginia's debt and give those funds back to the people. Plus: For some, Barack Obama's presidency is evidence that the Civil Rights movement succeeded. How did Black voters see him at the time? Athena King explores how Black movement leaders supported Obama and where they challenged him.

1 Sam 2:22-4:22, John 5:24-47, Ps 106:1-12, Pr 14:30-31

Eley Williams' collection of short stories Attrib. & Other Stories won the Republic of Consciousness Prize and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize. Her writing appears in The Penguin Book of the Contemporary British Short Story, Liberating the Canon, the TLS and the London Review of Books. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. She is the author of the novel The Liar's Dictionary and on this episode of Little Atoms she talks to Neil Denny about her latest story collection Moderate to Poor, Occasionally Good, which is out now in paperback. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scuzz Nation: Britain's slow and grubby decline If you want to understand why voters flocked to Reform last week, Gus Carter says, look no further than Goat Man. In one ward in Runcorn, ‘residents found that no one would listen when a neighbour filled his derelict house with goats and burned the animals' manure in his garden'. This embodies Scuzz Nation – a ‘grubbier and more unpleasant' Britain, ‘where decay happens faster than repair, where crime largely goes unpunished, and where the social fabric has been slashed, graffitied and left by the side of the road'. On the podcast, Gus speaks to Dr Lawrence Newport, founder of Crush Crime, to diagnose the issues facing Britain – and offer some solutions to stop the rot. (01:28) Next: is it demeaning to study Dickens? In the magazine this week, Philip Hensher reviews ‘Literature and Learning: A History of English Studies in Britain' by Stefan Collini. Philip's main gripe is that the history stops short of charting the threats posed to the study of English literature in the past fifty years. Accessible, ‘relevant' short stories are increasingly replacing the classics, as the monuments of Victorian literature defeat today's undergraduates. So can English literature still teach us how to read deeply in an age of diminishing attention spans? Philip joins the podcast alongside Orlando Reade, author and assistant professor at Northeastern University London, where he teaches English and creative writing. (17:47) And finally: are you a bad house guest? In the magazine, Christa D'Souza bemoans terrible house guests. Set against the idyllic backdrop of her home in the Greek Cyclades, she gives an account of the trials and absurdities of hosting – from towel-hoarding Americans to the toddler-like breakfast habits of many grown adults. She joins the podcast alongside our very own agony aunt, Mary Killen, to discuss further – and hopefully offer some advice on how better to deal with rude house guests. (29:04) Hosted by Lara Prendergast and Gus Carter. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

Li Yu, the last ruler of the Kingdom of Southern Tang, who also happened to be one of the greatest poets in Chinese literature.Support the show

Sand, scrolls, and… Hercules? This week, Pete and Ryan head back to ancient Morocco to uncover a time before paperbacks, when stories lived in memory and myths roamed the land. Expect dramatic desert backdrops, surprisingly fun facts, and a muscle-bound Greek hero with a to-do list from hell. Plus, we welcome the mysterious author of a novel set in this very time and place. Download now for tales, trivia, and a touch of creative licence—on episode 104 of HHE Podcast!   Chapters: 00:00 Intro! 02:18 Orientation to Morocco 12:18 History of Morocco! 26:24 The Labours of Petecles! 42:38 Starsong! 54:51 Derzolation! 56:31 Outro!   Links / Thanks: Morocco National Animation | Moomba TV (https://youtu.be/7dmTcInojWw?si=2n3rGkIa0dnM3RYY) Morocco National Anthem (https://youtu.be/uIKWKeoCJW0?si=2cxM2LhAmSqoTvrL) Starsong | A Novel (Amazon Kindle: https://a.co/d/fy84pw0; Apple Books, Kobo, and many others: https://books2read.com/u/brx5Nw)   Contact: http://hhepodcast.com https://linktr.ee/hhepodcast

The Mirror of Ornaments (Alaṅkāradappaṇō) defines and exemplifies 42 figures of speech or “ornaments” in 134 verses. It is the only surviving work of poetics in Prakrit, a literary language closely related to Sanskrit. It is one of the earliest representatives of the larger Indian discourse on poetics, and is especially closely linked to Bhāmaha's Ornament of Literature (Kāvyālaṅkāra). This book includes an introduction, annotated translation, glossary, and diplomatic and critical editions of the single surviving manuscript of the Mirror of Ornaments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/south-asian-studies

