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In this episode of Writer’s Voice, we talk with Aaron Robertson about his fascinating book, The Black Utopians: Searching for Paradise and the Promised Land in America. It’s about the hidden legacies of Black utopian experiments and what they teach us about the power of community today.

Then, we talk with best-selling novelist, journalist and activist Cory Doctorow about his new crime thriller, the latest installment in the Martin Hench series, Picks and Shovels. It tells the origin stories of forensic accountant Martin Hench and the most powerful tool for crime ever invented: the personal computer.

Black History Month on Writer’s Voice

Every week this month, we’ll be featuring books about key times in America’s Black History, a history that enriches and enlightens us all. We talk with:

• Aaron Robertson, BLACK UTOPIANS
• Aran Shetterly about MORNINGSIDE: The 1979 Greensboro Massacre
• Victoria Christopher Murray about her novel of the Harlem Renaissance, HARLEM RHAPSODY
• Bernadette Atuahene about her history of how racist policies undermine Black home ownership In America, PLUNDERED

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You can support our show and the others you listen to by contributing through Lenny.fm. Your support helps us bring you more of the episodes, like this one, that you look forward to. Thanks for being a vital part of our community!

Key Words: Black utopian communities, Aaron Robertson, The Black Utopians, Promiseland Tennessee, Black Christian nationalism, Albert Cleage Jr., Black History Month, Cory Doctorow, Picks and Shovels book, enshittification, digital rights, big tech antitrust

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In this episode of Writer’s Voice, we explore two fascinating books. Rowan Jacobsen takes us deep into the Amazon in Wild Chocolate, uncovering the origins of cacao and the ethical challenges of the chocolate industry.

Then, Karissa Chen discusses Homeseeking, her powerful novel tracing the Chinese diaspora through generations of displacement, love, and longing for home.

“We’ve been eating a shadow of what chocolate once was— and wild chocolate is bringing back its soul.”* — Rowan Jacobsen

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Follow us on Bluesky @rheannonf.bsky.social and subscribe to our Substack. Or find us on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast 

Key Words: Rowan Jacobsen, Wild Chocolate book, wild cacao, ethical chocolate, cacao biodiversity, Big Chocolate, Karissa Chen, Homeseeking novel, Chinese diaspora.

You Might Also Like: Rowan Jacobsen, AMERICAN TERROIR, Tessa Hulls, FEEDING GHOSTS, Ava Chin, MOTT STREET

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This week on Writer’s Voice we feature three great conversations. Karen Joy Fowler reflects on the relevance of Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Dispossessed and its vision of utopia on the occasion of the 50th anniversary re-issue of that classic work of speculative fiction. She wrote the introduction. Listen to our 2012 interview with Ursulla K. Le Guin

Then, Charlotte Dennett gives us a timely update on the geopolitics of the Middle East, connecting current conflicts to her book Follow the Pipelines.

And finally, we pay tribute to Jules Feiffer, the legendary cartoonist and author, revisiting his insights on political art and his noir graphic novel about the Hollywood Black List, The Ghost Script. We spoke with him in 2019. He died January 17.

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Follow us on Bluesky @rheannonf.bsky.social and subscribe to our Substack. Or find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, and on Instagram and Threads @WritersVoicePodcast 

Key Words: Karen Joy Fowler, Ursula K. Le Guin, The Dispossessed, utopia, Charlotte Dennett, Follow the Pipelines, Middle Eastern geopolitics, Jules Feiffer, The Ghost Script, Hollywood blacklist, energy politics

You Might Also Like: Charlotte Dennet, FOLLOW THE PIPELINES, Jules Feiffer, THE GHOST SCRIPT, Ursula K. Le Guin, UNREAL AND REAL.

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In this episode of Writer’s Voice, entomologist and author Barrett Klein discusses his book, The Insect Epiphany: How Our Six-Legged Allies Shape Human Culture. From the crucial roles insects play in ecosystems to their influence on art, architecture, and medicine, Klein unpacks the deep connections between humans and these often misunderstood creatures. [Image above by Barrett Klein.]

