Podcasts about octavia butler

Black horror can be informed by past trauma and that sometimes gives us glimpses of the future. In Octavia Butler's classic 1993 book “Parable of the Sower,” natural disasters are on the rise, people are vanishing, and America just became “Great Again.” Today, some people are looking to genres like Black horror and Afro-Futurism as a guide for the times. In this story from 2025, Reporter Kristal Raheem went to meet Isis Asare owner of Sistah Sci-Fi bookstore, who's helping people navigate our present day reality with speculative fiction. Note: Sistah SciFi has a LOT going on, including another event honoring Octavia Butler's legacy at the San Francisco Library's main branch this Sunday at 2pm. 

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when a beloved actress becomes a storyteller of forgotten Black history? Karyn Parsons — yes, the Hilary Banks from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air — joins us to talk about her powerful historical fiction for young readers, her nonprofit Sweet Blackberry, and why books like hers matter more in 2026 than ever.In this episode, we dig into Blue Beach, a YA murder mystery set on a segregated Black beach in 1929 that is equal parts page-turning thriller and gut-punch history lesson. We also talk about Clouds Over California, Karyn's middle grade novel set in the 1970s that reframes the story of the Black Panthers. Whether you're a longtime reader of YA or someone who thinks "that's not for me" — this conversation will change your mind. Adults: these books are absolutely for you.Plus: Karyn shares what she's been reading lately, including a deeply unsettling thriller about smell, murder, and obsession, a darkly funny book that involves... cannibalism (?!), and why Kindred by Octavia Butler is a required read for every human.

“Intelligence is relatively new to life on Earth, but your hierarchical tendencies are ancient.” - Octavia Butler, Lilith’s Brood. The dawn of generative AI may seem like a whole new age - but in reality, it is part of an ancient history. Today on the show, Sara El Youghun, Joannie Lee, Janey Li and Samantha Haran come together to map this new genAI tech within the longer history of capitalist-imperialist surveillance and exploitation. Sara and Joannie discuss how they’re feeling in this moment as AI technologies are seemingly taking over. Sara reminds us of the science fiction of our childhoods that mirror the moment we are now living, and Joannie speaks to her recent experiences in community organising against the planned data centres in Western Sydney. Together, they reflect on strategies of organising, resistance and imagination. They listen through an interview that Janey and Samantha did with digital surveillance researcher and organiser, D.R. Sooriya. D reflects on and illuminates the fact amidst the outrage and uncertainty around what this new age of AI means, what we should most be focused on is the way it forms part of a longer, larger and deeper project on the part of tech billlionaries to force us into a certain kind of future. Most importantly, D reminds us that we are not helpless against this tirade - we can resist these techno-fascist futures, and build our own worlds in their place. Produced by Joannie Lee and Samantha Haran Episode artwork by Janey Li HOPECORE: ANTI-AI ORGANISING FROM AROUND THE WORLD The Luddite Club No Tech for Apartheid Data Workers Inquiry Recent win - Boorloo/Perth data centre plan revoked Get involved with Stop the Slop! Campaign to stop the data centres in Western Sydney (join the Whatsapp channel) Upscrolled (social media platform built by Palestinian organisers) FURTHER RESOURCES Hell is Empty and the Devils Are All Here: AI and Imperialism in the Current Crisis Atlas of AI: Power, Politics, and the Planetary Costs of Artificial Intelligence - Kate Crawford AI Snake Oil: What Artificial Intelligence Can Do, What It Can’t, and How to Tell the Difference - Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor War Virtually: The Quest to Automate Conflict, Militarize Data, and Predict the Future - Roberto Gonzales Imagination: A Manifesto - Ruha Benjamin Glitch feminism: A Manifesto - Legacy RussellSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What better way to end our celebration of mothers with this meditation on generational trauma—as well as the grit and grace it takes to survive. This is not Octavia Butler's novel with the most transparent commentary on the Current Troubles, it goes deeper than that: It raises questions about repair from trauma, what it is possible to heal, and when wounds have to be honored rather than salved. A perfect accompaniment to preparations for our country's 250th birthday! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this lively conversation, The Reading Black Girls engage in a mix of light-hearted banter and serious discussions about health, wellness, and the cultural significance of black vampire literature. They explore the resurgence of vampire narratives, representation in media, and share their current reading lists, all while maintaining a humorous and relatable tone. In this lively conversation, the hosts delve into the themes of the spooky season, book recommendations, and the challenges of managing reading backlogs. They celebrate the legacy of Octavia Butler and discuss the graphic nature of the book 'Blood Slaves,' while also imagining new narratives for Black vampires in literature. The discussion highlights the excitement surrounding Black fiction and media adaptations, emphasizing the need for more diverse voices in the genre.

Progressive education is a world-building project rooted in the radical hope that schools can become something fit for human beings.This summer, HRP is reading Pedagogies of Collapse: A Hopeful Education for the End of the World As We Know It, by Ginie Servant-Miklos, and we're inviting you to join us. Visit humanrestorationproject.org/book-club to sign up for our summer book club, where we'll meet to discuss the ideas and implications of Pedagogies of Collapse and be joined by the author, for a Q&A on July 31. I'll include a link to the book in the show notes, which is available on Open Access through Bloomsbury. Hope to see you there!The HRP team has been on the road for 3 of the last 4 weeks. At the end of April, we were on the ground working with Third Coast Learning Collaborative schools in Michigan. Last week, we were in Boston for school visits, meeting with folks at the Boston Museum of Science about an upcoming grant partnership, and I went to prison with Jennifer Berkshire to sit in on her journalism class at MCI-Shirley. At the time of recording, I'm headed to Ohio to present student listening reports to school districts who held focus groups this year based around student agency. This is all to say I don't have an epic 90 minute conversation or hour-long topical deep dive for you this week, but what I will offer is an audio reading of the opening piece from our revised Progressive Education Primer, it's called We Are Worldbuilders. See you in two weeks!HRP Book ClubPedagogies of Collapse, Bloomsbury Open AccessWe Are Worldbuilders, Nick CovingtonAdditional music credits: Dandelion by | e s c p | https://www.escp.space | https://escp-music.bandcamp.com

The Hugo voting is open! The Guild is coming back! Is "best and most popular" actually fair? Is it right to defy a dead author's wishes? Tom risks Octavia Butler's ghost to explain. Plus, we share our opening thoughts on Slow Gods by Claire North. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mothers: Can't live with them, can't have existed without them. Science fiction is dominated my male voices, some of them have mommy issues. Here are some of our mommy issues. (Octavia Butler, author of one of encores, is the only creator to be exploring the issue from the inside.)First up is Aliens, the ultimate not-without-my-daughter text. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, JP Rindfleisch, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about Octavia Butler, Indie Bookstore Day 2026, and The Small Press View. Then, stick around for a chat with Dominique Raccah! Sourcebooks: "We're an entrepreneurial publisher built on the belief that books change lives. From our humble beginnings in a spare bedroom in 1987, with just one book and a single employee — our founder, Publisher and CEO Dominique Raccah — we've stayed true to our passion for stories and our dedication to helping authors reach readers. We're an innovative, mission-driven book publisher that champions diverse voices in publishing." Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Margaret Ellen and Rayna reconnect, this time diving into Octavia Butler's prophetic masterpiece, Parable of the Sower. In this episode, they bring book club energy out of the coffee shops and into the digital space, inviting listeners to join the Contraband Reading Society, where banned ideas and bold conversations thrive. Together, they unpack Butler's vision through the lens of Black Millennial experience, exploring themes of faith deconstruction, community survival, and spiritual evolution in a world that feels eerily close to Butler's imagined future. Tune in for a conversation that blends literary analysis, Black futurism, and spiritual honesty, all while challenging the boundaries of what “polite society” says we should read, think, or feel.

