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"Comedy writers learn early on that we have a high degree of anonymity," writes podcast guest Alan Zweibel in his memoir Laugh Lines: My Life Helping Funny People Be Funnier. "Our words are spoken publicly by others who often have famous faces. Or by unknown people on their way to having famous faces." As one of the founding writers on Saturday Night Live, Alan's words were given voice by a cast of virtual unknowns, all on their way to becoming famous faces, eventually earning worldwide acclaim as some of the most iconic comic performers of their generation. Over the course of his 50-year career, he has penned jokes for dozens of Borscht Belt comedians and written for some of SNL's most memorable characters (such as Gilda Radner's "Roseanne Rosannadanna," John Belushi's "Samurai," and Garrett Morris's "Chico Escuela"), and helped to craft SNL producer Lorne Michaels's now-legendary appeal to invite the Beatles to appear on the show for the standard artist fee of $3,000. Alan is the recipient of five Emmy Awards for his work in television, which in addition to SNL also includes "It's Garry Shandling's Show" (which he co-created and produced), "The Late Show with David Letterman," and "Curb Your Enthusiasm." He is the author of 11 books, including the 2006 Thurber Prize-winning novel The Other Shulman, and Bunny Bunny: Gilda Radner—A Sort of Romantic Comedy, and six off-Broadway plays. He also collaborated with Billy Crystal on the Tony Award-winning play "700 Sundays," and with Martin Short on his Broadway hit "Fame Becomes Me," and co-wrote the screenplays for the films "Dragnet," "North," "The Story of Us," and "Here Today." He joins us on the podcast to reflect on a singular career as one of our leading comedy writers and humorists—and a wickedly funny body of work that has earned him an honorary Ph.D. from the State University of New York, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Writers Guild of America, East. Learn more about Alan Zweibel: Website Facebook Instagram Bluesky Please support the sponsors who support our show: John Kasich's Heaven Help Us (now available for pre-order) Ritani Jewelers Daniel Paisner's Balloon Dog Daniel Paisner's SHOW: The Making and Unmaking of a Network Television Pilot Heaven Help Us by John Kasich Unforgiving: Lessons from the Fall by Lindsey Jacobellis Film Movement Plus (PODCAST) | 30% discount Libro.fm (ASTOLDTO) | 2 audiobooks for the price of 1 when you start your membership Film Freaks Forever! podcast, hosted by Mark Jordan Legan and Phoef Sutton Everyday Shakespeare podcast A Mighty Blaze podcast The Writer's Bone Podcast Network Misfits Market (WRITERSBONE) | $15 off your first order Film Movement Plus (PODCAST) | 30% discount Wizard Pins (WRITERSBONE) | 20% discount
The New Yorker: The Writer's Voice - New Fiction from The New Yorker
Patricia Lockwood reads her story “Fairy Pools,” from the May 26, 2025, issue of the magazine. Lockwood is a poet, essayist, and novelist. Her memoir “Priestdaddy,” which came out in 2017, won the Thurber Prize, and her first novel, “No One Is Talking About This,” won the Dylan Thomas Prize in 2022. A new novel, “Will There Ever Be Another You,” from which this story was adapted, will come out later this year. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
In this much-anticipated interview (at least by me), humorist and journalist Henry Alford joins me to discuss his recent bestselling book I Dream Of Joni: A Portrait of Joni Mitchell in 53 Snapshots. In a Joni nerd-off that may be unrivaled in podcast history, Henry and I talk about his research and reporting for this book, what he learned about Mitchell's contradictions and complexities, why he thinks she might be on the autism spectrum, and, above all, why Mitchell's music holds such a profound place in so many people's emotional and even intellectual lives. GUEST BIO Henry Alford is a humorist and journalist who has contributed to the New Yorker since 1998. He is the author of seven books, including Big Kiss, which won a Thurber Prize, and the recent I Dream of Joni: A Portrait of Joni Mitchell in 53 Snapshots, a national bestseller. Want to hear the whole conversation? Upgrade your subscription here. HOUSEKEEPING New feature! The Unspeakeasy Live is a twice-weekly livestream featuring casual, spontaneous conversations with guests, friends, and sometimes just myself. Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3 pm ET. Recordings of livestreams are posted the next day (or soon thereafter) for paying subscribers.
What happens when the person writing obituaries accidentally publishes his own? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with John Kenney on his new novel I See You've Called in Dead.Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio affiliate! John Kenney is the author of three novels and four books of poetry. His first novel, Truth In Advertising, won the Thurber Prize for American humor. He is also the author of Talk To Me, which received a starred Kirkus review. He is a long-time contributor to The New Yorker magazine's Shouts & Murmurs. For more show information visit: www.MariannePestana.com
Philip Gulley, Peterson, and Sweet Miche share their personal journeys of unlearning traditional theological concepts and reflect on what makes Quakerism a meaningful path to a more authentic faith. Gulley highlights fear as a significant motivator for religious beliefs and a tool for control and how the current political moment is a masterfully evil manipulation of human fears. Gulley also offers his perspective on the continued usefulness of organized religion, emphasizing the importance of bringing people together, respecting personal autonomy, and aligning its social efforts with the ethos of Jesus and radical love. Philip Gulley is a Quaker pastor, writer, and speaker from Danville, Indiana. Gulley has written 22 books, including the Harmony series recounting life in the eccentric Quaker community of Harmony, Indiana, and the best-selling Porch Talk essay series. Gulley's memoir, I Love You, Miss Huddleston: And Other Inappropriate Longings of My Indiana Childhood, was a finalist for the Thurber Prize for American Hor. In addition, Gulley, with co-author James Mulholland, shared their progressive spirituality in the books If Grace Is True and If God Is Love, followed by Gulley's books If the Church Were Christian and The Evolution of Faith. In Living the Quaker Way: Timeless Wisdom For a Better Life Today, Gulley offers the opportunity to participate in a world where the values of the Quaker way bring equity, peace, healing, and hope. In his most recently published non-fiction work, Unlearning God: How Unbelieving Helped Me Believe, Gulley describes the process of spiritual growth, especially the re-interpretation of the earliest principles we learned about God. Resources Here are some resources for friends in the process of unlearning and seeking spiritual growth: Therapy Therapy and spiritual growth can be deeply complementary. While therapy doesn't typically provide spiritual direction, it creates fertile ground for unlearning and spiritual development. You can use online therapist directories to find a therapist by location, insurance, specialty, cost, and more at Psychology Today, TherapyDen, or Open Path Psychotherapy Collective. Poets and Authors Audre Lorde is a profoundly influential Black lesbian feminist writer, poet, theorist, and civil rights activist. Her work powerfully explores the intersections of race, class, gender, sexuality, and ability. You can read her essays in Sister Outsider and her "biomythography" Zami: A New Spelling of My Name. Federico Garcia Lorca is one of Spain's most important poets and playwrights of the 20th century. His work is celebrated for its intense lyricism, surreal imagery, and passionate exploration of themes like love, death, desire, oppression, and Andalusian culture, particularly in works like Gypsy Ballads and plays such as Blood Wedding and The House of Bernarda Alba. Walt Whitman is a central figure in American poetry, often called the "Bard of Democracy." Whitman revolutionized poetry with his use of free verse and expansive lines. His lifelong work, Leaves of Grass, celebrates the individual, democracy, nature, the body, spirituality, and the interconnectedness of all life, aiming to capture the diverse spirit of America. Mary Oliver is an American poet who focuses on the natural world, particularly the landscapes of New England. Her work finds wonder, spirituality, and profound insight in quiet observation and moments of attention to nature, inviting readers to connect more deeply with the world around them. Christian Wiman is a contemporary American poet and essayist known for his unflinching honesty and intellectual rigor in exploring themes of faith, doubt, suffering (often drawing on his own experience with chronic illness), mortality, and love. Joy Harjo is a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and served as the first Native American U.S. Poet Laureate. Her work weaves together Indigenous history, spirituality, myth, social justice, resilience, and a deep connection to the land, often infused with the rhythms of music and prayer. Akwake Emezi is a non-binary Nigerian writer and artist known for their powerful, innovative, and often genre-bending work. Their novels (like Freshwater and The Death of Vivek Oji) explore complex themes of identity, spirituality (often drawing on Igbo cosmology), gender, mental health, trauma, and the body, challenging conventional Western frameworks of selfhood. Elaine Pagels is a renowned historian of religion, particularly noted for her scholarship on early Christianity and Gnosticism. Her groundbreaking book, The Gnostic Gospels, brought non-canonical early Christian texts to wider attention, revealing the diversity of early Christian thought and exploring how political and social contexts shaped religious history and scripture. LGBTQ+ film festivals are events dedicated to showcasing films by, for, or about queer individuals and communities. They serve as vital platforms for representation, providing