Podcast appearances and mentions of Scott Simon

Earlier this spring, host Lauren Korn had the pleasure of chatting with some of NPR's most notable podcast and news magazine hosts about recently published books. She spoke with Manoush Zamorodi about her book, ‘Body Electric: The Hidden Health Costs of the Digital Age and New Science to Reclaim Your Well-Being' (Flatiron Books); Scott Simon about his book ‘Ulysses S. Cat and Other Animals I Have Known' (W. W. Norton & Company); and Alex Mayyasi and Sarah Gonzalez about ‘Planet Money: A Guide to the Economic Forces That Shape Your Life' (W. W. Norton & Company). Three books, four guests, one episode celebrating the bookishness of NPR.

Earlier this spring, host Lauren Korn had the pleasure of chatting with some of NPR's most notable podcast and news magazine hosts about recently published books. She spoke with Manoush Zamorodi about her book, ‘Body Electric: The Hidden Health Costs of the Digital Age and New Science to Reclaim Your Well-Being' (Flatiron Books); Scott Simon about his book ‘Ulysses S. Cat and Other Animals I Have Known' (W. W. Norton & Company); and Alex Mayyasi and Sarah Gonzalez about ‘Planet Money: A Guide to the Economic Forces That Shape Your Life' (W. W. Norton & Company). Three books, four guests, one episode celebrating the bookishness of NPR.

In two new novels, city folk are thrown into life in the country. The Great Wherever is a multigenerational story told through ghosts. A woman living in Washington, D.C. learns she's inherited her father's share of a family property, a piece of farmland in Tennessee. In today's episode, author Shannon Sanders chats with Weekend Edition's Scott Simon about ancestral hauntings. Then, Country People is about two academics who move from the Bay Area to a small town in Vermont. Author Daniel Mason spoke with Here & Now's Robin Young about procrastination, Russian folktales and how we imagine rural America.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedaySee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Hunter Biden says he has nothing left to hide. He's been all over the internet in recent months, including appearances with some of his harshest critics, such as ultra-conservative podcasters Candace Owens and Nick Fuentes. In May, he reactivated his long-dormant X account, writing, “You've never actually heard from me.” Since then, he's posted an average of 23 times per day — weighing in on politics, news and culture. After his private life and struggle with addiction was made public through leaks in the media, congressional investigations and federal prosecutions, Biden now says being ‘stripped naked in the public square' was, in a way, a gift. In this episode of NPR's Newsmakers, Scott Simon sat down with Biden, who opened up about that public shaming, why President Joe Biden decided to pardon him after tax and gun convictions and why he didn't want his father to run for reelection in 2024 – but didn't tell him at the time.Newsmakers is where you'll find NPR's biggest interviews. New episodes drop as soon as they're available -- any day of the week. To stay caught up, follow the show on Spotify, subscribe on YouTube, or find Newsmakers on the NPR app.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Why are we obsessed with the ancient world, even the most ordinary parts of it? Mary Beard tackles that question in her new book Talking Classics: The Shock of the Old. Her personal interest in antiquity began with a 4,000 year-old piece of bread displayed at the British Museum. Now, she's an academic who has spent her career studying ancient Greece and Rome. In today's episode, Beard chats with NPR's Scott Simon about how the Greeks and Romans were “brutal” but also "unfailingly interesting" – and how contemporary culture replicates aspects of the classical world.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedaySee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

As we continue to celebrate the 250th birthday of the U.S., we're revisiting author interviews on important books about American history. In today's episode, author and journalist Rick Atkinson speaks with Weekend Edition's Scott Simon about his book The British Are Coming. They discuss Atkinson's portrait of George Washington, whether the American Revolution was motivated by freedom or economic incentives and how “the nation was born disputatiously.”To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedaySee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Bill felt we all needed a break from Politics and so this Fourth of July edition of the Bill Press Pod features NPR's Scott Simon, discussing Simon's book, Ulysses S. Cat and Other Animals I Have Known, and his family's view that animals are members of the same family as humans. Simon shares stories about early pets like Penny the German shepherd and Hoppy the grasshopper, including how caring for Hoppy revealed his father's ingenuity during a difficult time. He also talks about current pets Daisy the French poodle and Gato Blanco, an oversized, opera-loving cat who frequently interrupts home interviews. Simon reflects on animals' roles in art and literature and recounts moving examples from covering Sarajevo and Hurricane Katrina where people risked danger or refused evacuation to protect their pets, leading to changed evacuation policies. Bill closes by previewing a Supreme Court discussion with Dahlia Lithwick next Tuesday.You can order Scott's new book at Bookshop.org. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Over 50 years, Judy Blume wrote an incomparable set of books for young readers, including Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret, Deenie, Tiger Eyes, Tales Of A Fourth Grade Nothing and Blubber. But she doesn't write books anymore. Scott Simon spoke with Blume at the Santa Fe International Literary Festival in May, where they reflected on her life and career. In today's episode, they speak about how Blume traded felt art pieces for a typewriter, her new career as a bookstore owner and why Margaret will always be 12.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedaySee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

