Best Thien Podcasts (2024)

1
Obtaining The Hourglass Figure With Thien Wong (Fitness and Health) 54:04

6d ago54:04

54:04

Send us a text Today, I got to record with one of my newest friends, Thien Wong, who has already jumped the list of friends from acquaintance to top five best friends. That being said, Thien starts us off with her personal struggles with her physical health. Specifically, she was bullied during her youth for being so skinny, ridiculed by other girl…

1
Madeleine Thien interviews Eleanor Wachtel on the final Writers & Company episode 52:42

18d ago52:42

52:42

For the conclusion of Writers and Company, the tables are turned and author Madeleine Thien interviews Eleanor Wachtel. Recorded at the Blue Metropolis International Literary Festival in Montreal last spring, Thien speaks with Eleanor about her early life in Montreal, memorable moments from her career and more. They also look back on Eleanor's conv…

1
How Social Media Is Dysregulating Our Nervous Systems 43:52

14h ago43:52

43:52

Send us a text Today, I am joined by Natalie (NatNat) Bedard, who is the founder and host of Lift Oneself. Together, we start with a very quick meditation practice that is truly relaxing. I then share my personal experience with it to start the topic of overthinking and relaxing, as well as set the scene for the fast-paced and busy world we live in…

1
Alison McCreesh: Exploring the magic and nuance of life in the North in her latest graphic novel 25:03

1h ago25:03

25:03

When Alison McCreesh was 21, she left her Quebec hometown and hitchhiked to the Yukon searching for something she couldn't quite put her finger on — and hasn't left. She talks to Mattea Roach about her graphic novel Degrees of Separation, which reflects on the everyday lives of people in the North... and how it's changed during her time there.…

1
Steel, Sweat, and Strategy: Richard Walsh on Family, Fitness, and Entrepreneurship 1:11:50

3d ago1:11:50

1:11:50

Send us a text I sat down with a very talented man today, who has quite the interesting and unique life story. Don't let that turn you away, though! While his tale is quite unique, there are many relatable aspects that make this episode super valuable and impactful. A U.S. Marine veteran, a champion boxer, a black belt, a father, a husband, an auth…

1
Aysegul Savas: Finding home in foreignness and capturing the uncertainty of early adulthood 30:15

1h ago30:15

30:15

The Paris-based Turkish writer spoke with Mattea Roach about her new novel, The Anthropologists, which centers on a young immigrant couple in an unnamed city, navigating love, friendships and the guilt of being away from family.

1
Sustaining Your Life With Plant3r (Efficient Indoor Growing And Harvesting) 29:32

8d ago29:32

29:32

Send us a text Today's episode is one I found very interesting, and it covers a subject that will only continue to expand in the future. Clift Hart, founder of Plant3r, comes on the show to talk about indoor growing using hydroponics, LED Lights, and soil-based waste-composting. Clift explains how easy and efficient it can be to set up indoor garde…

1
Sloane Crosley: Losing her best friend and sharing her grief with the world 27:18

2h ago27:18

27:18

Sloane Crosley’s jewelry was stolen from her home, and one month later, her best friend, Russell, died. She writes about these experiences in the memoir Grief is For People, which is witty and heartbreaking. Sloane joined Mattea Roach to talk about her grief, her best friend and writing about it all.…

1
Real Estate: Best Practices For Buyers And Realtors 36:40

10d ago36:40

36:40

Send us a text Kimberly Giarraputo joins me today to discuss real estate. With that in mind, we talk about the Dos and Don'ts for first-time homebuyers. Additionally, we cover how a realtor should be interacting with you, what their purposes are, and the reality of making a career out of real estate. https://www.compass.com/agents/kimberly-giarrapu…

1
David Huebert: Exploring the complexity of our relationship with oil through fiction 23:43

1h ago23:43

23:43

The novel Oil People is about a family in southwestern Ontario with deep connections to the oil industry. Oil is their present-day livelihood and heritage, but it might also be poisoning them physically and spiritually. David Huebert speaks to Mattea Roach about writing Oil People.

1
Modern Resources In The Continual Fight Against Military Suicide 50:50

13d ago50:50

50:50

Send us a text 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Today, September 13th, is the second-to-last day of National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Week. To end this week's episode covering suicide and mental health, I have Scott DeLuzio here to address the active duty military and veteran suicide crisis. Now, more than ever, there are resources out there…

1
Gen Z Suicide Prevention: Combining Social Media And Faith 43:34

15d ago43:34

43:34

Send us a text 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Today, September 11th is day four of National Suicide Prevention Week. In honor of that, I sat down with Sean Dunn, who specialize in faith-based chat lines. Mr. Dunn runs several websites and programs that specialize in connecting with Gen Z and Millennials, bringing them the faith and gospel through …

1
Heather O'Neill: How motherhood and artistry intersect in the bestselling writer's life and work 23:52

2d ago23:52

23:52

Heather O'Neill is an icon in Canadian literature who has won a ton of awards. And now she has a new novel. It’s called The Capital of Dreams and it’s about the influence of art and literature on our lives. It follows 14-year-old Sofia as she hunts for her mother’s lost manuscript during the chaos of war. Heather speaks to Mattea Roach about her la…

1
Breathwork Detox: Clearing The Inward Turmoil 48:37

7d ago48:37

48:37

Send us a text 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Today, September 9th is day two of National Suicide Prevention Week. In honor of that, I bring to you Amanda Russo, a mental health podcaster and Breathwork Detox Specialist. Also known as The Breathing Goddess, Amanda brings to y'all the topic of breathwork, sharing her personal story of how it has c…

1
Kaveh Akbar: Finding meaning in sobriety and writing his bestseller, Martyr! 29:30

5d ago29:30

29:30

Iranian American writer Kaveh Akbar and his novel Martyr! are everywhere these days. Martyr! made the New York Times bestseller list and several summer reading lists, including Barack Obama's. Drawing on Kaveh's own experience with addiction and recovery, it's about Cyrus, a 20-something Iranian American poet who’s in the early years of sobriety. C…

1
Introducing Bookends with Mattea Roach 1:45

6d ago1:45

1:45

When the book ends, the conversation begins. Mattea Roach speaks with writers who have something to say about their work, the world and our place in it. You'll always walk away with big questions to ponder and new books to read. Beginning Sept. 8 on CBC.

1
Self-Recovery: Beyond The Trends With Andrew Ronchetto 34:57

21d ago34:57

34:57

Send us a text With mental health awareness becoming popular in the past few years and most people having us focus on the same few specific things, Andrew Ronchetto would like to remind us to take a step back and look at the bigger, more detailed picture. Mr. Ronchetto is the founder of Be On. (https://beonplatform.com/) It is a company and a holis…

1
Wrestling With Perfection, Big Emotions, and Self-Criticism 1:12:02

24d ago1:12:02

1:12:02

Send us a text Today, I'm with Varsity Team Captain EmLed, the founder and host of the Wrestling With Life podcast. I will use this description to publicly apologize to her, because I definitely talked more than she did during this episode. Was I on like three hours of sleep after driving straight from Atlanta Podtour overnight? Yes. Do I talk more…

1
Ali Velshi and Ian Hanomansing in Conversation 1:21:32

12d ago1:21:32

1:21:32

Ali Velshi—Chief Correspondent for MSNBC, a weekly economics contributor to NPR, and host of his own news show, “Velshi”—joins us to discuss his new book Small Acts of Courage, a captivating family history that illustrates how small actions can have an outsized political impact. He speaks with Ian Hanomansing, host of CBC’s The National from Vancou…

1
A Couple O' Nukes Died. Now What? 23:56

28d ago23:56

23:56

Send us a text Join me as I dive into the origin of this show, the history that follows said origin, the modern events happening, and the future of the show. In this announcement, I review the new show logo and description, and talk about what it means. Like many people, I had a bold and ambitious dream. Unfortunately, it wasn't one that I could do…

1
Alo789living 0:40

27d ago0:40

0:40

Alo789 - Thiên Đường Giải Trí Cá Cược Top 1 Châu Á 2024⁠ Alo789⁠ - Thiên đường dành cho những ai yêu thích đá gà và casino. Nhanh tay đăng ký ngay hôm nay để không bỏ lỡ những phần quà đầy giá trị nhé! Thông tin liên hệ: Website: ⁠https://alo789.living/ Phone: 0984553552 Địa chỉ: 81 Nguyễn Đình Chính, Phường 15, Phú Nhuận, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vi…

1
The Self-Therapeutic Power Of Podcasting And The Community It Creates 1:03:28

1M ago1:03:28

1:03:28

Send us a text It's an in-person episode! So, be sure to check it out on Youtube! Today's episode if with Paula S, host of Talk Sh*t With P, a podcast centered around mental health, and celebrating the stories and talents of creative minds. We start the conversation with talking about some fun memories from Podfest, and our upcoming meeting at Podt…

1
Ali Smith on ghost stories, activism and the cyclical nature of time 51:59

25d ago51:59

51:59

The Scottish author reflects on the stories she grew up with, the influence of feminism and how time moves in circular patterns. Ali Smith has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize four times. Her 2014 novel How to Be Both won the Women's Prize for fiction and the Costa Book Award for novel. She spoke with Eleanor Wachtel in 2018 about the first tw…

1
The REAL Reasons You Can't Sleep (And How To Fix Them) 1:23:58

1M ago1:23:58

1:23:58

Send us a text Don't sleep on this episode- get it? Today, I'm joined by an expert sleep therapist, Tracy The Sleep Coach. She specializes in helping people battle their insomnia, and restore the sleep balance to their life. In the episode, we delve into a whole slew of sleep-related topics. We start by differing insomnia from other sleeping disord…

1
Peter Eisenman on pushing the bounds of modern architecture and transforming influence 52:44

1M ago52:44

52:44

The American architect, known for challenging the idea of form, reflects on his life and the experiences that shape his work, from his days as a lieutenant in the Korean War to his time studying in Europe. He founded the Institute for Architecture and Urban Studies and is the author of several books on architecture and design, including Lateness. P…

1
Being An Extraordinary Man (Men's Mental Health Support) 1:01:51

1M ago1:01:51

1:01:51

Send us a text Today, I am joined with Andrew Houghton, the Founder of the Extraordinary Men's Network. He joins me to speak about men's mental health. Andrew is a neuro-encoder, men's coach, teacher, husband, and father. As a men's coach, he works primarily with men in their forties, who struggle with self-esteem issues. Inspired by some of the me…

1
Danzy Senna's darkly comic take on racial identity 54:47

1M ago54:47

54:47

The American novelist draws on her experience growing up in an interracial family in her edgy, prize-winning fiction. Raised with an acute black consciousness, during a time when "'mixed' wasn't an option; you were either black or white," Senna brings an awareness — and astute analysis — of class, race and identity to all her writing. She spoke wit…

1
Battling Burnout With Unstoppable Grit 40:06

2M ago40:06

40:06

Send us a text Today, I am joined by Danielle Cobo, an author, podcaster, and speaker. At a young age, she was taken away by her mother, moving from one place to another. Later on in life, she got to reconnect with her father, and learned a different side of her family dynamic. Further down the road, Danielle ends up becoming a military spouse, who…

1
Francine du Plessix Gray on growing up the daughter of a great Russian beauty 52:13

2M ago52:13

52:13

Novelist and biographer Francine du Plessix Gray reflects on the fascinating lives of her parents in her memoir, Them, which follows their journey from the artistic Russian émigré community of 1930s Paris to the top of New York's high society. The memoir won the 2006 National Book Critics Circle Award for autobiography. Francine du Plessix Gray was…

1
Andrey Kurkov: Diary of an Invasion 1:00:18

1M ago1:00:18

1:00:18

The Vancouver Writers Fest and Upstart & Crow Literary Arts Studio welcomed Ukraine’s most celebrated writer, Andrey Kurkov, to discuss his work with international correspondent for The Globe and Mail, Nathan VanderKlippe. Kurkov will be back at the Vancouver Writers Fest with his International Booker Prize-longlisted novel, The Silver Bone. Diary …