Our website - www.perksofbeingabooklover.com. Instagram - @perksofbeingabookloverpod Facebook - Perks of Being a Book Lover. To send us a message go to our website and click the Contact button.   You can find Aaron Starmer at www.aaronstarmer.com or on IG @aaron_starmer.   This week on the podcast we welcome middle grade and young adult novelist Aaron Starmer whose most recent book, You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This, is a quirky middle grade novel about a Toe Beast and a girl who travels with a pack of dogs and a boy named Roman who learns some family secrets.  That sounds like a lot so we are glad Aaron joins us to explain it all in a much more succinct way than we ever could. And his 2025 YA novel Night Swimming just came out in paperback this week. And our book recommendation segment of the show is about aliens because what pairs better with a quirky novel than some extraterrestrials? We have Hugo- and Nebula Award-winning titles, a book about alien garbage, a wacky buddy road trip adventure, literary fiction about a girl who doesn't feel human, and a philosophical first contact story starring the Catholic Church.   Books Mentioned in this Episode:   1- You Are Old Enough To Hear This by Aaron Starmer 2- Night Swimming by Aaron Starmer  3- The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly  4- Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman 5- Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir  6- The Humans by Matt Haig  7- The Riverman by Aaron Starmer 8- The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler  9- Pathogenesis: A History of the World in Eight Plagues by Jonathan Kennedy 10- The Art of Vanishing by Morgan Pager  11- A 5 Star Read by Fellow Book Lover Tess @books_andthebeach - Shy Creatures by Clare Chambers  12- The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet (Wayfarers #1) by Becky Chambers  13- The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell  14- Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky  15- Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino  16- Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card  17- The Road to Roswell by Connie Willis  Media Mentioned in this Episode: 1- Whitehall Book Club - https://www.historicwhitehall.org/whitehall-book-club 2- Resident Alien - (2021-2025, Netflix) 3- Project Hail Mary (2026)      

Fiction that imagines alternate futures is often associated with the left — with writers like Octavia Butler and Ursula LeGuin. But the tropes of science fiction are well-suited to the right and, as Jordan Carroll illustrates, far right authors and aficionados have populated the ranks of speculative fiction since its inception, like ardent science fiction fan and neo-Nazi party founder James Madole. Carroll discusses the right's ongoing fight to claim the future. Jordan S. Carroll, Speculative Whiteness: Science Fiction and the Alt-Right University of Minnesota Press, 2024 Photo by Robynne O on Unsplash The post Science Fiction and the Far Right appeared first on KPFA.

Erin and Alyssa check in on the latest Bravo-level drama from Trump's wack job cabinet, two recent chilling tragedies in Virginia and Louisiana, Planned Parenthood's foray into cosmetic offerings, Reese Witherspoon's suspicious call for women to use more AI, and more. Then professor Chanda Prescod-Weinstein drops by to talk about her new book, The Edge of Space-Time, what people are getting wrong about the Artemis II mission, and what Star Trek and Octavia Butler can tell us about our current political moment.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.The FBI Director Is MIA (The Atlantic 4/17)FBI director Kash Patel files $250M defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic (CNN 4/20)Labor Dept. Investigates Texts Among Secretary's Family and Staff (NYT 4/15)Feud between Mace and Mills flares as the Republicans trade barbs, expulsion threats (CNN 4/21)Ex-Virginia deputy governor kills wife and himself, police say (BBC 4/17)Haunted by ‘Dark Thoughts,' Louisiana Father Kills 8 Children (NYT 4/19)The Shreveport Mass Killing Isn't Just About ‘Mental Health' by Brittany Cooper (The Cut 4/20)A Planned Parenthood Clinic, in a Pinch, Turns to Botox (NYT 3/11)The Woman Who Knows Too Much: An Interview with Amanda Ungaro (Courier 4/18)Reese Witherspoon Declares “It's Time” For Women To Embrace AI: “Want To Learn With Me?” (Deadline 4/17)We Need Space w. Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

On this episode of Currently Reading, Kaytee and Roxanna are discussing: Bookish Moments: Whiny men in books and reading to our kids Current Reads: all the great, interesting, and/or terrible stuff we've been reading lately Deep Dive: books we rated fairly low, but have stuck with us over time. Before We Go: our new segment featuring bookish friend posts and a sleeper hit from Roxanna Show notes are time-stamped below for your convenience. Read the transcript of the episode (this link only works on the main site). . . .   :10 - Bite Size Intro 1:50 - We encourage you to spend your dollars at indie bookstores this Saturday, April 25th for Independent Bookstore Day! 4:26 - Bookish Moments of the Week 4:49 - Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt 5:47 - The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett 7:35 - Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney 10:00 - Current Reads 10:08 - Good People by Patmeena Sabit (Roxanna) 12:21 - The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini 18:58 - Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid (Kaytee) 24:01 - One Woman Show by Christine Coulson (Roxanna) 28:12 - Sarah's Bookshelves Live 28:34 - Meet the Neighbors by Brandon Keim (Kaytee)  31:56 - An Immense World by Ed Yong 32:11 - Fuzz by Mary Roach 33:34 - Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke (Roxanna) 37:01 - Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman 38:15 - Fierce Fairytales by Nikita Gill (Kaytee) 40:23 - The Princess Saves Herself in this One by Amanda Lovelace 40:31 - Love in Color by Bolu Babalola 41:48 - Deep Dive: Lower Rated Books That Stuck With Us 42:57 - Wine Witch On Fire by Natalie MacLean 48:27 - Medium Raw by Anthony Bourdain 50:08 - Save Me The Plums by Ruth Reichl 50:10 - Blood Bones & Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton 50:46 - Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain 51:51 - To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers 55:29 - Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey 56:44 - How To Kill A Guy In Ten Dates by Shailee Thompson 57:10 - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 57:13 - A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas 57:42 - Dawn by Octavia Butler 57:48 - Kindred by Octavia Butler 1:01:24 - You by Caroline Kepnes 1:04:56 - Before We Go Kaytee highlights a bookish friend post 1:05:12 - Currently Reading Patreon (gets you access to our Discord!) 1:05:31 - Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry Roxanna brings a sleeper hit 1:06:25 - Food that Really Schmecks by Edna Stabler   Support Us: Become a Bookish Friend | Grab Some Merch Shop Bookshop dot org | Shop Amazon Bookish Friends Receive: The Indie Press List with a curated list of five books hand sold by the indie of the month. April's IPL is brought to us from a new to us bookstore, Two Friends Books in Bentonville, Arkansas Love and Chili Peppers with Kaytee and Rebekah - romance lovers get their due with this special episode focused entirely on the best selling genre fiction in the business All Things Murderful with Meredith and Elizabeth - special content for the scary-lovers, brought to you with the behind-the-scenes insights of an independent bookseller From the Editor's Desk with Kaytee and Bunmi Ishola - a quarterly peek behind the curtain at the publishing industry The Bookish Friends Facebook Group - where you can build community with bookish friends from around the globe as well as our hosts Connect With Us: The Show: Instagram | Website | Email | Threads | Substack | Youtube The Hosts and Regulars: Meredith | Kaytee | Mary | Roxanna Production and Editing: Megan Phouthavong Evans Affiliate Disclosure: All affiliate links go to Bookshop unless otherwise noted. Shopping here helps keep the lights on and benefits indie bookstores. Thanks for your support!

