Best Steve Almond Podcasts (2024)

1
Steve Almond, TRUTH IS THE ARROW, MERCY IS THE BOW: A DIY Manual for the Construction of Stories 30:08

1d ago30:08

30:08

Zibby is joined by author Steve Almond to discuss his wonderfully wise, irreverent, and inspiring new book for writers, TRUTH IS THE ARROW, MERCY IS THE BOW. Steve touches on the technical aspects of storytelling (like plot and character development) and then delves into the roots of storytelling, inspiration, and the importance of confronting inne…

1
Steve Almond, author of “Truth is the Arrow, Mercy is the Bow” 1:06:06

14d ago1:06:06

1:06:06

Steve Almond is the author of twelve books of fiction and nonfiction, including the New York Times bestsellers Candyfreak and Against Football. You can check those out here. His recent books include the novel All the Secrets of the World, which has been optioned for television by 20th Century Fox, and William Stoner and the Battle for the Inner Lif…

1
Courtney Preiss, WELCOME HOME, CAROLINE KLINE 22:22

22m ago22:22

22:22

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4b9GA3U Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Denise Dorrance, POLAR VORTEX: A Family Memoir 24:59

3h ago24:59

24:59

Cartoonist and illustrator Denise Dorrance chats with Zibby about POLAR VORTEX, a poignant, heartbreaking, and darkly funny graphic memoir that perfectly captures the grief, nostalgia, and chaos of caring for an elderly, dementia-impaired parent in crisis. Denise recounts her experience of rushing back to Iowa from London to take care of her ailing…

1
Jill McCorkle, author of “Old Crimes” 1:00:41

17h ago1:00:41

1:00:41

Jill McCorkle is the author of seven novels, two which came out on the same day in 1984 and, her most recent, Hieroglyphics, to great acclaim. Five of her books have been named New York Times notable books and four of her stories have appeared in Best American Short Stories. Her essay, “Cuss Time,” originally published in The American Scholar, was …

1
In The Cosmos Pt. 2 58:23

4h ago58:23

58:23

By Step Into the Story...

1
Suzanne Park, ONE LAST WORD 26:43

19h ago26:43

26:43

Zibby chats with Korean American writer and comedian Suzanne Park about ONE LAST WORD, a smart and breezy romp brimming with pitch-perfect humor, endearing insights, and lovably relatable characters. They delve into the novel's plot, which revolves around a new app that lets you send messages to anyone you want after you die… and the craziness that…

1
Lisa Grunwald, THE EVOLUTION OF ANNABEL CRAIG 24:54

2d ago24:54

24:54

Author Lisa Grunwald joins Zibby to discuss THE EVOLUTION OF ANNABEL CRAIG, a sensitive and poignant novel about a young Southern woman who sets out on a journey of self-discovery after both her parents die, as the infamous 1925 Scopes Trial tests her faith and her marriage. Lisa delves into the significance of the Scopes “Monkey Trial” for her pro…

1
Ivy Pochoda, author of SING HER DOWN 52:39

7d ago52:39

52:39

Ivy Pochoda is the author of the critically acclaimed novels Wonder Valley, Visitation Street, and These Women, a The New York Times best thriller of 2020. These Women was a finalist for The Los Angeles Times Book Prize, The Edgar Award, California Book Award, The Macavity Award, and the International Thriller Writers Award. Wonder Valley won the 2…

1
Lissa Soep, OTHER PEOPLE'S WORDS: Friendship, Loss, and the Conversations That Never End 27:29

3d ago27:29

27:29

Zibby speaks to author Lissa Soep about OTHER PEOPLE’S WORDS: Friendship, Loss, and the Conversations that Never End, an intimate, original, and profoundly generous look at the power of language to nurture our lives amid the wreckage of grief. Lisa shares the stories of her friends Christine and Jonnie, whose early and unexpected deaths deeply impa…

1
In The Cosmos Part l featuring an All Star Cast of Actors & Musicians 54:20

5d ago54:20

54:20

By Step Into the Story...

1
Episodes We Love: 'Head Or The Heart' Update 33:44

5d ago33:44

33:44

This episode was originally published on August 12th, 2016. The Sugars hear the latest from "Head or the Heart" -- a woman who'd fallen head over heels for a man with a troubled childhood. Everything seemed perfect, and yet, she couldn't help but wonder if the traumas of her love's past would surface at some point in their relationship. "Head or th…

1
Nell Freudenberger, THE LIMITS 21:29

8d ago21:29

21:29

Award-winning author Nell Freudenberg joins Zibby to discuss THE LIMITS, a heart-wrenching and humane novel set in French Polynesia and New York City about three characters who undergo massive transformations when the pandemic hits. Nell reveals her fascination with the ocean and coral research (she even scuba-dived in Belize to authentically portr…

1
Jane Bertch, THE FRENCH INGREDIENT: Making a Life in Paris One Lesson at a Time; A Memoir 24:22

9d ago24:22

24:22

Zibby is joined by cooking school owner and author Jane Bertch to discuss THE FRENCH INGREDIENT, the inspiring and delicious memoir of an American woman navigating innumerable cultural differences to build a life in Paris and open her cooking school, La Cuisine Paris. Jane delves into the challenges of opening her business (and triumphing over Fren…

1
James Rhee, RED HELICOPTER: A Parable for Our Times: Lead Change with Kindness (Plus a Little Math) 27:34

16d ago27:34

27:34

James Rhee, a high school teacher, Harvard Law graduate, private equity investor, and the unexpected Chairman and CEO of Ashley Stewart, joins Zibby to discuss RED HELICOPTER—A PARABLE FOR OUR TIMES: Lead Change With Kindness (Plus a Little Math), a brilliant business handbook that elevates kindness, joy, and goodwill. James shares what he learned …

1
Neely Tubati Alexander, IN A NOT SO PERFECT WORLD 22:50

12d ago22:50

22:50

Neely Tubati Alexander returns to the podcast, this time to discuss IN A NOT SO PERFECT WORLD, a delightful Carribbean-set romp about a quirky video-game designer and the hot next-door neighbor who invites her on a luxurious vacation… to pose as his new girlfriend. Neely talks about the romance genre (and all the fun tropes!), her creative process …

1
The Good Wife's Juliana Margulies & Amexicano's Raul Castillo plus The Walking Dead's Xander Berkeley perform stories by Dan Chaon 57:52

12d ago57:52

57:52

By Step Into the Story...

1
Julia Alvarez, THE CEMETERY OF UNTOLD STORIES 23:53

13d ago23:53

23:53

Great American novelist Julia Alvarez, bestselling author of HOW THE GARCÍA GIRLS LOST THEIR ACCENTS, joins Zibby to discuss her luminescent and lyrical new novel, THE CEMETERY OF UNTOLD STORIES. Julia describes her book as a journey through an older writer’s mind as she grapples with the end of her career and all the untold stories within her. She…

1
Carys Davies, CLEAR 19:13

14d ago19:13

19:13

Award-winning writer Carys Davies joins Zibby to discuss CLEAR, a stunning, exquisite novel about an impoverished Scottish minister who is dispatched to a remote island to “clear” the last remaining inhabitant… who has no intention of leaving. Carys reveals how a chance encounter with an extinct language dictionary ignited the spark for CLEAR over …

1
Jo Piazza, THE SICILIAN INHERITANCE 29:36

15d ago29:36

29:36

Bestselling author Jo Piazza chats with Zibby about The SICILIAN INHERITANCE, an utterly immersive, multigenerational mystery about a long-awaited trip to Sicily, a disputed inheritance, and a family secret that some will kill to protect. Jo talks about the real-life murder of her great-great-grandmother, Lorenza Marsala, which inspired this story,…

1
Phillipa Soo and Maris Pasquale Doran, PIPER CHEN SINGS 29:15

16d ago29:15

29:15

Award-winning actress Phillipa Soo (best known for the role of Eliza in HAMILTON) and her sister-in-law and co-author Maris Pasquale Doran join Zibby to discuss PIPER CHEN SINGS, an empowering and heartwarming children’s book about a girl who turns performance jitters into confidence when singing a solo at her school concert. Maris, who draws from …

1
Celeste Ng on Moms with Secrets, from Pop Culture Moms 5:55

17d ago5:55

5:55

Sharing an episode of another podcast we’re loving: Pop Culture Moms. Andie and Sabrina are toddler moms and best friends of 20 years. They’re taking their obsession with TV and movies to the next level by talking to celebrities, writers and fellow “scholars” of pop culture about what they can learn from the fictional moms they love most. In this e…

1
Elle Evans, WEDDING ISSUES: A Novel 27:35

17d ago27:35

27:35

Zibby Books author alert!! Zibby speaks with debut author (and resident doctor!) Elle Evans about WEDDING ISSUES, a laugh-out-loud, feel-good story about a charismatic law student who is the maid of honor for two brides competing for the same magazine cover: her best friend and her cousin. Elle describes her unique path to writing and what it’s lik…

1
Hannah Sward, author of STRIP 1:08:20

18d ago1:08:20

1:08:20

Hannah Sward, daughter of the late poet Robert Sward, is the award-winning author of Strip, her debut memoir. Hannah has appeared on NBC CA Live, C-SPAN BookTV, dozens of podcasts, and panels, and has published essays in the Los Angeles Times, HuffPost (forthcoming), Arts & Letters, and more. Hannah lives in Los Angeles where she is working on her …

1
Gretchen Schreiber, ELLIE HAYCOCK IS TOTALLY NORMAL 27:21

18d ago27:21

27:21

Zibby is joined by debut author (and Manager of Books at Reese’s Book Club!) Gretchen Schreiber to discuss ELLIE HAYCOCK IS TOTALLY NORMAL, a big-hearted novel best described as The Breakfast Club meets Five Feet Apart. Gretchen opens up about her medical journey and upbringing around Ronald McDonald Houses and then delves into her book's themes: n…

1
Shannon Reed, WHY WE READ: On Bookworms, Libraries, and Just One More Page Before Lights Out 21:17

19d ago21:17

21:17

Beloved writer, teacher, bibliophile, and Thurber Prize semifinalist Shannon Reed joins Zibby to talk about her whip-smart, hilarious collection, WHY WE READ: On Bookworms, Libraries, and Just One More Page Before Lights Out. Shannon describes her lifelong passion for reading, starting with her grandmother teaching her how to do it when she was jus…

1
The Good Fight's Michael Boatman performs "Federation for the Like-Minded" by Sidik Fofana 27:28

19d ago27:28

27:28

By Step Into the Story...

1
Redux: Body Weight and Romance 34:23

26d ago34:23

34:23

This episode was originally released on August 19, 2017. It’s never easy to talk to our romantic partners about their bodies, especially when it’s about weight. The Sugars, along with writer Ashley C. Ford, answer letters from people questioning their relationships because of major changes in their partners’ bodies.…

1
Susan Lieu, THE MANICURIST'S DAUGHTER: A Memoir 31:25

20d ago31:25

31:25

Author Susan Lieu joins Zibby to discuss her stunning, devastating, and intimate memoir (and Zibby’s April Book Club Pick!), THE MANICURIST’S DAUGHTER. Susan describes her childhood as the daughter of Vietnamese refugees in California. Then she talks about her savvy and charismatic mother, who, after setting up two successful nail salons, died from…

1
Savannah Guthrie, MOSTLY WHAT GOD DOES: Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere 26:10

21d ago26:10

26:10

Savannah Guthrie, co-anchor of NBC News’ TODAY and now #1 New York Times bestselling author, joins Zibby to talk about her deeply personal essay collection, MOSTLY WHAT GOD KNOWS: Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere. Savannah reveals the inspiration behind this book and then shares anecdotes of grappling with doubt, navigating se…

1
Episode 39: Bunyan and Henry; Or the Beautiful Destiny 1:03:04

22d ago1:03:04

1:03:04

Who could possibly step into Mark Cecil’s host shoes on The Thoughtful Bro on his pub day without skipping a beat and fire super intelligent and fun questions at him? A Mighty Blaze co-founder and best-selling author Jenna Blum, of course! They discuss Mark's debut Bunyan and Henry; Or the Beautiful Destiny, now available wherever books are sold. M…

1
Estelle Erasmus, WRITING THAT GETS NOTICED: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published 32:04

23d ago32:04

32:04

Zibby is joined by successful essayist, columnist, and writing instructor Estelle Erasmus to discuss WRITING THAT GETS NOTICED, an upbeat and wise guide to finding your voice, writing stellar pieces, crafting the perfect pitch, and getting published. Estelle shares insights from her three-decade-long career in publishing, teaching at NYU, and contr…

1
Emily Farris, I'LL JUST BE FIVE MORE MINUTES: And Other Tales from My ADHD Brain 27:30

29d ago27:30

27:30

Writer and podcast host Emily Farris joins Zibby to discuss I’LL JUST BE FIVE MORE MINUTES, a hilariously honest and heartwarming essay collection about life, love, and finally getting an ADHD diagnosis at age 35. Emily and Zibby start by discussing the prevalence of ADHD among creative women and its misperception as a young boy's condition. Then, …

1
Paige Layle, BUT EVERYONE FEELS THIS WAY: How an Autism Diagnosis Saved My Life 26:20

24d ago26:20

26:20

Autism acceptance activist and TikTok influencer Paige Layle joins Zibby to discuss her deeply personal memoir, BUT EVERYONE FEELS THIS WAY: How an Autism Diagnosis Saved My Life. Paige describes what it was like to struggle with masking her emotions and navigating social interactions throughout her childhood and what it was like to finally receive…

1
Katherine Heiny, author of “Games and Rituals” 1:01:28

24d ago1:01:28

1:01:28

Katherine Heiny has traveled one of the more interesting roads into publishing we’ve heard in a while. She was published by The New Yorker at the incredible age of 25. Praised as a prodigy, her work appeared in an anthology alongside Alice Munro, Raymond Carver and Ann Beattie. And then she disappeared. She popped back up two decades later when she…

1
Nick Shaw, MY TEACHER, MY SON: Lessons on Life, Loss, and Love 18:46

25d ago18:46

18:46

Zibby is joined by author Nick Shaw to discuss MY TEACHER, MY SON, a heart-piercing memoir (in prose, poetry, and photographs) about losing his nine-year-old son William in a freak skiing accident and navigating the depths of grief after that. Nick Shaw describes the day of the accident and then delves into his journey of grief, reflection, and new…

1
Episode 38: Hank Phillippi Ryan 55:01

1M ago55:01

55:01

With Boston literary citizen par excellence Hank Phillippi Ryan, discussing her latest suspense novel One Wrong Word. Hank has won scores of awards as a TV journalist and novelist (including 37 Emmys), and I dug into her storytelling habits, methods and style, unpacking the mind of this master of economical prose, twisty plots and upbeat endings. O…

1
Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez, MY SIDE OF THE RIVER: A Memoir 24:27

26d ago24:27

24:27

Zibby speaks with debut author Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez about MY SIDE OF THE RIVER, a tender memoir about her experience as the daughter of Mexican immigrants and what happened when her parents were kicked out of the United States when she was just fifteen years old, leaving her to raise her little brother by herself. Elizabeth talks about her…

1
Bosch's Sarah Clarke performs "Two Step" by Maile Meloy 26:49

26d ago26:49

26:49

By Step Into the Story...

1
John Schu, LOUDER THAN HUNGER 24:24

27d ago24:24

24:24

Beloved teacher and librarian John Schu joins Zibby to discuss LOUDER THAN HUNGER, a heart-wrenching and transformative novel-in-verse about a sensitive teen struggling with crippling anxiety and anorexia—inspired by the author’s experiences. John delves into his journey with mental health and the importance of crafting narratives that inspire with…

1
Katrina Leno, THE UMBRELLA MAKER'S SON 22:47

28d ago22:47

22:47

Zibby speaks to author and Zibby’s Bookshop manager Katrina Leno about her quirky middle-grade fantasy novel, THE UMBRELLA MAKER’S SON. Katrina delves into the fantasy world of Roan, where it is always raining, and the struggles of young Oscar, whose family legacy as umbrella makers clashes with his own dreams. They delve into Katrina’s writing pro…

1
Admiral James Stavridis and Elliot Ackerman, 2054 21:31

29d ago21:31

21:31

Zibby is joined by New York Times bestselling authors Elliot Ackerman and Admiral James Stavridis to discuss 2054, an explosive work of speculative fiction set twenty years after their first book, 2034, that shows a future America grappling with a violent partisan divide and a radical leap forward in AI. The co-authors discuss the inspiration behin…

1
Allison Winn Scotch, TAKE TWO, BIRDIE MAXWELL 25:32

30d ago25:32

25:32

New York Times bestselling author Allison Winn Scotch joins Zibby once again, this time to discuss TAKE TWO, BIRDIE MAXWELL, a witty and warm novel about Birdie Maxwell, America’s rom-com sweetheart, as she navigates being canceled and seeks redemption in her hometown. Allison reveals how an anonymous love letter she received in college inspired th…

1
Amy Shoenthal, THE SETBACK CYCLE: How Defining Moments Can Move Us Forward 28:05

1M ago28:05

28:05

Zibby interviews Forbes contributor Amy Shoenthal about THE SETBACK CYCLE, a guide with revolutionary strategies for working through life’s toughest moments, supported by research and personal stories from today’s most prolific leaders and innovators. Amy discusses the four phases of the setback cycle (Establish, Embrace, Explore, and Emerge), emph…

1
Literary agent Madeline Ticknor 55:07

1M ago55:07

55:07

Madeline is an agent and assistant at Janklow & Nesbit looking for fiction that bridges the gap between commercial and literary, upmarket thrillers and grounded speculative stories that explore the ideas of family and home, and queer stories. She's also looking for select narrative nonfiction. Madeline began her agenting career in 2018 as an intern…

1
Episode 37: Tommy Orange 52:06

1M ago52:06

52:06

With one of the foremost Native American artists working today in any field, Tommy Orange, talking about his second novel, Wandering Stars. We discussed the struggle of America to both remember and forget its past; his generative friendship with fellow celebrated novelist Kaveh Akbar; and whether the time has come when white writers of literary fic…

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Steve Almond Podcasts

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