1
Prolific and daring author Joyce Carol Oates on her childhood, widowhood and concerns about American society 52:20

2M ago52:20

52:20

Born during the Depression in Lockport, New York, Joyce Carol Oates started writing as a teen and has since written more than one hundred books, many of them portraying the darkness of American society. Her writing has earned her virtually every major American literary prize, as well as Montreal’s Blue Metropolis Grand Prix in 2012. After accepting…

1
The Importance and Impact of Children's Books 42:28

2M ago42:28

42:28

Send us a text Merry Christmas in July, as they say. I'm here "celebrating" the wintery summer with Todd Zimmerman, a well-established author, most famously know for Oliver the Ornament. It's a book (series) that is powerful not just on its own, but has made its way into the hands of several First Ladies of our country. Mr. Zimmerman joins us to sh…

1
Amitava Kumar on India, the U.S. and the indelible imprint of the immigrant experience 52:20

2M ago52:20

52:20

The Indian journalist and novelist writes stories that are autobiographical and revealing. Kumar joined Eleanor Wachtel in 2018 to talk about his book Immigrant, Montana - a mix of fiction, memory, politics and the pursuit of romance. Kumar's new novel is called My Beloved Life.

1
Leading With Values: Workplace, Friendships, and Romance 1:15:50

2M ago1:15:50

1:15:50

Send us a text Everyone, grab your hats! My special guest, Steve Wright, has brought his, and I have mine, so at least put on your thinking caps. Steve Wright, the creator of Managers Who Lead, joins us today after my appearance on his platform. He's here to share fascinating stories from San Diego and the United Kingdom, but more importantly, to d…

1
Edna O'Brien: from Ireland's outcast to celebrated icon 52:22

2M ago52:22

52:22

Even though Edna O’Brien left Ireland more than 50 years ago, the texture and atmosphere of the country continue to permeate her work. Her first seven books were banned or suppressed in Ireland. In fact her debut novel, The Country Girls, was burned in her home parish for depicting the ambitions and sexual desires of young women. Today, O'Brien is …

1
From Struggles to Strength: Yayoi K. on Self-Image, Food, and Mental Health 1:03:03

3M ago1:03:03

1:03:03

Send us a text In today's unique and captivating episode, we sit down with Yayoi Komiyama, a dear co-worker in the entertainment and education industry, known for her humor and compassion. Yayoi opens up about her personal journey, sharing the challenges she faced during her childhood that profoundly impacted her relationship with food and health. …

1
Laurie Anderson on language, story and losing her archives to Hurricane Sandy 52:33

3M ago52:33

52:33

In 2018, Eleanor Wachtel went to New York City to interview one of North America's most renowned and daring creative pioneers, Laurie Anderson. The multimedia artist and musician had just published her retrospective book, All the Things I Lost in the Flood, inspired by the devastation of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, which destroyed Anderson's archive o…

1
Wade Davis: Beneath the Surface of Things 58:57

2M ago58:57

58:57

Travel into the heart of humanity with one of the foremost thinkers of our time. Wade Davis’s awe-inspiring career includes being the renowned author of 24 books, Professor of Anthropology, Member of the Order of Canada, and former Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society. He joins the Vancouver Writers Fest with Beneath the Surface…

1
Psychological Warfare- Gaslighting, PTSD, and Abusive Relationships 1:12:47

3M ago1:12:47

1:12:47

Send us a text Ms. Whiskey Lynne reached out to me, and what a God-guided meeting it was! Not only do we share the name Whiskey, but we are both passionate speakers on domestic violence, toxic relationships, emotional abuse, and PTSD. In this powerful episode, we dive into crucial topics such as gaslighting, narcissism, control, financial bondage, …

1
Tony Kushner on his evolution as a storyteller, from Angels in America to The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide 52:04