Umkehr der Zeit: Wir beginnen mit neuer Science Fiction. Dann arbeiten wir uns immer weiter in die Vergangenheit vor und lesen neue rumänien- und russlanddeutsche Geschichten.

In „Verbunden“ schickt Octavia Butler die Afroamerikanerin Dana aus den 1970er Jahren auf eine Zeitreise in die Südstaaten des 19. Jahrhunderts.Dort erlebt sie die Sklaverei.

Robert meets Sir Isaac Julien at Victoria Miro gallery in London to explore 4 decades of making art. We also meet Julien's long term collaborator Mark Nash to explore his major five-screen film installation All That Changes You. Metamorphosis, 2025 and new photographic works. All That Changes You. Metamorphosis is a vivid, sweeping, visual poem about change, what it means to transform, to adapt and to survive. Commissioned to celebrate 500 years of Palazzo Te, Mantua, Italy (where it is currently on view) and exhibited here for the first time as a five-screen installation, Julien's latest work moves between science fiction, philosophy, ecology and art, imagining new forms of life and identity beyond the human.All That Changes You. Metamorphosis draws inspiration from thinkers who explore how transformation shapes who we are and how we live, including writers Octavia Butler, Naomi Mitchison, Ursula K. Le Guin and philosopher Donna Haraway. Their ideas weave through the film's layered images and lyrical dialogue. Two protagonists are at the heart of the film, played by internationally acclaimed actors Sheila Atim and Gwendoline Christie.Isaac Julien is as acclaimed for his fluent, arresting films as for his vibrant and inventive gallery installations. One of the objectives of his work is to break down the barriers that exist between different artistic disciplines, drawing from and commenting on film, dance, photography, music, theatre, painting and sculpture, and uniting them to construct a powerfully visual narrative.Julien came to prominence in the film world with his 1989 drama-documentary Looking for Langston, gaining a cult following with this poetic exploration of Langston Hughes and the Harlem Renaissance. During the past three decades he has made work largely, though not exclusively, for galleries and museums, using multi-screen installations to express fractured narratives exploring memory and desire.Julien's major film installations include Once Again . . . (Statues Never Die), 2022, commissioned by the Barnes Foundation in celebration of its centennial, an immersive five-screen installation exploring the relationship between Dr Albert C. Barnes, who was an early US collector and exhibitor of African material culture, and the famed philosopher and cultural critic Alain Locke, known as the ‘Father of the Harlem Renaissance'; Lessons of the Hour – Frederick Douglass, 2019, a meditation on the life, words, and actions of Frederick Douglass (1818–1895), the visionary African American abolitionist and freed slave, and on the issues of social justice that shaped his life's work; Lina Bo Bardi – A Marvellous Entanglement, 2019, reflecting on the iconic work and on the legacy of the visionary modernist architect and designer (1914–1992); PLAYTIME, 2014, which explores the dramatic and nuanced subject of financial capital; Ten Thousand Waves, 2010, exploring China's ancient past and rapidly transforming present through a series of interlocking narratives. Follow @IsaacJulienIsaac Julien's major retrospective opens in Bergamo at gresart671 on 10th April 2026 and he will also showing a single screen version of All That Changes You. Metamorphosis at The Cosmic House in London from 22nd April, learn more here. Special thanks to Victoria Miro gallery. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

***Please fill out my podcast questionnaire!! Thank You!!***Week 52 and, somehow, the end of Ted Gioia's Immersive Humanities project. We've got time to process all the emotions next week. For now, on to the readings!This final week brings together a really cool set of 20th and 21st century works—Octavia Butler, Joan Didion, Tim O'Brien, the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, and David Foster Wallace—all circling what Gioia calls “untenable situations.” How do you find your way through a problem that seems to have no exit?Butler's "Bloodchild" is visceral and unsettling, asking what we owe the people we love.Didion's "The White Album" treats memories as snapshots, raising questions about how we make sense of a life at all.O'Brien's "The Things They Carried" explores both physical and emotional burdens, especially the pull of home.The Big Book is strikingly direct: change begins with honest self-confrontation and surrender.And Wallace—unexpectedly one of my favorites of the whole year—follows a drifting young man who stumbles into meaning, not heroism, but something smaller and real.Together, they offer a glimpse into what it means to be a modern human. But here's a spoiler: I don't really think it's all that different than it ever was.Come back next week for the season finale and a wrap-up of the whole project!LINKTed Gioia/The Honest Broker's 12-Month Immersive Humanities Course (paywalled!)My Amazon Book List (NOT an affiliate link)CONNECTThe complete list of Crack the Book Episodes: https://cheryldrury.substack.com/p/crack-the-book-start-here?r=u3t2rTo read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com.Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321Captivate - https://crackthebook.captivate.fm

Come listen to a WUU service! Rev. Jude Geiger, Minister Liz Wiley, Worship Chair Stephanie Letourneau, Worship Associate Chris Mooney, Music Director Heidi Sousa, piano Thank you for listening. For more information about the Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists, or to join us on Sunday mornings, visit www.wuu.org. Permission to reprint, podcast, and/or stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE with license #A-735438. All rights reserved.

Northern Gaza Water Fundhttps://chuffed.org/project/143318-north-gaza-water-fundPodcast Episodes Mentioned: Half His Age by Jeanette McCurdy: https://youtu.be/Sm44TgOxowE?si=wHNesR_cFdS0SOV-Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman: https://youtu.be/nkwkxFkRvao?si=OyrBHAbfBi69aL7h Kindred by Octavia Butler: https://youtu.be/roen9hJW2c4?si=Ci0LCO9uJzm32Ev0 sign up for our fable book club to read along with us before future episodes:https://fable.co/club/lit-lib-pod-book-club-with-literary-liberation-264087449611Twitter: https://twitter.com/LitLibPodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/literaryliberation/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@literaryliberation?lang=enKristenTwitter: https://twitter.com/krxxtxnInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/krxxtxn/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@krxxtxn?lang=enMariahTwitter: https://twitter.com/hungryryeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hungryrye/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hungryrye?lang=en

This week, Diosa and Mala discuss Latino/Latinx futurism and its roots in Afrofuturism and Indigenous futures. They breakdown how Octavia Butler was a major inspiration for Herederxs in Space, a joint-project with Pizza Shark, a Latina-led production company. Herederxs in Space is an audio-phonic time capsule spanning 2016–2036, combining present-day oral histories, speculative podcasts, and an immersive installation. You can join the living time capsule here. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/locatora_productionsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The security guard at the grocery store is a sign before they are a deterrent. This episode takes Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower as its anchor and reads scarcity not as a natural condition but as a managed one — enforced through bodies, symbols, and spatial logic. What does it mean when abundance collapses not into emptiness, but into enclosure? Season 2 finale.

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!The next book in our Banned Books Series is Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. Published in 1993, this near dystopian, post-apocalyptic allegory explores themes of adaptation and change, environmental and social breakdown, survival and resilience, and hyperempathy and interconnectedness. Tune in to hear our discussion about the book, its relevance, and why society needs to hear the message contained in its pages.Support the showBe part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com.Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen!Thanks!

This week, I talk with Susana M. Morris about her Octavia E. Butler cultural biography Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler. Listen to hear about: Octavia Butler's journey from a shy, self-diagnosed dyslexic student to a groundbreaking sci-fi author, and how her relentless “positive obsession” with writing shaped her career.   How Butler's work reflects deep research, historical pattern recognition, and sharp social insight—explaining why her stories feel prophetic even though she chaffed at that comparison.   The personal costs and creative rewards of dedicating your life to meaningful work, and how Butler's example encourages artists and writers to pursue their own Positive Obsessions.   Check Out Author Social Media PackagesCheck out the Bookwild Community on PatreonCheck Out My Stories Are My Religion SubstackGet Bookwild MerchFollow @imbookwild on InstagramOther Co-hosts On Instagram:Gare Billings @gareindeedreadsSteph Lauer @books.in.badgerlandHalley Sutton @halleysutton25Brian Watson @readingwithbrianMacKenzie Green @missusa2mba

Catherine Opie talks to Ben Luke about her influences—from writers to musicians, film-makers and, of course, other artists—and the cultural experiences that have shaped her life and work. Over more than three decades, Opie, who was born in 1961 in Sandusky, Ohio, and lives today in Los Angeles, has created photographic portraits, cityscapes and landscapes that have borne witness to social and political conditions and tensions—particularly in her native United States—while also reflecting a deeply personal response to people and community. Fundamental to her work is an exploration, as a queer woman and as a documentarian photographer, of the nuanced, multifarious nature of identity, most prominently in LGBTQ+ communities, but also far beyond them. She has committed from her earliest mature images to the idea that, as she has phrased it, “Without representation, there is no visibility”—a belief that remains more vital than ever in the US and across the world in the 2020s. And that visibility is manifest not just in the portraiture for which she is best known, but also in the central place that architecture and interiors play in her work. She repeatedly calls our attention to the juxtaposition of the built environment and the construction of bodies and identities. So she documents her surroundings in the fullest sense: she depicts the people she loves, knows and meets; the spaces they occupy; and the broader physical and social environment around them. Ultimately, she hopes, through encountering her art, viewers will gain a better understanding of humanity in all its complexity. She reflects on her early discovery and desire to make pictures, aged nine, and the key figures that helped her choose to become an artist. She talks about the kinship between poetry and art and the fundamental importance, whatever her subject, of human connection. She reflects on artists as diverse as Holbein and Leonardo and Gerhard Richter and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, on the influence of writers including Joan Didion and Octavia Butler, and on her admiration for Chloe Zhao and Chris Marker. Plus, she gives insights into her life in the studio (and darkroom) and answers our usual questions, including the ultimate: what is art for?Catherine Opie: To Be Seen, National Portrait Gallery, London, 5 March-31 May 2026; Catherine Opie: The Pause that Dreams Against Erasure, The Fridericianum, Kassel, Germany, 19 July 2026. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this clip from Herbalists After Hours, jim mcdonald shares one virtue he believes is essential for herbalists: kindness. Drawing on Octavia Butler's line, "Kindness eases change," jim reflects on how change — whether personal, cultural, or relational — is rarely easy. But kindness can soften the process. We talk about kindness toward others, kindness toward ourselves, and the deeper roots of the word "kind" — connected to kin and nature — reminding us that we are not separate from each other or the living world. In a culture where unkindness is often normalized, this is a gentle but powerful reminder: kindness matters. Rosalee and I are sharing clips from this conversation across our channels — but the full, in-person interview is where the whole story unfolds. FULL INTERVIEW | Watch on YouTube Folk Methodology is a collaboration between Mason Hutchison and Rosalee de la Forêt, dedicated to celebrating the living culture of herbalism. Get full episodes, behind-the-scenes updates, and future projects delivered straight to your inbox | FolkMethodology.com  

We're going to explore Octavia Butler's 1993 release of the dystopian classic “Parable Of The Sower” set in America of the 2020s. Spoiler alert: It's even uglier than our disappointing reality, which is quite a feat. If you like our work, you can donate at Mixtapestories.net or at Patreon/MixtapeStories. Thank you!

Charles Saunders’ sword and soul narratives, pulp-fantasy-inspired tales of Black and African heroes, helped blaze a trail for the genre—but, like Saunders himself, they have a complicated and still-developing story. Jon Tattrie, author of the newly-released Saunders biography, To Leave A Warrior Behind, joins us to talk about the foundational novel Imaro: its themes, its history, and its legacy. Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books. Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon! Guest: Jon Tattrie Title: Imaro by Charles R. Saunders Host:Jake Casella Brookins Music byGiselle Gabrielle Garcia Artwork byRob Patterson Opening poem by Bhartṛhari, translated by John Brough References: To Leave A Warrior Behind Tricon Halifax Charles R. Saunders Prize Trident Bookstore Amal El-Mohtar Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn Jude Mire’s Patchworld Nova Hal-Con Shag Harbour UFO Sword & Soul Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan Robert E. Howard's Conan Dark Fantasy magazine Gene Day Boris Vallejo & Franz Frazetta Neuland Inline font Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park The Halifax Daily News Africville Saunder's Sweat and Soul: The Saga of Black Boxers from the Halifax Forum to Ceasar's Palace The Quest for Cush Dossuye Turkana wrist knives “thews” Octavia Butler, Samuel Delany N.K. Jemisin's The Fifth Season & our episode on it "The City of Madness" Octavia Butler, Toni Adeyemi Dossoye Novels Dhambala Abangonee Charles de Lint Amazons (1986) & Stormquest (1987), both directed by Alejandro Sessa Mathieu Da Costa Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia The Spirit of Africville Audiobook of To Leave A Warrior Behind

Octavia Butler gave us a new kind of science fiction: not only as one of the first writers to use history to talk about the future, and not only as one of the first Black women to do it, but by sending, along with her warnings, a message of hope, survival, persistence, and repair.To access bonus episodes and listen to Throughline sponsor-free, subscribe to Throughline+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/throughline.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In this special episode, author, curator, and archaelogist Dan Hicks joins EMPIRE LINES live, to trace the origins of contemporary conflicts over art, history, memory, and colonialism, through their book, Every Monument Will Fall (2025).This episode was recorded live at Curio at Common Ground in Oxford in October 2025. Find all the information in the first Instagram post: instagram.com/p/DN0R3hN2ExOEvery Monument Will Fall: A Story of Remembering and Forgetting by Dan Hicks is published by Penguin, and available in all good bookshops and online.Hear artist Pio Abad on Giolo's Lament (2023) at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford: pod.link/1533637675/episode/1e7df6b20f9c99aae3e4df96f50913cfRead about Ali Cherri's 2025 exhibitions, How I Am Monument at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead, and Vingt-quatre fantômes par seconde (Twenty-four Ghosts Per Second) at the Bourse de Commerce in Paris, in the Burlington Contemporary: contemporary.burlington.org.uk/articles/articles/ali-cherriFor more about Octavia Butler, hear artist Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum on It Will End in Tears (2024), at the Barbican in London: pod.link/1533637675/episode/6e9a8b8725e8864bc4950f259ea89310And read about the exhibition, in gowithYamo: gowithyamo.com/blog/pamela-phatsimo-sunstrum-barbicanPRODUCER: Jelena Sofronijevic.Follow EMPIRE LINES on Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/empirelinespodcast⁠⁠Support EMPIRE LINES on Patreon: ⁠⁠patreon.com/empirelines