visibility for filmmakers and stories often marginalized in mainstream media. These festivals (like Frameline, Outfest, NewFest, and countless others globally) are also important spaces for community building and celebrating queer culture. Quaker Voluntary Service is a year-long program rooted in Quaker values. It brings young adults together to live in an intentional community, work full-time in social justice-focused non-profit organizations, and engage in spiritual exploration and leadership development, putting faith into action. Listener Responses We hear directly from Roxanne, who unlearned the idea that any single group holds the definitive spiritual answer, instead discovering valuable truths across diverse practices and traditions through their continuous seeking. On Facebook, friends shared their experience wrestling with the traditional ideas about God they grew up with. Many people mentioned letting go of a harsh or judgmental image of God, questioning core doctrines, and letting go of feelings of unworthiness. Thank you to Angela, Rae, Tim, Amy, Iris, Christine, Steve, David, Tyler, Joe, Deepak, and Whittier for sharing so openly with our question of the month. Question for Next Month Beyond a roof and four walls, what does the word 'home' mean to you? Share your response by emailing podcast@quakerstoday.org or call/text 317-QUAKERS (317-782-5377). Please include your name and location. Your responses may be featured in our next episode. Quakers Today: A Project of Friends Publishing Corporation Quakers Today is the companion podcast to Friends Journal and Friends Publishing Corporation content. It is written, hosted, and produced by Peterson Toscano and Miche McCall. Season Four of Quakers Today is Sponsored by: Friends Fiduciary Since 1898, Friends Fiduciary has provided values-aligned investment services for Quaker organizations, consistently achieving strong financial returns while upholding Quaker testimonies. They also assist individuals in supporting beloved organizations through donor-advised funds, charitable gift annuities, and stock gifts. Learn more at FriendsFiduciary.org. American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) Vulnerable communities and the planet are counting on Quakers to take action for a more just, sustainable, and peaceful world. AFSC works at the forefront of social change movements to meet urgent humanitarian needs, challenge injustice, and build peace. Learn more at AFSC.org. Feel free to email us at podcast@friendsjournal.org with comments, questions, and requests for our show. Music from this episode comes from Epidemic Sound. Follow Quakers Today on TikTok, Instagram, and X. For more episodes and a full transcript of this episode, visit QuakersToday.org.
Send us a textIn today's episode, Alex and Tara have a thought-provoking and wisdom-filled discussion with John Kenney, author of three novels and four books of poetry, including LOVE POEMS FOR MARRIED PEOPLE. His first novel, TRUTH IN ADVERTISING, won the Thurber Prize for American humor. He is a long-time contributor to The New Yorker magazine's Shouts & Murmurs column and currently lives in Larchmont, NY. Listen as they discuss what it's like writing a darkly humorous book about death, the beauty and healing in confronting grief, the importance of writing realistic characters and stories, why he wanted to write fiction after being in advertising for years, who inspired the characters of I SEE YOU'VE CALLED IN DEAD, and how short fiction can help our long-form stories. Due to character limitations, please find a full version of the show notes with applicable content warnings and links on our website at: https://www.tarakross.com/podcast-1→ Connect with John on his Instagram or visit his column on The New Yorker's website → Buy I SEE YOU'VE CALLED IN DEAD HEREThe Hope Prose Podcast's InstagramAlex's Instagram Tara's Instagram
Zibby Publishing author alert! Zibby is joined by New York Times bestselling and Thurber Prize-winning author John Kenney to discuss his razor-sharp, darkly comedic, and emotionally piercing new novel, I SEE YOU'VE CALLED IN DEAD. John delves into the story, which follows an obituary writer who accidentally publishes his own death notice, sparking chaos and unexpected self-discovery. John shares the deeply personal inspiration behind this book, touching on loss, the complexities of grief, and how humor helps us navigate life's toughest moments. The conversation also delves into male friendship, office culture, and the impact of writing. With wit and warmth, John and Zibby explore what it means to truly live while grappling with loss.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/41UiCYzShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week's guest on You Are What You Read is Henry Alford, a humorist and journalist who has written for The New Yorker for more than two decades. A former columnist for The New York Times and a contributing editor to Vanity Fair, he is the author of seven books, including And Then We Danced, How to Live, and Big Kiss, an account of his attempts to become a working actor, which won a Thurber Prize. In his most recent work, I DREAM OF JONI, Henry studies the beloved singer, songwriter and instrumentalist, Joni Mitchell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome back to the final installment of the Finding the Through Line interview with Jane Roper, author of the novel “The Society of Shame,” which is a finalist for the Thurber Prize in American Humor, and a memoir, “Double Time: How I Survived and Mostly Thrived Through the First Three Years of Mothering Twins.” I discovered Jane through her Substack newsletter called Jane's Calamity, where she writes about being a writer, aging, failing at mindfulness and having too much Tupperware among other things. Today, we're going to find out what's currently brewing for Jane and what she knows at this moment about where her personal through line is leading her next, as well as what kinds of things she's been reading, watching, and listening to lately. - Moment of respect for creatives who are doing work in multiple genres - The beauty of a personal writing retreat - Figuring out the recurring themes in your work (which can only happen when you continue to produce work!) - The link between majoring in anthropology and becoming a novelist - Preparing mentally for her twins to leave home and go to college - The (perhaps unlikely) dream: Letting go of the copywriting work - The Netflix series she devoured - An ode to half-caff coffee - The 10,000 calorie meal she'd request if someone wanted to dazzle her tastebuds Connect with Jane at janeroper.com. For full show notes with links to everything we discuss, plus bonus photos!, visit katehanley.substack.com. Thank you for listening! And thanks to this week's sponsor, Air Doctor Pro. Visit airdoctorpro.com and use code KATE to save 30% off an amazing indoor air filter *and* receive a free three-year warranty (an $84 value). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Here's part two of my interview with Jane Roper, author of the novel “The Society of Shame,” which is a finalist for the Thurber Prize in American Humor, and a memoir, “Double Time: How I Survived and Mostly Thrived Through the First Three Years of Mothering Twins.” Today I'm talking with Jane about what I call inner stuff, the thoughts, ideas, and attitudes that affect your work. - How reading her own work used to be embarrassing, and how she got over it - Feeling like the worst person in the MFA program - When your inner critic tells you your work is shallow - The quotes she's written on Post-It notes that are hanging above her desk and help talk her through crises of confidence - Feeling like the silliest person in the room - Letting go of the idea that one day you'll “make it” and then everything will flow - Realizing there's no award for doing things perfectly and letting go of that drive to be a super-achiever - How letting go of some body issues also freed up her work self Connect with Jane at janeroper.com. For full show notes with links to everything we discuss, plus bonus photos!, visit katehanley.substack.com. Thank you for listening! And thanks to this week's sponsor, Air Doctor Pro. Visit airdoctorpro.com and use code KATE to save 30% off an amazing indoor air filter *and* receive a free three-year warranty (an $84 value). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
My guest today is Jane Roper, author of a novel, “The Society of Shame,” which is a finalist for the Thurber Prize in American Humor, and the memoir “Double Time: How I Survived and Mostly Thrived Through the First Three Years of Mothering Twins.” Jane's essays and humor have appeared in places like Salon, McSweeney's, Poets and Writers, The Rumpus, and elsewhere. And it's been included in the anthology, “Labor Day: True Birth Stories by Today's Best Women Writers.” Jane is also a freelance copywriter and brand strategist. A graduate of the Iowa Writers Workshop, Jane currently lives just north of Boston in a drafty Victorian with her husband, teenage twins, and two cats. We covered: - Figuring out that humor was part of her writing skillset - Finding the right mix of copywriting work and more creative writing - Why hiking and indoor rock-climbing are key parts of her writing practice - Her plug for writing every day (even for 12 minutes) - Resisting the urge to beat yourself up after your writing is rejected - Why she doesn't check social media or email in the morning - Getting to the point in parenting where family time is more joy, less hustle Connect with Jane at janeroper.com. For full show notes with links to everything we discuss, plus bonus photos!, visit katehanley.substack.com. Thank you for listening! And thanks to this week's sponsor, Air Doctor Pro. Visit airdoctorpro.com and use code KATE to save 30% off an amazing indoor air filter *and* receive a free three-year warranty (an $84 value). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
GGACP celebrates 2025's Year of the Snake by revisiting a memorable Milton Berle anecdote, as told by Emmy-winning comedy writer and Thurber Prize-winning author Alan Zweibel. In this episode, Alan discusses (among other topics) the evolution of “Saturday Night Live,” the genius of Larry Gelbart and Neil Simon and the 2018 documentaries about longtime friends and collaborators Gilda Radner and Garry Shandling. Also, Desi Arnaz invents the sitcom, Jay Leno offers sage advice, Buck Henry makes a bad investment and Gilbert makes like Willy Loman. PLUS: Praising Kate McKinnon! Remembering Bruno Kirby (and Herb Sargent)! Mel Brooks comes to dinner! And Alan writes the Paul “Bridge Over Troubled Water” Simon Special! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
If you could officially name a squirrel at your alma mater (or turtle, or goose, or whatever critters roamed your campus when you did), would you? The only correct answer is yes.And that's that Caty Allgood and Brooke Preston were counting on when they implemented a Squirrel Naming campaign for Ohio University's Giving Day. After hearing about this idea from colleagues at Ole Miss, they figured out how to implement it themselves without any extra technology or investment. And the results were incredible: In their first year with the Squirrel Campaign, they raised almost half a million dollars more than the previous year and had an increase of over 750 donors. They beat their own records again in year two. Plus, the campaign encouraged participation from current students, Ohio friends, and so many wholesome comments to keep it going for years to come.At the end of the episode, Caty and Brooke surprise your host Day with her very own squirrel certificate! What an honor. Take a look.Guest Names: Caty Allgood, Executive Director, Annual Giving, Ohio University Brooke Preston, Associate Director of Creative Strategy, Ohio UniversityGuest Socials: Caty - www.linkedin.com/in/catyallgoodBrooke - www.linkedin.com/in/brookeprestonGuest Bios: Caty Allgood currently serves as the Executive Director of Annual Giving at Ohio University. With a career spanning 18 years, she's a seasoned Advancement professional who has served in roles in major giving, gift planning and annual giving. Caty received both her bachelor's and master's degrees from Ohio University and feels incredibly fortunate that she now has the opportunity to raise funds to make an OHIO education possible for others. Caty's team won a CASE Grand Gold award in 2022 for their Give Like Gary Campaign and continues to incorporate creative strategies into their annual giving appeals, most recently introducing a very fun and successful squirrel naming campaign into their annual OHIO Giving Day. Caty spends her free time with her husband, their 4-year-old son and their 1-year-old Yorkie. Brooke Preston (OHIO B.S.S. '02; MC '23) is the Associate Director of Creative Strategy for Ohio University's award-winning University Communications and Marketing team, where she leads the brand copywriting team and manages brand and marketing collaboration across 12 departments within the Division of Student Affairs. Brooke is also a published comedy and satire writer, editor and teacher, former faculty for The Second City, and is the head writer of the annual Thurber Prize for American Humor awards ceremony. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, Real Simple, The Cut, McSweeney's, Men's Health, Paste and more. She lives in the Columbus suburbs with her husband, tween daughter and two doofy labs. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dayana Kibildshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dayanakibilds/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:Talking Tactics is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you'll like other Enrollify shows too! Some of our favorites include Mission Admissions and Higher Ed Pulse.Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Alan Zweibel is an original Saturday Night Live writer, has won five Emmy Awards and two Writers Guild of America Awards for his work in television, which includes It's Garry Shandling's Show (co-creator and producer) and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Among his eclectic body of work, Zweibel collaborated with Billy Crystal on the Tony Award-winning production of 700 Sundays, and most recently co-wrote and produced the feature film, Here Today with Crystal. He has written 11 books—his latest, a cultural memoir Laugh Lines: My Life Helping Funny People Be Funnier was published by Abrams Books in 2020. Other books include The Other Shulman: A Novel, which won the 2006 Thurber Prize for American Humor and Lunatics with Dave Barry.
What do ghosts, unicorns, The New Yorker, and wild wallpaper patterns have in common? James Thurber, of course. Laura and Don take Page Count on the road to give listeners an audio tour of the Thurber House in Columbus, where Leah Wharton, operations director, and Steve Andersson, a docent and educator, shed light on the life and work of the American humorist James Thurber. In the process, they seek out the ghost(s) that allegedly haunt the house, consider the age-old cats vs. dogs debate, spy a unicorn in the garden, discuss Thurber's books and cartoons, and much more. To view photos from Page Count's visit, be sure to visit our accompanying blog post, “Inside the Thurber House.” James Thurber was a humorist, cartoonist, author, playwright, and journalist known for his quirky and relatable characters and themes. One of the foremost American humorists of the 20th century, Thurber's inimitable wit and pithy prose spanned a breadth of mediums and genres, including short stories, illustrations, modern commentary, fables, children's fantasy, and letters. Many of his drawings and stories first appeared in The New Yorker. Some of Thurber's famous tales include “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” “The Night the Ghost Got In,” “The Dog That Bit People,” “The Night the Bed Fell,” and “The Unicorn in the Garden.” Thurber's drawings often feature dogs and family life. Founded in 1984, Thurber House is a nonprofit literary arts center, museum, historic landmark, and gathering place for readers, writers, and artists of all ages based in the restored 1873 home of James Thurber. Thurber House programs include The Thurber Prize for American Humor, author events featuring nationally bestselling authors and local authors, writing workshops for children and adults, writer residencies, and more. Page Count is produced by Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library. For full show notes and a transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email ohiocenterforthebook@cpl.org (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.
GGACP marks the 30th anniversary of the 1994 feature film "North" (released July 22, 1994) with this ENCORE of an interview with the much-maligned movie's writer, Emmy-winner and Thurber Prize winner Alan Zweibel. In this episode, Alan discusses (among other topics) the evolution of “Saturday Night Live,” the genius of Larry Gelbart and Neil Simon and the 2018 documentaries about his longtime friends and collaborators, Gilda Radner and Garry Shandling. Also, Jay Leno offers advice, Buck Henry makes a bad investment, Gilbert makes like Willy Loman and Lorne Michaels locks horns with Uncle Miltie. PLUS: Praising Kate McKinnon! Remembering Bruno Kirby (and Herb Sargent)! Mel Brooks comes to dinner! Desi Arnaz invents the sitcom! And Alan writes the Paul “Bridge Over Troubled Water” Simon Special! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This episode originally aired July 08, 2020.Alan Zweibel is one of the original writers of Saturday Night Live, the co-creator and producer of It's Garry Shandling's Show, and a consulting producer on Curb Your Enthusiasm among many other credits. Alan is also a playwright whose theatrical works include his collaboration with Billy Crystal on the Tony Award-winning 700 Sundays and Bunny, Bunny: Gilda Radner, A Sort of Love Story. He is the author of numerous books including Lunatics (co-authored with Dave Barry), and The Other Shulman (for which he won the Thurber Prize for American Humor). His new book Laugh Lines: My Life Helping Funny People Be Funnier is available as an audio book later this month. Alan's next film project is a screenplay he co-authored with Billy Crystal, Here Today, which Crystal is directing and will star Tiffany Haddish. During this podcast, Alan discusses his career as a writer and reveals what it was like to work on SNL in the show's first years including with Gilda Radner with whom he was in love. He talks about why he and Garry Shandling stopped speaking for years after the end of their collaboration, and he also takes us inside his longtime friendship and collaboration with Billy Crystal.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
When infidelity wounds a couple, in the wise words of our guest today, Dr. Harrison Scott Key, Ph.D, best-selling author and the winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor, there's a marriage murder mystery to be solved: Who killed this marriage, is it really dead, and can it come back to life? Join us for a riveting and deep-diving episode with Key, surrounding the events of his unexpectedly vulnerable marriage epic about when his wife confessed to infidelity that comes out this week in paperback“How to Stay Married: The Most Insane Love Story Ever Told”, a book the Washington Post calls shocking, “shot through with sharp humor”, and a spiritually profound story of his journey through hell and back when infidelity threatens his marriage. Join us for this serious chat which also manages to bring Key's lighthearted wit and eloquence in as we discuss the long and winding road to healing, red flags, seeing one's own part in the story, and also affair prevention right here in this must-listen episode. SHOW NOTES: Find Harrison's book, newly in paperwork starting 6/4/24 on Amazon here!! https://www.amazon.com/How-Stay-Married-Insane-Story-ebook/dp/B0BHTP1S6Y?ref_=ast_author_dp Find his website and other books here, including his award-winning "The World's Largest Man" at www.harrisonscottkey.com Dive deeper into your pairing and Enneagram & Marriage love!
