Best Ben Slaughter Podcasts (2024)

1
Imbolo Mbue + Crys Matthews 33:21

3h ago33:21

33:21

Bestselling Cameroonian-American author Imbolo Mbue shares an excerpt she chose from How Beautiful We Were, about a village’s collective fight against a fictional oil company. Scientist Dorsa Amir describes her research with the Shuar natives of Ecuador, and how cooperation against a common threat and polarization both contain risks and benefits. A…

1
Joyce Carol Oates + Ali Sethi 30:16

1h ago30:16

30:16

At a live performance at Queens College, legendary author Joyce Carol Oates reads a piece about her beloved late husband Charlie Gross, called “Hospice / Honeymoon.” Psychologist and author Dr. Allison Applebaum talks about caregiving, and shares insights from her recent book, Stand By Me. And global superstar Ali Sethi shares a brand-new song writ…

1
Susan Orlean + Diana Gameros 41:45

11d ago41:45

41:45

At a live performance at KQED in San Francisco, bestselling author and New Yorker staff writer Susan Orlean tells a story about homing pigeons, and the heartbreaking implications of their extraordinary intelligence. Researcher Dr. Laura Simone Lewis shares her work with bonobos and chimpanzees, and the ways that their intelligence guides their unde…

1
Season 6 Trailer 1:46

1M ago1:46

1:46

Season 6 is here, with the return of friends like Joyce Carol Oates and Susan Orlean, and new ones like W. Kamau Bell, Imbolo Mbue, Crys Matthews, and Ali Sethi! Episode 1 is out July 2ndBy Ben Arthur

1
Pre-Season Six Bonus Episode 10:29

2M ago10:29

10:29

Bonus episode! News of the mildly delayed season six, as well as some upcoming live shows, including: 5/11 Joyce Carol Oates + Ali Sethi with special guests Tony Trischka and Dr. Allison Applebaum at LeFrak Concert Hall in Queens, NY 6/13 Susan Orlean + Diana Gameros with special guest Laura Simone Lewis at KQED in San Francisco 7/10 W. Kamau Bell …

1
David Sedaris + Jacob Ewald (Slaughter Beach, Dog) 29:36

9M ago29:36

29:36

Bestselling author David Sedaris reads an excerpt from Theft By Finding, a collection of his diaries from when he was a young artist. Jacob Ewald of the pop indie band Slaughter Beach, Dog (and formerly Modern Baseball) recounts how reading the book backstage at a college show had the effect of giving him permission to call himself a songwriter, an…

1
Raven Leilani + Elysian Fields 29:55

9M ago29:55

29:55

Bestselling author Raven Leilani reads an excerpt of her short story “Breathing Exercise,” and talks about art, racism, and carnality in her work. Raven shares how her brother – who died of ALS – introduced her to art, as well as her favorite bands. Jennifer Charles of Elysian Fields explains that she has been a Raven Leilani fan since her debut no…

1
George Saunders + Ben Arthur 45:51

9M ago45:51

45:51

This is part one of a two-part episode featuring "Sea Oak" by George Saunders. Part one contains a song written by Ben Arthur, Vienna Teng, and George Saunders; Part two contains a new song written by Craig Finn. Bestselling author and MacArthur genius George Saunders reads a comic-but-serious zombie story called “Sea Oak” – which was made into an …

1
George Saunders + Craig Finn 46:12

9M ago46:12

46:12

This is part one of a two-part episode featuring "Sea Oak" by George Saunders. Part one contains a song written by Ben Arthur, Vienna Teng, and George Saunders; Part two contains the song written by Craig Finn. Bestselling author and MacArthur genius George Saunders reads a comic-but-serious zombie story called “Sea Oak” – which was made into an Am…

1
Dave Eggers + Vienna Teng 36:09

10M ago36:09

36:09

Bestselling author, screenwriter, and founder of McSweeney’s, Dave Eggers reads an excerpt from his short story, “The Museum of Rain,” and talks about the way music informs his creative process. Dave says the song Vienna wrote for the episode, “hit him like a truck,” and expresses his delight that Vienna decided to make the song a fundraiser for th…

1
Andrew Sean Greer + Torquil Campbell & Daniel Handler 37:36

10M ago37:36

37:36

Andrew Sean Greer won the Pulitzer Prize for his comic novel, Less. For this episode he reads an excerpt from the follow up book, Less is Lost, and describes how he thinks of the book as more serious than many readers. For the songwriter in this episode, Andrew requested Torquil Campbell of the band Stars, and Torq secretly invited Andrew’s close f…

1
Sally Rooney + Sam Himself 26:13

11M ago26:13

26:13

Sally Rooney’s bestselling novel, Beautiful World, Where Are You? is a follow-up to her wildly successful novel Normal People, which was made into a popular series on Hulu. The newest novel is about falling in love in the digital age – her exquisitely-drawn characters struggle to connect with each other, and slowly expose their vulnerabilities to e…

1
Kevin Allison + Carolyn Kendrick 34:21

12M ago34:21

34:21

Kevin Allison is a storyteller, the host of the wildly popular RISK! podcast, and a former member of MTV’s The State. He tells a story about meeting his future husband in the days after 9/11, and talks about how late he came to dating and self-acceptance, and wrestles with a recently broken heart. Carolyn Kendrick is herself a star in the podcast w…

1
Dolan Morgan + Self Help 29:03

1y ago29:03

29:03

Author and illustrator Dolan Morgan reads an excerpt from his story, “The Quartering Act,” which combines fantasy and emotional realism to explore self-loathing and trauma. Melissa Faliveno and John Walsh from the band Self Help talk about their reactions to the story, and share their new song, “3A.” https://SongWriterPodcast.com Twitter.com/SnogWr…

1
Episode 8: Episode 8: A Life Worth Living - LoLo's Story 40:47

1y ago40:47

40:47

Sensationals! It has been FOREVER but we are back with, quite possibly, our most impactful episode so far... The wonderful Lowri shares her experiences and struggles, both mentally and otherwise, as a trans woman.

1
Charlie Gilmour + Matshidiso 28:56

1y ago28:56

28:56

Charlie Gilmour reads an excerpt from his bestselling memoir, Featherhood, which connects the story of raising an abandoned magpie with explorations around his father, noted actor and poet Heathcoate Williams, and his stepfather, David Gilmour of Pink Floyd. British musician and podcaster Matshidiso shares the story of coming to grips with her own …

1
Jean Hanff Korelitz + Warren Zanes 40:08

1y ago40:08

40:08

Bestselling author Jean Hanff Korelitz reads an excerpt from her recent novel, The Latecomer, and talks about the connections and disconnections she feels between her job and the movies and tv shows that are made from her work (Hugh Grant, Nicole Kidman, Tina Fey). Jean reads from The Latecomers – a rambling multi-generational picture of a family d…

1
Masha Gessen + Maria Sonevytsky 34:59

1y ago34:59

34:59

New Yorker staff writer, Russian dissident journalist, and author Masha Gessen (@MashaGessen) tells the story of being called in for a death-defying meeting with Putin, and how it confirmed the dark conclusions in their bestselling biography of him, Man Without a Face. Ukrainian American musician and scholar Maria Sonevytsky (@MarusiaSays) talks ab…

1
Daniel Bergner + Bob Bergner 34:30

1y ago34:30

34:30

New York Times writer Dan Bergner reads an excerpt from The Mind and the Moon, which explores the lives of three people coping with serious mental illness and the pharmaceutical and medical systems brought to bear on their treatment. Dan’s brother Bob is one of those featured in the book, and he describes his journey and the very inspiring way that…

1
Neil Gaiman + FourPlay 22:59

1y ago22:59

22:59

Bestselling author and storyteller Neil Gaiman (@NeilHimself) talks about his long collaborations with the FourPlay String Quartet (@FourPlaySQ), and their new album, Signs of Life. Neil describes how he first wrote a letter to a friend who was suffering a series of miscarriages, and how that became the song "The Wreckers," and discloses his own pa…

1
Cheryl Strayed + MILCK 37:31

1y ago37:31

37:31

Cheryl Strayed (@CherylStrayed) returns to SongWriter to read another letter from "Tiny, Beautiful Things" (which is now a series on Hulu!), a lovely and very personal meditation on the subject of self-forgiveness. Dr. Suzanne Freedman of the International Forgiveness Institute talks about the scientific mechanics behind the often misunderstood pra…

1
Season Five Trailer 2:27

1+ y ago2:27

2:27

https://SongWriterPodcast.com Twitter.com/SnogWriter Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcastBy Neil Gaiman, Masha Gessen, Ben Arthur, Cheryl Strayed

1
Blake Lemoine + Jonathan Mann 35:22

2y ago35:22

35:22

Former Google engineer Blake Lemoine (@cajundiscordian) describes how he came to the conclusion that LaMDA, an AI developed by Google, is sentient. Blake details what LaMDA is, how he tested its capabilities and limitations, and what LaMDA fears most. Songwriter Jonathan Mann (@SongaDayMann) talks about writing a song every day for 14 years, some o…

1
Questlove + Chris Pierce 27:13

2y ago27:13

27:13

Questlove (@Questlove) reads an excerpt from his critical history of modern America, Music is History, about songwriter Bill Withers. Songwriter Chris Pierce (@ChrisPierce) talks about his own interactions with Withers, and performs a multi-level tribute called “Just As I Am” https://SongWriterPodcast.com/Questlove-Chris-Pierce Twitter.com/SnogWrit…

1
Mary Gauthier + Kelley McRae 25:23

2y ago25:23

25:23

Grammy Award-winning songwriter Mary Gauthier (@MaryGauthier_) talks about her memoir Saved By a Song, and describes grappling with her history as an adopted child and the birth mother who refused to meet her. Songwriter Kelley McRae (@KelleyMcRae) talks about her long admiration for Mary’s art and philosophy, and her struggles with organized relig…

1
Jonathan Franzen + Wussy 39:05

2y ago39:05

39:05

Bestselling author Jonathan Franzen reads an excerpt from his newest novel, Crossroads, and talks about a band that he loves, Wussy (@WussyMusic). Franzen also speaks about his relationship with music, and reveals why marijuana is not a good drug for him. Lisa and Chuck from Wussy talk about their long collaborations, and about the song they wrote …

1
Ashley C. Ford + Be Steadwell 40:06

2y ago40:06

40:06

Bestselling author Ashley C. Ford (@iSmashFizzle) reads an excerpt from her memoir, Somebody's Daughter, about her complicated relationship with her mother, and some unforgettable advice about family from her grandmother. Filmmaker and songwriter Be Steadwell (@BeSteadwell) performs a song constructed of sinuous vocal loops that speaks directly to …

1
Tom Franklin + Ben Glover 24:41

2y ago24:41

24:41

Southern author Tom Franklin reads two pieces of short fiction – including one about a visit to the beach near Chicago – and talks about his history in Mississippi. Irish songwriter Ben Glover (@BenGloverMusic) recounts his journey to America, and the resonances he feels between Northern Ireland and the South. He also speaks about co-writing songs,…

1
Laurie Woolever + Mike Ruffino 41:24

2y ago41:24

41:24

Author and former longtime “lieutenant” for Anthony Bourdain, Laurie Woolever, (@LaurieWoolever) tells an exclusive story about a day in Sri Lanka when she fears that she would get killed over a bucket of fried chicken and a bottle of whiskey. Composer and songwriter Mike Ruffino (@MRuffino), who also worked with Bourdain for more than a decade, pe…

1
Mike Nichols, told by Mark Harris + Anna Kline 22:31

2y ago22:31

22:31

Biographer and social historian Mark Harris (@MarkHarris) tells the life story of Mike Nichols, one of the most influential directors of the 20th century. Anna Kline of the band Swift Silver (@SwiftSilverBand) talks about her reaction to Mike’s story, and shares the genesis of her vintage-vibing song, “The Picture Show.” Anna also speaks about her …

1
Wright Thompson + Drew Holcomb 23:06

2y ago23:06

23:06

Author and journalist Wright Thompson reads a story about the death of his beloved uncle, and how time and place memorialize our lives. Songwriter Drew Holcomb (@DrewHolcomb) talks about the loss of his brother at a young age, and performs his brand new song, “Slower Than the Highway.” https://SongWriterPodcast.com/Wright-Thompson-Drew-Holcomb Twit…

1
Halston, told by Ned Martel + Stephan Moccio 23:30

2+ y ago23:30

23:30

Ned Martel, a producer of the Netflix series Halston, tells the life story of the mononymous designer, who first came on the scene when he designed the iconic hat Jackie Kennedy wore to the inauguration of her husband. Composer, producer, and songwriter Stephan Moccio (@StephanMoccio) talks about his work with The Weeknd, Celine Dion, and Miley Cyr…

1
Zelda + Carsie Blanton 32:52

2+ y ago32:52

32:52

Hospice social worker Zelda (who asks that her given name not be used for privacy) talks about her time working as a stripper. She recounts moments both horrifying and sweet, and describes the many ways that the two jobs overlap. Songwriter Carsie Blanton (@CarsieBlanton) talks about how she incorporates political content within the emotional frame…

1
Episode 7: Episode 7: What else are you gonna do? 42:12

2+ y ago42:12

42:12

Sensationals! (This will make sense once you have listened to the episode) We are back with an episode nine months in the making. Thank you so much for your patience and for keeping the conversation going.

1
Coal Country + Steve Earle 29:20

2+ y ago29:20

29:20

Playwrights Jessica Blank (@JessicaCBlank) and Erik Jensen (@ErikJensen123) describe the genesis of their musical, Coal Country, a collaboration with Steve Earle (@SteveEarle). Steve talks about the role of empathy in songwriting, and plays his song “It’s About Blood,” which lists the names of the 29 miners killed in the Upper Big Branch mining dis…

1
Season Four Trailer 2:28

2+ y ago2:28

2:28

Delighted to announce the fourth season of SongWriter, which will feature stories from Questlove, Mary Gauthier, Anthony Doerr, and George Saunders, and songs from Carrie Brownstein, Drew Holcomb, and Steve Earle https://SongWriterPodcast.com Twitter.com/SnogWriter Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast…

1
Joyce Carol Oates + Katie Melua 23:53

3y ago23:53

23:53

Legendary author Joyce Carol Oates reads her poem “Too Young to Marry, but Not Too Young to Die” at a live performance in San Francisco organized by Poets and Writers Magazine. International pop star Katie Melua shares a studio recording of a song she wrote in response called "Forever Sunlit," and talks about her evolving creative process. The poem…

1
Introducing Basic Folk 1:06:51

3y ago1:06:51

1:06:51

Basic Folk is one of my favorite podcasts, and in this episode host Cindy Howes talks to Wesley Schultz about the history of The Lumineers up to now and his solo debut album. About Basic Folk: Basic Folk is a podcast with honest conversations between musicians and Cindy Howes, a well-versed public radio host and music curator, and guest host Lizzie…

1
Jonathan Lethem + Tift Merritt 21:56

3y ago21:56

21:56

During a live online performance, bestselling author Jonathan Lethem reads from his recent “dystopian pastoral” novel, The Arrest, about a farming community dealing with the worldwide collapse of technology. Jonathan also speaks about his long history of writing lyrics for bands including They Might Be Giants and the Silos. Songwriter Tift Merritt …

1
Keith Rosson + Antje Duvekot 33:27

3y ago33:27

33:27

Author and artist Keith Rosson reads his story, "Forgive Me This," and songwriter Antje Duvekot shares a studio recording of her song written in response, "Lottery Ticket." Keith, who has illustrated covers for Green Day and the Goo Goo Dolls, talks about his design and art work, and how his partial blindness informs his approach. Antje talks about…

1
Jeremy Welch + Maia Sharp 28:08

3y ago28:08

28:08

Veteran Jeremy Welch talks about his experience as a soldier, and his struggles with addiction, suicidality, and depression. Songwriter Maia Sharp talks about meeting Jeremy at a Songwriting With: retreat, and they describe the process of writing their song, "These Boots." Twitter.com/SnogWriter Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast Facebook.com/SongWrit…

1
George Saunders + Ben Arthur (Part 1) 44:05

3y ago44:05

44:05

Bestselling author and MacArthur genius George Saunders reads the first half of his story, "Tenth of December," about a man who wishes to spare his family from the suffering around his illness and impending death. George describes how he first thought of the story, and the several angles he tried before it came into focus. This is accompanied by a …

1
George Saunders + Amanda Shires (Part 2) 41:48

3y ago41:48

41:48

Bestselling author and MacArthur genius George Saunders reads the second half of his story, "Tenth of December." George and Grammy Award-winning songwriter and fiddle player Amanda Shires (of The Highwomen) discuss art, suffering, and love over a lifetime. Amanda talks about the process of writing a song in response to the story, and shares a studi…

1
Episode 6: Episode 6: Someone took my anus. 47:00

3y ago47:00

47:00

Hello and welcome to episode 6 of Sense In Numbers. We apologise for the long gap in between episodes but WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? All of the usual content from Gemma and Ben including That's not true, mate and Preposterous Past Procedures. If there is anything you would like to us to discuss or even if you would like to come on for an episode to …

1
Polly Samson + David Gilmour 28:32

3y ago28:32

28:32

Bestselling author Polly Samson reads an excerpt from her novel, A Theater for Dreamers, about a young woman's time on the Greek island of Hydra in the 1960s. Polly and her husband David Gilmour, of the band Pink Floyd, discuss their long collaborative relationship, and describe writing the song "Yes, I Have Ghosts" in response to a passage in the …

1
Lucia Berlin (read by Elizabeth Geoghegan) + Rebecca Rego 26:02

3y ago26:02

26:02

Lucia Berlin died years before her collection "A Manual for Cleaning Women" became an international bestseller. Berlin's friend and former student Elizabeth Geoghegan talks about her life, and reads her story, "Mama," and songwriter Rebecca Rego shares a studio recording of a song written in response. https://SongWriterPodcast.com Twitter.com/SnogW…

1
Nicholson Baker + Rod Picott 22:22

3y ago22:22

22:22

Author Nicholson Baker reads an excerpt of The Anthologist, and songwriter Rod Picott performs a song written in response called "Losing Faith." The two friends also discuss cross-arts explorations, self-doubt, and the importance of a good sandwich. https://SongWriterPodcast.com Twitter.com/SnogWriter Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast Facebook.com/So…

1
Sarah Hepola + Matt the Electrician 31:56

3y ago31:56

31:56

Bestselling author Sarah Hepola reads an excerpt from her memoir "Blackout," and songwriter Matt the Electrician shares his own experiences with blackouts and studio recordings of TWO songs that he wrote in response. https://SongWriterPodcast.com Twitter.com/SnogWriter Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast Facebook.com/SongWriterPodcast…

1
Odie Lindsey + Mary Gauthier 18:41

3y ago18:41

18:41

Author and veteran Odie Lindsey reads an excerpt from his novel, "Some Go Home." Odie's friend, Grammy Award-winning songwriter Mary Gauthier, talks about how she came to know him, and shares a studio recording of her song, "Then Go Home," written in response. https://SongWriterPodcast.com Twitter.com/SnogWriter Instagram.com/SongWriterPodcast Face…

1
Roxane Gay + Celisse + Toshi Reagon 27:49

3y ago27:49

27:49

Bestselling author Roxane Gay reads a piece called "Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About You," about love in the pandemic, and making a home with her wife, Debbie Milman. Songwriter and actor Celisse Henderson talks about writing her song, and about properly understanding the work of rock pioneer Sister Rosetta Tharp. Songwriter, composer…

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