“We’d be knee-deep in dung and heaps of cadavers and corpses if it weren’t for insects.” — Barrett Klein

Then, Paula Whyman, author of Bad Naturalist: One Woman’s Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop, shares her journey from novice gardener to passionate steward of over 200 acres of meadow and forest. Whyman discusses the challenges of managing invasive species, restoring native habitats, and the unexpected joys of observing interconnected ecosystems.

“The kind of human interference that’s good is managing for the plants that will help the local ecosystem.” — Paula Whyman

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Follow us on Bluesky @rheannonf.bsky.social and subscribe to our Substack. Or find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, and on Instagram and Threads @WritersVoicePodcast 

Key Words: Barrett Klein, The Insect Epiphany, ecological importance of insects, insect pollination, biomimicry, insect-inspired architecture, insect conservation, pollinator decline, Paula Whyman, Bad Naturalist, native plants, invasive species management, rewilding, land stewardship.

Similar Episodes: Oliver Milman, THE INSECT CRISIS; Isabelle Tree, WILDING; Doug Tallamy, NATURE’S BEST HOPE

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In this week’s episode of WV, nonbinary journalist and author Nico Lang takes us inside the lives of trans and nonbinary youth across America. Their book is AMERICAN TEENAGER: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate And Finding Joy In A Turbulent Era.

“These kids are just trying to live their lives, but they’re forced to fight politically motivated hatred at every turn.” –Nico Lang

Then, we talk with National Book Award winner Lily Tuck about her new novel, The Rest Is Memory. Inspired by real events, the novel follows the life of a young Polish girl whose ordinary life is shattered by the horrors of Auschwitz.

Finally, we share with you a wonderful poem by Marie Howe to start the New Year. The video of the poem “Singularity” is at The Marginalian.org

Read the transcript

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Follow us on Bluesky @rheannonf.bsky.social and subscribe to our Substack. Or find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, and on Instagram and Threads @WritersVoicePodcast \

Key Words: Nico Lang, American Teenager book, trans youth, nonbinary, gender-affirming care, anti-trans legislation, Lily Tuck, The Rest is Memory, Auschwitz novel, Holocaust fiction

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Rafael A. Martinez discusses the lived experiences of undocumented youth in America. He’s Assistant Professor of Southwest Borderlands at Arizona State University and author of Illegalized: Undocumented Youth Movements in the United States.

He details how activism and organizing led to gains such as in-state tuition and DACA, but also the precariousness of these advancements under changing political climates.

Martinez emphasizes the resilience and creativity of undocumented communities in navigating systemic challenges, while acknowledging the significant mental and physical health consequences of living under constant threat of deportation.

His experiences underscore the systemic nature of immigration issues and the interconnectedness of undocumented immigrants’ lives with the broader U.S. society. The interview concludes with a call to action, encouraging listeners to engage with local organizations supporting immigrant rights.

“Immigration isn’t a broken system; it’s working as designed—to exploit and marginalize immigrant communities.” — Rafael Martinez

We also play an edited version of one of our ten favorite episodes of 2024 — our conversation with Eric Klinenberg about his book 2020.

Check Out our List of the Ten Best WV Episodes of 2024!

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

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 and Threads @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on Bluesky @writersvoice.bsky.social. Read transcripts at the Writer’s Voice Substack. 

Keywords: Rafael A. Martinez, Illegalized book, undocumented youth, immigrant rights movements, DACA, U.S. immigration policy, private detention centers, border militarization, immigrant activism history.

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Sociologist Stephanie Canizales examines the lives of unaccompanied migrant youth in her groundbreaking book, Sin Padres Ni Papeles. Drawing from years of immersive research in the Pico-Union neighborhood of Los Angeles, Canizales sheds light on the systemic challenges these young people face, from exploitative labor conditions to emotional isolation.