What if the best things in your life all began in a moment of fear?My guest Scott Simon, author of Scare Your Soul, believes exactly that.After a panic attack on a plane, he committed to one scary act every single day for a year. Those small daily acts transformed his life, and one of them, singing in front of a restaurant, sparked a global movement. He now coaches individuals, leaders and organisations to build their own courage practice.We get into why high performers get stuck coasting on past success, and what it takes to break free. You'll also hear how building a personal courage practice shapes the culture and trust of the teams around you. Scott also shares why asking for help and practising forgiveness are strategic acts, and how small consistent actions create the conditions for bolder decisions and better leadership.If you think your life is fine and you do not need to push yourself, this one is especially for you.“When we start doing brave things in life, it affects everyone around us” – Scott SimonYou'll hear aboutA panic attack that sparked a daily courage practice.Focusing on action, not outcome.Courage as internal work, not just external action.Why forgiveness is the ultimate act of courage.Being successfully stuck and how to break free.The CEO who took on Big Tobacco despite success.The lie you tell yourself to stay safe.Why courage is an act of service.Why 85% of our fears never materialise.About Scott:Scott is the founder of the global Scare Your Soul courage movement and bestselling author of Scare Your Soul: 7 Powerful Principles to Harness Fear and Lead Your Most Courageous Life (Hachette). As a keynote speaker and courage consultant, he has worked with the Cleveland Cavaliers, United Nations, Nestlé, Logitech, Lululemon, and SXSW to inspire braver teams and bolder cultures. His methodology is a unique blend of neuroscience, positive psychology, and behaviour design. Scott is dangerously obsessed with the NYT online word puzzles and is on a perpetual quest to discover the world's best hole-in-the-wall restaurants.He teaches that courage is not a personality trait — it's a practice.Scott's work: www.scottsimon.us Weekly courage challenges: https://scareyoursoul.substack.com Books: www.scottsimon.us/bookMy resources:Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ).Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj).Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.For more details about me:Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds).Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP).Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI).

Journalist, Radio Hall of Famer, and CBS News Sunday Morning contributor Scott Simon joins the show to discuss his book, Ulysses S. Cat and Other Animals I Have Known. Simon shares heartfelt and humorous stories about the pets that became part of his family, delivering the wit, warmth, and storytelling that have made him a […]

What happened to those who remained in Ireland after the Great Famine of 1865? It's a question that fascinated Maggie O'Farrell, author of Hamnet, as she began her newest novel Land. Drawing on fragments of Irish history from her great-great-grandfather, O'Farrell's Land is about… land, but it's also about the myths, stories, and spirits that persist across generations. In today's episode, O'Farrell joins NPR's Scott Simon for a conversation about Land, and why — despite geographic and societal upheaval — she believes that “human hearts and human minds change that much at all.”To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedaySee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Today on the show: Fictional and nonfictional takes on extraterrestrial life. Steven Rowley's new novel Take Me With You is about a man whose husband is abducted by aliens. The author says the premise stemmed from one he often discusses with his own husband: If you had the chance to be taken by aliens, would you go? In today's episode, Rowley speaks with NPR's Ayesha Rascoe about the novel's “willing hitchhiker.” Then, Neil deGrasse Tyson talks with NPR's Scott Simon about his new book,Take Me to Your Leader, which is a practical guide to – and exploration of – alien encounters.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedaySee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Sportswriter Joe Posnanski and TV writer Michael Schur say their new book is for everyone who has risked their emotional health over a sports team. Big Fan took the co-authors across the United States and beyond as they investigated fans of football, chess, Taylor Swift and more. In today's episode, they tell NPR's Scott Simon about how a video from the Worlds Dart Championship led them on their international tour of deep fandom.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedaySee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Writing is hard. So is writing about writing. And, sometimes, reading about writing. But today, we have two books that attempt to break down the literary creative process into manageable pieces. Three Six Five is author Lucy Ives' collection of individual writing prompts for each day of the year. She sits down with NPR's Scott Simon to discuss the book, along with why she believes “the best time to write is when you think that you don't want to.” Then, celebrated children's book author Mac Barnett joins NPR's Elissa Nadworny to discuss Make Believe, his meditation for adults about writing books for kids.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedaySee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

In Ilona Bannister's Five, five strangers wait on a train platform. One will die in the next five minutes but only one person knows: the reader. In Anthony Horowitz's A Deadly Episode, his real 2018 novel The Word is Murder becomes a fictional film adaptation with one problem: the actor playing the protagonist is dead. Today's episode features conversations on metafiction with both authors. First, Bannister talks to NPR's Ayesha Rascoe about writing a novel with a five-minute timespan. Then, Horowitz talks to NPR's Scott Simon about poking fun at true crime — with a novel about true crime.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedaySee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Also on Arizona Spotlight: NPR's Scott Simon new book shows love for pets of all make and model; and an audio postcard from the Autism Society of Southern Arizona's largest annual event.

Award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and longtime host of NPR's Weekend Edition Saturday, Scott Simon joins Rita Reimers on 19 Cats and Counting to discuss his heartfelt new book celebrating the beloved pets who shaped his life. Through touching, funny, and deeply relatable stories, Scott reflects on the joy, grief, and enduring love animals bring into our homes and hearts. In his newest book, Ulysses S. Cat and Other Animals I Have Known, Scott shares touching, funny, and heartfelt reflections on the pets who have shaped his life and the lessons they left behind. (Rita notes: Her cat Lulu can't put it down!) Please join us as we talk about his book, and the various stories that inspired it.EPISODE NOTES: Scott Simon's Love Letter to the Pets Who Changed His Life Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/19-cats-and-counting-on-pet-life-radio-petliferadio-com--6667858/support.

In a new mystery novel, a group of struggling writers lands on a private island belonging to bestselling author Arthur Fletch. But Fletch is dead and the authors, who come from a number of genres, must race to come up with the best ending to his unfinished manuscript. Then, the competition turns deadly. The Ending Writes Itself is by V.E. Schwab and Cat Clarke, who wrote the novel under the pen name Evelyn Clarke. In today's episode, the co-authors and friends join NPR's Scott Simon for a conversation about their collaboration.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedaySee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

We meet the unnamed narrator of Mark Helprin's new novel Elegy In Blue when he's 82-years-old. He was a man of wealth and standing but has wound up alone in a subsidized studio apartment in Brooklyn. Through war and violence, he's lost his father, his son, and his wife. Now, the narrator says, “his allegiance is to ghosts.” In today's episode, Helprin joins NPR's Scott Simon for a conversation about the autobiographical nature of Elegy in Blue. They discuss how Helprin's wife inspired a central character in the novel and why the narrator – and Helprin – chose to stay in New York.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedaySee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

(May 11, 2026) We get caught up on the dynamics of the New York 21st Congressional District primary races; Gov. Kathy Hochul announced she'd reached a deal on the state budget last week, but lawmakers said there's still a lot of details to iron out; and we have a conversation with NPR's Scott Simon about his new book that traces his life by way of the pets that he and his family have adopted over the years.

This week, Scott Simon regals us with tales about tails! The NPR legend has a new book "Ulysses S. Cat and Other Animals I Have Known" chronicling a lifetime of remarkable relationships with pets. He even reveals which pet he named after IPR!Also: We'll sit down with Yaniv Segal, Orchestra Indiana's Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, ahead of the final concert of their current season (Saturday, May 9). That show will open with his original composition “…the light that breathes…” We'll celebrate Mother's Day in the U.S. with "The Inside of Bones"—a Beautiful Thing from Kelly McMasters. And, our usual "WAYWO" and Arts Calendar check-ins!

(May 8, 2026) The longtime "Weekend Edition Saturday" host wrote a book that chronicles his life story through adopted pets, including a cat that escaped the British Embassy.

Weekend Edition host Scott Simon is a lover of all pets. In his new book, "Ulysses S. Cat and Other Animals I've Known" Simon shares the stories and lessons learned from his pet friends.

Does New York have a budget? The governor and a top lawmaker don't seem to agree. Breaking down Connecticut's newly passed tech bills. Plus, NPR Weekend Edition host Scott Simon speaks with WSHU.

Scott Simon has spent a lifetime telling other people's stories on national public radio. But every now and then, along the way, he's found reasons to tell the stories of the animals with whom we share this world, and he's collected those stories, and more, in his latest book.

NPR Weekend Edition host Scott Simon has authored a new book reflecting on his life through his various pets. Additionally, former Green Beret Jim Hasse released a short story collection based on his background as an undercover detective and federal inspector.

Today on AirTalk: Did State Farm mishandle wildfire claims? (0:30) Study of cell phone bans in schools (18:43) Interview with NPR host Scott Simon (35:07) Redistricting in California (52:16) Municipal races in OC (1:11:04) Interview with a transplant doctor (1:22:41) Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency.

On today's show, we consider whether students and faculty at the University of Arkansas are using Artificial Intelligence responsibly. Plus, we talk with NPR's Scott Simon, who has covered wars, interviewed world leaders, and, in his new book, animals he's known. We also touch base with the Arkansas Advocate about what's happening in Little Rock.

Two new novels center vital, but unusual connections across age. In The Take, an aspiring writer named Maggie agrees to an outlandish deal with Ingrid, an established Hollywood producer. Author Kelly Yang spoke with NPR's Ailsa Chang about the medical procedure at the center of the novel, which accelerates Maggie's aging while reversing Ingrid's. Then, The Left and the Lucky tells the story of an 8-year-old boy and a man in his 40s who bond one night over a quesadilla. Author and musician Willy Vlautin told NPR's Scott Simon about his commitment to stories with working-class characters.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedaySee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Scott Simon visits Troy Public Radio to discuss his book Ulysses S. Cat and Other Animals I Have Known, a collection of essays about the animals that have impacted his life, from family pets like the cat Ulysses and the poodle Daisy to animals encountered during his travels, such as a zebra in the Serengeti and dogs in war-torn Sarajevo.

In Maria Semple's new novel, Adora Hazzard works as a moral trainer to the tweens of a wealthy family on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. She's a content, divorced stoic philosopher in her late 50s with a coven of likeminded, middle-aged female friends. But one night at the ballet, she falls into conversation with a stranger and gets seduced by a world of secrecy, black-market art, and international intrigue. In today's episode, Semple joins NPR's Scott Simon for a conversation about Go Gentle, stoicism, and “getting the party started” in her 50s.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedaySee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

In November of 2019, a young man leaped into the Thames River from a London apartment building and died. After 19-year-old Zac Brettler's death, his parents learned their son had adopted a false identity as the son of a Russian oligarch. The mystery surrounding Brettler's identity is the subject of Patrick Radden Keefe's new book London Falling. In today's episode, the author joins NPR's Scott Simon for a conversation about Brettler's life in London among a crowd that worshipped wealth, the teen's talent for accents, voices, and stories, and how Brettler got mixed up in a mutual con with an older businessman named Akbar Shamji.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedaySee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Writer Rachel Knox says there was a point at which she wanted to escape Florida. She moved away to New York, but eventually returned. Her new essay collection Anywhere Else works through her love-hate relationship with the state through the lens of pop culture. In today's episode, she speaks with NPR's Scott Simon about media representations of Florida in shows like The X-Files, and Knox's reflections on why she once wanted to leave.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedaySee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Larry Bird – one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA – once gave up his college basketball career to return to his hometown, French Lick, Indiana. But soon after, an assistant coach went searching for Bird and brought him back to Indiana State. Bird's return to basketball and subsequent rise is the subject of a new book by Keith O'Brien, Heartland: A Forgotten Place, An Impossible Dream, and the Miracle of Larry Bird. In today's episode, O'Brien talks with NPR's Scott Simon about Bird's origin story, his distaste for reporters, and how a matchup vs. Magic Johnson changed basketball.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedaySee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Yann Martel's new novel Son of Nobody contains two narratives: a lost epic about the Trojan War and a personal tragedy that plays out in the book's footnotes. The two protagonists are Psoas, a common Greek foot soldier, and Harlow Donne, a graduate student who discovers Psoas' story by chance. In today's episode, Martel joins NPR's Scott Simon for a conversation about the author's decision to give footnotes a “starring role” in the novel and whether war gives his characters a sense of purpose.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayTo manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

PBS Newshour co-anchor Geoff Bennett is out with a new book that presents portraits of Black artists who shaped comedy. Black Out Loud is a history that starts with vaudeville and runs through the ‘90s, when sitcoms like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, In Living Color and Family Matters carried the responsibility of representing a varied Black experience. In today's episode, Bennett speaks with NPR's Scott Simon about vaudeville and minstrelsy as the DNA of Black comedic performance, the impact of Amos ‘n' Andy, and comedians like Bert Williams, Richard Pryor and Dave Chappelle.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayTo manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

The narrator in Black Bag is an unnamed and mostly unemployed actor until a professor offers him the starring role in an experiment. The narrator is asked to zip himself in a black bag and sit in the back of a lecture theater. Luke Kennard's new novel is based on an experiment from 1967, in which a professor set out to explore “the mere-exposure effect.” In today's episode, Kennard talks with NPR's Scott Simon about why the protagonist takes up this non-role – and what the experiment reveals about masculinity.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayTo manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Two new murder mystery novels let readers into hidden worlds: one underground and the other among the wives of serial killers. First, Ruby Falls begins in 1928 in Chattanooga, Tennessee when a man discovers a mysterious underground cavern and waterfall. In today's episode, NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Gin Phillips about the publicity stunt that sets her story in motion. Then, Lizzie Pook chats with NPR's Ayesha Rascoe about The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives – published under the pen name Elizabeth Arnott – in which three women find each other after their husbands' crimes are uncovered.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayTo manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In today's episode, Elizabeth Day describes the protagonist in her new novel One of Us as the “quintessential outsider.” Martin Gilmour came from a difficult background, but won a scholarship to an elite boarding school in England. There, he befriends an aristocratic boy named Ben who will later ask Martin to keep an important secret. One of Us follows the implosion of their friendship – and Martin's discretion – as Ben strives for political power. In today's episode, Day and NPR's Scott Simon discuss the novel's central rivalry and Day's interest in the Boris Johnson era of British politics.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayTo manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In today's episode, two authors tackle everyday experience through short-form writing. First, The Irish Goodbye is a collection of micro-memoirs by the poet Beth Ann Fennelly. In these recollections, she considers childhood, marriage, and old friends – and she told NPR's Scott Simon about the immense difficulty she had writing about her sister's death. Then, Anne Fadiman joins Simon to discuss Frog: and Other Essays, in which she takes on topics like a printer, an unpettable pet, M&Ms, and the rules of grammar.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayTo manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Author Andrew Krivak grew up hearing stories about his grandfather, who died in a coal mine collapse in the early 1900s. These stories inspired Mule Boy, a novel about a 13-year-old who survives a deadly accident at a Pennsylvania mine. The story takes place during a 24-hour period in which the boy, now an old man, reflects on what took place there. In today's episode, Krivak joins NPR's Scott Simon for a conversation about being the grandson of Slovak immigrants, the trio brought together in Mule Boy, and the way Krivak tried to mimic oral storytelling in the novel.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayTo manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

There are many ways that a home renovation project can become a nightmare for all involved. But in The Renovation, narrator Dilara's remodeling woes aren't strictly financial or aesthetic—they're absurdly surreal. When she finds her bathroom transformed into an armed Turkish prison cell, Dilara and her family must reckon with fragments of their past, present and future, all while fighting against the pace of time itself. In today's episode, author Kenan Orhan joins NPR's Scott Simon to discuss his debut novel, and how the concept of “prison” is a metaphor in far more ways than one.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Adi is a man grieving the death of his young son and the end of his marriage. Following these losses, he comes across a strange job listing, which brings him to a remote island populated by non-native goats. Jonathan Miles' new novel Eradication follows Adi's journey as he struggles with a gruesome mission assigned to him. In today's episode, Miles joins NPR's Scott Simon for a conversation about Adi's personal motives and the difficulty of killing animals. To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

About a decade ago, professor and historian Ethelene Whitmire was presenting research on the experiences of African Americans living in Denmark. At that talk, she met – by chance – a relative of Reed Peggram, one of her research subjects. That relative directed Whitmire to a trove of letters written by Peggram, a queer, Black translator who found himself in Europe on the eve of World War II. In today's episode, Whitmire joins NPR's Scott Simon for a conversation about her book The Remarkable Life of Reed Peggram, the project that emerged from his family's archive.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Kate loves her husband and their family, but she's also involved in a long-standing affair with a married lover. Ellie Levenson opens her novel Room 706 with the secret lovers in their London hotel room. There, they soon find themselves trapped during a hostage crisis. In today's episode, the author talks with NPR's Scott Simon about why she chose to tell a story about modern womanhood and motherhood through such extreme circumstances.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Two new books focus on lesser-known chapters of Black history. First, Kings & Pawns tells the story of Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson, who were pitted against each other during the Red Scare. In today's episode, author Howard Bryant, a frequent contributor to NPR's Weekend Edition, speaks with Scott Simon about how the men got caught between patriotism and activism. Then, NPR investigative reporter Cheryl W. Thompson tells NPR's Ayesha Rascoe about Forgotten Souls, a history of the 27 Tuskegee Airmen who went missing during World War II.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In Angela Tomaski's debut novel, an old English manor has just been sold and is on the brink of conversion into a hotel. The Infamous Gilberts tells the story of the crumbling building, and the people who once lived there through the objects that inhabit it. In today's episode, Tomaski joins NPR's Scott Simon for a conversation about the family at the center of her story – and the secrets held by the story's narrator.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

What if playing it safe is actually keeping you from the life and relationships you truly want? Too often, fear convinces us to stay small, avoid discomfort, and stick to familiar routines, especially when it comes to our most important connections. The result? Missed opportunities for deep intimacy, vibrant trust, and authentic connection. It's a paradox: the very quest for comfort may be the greatest risk of all. In this episode, listeners are invited to challenge the idea that comfort equals happiness. Through inspiring stories and practical tools, the conversation explores how embracing courage, even in small, everyday ways, can lead to deeper, more meaningful relationships. Discover why facing fears (rather than running from them) is essential for personal growth and intimacy, and how a simple courage practice can transform both self-perception and connection with loved ones. Whether it's starting an uncomfortable conversation or supporting each other through life's uncertainties, this episode offers actionable steps to help anyone move from fear to flourishing in their relationships. Scott Simon is a thought leader, TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and founder of the Scare Your Soul movement, helping people transform their lives through small daily acts of courage. He's worked with the UN, Nestlé, Ritz Carlton, Logitech, and the Cleveland Clinic to build braver teams and more connected cultures. When he's not leading keynotes or designing transformative retreats, you'll find Scott chasing live music, journaling in strange airports, or hunting down the world's best hole-in-the-wall restaurants.   Episode Highlights 04:24 Overcoming the tendency to shrink back and building momentum through bravery and courage. 09:20 How embracing discomfort leads to growth and creativity. 16:16 How small actions outside your comfort zone can build courage and lead to transformative outcomes. 20:08 Challenging relationship norms for deeper bonds. 28:47 Unlocking authenticity through vulnerability in relationships. 32:10 Aligning courageous choices with core values in relationships. 35:30 Personal examples of standing in your truth. 39:56 Practicing self-awareness and micro acts of courage for relational growth.   Your Checklist of Actions to Take Start a daily courage practice: Each day, do one small thing that scares you or takes you out of your comfort zone, just as the guest recommends. Pause and check in with yourself: Before difficult conversations, take a moment to breathe deeply and center yourself, allowing self-awareness to guide your next steps. Reflect on your core values: Use your values as a filter when deciding which courageous actions to take in your relationships. Initiate honest conversations: If you're holding back something important, practice being the one to "go first" and share vulnerably, even if it feels risky. Name your feelings in real-time: During tough moments, state what you're experiencing physically or emotionally (e.g., "My heart is racing right now"), to foster connection and authenticity. Seek support for brave actions: Engage a partner or friend to do something courageous together, which can increase commitment and make the experience richer. Replace silence with authentic sharing: Consider what keeping quiet is truly serving, and choose to communicate openly instead of bottling things up. Practice small acts of kindness: Try courage-building social acts, like initiating a friendly conversation or buying someone a coffee, to strengthen your confidence and connectedness.   Mentioned Scare Your Soul (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) David Schnarch (*Wikipedia link) Conscious Loving (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) 12 Relationship Principles to Strengthen Your Love (free guide)   Connect with Scott Simon Websites: scottsimon.us | scareyoursoul.com Instagram: instagram.com/scareyoursoul Substack: scareyoursoul.substack.com

Author Daniyal Mueenuddin has hit the ground running with his debut novel, This is Where the Serpent Lives. Set in modern Pakistan, the story spans generations and explores class, corruption, and crime — themes that  Mueenuddin says he believes might resonate with American readers in particular. In today's episode, Mueenuddin speaks with NPR's Scott Simon about his novel-writing process for This is Where the Serpent Lives, and why he sprinkled subtle autobiographical details across its pages.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy