Best Steve Olivas Podcasts (2024)

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Episode 40: Doug Westerbeke 57:21

1h ago57:21

57:21

My convo with debut bestseller Doug Westerbeke, author of A Short Walk Through A Wide World, about which The New York Times says, "Imagine The Life of Pi, The Alchemist, and The Midnight Library rolled into one fantastical fable.” We covered (1) struggling to nail the ending, (2) writing the adult fairy tale, and (3) why sometimes "the best way to …

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

1M 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
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
Travel Journalist - Kate Webster #65 55:11

1M ago55:11

55:11

Welcome back to an exhilarating journey with Kate, an intrepid traveler and true outlier. Brace yourself as we dive into captivating narratives that will tantalize your sensesand awaken your wanderlust. I first crossed paths with Kate at the airport enroute to the MEETINGS NZ trade show, and from that moment, our shared passion for exploration forg…

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…

1
Episode 36: Steve Almond 1:01:57

2M ago1:01:57

1:01:57

With the inimitable, incorrigible, ingenious Steve Almond, discussing his new craft book, Truth Is The Arrow, Mercy Is The Bow: A DIY Manual For The Construction Of Stories. We covered: obsession as the engine for literature; the aims and importance of opening paragraphs; and how one of the ultimate goals of literature is a magnification the inner …

1
Episode 35: Jonathan Escoffery 55:01

3M ago55:01

55:01

With ultra-fresh debut author Jonathan Escoffery, discussing his celebrated linked collection of stories about Jamaican immigrants, If I Survive You. Topics included: (1) the impossibility of answering the loaded race question "What are you?" (2) the underserved market of father/son literature, and (3) the rare/extremely necessary topic of men's fa…

1
Episode 34: Brad Listi 1:09:36

4M ago1:09:36

1:09:36

With literary podcaster and author Brad Listi, discussing his first novel in 16 years, Be Brief And Tell Them Everything, a work of autofiction exploring the despair, terror, and glory which is the creative life. We covered: brevity as an aesthetic, writing like there’s no tomorrow, and how he builds literary community through his beloved podcast O…

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Episode 33: Isaac Fitzgerald 55:22

5M ago55:22

55:22

Why do men turn to rage as a solution to their problems? "Because they feel stuck," says bestselling first-time memoirist Isaac Fitzgerald. We unpacked the underbelly of the two big "mass's,” masculinity and Massachusetts, as we discussed his raw, drug-sex-violence laden odyssey of the Bay State, Dirtbag, Massachusetts. Pre-order Mark Cecil's upcom…

1
Episode 32: Shelby Van Pelt 1:07:48

5M ago1:07:48

1:07:48

With sleeper hit and absolute runaway debut sensation Shelby Van Pelt, discussing her hopeful, poignant, friendship-with-an-octopus book club novel, Remarkably Bright Creatures. We discussed finding the voice for her “gentleman philosopher” octopus, how all good book ideas are probably a little bit bananas, and how it’s never too late to change, no…

1
Episode 31: Melissa Lozada-Oliva 54:52

6M ago54:52

54:52

Checking in with poetry slam champ Melissa Lozada-Oliva on her outrageous debut novel Candelaria, which one reviewer described as One Hundred Years Of Solitude meets "The Royal Tenenbaums" meets "Night of the Living Dead." Topics: (1) writing against the traditional diaspora story, (2) when to follow/break storytelling rules, and (3) representation…

1
Episode 30: Matt Bell 57:02

6M ago57:02

57:02

With Matt Bell, on his abundant, uncategorizable, epic novel Appleseed. This interview, like Bell’s sweeping book, is chock full of ideas that we crammed in the most exciting way into a rather limited space, including: the state of eco-fiction; mashing up ancient mythic tropes and future-tech; and Matt’s deep commitment to the richness of language.…

1
Episode 29: Shelley Parker-Chan 51:14

6M ago51:14

51:14

What does Shelley Parker-Chan want readers to feel at the end of her debut best-selling fantasy novel She Who Became The Sun? "A feeling of catharsis...the subtitle should be Revenge Of The Genderqueers." Also discussed: Wuxia, fate v. triumph of will, and historical fanfiction. (Exciting to note: Shelley's second book, which completes the series, …

1
Episode 28: Ben Fountain 1:02:27

6M ago1:02:27

1:02:27

A probing convo on American imperialism as seen from abroad; the rich historical and economic complexity of Haiti; and being a creative late-bloomer; with the great Ben Fountain, discussing his new international thriller Devil Makes Three. A true gentleman of American letters; the entire chat was as fresh as it was compelling. Pre-order Mark Cecil'…

1
Episode 27: Nathan Hill 1:01:20

7M ago1:01:20

1:01:20

With Oprah Book Club pick Nathan Hill, discussing his latest novel, Wellness, which NPR called "a masterpiece....beyond remarkable." We get into the dangers and benefits of the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves; how to hook readers with ecstatic openings; and, toward the end of the show, Nathan offers his best piece of advice on how to be s…

1
Episode 26 : Chuck Palahniuk 58:22

7M ago58:22

58:22

An insightful, wide-ranging and frankly rather zen talk with one of America's most raw, transgressive, and pot-stirring artists, Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk. While discussing his new novel, Not Forever, But For Now, we covered finding vitality and cartharsis in extreme behavior, the fate of the famed Cacophony Society, and the need to love yo…

1
Episode 25: Matthew Quick 1:06:50

7M ago1:06:50

1:06:50

With Silver Linings Playbook author Matthew Quick, discussing his new novel We Are The Light. We talked about how visions and fantasy can be a necessary part of the healing process and how storytelling itself is linked to managing trauma. We also recapped Matthew’s origin story, an archetypal tale of how he was willing to “pay the cost” of becoming…

1
Episode 24: Xochitl Gonzalez 51:43

8M ago51:43

51:43

With white-hot debut novelist and Pulitzer Prize finalist Xochitl Gonzalez, discussing her wise, funny, politically-charged rom-com, Olga Dies Dreaming. We chatted about inspiring Latinx readership, what she learned at the Iowa Writers Workshop, and the moment she decided to make a mid-career pivot while bargain-hunting at a sales rack in Nieman Ma…

1
Episode 23: Tess Gunty 59:10

8M ago59:10

59:10

With National Book Award winner Tess Gunty, discussing her sensational debut The Rabbit Hutch. We chatted re writing transcendent sex scenes that have meaning; a rebelliously positive, mystic take on Catholicism; and how to write as your book as if you were talking to your best and smartest friend (advice she took from novelist Jeffrey Eugenides). …

1
Episode 22: David Mura 58:31

9M ago58:31

58:31

A bull-by-the-horns convo on the intersection of storytelling/racism with David Mura. His new book, The Stories Whiteness Tells Itself, is a urgent cri-de-coeur and a page-turning lay-of-the-land of where the race convo is at. Necessary and comprehensive for any writer or reader wanting to engage with race narratives, which are…all narratives. Our …

1
Episode 21: David Grann 1:04:43

9M ago1:04:43

1:04:43

With New Yorker staff writer and #1 best-seller David Grann (Killers of the Flower Moon, The Lost City of Z, and The Wager). We covered: the worst shipwreck in history; writing as both a real and metaphorical quest; and how the chronicle of real life disaster is merely an excuse to explore Grann’s true perennial subject: the human condition. Asked …

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Thriving 35 years beyond a terminal diagnosis #64 34:26

9M ago34:26

34:26

Cathy Brown was only thirty-three, married withtwo young children aged six and eight when she was diagnosed with melanoma.After the tumours were examined, she was informed that she had two months to two years to live and that chemotherapy and radiotherapy were not an option. She was devastated. she wanted to see her children grow up. She wanted to …

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Episode 20: Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah 54:08

10M ago54:08

54:08

With Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, one of the most lauded young writers in America. His short story collection Friday Black, and his new novel, Chain Gang All Stars, have garnered comparisons to no less than Chekhov, Orwell, and Atwood. We discussed satire, mass incarceration, and what he learned from his mentor George Saunders. All episodes of The Tho…

1
Bruce Sisk (Treatment Relief . org) 41:38

10M ago41:38

41:38

Real Quick: This is an extremely special episode. You won't believe Bruce's story or the raffle he is putting on for charity. One of the most generous and humble guys I've ever met, I wish I could do more for him. You'll be just as impressed--believe me.By Steve Olivas

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John Salaway (Country/Americana Legend) Rizz & The Believers 9:35

10M ago9:35

9:35

One at a time...that's how I'll upload the audio from interviews conducted at the video recording of "Don't Stop Tryin'" by the new super group, Rizz & The Believers. Here is Country and Americana Musician, John Salaway, talking with me about the project. Pardon the background noise--there was a LOT going on in the production studio during the even…

1
Troy Luccketta, Jr. Rizz & The Believers 9:39

10M ago9:39

9:39

One at a time...that's how I'll upload the audio from interviews conducted at the video recording of "Don't Stop Tryin'" by the new super group, Rizz & The Believers. Here is Troy Luccketta, Jr., talking with me about the project. Pardon the background noise--there was a LOT going on in the production studio during the event! There will be video to…

1
Michael Staertow (The Guess Who) Rizz & The Believers 9:59

10M ago9:59

9:59

One at a time...that's how I'll upload the audio from interviews conducted at the video recording of "Don't Stop Tryin'" by the new super group, Rizz & The Believers. Here is Michael Staertow, of The Guess Who, talking with me about the project. Pardon the background noise--there was a LOT going on in the production studio during the event! There w…

1
Michael Devin (Whitesnake; Lynch Mob) Rizz & The Believers 10:44

10M ago10:44

10:44

One at a time...that's how I'll upload the audio from interviews conducted at the video recording of "Don't Stop Tryin'" by the new super group, Rizz & The Believers. Here is Michael Devin (Whitesnake; Lynch Mob), talking with me about the project. Pardon the background noise--there was a LOT going on in the production studio during the event! Ther…

1
Peter Keys (Lynyrd Skynyrd) Rizz & The Believers 10:09

10M ago10:09

10:09

One at a time...that's how I'll upload the audio from interviews conducted at the video recording of "Don't Stop Tryin'" by the new super group, Rizz & The Believers. Here is Peter Keys, of Lynyrd Skynyrd, talking with me about the project. Pardon the background noise--there was a LOT going on in the production studio during the event! There will b…

1
Episode 19: James Comey 59:46

10M ago59:46

59:46

Former FBI Director James Comey is one of the most revered, controversial, and consequential figures in American law enforcement history. He’s also a great writer. We had an open, fascinating, and frankly quite entertaining conversation regarding the publication of debut novel Central Park West. Also covered: the Mar-a-Lago indictment, Trump’s lega…

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Episode 18: Dennis Lehane 57:32

11M ago57:32

57:32

An (actually) uplifting and inspiring talk re racism and South Boston, with the master of Beantown's dark underbelly, Dennis Lehane. While discussing his new book Small Mercies, we covered (1) where he sees hope in the national race convo (2) why The Wire (which he helped write), was such a hit, and (3) the one quality that makes Stephen King, well…

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This pilgrim hiked 3000km in crocs! Steve Hunter #63 47:04

11M ago47:04

47:04

My jaw dropped when Steve told me he walked 3000km (1864miles) wearing ‘Crocs’ (shoe brand). That includes the Camino de Santiago and a numberof other pilgrimages. This information sums up Steve in many ways. He calls himself a pilgrim. His wisdom drops were“when you get lost, you get found.” And “Travel highlights the complexity of human nature.”.…

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Episode 17: Karen Armstrong 1:07:19

11M ago1:07:19

1:07:19

With one of my true literary heroes, and a treasure to the world’s literary and spiritual communities, Karen Armstrong, on her new book Sacred Nature. We discussed the mythic self, natural ecstasy, and how saving the planet begins with the smallest of steps. Looking back across my life, she is probably the author I have loved most and longest. All …

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Embracing gender diversity – a mother’s story. Annie Looby #9 encore episode. 28:11

11M ago28:11

28:11

Annie Looby, a former actor and now psychotherapist shares her story of traversing the emotional journey of being a mother of a transgender boy. Her extraordinary experience of deep acceptance and unconditional love is shared as Annie faces the very real challenge of loss and grief into a world of the unknown, with the very real shifting and evolvi…

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A doctor’s career journey with intuition & possibilities Dr Oliva Lesslar #62 51:10

11M ago51:10

51:10

Dr Olivia Lesslar is a woman who follows her intuition. She’s an action taker as well as a seeker. It was a pleasure and honour to spend this time with her. Olivia is a functional medicine practitioner with an interest in complex chronic conditions. You will hear her love of delving into, and working with other practitioners, on CFS, CIRS, MCAS, ca…

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Episode 16: Billy Collins 52:35

12M ago52:35

52:35

One of my most hilarious Thoughtful Bros ever, with one of the funniest writers anywhere, former U.S. Poet Laureate, Billy Collins. Along with readings from his latest book, Musical Tables, we discussed finding your voice, how gratitude is a key ingredient in making a poet, and late bloomers. All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally…

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Episode 15: Rebecca Makkai 54:39

12M ago54:39

54:39

A conversation with the ever-stylish, ever-readable, always unputdownable Rebecca Makkai, on her new boarding-school-literary-whodunit-bestseller, I Have Some Questions For You. We discussed strategies for reviving a flagging work-in-progress, story structure hacks, and the importance of interrogating your own memories with a critical eye. All epis…

1
Episode 14: Robert McKee 1:16:18

1y ago1:16:18

1:16:18

An epic discussion with one of my heroes & mentors, the world renowned screenwriting guru Robert McKee. While discussing his new book Action: The Art of Excitement For Screen, Page and Game, we covered: embracing story conventions while avoiding cliches; how you can't have great heroes without great antagonists; and a furious throw down of Joseph C…

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What is nomad and ex-pat life really like? Therese Lafleche #61 35:50

1y ago35:50

35:50

Since the age of 17, Therese has been traveling and moving around the world, by choice. Back then Therese shares that she was a shy introvert but with each move, she has discovered so much about herself and the world. Integrating into a new environment has done wonders for her self-esteem. All these travels has allowed her to create quite the lugga…

