Best Joseph Cramer Podcasts (2025)

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Detective Aunty with Uzma Jalaluddin 56:01

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10h ago56:01

56:01

Uzma Jalaluddin is a critically acclaimed and bestselling novelist, playwright, public speaker and teacher. She writes authentic, nuanced and entertaining stories about Muslims, South Asians, and Canadians and is the author of DETECTIVE AUNTY, MUCH ADO ABOUT NADA, THREE HOLIDAYS AND A WEDDING, HANA KHAN CARRIES ON, and AYESHA AT LAST, as well as he…

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The Dry Season with Melissa Febos 1:07:11

14d ago1:07:11

1:07:11

Melissa Febos is the author of five books, including the national bestselling essay collection, GIRLHOOD, which has been translated into eight languages and was a LAMBDA Literary Award finalist, and winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award in Criticism. Her craft book, BODY WORK, was also a national bestseller, an LA Times Bestseller, and a…

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Questions Without Answers, Written by Sarah Manguso and Illustrated by Liana Finck 49:59

28d ago49:59

49:59

Sarah Manguso is the author of nine books, most recently the novels Liars and Very Cold People, and a recent work of crowd-sourced philosophy, Questions Without Answers. Her writing has been recognized by an American Academy of Arts and Letters Literature Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Rome Prize. On today’s show, Annmarie and Sarah discus…

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Love Is for All of Us with James Crews and Brad Peacock 1:05:05

1M ago1:05:05

1:05:05

Brad Peacock is a veteran, an organic farmer, and a former candidate for the United States Senate. He's also an author who has been featured in 7 days, VT Digger, The Washington Blade, and The New York Times. He lives with his husband on land that he is rehabilitating with native plants and flowers. James Crews is the author of numerous prize-winni…

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Incurable Optimist with Jennifer Cramer-Miller 59:59

2M ago59:59

59:59

Jennifer Cramer-Miller is a writer, speaker, and joy seeker. She’s the Minnesota Board Chair for the National Kidney Foundation, and a Donate Life Ambassador for LifeSource. She’s also the author of the award-winning memoir, Incurable Optimist: Living with Illness and Chronic Hope, which is available now. On today’s show, Annmarie and Jennifer disc…

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People of Means with Nancy Johnson 1:00:02

2M ago1:00:02

1:00:02

A native of Chicago’s South Side, Nancy Johnson worked for more than a decade as an Emmy-nominated, award-winning television journalist at CBS and ABC. More recently, she’s the author of The Kindest Lie and her latest novel, People of Means. On today’s show, Annmarie and Nancy discuss the call to activism, and what makes some people enter the fight…

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Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One with Kristen Arnett 59:19

3M ago59:19

59:19

Kristen Arnett, aka “America’s Favorite Dad,” is the queer Floridian author of With Teeth, and the New York Times bestselling novel Mostly Dead Things, both of which were finalists for the Lambda Literary Award in fiction. She runs the substack “Dad Lessons,” and her latest novel, STOP ME IF YOU’VE HEARD THIS ONE, is out now. On today’s show, Annma…

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Clever Little Thing with Helena Echlin 55:18

3M ago55:18

55:18

Helena Echlin has written for numerous publications on both sides of the Atlantic, including The Guardian and The Times. She taught for years at Stanford University and has recently returned to the United Kingdom, where she now teaches fiction writing for Oxford University’s Department of Continuing Education. Clever Little Thing is her first psych…

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My Mother in Havana with Rebe Huntman 42:29

4M ago42:29

42:29

Rebe Huntman is a memoirist, essayist, dancer, teacher and poet whose debut memoir, My Mother in Havana, is out now. On today’s show, Annmarie and Rebe discuss the magic of dance, communicating with deceased loved ones, and how a search for our mothers can bring us closer to understanding ourselves. Episode Sponsors Gramercy Books – A locally-owned…

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Sink with Joseph Earl Thomas 54:10

4M ago54:10

54:10

Joseph Earl Thomas is the author of Sink, a memoir, and his debut novel God Bless You, Otis Spunkmeyer, longlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Literary Excellence, and winner of the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize. On today’s show, Annmarie and Joseph talk about working-class upbringings, how to write complicated families with sensitivity and g…