This episode is our last combined episode of the year, and we're closing it out by sharing the books that shaped our thinking, challenged our perspectives, and kept us turning pages late into the night. From nonfiction that gave us language for the work we do to fiction that transported us to other worlds, these are the reads that resonated most with us in 2025.La'Kita's Top ReadsOn Tyranny by Timothy Snyder20 lessons from the 20th century on resisting authoritarianism. The lesson that stuck most: "Do not obey in advance"—don't comply or shift norms before you're required to. A call to action that feels urgent and applicable beyond politics.Living in Wisdom by Devi BrownA guide to embodying your authentic self, embracing grief, and developing self-mastery. All the work is internal—journaling, meditation, being in nature—pulled together in a comprehensive way that challenges you to make these practices a way of being, not just productivity tools.Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler by Susana M. MorrisA biography that explores how Octavia Butler lived her life—her commitment to her calling despite doubt and rejection, her practice of manifestation ("so be it, see to it"), and how she created her own circumstances. Essential reading for anyone interested in creativity and creative leadership.Authentic by Jodi-Ann BureyA powerful exploration of how workplaces use "authenticity" disingenuously and what it actually means to be authentic. Filled with stories from women of color, Black women, and disabled women. Key line: "Authenticity invites us to declare I am not a worker, I am a person at work."The Source by Dr. Tara SwartCombines neuroscience with manifestation and intention-setting. A former psychiatrist turned coach who makes clear these are ancient ideas that neuroscience is just now catching up to. Step-by-step guidance on visualization, intention setting, and rewiring your brain.Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty (Fiction)A woman stands up on a flight and predicts exactly when passengers will die—and the predictions start coming true. Weaves together fate, science, coincidence, and anxiety in a page-turner that explores how much we make our own luck.Chloe's Top ReadsCareless People by Sarah Wynn-WilliamsAn eye-opening indictment of Facebook and tech culture that shifted perspectives on Meta products. A reminder that what we see isn't the whole story and it's worth digging deeper.Be Ready When Luck Happens by Ina GartenA memoir that beautifully acknowledges the role of both hard work and luck in success. Ina's honest about being in the right place at the right time with the right opportunities—and the privilege that created those circumstances.The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel WilkersonThe story of the Great Migration of African Americans from the 1940s-70s. A transformational read that raised the question: why wasn't this taught in school? Essential reading, especially for white folks in the US, to understand systemic racism and how recent this history is.Uncompete by Ruchika MalhotraChallenges everything we've been told about the benefits of competition. From being placed in "gifted and talented" programs as kids to operating in capitalist systems as adults, we're set up to compete—but this book offers a different path through abundance and collaboration.The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson (Fiction)Science fiction exploring different timelines and realities. Character-driven with themes of identity, privilege, and colonialism. The kind of fiction that makes you pause and think—and talk about what you're reading.Thanks for being with us this year. As always, thank you for your leadership.Resources:Navigating a big transition? Check out our Pivot Plan: 8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Your Next Big Move.Think coaching might be right for you? Schedule a free consultation to explore how we can help you step into your next level of leadership.Interested in going deeper in your own leadership and building your network? Join the waitlist for The CoCreate Work Leadership Book Club to explore the themes from this episode in community—through powerful reads, reflection prompts, and live conversations.Our last session of the Culture Crash Course just ended, but if you're interested in a Culture Crash Course for your organization or team, please contact us at support@cocreatework.com.Interested in leadership development for your team? Our Workshops are a great wait to develop your team's skills and connection.At CoCreate Work, we believe in asking great questions. Click here to receive our guide to 40 Powerful Questions to accelerate your growth.We would love to connect with you!CoCreate Work on LinkedInCoCreate Work on InstagramLa'Kita on InstagramChloe on InstagramVisit our Podcast PageQuestions you would like us to answer on the podcast? Email us at podcast@cocreatework.com

Writer's Voice: compelling conversations with authors who challenge, inspire, and inform. In this episode of Writer's Voice, Francesca Rheannon speaks with Susana M. Morris, acclaimed scholar of Black feminist thought, about her new biography Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler. Drawing on interviews, archival materials, and Butler's own journals, Morris shows … Continue reading Positive Obsession: Susana M. Morris on the Life, Vision & Influence of Octavia Butler →

As we approach the end of another year, it's natural to reflect on our journeys. It is important to reconsider how we measure our growth and success. Rather than fixating on distant goals that can feel elusive, Lori introduces the concept of the horizon as a guiding light, but not a measuring stick. This shift in perspective is inspired by the wisdom of Octavia Butler, who emphasized the importance of habits over fleeting inspiration. Lori discusses the concept of the "arrival fallacy," a term coined by researchers that highlights the belief that reaching our goals will finally bring us happiness and fulfillment. However, the reality is often different; new goals emerge, and the cycle of chasing continues. Instead, Lori encourages us to focus on the small, meaningful progress we make each day. Today's episode is a gentle reminder that growth is not a race; it's a journey filled with small steps that lead to meaningful change. Push on play, to unlock your life! If you would like some help with figuring out how to transform your life! I can help you create a vision for a life that you absolutely love living. Click here to arrange a session with me. If you're enjoying the podcast, please share the show with a friend or, even better, leave a review to ensure others can benefit from it too! WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THE EPISODE How to embrace the present moment while honoring the progress you've already made. When we consistently show up for ourselves, even in the face of challenges, we reinforce our sense of self. Instead of constantly looking ahead to what we have yet to achieve, reflect on how far you've come. FEATURED ON THE SHOW: If you're enjoying the podcast, I'd love to hear from you! Please share the show with a friend or even better, leave a review to ensure others can benefit from the podcast.

This week's book is Kindred by Octavia Butler, a time-traveling story about Dana, who goes back in time to ensure the survival of her ancestors: an enslaved woman named Alice and her enslaver, Rufus. This complicated yet entrancing narrative is multifaceted, and my guest this week, Alethea McCollin, and I had a great conversation about the ways Butler challenges her readers to think about the implications of our actions and how they shape the future.Alethea McCollin is a multifaceted artist as a playwright, director, producer, actor, and founder of Orange Stilettos Productions, llc, known for her award-winning production of The Stilettos Monologues at the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival. She has produced various works, including her play Renaming Shaim at Theatre Row, New York City, and directed her first short film, The Next Great Writer, showcased at the Virginia Screenwriters Forum. Additionally, Alethea serves as Executive Secretary on the Board of Directors of James River Writers and is an English instructor at Virginia State University.Our drink this week is one of Alethea's favorite's: Blackberry Citrus Tea, which is perfect for sitting by the fire curling up with a good book!In this EpisodeDrinks in the Library MerchKindred by Octavia ButlerJames River WritersVirginia State UniversityBooks by Toni MorrisonBooks by Gabrielle García MárquezBooks by Isabel AllendeNarrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas, an American Slave by Frederick DouglasThe Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

It's episode 222 and time for us to talk about books from the 1980s! Okay, I say "books" but it's really "science fiction and fantasy novels from the 1980s." You probably could have guessed that if you've listened to the podcast before. You can download the podcast directly, find it on Libsyn, or get it through Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast delivery system. In this episode Anna Ferri | Meghan Whyte | Matthew Murray

You will be told you are "not enough"—but grounding yourself, reclaiming your balance, and trusting who you are is essential to survival and growth. In a very powerful conversation and being the very first interview episode on this show we get to hear from award-winning journalist and author Lynell George, known for her celebrated book A Handful of Earth, A Handful of Sky: The World of Octavia E. Butler. Together, with Lori A. Harris explores the enduring wisdom of Octavia Butler—her discipline, her deep attention to the world, and the way she constructed the life she needed in order to become the writer she was destined to be. Lynell reflects on what Octavia would offer Black women leaders today, especially in a moment marked by layoffs, uncertainty, reinvention, and possibility. Ultimately, this episode is a powerful reminder of the urgency to pursue our passions and the significance of leaving a legacy that speaks to future generations. Octavia E. Butler's life and work continue to inspire us to embrace change, confront our fears, and take bold steps toward our aspirations. If you would like some help with figuring out how to transform your life! I can help you create a vision for a life that you absolutely love living. Click here to arrange a session with me. If you're enjoying the podcast, please share the show with a friend or, even better, leave a review to ensure others can benefit from it too! WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THE EPISODE It is important to come together as communities and support particularly for Black women navigating their paths in a world that can often feel isolating. We are not alone in our world and there is no reason to try and do life alone. Affirmation and self-talk serves as a motivational tool and a means of self-empowerment. A FEW THINGS MENTIONED A Handful of Earth, A Handful of Sky: The World of Octavia E. Butler. FEATURED ON THE SHOW: If you're enjoying the podcast, I'd love to hear from you! Please share the show with a friend or even better, leave a review to ensure others can benefit from the podcast.

