In this episode, we speak with epidemiologist Caitlin Rivers about her book Crisis Averted. From the successful eradication of smallpox to navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, Rivers delves into public health challenges, funding gaps, and the “panic and neglect” cycle that threatens our preparedness for future outbreaks. Host’s Note We are less than a…

In this episode of Writer’s Voice, we explore the intersections of personal and ecological narratives through two powerful interviews. Francesca speaks with writer and musician Eiren Caffall about her memoir, The Mourner’s Bestiary, and naturalist Betsy McCully, author of At the Glacier’s Edge: A Natural History of Long Island from the Narrows to M…

Today, we explore two uncommon angles on the histories of World War I and World War II. First, we’re joined by historical fiction writer Robert Harris, author of the recently released novel, Precipice. The novel explores a true story — the clandestine relationship between British Prime Minister Herbert Asquith and Venetia Stanley — set against the …

In this episode of Writer’s Voice, Host Francesca Rheannon welcomes acclaimed author Louise Erdrich to discuss her new novel, The Mighty Red. Known for her deeply layered storytelling and themes centered on Native American life, Erdrich takes listeners on a journey into the heart of the Red River Valley in North Dakota. Here, she weaves a compellin…

In this episode of Writer’s Voice, we talk about changing urban transport to make it more people-centric, not car-centric. We welcome disability mobility advocate Anna Zivarts, author of When Driving Is Not An Option: Steering Away From Car Dependency. Then, urban planner Dan Piatkowski tells us about how new developments in bike technology can mak…

In this episode of Writer’s Voice, host Francesca Rheannon sits down with Joe Shute and Brandon Keim for two conversations about: Animal intelligence and behavior The human-animal connection Ethical treatment of animals Rethinking human dominion over nature Joe Shute discusses his latest book, Stowaway: The Disreputable Exploits of the Rat, which d…

In this episode of Writer’s Voice, host Francesca Rheannon speaks with historian Jacob Mikanowski about his book Goodbye Eastern Europe: An Intimate History of a Divided Land. Mikanowski explores the rich, complex, and often overlooked history of Eastern Europe—a region shaped by centuries of empires, revolutions, and diverse cultures. From the end…

In this episode of Writer’s Voice, we talk with Clayton Page Aldern about The Weight of Nature, his groundbreaking new book on the impacts of climate change on our brains — from PSTD to brain-eating amoebas. Aldern explains how climate-induced stressors are shaping our mental health — harming our judgment, leading to rises in neurodegenerative dise…

Episode Description: In this episode, we talk with celebrated Haitian American writer Edwidge Danticat, author of Brother, I’m Dying and her latest essay collection, We’re Alone. Danticat shares intimate insights into her writing process, the legacy of colonialism and the immigrant experience. She discusses Haiti’s ongoing struggles, her personal c…

Episode Description: In this episode, host Francesca Rheannon sits down with philosopher Peter Godfrey-Smith to discuss his latest book, Living on Earth: Forests, Corals, Consciousness, and the Making of the World. Godfrey-Smith offers a fresh perspective on how life forms, from the simplest bacteria to complex animals, have actively shaped our pla…

Episode Summary In this episode of Writer’s Voice, host Francesca Rheannon explores the intricate dynamics of giving, receiving, and creating community with food entrepreneur and activist Lola Milholland. She shares insights from her memoir, Group Living and Other Recipes, which reflects on her upbringing in a communal household, the lessons of sha…

We talk with cartoonist Ken Krimstein about the remarkable meeting of the minds between Albert Einstein and Franz Kafka in Prague, before either man was famous. His new graphic book is Einstein in Kafkaland: How Albert Fell Down The Rabbit Hole And Came Up With The Universe. Join us as we explore how two seemingly disparate fields—physics and liter…

Today, two stories of what in the modern world we’ve come to call “apartheid”—the practice of segregating a subjugated population and imposing oppressive laws on it. First, we talk with UK historian Harry Freedman about his history of the first Jewish ghetto—that of Venice, Italy. It’s called Shylock’s Venice: The Remarkable History of Venice’s Jew…

In this episode of Writer’s Voice, we sit down with Dr. Seema Yasmin to discuss her prescient YA novel, Unbecoming. Dr. Yasmin, a physician, journalist, and director of the Stanford Health Communication Initiative, brings her multifaceted expertise to the conversation. Her new book, set in a dystopian near-future America, explores the challenges fa…

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. William Bronston, a renowned advocate for disability rights and social justice. Dr. Bronston shares his incredible journey from a young medical student to a leading figure in the fight to protect the rights of people with disabilities. He discusses his experiences working at the Willowbrook State School, his ef…

In this episode of Writer’s Voice, we dive into the worlds of peace activism and literary translation through conversations with Brad Wolf and Noel Hernández-Gonzalez. Also, William Bronston, the doctor who brought instiionalization of the developmentally disabled to an end, reads from his book, Public Hostage, Public Ransom. Brad Wolf discusses hi…

In this episode, we sit down with Audrea Lim, author of Free the Land: How We Can Fight Poverty and Climate Chaos. Audrea traces the connections between land commodification and many of America’s most pressing issues: ecological collapse, climate change, systemic racism, gentrification and economic inequality. Through powerful examples and thoughtf…

In this conversation with Writer’s Voice host Francesca Rheannon, political theorist Danielle Allen talks about two core ideas at the heart of our nation’s Declaration of Independence: freedom and liberty. How are they aligned? How are they different? And can they contradict each other? Listen to a clip on YouTube We re-air our 2014 interview with …

In this episode of Writer’s Voice, Francesca Rheannon welcomes back acclaimed novelist, essayist, and now memoirist, Francine Prose. They dive into Prose’s latest work, 1974, a memoir that revisits her time in San Francisco during a pivotal year in American history. Then, In a deeply introspective conversation, Gail Godwin opens up about the pivota…

Episode Description In this episode of Writer’s Voice, host Francesca Rheannon sits down with acclaimed author Claire Wills to discuss her deeply personal and historically insightful book, Missing Persons or My Grandmother’s Secrets. Wills shares her journey of uncovering family secrets surrounding an “illegitimate” pregnancy in 1950s Ireland and e…