Best Family Tree Editors Podcasts (2024)

1
Shows We Love: Black & Published 46:47

3M ago46:47

46:47

While we put the final touches on Season Three, we wanted to share an episode from another podcast that we think you’ll love: Black & Published, hosted by Nikesha Elise Williams. On today’s episode, Nikesha’s guest is Dolen Perkins-Valdez, author of the historical fiction novel TAKE MY HAND. It's a story based on the real-life Relf sisters of Montg…

1
That's a Wrap on Season Two! A Special Message from Deesha and Dawnie 2:39

6M ago2:39

2:39

Thanks to our guests, contributors, and listeners for a wonderful second season! Help us fund Season Three of Ursa Short Fiction by becoming an Ursa Member: https://ursastory.com/join/ You can also make a one-time contribution to help fund future episodes. We’ll be back very soon — get email updates by signing up for our newsletter: https://ursasto…

1
What Denne Michele Norris Learned as a Writer and Editor 57:14

7M ago57:14

57:14

Deesha and Dawnie chat with Denne Michele Norris, editor-in-chief of Electric Literature and author of the forthcoming debut novel, When The Harvest Comes (Random House). She is also the first Black, openly trans woman to helm a major literary publication. Norris discusses her approaches to both writing and editing, sharing insights for writers on …

1
[Free teaser] Member Exclusive: Deesha’s 7-Figure Book Deal, Listener Questions 23:04

7M ago23:04

23:04

This week we’re excited to share a very special episode of Ursa Short Fiction — a Member Exclusive where Dawnie Walton chats with Deesha Philyaw about this week’s big news: Deesha has just signed a seven-figure book deal with Mariner Books for a new novel, THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF FIRST LADY FREEMAN, and short story collection, GIRL, LOOK. The novel…

1
Story: ‘What Got Into Us,’ by Jacob Guajardo 37:53

8M ago37:53

37:53

Deesha and Dawnie introduce “What Got Into Us,” a short story by Jacob Guajardo, performed by Vicki Valdeon. The story is a candid look into queer adolescence, first loves, recklessness, and unbridled vulnerability. It was originally published in Passages North, and featured in The Best American Short Stories 2018. Listen to the story, then stay tu…

1
Rubén Degollado on Writing a Family Story, 25 Years in the Making 55:47

8M ago55:47

55:47

Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton go in-depth with Rubén Degollado, author of the novel The Family Izquierdo, which started out as a short story collection about a single family. Degollado's story “The Seven Songs” was featured on last week’s episode, and he discusses his journey to writing and publishing the book, as well as how he navigated his wr…

1
Story: ‘The Seven Songs,’ by Rubén Degollado 34:50

8M ago34:50

34:50

This week we're thrilled to feature “The Seven Songs,” by Rubén Degollado, from his novel, The Family Izquierdo. The story is performed by Carolina Hoyos and is excerpted from The Family Izquierdo audiobook, produced by Blackstone Publishing. Our thanks to them for sharing this story with Ursa listeners. In “The Seven Songs,” Dina, the daughter of …

1
Nafissa Thompson-Spires on the Making of ‘Heads of the Colored People’ 52:08

9M ago52:08

52:08

Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton go deep with Nafissa Thompson-Spires, author of the beloved 2018 collection Heads of the Colored People, to discuss Heads’ origin, the texts and other media that influenced Thompson-Spires, inspirations for her stories and characters in the collection, and their shared love for the Notes app. Thompson-Spires is cand…

1
Jonathan Escoffery on ‘Under the Ackee Tree’ and Walking Your Own Path 1:08:10

9M ago1:08:10

1:08:10

Deesha and Dawnie chat with Jonathan Escoffery, author of last week's audio story, "Under the Ackee Tree," from his acclaimed collection and audiobook, If I Survive You. The linked stories follow Trelawny, a second generation Jamaican American, as he struggles through family tensions, cultural and historical loss and reclamation, and exploration of…

1
Story: ‘Under the Ackee Tree,’ by Jonathan Escoffery 53:23

9M ago53:23

53:23

Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton introduce “Under the Ackee Tree,” a story by Jonathan Escoffery from his acclaimed 2022 collection, If I Survive You. The story is performed by Torian Brackett, and it comes from the collection's audiobook, produced by Macmillan Audio. Our thanks to Macmillan for sharing the story with Ursa's listeners. This story f…

1
Jamil Jan Kochai on Separating Writing from ‘the Noise’ 55:12

10M ago55:12

55:12

Deesha and Dawnie sit down with Jamil Jan Kochai, whose short story “Enough!” from his collection The Haunting of Hajji Hotak and Other Stories (Viking / Penguin Random House Audio), was featured in our previous episode. Kochai discusses how he fell in love with storytelling and short stories as a form—reflecting on his family, his childhood, and h…

1
Story: 'Enough!' by Jamil Jan Kochai 21:35

10M ago21:35

21:35

Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton introduce “Enough!”, a short story by Jamil Jan Kochai, from his collection The Haunting of Hajji Hotak and Other Stories. Kochai's story discusses intergenerational trauma, violences of both war and refuge, and rage as we follow Rangeena, a mother reflecting on her family and own past. The story is performed by Sue…

1
‘No Saints, No Demons’: Sidik Fofana on Creating Characters and Protecting Dreams 1:03:49

11M ago1:03:49

1:03:49

Deesha and Dawnie sit down with Sidik Fofana, author of the acclaimed collection Stories from the Tenants Downstairs, published in 2022. Fofana discusses his journey getting into NYU, being a public school teacher, taking the long road to publishing his debut collection, and finding inspiration in the daily world around him. Fofana talks about crea…

1
Story: 'Tumble,' by Sidik Fofana 37:35

11M ago37:35

37:35

Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton introduce “Tumble,” an audio short story by Sidik Fofana about two women, Neisha and Kya, and a childhood fight with long-term consequences. The story is performed by Jade Wheeler, and it’s one of eight linked stories from Fofana’s 2022 debut collection, STORIES FROM THE TENANTS DOWNSTAIRS. This audiobook excerpt co…

1
Dantiel W. Moniz on Hometowns, Girlhood, and the Life Experiences that Fuel Fiction Writing 57:55

11M ago57:55

57:55

It’s a very special “Three Ds from Duval” episode of Ursa Short Fiction! Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton welcome fellow Jacksonville native Dantiel W. Moniz, author of the acclaimed 2021 short story collection MILK BLOOD HEAT. Moniz talks about how growing up in Jacksonville informed the stories in MILK BLOOD HEAT, and how real-life experiences se…

1
Story: ‘Rioja,’ by Shannon Sanders 48:16

12M ago48:16

48:16

We’re thrilled to present a new audio story, “Rioja,” written by Shannon Sanders and performed by Khaya Fraites. It was originally published in the literary magazine SLICE, and it’s forthcoming in Sanders’s debut collection COMPANY, to be published by Graywolf Press in October 2023. In this story we meet Cole, who is taking his girlfriend Cecilia t…

1
Jocelyn Nicole Johnson on Bravery in Writing and ‘the Introvert's Revenge’ 56:32

1y ago56:32

56:32

Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton sit down with Jocelyn Nicole Johnson—author of Ursa's Season Two, Episode 3 story, "Virginia Is Not Your Home"—to discuss her acclaimed debut collection, My Monticello, and the journey of its making. Johnson talks about her writing as a direct response to historical events as they occur, much of her work centering V…

1
Story: ‘Virginia Is Not Your Home,’ by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson 27:50

1y ago27:50

27:50

Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton introduce their first story pick for Season Two, Jocelyn Nicole Johnson’s “Virginia Is Not Your Home,” from her debut collection, My Monticello, published in 2021 by Henry Holt and Co. “Virginia Is Not Your Home” follows the life of a woman who is attempting to outrun her namesake, and the story conjures questions o…

1
ZZ Packer on the 20th Anniversary of ‘Drinking Coffee Elsewhere’ 45:37

1y ago45:37

45:37

In our Season Two premiere, co-hosts Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton talk with the beloved ZZ Packer, author of Drinking Coffee Elsewhere, a collection first published in 2003 that went on to inspire countless writers. Packer talks about how she found her voice, style, and authenticity as a young, Black, female writer who hadn’t even planned on be…

1
Nana Nkweti: ‘I Always Knew I Was Going to Write Stories’ 57:05

1+ y ago57:05

57:05

On the Season One finale of Ursa Short Fiction, co-hosts Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton talk to Nana Nkweti, author of the acclaimed short story collection, Walking on Cowrie Shells (Graywolf Press). Nkweti’s story “Dance the Fiya Dance,” performed by Enih Agwe, was featured in Episode 15. Read the full transcript. Support Future Episodes of Ursa…

1
Story: 'Dance the Fiya Dance,' by Nana Nkweti 53:13

1+ y ago53:13

53:13

Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton introduce their latest short story pick, Nana Nkweti’s “Dance the Fiya Dance,” from her acclaimed 2021 debut collection, Walking On Cowrie Shells, published by Graywolf Press. Through a series of journal entries, we meet Chambu, a DC-based linguistic anthropologist and “Halfrican” (daughter of a Cameroonian mom and …

1
Book Club: 'The Secret Lives of Church Ladies' 1:25:52

1+ y ago1:25:52

1:25:52

This month marked the two-year anniversary of the publication of The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, author Deesha Philyaw’s groundbreaking and award-winning debut short story collection that examined the inner lives of Black women as they navigate relationships, sex, and the church. On Episode 14 of Ursa Short Fiction, Dawnie Walton digs into the s…

1
Maurice Carlos Ruffin’s Creative Journey from Lawyer to Award-Winning Writer 59:04

1+ y ago59:04

59:04

Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton are joined by Maurice Carlos Ruffin, author of the short story collection The Ones Who Don’t Say They Love You. That acclaimed 2021 book includes “Ghetto University,” the story we featured previously on the show. Ruffin talks about the inspiration he takes from his native New Orleans, and his journey from a “three-p…

1
Story: 'Ghetto University,' by Maurice Carlos Ruffin 30:15

1+ y ago30:15

30:15

A professor in New Orleans loses his job and resorts to a new line of work – mugging tourists in the French Quarter. “Ghetto University” is a short story by Maurice Carlos Ruffin, featured in his 2021 collection, The Ones Who Don’t Say They Love You. Listen to the story here, and read along at ursastory.com/ghetto-university Then come back next wee…

1
The Life and Stories of Diane Oliver, Part Two (with Michael A. Gonzales) 40:40

1+ y ago40:40

40:40

Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton welcome writer Michael A. Gonzales for part two of our deep dive into the life and work of Diane Oliver, who published six short stories before her death at age 22. (Part one of our series is here.) Gonzales published an essay about Diane Oliver in The Bitter Southerner earlier this year, and he talks about his work…

1
The Life and Short Stories of Diane Oliver (Part One) 1:05:00

1+ y ago1:05:00

1:05:00

Content advisory: This episode contains a mention of a racist slur. Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton's two-part book club discussion on the life and work of Diane Oliver, who published six short stories before her life was tragically cut short in May 1966 at the age of 22. Oliver was just a month away from graduating from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop…

1
Cleyvis Natera on ‘Fog,’ Staying True to Your Voice, and Embracing Short Stories as Play 54:39

1+ y ago54:39

54:39

Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton chat with author Cleyvis Natera, author of the new Ursa Original short story, “Fog,” and the recently published debut novel Neruda on the Park. Read the full transcript. About the Author Cleyvis Natera is the author of the debut novel Neruda on the Park. She was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New York …

1
Story: 'Fog,' by Cleyvis Natera 51:25

2y ago51:25

51:25

Content warning: explicit language, sex, depiction of violence. Author Cleyvis Natera debuts her original short story “Fog.” It’s the story of a worker at a Dominican resort who caters to high-end clients and must confront the choices he’s made to elevate his status and seek a different life for himself. Read Along Listen to the story in your favor…

1
Chelsea T. Hicks on the Stories and Wazhazhe Language in 'A Calm & Normal Heart' 1:03:18

2y ago1:03:18

1:03:18

Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton dive into the short stories of the acclaimed new collection A Calm & Normal Heart, with its author, Chelsea T. Hicks. Hicks is a member of the Osage Nation, and the collection, published in June 2022 by Unnamed Press, also incorporates her ancestral language of Wazhazhe ie (which translates to “Osage talk”). The col…

1
William Pei Shih on ‘Happy Family,’ Flawed Characters, and the Messiness of Life 42:12

2y ago42:12

42:12

Co-hosts Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton speak with writer William Pei Shih, author of the Ursa Original “Happy Family,” a story about a lost childhood, a struggling restaurant, and a bygone era of Chinatown. (Warning: This episode contains “Happy Family” spoilers.) Read the transcript. “Your character has to fail in telling their story,” Shih say…

1
Story: 'Happy Family,' by William Pei Shih 1:08:06

2y ago1:08:06

1:08:06

Content warning: This story contains an intense depiction of abuse / physical violence. An Ursa original audio story: “Happy Family,” by William Pei Shih. It’s the story of a lost childhood, a struggling restaurant, and a bygone era of Chinatown. Read along at ursastory.com/happy Interview with William Pei Shih. “Happy Family” Written by William Pe…

1
Introducing Ursa: Why We Love Short Fiction 28:55

2y ago28:55

28:55

Acclaimed authors Deesha Philyaw (The Secret Lives of Church Ladies) and Dawnie Walton (The Final Revival of Opal & Nev) introduce Ursa Short Fiction, a new anthology podcast dedicated to celebrating short stories, with a spotlight on underrepresented voices. Join us for author interviews, book club chats, and audio stories from some of your favori…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Family Tree Editors Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
Ursa Short Fiction

Ursa Story Company

1
Shows We Love: Black & Published 46:47

1
That's a Wrap on Season Two! A Special Message from Deesha and Dawnie 2:39

1
What Denne Michele Norris Learned as a Writer and Editor 57:14

1
[Free teaser] Member Exclusive: Deesha’s 7-Figure Book Deal, Listener Questions 23:04

1
Story: ‘What Got Into Us,’ by Jacob Guajardo 37:53

1
Rubén Degollado on Writing a Family Story, 25 Years in the Making 55:47

1
Story: ‘The Seven Songs,’ by Rubén Degollado 34:50

1
Nafissa Thompson-Spires on the Making of ‘Heads of the Colored People’ 52:08

1
Jonathan Escoffery on ‘Under the Ackee Tree’ and Walking Your Own Path 1:08:10

1
Story: ‘Under the Ackee Tree,’ by Jonathan Escoffery 53:23

1
Jamil Jan Kochai on Separating Writing from ‘the Noise’ 55:12

1
Story: 'Enough!' by Jamil Jan Kochai 21:35

1
‘No Saints, No Demons’: Sidik Fofana on Creating Characters and Protecting Dreams 1:03:49

1
Story: 'Tumble,' by Sidik Fofana 37:35

1
Dantiel W. Moniz on Hometowns, Girlhood, and the Life Experiences that Fuel Fiction Writing 57:55

1
Story: ‘Rioja,’ by Shannon Sanders 48:16

1
Jocelyn Nicole Johnson on Bravery in Writing and ‘the Introvert's Revenge’ 56:32

1
Story: ‘Virginia Is Not Your Home,’ by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson 27:50

1
ZZ Packer on the 20th Anniversary of ‘Drinking Coffee Elsewhere’ 45:37

1
Nana Nkweti: ‘I Always Knew I Was Going to Write Stories’ 57:05

1
Story: 'Dance the Fiya Dance,' by Nana Nkweti 53:13

1
Book Club: 'The Secret Lives of Church Ladies' 1:25:52

1
Maurice Carlos Ruffin’s Creative Journey from Lawyer to Award-Winning Writer 59:04

1
Story: 'Ghetto University,' by Maurice Carlos Ruffin 30:15

1
The Life and Stories of Diane Oliver, Part Two (with Michael A. Gonzales) 40:40

1
The Life and Short Stories of Diane Oliver (Part One) 1:05:00

1
Cleyvis Natera on ‘Fog,’ Staying True to Your Voice, and Embracing Short Stories as Play 54:39

1
Story: 'Fog,' by Cleyvis Natera 51:25

1
Chelsea T. Hicks on the Stories and Wazhazhe Language in 'A Calm & Normal Heart' 1:03:18

1
William Pei Shih on ‘Happy Family,’ Flawed Characters, and the Messiness of Life 42:12

1
Story: 'Happy Family,' by William Pei Shih 1:08:06

1
Introducing Ursa: Why We Love Short Fiction 28:55

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