Best Selected Prose Podcasts (2025)

On January 28, 1986, a little over a minute into flight, the space shuttle Challenger broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean, killing all seven people on board. The full story of what happened before and after that day is revealed in the new book, “Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space” by Adam Higginbotham.…

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“I’ll Be Right Here". by Amy Bloom 9:04

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12d ago9:04

9:04

Beginning with flight from post-World War II North Africa and Paris, right up to our own time; a multi-generational found-family struggles, lives and loves. Best-selling author Amy Bloom’s new novel is, “I’ll Be Right Here".By Nebraska Public Media

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“Good Soil:The Education of an Accidental Farmhand” by Jeff Chu 17:17

19d ago17:17

17:17

In mid-life, Jeff Chu left his job as a magazine writer for grad school at Princeton Theological Seminary. The school had a 21-acre farm, the “Farminary”, where Chu worked. Pat Leach talked to Jeff Chu about his experiences and his book “Good Soil: The Education of an Accidental Farmhand”By Nebraska Public Media

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“James” by Percival Everett 9:14

24d ago9:14

9:14

Winner of the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Literature, “James” by Percival Everett is a retelling of Twain’s Huckelberry Finn from the perspective of the enslaved Jim. The river journey contains the same characters and adventures, but Jim’s intelligence and compassion show them in a radically new light.By Nebraska Public Media

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“The Unauthorized Biography of Lincoln, NE” by Matt Steinhausen 19:40

1M ago19:40

19:40

No matter how long you’ve lived in your hometown, there's still more to learn. While some of the things you thought were local history, may in fact be myths. Fascinating history, lots of photos, and even some myth-busting are found in “The Unauthorized Biography of Lincoln, Nebraska” by Matt Steinhausen. The author joins host Pat Leach.…

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“On the Hippie Trail" by Rick Steves 10:38

1M ago10:38

10:38

The backpacker’s journey from Istanbul to Kathmandu was once known as the “Hippie Trail” A 23-year old Rick Steves made that trip and documented everything- the adventures, getting lost, and the people he met. His journal is the basis for his new book “On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer”…

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Wild's Eye and Archiving Obsessions (AYO AKINGBADE) 1:17:01

1M ago1:17:01

1:17:01

Guest artist AYO AKINGBADE joins ELIZABETH FULLERTON to discuss her work via 'In the Eye of the Wild' by Nastassja Martin. Published in 2021, the story follows the aftermath of a French anthropologist's gruesome attack by a bear, while she is living with the Evan people on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. FOLLOW US on INSTAGRAM! BUY US A COFFEE! SUPPO…

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“Clutch” An Education at Work”.by Linda Pawlenty 20:13

2M ago20:13

20:13

Having a job during school to help ends meet is pretty typical, but UNL PhD student Linda Pawlenty’s side job was on a different level of different. Pawlenty drove a concrete mixer truck while earning her PhD. Her experiences being a woman in construction, and a working-class laborer in academia, is the subject of her first book “Clutch” An Educati…

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"The Hidden Life of Trees" by Peter Wohlleben 9:51

2M ago9:51

9:51

Peter Wohlleben is a forester and author whose book, "The Hidden Life of Trees" was a best-seller. Now, that title has been given a graphical makeover with all 240 pages having color illustrations in this new adaptation that honors the spirit of the original book.By Nebraska Public Media

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“Becoming Earth” by Ferris Jabr 11:18

2M ago11:18

11:18

The ancient idea that the world is alive was long ridiculed by some scientists, but that’s changing. The view of Earth as a vast interconnected living system is gaining acceptance. “Becoming Earth” by Ferris Jabr offers the idea that humans and all living things, are more than inhabitants of Earth—but *are* Earth.…

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“Tell Me Everything” by Elizabeth Strout 9:08

2M ago9:08

9:08

Award-winning author Elizabeth Strout returns to Crosby, Maine in her latest novel about new friendships, old loves, and to ask the question- what does anyone’s life mean? Hear a review of “Tell Me Everything”.By Nebraska Public Media

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“Martyr!” by Kaveh Akbar 8:10

2M ago8:10

8:10

Cyrus is a newly sober son of Iranian immigrants. Guided by the voices of artists, poets, and kings, he embarks on a quest to uncover a family secret. Hear a review of the New York Times best-selling novel “Martyr!” by Kaveh Akbar on this week’s “All About Books”By Nebraska Public Media

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Mayhem Soup and Collaborative Patterning (LAUREN GODFREY) 1:15:37

3M ago1:15:37

1:15:37

Guest artist LAUREN GODFREY joins JILLIAN KNIPE to discuss her work via 'Heartburn' by Nora Ephron. Published in 1983, it tells a recipe rich story of Rachel Samstat and her husband Mark's marriage breakdown as a result of his affair with Thelma Rice. BUY US A COFFEE! SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Lauren and Jillian's conversation encompasses misogyny, kr…