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I Was Their American Dream with Malaka Gharib 57:37

5M ago57:37

57:37

Malaka Gharib is the author of I Was Their American Dream, a graphic memoir about being first-generation Filipino Egyptian American, and It Won't Always Be Like This, a graphic memoir about her summers in the Middle East. On today’s show, Annmarie and Malaka talk about the American immigrant experience, how to be a working writer, and what it means…

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My Marriage Sabbatical with Leah Fisher 56:25

5M ago56:25

56:25

In her 60s, after decades as a psychotherapist, marital counselor, and work and family consultant, Leah Fisher embarked upon solo trips to multiple countries to see whether she could connect across cultures, participate in community projects, and try to be “of use.” On today’s show, Leah joins us to speak about her new memoir, My Marriage Sabbatica…

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Little Detours and Spiritual Adventures with Regina Brett 1:01:30

6M ago1:01:30

1:01:30

Regina Brett is a two-time Pulitzer finalist and the New York Times bestselling author of God Never Blinks. Her latest book is Little Detours and Spiritual Adventures. On today’s show, Annmarie and Regina talk about their Catholic upbringings, cancer survival, best and worst Christmases, and what it means to be a slice of God for other people. Epis…

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Wonderache with John Roedel 58:17

6M ago58:17

58:17

John Roedel is a poet, writer, comic, storyteller, and terrible dancer who gained unexpected notability as a writer and poet through Facebook conversations. His latest book is WonderAche. On today’s show, Annmarie and John talk about their Catholic upbringings, the places where faith meets doubt, and how to show up for others with more vulnerabilit…

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Unveiled Love with David Allen Edmonds 57:04

7M ago57:04

57:04

David Allen Edmonds taught German and English for 43 years at three Cleveland-area high schools, Cuyahoga Community College and Cleveland State university. His high school experiences form the setting for his Joe Lehrer Mystery novels and the short stories in his Faculty Lounge series. Today on the show, Dave and Annmarie talk about book banning, s…

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Your Dazzling Death with Cass Donish 53:34

7M ago53:34

53:34

Queer poet and writer Cass Donish is the author of three books including The Year of the Femme, Beautyberry, and the new poetry collection Your Dazzling Death. Today on the show, Cass and Annmarie talk about grief, queer love, and how to heal in the face of suicide loss. Episode Sponsors: Prairie Lights Books – Iowa City’s premier indie bookstore s…

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I’m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself with Glynnis MacNicol 1:08:23

8M ago1:08:23

1:08:23

Glynnis MacNicol is the author of three books including I'm Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself: One Woman's Pursuit of Pleasure and No One Tells You This. She wrote, produced, and hosted WILDER: A Reckoning with the Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder, and she writes the weekly newsletter Good Decisions. On today’s show, Annmarie and Glynnis talk about seeking…

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The Glass Girl with Kathleen Glasgow 55:34

8M ago55:34

55:34

Kathleen Glasgow is a poet turned novelist, and she’s the author of the bestselling titles Girl in Pieces, You'd Be Home Now, and How to Make Friends With the Dark, and the coauthor, with Liz Lawson, of the bestselling mystery series, The Agathas. On today’s show, Annmarie and Kathleen talk about her newest book, The Glass Girl, and the complex rel…

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Frighten the Horses with Oliver Radclyffe 59:07

9M ago59:07

59:07

Oliver Radclyffe is part of a new wave of transgender writers unafraid to examine the places where gender identity, sexual orientation, feminist allegiance, social class, and family history overlap. On today’s show, Annmarie and Oliver talk about his new memoir, FRIGHTEN THE HORSES, and discuss the complex nuances of gender transition. Episode Spon…

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Margo’s Got Money Troubles with Rufi Thorpe 1:01:19

9M ago1:01:19

1:01:19

Rufi Thorpe is the author of four novels, The Girls from Corona del Mar, Dear Fang, With Love, The Knockout Queen, which was a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner award, and her newest Book, Margo's Got Money Troubles, which was recently shortlisted for the Kirkus Prize. On today’s show, Rufi and Annmarie talk about professional wrestling, OnlyFans, and …

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Bummer Camp with Ann Garvin 48:17

10M ago48:17

48:17

Ann Garvin is a USA Today Bestselling author of six novels. She writes about people who do too much in a world that asks too much from them. A former Registered Nurse, Ann currently teaches creative writing at Drexel University. Her latest book is BUMMER CAMP, in which “two sisters scramble to save their family’s legacy in a funny, huge-hearted nov…

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Magic Season with Wade Rouse 1:01:50

10M ago1:01:50

1:01:50

Wade Rouse is the USA TODAY, Publishers Weekly, and internationally bestselling author of more than a dozen books which have been translated into 21 languages. On today’s show, Annmarie and Wade discuss difficult parents, screened-in porches, and how to pursue a writing life against the odds. Episode Sponsors: Literary Cleveland – Where writers can…

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Liars with Sarah Manguso 51:18

11M ago51:18

51:18

Sarah Manguso is the author of nine books, most recently the novel LIARS. Her work’s been recognized by an American Academy of Arts and Letters Literature Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Rome Prize, and her writing has been translated into thirteen languages. On today’s show, Sarah and Annmarie discuss marriage and how our best intentions o…

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The Genius of Judy with Rachelle Bergstein 53:38

11M ago53:38

53:38

Rachelle Bergstein is a lifestyle writer, author and editor. Her latest book is The Genius of Judy: How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood For All of Us. On today’s show, Annmarie and Rachelle discuss taboo topics from childhood – periods! bras! masturbation! – and how Judy Blume books demystified all of them. Episode Sponsors: McNally Jackson – Independ…

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Housemates with Emma Copley Eisenberg 50:36

11M ago50:36

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Emma Copley Eisenberg is a queer writer in Philadelphia, where she co-founded Blue Stoop, a community hub for the literary arts. Her latest book is HOUSEMATES which we talk about today. On today’s show, Emma and Annmarie discuss queer aunties, the magic of road trips, and whether art can actually save our lives. Episode Sponsors: The Head & The Han…

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Exhibit with R.O. Kwon 43:15

12M ago43:15

43:15

R.O. Kwon is the author of the nationally bestselling novel The Incendiaries, which was named a best book of the year by more than forty publications. On today’s show, Annmarie and R.O. discuss her new book, Exhibit, an exhilarating novel that’s been called “the sexiest book of the year.” They also talk about photography, the torture and timelessne…

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Mini Episode: The Mysterious Disappearance and Murder of Steve Gaddy: The Vanishing Cookie Salesman of Jacksonville, Alabama 4:15

12M ago4:15

4:15

Send us a text What happens when a devoted cookie salesman vanishes without a trace? On August 5, 1974, Steve Gaddy left his home in Jacksonville, Alabama, for what was supposed to be an ordinary workday, only to never return. In this gripping episode of "Murder in Your Backyard," we recount the harrowing events that led to the discovery of Steve’s…

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One of Our Kind with Nicola Yoon 45:51

1y ago45:51

45:51

Nicola Yoon is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Instructions for Dancing, Everything, Everything, and The Sun Is Also a Star, and she was the first Black woman to hit #1 on the New York Times Young Adult bestseller list. On today’s show, Nicola and Annmarie discuss Nicola’s new adult book, One of Our Kind, “a terrifying and thought-provo…

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Unresolved Tragedy: The Suspicious Death of Nathen Magallanes in Foley, Alabama - A Family's Pursuit for Truth and Justice 29:10

1y ago29:10

29:10

Send us a text What if the truth behind a young man's tragic death was buried beneath layers of inconsistencies and unanswered questions? This week, we explore the mysterious case of Nathen Magallanes , a promising 21-year-old from Foley, Alabama, whose life was abruptly ended in September 2017 under circumstances that still spark doubt and suspici…

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A Very Inconvenient Scandal with Jacquelyn Mitchard 1:04:58

1y ago1:04:58

1:04:58

Jacquelyn Mitchard is the best-selling author of 23 books, including A Very Inconvenient Scandal, The Good Son, and The Deep End of the Ocean, which was the inaugural selection for Oprah Winfrey’s book club. In today’s episode, Jacquelyn and Annmarie talk about the opportunities and challenges of balancing motherhood and the writing life, finding c…

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Episode 1 Part 5: Peraita's Journey from Promise to Death Row told by Eagle Rock Boys Ranch founder Scott Hilton 9:57

