Nathan Englander joins Deborah Treisman to read and discuss “Every Night for a Thousand Years,” by Chris Adrian, which was published in The New Yorker in 1997. Englander is the author of five books of fiction, including the novel “kaddish.com” and the story collection “What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank,” which was a finalist for the …

On episode 61, I have the tables turned on me (I usually do the rummaging) as my son rummaged through my literary crates to remix some prose that I dedicated to his Grandfather, my Pops... and published in my first book: From the Water's Edge Volume I (2019). This piece which is entitled: "Taking the Mantle" is a reflection on the notions and the h…

André Alexis joins Deborah Treisman for a special tribute to Alice Munro, who died in May at age ninety-two. Alexis reads and discusses “Before the Change,” by Munro, which was published in The New Yorker in 1998. Alexis’s works of fiction include “Fifteen Dogs,” which won the Giller Prize, “Days by Moonlight,” and the story collection “The Night P…

On this episode, I talk about the dangers of bending our knees to idols, false Gods and Charlatans.I also delve into the historical significance of a former President being convicted of a crime; the hold that conspiracy theories hold on some of our fellow humans we attempt to dodge the uncomfortable truths of our inhumanity towards our fellow man b…

Rachel Cusk joins Deborah Treisman to read and discuss "The Bible" and “The Stolen Pigeons” by Marguerite Duras, which were translated from the French, by Deborah Treisman, and published in *The New Yorker* in 2006 and 2007. Cusk is a winner of the Whitbread First Novel Award and the Somerset Maugham Award, and is the author of five books of nonfic…

On the last day of April 2024, I reflect on this upcoming series called: "Filling of the Cups" and the importance of us being centered on the business of our... humanity with one of my closest friends and the souls who I love the most while this music of my son plays in the background.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sho…

David Bezmozgis joins Deborah Treisman to read and discuss “Likes,” by Sarah Shun-lien Bynum, which was published in The New Yorker in 2017. Bezmozgis is a filmmaker and writer. He has published two story collections and two novels, “The Free World,” which was a finalist for the Governor General's Award and the Giller Prize, and “The Betrayers,” wh…

A dialogue on the forthcoming cookbook, I guess we can call it the... simmering.The meeting of a culinary trinty of Pescatarian, Vegan and Plant-based juxtaposed with my 3 decades in the act of creating food poetry in the form of recipes.On this episode I'll expand on the poetry or the connectivity of Food, Family and the intersectionality of our h…

We face uncomfortable truths in the form of the lies that we tell ourselves.The only ones who can save is... is us, but how can we do that when we don't like each other that much?On this episode I reflect on the lessons gifted to me by my Elders before they left for their reward and how that wisdom can serve to lead us to higher elevations with a m…

Greg Jackson joins Deborah Treisman to read and discuss “Safari,” by Jennifer Egan, which was published in The New Yorker in 2010. Jackson has published a story collection, “Prodigals,” and a novel “The Dimension of a Cave,” which was one of The New Yorker's Best Books of 2023. He has been publishing in the magazine since 2014.…

On this episode, I talk about conspiracies, contradictions, random cruelties and the duality of humanity, while digging in the crates of some old poetry and citing some findings in an article in the journal of the American Psychological Association entitled: The Conspiratorial Mind. Key takeaway... maybe the conspiracy, is us? In that we seem to be…

Sterling HolyWhiteMountain joins Deborah Treisman to read and discuss “Labyrinth,” by Roberto Bolaño, translated from the Spanish by Chris Andrews, which was published in The New Yorker in 2012. HolyWhiteMountain is a Jones Lecturer at Stanford, and grew up on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana.By WNYC Studios and The New Yorker

Food for the soul or soul food? The communal aspects of food cannot be understated, it is what defines our humanness. On this episode I delve into the poetry of food with a couple readings from some new work: origins of the forthcoming Pescatarian; Plant-based and Vegan themed cookbook (book number three); and a spark from my Paw-Paw with a reminde…

In the two hundredth episode of the New Yorker Fiction Podcast, Rivka Galchen joins Deborah Treisman to read and discuss “The Bees, Part 1,” by Aleksandar Hemon, which was published in The New Yorker in 2002. Galchen’s books include the story collection “American Innovations” and the novel “Everyone Knows Your Mother Is a Witch.”…

On Episode 50, I take a repreive from the dark places of grief, as I mourn the passing of one of my oldest friends, Stu from the land of the Mighty Mighty Square, my dear brother from another... and I reflect on one of the greatest gifts that we can offer to another person, one that doesn't cost much, but how can you quantify the power of a selfles…

Polawadism is the abbreviation that I came up with for this epiphany of sorts, yes I did, all by myself... it sounds mysterious doesn’t it? There's more, read and listen on.The Poetry Of Living As We Are All Dying In Slow Motion.A simple realization that we will be gone... a lot longer than we are here.It was/is epiphany of sorts, especially when y…

Teju Cole joins Deborah Treisman to read and discuss “1=1,” by Anne Carson, which was published in The New Yorker in 2016. Cole’s novels include “Open City” and “Tremor,” which was published this year.By Deborah Treisman

On this episode, I muse out loud about our serial arts of inhumanity, our fealty to lies and how we stand at the precipice... a point of no return. An uncomfortable truth that only WE can save US. It is these thoughts that served to inspire the spoken word/poetry piece at the end of the episode. It is my humble hope... that I am wrong on all counts…

On this episode, I read from some selected passages of a series entitled:Words for Black Boys... from a former one.These assorted reflections on coming of age in Chicago during the 1980's and 1990's and how I contended with the darts of invective from a group of teachers who seemed determined to break my spirit.Being told routinely, that I was a ho…

On this episode, I'm thinking out loud about the things that we honor, what we serve and how we abandon our humanity in the pursuit of titles and other shiny trinkets or minimal worth while wondering out loud about those who disowned me for speaking ill of a certain orange fella (that is so weird... what's wrong with y'all) choosing ideology over y…

Margaret Atwood joins Deborah Treisman to read and discuss “Varieties of Exile,” by Mavis Gallant, which was published in The New Yorker in 1976. Atwood is the author of more than forty books of poetry and fiction, including the novels “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “The Testaments” and the story collection “Old Babes in the Wood,” which was published e…

I ask the uncomfortable questions in the face of what seems to be the obvious. Humanity excels in the art of being cruel to each other. In the U.S we spend 10 times more on our national defense budget than we do on education, people lean on the fanciful and feeling over facts.I talk about it on this episode and I issue a challenge or a way forward.…

Lucinda Rosenfeld joins Deborah Treisman to read and discuss “Returns,” by Annie Ernaux, translated from the French by Deborah Treisman, which was published in The New Yorker in 20233. Rosenfeld is the author of five novels, including “I’m So Happy for You” and “Class.”By The New Yorker

Andrew O’Hagan joins Deborah Treisman to discuss “An Actor Prepares,” by Donald Antrim, which was published in The New Yorker in 1999. O’Hagan is the author of six novels, including “The Illuminations” and “Mayflies,” which was published in 2020 and won the Los Angeles Times Christopher Isherwood Prize.…

On Episode 49, I discuss how I spent my time on "podcast vacation" outside of the recording booth during the month of July and what I learned on the omnipresent search to be better than my past incarnations.The reality that our legacy will outlive us and that urgency should serve as our fuel, but instead it is an afterthought.There is a lot of refl…

David Means joins Deborah Treisman to discuss “Face Time,” by Lorrie Moore, which was published in The New Yorker in 2020. Means is the author of a novel and six story collections, including “Instructions for a Funeral” and “Two Nurses, Smoking,” which came out in 2022.By The New Yorker

George Saunders joins Deborah Treisman to read and discuss “So Late in the Day,” by Claire Keegan, which was published in The New Yorker in 2022. Saunders is the author of the novel “Lincoln in the Bardo,” and five story collections, including “Tenth of December” and “Liberation Day,” which came out last year.…

On this episode, I lean on some wisdom gifted to me by way of my son, who told me to break patterns and a gem given to me by one of my favorite Authors, my dear sister from another DNA helix, K.E Garland... that is Dr. Garland if you are literary, as she told me to empty my shit (poetry of the auditory).So, I use some musicial freqeuncies created b…

On this episode, I discuss the filling of cups, the serving of others, the power of affirmations to change our trajectories and how it healed me, as it is apparent that many are abdicating this critical role, but why? I also have readings of freshly scripted poetry, teasers from an eventual Volume III, possibly? The power of lessons gifted in the f…

Ottessa Moshfegh joins Deborah Treisman to read and discuss “Two Ruminations on a Homeless Brother,” by David Means, which was published in The New Yorker in 2017. Moshfegh is the author of four novels, including “My Year of Rest and Relaxation” and “Lapvona.”By The New Yorker

On this episode, I'm thinking out loud about what we honor, what we love, what/who we place on pedestals and how we cheat ourselves out of our humanity by way of choosing ideology over facts. It is against this backdrop that the creative process can serve to redeem, because if we stand by and do nothing... all is lost. Aren't we better than that...…

Jonas Hassen Khemiri joins Deborah Treisman to read and discuss “A Slice of Life,” by Vladimir Nabokov, translated from the Russian text of 1925, by Dmitri Nabokov, in collaboration with the author, which was published in The New Yorker in 1976. Khemiri is a Swedish fiction writer and playwright whose novels include “The Family Clause” and “Everyth…

On this episode, we take on current events or the poetry of living. The understanding or the acceptance of the inconvenient truths... in the form of telling lies to ourselves because our cowardice won't allow it.We point the finger at others to distract from the crimes of betrayal that we commit against ourselves. Who do we honor and what... does t…

