Blog

Writer’s Voice Ten Best of 2023

Podcast

Eiren Caffall THE MOURNER’S BESTIARY & Betsy McCully, AT THE GLACIER’S EDGE

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

In this episode of Writer’s Voice, we explore the intersections of personal and ecological narratives through two powerful interviews.

Francesca speaks with writer and musician Eiren Caffall about her memoir, The Mourner’s Bestiary, and naturalist Betsy McCully, author of At the Glacier’s Edge: A Natural History of Long Island from the Narrows to Montauk Point. These conversations explore the interconnectedness of environmental degradation and restoration, personal story, and the history of place.

Topics Covered:

  • Environmental Parallels: How personal narratives of illness can reflect larger environmental crises.
  • Climate Change and Coastal Resilience: Insights into Long Island’s history of glaciation and ongoing environmental restoration efforts.
  • Ecological Restoration and Community: The importance of grassroots efforts in restoring and protecting local ecosystems.
  • The Human Connection to Nature: How loss, grief, and recovery in our own lives can mirror those within the environment.

Writers Voice— in depth conversation with writers of all genres, on the air since 2004.

    Connect with Us: Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest episodes and news. Find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on X/Twitter@WritersVoice.

    Key words: marine ecology, Long Island Sound, Gulf of Maine, Eiren Caffall, Betsy McCully, global warming, climate change, PKD, Writer’s Voice, environmental memoir

    Continue reading →

    Podcast

    World Wars: Robert Harris, PRECIPICE & Giles Milton, THE STALIN AFFAIR

    Podcast: Play in new window | Download

    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

    Today, we explore two uncommon angles on the histories of World War I and World War II.

    First, we’re joined by historical fiction writer Robert Harris, author of the recently released novel, Precipice. The novel explores a true story — the clandestine relationship between British Prime Minister Herbert Asquith and Venetia Stanley — set against the tumultuous events of World War I.

    Later, Giles Milton tells us about his book,The Stalin Affair. It’s a gripping fly-on-the wall account of the uneasy alliance between Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin during WWII.

    Today’s conversations weave together themes of political intrigue, unlikely alliances, and the personal connections that shape historical events. Both books reveal how pivotal relationships and secrets influence nations and change the course of history.

    Writers Voice— in depth conversation with writers of all genres, on the air since 2004.

    Connect with Us: Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest episodes and news. Find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on X/Twitter@WritersVoice.

    Read The Transcript on Apple Podcasts

    Key words: Robert Harris, World War One, World War Two, WWI, WWII, Giles Milton, Stalin, Churchill, FDR, WWII history, WWI history, podcast, Writer’s Voice,

    Continue reading →

    Podcast

    Louise Erdrich, THE MIGHTY RED & James Hansen (encore) STORMS OF MY GRANDCHILDREN

    Podcast: Play in new window | Download

    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

    In this episode of Writer’s Voice, Host Francesca Rheannon welcomes acclaimed author Louise Erdrich to discuss her new novel, The Mighty Red.

    Known for her deeply layered storytelling and themes centered on Native American life, Erdrich takes listeners on a journey into the heart of the Red River Valley in North Dakota. Here, she weaves a compelling tale about love, resilience, and the enduring relationship between people and land.

    Then, in the wake of hurricanes that battered the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida, Francesca revisits her interview with Dr. James Hansen, a pioneering climate scientist and former head of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

    Dr. Hansen, known for his groundbreaking 1988 Congressional testimony on climate change, discusses the urgent warnings he presented in his 2010 book, Storms of My Grandchildren. This conversation addresses the intensifying climate crisis, with a focus on extreme weather events, the critical need for emissions reduction, and the global impacts of rising temperatures.

    Read An Excerpt from The Mighty Red

    Listen also to our 2013 interview with Erdrich about her novel, The Round House. And read about our 2008 interview with her about The Plague of Doves.

    Writers Voice— in depth conversation with writers of all genres, on the air since 2004.