1y ago9:57

9:57

Send us a text Have you ever pondered the twists of fate that can send a life spiraling in unforeseen directions? Our latest conversation with Scott Hilton, founder of Eagle Rock Boys Ranch, presents a powerful narrative centered on Cuhuatemoc Peraita, a teen whose potential was eclipsed by misfortune and missteps. Scott unveils Peraita's story wit…

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Episode 1 Part 4: Navigating the Void: A Sister's Tribute to Darrell Collier – A Life of Passion, Adventure, and Sudden Loss 28:13

1y ago28:13

28:13

Send us a text When the universe takes away someone we love, the world shifts on its axis, leaving us to navigate the void left behind. In an intimate conversation with Dawn Ward, we explore the vibrant life and sudden loss of her brother, Darrell Collier. Dawn's poignant recollection of Darrell's passions for rock bands like AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, …

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Episode 1 Part 3: Officer Lane Keener and the Haunting Legacy of the 1994 Popeyes Murders in Gadsden: A Journey Through the Shadows of Law Enforcement 15:10

1y ago15:10

15:10

Send us a text Every officer has a case that haunts them, and for Officer Lane Keener, the chilling 1994 Popeyes murders in Gadsden stand out with harrowing clarity. With gripping emotion, Keener recounts the emergency call that accelerated into a high-speed race against the unknown, and the dire moments that followed as they breached the crime sce…

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Episode 1 Part 2: Survivor Bryant Archer: A Chilling Tale of Tragedy and Resilience - Living After Taking 5 Bullets - Popeye's Chicken, Gadsden, AL -1994 19:19

1y ago19:19

19:19

Send us a text Imagine surviving the unimaginable. Bryant Archer, the lone survivor of the 1994 Popeyes shootings in Gadsden, Alabama, joins us to recount the chilling tale of the day that forever changed the lives of many. His narrative not only paints a haunting picture of the events but also offers a humanizing glimpse into his relationships wit…

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Episode 1 Part 1: Popeyes Chicken Murders: The 1994 Prom Night Tragedy and the Quest for Justice - Gadsden, Alabama 17:14

1y ago17:14

17:14

Send us a text Uncover the harrowing details of the Popeyes Chicken murders—a case that has haunted a community since a storm-riddled prom night in 1994. Journey with us as we piece together the chilling sequence of events, from the power outages that led young employees to seek an early end to their shift to the unexpected roster change that place…

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Briefly Perfectly Human with Alua Arthur 43:06

1y ago43:06

43:06

Alua Arthur is the most visible and active death doula working in America today. She’s a recovering attorney and the founder of Going with Grace, a death doula training and end-of-life planning organization. Her TED Talk titled, “Why Thinking About Death Helps You Live a Better Life,” has over 1.5 million views. In today’s episode, Annmarie and Alu…

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Writing for the Ear 55:38

1y ago55:38

55:38

Today, we have something new. This past spring, Annmarie gathered with eight local writers to try a podcasting project. Over the course of six weeks together, they wrote side-by-side, saying YES to whatever stories arose. About friendship and loss, dreams and possibility, parents and belief. These sessions were sometimes tearful and painful, but th…

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Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghost with Crystal Wilkinson 1:04:12

1y ago1:04:12

1:04:12

Crystal Wilkinson is the award-winning author of several books including Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks. She was Poet Laureate of Kentucky from 2021 to 2023, and currently teaches creative writing at the University of Kentucky where she is a Bush-Holbrook Endowed Professor. In tod…

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Broughtupsy with Christina Cooke 58:06

1y ago58:06

58:06

Christina Cooke was born in Jamaica and is now a Canadian citizen who lives and writes in New York City. BROUGHTUPSY is her debut novel. In today’s episode, Annmarie and Christina discuss cultural upbringings, the cruelty of children, the joys of weightlifting, and how all humans are complex and contradictory and deserving of love. Episode Sponsor:…

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The Familiar with Sarah Kain Gutowski 1:00:12

1y ago1:00:12

1:00:12

Sarah Kain Gutowski is the author of Fabulous Beast and along with interdisciplinary artist Meredith Starr, she’s co-creator of Every Second Feels Like Theft, a conversation in cyanotypes and poems, and It's All Too Much, a limited edition podcast and art project. She’s out now with a new book of narrative poetry, The Familiar. In today’s episode, …

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Faltas with Cecilia Gentili 50:32

1+ y ago50:32

50:32

Originally from Argentina, Cecilia Gentili came to the U.S. pursuing a safer life as a transgender woman. She lived undocumented for 10 years. After surviving arrests and an immigration detention, she accessed recovery services and won asylum. Cecilia founded Transgender Equity Consulting, which works to ensure all people living on the margins rece…

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Splinters with Leslie Jamison 1:07:40

1+ y ago1:07:40

1:07:40

Leslie Jamison has written two essay collections, The Empathy Exams and Make It Scream, Make It Burn. She also gained prominence for her critical memoir, The Recovering: Intoxication and Its Aftermath. She’s out now with a new book, Splinters, about raising a child during the end of a relationship and the beginning of the pandemic. In today’s episo…

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Warrior Girl Unearthed with Angeline Boulley 46:40

1+ y ago46:40

46:40

Angeline Boulley, an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, is a storyteller who writes about her Ojibwe community in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. She is a former Director of the Office of Indian Education at the U.S. Department of Education and is the author of two bestselling novels, Firekeeper’s Daughter and Warrior Gi…

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The Loneliness Files with Athena Dixon 55:14

1+ y ago55:14

55:14

Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, Athena Dixon is a poet, essayist, and editor. She is the author of The Loneliness Files, The Incredible Shrinking Woman, and No God In This Room, winner of the Intersectional Midwest Chapbook Contest. In this episode, Annmarie and Athena talk about mental health, women who die alone, and how having loneliness in c…

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Niksen: The Dutch Art of Doing Nothing with Olga Mecking 50:03

1+ y ago50:03

50:03

Olga Mecking is a writer, journalist, and translator based in the Netherlands, and she’s the reporter who made Niksen (“doing nothing”) go viral. Her New York Times article on the subject was shared over 100,000 times. In this episode, Annmarie and Olga talk about the health and creativity benefits of doing nothing and why it is that pauses, rests,…

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When They Tell You to Be Good with Prince Shakur 46:28

1+ y ago46:28

46:28

Prince Shakur’s debut memoir, When They Tell You to Be Good, is a political and personal exploration of his coming of age as a writer and activist. In this episode, Laura Maylene Walter talks to Prince Shakur about how race and identity shaped his formative years, how journaling providing him with a creative outlet, his experience with activism and…

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The People Who Report More Stress with Alejandro Varela 1:02:10

1+ y ago1:02:10

1:02:10

Alejandro Varela is the author of THE TOWN OF BABYLON, a finalist for the National Book Award, and THE PEOPLE WHO REPORT MORE STRESS, which The New York Times called “a master class in analyzing the unspoken” and praised Varela for shedding light on complex societal problems with “seemingly effortless wit and empathy." Varela has a Master’s Degree …

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I Fell in Love with Hope with Lou-Andrea Callewaert 50:25

1+ y ago50:25

50:25

Lou-Andrea Callewaert was a chronically ill child who learned to write through her pain. She’s the author of I FELL IN LOVE WITH HOPE, the story of young hospital patients who support one another throughout their terminal diagnoses and promise to live fully for as long as they are able. Lou writes under the pen name Lancali, and in this episode, sh…

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This Is Salvaged with Vauhini Vara 55:11

1+ y ago55:11

55:11

Vauhini Vara’s debut novel, THE IMMORTAL KING RAO, has been published around the world, is being adapted for television, and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. She’s out now with a new story collection, THIS IS SALVAGED, which Lit Hub and Electric Literature named one of the most anticipated books of the year. In this episode, Annmarie and Vauh…

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Radiant Rebellion with Karen Walrond 54:49

1+ y ago54:49

54:49

Karen Walrond is the author of THE LIGHTMAKER’S MANIFESTO and THE BEAUTY OF DIFFERENT, and she’s out now with a new book, RADIANT REBELLION, in which she urges all of us to reexamine the myths and celebrate more of the opportunities of growing older. In this episode, Karen and Annmarie talk about reclaiming aging, practicing joy, and how to take ch…