Jason and Brett talk to Steven Rowley (The Guncle Abroad) about sea cave adventures in Capri, Varla Jean Merman's rendition of "Ring Them Bells," the best Wang Chung song, and obviously: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and Grease 2.Steven Rowley is the bestselling author of five novels including, Lily and the Octopus, a Washington Post Notable Book; The Editor, an NPR Best Book of the Year; The Guncle, winner of the 22nd Thurber Prize for American Humor and Goodreads Choice Awards finalist for Novel of the Year; and The Celebrants. His fiction has been translated in twenty languages. He resides in Palm Springs, California.Truffle hunt in Rome: https://matteo-truffles.com/**BOOKS!** Check out the list of books discussed on each episode on our Bookshop page:https://bookshop.org/shop/gaysreading | By purchasing books through this Bookshop link, you can support both Gays Reading and an independent bookstore of your choice!Join our Patreon for exclusive bonus content! Purchase your Gays Reading podcast Merch! Follow us on Instagram @gaysreading | @bretts.book.stack | @jasonblitmanWhat are you reading? Send us an email or a voice memo at gaysreading@gmail.com
The writer Steven Rowley is known for numerous novels: Lily and the Octopus; The Celebrants; The Editor; and The Guncle, which is about a gay man who finds his hands full when he takes in a niece and nephew he never expected to raise. Not only did that novel win the Thurber Prize — it's now the first installment in a series, with his latest novel, A Guncle Abroad, coming out on May 21, 2024. For this week's episode, I'm diving into the Sewers archives to revisit my 2016 interview with Steven. At that point, his debut novel Lily and the Octopus had just hit shelves. We spoke about how he'd spent a large chunk of his career disguising himself, writing rom-com scripts about heterosexual relationships. But there came a point when he decided to stop de-gaying his stories — and little did he know then just how much success that choice would bring him.We'll have that conversation in a minute. First, a reminder that if you like The Sewers of Paris, you'll probably also enjoy my other projects. For example, my weekly livestreams on Twitch. This weekend we'll be continuing our watch-along for the musical episode of The Love Boat.Or you might want to check out my new podcast where we dive into the 90s TV series My So-Called Life, one episode at a time — it's available now wherever you listen to podcasts, just search for Matt's So-Cast Pod. And check out my videos, my book, my newsletter, and more at MattBaume.com.
The New Yorker: The Writer's Voice - New Fiction from The New Yorker
Simon Rich reads his story “We're Not So Different, You and I,” from the May 13, 2024, issue of the magazine. Rich has published eight books of fiction, including “The Last Girlfriend on Earth,” which was adapted for the TV series “Man Seeking Woman,” and “Hits and Misses,” which won the Thurber Prize for American Humor in 2019. A new story collection, “Glory Days,” will be published in July.
In the final episode of our first-ever Libro.fm Podcast Extravaganza, we interview author Steven Rowley. We discuss "The Guncle" and its sequel, themes of grief and humor in his books, his experience narrating his own audiobooks, and more. The episode concludes with the hosts discussing plans for Independent Bookstore Day. Photo credit: Afonso Salcedo READ TRANSCRIPT Use promo code: SWITCH when signing up for a new Libro.fm membership to get 2 extra free credits to use on any audiobooks. About Steven Rowley: Steven Rowley is the New York Times bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus, a Washington Post Notable Book of 2016, The Editor, named by NPR as one of the Best Books of 2019, The Guncle, a Goodreads Choice Awards finalist for 2021 Novel of the Year and winner of the 22nd Thurber Prize for American Humor, and The Celebrants, a TODAY Show Read With Jenna Book Club pick. His fiction has been published in twenty languages. All of his books are in development for feature film or television adaptation. Read Steven's books: The Guncle The Guncle Abroad The Celebrants Lily and the Octopus The Editor Books discussed on today's episode: Weetzie Bat by Francesca Block
''A fountain of observations'' (The Boston Globe), Sloane Crosley is the author of three New York Times bestselling essay collections, How Did You Get This Number, Look Alive Out There, and I Was Told There'd Be Cake, which was a finalist for the 2009 Thurber Prize for American Humor. Exploring various aspects of life's disappointments, morality, and modern love, her novels Cult Classic and The Clasp were named best books of the year by numerous publications. Crosley is a contributing editor at Vanity Fair, a former editor of The Best American Travel Writing series, and her other work has appeared in The New York Times, Bon Appetit, The Village Voice, McSweeney's, Vice, and Smithsonian. In Grief Is for People, she offers an elegiac examination of loss in the aftermath of her close friend's death by suicide. Because you love Author Events, please make a donation to keep our podcasts free for everyone. THANK YOU! (recorded 4/3/2024)
Beloved writer, teacher, bibliophile, and Thurber Prize semifinalist Shannon Reed joins Zibby to talk about her whip-smart, hilarious collection, WHY WE READ: On Bookworms, Libraries, and Just One More Page Before Lights Out. Shannon describes her lifelong passion for reading, starting with her grandmother teaching her how to do it when she was just two. She also talks about the impact of her hearing impairment on her love of reading and the challenge of finding time to read (ha!). Finally, she hints at some potential future projects.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3VBLMsIShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Parker J. Palmer and Carrie Newcomer have a conversation with author/pastor/theologian Philip Gulley. Gulley is a pastor, an author, a source of wisdom and hope, and a clear and prophetic voice in progressive theology & spiritual activism in these challenging times. He has written 22 books, including the Harmony series recounting life in the eccentric Quaker community of Harmony, Indiana, several collections of essays including the best selling "Porch Talk", and a memoir called "I Love You, Miss Huddleston" which was a finalist for the Thurber Prize for American Humor. In addition, he has co-authored with James Mulholland several works of theology and progressive faith including "If Grace Is True" and "If God Is Love", followed by "If the Church Were Christian". Phillip has recently joined the Substack platform with “Plain Talk: With Phillip Gulley.” We hope you'll check out his many works and subscribe to his Substack offerings.