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Your Host Monique Gaudion - My story from abandonment to freedom #60 41:33

1y ago41:33

41:33

So, here is a peak into my life. A life that encompasses abduction, neglect, trauma, miracles, joy and release. Not the full story, of course and I have to say it has been quite a ride of pain and amazing good fortune. It is fun podcast, amidst some challenging subject matters. Being the teller and not the host was a challenge I was up for. I’ve le…

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80 years young and the adventure continues. Leone Galbraith #59 35:44

1y ago35:44

35:44

Age doesn’t matter and no one knows that better than my guest Leone Galbraith. This woman lives her life to the max! At 78 she took up deep sea diving, at 80 golf. Her motto for life has been “If you want it, then just do it!” And she has. From being one of the first women to water-ski as a professional at SeaWorld in Queensland, to living on a boa…

1
Episode 13: Michael Fanone 50:40

1+ y ago50:40

50:40

Upholding his reputation for minimal BS and straight talk on Trump’s America, Officer Michael Fanone did not disappoint as he discussed his new memoir Hold The Line. We talked about what it was like in the war zone of January 6 at the Capitol, why that day inspired him, what to make of the midterms, and his sharp reply to whether the former Preside…

1
From arborist to Hollywood stunt coordinator of Thirteen Lives Keir Beck #58 34:15

1+ y ago34:15

34:15

Keir Beck is a down to earth Aussie who transitioned from a gardener to a tree arborist then onto the wild and dangerous world as a stunt coordinator & rigger. Keir’s career highlights include Pitch Black, Mad Max- Fury Road, three Matrix films, Casino Royale & his latest collaboration with Ron Howard in the film Thirteen Lives. Keir’s journey embo…

1
A terrifying rafting trip & Andre’s Soul Funk adventures Andre Cruz #57 30:36

1+ y ago30:36

30:36

Andre Cruz shares a funny but terrifying white water rafting trip that precipitated a number of changes in his life. We reminisce about the Caribbean "Blue Note at Sea" Jazz Cruise where we met, along with Cindy and the amazing time we had. It was such an honour and fun to experience and meet such talent. For Andre, it held so much more. The inspir…

1
Episode 12: Maggie O'Farrell 1:12:07

1+ y ago1:12:07

1:12:07

With Maggie O’Farrell, whose heartfelt, lyrical exploration about genius and grief, Hamnet, vacuumed up awards and made, it seems, every last reader weep. If you’re looking for sensual prose, a startling theory on why Shakespeare wrote his most famous play, or a rollicking sex scene in an apple-storage-shed, look no further. With introductory thoug…

1
The infamous Dustyesky Russian choir Volker Krohn #56 27:45

1+ y ago27:45

27:45

Volker has progressed from singing in the shower to be a long-time member of the infamous Dustyesky, the faux Russian choir. Volker gives us an hilarious peak behind the curtains of the choir which has gained notoriety in Australia and in the “motherland” for their renditions of Red Army and traditional folk songs. As they say, it’s Marx Brothers m…

1
Episode 11: Erin Kelly & Patsy Rembert 1:01:35

1+ y ago1:01:35

1:01:35

With Pulitzer Prize-winner Erin Kelly and Patsy Rembert, wife of the late Winfred Rembert, whose improbable life story and stunning art are featured in the miraculous, American-classic-to-be Chasing Me To My Grave: An Artist’s Memoir of the Jim Crow South. We discussed how Winfred found beauty in his life’s terror and how he avoided resentment in o…

1
Finding your Genius Within Gay Hendricks #55 25:49

1+ y ago25:49

25:49

Gay Hendricks generously shares his personal story in how slipping on the ice at age 24 changed his life forever. At that time, he was 300lbs, in a bad relationship and smoking three packets a day. This was the beginning of his journey in the power of pure consciousness in practical ways such as losing weight and finding the love of his life. Gay h…

1
Episode 10: Harley Rustad 1:07:18

1+ y ago1:07:18

1:07:18

With Harley Rustad, discussing his fascinating new true crime/travelogue Lost In The Valley Of Death. We covered: “India Syndrome”; the paradoxes of authenticity on social media; the intrepid 1800s explorer Richard Burton; and the potentially deadly perils of mythologizing your own life on Instagram. This book really got to me, and I spend a bit of…

1
From nuns in Paris, to fashion in St Barts ending with Jazz in L.A. Claude Hall #54 35:10

1+ y ago35:10

35:10

Claude’s luxurious story is bathed in sweet synchronicity. Her life reflects her belief that it’s better to ask the questions rather than worry about how you will get there. At an early age Claude left the safety of her Haitian family to learn French in France. What follows is a tapestry of love, romance, singing lessons and the discovery of her po…

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