Today on The Stacks, we're talking with screenwriter and producer, Kara Brown. She shares what she looks for when adapting a book to the screen, and the key to making sure an adaptation is a success. We also discuss Kara's love of massive tomes, the three writers that inspired her career, and her problematic fave.The Stacks Book Club pick for May is Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley. We will discuss on Wednesday, April 30 with Kara Brown returning as our guest.You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:https://www.thestackspodcast.com/2025/5/7/ep-370-kara-brownConnect with Kara: Instagram | WebsiteConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | Substack | SubscribeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Notes and Links to Vanessa Saunders' Work       Vanessa Saunders is a writer living in New Orleans. She teaches as a Professor of Practice at Loyola University New Orleans. She was the editor-in-chief of Helium Journal from 2013 to 2016. Her writing has appeared in Writer's Digest, Writer's Chronicle, Seneca Review, Sycamore Review, Los Angeles Review,  Nat. Brut, Entropy, PANK, Passages North, Stockholm Review of Literature and other journals.​​ She is at work on a novel of magical realism about whiteness and a book-length prose poem about the ethics of authorship.  Buy The Flat Woman   Vanessa's Website At about 1:45, Vanessa recommends places to buy her book, including Baldwin Books At about 2:55, Vanessa responds to Pete's question about her expectations for the Pub Day and beyond versus the realities At about 5:20, the two discuss Kafka's Metamorphosis and his parables and connections to Vanessa's The Flat Woman, as well as absurdities and allegory At about 9:30, Vanessa gives background on her early reading and writing, including her grandfather's and Sylvia Plath's influences, and Anne Carson's influence on The Flat Woman At about 13:30, Vanessa explains the unique British library system At about 15:25, Vanessa responds to Pete's questions about At about 16:35, Vanessa mentions Kelly Link, Sarah Rose Etter, Aimee Bender, and Hadriana in my Dreams as contemporary writers and writing that inspires him At about 18:20, Pete and Vanessa shout out the generosity and greatness of Aimee Bender, and Vanessa talks about meetings with inspiring writers At about 19:20, Pete shouts out Antonya Nelson's “In the Land of Men” for the 1,987,231 time in Chills at Will history At about 19:55, The two discuss the book's epigraph and seeds for the book At about 22:40, Vanessa expands upon stewardship and community and the environment in the formulation of her book At about 24:20, Pete wonders about Vanessa's decision to avoid naming her characters At about 26:40, Pete asks Vanessa  At about 29:10, the two discuss the lengthy “setups” that are chapter titles, or “headlines” At about 32:20, “leaky boundaries” and the family dynamic, including the absent father, are discussed At about 33:35, “Terrorism” and government cover-up in the book and its couching is discussed; Vanessa talks about birds as “indicator species,” as she learned from a group of “elite ornithologists” (!!!) with whom she lived At about 36:40, Vanessa talks about perpetual archetypes and storylines for “female villainy” At about 37:40, Bird grief and research and animals as stand-ins for humans as discussed in the book is explored by Vanessa At about 41:10, Vanessa, in explaining her views of animals and things and dominion, references a wonderful Louise Gluck line  At about 42:35, Pete and Vanessa discuss Bay Area history, anthropology. and its effects on their mindsets and writing At about 44:00, The two talk about the “patriarch[al]” POPS Cola, and the protagonist's early life after her mother is arrested and convicted  At about 45:45, Vanessa expands on the patriarchal society and the 2024 election's connections to the systemic misogyny on display in the book At about  49:50, The protagonist, depicted 10 years as “The woman,” and Part II are described, as well as the “chaotic aunt” and more ugly realities that confront the woman At about 51:45, Vanessa cites inspiration from an interview with Toni Morrison regarding family alienation  At about 53:10, Vanessa explores connections between humor and speculative fiction At about 54:10, The woman's earliest interactions with and attractions to the man are discussed At about 55:10, Vanessa responds to Pete's question about the man being drawn to Elvis, with a trip down memory lane of a San Francisco that may no longer exist  At about 59:20, Vanessa talks about setting the woman as working at the very company that has imprisoned her mother  At about 1:01:25, Vanessa responds to Pete's question about the grisly displays of hurt and dead animals, and the two discuss ideas of entertainment and willful (or not) ignorance about the brutality in Gaza and climate change At about 1:05:00, Pete complements Vanessa for humor on the page and asks if the man has “discovered the manosphere”  At about 1:08:35, Vanessa talks about social justice being “commodified” At about 1:10:40, Vanessa talks about initial hesitat[ion] in depicting the man as having some assorted wisdom, along with many horrible traits At about 1:11:40, Vanessa discusses a famous writer, who is not related to her :(  At about 1:13:00, Another Maurice Carlos Ruffin shoutout At about 1:14:20, Movie actors for the book's characters! At about 1:16:10, “You are hearing me talk”-Al Gore You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you're checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. This week, his conversation with Episode 270 guest Jason De León is up on the website. A big thanks to Rachel León and Michael Welch at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete's one-man show, his DIY podcast and his extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content! This month's Patreon bonus episode will feature an exploration of the wonderful poetry of Khalil Gibran. I have added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.    This is a passion project of Pete's, a DIY operation, and he'd love for your help in promoting what he's convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.     The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.     Please tune in for Episode 285 with The Philharmonik, Episode 58 guest, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, lyricist, music producer and genre defining artist. Recently, he has been nationally and globally recognized after winning the 2023 American Song writer contest and NPR's 2024 Tiny Desk Contest for his song “What's It All Mean?” The episode marks the one-year anniversary of his NPR Tiny Desk Contest win. This will be released on May 16.  

