Tag Archives: Nonfiction

Podcast

Petrina Engelke on Iconic American Cuisine 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

In this special holiday edition of Writer’s Voice, journalist and author Petrina Engelke shares her journey exploring iconic American cuisine along Route 66, detailed in the book she co-wrote with food blogger Gabriele Frankemölle, Cook Across America: 66 Iconic Recipes Along the Legendary Route 66.

Engelke delves into the diverse cultural traditions that define American food, from maple syrup production in Illinois to fusion Tex-Mex dishes in Texas and barbecue’s African American roots. She also highlights the intersection of food, history, and climate change, discussing how environmental challenges threaten beloved traditions like winemaking and maple syrup harvesting.

“Barbecue is a testament to resilience, born from hard labor and innovation by enslaved African Americans.” — Petrina Engelke

Cook Across America is written for a German readership (Engelke reports on America for German news outlets) but our conversation is an engaging exploration of the many-splendored diversity that makes American food traditions so rich that any English-speaker can enjoy.

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: Petrina Engelke, American cuisine, climate change, Cook Across America

Continue reading →

Podcast

BY THE FIRE WE CARRY, Rebecca Nagle on Indigenous Sovereignty and Democracy

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

In this episode, Rebecca Nagle, journalist and author of By the Fire We Carry: The Generations’ Long Fight for Justice on Native Land, unpacks the history of the Cherokee Nation and broader Indigenous struggles for sovereignty.

Nagle intertwines personal family history with systemic injustices, tracing the consequences of the Trail of Tears, the Indian Removal Act, and the ongoing fight for Native land rights. She examines how these histories intersect with larger issues of capitalism, democracy, and climate justice.

The conversation also highlights recent landmark Supreme Court decisions and their implications for Indigenous sovereignty and U.S. democracy.

““If you think that lawlessness towards one group can’t eventually affect you, history tells us otherwise.” — Rebecca Nagle

Then, we continue our Thanksgiving week tradition of hearing Native American storyteller and ethnohistorian Marge Bruchac talk about the holiday from the Native point of view — and her re-telling of the Story of Corn.

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: Rebecca Nagle, By the Fire We Carry, Indigenous sovereignty, Cherokee Nation, Supreme Court, Trail of Tears, McGirt v. Oklahoma, Native land rights, Indian Removal Act, democracy and genocide, environmental justice, Neil Gorsuch

Continue reading →

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

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

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

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 →

Podcast

Audrea Lim, FREE THE LAND & Carleen Madigan, THE BACKYARD HOMESTEAD

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

In this episode, we sit down with Audrea Lim, author of Free the Land: How We Can Fight Poverty and Climate Chaos.

Audrea traces the connections between land commodification and many of America’s most pressing issues: ecological collapse, climate change, systemic racism, gentrification and economic inequality. Through powerful examples and thoughtful analysis, she shows how land ownership and control are key to understanding and addressing these problems.

Then we re-broadcast our 2009 interview with Carleen Madigan about The Backyard Homestead: Produce All the Food You Need On Just a Quarter Acre! The book was so successful, it went on to spark a whole series of Backyard Homestead books.

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

Key words: land ownership, Audrea Lim, backyard homesteading, Carleen Madigan, podcast, nonfiction, podcast, book recommendations, author interview, book podcast, book show, history, writer’s voice, Francesca Rheannon

Continue reading →

Podcast

July 4 Special: Danielle Allen, OUR DECLARATION

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

In this conversation with Writer’s Voice host Francesca Rheannon, political theorist Danielle Allen talks about two core ideas at the heart of our nation’s Declaration of Independence: freedom and liberty. How are they aligned? How are they different? And can they contradict each other?

Listen to a clip on YouTube

We re-air our 2014 interview with Danielle Allen about her book, Our Declaration: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Defense of Equality

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: Danielle Allen, July 4, Declaration of Independence, writer’s voice, podcast, book recommendations, author interview, book podcast, book show

Continue reading →

Podcast

How To Stop A Pipeline: Jonathan Mingle, GASLIGHT

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

What did a group of ordinary citizens find out when they managed to stop a huge gas pipeline from being built?

We spend the hour with Jonathan Mingle talking about his book, Gaslight: The Atlantic Coast Pipeline And The Fight For America’s Energy Future. It’s the story of how a diverse group of citizens came together to fight a pipeline proposed by one of America’s biggest corporations — and won.

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: climate crisis, climate change, Jonathan Mingle, gas pipeline, global warming, podcast, book podcast, author interview

Continue reading →

Podcast

Kelly Fong, INVESTIGATING FAMILIES & Emi Nietfield, ACCEPTANCE

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Are child protection service (CPS) agencies doing more harm than good?

Join us for an in-depth conversation with sociologist Kelly Fong about her book, Investigating Families: Motherhood in the Shadow of Child Protective Services. We explore the inner workings of Child Protection Services (CPS), the impact on families, and the need for systemic change.

Plus, we replay a segment from our 2022 interview with Emi Nietfield, author of the memoir Acceptance, about overcoming childhood trauma and the foster care system.

And we recommend a new children’s book for Father’s Day!

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: Child Protective Services, CPS, child welfare, family separation, poverty, social inequality, family policy, Emi Nietfield, Kelly Fong, podcast, book podcast, author interview

Continue reading →

Podcast

Eric Klinenberg, 2020: The Year Everything Changed

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Was 2020 the year Americans finally lost faith in their government? We talk with Eric Klinenberg about his acclaimed new book, 2020: One City, Seven People, And The Year Everything Changed.