“Mushrooms are for getting over your horseshit so you can move on with life.”Like most comedians, Negin Farsad was a self-described skeptic, especially when it came to the trendy world of "magic mushrooms" and psychedelic retreats sweeping the wellness scene. But when a writing assignment led her to participate in a psilocybin retreat, she found herself on a transformative path she never expected.In this captivating episode, Negin shares her initial doubts and ultimate revelations as she delves into the world of psychedelics. What began as a journalistic endeavor quickly evolved into a deeply profound experience, challenging Negin to confront past traumas and rediscover and forgive herself in unexpected ways. Whether you're a mushroom enthusiast or a curious skeptic, Negin's story offers incredible insights into the potential of psychedelics to heal and transform. Join us as we explore:The immersive experience of a psychedelic retreat and its fusion of therapy and medicineNegin's surreal journey into an "ego death" and how embodying Serena Williams helped her banish self-doubtThe pervasive nature of self-doubt among women and how we can dispel it Confronting suppressed trauma and finding forgiveness and healing through psilocybinThe sense of unity and connection fostered among a diverse group of participants during the retreatNeuroplasticity and how psychedelics create a unique window for personal growth and transformationOUR GUEST: Negin Farsad is a TEDFellow and gave a TEDTalk on social justice comedy seen by millions. She is a regular on NPR's Wait Wait Don't Tell Me and Neil deGrasse Tyson's StarTalk. She is author of the Thurber Prize-nominated How to Make White People Laugh and host of the podcast Fake the Nation. You can see her on HBO's High Maintenance, Hulu's Not Okay, and starring on HBOMax's Birdgirl. She's also a gutsy woman on Hillary Clinton's Gutsy series for Apple TV+. Farsad has written for the Guardian, Oprah Magazine, and the New York Times. She once sued the MTA for the right to put up funny posters about Muslims, and won.Want more Negin? Find her online at http://neginfarsad.com/ and listen to her podcast “Fake the Nation HERE. You can follow Negin on social media:Instagram: @neginfarsad Twitter/X: @NeginFarsad Facebook: @neginfarsad TikTok: @neginfarsad Read Negin's Afar Magazine article At a Magic Mushroom Retreat, a Comedian Reluctantly Embraces Her “Healing Journey” and watch her TED talk HERE.Want more Hotter Than Ever? Find us and episode transcripts online at www.hotterthaneverpod.com and sign up for our mailing list! Follow us on:Instagram: @hotterthaneverpod TikTok:
Alan Zweibel was an original Saturday Night Live writer who's won numerous Emmy and Writers Guild of America awards for his work in television which includes It's Garry Shandling's Show (which he co-created and produced), The Late Show with David Letterman, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. In the theater, he collaborated with Billy Crystal on the Tony Award winning play "700 Sundays”, Martin Short's "Fame Becomes Me”, and the off-Broadway hit "Bunny Bunny: Gilda Radner - Sort of a Romantic Comedy" which he adapted from his bestselling book. In total, Alan has written 11 books including his Thurber Prize-winning novel "The Other Shulman" and, most recently, a cultural memoir titled "Laugh Lines - My Life helping Funny People Be Funnier." Because of his diverse body of work, the Writers Guild of America, East has honored Alan with a Lifetime Achievement Award". What a truly fun chat listening to Alan's riveting memories of childhood; the early days of SNL; his cherished relationship with Gilda Radner; his various television and theater collaborations with the most legendary comedians; his books; comedy's new boundaries; and more. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel
In conversation with Bill Marimow ''Perhaps the finest reporter in America'' (The Miami Herald), Calvin Trillin has written more than 400 nonfiction and comic articles for The New Yorker since 1963. His book include U.S. Journal and Killings, collections of his columns from between 1967 and 1982. A former Time columnist and syndicated columnist at The Nation, Trillin wrote and performed two one-man shows, wrote a play that was staged at the American Place Theatre, and has appeared across a wide variety of media outlets. He has also published two comic novels, four books of political verse, and three memoirs, and his humor collection Quite Enough of Calvin Trillin won the Thurber Prize for American Humor in 2012. Replete with his signature empathy and wit, The Lede is a portrait of journalists and their craft constructed through curated articles from his six-decade career. As a reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Bill Marimow twice won the Pulitzer Prize for public service. The editor in chief of the Inquirer from 2006 to 2017 and formerly its vice president of strategic development, he also served as vice president of news at National Public Radio and editor in chief of The Baltimore Sun. His other honors include two Silver Gavel Awards from the American Bar Association and two Robert F. Kennedy awards. Because you love Author Events, please make a donation to keep our podcasts free for everyone. THANK YOU! The views expressed by the authors and moderators are strictly their own and do not represent the opinions of the Free Library of Philadelphia or its employees. (recorded 2/15/2024)
In this week's episode Iris finds love and marriage. In a whirlwind romance when two people are ready to have serious conversations so they can begin the rest of their lives together, Iris's story is one of hope and opportunity. Iris Smyles is the author of the novels Iris Has Free Time (which Forbes called “an instant classic… a smart, funny, wise, and sometimes heartbreaking book about a slowly fizzling love affair with youth,”), Dating Tips for the Unemployed (a semi-finalist for the Thurber Prize for American Humor), and, most recently, Droll Tales ("Delightfully weird" - Splice Today). Her stories, essays, and poems have appeared in The Atlantic, The New Yorker, The New York Times, Vogue, Paris Review Daily, BOMB, The Baffler, and Best American Travel Writing among other publications. Born and raised in New York, she currently lives in Great Britain and Greece. Iris website: Iris Smyles Iris books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Iris-Smyles/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AIris+Smyles Iris on IG: @irissmyles Make sure to subscribe and sign up for notifications for fantastic dating and relationship advice brought to you by Maria Avgitidis!
Annabelle Gurwitch is an actress, activist, and the author of the New York Times bestseller and Thurber Prize finalist I See You Made an Effort. Her other books include: Wherever You Go, There They Are, and You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up (coauthored with Jeff Kahn). She was the co-host of Dinner & a Movie on TBS and has appeared on NPR, The Today Show, CBS Early Show, Real Time with Bill Maher, PBS, and numerous CNN and MSNBC programs. Her essays and satire have been featured in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, AARP, Real Simple, Prevention, The Los Angeles Book Review, The Daily Beast, Time.com, Next Tribe, Lenny Letter, Hadassah and The Hollywood Reporter, among other media outlets.She's also an extremely methodical (she might say obsessive compulsive?) person—one who starts planning her launch as she comes up with the book concept. And she works it—making lists, checking them way more than twice, reaching out to people she knows and doesn't know and ultimately making it so that her books have no option but to be successful.If you want practical steps on how to prepare both emotionally and literally for a release, this episode is packed with tips, tactics and other t-words!FOR MORE INFO, GO TO WWW.ONGOODAUTHORITYPOD.COM
“Could I have a bigger imagination about this point in my life than I thought I might need to have?” Annabelle Gurwitch is no stranger to reinvention–or as she prefers to call it, adaptation. As an actress and TV show host turned best-selling author, she understands the importance of embracing change in order to shift your life circumstances. In her latest memoir “You're Leaving When? Adventures in Downward Mobility,” Annabelle chronicles one of those changes: her decision to welcome an unhoused couple into her home after becoming an empty-nester. This decision not only shifts many of her own beliefs, but also beautifully underscores the importance of discarding preconceived notions at the doorstep of understanding.In this episode, Annabelle's insights illuminate the intricacies of downward mobility, the pursuit of adaptation over reinvention, embracing creativity, and fostering community amidst personal and societal shifts. Annabelle's ability to infuse humor into each of these subjects is just one of the many reasons you don't want to miss this conversation. Here's what's on the table:Defining ‘downward mobility' and its impact on the middle class and women.Navigating life and career changes with resilience and flexibility.Embracing the unconventional path of being a creative and a freelancer. Coping with missed opportunities and unexpected life turns.Redefining the terms of relationships in midlife and post-divorce.Understanding others' experiences and humanity without passing judgment.Why small actions matter, even when the world's problems feel overwhelming.Creating enduring significance and meaning in life's choices through pursuing long-term goals.The strength of friendships and community during tough times.OUR GUEST: Annabelle Gurwitch, a New York Times Bestselling author, actress, and activist, skillfully blends humor and insight in her work. Her latest book, "You're Leaving When? Adventures in Downward Mobility," was a 2021 New York Times Favorite Book for Healthy Living and a Thurber Prize finalist in 2022. Her versatile career also spnas TV and film, from co-hosting TBS's "Dinner & a Movie" to roles in "Seinfeld" and "Dexter". Annabelle co-hosts the podcast "Tiny Victories" and lectures at institutions like The School of the New York Times. Her impact extends through patient advocate talks and recognition in the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience.Want more Annabelle? Find her online at https://www.annabellegurwitch.com/ and follow her on:Instagram: @annabellegurwitch1X/Twitter: @LAGurwitch Facebook: @annabellegurwitchauthorWant more Hotter Than Ever? Find us and episode transcripts online at www.hotterthaneverpod.com and sign up for our mailing list! Follow us on:Instagram: @hotterthaneverpod TikTok: @hotterthaneverpod Youtube: @hotterthaneverpod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090728330453 Follow Hotter Than Ever wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode! We'd love to hear what you think about the show - tell us what stories are resonating with you by writing us a review on Apple Podcasts. Want advice about some aspect of your life over 40? DM us on IG @hotterthaneverpod or text/leave a voicemail on the Hotter Than Ever Hottie Hotline at (323) 844-2303!