Hey lady! We know that the daily onslaught of the news of these times can be distressing and difficult to ignore. There are genuine reasons to feel alarm during the current administration but we are blessed to have a deep history of having visionaries, luminaries, and trailblazers offer a blueprint of how to imagine brighter tomorrows.Octavia Butler is one of the most prescient artists of our time but her life was lived somewhat in obscurity, only coming to prominence long after her death. Yet, her writing gave way to world-building where weird, strange, genius Black women could write themselves into the future by being present with their experience. Dr. Susana M. Morris, a waymaker in her own right as a founding member of the Crunk Feminist Collective and author of Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia Butler, explores how Octavia's life circumstances, disciplined writing practice, and passion birthed works that offer a clear-eyed examination of society and culture while also giving full permission for Black women to indulge our imaginations for a beautiful future that includes us!Join Terri and Dr. Dom as they have a spirited discussion with Susana about Octavia Butler and her powerful artistry. While Octavia made it clear that she was not a prophet; she was so deeply connected to her dreams and words that she manifested a body of work that has inspired generations of future trailblazers and wayshowers. Quote of the Day:"Black women writers are necessary so that Black women can define and depict their own experiences rather than being objects in the stories of others." – Octavia Butler  Where to find Susana Morris:Website: Susanmorris.comBook: Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia ButlerInstagram: @susiemayeTwitter (X): @iamcrunkadelicThreads: @susiemaye    Goal Mapping Starter GuideCultivating H.E.R. Space Sanctuary  Resources:Dr. Dom's Therapy Practice Branding with TerriMelanin and Mental Health Therapy for Black Girls Psychology TodayTherapy for QPOC  Where to find us:Twitter: @HERspacepodcastInstagram: @herspacepodcastFacebook: @herspacepodcastWebsite: cultivatingherspace.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/cultivating-h-e-r-space-uplifting-conversations-for-the-black-woman--5470036/support.

Welcome to Strictly Jazz Sounds. In this episode, we spotlight saxophonist Mark Turner, an LA native known for his technical brilliance and soulful undertones. Turner's music is influenced by R&B and jazz from his upbringing, as well as legendary saxophonists like Warne Marsh and John Coltrane. Mark's humility and self-deprecation are evident, but his artistry shines through, especially in his latest project, Reflections On: An Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man, produced in collaboration with Jimmy Katz and Giant Step Arts. The episode explores how Turner's experiences as an African American have shaped his work in the thematic 10-part suite inspired by the novel penned by civil rights activist, author and poet, James Weldon Johnson, "An Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man." Our conversation covers Turner's compositional process, the challenges of identity and race, and the historical context behind his music. He also shares plans for future projects, including those inspired by Sci-Fi author Octavia Butler, with hopes of returning to Giant Step Arts. You'll hear four movements from the quintet: Mark Turner-tenor sax and narration, Jason Palmer-trumpet, David Virelles-piano, Matt Brewer-bass, and Nasheet Waits-drums. The featured compositions are Movement 1: Anonymous-4:04 (4:24), Movement 4: New York-12:03 (45:18), Movement 9: Identity Politics-6:11(1:07:00), and Movement 10: Closure-2:22 (01:20:08). I am grateful to Jimmy Katz and Giant Step Arts for use of the recordings. Thank you for tuning in. If you haven't subscribed yet, please do so to stay updated on future episodes, jazz news, and our annual Top 20 Jazz playlist. All the music played on this podcast has been authorized. Support jazz musicians by buying their music and support live jazz wherever you are. Now, let's begin with Movement 1. Enjoy the conversation!

Always choose peace in the midst of Chaos.  Don't fear volatility or Change embrace it! The Earthseed Rosary The Earthseed Rosary is a meditative tool designed to guide practitioners through the core tenets of Earthseed, fostering mindfulness, collective purpose, and adaptation in the face of Change. Each bead or segment invites reflection on an essential concept within the faith. The Bead of Change: Contemplate the ever-present nature of Change. Recite: “God is Change. I accept the shifting flow of life.” The Bead of Paradox: Reflect on holding chaos and order together in your heart. Recite: “I embrace both uncertainty and the work of building security.” The Bead of Water: Consider water's adaptability and strength. Recite: “Like water, I will shape and be shaped, persistent and yielding.” The Bead of Knowledge: Honor the pursuit of truth. Recite: “Knowledge is sacred. I seek, I question, I learn, and I adapt.” The Bead of Community: Focus on radical interdependence. Recite: “My survival is bound to the collective. We thrive together.” The Bead of Hyperempathy: Feel the shared joy and pain of others. Recite: “I am open to the suffering and hope of the human collective.” The Bead of Destiny: Envision the future Earthseed strives to build. Recite: “We shape God and are shaped in return. Together, we forge our destiny.” This rosary can be repeated as a meditation or used in communal gatherings, each bead prompting group reflection on how the tenets are lived out in daily actions. The sequence embodies Earthseed's demand for active engagement and adaptability, reinforcing the moral and spiritual foundation of the community. A Trickster can take many forms, for good or not.  The seemingly random nature of "God as Change" highlights that change isn't always good or predictable. Sometimes, it takes on a destructive, trickster-like form—as seen in the societal collapse, environmental disasters, and the violent conflicts of Octavia Butler's post-apocalyptic Parable novels. The Trickster's lessons are about adaptability, outsmarting a rigid system, and using cleverness to survive. This is precisely what Larkin, Lauren's kidnapped daughter, Natasha's Collab community, Lauren Olamina, and her followers must do to survive. The trickster's chaotic nature reflects the world's collapse, and the trickster's cleverness is a core quality of the characters who manage to survive it. The key to getting to to getting to the stars is survival and strength here on Earth. Because in the words of a character in the book  "We can't continue to F@@K up here on Earth and expect to take this same s@@t out there.  We won't even get back out there until we figure it out down here. Ain't nobody trying to be on the stuggle bus in zero gravity and minimal atmosphere. Ain't nobody got time for that. "Phoenicia Baxter, former MIT mechanical engineer professor. Read more about AfroDruid Magic Elixir https://linktr.ee/tnfroisreading Racing to Buy Crypto!!! Yes, I can...Create my coin...Our rituals involve burning zeroes. Read about the financial evolution #AfroDruids $ROOTS Initial Sprouting https://tr.ee/8SIz1J4rNI Contact us on: Blue Sky: @tvfoodwinegirl.bsky.social Threads: www.threads.net/@tnfroisreading Instagram: @tnfroisreading   You know your girl is on her hustle, support the show by navigating to: Dale's Angel's Store...For Merch Promo Code: tnfro Writer's Block Coffee Ship A Bag of Dicks Promo Code: tnfrogotjokes Don't forget to drop me a line at tnfroisreading@gmail.com, comments on the show, or suggestions for Far From Beale St additions. #CryptoTrading #CryptoAirdrop #CryptoAlert @akrapheal  #AfroDruids #crypto #cryptocurrency #memecoin with a mission

Erline joins us to discuss Octavia Butler -- not her works of fiction, but her life as told in the new biography written by Susana M. Morris, Positive Obsession. 