Saïd Sayrafiezadeh joins Deborah Treisman to read and discuss “Ill Seen Ill Said,” by Samuel Beckett, which was published in The New Yorker in 1981. Sayrafiezadeh is the author of a memoir and two story collections, the most recent of which, “American Estrangement,” was published in 2021.By The New Yorker

We’re pleased to announce that “In The Dark,” the acclaimed investigative podcast from American Public Media, is joining The New Yorker and Condé Nast Entertainment. In its first two seasons, “In The Dark,” hosted by the reporter Madeleine Baran, has taken a close look at the criminal-justice system in America. The first season examined the abducti…

Claire-Louise Bennett joins Deborah Treisman to read and discuss “Family Walls,” by Maeve Brennan, which was published in The New Yorker in 1973. Bennett has published two books of fiction, “Pond” and “Checkout 19.”By The New Yorker

On Episode 44, I take on the notions of love without grace, namely the phenomenon of those... who say they love Jesus, while hating everyone that he said to love. My goal? Is to understand... just who are they... serving? Grab a seat and take a listen or let's hash it out on a walk.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/s…

On Episode 43, I'm rolling out a test pilot of historical fiction on the 183rd birthday of my 3rd Great Grandfather Church Tipton, who was born on Valentine's Day in 1840. Given that I have born witness to so much love by way of my genelaogy efforts, it only makes sense that my esteemed Ancestor was born on a day known for its deference to the noti…

Clare Sestanovich joins Deborah Treisman to read and discuss “The Moons of Jupiter” by Alice Munro, which was published in The New Yorker in 1978. Sestanovich’s story collection, “Objects of Desire,” was published in 2021.By The New Yorker

On Episode 42, I have the incense burning and the waterfall bubbling. I'm thinking out loud about mankind's most consistent trait, along with some accidental, incidental poetry, a reading from my second book; and an esoteric question on the necessity of being our own cheering section, versus being poisoned by the siren song of faux cheers. Come thr…

On this episode... the first of 2023. I ask if our propensity for cruelty towards our fellow man is the best that we can do? We offer thoughts and prayers while rejecting their humanity, why even bother? I wonder about the hard truths that we run from, the resolutions that we should make in serving others... on a higher order and a fresh reading of…

Gary Shteyngart joins Deborah Treisman to read and discuss “Omakase,” by Weike Wang, which was published in *The New Yorker* in 2018. Shteyngart is the author of five novels including, most recently, “Lake Success” and “Our Country Friends.”By The New Yorker

On this this episode, I talk about the poetry of living and the importance... no, the necessity of being our OWN best cheerleader. I also read from my series: Finding the Glorious Ones a narrative called "And they laughed" a reflection on a life lesson gifted to me from my Elders. Now if this episode and podcast echoes for you? I talk about ways th…

Ling Ma joins Deborah Treisman to read and discuss “Seeing Ershadi,” by Nicole Krauss, which was published in The New Yorker in 2018. Ma is the author of the novel “Severance” and the story collection “Bliss Montage,” which came out in September.By The New Yorker

On this episode, I delve into a discussion of the genealogy lean and the beauty of history repeating, especially in families. I am joined by my cousin Anita, one of those souls who comprise my family tree, who I refer to as the Glorious Ones, as we have a winding dialogue on the power of love, the interconnectivity of family, dream work, the ancest…

On this episode I explore the old adage of: "look at your friends and see yourself"are you inspired, do you celebrate their successes as if they are your own?Truth be told... I'm awestruck, I share orbits with some influential souls.That said, I am joined by one of my oldest friends, one of those who stood with me against the Leviathan of stereotyp…

Jamil Jan Kochai joins Deborah Treisman to read and discuss “All Will Be Well,” by Yiyun Li, which was published in The New Yorker in 2019. Kochai is the author of two books, the novel “99 Nights in Logar,” which was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award, and the story collection “The Haunting of Hajji Hotak,” which is a finalist for the National …

On Episode 37, I discuss the concept of placing those people who we admire, those souls who serve as our proxies on pedalstals and what that says about us. We are at an inflection point, where we can choose to LEARN from history or follow the same tired worn path of REPEATING it. I'll also read from recent work... Fresh prose Good People, that migh…

On Episode 36, I discuss the healing power of music with my son. A Licensed Music Therapist, known in East Coast circles as the Gentleman Boss, he is a Music Producer, Performer, Guitarist, Songwriter, DJ, Social Marketer and a host with the most (gimme a toast for sliding prose into the post). But... we discuss how serving others in a spirit of hu…

On this episode, I have an ongoing soliloquy, as I attempt to answer a question on the benefits of water therapy, in a time where selfishness seems to be the default setting for living. I wonder about those things that we honor and hold most dear... our FOUNDATIONS. That ongoing journey of living, that omnipresent search for God's face. I thought o…