Join Haymarket Books and the Economic Hardship Reporting Project for a conversation celebrating the launch of the anthology Going for Broke. Join Alissa Quart in conversation with Alex Miller, Annabelle Gurwitch, Katha Pollitt and Ray Suarez, to celebrate the launch of the anthology Going for Broke, a collaboration between Haymarket Books and the Economic Hardship Reporting Project. Get a copy of Going For Broke: https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/... Check out the podcast series “Going for Broke” hosted by Ray Suarez in partnership between EHRP, The Nation and NPR: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/11683107... You can read Alex's latest article here: https://www.wired.com/story/tech-vide... Read this powerful op-ed from Annabelle: https://www.washingtonpost.com/outloo... Submit pitches to EHRP at info@economichardship.org Donate to EHRP at: https://economichardship.org/donate-t... Speakers: Alissa Quart is the author of Bootstrapped: Liberating Ourselves from the American Dream and executive director of the Economic Hardship Reporting Project. She has written for many publications, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, and Time. Her honors include an Emmy Award, the SPJ Award, and a Nieman Fellowship. She is the author of four previous books of nonfiction, including Squeezed: Why Our Families Can't Afford America and Branded: The Buying and Selling of Teenagers, and two books of poetry, most recently Thoughts and Prayers. Alex Miller, a reporting journalism fellow for EHRP, is a navy veteran and native Chicagoan. He's been published in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Esquire, and Wired. In addition, he has also been featured in the anthologies The Byline Bible and The Chicago Neighborhood Guidebook. He lives in New York and is writing a mid-grade memoir about his experience of going to school for the first time at eleven years old. Annabelle Gurwitch is a New York Times bestselling author of five books, a Thurber Prize for American Humor Writing finalist, and an actress. Her writing frequently appears in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and Los Angeles Magazine. This essay, which was awarded an Excellence in Journalism citation by the Los Angeles Press Corp, is included in a longer form in her most recent collection of essays, You're Leaving When? Adventures in Downward Mobility, a New York Times Favorite Book for Healthy Living 2022. Ray Suarez (@RaySuarezNews) was a senior correspondent for PBS News- Hour and host of the public radio show America Abroad. He is host of EHRP's podcast Going for Broke and co-hosts the program and podcast WorldAffairs for KQED-FM and the World Affairs Council. Katha Pollitt, the author of Virginity or Death!, is a poet, essayist, and columnist for The Nation. She has won many prizes and awards for her work, including the National Book Critics Circle Award for her first collection of poems, Antarctic Traveller, and two National Magazine Awards for essays and criticism. She lives in New York City. This event is co-sponsored by Haymarket Books and the Economic Hardship Reporting Project. Watch the live event recording: https://youtube.com/live/tFRHrFqF8ls Buy books from Haymarket: www.haymarketbooks.org Follow us on Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/haymarketbooks
Today I talked to Jule Schumacher about her new novel The English Experience (Doubleday, 2023). Jason Fitger may be the last faculty member the dean wants for the job, but he's the only professor available to chaperone Payne University's annual "Experience: Abroad" (he has long been on the record objecting to the absurd and gratuitous colon between the words) occurring during the three weeks of winter term. Among his charges are a claustrophobe with a juvenile detention record, a student who erroneously believes he is headed for the Caribbean, a pair of unreconciled lovers, a set of undifferentiated twins, and one young woman who has never been away from her cat before. Through a sea of troubles--personal, institutional, and international--the gimlet-eyed, acid-tongued Fitger strives to navigate safe passage for all concerned, revealing much about the essential need for human connection and the sometimes surprising places in which it is found. Julie's first novel, The Body Is Water, was published by Soho Press in 1995 and was an ALA Notable Book of the Year and a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award. Schumacher's other books include the national best-seller, Dear Committee Members (winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor); The Shakespeare Requirement, Doodling for Academics (a satirical coloring book); and five novels for younger readers. Schumacher lives in St. Paul and is a Regents Professor at the University of Minnesota, where she teaches in the Creative Writing Program and the Department of English. Book Recommendations: Eleanor Catton, Birnam Wood Jonathan Escoffery, If I Survive You Chris Holmes is Chair of Literatures in English and Associate Professor at Ithaca College. He writes criticism on contemporary global literatures. His book, Kazuo Ishiguro as World Literature, is under contract with Bloomsbury Publishing. He is the co-director of The New Voices Festival, a celebration of work in poetry, prose, and playwriting by up-and-coming young writers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today I talked to Jule Schumacher about her new novel The English Experience (Doubleday, 2023). Jason Fitger may be the last faculty member the dean wants for the job, but he's the only professor available to chaperone Payne University's annual "Experience: Abroad" (he has long been on the record objecting to the absurd and gratuitous colon between the words) occurring during the three weeks of winter term. Among his charges are a claustrophobe with a juvenile detention record, a student who erroneously believes he is headed for the Caribbean, a pair of unreconciled lovers, a set of undifferentiated twins, and one young woman who has never been away from her cat before. Through a sea of troubles--personal, institutional, and international--the gimlet-eyed, acid-tongued Fitger strives to navigate safe passage for all concerned, revealing much about the essential need for human connection and the sometimes surprising places in which it is found. Julie's first novel, The Body Is Water, was published by Soho Press in 1995 and was an ALA Notable Book of the Year and a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award. Schumacher's other books include the national best-seller, Dear Committee Members (winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor); The Shakespeare Requirement, Doodling for Academics (a satirical coloring book); and five novels for younger readers. Schumacher lives in St. Paul and is a Regents Professor at the University of Minnesota, where she teaches in the Creative Writing Program and the Department of English. Book Recommendations: Eleanor Catton, Birnam Wood Jonathan Escoffery, If I Survive You Chris Holmes is Chair of Literatures in English and Associate Professor at Ithaca College. He writes criticism on contemporary global literatures. His book, Kazuo Ishiguro as World Literature, is under contract with Bloomsbury Publishing. He is the co-director of The New Voices Festival, a celebration of work in poetry, prose, and playwriting by up-and-coming young writers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Today I talked to Jule Schumacher about her new novel The English Experience (Doubleday, 2023). Jason Fitger may be the last faculty member the dean wants for the job, but he's the only professor available to chaperone Payne University's annual "Experience: Abroad" (he has long been on the record objecting to the absurd and gratuitous colon between the words) occurring during the three weeks of winter term. Among his charges are a claustrophobe with a juvenile detention record, a student who erroneously believes he is headed for the Caribbean, a pair of unreconciled lovers, a set of undifferentiated twins, and one young woman who has never been away from her cat before. Through a sea of troubles--personal, institutional, and international--the gimlet-eyed, acid-tongued Fitger strives to navigate safe passage for all concerned, revealing much about the essential need for human connection and the sometimes surprising places in which it is found. Julie's first novel, The Body Is Water, was published by Soho Press in 1995 and was an ALA Notable Book of the Year and a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award. Schumacher's other books include the national best-seller, Dear Committee Members (winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor); The Shakespeare Requirement, Doodling for Academics (a satirical coloring book); and five novels for younger readers. Schumacher lives in St. Paul and is a Regents Professor at the University of Minnesota, where she teaches in the Creative Writing Program and the Department of English. Book Recommendations: Eleanor Catton, Birnam Wood Jonathan Escoffery, If I Survive You Chris Holmes is Chair of Literatures in English and Associate Professor at Ithaca College. He writes criticism on contemporary global literatures. His book, Kazuo Ishiguro as World Literature, is under contract with Bloomsbury Publishing. He is the co-director of The New Voices Festival, a celebration of work in poetry, prose, and playwriting by up-and-coming young writers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literature
EPISODE 1802: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to best-selling writer and Hollywood actress Annabelle Gurwitch on her experience of taking in a homeless couple in Los AngelesANNABELLE GURWITCH is a New York Times Bestselling author, actress and activist whose most recent collection of essays "You're Leaving When? Adventures in Downward Mobility" is a 2021 New York Times Favorite Book for Healthy Living, a Good Morning America Must Read and a finalist for The Thurber Prize for American Humor Writing 2022. Annabelle uses personal stories and humor to illuminate issues in the social zeitgeist including "harnessing resilience and learning how life's disappointments can teach you about the things that matter most” (Tara Parker Pope, New York Times). She's written for The New Yorker, New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Magazine, and Hadassah amongst other publications. Her five books include the New York Times bestseller and Thurber Prize finalist "I See You Made an Effort." She was the longtime cohost of the fan favorite "Dinner & a Movie" on TBS and a regular commentator on NPR. She's performed on the Moth Mainstage, at Carolines on Broadway, and at arts centers around the country. Her acting credits include: "Seinfeld,""Murphy Brown,""Boston Legal," and "Dexter." Once in while she returns to acting playing a rabbi on "Better Things" on FX or a therapist for an FBI agent in Michael Bay's "Ambulance." Time Magazine featured Annabelle in their “Ten Ideas that are Changing the World” annual series. Her media appearances include: GMA, The Today Show, Real Time with Bill Maher, CBS Early Morning, Oprah, and PBS Newshour. Annabelle is honored to be featured as a notable Southern Jewish author alongside Tony Kushner and Lillian Hellman in the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience in New Orleans. Annabelle has been chronicling living with stage iv lung cancer and inequities in healthcare in the New York Times and Washington Post since her out-of-the-blue diagnosis during covid. She's given patient advocate talks at scientific conferences around the globe including: Vienna, Rome, Singapore, and Brisbane. She co-hosts the podcast, "Tiny Victories," dedicated to appreciating small mercies and minor triumphs on the Maximum Fun Podcast Network. She's guest lectured,taught essay writing and storytelling at The School of the New York Times, University of CA Redlands graduate writing program, Miami Dade Community College, Thurber House, George Washington U, Maine Media College, and University of Dayton, Ohio. Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.
On this Leader's Corner episode we talk to Harrison Scott Key about his book How to Stay Married: The Most Insane Love Story Ever ToldHarrison Scott Key is the author of How to Stay Married, Congratulations, Who Are You Again?, and The World's Largest Man, winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor. His first TEDx talk went viral among a certain demographic. He holds an M.F.A. in creative nonfiction and a Ph.D. in playwriting and has worked at SCAD for quite literally thousands of years, where he's held appointments as chair of liberal arts, professor of English, professor of writing, and executive dean. He lives in Savannah, Georgia, with three children and one wife. Harrison's humor and nonfiction have appeared in The Best American Travel Writing, Oxford American, Outside, The New York Times, McSweeney's Internet Tendency, Town & Country, The Mockingbird, Salon, Southern Living,, as well as a number of magazines that don't pay you anything at all, not even a little, but it was cool, because people who work at magazines are mostly poor, and helping the poor is a priority for Harrison, should he come under scrutiny.How you can support us:• Leave us a 5-star review on iTunes or Spotify• Become a patron on Patreon• Share this episode with a friend• Send a question for a future Office Hours episodeYou can work with us at Relational Leadership.
Join our guest host, Matt Sawyer, creator of the Story Made Project podcast, as he chats with one of America's favorite humorists, Harrison Scott Key, about his newest memoir, How to Stay Married: The Craziest Love Story Ever Told. Hear how Harrison balances humor with gut-wrenching honesty and self-examination.Harrison Scott Key: Harrison Scott Key is the author of three books, including his newest book, How to Stay Married: The Most Insane Love Story Ever Told, as well as The World's Largest Man (winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor) and Congratulations, Who Are You Again?, the inspiration for his popular TEDx talk, "The Funny Thing About the American Dream," featured at TED.com. He is executive dean at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Savannah, Georgia.HostMatt Sawyer: Matt is an educator, podcaster, writer, and hip-hop artist based in Macon County, North Carolina. He is the creator of the Story Made Project, an exploration for and of stories that make a difference in our world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Zibby interviews Thurber Prize-winning author Harrison Scott Key about How to Stay Married: The Most Insane Love Story Ever Told, a hilarious and heartbreaking memoir about the hellscape of marriage and the mysteries of mercy. Harrison describes the moment his marriage exploded (when his wife revealed she was in love with his friend!) and the difficult path their relationship took thereafter. He also shares his views on marriage (we all marry the wrong people!), stories from his childhood in rural Mississippi, and his path to writing and humor. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3Z0L73AShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As summer draws to an end, Thurber Prize-winning novelist Julie Schumacher joins co-hosts Whitney Terrell and V.V. Ganeshananthan to talk about the state of the American vacation and how holidays are portrayed in literature. Schumacher discusses her new comic novel, The English Experience, a sequel to Dear Committee Members that focuses on university professor Jay Fitger leading a study abroad trip to England. She reflects on favorite travel narratives, how technology has changed the way we vacation, and the ethics of tourism in relation to colonialism and climate change. She reads from The English Experience. To hear the full episode, subscribe through iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app (include the forward slashes when searching). You can also listen by streaming from the player below. Check out video versions of our interviews on the Fiction/Non/Fiction Instagram account, the Fiction/Non/Fiction YouTube Channel, and our show website: https://www.fnfpodcast.net/ This episode of the podcast was produced by Anne Kniggendorf. Julie Schumacher The English Experience The Shakespeare Requirement Dear Committee Members "Was This Student Dangerous?"- The New York Times, June 18, 2014 Others: The Parent Trap (1961) Henry James The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton Voyage Around My Room by Xavier de Maistre Baby-sitters on Board! by Ann M. Martin Little Women by Louisa May Alcott The British Museum Rich in Love by Josephine Humphreys A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid The 31 Places to Go in 2010 - The New York Times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode meet award-winning writer Esmeralda Santiago Professor of Shakespeare Studies at King's College London Farah Karim-Cooper, and the first woman to win the Thurber Prize, Julie Schumacher. Tune in to hear how Farah Karim-Cooper became empowered through recording her audiobook, how Julie Schumacher intentionally included the point of views of undergraduates in her novel, and how the fear of losing history inspired Esmeralda Santiago. Las Madres by Esmeralda Santiago https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/222921/las-madres/ The Great White Bard by Farah Karim-Cooper https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/691287/the-great-white-bard/ The English Experience by Julie Schumacher https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/730658/the-english-experience/
‘How Not To Hate Your Husband After Kids (Or Perimenopause)' is the focus in today's episode of Perimenopause WTF! hosted by Rachel Hughes. Today Rachel talks to Jancee Dunn all about weathering the challenges of motherhood and hitting perimenopause as a new mother. Her wit and talents come out when explaining some of the symptoms she noticed at this time and Jancee gives us some great advice on how to better manage your partner when handling certain perimenopausal situations! Perimenopause WTF! brought to you by Hey Perry! Perry is a safe space for connections, support, new friendships and occasional laughs during the menopause transition. It's a #1 perimenopause app where you will meet other warriors who understand. Sharing experiences will help to feel ‘normal' again. No, you're not crazy and no, you are not alone. With our network of wonderful menopause experts, we have gathered an abundance of evidence-based knowledge, articles, podcasts and a new book: The Perry Menopause Journal. To learn more visit: www.heyperry.com https://perry.app.link/perimenopausewtf The Perimenopause Journal Are you looking for a meaningful way to prioritize your well-being during this crucial phase of your life? Do you crave self-care practices tailored specifically to the ups and downs of perimenopause? The journal offers: 1️⃣ Thoughtful Prompts: 2️⃣ Progress tracking: 3️⃣ Evidence-based knowledge 4️⃣ Community Support To grab a journal visit: heyperry.com/theperrymenopausejournal or amzn.to/3Nt1YYR
Psychologists Off The Clock: A Psychology Podcast About The Science And Practice Of Living Well
It's time to talk about menopause. Despite being such a pivotal stage in a woman's development, it does not always receive the acknowledgment it deserves. And with half of the population affected by menopause, it's about time we started talking about it loud and proud! Helping us unpack the whirlwind of physical and emotional changes women experience as they go through this transition is Jancee Dunn, columnist, perimenopause warrior, and author of Hot and Bothered, who shares her insightful thoughts. As we laugh and learn about the ups and downs of menopause, you'll hear about the 30+ symptoms (yep, you read that right!), and we've got you covered with intimacy tips, the best treatments to ease the discomfort, and even some surprising positives about this stage of life. No matter your gender identity, we welcome everyone to join us for this refreshingly hilarious and eye-opening journey! Listen and Learn: The experiences Jancee went through with menopause that inspired her to write Hot and Bothered Why Jancee advises confiding in loved ones—even your kids—when going through menopause Some well-known and lesser-known menopausal symptoms Understanding estrogen and progesterone through the lawnmower metaphor Why you should avoid blood tests to determine menopause The fascinating link between hot flashes, sleep, and weight gain How menopause can impact sex and intimacy, as well as tips for a more comfortable experience! Does menopausal hormone therapy treat all symptoms of menopause, and what are the risks and benefits? The upside of menopause Resources: Jancee Dunn's website Hot and Bothered: What No One Tells You About Menopause and How to Feel Like Yourself Again Follow Jancee on Instagram and Facebook For trained menopause specialists, visit The North American Menopause Society (NAMS). About Jancee Dunn Jancee Dunn is the New York Times bestselling author of nine books, including a memoir and a biography of Cyndi Lauper. Her essay collection Why Is My Mother Getting a Tattoo? was a finalist for the Thurber Prize for American Humor. Her last book, How Not To Hate Your Husband After Kids, was published in twelve languages. She is a frequent contributor to The New York Times, Vogue, and Health. She was a sex columnist at GQ and had a column that addressed ethical dilemmas in O, The Oprah Magazine. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, the author Tom Vanderbilt, and their daughter. Related Episodes: 92. Marriage in Midlife: The Rough Patch with Daphne de Marneffe 121. Be Mighty: An Episode for Stressed Out, Worried Women with Jill Stoddard 132. The Joy Of Movement With Kelly McGonigal 175. How to Sleep Better with Rafael Pelayo 204. Ageless with Andrew Steele 248. Let's Talk About Sex & Intimacy with Zoë Kors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week on the KPL podcast, we have bestselling and 2023 winner of Thurber Prize in American Humor, Steven Rowley. We sit down to discuss his latest book, The Celebrants, another funny, witty, and heartwarming book about the power of friendship. RecommendationsThe Guncle by Steven RowleyBig Gay Wedding by Byron Lane.Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie GarmusBe Frank With Me by Julia Claiborne Johnson
This week, we're speaking with Steven Rowley, bestselling author of four novels including THE GUNCLE, finalist for the Thurber Prize for American Humor, & THE CELEBRANTS. The Celebrants is a moving tale about the false invincibility of youth, and all the beautiful ways in which friendship helps us celebrate our lives, even amid the deepest challenges of living. https://www.stevenrowley.com/the-celebrants
Anytime I host Steven Rowley there's plenty to celebrate and this episode is no different! We celebrate Steven's magical year: winning the 2022 Thurber Prize for American Humor for The Guncle, being a Read With Jenna Pick, once again making it onto the NYT bestseller list (this time for The Celebrants), and sharing a publication … Continue reading E126: Interview with Steven Rowley author of The Celebrants →
There's currently a debate in America about what students should be learning about U.S. history. Some say we don't revere American exceptionalism enough. Others say we're giving ourselves an A+ by excluding the tests we failed. Humorist Alexandra Petri says both sides are wrong. We just don't know enough about the things we need to know, such as how inventor Nikola Tesla fell in love with his pigeon or about the secret tapes of Nixon yelling at his dog Checkers. This hour, an irreverent look at how we teach, learn and remember U.S. history. GUESTS: Alexandra Petri is a humorist, a columnist for the Washington Post and the author of Nothing Is Wrong and Here is Why, which was a Thurber Prize finalist. Her new book is Alexandra Petri's US History: Important American Documents Mike Pesca is host of the podcast The Gist, author of the Substack column Pesca Profundities, and the editor of Upon Further Review: The Greatest What-Ifs In Sports History Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe, Cat Pastor, Lily Tyson, and Jonathan McNicol contributed to this show. The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, I chat with Annabelle Gurwitch about her career in acting, speaking, and writing, her experience with SPY (Safe Place For Youth), her first publishing story, and her new book You're Leaving When?Annabelle Gurwiitch is a New York Times Bestselling author, actress and activist whose most recent collection of essays You're Leaving When? Adventures in Downward Mobility is a 2021 New York Times Favorite Book for Healthy Living, a Good Morning America Must Read and a finalist for The Thurber Prize for American Humor Writing 2022. In both her speaking and writing, Annabelle uses personal stories and humor to illuminate issues in the social zeitgeist including "harnessing resilience and learning how life's disappointments can teach you about the things that matter most” (Tara Parker Pope, New York Times). She's written for The New Yorker, New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Magazine, and Hadassah amongst other publications. Her five books include The New York Times bestseller and Thurber Prize finalist I See You Made an Effort.She was the longtime cohost of Dinner & a Movie on TBS and a regular commentator on NPR. She's performed on the Moth Mainstage, at Carolines on Broadway, and at arts centers around the country. Her acting credits include: Seinfeld, Murphy Brown, Boston Legal and Dexter and once in while she returns to acting playing a rabbi on Better Things on FX or a therapist for an FBI agent in Michael Bay's Ambulance. She's been featured in Time Magazine's annual “10 Ideas That are Changing the World,” GMA, Real Time with Bill Maher, CBS Early Morning, Oprah, and PBS Newshour.Annabelle had been chronicling living with stage iv lung cancer and inequities in healthcare in the New York Times and Washington Post since her out-of-the-blue diagnosis during covid. She's given patient advocate talks at scientific conferences around the globe including: Vienna, Rome, and Brisbane. She co-hosts Tiny Victories, a podcast, dedicated to appreciating small mercies and minor triumphs. She's guest lectured and taught essay writing and storytelling at The School of the New York Times, University of CA Redlands graduate writing program, Miami Dade Community College, Thurber House, George Washington U, Maine Media College, and University of Dayton, Ohio. Annabelle Gurwitch You're Leaving When? Adventures in Downward Mobility, Annabelle Gurwitch Annabelle Gurwitch: Real Time With Bill Maher Tiny Victories PodcastI Have some Questions For You, Rebecca MakkaiBootstrapped, Alissa Quart Unraveling, Peggy OrensteinSupport the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links
Alan Zweibel is one of the original writers of Saturday Night Live, the co-creator and producer of It's Garry Shandling's Show, and a consulting producer on Curb Your Enthusiasm among many other credits. Alan is also a playwright whose theatrical works include his collaboration with Billy Crystal on the Tony Award-winning 700 Sundays and Bunny, Bunny: Gilda Radner, A Sort of Love Story. He is the author of numerous books including Lunatics (co-authored with Dave Barry), and The Other Shulman (for which he won the Thurber Prize for American Humor).His new book Laugh Lines: My Life Helping Funny People Be Funnier is available as an audio book later this month. Alan's next film project is a screenplay he co-authored with Billy Crystal, Here Today, which Crystal is directing and will star Tiffany Haddish. During this podcast, Alan discusses his career as a writer and reveals what it was like to work on SNL in the show's first years including with Gilda Radner with whom he was in love. He talks about why he and Garry Shandling stopped speaking for years after the end of their collaboration, and he also takes us inside his longtime friendship and collaboration with Billy Crystal.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A prison librarian thought he just had to keep track of books until he started reading between the lines. And a young girl in San Francisco discovers something about her mother that turns a secret she's keeping into a burden. It's time to Look Back before we move forward. Happy Holidays to all you Snappas! We are so grateful for you. STORIES Secrets in the Stacks When Avi Steinberg became a prison librarian, he thought his job would be to keep track of the books. Then he started reading between the lines. To learn more about Avi's time behind bars -- and between the stacks -- be sure to check out his books: Running The Books and The Lost Book of Mormon, which was nominated for the Thurber Prize for American Humor. Produced by Joe Rosenberg Weed Brownies At school, Alia Volz was a weird kid without a lot of friends. She had a secret… after school, she'd go home and help her mom make and sell weed brownies all over San Francisco. But one day, Alia discovered something about her mom's business that turned her secret into a burden that was far more painful than she could have imagined. This story contains the mention of drug use, sensitive listeners please be advised. Thank you, Alia, for sharing your story with Snap! See more of Alia's work. Produced by Shaina Shealy, original score by Doug Stuart Artwork by Teo Ducot Season 13 - Episode 42