In this episode of My Simplified Life, Michelle Glogovac and Stephanie Hockersmith, Michelle shares her candid reflections from her trip to the L.A. Times Festival of Books — from the chaos of traveling as moms to the unexpected empowerment found in spicy romance novels. They dive into real talk about managing expectations, navigating the pressure of influencer culture, and the importance of honoring your own season of life. Through laughter and honesty, Michelle and Stephanie remind listeners that personal growth doesn't have to look like anyone else's. You don't need to have it all figured out — you just need to stay true to your own path. What We're Talking About... Traveling as a parent can be challenging but rewarding. Spicy romance novels empower women to vocalize their desires. Managing expectations is crucial for personal well-being. Influencer culture can create unrealistic standards. It's important to own your choices and space in life. Everyone's journey is unique; comparison can be harmful. Embrace your season and the changes it brings. Self-improvement is a journey, not a destination. Stay true to yourself and your values.  Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Festival Anticipation 03:41 Experiencing the LA Times Festival of Books 06:37 Connecting with Authors and Panels 09:47 The Spicy Romance Genre 12:32 Empowerment Through Romance 15:35 Diverse Voices in Literature 18:40 Closing Thoughts and Future Reads 20:12 Exploring New Reads and Author Discoveries 23:07 Reflections on Book Festivals and Networking 26:00 Navigating Family Dynamics and Travel Challenges 29:07 Balancing Work and Family Life 32:16 Managing Health and Commitments 35:09 The Pressure of Expectations and Influencer Culture 38:14 Finding Personal Peace and Realistic Goals 41:12 The Reality of Self-Help and Personal Growth 44:09 Embracing Authenticity in Life and Work

From the May/June 2025 edition of The Scottish Rite Journal.  Any accompanying photographs or citations for this article can be found in the corresponding print edition.Make sure to like and subscribe to the channel!  Freemasons, make sure you shout out your Lodge, Valley, Chapter or Shrine below!OES, Job's Daughter's, Rainbow, DeMolay?  Drop us a comment too!To learn how to find a lodge near you, visit www.beafreemason.comTo learn more about the Scottish Rite, visit www.scottishrite.orgVisit our YouTube Page: Youtube.com/ScottishRiteMasonsJoin our Lost Media Archive for only $1.99 a month!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv-F13FNBaW-buecl7p8cJg/joinVisit our new stores:Bookstore: https://www.srbookstore.myshopify.com/Merch Store: http://www.shopsrgifts.com/

Author Sara Winokur discusses her two new novels—Double Blind: The Icelandic Manuscript Murders, and Ivory Bones: The Lewis Chessmen Murders—both set in Iceland and featuring a forensic geneticist who uses her knowledge and skills to solve mysteries. In both novels, Sara blends Nordic noir mysteries with history and real-world intrigue. Sara was a genetics researcher for twenty-five years, and she manages to include genetics into her stories in a light-handed way. She also likes to weave in historical events and mysteries. As a result, Double Blind features mysterious medieval manuscripts of Icelandic sagas, while Ivory Bones includes a famous set of ivory chess pieces known as the Lewis Chessmen.