What if the most powerful lesson your students learn isn't in your curriculum—but in your character?In this reflective and deeply human episode, Jocelynn explores what W.E.B. Du Bois called the “double consciousness”—and how that internal tension shapes what we model as educators. Students aren't just learning from our words; they're watching our pauses, our reactions, our silence, and our joy.This is an episode about mirror work—the quiet, ongoing practice of modeling courage, joy, humility, and humanity. It's not about perfection. It's about presence.From classroom culture to leadership choices, Jocelynn weaves in powerful quotes from Baldwin, Freire, and Octavia Butler, plus a call to revisit our earliest memories of power, apology, and grace. This episode will stay with you.Key Themes:What students learn from teacher behaviorThe emotional power of modeling courage, joy, and imperfectionThe “unspoken curriculum” in every classroomReflection as liberationThe AnchorED for Achievement framework in practiceReflective Prompts:Reflection – What do students learn about justice by watching me?Community – How am I shaping the unspoken climate of my classroom or school?Norms – What behaviors or mindsets have I normalized—intentionally or not?Empowerment – When have I modeled what it looks like to speak up?Agency – How do I invite student feedback on how I show up?If you're ready to begin or deepen your mirror work, Jocelynn offers coaching and workshops designed to support reflection, recalibration, and intentional modeling.Learn more at https://customteachingsolutions.com

Host Jo Reed welcomes AudioFile contributor Kendra Winchester to Behind the Mic this week to discuss one memoir and two biographies which center three different writing lives: A deaf, mixed-race writer finding his voice in THE QUIET EAR by Raymond Antrobus, read by the author; a cultural biography of Octavia Butler, the groundbreaking science fiction and fantasy writer in POSITIVE OBSESSION by Susana M. Morris, read by Karen Murray; and an expansive biography of James Baldwin told through the lens of friendship and love in BALDWIN by Nicholas Boggs, read by Ron Butler. Read our reviews of the audiobooks at our website:  THE QUIET EAR: Published by Random House Audio POSITIVE OBSESSION: Published by Harper Audio BALDWIN: Published by Macmillan Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile's website Support for our podcast comes from Dreamscape, the publisher of The Intruder by bestselling author Freida McFadden. The Intruder is a deadly tale of survival that explores how far one girl will go to save herself. — on-sale 10/7. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's scientifically plausible time travel, fantasy / sci fi time travel, 'traditional' time travel centered around real history, people trapped in time loops, time travel romance, and we even threw in a couple of great time travel kids books - something here for every reader to love!As we were editing the episode we realized we forgot an incredible, recent time travel book from the list that we'd meant to include - it's one we've mentioned in a previous episode. Drop us a line on discord if you think you know what we forgot (or if you've got a time travel book you love that you think should have been on the list)!Join the Hugonauts book club on discord to tell us about your favorite time travel booksOr you can watch the episode on YouTube if you prefer videoThis episode is sponsored by Maya: Seed Takes Root, which you can get here on kickstarterIf you want to jump around, here are the timestamps for all the books we talked about: 00:00 Intro 1:03 Sponsor - MAYA: Seed Takes Root 1:34 Fantastical / far future time travel 2:04 Night Watch by Terry Pratchett 3:15 The Dark Tower series by Stephen King 4:36 Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons 6:10 Scientifically plausible time travel 6:50 Tau Zero by Poul Anderson 9:20 Story of Your Life by Ted Chiang 10:38 The Forever War by Joe Haldeman 12:15 Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky 13:47 Looping time travel stories 14:14 The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton 14:44 All You Need is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka 17:31 Great Time Travel Kids Books 20:25 Kindred by Octavia Butler 22:09 Lightning by Dean Koontz 23:48 11/22/63 by Stephen King 25:50 The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North 29:18 The Rise and Fall of DODO by Neal Stephenson and Nicole Galland 31:40 Time and Again by Jack Finney 35:00 The Life of Chuck by Stephen King 36:30 Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut 40:43 The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger 44:05 Our top 3 favorite time travel books

Welcome back to the Create Podcast. Just in time for the fall season, I am joined by Pam Grossman, a writer, curator, teacher, and practicing witch whose work beautifully bridges creativity, culture, and magic. Pam is the host of The Witch Wave podcast (called “the Terry Gross of witches” by Vulture), the author of Waking the Witch: Reflections on Women, Magic, and Power, and co-editor of Taschen's Witchcraft volume in the Library of Esoterica series. Her essays have appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, TIME, and more. She has also organized exhibitions such as Language of the Birds: Occult and Art at NYU and spoken at institutions including MoMA and Columbia University. Her brand-new book, Magic Maker: The Enchanted Path to Creativity (Penguin Life & Hay House UK, October 14, 2025), is a guide to connecting with the creative force through ritual, history, and practice. It explores how artists and visionaries such as Hilma af Klint, David Bowie, Octavia E. Butler, and Leonora Carrington have used magic as part of their creative process, and how you can do the same in your own life. In This Episode, We Discuss Pam's creative roots and how she began merging her artistic and magical practices Misconceptions about witchcraft and how the archetype of the witch has evolved How Magic Maker links art and magic, showing that creativity itself can be a spiritual practice Practical rituals to protect your studio time and invite inspiration, from lighting candles to leaving offerings or simply asking for guidance The idea of “low frequency” and “high frequency” desires in art and business, and how to balance material needs with higher intentions Pam's experiences speaking at institutions like MoMA and casting a love spell on stage at Carnegie Hall with Jinkx Monsoon The role of research, fascination, and intuition when writing a book Artists who inspire her including Leonora Carrington, Remedios Varo, Hilma af Klint, Max Ernst, and Kurt Seligmann Resources and Mentions Books by Pam Grossman Magic Maker: The Enchanted Path to Creativity (Penguin Life & Hay House UK, 2025) → Pre-order here Waking the Witch: Reflections on Women, Magic, and Power (Simon & Schuster, 2019) What Is a Witch (Tin Can Forest Press, 2016) Witchcraft (Taschen's Library of Esoterica series, co-edited with Jessica Hundley, 2020) Podcast The Witch Wave – Pam's long-running podcast on art, culture, and magic Exhibitions and Projects Language of the Birds: Occult and Art (NYU, 2016) → languageofthebirds.org Art of the Occult by S. Elizabeth (recommended resource) The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890–1985 (Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1986) Artists Mentioned Hilma af Klint David Bowie Octavia E. Butler Leonora Carrington Remedios Varo Max Ernst Kurt Seligmann Create! Magazine Open Call We are now accepting submissions for our fall curated exhibition and catalog: The Spirit World. This virtual show explores the mystical, eerie, and uncanny, making it the perfect theme for the season. Deadline: October 31, 2025 What selected artists receive: inclusion in the curated online exhibition, a feature in the professionally designed print and digital catalog, a blog post on Create! Magazine, and a spotlight across our international platforms.