    Connect with Us: Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest episodes and news. Find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on X/Twitter@WritersVoice.

    Key words: Louise Erdrich, fiction, 2008 farm crisis, Francesca Rheannon podcast, Red River Valley North Dakota, climate change, global warming, James Hansen, hurricanes

    Continue reading →

    Podcast

    Anna Zivarts, WHEN DRIVING IS NOT AN OPTION & Dan Piatkowski, BICYCLE CITY

    Podcast: Play in new window | Download

    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

    In this episode of Writer’s Voice, we talk about changing urban transport to make it more people-centric, not car-centric. We welcome disability mobility advocate Anna Zivarts, author of When Driving Is Not An Option: Steering Away From Car Dependency.

    Then, urban planner Dan Piatkowski tells us about how new developments in bike technology can make cities — and even suburbs — more people friendly. His book is Bicycle City: Riding the Bike Boom to a Brighter Future.

    Writers Voice— in depth conversation with writers of all genres, on the air since 2004.

    Connect with Us: Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest episodes and news. Find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on X/Twitter@WritersVoice.

    Key words: transportation justice, car dependency, disability rights, e-bikes, sustainable cities, affordability, urban planning, climate change, Anna Zivarts, Dan Piatkowski

    Continue reading →

    Podcast

    The Minds and Lives of Animals with Joe Shute and Brandon Keim

    Podcast: Play in new window | Download

    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

    In this episode of Writer’s Voice, host Francesca Rheannon sits down with Joe Shute and Brandon Keim for two conversations about:

    • Animal intelligence and behavior
    • The human-animal connection
    • Ethical treatment of animals
    • Rethinking human dominion over nature

    Joe Shute discusses his latest book, Stowaway: The Disreputable Exploits of the Rat, which dives into the history, biology, and misunderstood nature of rats.

    Brandon Keim shares insights from his book Meet the Neighbors: Animal Minds and Life in a More-Than-Human World, exploring animal intelligence, personhood, and our complex relationships with the non-human creatures with whom we share the planet.

    Writers Voice— in depth conversation with writers of all genres, on the air since 2004.

    Connect with Us: Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest episodes and news. Find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on X/Twitter@WritersVoice.

    Key words: Joe Shute, Brandon Keim, Stowaway, Meet the Neighbors, animal intelligence, rats, animal personhood, wildlife, nature, environmental crisis, rats and humans, animal democracy, Fiona Presley, rat behavior, Writer’s Voice podcast, Francesca Rheannon.

    Read The Transcript

    Continue reading →

    Podcast

    Jacob Mikanowski, GOODBYE EASTERN EUROPE & Michael Lerner Remembered

    Podcast: Play in new window | Download

    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

    In this episode of Writer’s Voice, host Francesca Rheannon speaks with historian Jacob Mikanowski about his book Goodbye Eastern Europe: An Intimate History of a Divided Land.

    Mikanowski explores the rich, complex, and often overlooked history of Eastern Europe—a region shaped by centuries of empires, revolutions, and diverse cultures. From the enduring impact of the Ottoman Empire to the shifting borders of Poland, Hungary, and the Baltics, Mikanowski sheds light on how these lands became the cradle of both cultural richness and conflict.

    Then we remember activist, rabbi and champion of revolutionary love, Michael Lerner. He died August 28. We play our 2020 interview with Lerner about his book, Revolutionary Love: A Political Manifesto to Heal and Transform the World.

    Writers Voice— in depth conversation with writers of all genres, on the air since 2004.

    Connect with Us: Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest episodes and news. Find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on X/Twitter@WritersVoice.

    Key words: Eastern Europe history, Jacob Mikanowski, Michael Lerner, Francesca Rheannon, podcast, history, politics

    Continue reading →

    Podcast

    Clayton Page Aldern: Climate Change Is Messing with Our Brains

    Podcast: Play in new window | Download

    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

    In this episode of Writer’s Voice, we talk with Clayton Page Aldern about The Weight of Nature, his groundbreaking new book on the impacts of climate change on our brains — from PSTD to brain-eating amoebas.

    Aldern explains how climate-induced stressors are shaping our mental health — harming our judgment, leading to rises in neurodegenerative diseases, and even eroding our capacity to tell truth from lies.

    Clayton Aldern is a neuroscientist turned environmental journalist and senior data reporter for Grist. His climate change data visualizations have appeared in a variety of forums, including on the US Senate floor in a speech by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse.

    Writers Voice— in depth conversation with writers of all genres, on the air since 2004.

    Connect with Us: Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest episodes and news. Find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on X/Twitter@WritersVoice.

    Key words: Clayton Aldern, neuroscience, brain science, climate change, global warming, book show, podcast, brain health, PTSD, climate anxiety, Clayton Page Aldern, The Weight of Nature, neurodegeneration, environmental stressors, ALS, Alzheimer’s

    Continue reading →

    Podcast

    Edwidge Danticat on Haiti, Immigration, and Her New Essay Collection WE’RE ALONE

    Podcast: Play in new window | Download

    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

    Episode Description:

    In this episode, we talk with celebrated Haitian American writer Edwidge Danticat, author of Brother, I’m Dying and her latest essay collection, We’re Alone.

    Danticat shares intimate insights into her writing process, the legacy of colonialism and the immigrant experience. She discusses Haiti’s ongoing struggles, her personal connection to the country, and how the global refugee crisis continues to impact marginalized communities.

    Tune in to explore how Danticat bears witness to history through her poignant essays on family, resilience, and the power of storytelling.

    We also play a portion of our 2010 interview with Tracy Kidder about his book Mountains Beyond Mountains. It’s about the late great doctor and humanitarian Paul Farmer’s work in Haiti.

    Writers Voice— in depth conversation with writers of all genres, on the air since 2004.

    Connect with Us: Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest episodes and news. Find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on X/Twitter@WritersVoice.

    Key words: Edwidge Danticat, We’re Alone, Haitian American writer, Haiti, colonialism, immigration, refugee crisis, writing process, Tracy Kidder, Paul Farmer, book show, podcast.

    Continue reading →

    Podcast

    Living on Earth: How Life Shapes Our Planet with Peter Godfrey-Smith

    Podcast: Play in new window | Download

    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

    Episode Description:

    In this episode, host Francesca Rheannon sits down with philosopher Peter Godfrey-Smith to discuss his latest book, Living on Earth: Forests, Corals, Consciousness, and the Making of the World.

    Godfrey-Smith offers a fresh perspective on how life forms, from the simplest bacteria to complex animals, have actively shaped our planet. This episode dives deep into the evolutionary history of choice and how understanding our impact on the world can guide better decisions for the future.

    Tune in to explore how organisms aren’t just products of evolution but key players in creating the environment we inhabit today.

    Read Transcript

    Writers Voice— in depth conversation with writers of all genres, on the air since 2004.

    Connect with Us: Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest episodes and news. Find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on X/Twitter@WritersVoice.

    Key words: Peter Godfrey-Smith, philosophy, science, evolution, podcast, podcast, book recommendations, author interview, book podcast, book show

    Don’t miss an episode of Writer’s Voice. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform for more in-depth conversations with writers of all genres or use our RSS feed.

    Continue reading →

    Podcast

    Group Living: Lola Milholland & Chuck Collins

    Podcast: Play in new window | Download

    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

    Episode Summary

    In this episode of Writer’s Voice, host Francesca Rheannon explores the intricate dynamics of giving, receiving, and creating community with food entrepreneur and activist Lola Milholland. She shares insights from her memoir, Group Living and Other Recipes, which reflects on her upbringing in a communal household, the lessons of shared living, and the profound role that food plays in connecting people.