The book follows seven New Yorkers as they try to cope with the pandemic. Among them, a transit worker, a bar owner, a retired lawyer who organizes a mutual aid network and a Black Lives Matter protester. Their stories and those of the others illustrate how our leaders and institutions failed us — and how some citizens stepped into the breach.

Then, in February 2021 we spoke with journalist John Nichols about why President Biden’s bold plan for Covid relief was defeated by the Republicans, joined by a few centrist Dems. We listen back to that conversation.

Writer’s Voice — in depth conversation with writers of all genres, on the air since 2004. Rate us on your favorite podcast app! It really helps others find our show.

Like us on Facebook at Writers Voice Radio or find us on X/Twitter @WritersVoice.

Continue reading →

Podcast

Two Biographies by Larry Tye: THE JAZZMEN & DEMAGOGUE

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Larry Tye tells us about his new book, The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America. It’s a fresh look at three titans of the Jazz Age. Then, we re-air our 2020 interview with Larry Tye about his biography of Senator Joe McCarthy, Demagogue.

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

Find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on X/Twitter @WritersVoice.

Key words: Jazz Age, Larry Tye, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Satchmo, Duke Ellington, author interview, book podcast, podcast

Continue reading →

Podcast

War & Secrets: Howard Mansfield, I WILL TELL NO WAR STORIES & Sasha Vasilyuk, YOUR PRESENCE IS MANDATORY

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

In this episode of Writer’s Voice, we feature two stories about war and secrets. First, we talk with Howard Mansfield about his book, I Will Tell No War Stories: What Our Fathers Left Unsaid About World War II. The book uncovers the truth about the terrible toll that war took on American airmen like Mansfield’s father—revealing the real story behind the much touted “glory.”

Then we talk with journalist Sasha Vasilyuk about her terrific debut novel, Your Presence Is Mandatory (publication date 4/23/24). It hews closely to her own family’s history, particularly her Jewish Ukrainian grandfather’s hidden past as a World War II prisoner of war.

Writers Voice— in depth conversation with writers of all genres, on the air since 2004. Find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on X/Twitter @WritersVoice.

Key Words: author interview, memoir, fiction, book podcast, Writer’s Voice, WWII, Soviet Union, nonfiction

Read The Transcript

Continue reading →

Podcast

Brad Gooch on The Radiant Life of Keith Haring & more

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

We talk with Brad Gooch about his acclaimed new biography of Keith Haring, RADIANT: The Life and Line of Keith Haring. Then we listen back to a clip of Gooch talking with us in 2017 about his biography, Rumi’s Secret: The Life of the Sufi Poet of Love.

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

Find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, on Instagram and Threads @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on X/Twitter @WritersVoice.

Love Writer’s Voice? Please rate us on your podcast app. It really helps to get the word out about our show.

Key words: biography, Keith Haring, Rumi, Brad Gooch, podcast, author interview, history, book show

Read more: Brad Gooch on The Radiant Life of Keith Haring & more

Keith Haring: Breaking Barriers

In the 1980s, the subways of New York City were covered with art. In the stations, black matte sheets were pasted over outdated ads, and unsigned chalk drawings often popped up on these blank spaces.

These temporary chalk drawings numbered in the thousands and became synonymous with a city as diverse as it was at war with itself, beset with poverty and crime but alive with art and creative energy. And every single one of those drawings was done by Keith Haring.

Haring was one of the most emblematic artists of the 1980s. Part of an iconic cultural crowd that included Andy Warhol, Madonna, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, Haring broke down the barriers between high art and popular culture, creating work that was accessible for all and using it as a means to provoke and inspire radical social change.

Haring died of AIDS in 1990. To this day, his influence on our culture remains.

RADIANT: Brad Gooch’s Definitive Biography of Haring

Brad Gooch’s biography of Keith Haring, Radiant, brings Haring’s brilliant but tragically short life to light, painting a vivid picture of the life and times of his subject. Gooch was granted access to Haring’s extensive archive to write a biography that will become the authoritative work on the artist.

About the Author

Brad Gooch is a poet, novelist, and biographer. In addition to Radiant and Rumi’s Secret: The Life of the Sufi Poet of Love (we play an excerpt from our 2017 interview with Gooch about Rumi’s Secret) he’s the author of biographies of Flannery O’Connor and Frank O’Hara; as well as several other works, including memoir, poetry and fiction.

Podcast

Tessa Hulls, FEEDING GHOSTS & Remembering Frans de Waal

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

A grandmother’s traumatic history reverberates through three generations…

We talk with Tessa Hulls about her powerful graphic memoir, Feeding Ghosts. It tells the story of three generations of women — her Chinese grandmother, Sun Yi; her mother, Rose; and herself —and how, in the process of writing and drawing their stories, she was able to heal the trauma that haunted them.

Then, we remember the great primatologist Frans de Waal, who passed away March 14. We re-air our 2022 interview with him about his last book, Different: Gender Through the Eyes of a Primatologist.

Writer’s Voice — in depth conversation with writers of all genres, on the air since 2004. Rate us on your favorite podcast app! It really helps others find our show.

Like us on Facebook at Writers Voice Radio or find us on Threads and Instagram at writersvoicepodcast and at X/Twitter @WritersVoice.

Key words: memoir, podcast, author interview, Frans de Waal, Tessa Hulls, gender, history

Read The Transcript

Continue reading →