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“Robert F. Kennedy:The Road Not Taken” by Dennis &Laura Crawford 14:59

3M ago14:59

14:59

Nebraska was one of only 15 states that held primaries in 1968. Robert F. Kennedy and Eugene McCarthy campaigned hard in the state. “Robert F. Kennedy: The Road Not Taken” by Dennis and Laura Crawford is a new history of the ’68 Nebraska campaigns, Hear an interview with co-author Dennis Crawford on this week’s “All About Books”…

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“Feeding Ghosts” by Tessa Hulls 9:27

3M ago9:27

9:27

In the graphic novel “Feeding Ghosts”, artist Tessa Hulls traces Chinese history across three generations of women in her family. Growing up, Hulls watched both her mother and grandmother struggle with unexamined trauma and mental illness. Hear a review of this Pulitzer Prize winning memoir on this week's "All About Books".…

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An introduction to Nebraska author, Loren Eiseley 17:57

3M ago17:57

17:57

His writing combined keen scientific observation with mystery and wonder. This week on “All About Books” a look at the life and writing of Lincoln native Loren Eiseley. Tom Lynch, Emeritus Professor of English at UNL will introduce readers to this unique and influential writer.By Nebraska Public Media

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“A Refiner’s Fire” by Donna Leon 8:52

3M ago8:52

8:52

Set in Venice, the popular detective series featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti has a new mystery to solve. In “A Refiner’s Fire” by Donna Leon, Brunetti confronts the present-day menace of teenage street gangs.By Nebraska Public Media

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Unfathomable Creatures and Bridging Realities (MARCUS COATES) 1:28:31

3M ago1:28:31

1:28:31

Guest artist MARCUS COATES joins JILLIAN KNIPE to discuss his work via 'Welsh Incident' by Robert Graves. Published in 1929, this short poem is a retelling of an overhead conversation about "un-Welsh" creatures emerging from the sea. BUY US A COFFEE! SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Marcus and Jillian's conversation encompasses longing, empathy, humour, gras…

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“Mrs Dalloway” by Virginia Woolf 20:24

4M ago20:24

20:24

Pat Leach invited her good friend Susan Millar to talk about the classic novel, “Mrs Dalloway” by Virginia Woolf. It’s one of Susan’s favorite novels and Pat’s first time reading it. Hear their conversation about what makes this book a classic and if it’s a good introduction to Woolf.By Nebraska Public Media

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“Inside Nebraska Courthouses" by Settle & Grossbart 15:41

4M ago15:41

15:41

Dean Settle and his wife Harriet Grossbart, went on an 11-month, 28-thousand mile journey across Nebraska documenting the interiors of all 93 county courthouses. The result of their travels is the book “Inside Nebraska Courthouses.” He joined “All About Books” host Pat Leach to share some of the history and local lore surrounding these symbols of l…

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Guest reviewer Richard Graham on new graphic novels 16:18

4M ago16:18

16:18

Graphic novels expert, UNL professor Richard Graham joins host Pat Leach to talk about two new titles, “Insectopolis: A Natural History” by Peter Kuper and “Belonging: A German Reckons with History and Home” by Nora Krug.By Nebraska Public Media

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“Wandering Stars” by Tommy Orange 9:07

5M ago9:07

9:07

“Wandering Stars” by Tommy Orange is a follow up to his acclaimed debut novel, “There There”. Orange traces the legacies of the Sand Creek Massacre in Colorado, and the Industrial Schools that tried to eradicate Native culture and identityBy Nebraska Public Media

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Guest reviewer Kiersten Hill on the current Romance genre. 14:16

5M ago14:16

14:16

Kiersten Hill dropped by “All About Books” this week to help host Pat Leach catch up on current trends in Romance fiction. She recommended the new release, “Story of My Life” by Lucy Score.By Nebraska Public Media

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Bill Kelly on the "Once Again" podcast series 19:01

5M ago19:01

19:01

Nebraska Public Media’s senior producer Bill Kelly joins Pat Leach this week’s on “All About Books” to talk about his adventures in researching Nebraska history. The new podcast series “Once Again” sent Kelly diving into dusty archives to uncover stories of Nebraska’s past and present.By Nebraska Public Media

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“Why We Remember” by Dr. Charan Ranganath 10:09

5M ago10:09

10:09

From recalling names and faces to trauma and healing- memory plays an important role in nearly every aspect of life. Dr. Charan Ranganath is a leading memory research scientist and psychologist, his bestselling book “Why We Remember” is reviewed on this week’sBy Nebraska Public Media

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“1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America" by Ross Benes 17:20

6M ago17:20

17:20

From pro wrestling and Pokémon to Insane Clown Posse and Jerry Springer, a new book looks at the low culture of the late ’90s revealing a continuing impact on current American culture and society. “1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times”, hear an interview with the author, Nebraska journalist Ross Benes.…