    We also revisit our conversation with Chuck Collins about his novel, Altar to an Erupting Sun, set in an intentional community in western Massachusetts.

    Writers Voice— in depth conversation with writers of all genres, on the air since 2004.

    Connect with Us: Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest episodes and news. Find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on X/Twitter@WritersVoice.

    Key words: Lola Milholland, communal living, organic food, memoir, Chuck Collins, climate activism, fiction, podcast, podcast, book recommendations, author interview, book podcast, book show

    Read the Transcript

    Don’t miss an episode of Writer’s Voice. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform for more in-depth conversations with writers of all genres or use our RSS feed.

    Continue reading →

    Podcast

    Ken Krimstein, EINSTEIN IN KAFKALAND & Harry Abrams, LET’S DO LAUNCH

    Podcast: Play in new window | Download

    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

    We talk with cartoonist Ken Krimstein about the remarkable meeting of the minds between Albert Einstein and Franz Kafka in Prague, before either man was famous. His new graphic book is Einstein in Kafkaland: How Albert Fell Down The Rabbit Hole And Came Up With The Universe.

    Join us as we explore how two seemingly disparate fields—physics and literature—intertwined in the lives of Einstein and Kafka, leading to some of the most profound and surreal discoveries of the modern age.

    Then, we talk with veteran Hollywood talent agent Harry Abrams, who represented stars like Liam Neeson and Jennifer Lopez, about his memoir/how to book, Let’s Do Launch: A Hollywood Agent Dishes on How to Make Your Business and Career Take Off.

    Writers Voice— in depth conversation with writers of all genres, on the air since 2004.

    Connect with Us: Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest episodes and news. Find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on X/Twitter@WritersVoice.

    Key words: Einstein, Kafka, Prague, Gravity, Relativity, Franz Kafka, Albert Einstein, Graphic Novels, Ken Krimstein, Philosophy, Physics, Literature, Harry Abrams, Hollywood agent, author interview, history, podcast

    Read The Transcript

    Continue reading →

    Podcast

    Exploring Apartheid: Venice’s Jewish Ghetto and the West Bank

    Podcast: Play in new window | Download

    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

    Today, two stories of what in the modern world we’ve come to call “apartheid”—the practice of segregating a subjugated population and imposing oppressive laws on it.

    First, we talk with UK historian Harry Freedman about his history of the first Jewish ghetto—that of Venice, Italy. It’s called Shylock’s Venice: The Remarkable History of Venice’s Jews and the Ghetto.

    Then, we revisit our conversation with novelist Rebecca Sacks about her powerful novel, City of Thousand Gates. Its depiction of Israeli apartheid against the citizens of the Occupied West Bank sparks comparisons with the apartheid experienced by Jews in Venice centuries earlier.

    Writers Voice— in depth conversation with writers of all genres, on the air since 2004.

    Connect with Us: Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest episodes and news. Find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on X/Twitter@WritersVoice.

    Key words: author interview, history, podcast, book podcast, Harry Freedman, Rebecca Sacks, Palestine, West Bank, Venice, ghetto, apartheid, fiction

    Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to Writer’s Voice on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    Continue reading →

    Podcast

    Policing Women’s Bodies: Seema Yasmin, UNBECOMING + Jordan Elgrably, STORIES FROM THE CENTER OF THE WORLD

    Podcast: Play in new window | Download

    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

    In this episode of Writer’s Voice, we sit down with Dr. Seema Yasmin to discuss her prescient YA novel, Unbecoming. Dr. Yasmin, a physician, journalist, and director of the Stanford Health Communication Initiative, brings her multifaceted expertise to the conversation. Her new book, set in a dystopian near-future America, explores the challenges faced by two teenage girls, Leila and Noor, as they navigate a society where abortion has been heavily restricted.

    Listen to a clip from the interview on YouTube

    Then, we talk with Jordan Elgrably, editor of a new collection of stories from the Middle East, Stories From The Center of The World. The stories originally appeared in the Markaz Review.

    Writers Voice— in depth conversation with writers of all genres, on the air since 2004.

    Connect with Us: Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest episodes and news. Find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on X/Twitter@WritersVoice.

    Key words: abortion, reproductive rights, Seema Yasmin, Jordan Elgrably, Middle East, fiction, podcast, podcast, book recommendations, author interview, book podcast, book show, history, writer’s voice

    Continue reading →

    Podcast

    Ending Institutional America: William Bronston, PUBLIC HOSTAGE, PUBLIC RANSOM

    Podcast: Play in new window | Download

    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

    In this episode, we sit down with Dr. William Bronston, a renowned advocate for disability rights and social justice.

    Dr. Bronston shares his incredible journey from a young medical student to a leading figure in the fight to protect the rights of people with disabilities. He discusses his experiences working at the Willowbrook State School, his efforts in the deinstitutionalization movement, and the transformative impact of the landmark Willowbrook case.

    His book is Public Hostage: Public Ransom: Ending Institutional America.

    “Willowbrook was a turning point, not just for the people who lived there, but for the entire movement towards equality and human dignity.” – Dr. William Bronston

    Connect with Us: Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest episodes and news. Find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on X/Twitter@WritersVoice.

    Listen to Bronston read an excerpt from Public Hostage, Public Ransom

    Key Words: William Bronston, Willowbrook State School, deinstitutionalization, disability rights

    Read more: Ending Institutional America: William Bronston, PUBLIC HOSTAGE, PUBLIC RANSOM

    Show Notes

    Early Life and Career Beginnings

    • Dr. Bronston’s early inspirations and motivations for pursuing a career in medicine.
    • His first encounters with disability rights issues and the profound impact on his career trajectory.

    The Willowbrook State School Experience

    • Detailed account of Dr. Bronston’s work at Willowbrook State School.
    • Shocking conditions and human rights abuses witnessed at Willowbrook.
    • The pivotal role Dr. Bronston played in exposing these conditions to the public.

    Advocacy and Legal Battles

    • The landmark Willowbrook case and its implications for disability rights.
    • Dr. Bronston’s collaboration with other advocates, lawyers, and journalists.
    • The process of deinstitutionalization and the shift towards community-based care.

    Ongoing Efforts and Future Vision

    • Reflections on the progress made in disability rights since the Willowbrook case.
    • Current challenges and areas needing attention in the fight for equality and justice for people with disabilities.
    • Dr. Bronston’s vision for the future of disability rights.

    Watch Geraldo RIvera’s documentary, Willowbrook: The Last Disgrace

    Podcast

    Brad Wolf, A MINISTRY OF RISK, Noel Hernandez, SIMPATÍA, William Bronston on Willowbrook State School

    Podcast: Play in new window | Download

    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

    In this episode of Writer’s Voice, we dive into the worlds of peace activism and literary translation through conversations with Brad Wolf and Noel Hernández-Gonzalez. Also, William Bronston, the doctor who brought instiionalization of the developmentally disabled to an end, reads from his book, Public Hostage, Public Ransom.

    Brad Wolf discusses his work on Ministry of Risk, a collection of Philip Berrigan’s writings exploring themes of nonviolent resistance and liberation. Noel Hernández-Gonzalez shares insights into translating Simpatía, a novel by Rodrigo Blanco Calderón, depicting the devolution of Chavismo into chaos and poverty, through an effort to save Venezuela’s abandoned dogs.

    Writers Voice— in depth conversation with writers of all genres, on the air since 2004.

    Connect with Us: Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest episodes and news. Find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on X/Twitter@WritersVoice.

    Key words: nonviolent activism, peace activism, Philip Berrigan, Brad Wolf, Noel Hernández-Gonzalez, William Bronston, Willowbrook State School, Venezuela, Chavismo, podcast, nonfiction, podcast, book recommendations, author interview, book podcast, book show, history, writer’s voice

    Continue reading →