1 Sam 1:1-2:21, John 5:1-23, Ps 105:37-45, Pr 14:28-29

Today we're celebrating the accomplishments of South Korean author Han Kang, who made history in 2024 when she won the Nobel Peace Prize for Literature.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the umpteenth episode, Clyde is torn between his former flame and the current inferno warming him from the direction of Twelfth Lake. A gravid Bob is at a critical junction, the time of decision-making is at hand. Clyde must marry her or find some other solution to the problem. The obvious solution? MURDER!!!Support Obscure!Read Michael's substackFollow Michael on TwitterFollow Michael on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on The Literary Life podcast, Angelina Stanford and Thomas Banks have a much-awaited conversation all about Angelina's own literary life and education. Thomas gets to ask the tough questions and put Angelina on the spot in this episode! She begins by sharing her childhood love of books and what her favorite books were when she was young. They then discuss the turning point Angelina had when she read A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. She also talk about the reason she so disliked literary analysis when it was introduced in high school and continues to speak out against the new criticism to this day. Thomas and Angelina then turn to her experience in higher education and how she ended up studying and teaching literature. She highlights the impact Flannery O'Connor had on her, as well as studying with Burton Raffel. After describing her graduate school experience, Angelina shares how and why she walked away from that path to teach her own children and eventually start a school. Finally, looking at what House of Humane Letters, she talks about the joy and blessing of doing what she loves with people who care about the same books and ideas she does. Please visit HouseofHumaneLetters.com to check out all the past and upcoming classes, conferences, and webinars mentioned in this episode. To view the full show notes including links to all the books mentioned, head over to our podcast webpage at https://theliterary.life/275. 

Hello Besties! Steph and Isis have a great episode in store for you today. For all the ladies wanting to go to Vegas anytime soon, Isis has all the tips for you guys to maximize your visit and have the most fun possible.

Summary: E Káàró, friends! Today, Holly and Devin armchair travel to Nigeria. Known for its vibrant culture, diversity, rich artistic heritage and a thriving film industry (Nollywood), this country has so much to explore. With both books set in the bustling city of Lagos, our hosts get to explore the romantic and thrilling aspects of this amazing country.  Topics Discussed: The Heart (3:00): Devin discussed The Sweetest Remedy by Jane Igharo, a novel following Hannah Bailey, successful biracial business woman living in San Francisco, who is invited to her estranged father's funeral - in Lagos, Nigeria. After a brief relationship with her white mother, she never had a connection to her father or his prestigious family, but this opportunity is too good to pass up. Uncovering half siblings, secrets, culture and even a man she never expected, Hannah must come to a new understanding of who she is and where she fits in the world. Devin's key takeaways were: Hannah's experience reflects that of many diaspora children, caught between cultures, feeling not quite “enough” of either. Her journey is tender, frustrating, funny, and deeply affirming and she works to expand her sense of self and identify where she belongs amongst her expanded family.  While you get a great sense of Lagos through the book, the setting of a Nigerian funeral, especially for someone as prominent as Hannah's father, adds an extra layer of authenticity to the story. They're multi-day affairs that are part mourning, part celebration, part family reunion, part “airing of grievances.” Through this event, the book explores Nigerian culture, familial expectations, inheritance (emotional and literal), and reconciliation. The romance is beautifully folded into Hannah's emotional journey. It's not just “hot guy in Nigeria,” Lawrence is a patient and supportive friend first who guides Hannah and helps her navigate the rough waters of her expanding identity. It's romantic, yes, but also rooted in identity and growth. The Dagger (13:50): Holly discussed Gaslight by Femi Kayode, a crime fiction story following Jeremiah Dawodu, the influential leader of a prominent megachurch in Lagos. He's publicly arrested in the middle of a service for the suspected murder of his wife. Despite his skepticism toward organized religion, Philip Taiwo, an investigative psychologist who recently returned to Nigeria from the US, is reluctantly drawn into the case by his sister. Confronting a web of secrets, resistance from the church, and the complexities of Nigerian society, Philip must cut through the noise to uncover the truth. Holly's key takeaways were: The novel examines how religious institutions wield influence and the potential for corruption within such structures.​ The pursuit of truth in a society and institution rife with secrecy and manipulation underscores the narrative, questioning the nature of justice and the power of religion and religious leaders.​ Through the lens of a psychological crime thriller, the novel illuminates both the beauty and contradictions of Nigerian society; it critiques power structures while celebrating resilience, explores how people navigate moral gray zones, and invites readers to see Nigeria in all its complexity: vibrant, chaotic, spiritual, flawed, and deeply human. Taiwo's family's experiences reflect the complexities of cultural identity and the challenges of reintegration after living abroad.​ The personal struggles within Taiwo's family parallel the broader societal issues, emphasizing the interplay between personal and communal conflicts.​ Hot On the Shelf (27:12): Devin: A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske Holly: The Devils by Joe Abercrombie What's Making Our Hearts Race (31:39): Devin: The Americas Documentary with Tom Hanks Holly: Your Friends and Neighbors on AppleTV Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