She connects their experiences to historical U.S. policies in Central America and Mexico, revealing the deep ties between migration, policy, and economic inequality. This conversation explores resilience, identity, and what must change to ensure justice for migrant communities.

“The conditions that force young people to migrate aren’t inherent to them—they’re rooted in histories of U.S. intervention and inequality.” — Stephanie Canizales

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 and Threads @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on Bluesky @writersvoice.bsky.social. Read transcripts at the Writer’s Voice Substack. 

Read The Transcript

Key Words: Stephanie Canizales, Sin Padres Ni Papeles, unaccompanied minors, migrant youth, labor exploitation, U.S. immigration policy, Central America migration, systemic inequality, undocumented workers, migration

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Sherri Goodman, a leading voice in climate security, discusses her book Threat Multiplier: Climate, Military Leadership, and the Fight for Global Security.

Goodman explores how climate change amplifies instability, from the Middle East’s water crises, to migration in Latin America, to potential conflicts over emerging shipping routes in the melting Arctic. Goodman also shares insights on geopolitical dynamics involving Russia, China and the Indo-Pacific.

“Climate change is a threat multiplier, exacerbating instability in already fragile regions.” — Sherri Goodman

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 and Threads @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on Bluesky @writersvoice.bsky.social. Read transcripts at the Writer’s Voice Substack. 

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Key Words: Sherri Goodman, threat multiplier, climate security, Arctic geopolitics, water weaponization, net-zero military, U.S. military energy goals, climate resilience, renewable energy, China Belt and Road, global security risks.

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In this episode of Writer’s Voice, we speak with Daniel Fryer, author of How to Cope with Almost Anything with Hypnotherapy, about the science and uses of hypnotherapy in mental health and well-being.

Then, we honor the late Nikki Giovanni with a replay of our 2009 conversation about Hip Hop Speaks to Children, celebrating poetry’s rhythm and its deep cultural roots.

“Hip hop is the vernacular turned into art—it’s gossip, rhythm, and rebellion rolled into one.” —Nikki Giovanni

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 and Threads @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on Bluesky @writersvoice.bsky.social. Read transcripts at the Writer’s Voice Substack. 

Read the Transcript

Key Words: hypnotherapy, Daniel Fryer, self-hypnosis, Nikki Giovanni, Hip Hop Speaks to Children, hip hop history, poetry, mental health

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In this episode, we dive into the world of eels with Ellen Ruppel Shell, author of Slippery Beast: A True Crime Natural History with Eels. From ancient mysteries and ecological importance to international crime syndicates and sustainable farming, Ruppel Shell unravels the fascinating and complex story of one of nature’s most enigmatic creatures.

The conversation traces the mysterious lifecycle of eels, their pivotal role in ecosystems, and their entanglement in a global black market. Ruppel Shell also highlights efforts to sustainably farm eels and the cultural significance of these creatures to Native American communities.

From Aristotle to the international criminal trade in wildlife, this episode offers a riveting exploration of eels and their connection to humanity.

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 and Threads @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on Bluesky @writersvoice.bsky.social. Read transcripts at the Writer’s Voice Substack. 

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Key Words: Ellen Ruppel Shell, Slippery Beast, eel lifecycle, global wildlife trade, freshwater eels, ecological importance of eels, eel farming, eel conservation, wildlife crime, ecosystems services

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Summary

In this episode, Julie Sedivy, author of Linguaphile: A Life of Language Love, explores her profound relationship with language as both a scientist and a writer.

Sedivy shares her journey from a multilingual childhood to becoming a linguist, reflecting on the complexities of multilingualism, the emotional weight of language, and its profound ties to time, identity, and human connection.

She also delves into how language shapes our social interactions, cultural divides, and even our final moments.

“The last word my brother said was ‘love.’ And that’s what remains when everything else falls away.” — Julie Sedivy

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 and Threads @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on Bluesky @writersvoice.bsky.social. Read transcripts at the Writer’s Voice Substack. 

Key Words: Julie Sedivy, Linguaphile, multilingualism, psycholinguistics, linguistics, aging and language,