Once upon a time, there was a shy, dreamy kid who wouldn't stop writing. Her name was Octavia -- a girl with social anxiety and dyslexia who wrote some of the most amazing science fiction novels about wild futures, space adventures, and superhuman people. She wrote more than a dozen books and is now known as the Grand Dame of Science Fiction. About the Narrator After earning a college degree in Human Biology from the University of Toronto, Amita Parikh moved to London where she completed the six month Curtis Brown Creative Writing Course, the Royal Court Theatre's Writer's Programme and was a runner-up in the 2019 Jericho Writer's Bursary Competition for under-represented writers. Her debut historical fiction novel, The Circus Train, will be published in multiple countries in 2022. When she's not writing, she works as a marketer and developer in the tech industry and produces and hosts a podcast about women and girls in sport.  Credits This podcast is a production of Rebel Girls and is based on the book series Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. This episode was produced by Camille Stennis. Sound design and mixing by Bianca Salinas. This episode was written by Jestine Ware and fact checked by Joe Rhatigan. Executive Producer is Katie Sprenger. Haley Dapkus is our Production Manager. Original theme music was composed and performed by Elettra Bargiacchi. A big thanks to the whole Rebel Girls team who make this show possible! For more, visit rebelgirls.com. And if you like what you heard, don't forget to rate and review this episode, and share it with your friends! Until next time, stay REBEL!

Be where your enemies are not. Sun Tzu, Art of War.  Walk into your next chapter with abundance. Be at peace and strive drama-free, but I will get with you if you want to go there. (Felicia Baxter, All the Time I lay hands. ) I am not sure if Octavia Butler would agree with me using her idea, but I am at least going to write the story I wouldn't mind reading. For full podcast notes, navigate to dalesangelsinc.blog  to view the newest video releases, a preview of what I am reading, and the state of cryptocurrency. Real Housewives, where is the Real? None of ya'll are listed as producers so stop playing in our faces. What is the deal with this mean girl-ish behavior with Gina and Emily from OC? Tag team mean and nasty...get out of here. Don't ya'll have more meaningful stuff or goofy to not gang up on Katie G? Yes, massive liar liar pants on fire but still... Read more about AfroDruid Magic Elixir https://linktr.ee/tnfroisreading Racing to Buy Crypto!!!

Clear Channels, our newsletter course and creativity challenge begins on September 7th! Sign up here.What if your day job wasn't the thing that defined your creativity—but the fuel for it?In this solo episode, Sarah Faith Gottesdiener explores what it means to live as a creative when your 9–5, side hustle, or paycheck doesn't match your artistry. From reframing the shame of “non-creative” work to building daily practices that keep your imagination alive, Sarah shares hard-earned wisdom from her own path before her creative and spiritual life became her livelihood.You'll hear:Why all work is inherently creative, and how to start seeing your life through an artistic lensThe three most common mindset traps that keep people stuck and how to move past themWhy consistency and micro-movements matter more than waiting for the “perfect” momentHow nervous system safety and capacity play a crucial role in showing up creativelyStories of artists like Octavia Butler, William Carlos Williams, and Toni Morrison, who balanced day jobs with world-changing creative workThis is a motivating episode about reclaiming your identity as an artist or creative, no matter where your paycheck comes from, and finding joy in the small daily commitments that keep your creative life alive.Upcoming Events:September 6, 2025 + September 7, 2025: Clear Channels Online Workshop – https://moon-studio.co/products/clear-channels-fall-2025?variant=50100396327207Join Our Community:Join the Moon Studio Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/themoonstudioBuy the 2025 Many Moons Lunar Planner: https://moon-studio.co/collections/all-products-excluding-route/products/many-moons-2025Subscribe to our newsletter: https://moon-studio.co/pages/newsletterFind Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gottesss/

Deeper Dive into Octavia Butler's Parable Series and Beginnings of Parable of the Trickster.   Because I am on vacay until September 2nd, I will probably be going live daily at least Monday through Wednesday and more if I feel like it!

Kate and Leah recap the week's legal news, including argument calendars for the next SCOTUS term and President Trump's attempted federal takeover of Washington, DC. Then, it's our third annual State of The Uterus episode. Melissa and Leah talk with Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and Lisa Beattie Frelinghuysen, founder of ClutchKit, about the current status of reproductive freedom three years after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Finally, Leah talks about the authors of After Dobbs: How the Supreme Court Ended Roe, But Not Abortion.Favorite Things:Leah: Unbearable: Five Women and the Perils of Pregnancies in America, by Irin Carmon; track list and cover art for Taylor Swift's forthcoming The Life of a Showgirl; Ben Platt's cover of Diet Pepsi; Melissa's appearance on Nicole Wallace's podcast, The Best People; "Redistricting Texas Now is Illegal and the U.S. Department of Justice is the Reason Why," by Ellen Katz; and Laura Loomer's weird deposition in a case against Bill MaherKate: Vera, or Faith, by Gary Shteyngart; Parable of the Talents, by Octavia Butler; Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab; The Retrievals; "The Chadha Presidency," by Josh Chafetz; and "Trump, John Roberts and the Unsettling of American Politics," by David Dailey Get tickets for STRICT SCRUTINY LIVE – The Bad Decisions Tour 2025! 10/4 – ChicagoLearn more: http://crooked.com/eventsOrder your copy of Leah's book, Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad VibesGet tickets to CROOKED CON November 6-7 in Washington, D.C at http://crookedcon.comFollow us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky

Sundays should be for meditation and contemplation. Maybe going to the gun range for target practice. Saturday and the rest of the previous week are for podcasting... not; quickness is the essence of war,"  Sun Tzu Emphasizes the importance of strategic movement and speed in warfare. It suggests that by avoiding direct confrontation in areas where the enemy expects you and instead striking where they are unprepared, you can gain a significant advantage. This, combined with swift action, allows for the element of surprise and can overwhelm the opponent. Avoiding predictable patterns and exploiting the enemy's weaknesses. It means understanding their deployments, intentions, and potential vulnerabilities, then positioning your forces to attack where they are least prepared. Cryptocurrency evokes greed, and people continue to fall prey to scams. If someone contacts you on WhatsApp, Instagram, or TikTok, promising massive returns, block them and keep your coins. Don't be a mark and hand over $ 800,000 to a stranger on social media. I finished Octavia Butler's Afrofuturistic novel, Parable of the Talents, weeks ago. Now I am creating a take on what was to be the third novel, Parable of the Trickster, in a possible 6-novel series. Also, I comment on the wannabe #RHOA peach holder, Stephen A. Smith. Don't come for forever FLOTUS, Michelle Obama, if you don't want to be dragged on social media. For full podcast notes, navigate to dalesangelsinc.blog  to view the newest video releases, a preview of what I am reading, and the state of cryptocurrency. Read more about AfroDruid Magic Elixir https://linktr.ee/tnfroisreading Racing to Buy Crypto!!! Yes, I can...Create my coin...Our rituals involve burning zeroes. Read about the financial evolution #AfroDruids $ROOTS Initial Sprouting https://tr.ee/8SIz1J4rNI Contact us on: Blue Sky: @tvfoodwinegirl.bsky.social Threads: www.threads.net/@tnfroisreading Instagram: @tnfroisreading Facebook: TNFroIsReading Bookclub You know your girl is on her hustle, support the show by navigating to: Dale's Angel's Store...For Merch Promo Code: tnfro Writer's Block Coffee Ship A Bag of Dicks Promo Code: tnfrogotjokes Don't forget to drop me a line at tnfroisreading@gmail.com, comments on the show, or suggestions for Far From Beale St additions. #CryptoTrading #CryptoAirdrop #CryptoAlert @akrapheal  #AfroDruids #crypto #cryptocurrency #memecoin with a mission