In this captivating episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty sits down with author Pablo Cartaya to explore the magic of middle-grade literature and the power of authentic storytelling. Cartaya's latest book, "A Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation," promises to be a heartwarming journey that will resonate with young readers and their families. The conversation delves deep into the art of writing for middle-grade audiences, a demographic Cartaya describes as a "sweet spot" of incredible potential. With humor and insight, he explains how sixth, seventh, and eighth graders are at a unique stage of life - like "having a Ferrari engine but riding a tricycle." His approach to writing is refreshingly honest: speak to kids directly, treat them with respect, and never talk down to them. "A Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation" follows young Gonzalo on an epic road trip with his grumpy grandfather, a famous children's book author. The novel weaves together multiple narratives, exploring themes of family, heritage, and personal discovery. Cartaya's storytelling approach is both playful and profound, creating a book that makes readers laugh on one page and potentially cry on the next. The author's passion for connecting with young readers shines through, particularly when he discusses his school visits. His goal is simple yet powerful: to be real, to make kids laugh, and to help them feel seen and understood. This approach has earned him high praise, including a memorable compliment from a school principal who said he "speaks middle school." For parents looking to spark meaningful conversations and introduce their children to rich, layered storytelling, "A Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation" appears to be a must-read. Cartaya's book promises to be more than just a summer adventure - it's a journey of understanding, connection, and growth. Click here to visit our website – www.ReadingWithYourKids.com Follow Us On Social Media Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/readingwithyourkids Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/readingwithyourkids/ X - https://x.com/jedliemagic LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/reading-with-your-kids-podcast/ Please consider leaving a review of this episode and the podcast on whatever app you are listening on, it really helps!

A Socratic seminar is not a lecture where the teacher imparts information to students, nor is it some sort of a debate. Instead, it is a meaningful dialogue with teachers and students and the authors of the great ideas they are examining together. Join veteran educators Chelsea Wagenaar, Chris and Kellie Scripter, and Winston Brady and hear their best practices for leading engaging, rigorous, and joyful seminars for students.Dr. Chelsea Wagenaar received a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia and a Ph.D. in English from the University of North Texas. She teaches Literature and Trivium.Chris Scripter received a B.A. in History and Religion from Hillsdale College and an M.A. in European History at the State University of New York. Mr. Scripter teaches History. Chris Scripter received a B.A. in History and Religion from Hillsdale College and an M.A. in European History at the State University of New York. Mr. Scripter teaches History.Kellie Scripter received a B.A. in History and French from the University of Rochester and an M.A. in American History from Binghamton University. She teaches History and Humane Letters.Interested in teaching at Thales Academy? Check out: https://www.thalesacademy.org/contact/careers

Ruth 2:1-4:22, John 4:43-54, Ps 105:16-36, Pr 14:26-27

Everyone get into two lines, break your bread, brush your teeth, get into bed, and listen to our episode about Ludwig Bemelmans' original series of Madeline stories. We talk about the art's blend of sketchy and beautiful, the rise of Pepito, and the voice acting in 90s educational CD-ROM games.This episode is sponsored by Squarespace. Go to squarespace.com/overdue for 10% of your first purchase of a website or domain.Our theme music was composed by Nick Lerangis.Follow @overduepod on Instagram and BlueskyAdvertise on OverdueSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.