3M ago52:04

52:04

This week, for Pride season, the Oscar-nominated playwright and screenwriter Tony Kushner. Known most recently for his movie collaborations with Steven Spielberg, including Lincoln, Westside Story and The Fablemans, Kushner's breakout hit was his epic play Angels in America, the winner of multiple Tonys and a Pulitzer Prize, among many other awards…

1
Breaking The Text-Wall of Online Dating (Filteroff) 26:37

3M ago26:37

26:37

Send us a text Dating! What do most military members have in common? Instant weddings, divorces, angry wives, and several children across the world. (Not every service member, of course.) Why is that, though? Well, the difficulties of the military often hinder the ability for our brave men and women to have a healthy and normal relationship. Travel…

1
Claire Messud on the stories and secrets of a French Algerian family in The Last Life 50:58

3M ago50:58

50:58

This week, American Canadian novelist Claire Messud. Throughout her career and in her new book, This Strange Eventful History, one of TIME’s most anticipated of 2024, Messud draws on her own family's history, especially that of her French Algerian father. In 2001 she spoke with Eleanor about her novel The Last Life, which traces three generations o…

1
Holding Our Addicted Loved Ones Accountable 55:10

3M ago55:10

55:10

Send us a text There is nothing more heart-wrenching than wanting to help someone who can only help themselves. Often times, we want to give up on the loved ones we have in our life who are addicted to drugs or alcohol. It seems like an endless cycle of quitting and using, and sometimes, the abuse that comes with it is unbearable. Dr. Brain Licuana…

1
Biographer Nicholas Murray reflects on Kafka's life — this month is the 100th anniversary of his death 52:57

3M ago52:57

52:57

In honour of the centenary of the death of Franz Kafka, one of the most influential writers of the 20th century, Eleanor Wachtel revisits her 2005 conversation with one of his biographers, Nicholas Murray.

1
Overcoming Chaos- Prison, Prayer, Rebuilding 58:04

4M ago58:04

58:04

Send us a text Noah Asher joins us today. A formerly incarcerated man, he prayed and persevered throughout his time in the prison system, growing closer to God along the way. Through all of that, he came out with a book and a goal to help reform America's prison system, and to help everyone overcome their chaos. Together, he and I share the wisdom …

1
Jenny Erpenbeck, winner of the International Booker Prize 2024, on The End of Days and personal transformations 53:32

4M ago53:32

53:32

Germany's Jenny Erpenbeck is the winner of the International Booker Prize 2024 for her novel Kairos, translated by Michael Hofmann. She spoke with Eleanor Wachtel, who chaired the International Booker Prize jury, in 2015 about The End of Days, an imaginative story that spans the 20th century through the eyes of a character who lives multiple versio…

1
Peace And Unification For America 1:24:08

4M ago1:24:08

1:24:08

Send us a text Suicide isn't the only thing claiming the lives of the brave American men and women serving our country. Out on the front lines, we lose men and women fighting for this country as well. So, what can we do to stop it and what does that look like on a political level? Where and when American troops are put into danger is dependent on t…

1
Mr. Whiskey's Birthday Nuclear Mania Celebration 2:59:16

4M ago2:59:16

2:59:16

Send us a text My birthday nuclear mania celebration podcast was quite the blast. I know it's a long episode, but luckily, y'all can pause and start back whenever you want, or utilize the speed change settings on the podcast. (This is the trimmed down version, too. I cut half an hour off already!) That said, we've got BIG RED, The Slayer, Stephen, …

1
Addiction Recovery With Erick Allen 55:50

4M ago55:50

55:50

Send us a text Today, E.A. joins us, bringing with him some humor and wisdom. Together, he and I discuss the addiction crisis of alcohol and drugs, facing our military members, as well as the rest of society. More importantly, we talk about the recovery aspect of it, including several ways of de-stressing or substituting how we combat the negativit…

1
Hari Kunzru on race, politics and the blues 53:29

4M ago53:29

53:29

The British born author moved to New York in 2008 to write a book set in sixteenth-century India. But he was drawn to write about America, focusing on life in the city and the Mojave Desert in his two novels White Tears and Gods Without Men. Hari Kunzru spoke with Eleanor Wachtel in 2017 from New York…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Thien Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide