AWM Author Talks

In this weekly series, we air previously recorded conversations with leading authors, poets, graphic novelists, playwrights, songwriters, historians and more about craft, processes, influences, inspirations, and what it's like to live as a writer. These episodes are edited and condensed versions of our programs and they are a great way to discover new writers, listen to a program you missed, or relive a program that you loved!

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Episodes 243

Episode 242: Lauren Groff & John Stauffer
6d ago · 43:24
This week, author Lauren Groff and editor John Stauffer discuss the craft and history of short stories, as well as their latest work. Moderated by author and professor Peter Coviello. Groff, a three-time National Book Award finalist, recently released Brawler: Stories, an "audacious collection [that] surprises readers with the vivid lives few of us notice (Kirkus). Stauffer is the editor of the Library of America's recent two-volume anthology The American Short Story: The Nineteenth Century. This program was part of the 2026 American Writers Festival. Co-hosted by the American Writers Museum a
Episode 241: Suspense & Humor
13d ago · 48:10
This week, hear from three accomplished writers who blend suspense with humor to tell compelling stories. How do humor and suspense intersect to create compelling novels? These three funny masters of mystery discuss their latest works: Escape! by Stephen Fishbach, A Murder Most Camp by Nicolas DiDomizio, and My Name Was Gerry Sass by Tiffany Hanssen. Moderated by writer and editor Erica Floyd. This program was part of the 2026 American Writers Festival. Co-hosted by the American Writers Museum and Chicago Public Library, the American Writers Festival is a free literary event featuring in-depth
Episode 240: SFWA Nebula Award Finalists
20d ago · 46:29
Three finalists for the 2026 Nebula Awards—Amy Chu, Somto Ihezue, and Annalee Newitz—discuss their craft, why they write, and the state of speculative fiction today. Moderated by Tananarive Due, Toastmaster of the 2026 Nebula Awards, which are given annually by the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association. Featured writers and their 2026 Nebula Award nominations include: Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz (Nebula Award for Best Novella) Carmilla Volume 3: The Eternal by Amy Chu (Nebula Award for Best Comic) "We Begin Where Infinity Ends" by Somto Ihezue (Nebula Award for Best Novelette) T
Episode 239: Annabelle Gurwitch
27d ago · 51:03
This week, actress and humorist Annabelle Gurwitch discusses her new book The End of My Life Is Killing Me: The Unexpected Joys of a Cancer Slacker. In this deftly comedic and deeply contemplative memoir, the New York Times bestselling author faces life's biggest curveball only to find resilience in the most unlikely places. Gurwitch discusses the memoir-writing process and the importance of humor in hard times with comedian Chelsea Hood. This program was part of the 2026 American Writers Festival. Co-hosted by the American Writers Museum and Chicago Public Library, the American Writers Festiv
Episode 238: Daniel Kraus & Susan Orlean
1mo ago · 49:30
This week, acclaimed writers Daniel Kraus and Susan Orlean discuss the process of adapting books into film and television, as well as their latest releases. Kraus—who won the 2026 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction for his novel Angel Down—developed the story for the film The Shape of Water and co-wrote the novel with Guillermo del Toro. Kraus also recently adapted his hit novel Whalefall into a feature film coming out this October from 20th Century Fox. Orlean—whose book The Orchid Thief lead to the creation of the film Adaptation—is currently at work adapting her bestselling nonfiction book The Libra
Episode 237: A Nation Wrestles with God
1mo ago · 48:58
This week, religion scholars Reza Aslan and Ilan Stavans sit down with Emily D. Crews to discuss their new anthology, A Nation Wrestles with God: American Prophets, Philosophers, and Firebrands, a historic collection of the radicals and freethinkers that sparked a country's journey through divinity—praising, challenging, and redefining the sacred. This book and conversation are presented in conjunction with the American Writers Museum's special exhibit American Prophets: Writers, Religion, and Culture, of which Stavans and Crews were advisors. American Prophets is now on display at the AWM. Th
Episode 236: Randall Sullivan
1mo ago · 41:27
This week, acclaimed journalist Randall Sullivan talks about writing baseball and his new book The First All-Star Game: Babe Ruth, FDR, and America at the Crossroads. He is interviewed by comedian Joe Kilgallon. This program took place at the 2026 American Writers Festival. Co-hosted by the American Writers Museum and Chicago Public Library, the American Writers Festival is a free literary event featuring in-depth conversations with diverse writers from across genres and backgrounds. This conversation took place June 6, 2026 and was recorded live at the American Writers Museum. AWM PODCAST NET
Episode 235: America at 250: Untold Stories
1mo ago · 46:15
This week, we explore America at 250 years old, through lenses of migration, Black history, and queer liberation. Darius Bost and C. Riley Snorton discuss their book A Black Queer History of the United States. And Anna O. Law discusses her book Migration and the Origins of American Citizenship: African Americans, Native Americans, and Immigrants. Moderated by historian and author Valerie Gugala. This episode is the first of many to come from the 2026 American Writers Festival. Co-hosted by the American Writers Museum and Chicago Public Library, the American Writers Festival is a free literary
Episode 234: Rory O’Neill
2mo ago · 1:09:31
This week, the American Writers Museum and the Consulate General of Ireland, Chicago present a conversation with writer, entertainer, drag queen, LGBTQ+ rights activist and 'Queen of Ireland' Rory O'Neill, also known as Panti Bliss. O'Neill visited the AWM to celebrate Bloomsday—the annual global celebration on June 16 of Irish writer James Joyce that commemorates the events of his 1922 masterpiece, Ulysses. O'Neill is joined by AWM President Carey Cranston for an alternative exploration of Joyce's work which sparkles with a few characters who can be considered part of the queer spectrum, thro
Episode 233: Jennifer Keishin Armstrong – “Parks and Rec”
3mo ago · 48:16
This week, pop culture historian Jennifer Keishin Armstrong stops by to discuss her latest book Parks and Rec: The Underdog TV Show That Lit’rally Inspired a Vision for a Better America. Armstrong tells the definitive story of the creation and legacy of the beloved television show Parks and Recreation, with exclusive interview content from its cast, crew, and creators, as well as an introduction by Nick Offerman. Armstrong is interviewed by AWM Director of Programs Allison Sansone. The two are joined by special guest Ric Offerman, the mayor of Minooka, IL (and Nick Offerman's dad!) This conver
Episode 232: Naoko Fujimoto
3mo ago · 44:54
This week, we chat with poet Naoko Fujimoto, a senior editor at RHINO Poetry. She stopped by the AWM the other week to discuss the work of translation, her poetry process, and her forthcoming book titled: of Women: 20 Japanese Female Poets / 20 Waka Poems, a collection of translated Japanese waka-poems, including text collage and haibun-style discourses on translation. This conversation originally took place April 28, 2026 and was recorded live at the American Writers Museum. We hope you enjoy entering the Mind of a Writer. AWM PODCAST NETWORK HUB More about of Women: of Women is a collection
Episode 231: Marilyn Hacker & Deema K. Shehabi
3mo ago · 48:25
This week, poets Marilyn Hacker and Deema K. Shehabi discuss their powerful new book Water to Water: Gaza Renga, a poetry collaboration in the call-and-response form of renga written during the conflict in Gaza. This conversation originally took place April 20, 2026 and was recorded live at the American Writers Museum. AWM PODCAST NETWORK HUB This episode is presented in conjunction with the American Writers Museum's special exhibit American Prophets: Writers, Religion, and Culture. This exhibit and programming series explores the profound ways writing reflects and influences our understanding
Episode 230: Kati Curts
5mo ago · 50:52
This week, religious studies professor Dr. Kati Curts discusses her book Assembling Religion: The Ford Motor Company and the Transformation of Religion in America, which illustrates how Henry Ford institutionalized a social gospel. Though Ford's efforts at the head of the Ford Motor Company have commonly been understood as secular, Ford himself was explicit that his work in engineering and auto production was prophetic and meant to remake the world. AWM PODCAST NETWORK HUB This episode is presented in conjunction with the American Writers Museum's new special exhibit American Prophets: Writers
Episode 229: Oscar Brown, Jr.
5mo ago · 54:39
This week, Maggie and Africa Brown discuss the legacy of their father—Oscar Brown, Jr.—and perform some of his work. This conversation originally took place February 26, 2026 and was recorded live at the American Writers Museum. Maggie and Africa Brown love doing what they do best together—singing with theatrics on stage. These "2 Brown Sisters" energetically merge their foundations in jazz with the melting pot of their mixed musical upbringing. The Browns' harmonious vocal blend radiates sisterly love and their often comical chemistry on stage. Their shows are always enjoyable and steeped in
Episode 228: Rima Vesely-Flad
6mo ago · 57:05
In this episode, Dr. Rima Vesely-Flad discusses her book The Fire Inside: The Dharma of James Baldwin and Audre Lorde. Black, queer, feminist, Buddhist: The Fire Inside casts a fresh new light on the radical literary legacies of James Baldwin and Audre Lorde. This conversation originally took place January 29, 2026 and was recorded live via Zoom. AWM PODCAST NETWORK HUB This episode is presented in conjunction with the American Writers Museum’s new special exhibit American Prophets: Writers, Religion, and Culture. This exhibit and programming series explores the profound ways writing reflects
Episode 227: Lisa Marie Gring-Premble & Martha Watson
6mo ago · 57:28
This week, scholars Lisa Marie Gring-Pemble and Martha Watson discuss their book Your Daughters Will Prophesy: Religion and Rhetoric in the Nineteenth-Century Woman’s Movement. Their work explores how four 19th-century women—Jarena Lee, Sarah Moore Grimké, Lucretia Coffin Mott, and Frances Willard—used the Bible to claim their voice on the moral questions of their day. This conversation originally took place January 27, 2026 and was recorded live via Zoom. AWM PODCAST NETWORK HUB This episode is presented in conjunction with the American Writers Museum's special exhibit American Prophets: Writ
Episode 226: Mary Ann Ahern
6mo ago · 58:41
This week, Emmy Award-winning journalist Mary Ann Ahern talks about covering religion, writing about Chicago's Pope, and shaping the public's perception and practice of faith. Ahern is interviewed by AWM President Carey Cranston. This conversation originally took place January 22, 2026 and was recorded live at the American Writers Museum. AWM PODCAST NETWORK HUB Mary Ann Ahern joined NBC 5 News in March 1989 and was named the station's Political Reporter in 2006. Most recently, Ahern was front-and-center at the Vatican for NBC 5 Chicago's extensive on-site coverage of one of the year's biggest
Episode 225: Alan Light
8mo ago · 55:08
Music journalist Alan Light discusses spirituality and song, as well as his new book Don’t Stop: Why We (Still) Love Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, which examines the enduring relevance of Fleetwood Mac's album Rumours 50 years after its release. He is interviewed by radio host Ryan Arnold. This conversation originally took place November 24, 2025 and was recorded live at the American Writers Museum. This episode is presented in conjunction with the American Writers Museum’s new special exhibit American Prophets: Writers, Religion, and Culture. This exhibit and programming series explores the profou
Episode 224: Christopher W. Hunt
8mo ago · 50:50
This week, scholar Christopher W. Hunt discusses his recent book Jimmy’s Faith: James Baldwin, Disidentification, and the Queer Possibilities of Black Religion. This conversation originally took place September 16, 2025 and was recorded live at the American Writers Museum. This episode is presented in conjunction with the American Writers Museum’s new special exhibit American Prophets: Writers, Religion, and Culture. This exhibit and programming series explores the profound ways writing reflects and influences our understanding of religion. American Prophets is now open! More about Jimmy's Fai
Episode 223: Divine Love
8mo ago · 57:45
This week, three writers of romance—Sajni Patel, Scarlett St. Clair, and Helene Wecker—discuss the role of religion in the romance genre. This conversation originally took place July 10, 2025 and was recorded live at the American Writers Museum. This episode is presented in conjunction with the American Writers Museum’s new special exhibit American Prophets: Writers, Religion, and Culture. This exhibit and programming series explores the profound ways writing reflects and influences our understanding of religion. American Prophets is now open! About the writers: SAJNI PATEL is an award-winning
Episode 222: Thomas A. Tweed
9mo ago · 46:33
This week, scholar Thomas A. Tweed discusses his new book Religion in the Lands that Became America. A sweeping retelling of American religious history, Tweed shows how religion has enhanced and hindered human flourishing from the Ice Age to the Information Age. Tweed is joined by fellow Indigenous Studies professor John N. Low. This conversation originally took place November 10, 2025 and was recorded live at the American Writers Museum. AWM PODCAST NETWORK HUB This episode is presented in conjunction with the American Writers Museum’s new special exhibit American Prophets: Writers, Religion,
Episode 221: Faith is Funny
9mo ago · 1:06:49
This week, we revisit our Faith is Funny program with four comedians—Gibran Saleem, Hari Kondabolu, Peter Sagal, and Kate Sidley—who discuss the role of religion in comedy. This conversation originally took place June 23, 2025 and was recorded live at the Studebaker Theater. This episode is presented in conjunction with the American Writers Museum’s forthcoming exhibit American Prophets: Writers, Religion, and Culture. This exhibit and programming series explores the profound ways writing reflects and influences our understanding of religion. American Prophets opens November 21, 2025. AWM PODC
Episode 220: Susan Orlean
9mo ago · 1:05:33
Beloved author Susan Orlean discusses her new book Joyride, a masterful memoir of finding her creative calling and purpose that invites us to approach life with wonder, curiosity, and an irrepressible sense of delight. Orlean is interviewed by journalist Chris Borrelli. This conversation originally took place October 24, 2025 and was recorded live at the American Writers Museum. We hope you enjoy entering the Mind of a Writer. AWM PODCAST NETWORK HUB More about Joyride: "The story of my life is the story of my stories," writes Susan Orlean in this extraordinary, era-defining memoir from one of
Episode 219: Horror Writing and Religion
10mo ago · 53:36
This week in honor of Halloween, we discuss the use of religion and spirituality in horror writing. We are joined by leading horror writers Tananarive Due, Juan Martinez, and Matt Ruff. This conversation originally took place October 10, 2025 and was recorded live at the University of Chicago Divinity School. We hope you enjoy entering the Mind of a Writer. This episode is presented in conjunction with the American Writers Museum’s forthcoming exhibit American Prophets: Writers, Religion, and Culture. This exhibit and programming series explores the profound ways writing reflects and influence
Episode 218: Paul Elie
10mo ago · 53:04
This week, religious scholar Paul Elie discusses his latest book The Last Supper: Art, Faith, Sex, and Controversy in the 1980s. This enthralling group portrait brings to life a moment when popular culture became the site of religious strife—strife that set the stage for some of the most salient political and cultural clashes of our day. Elie is interviewed by Emily D. Crews, the Executive Director of the Martin Marty Center at the University of Chicago Divinity School. This conversation originally took place May 30, 2025 and was recorded live at the American Writers Museum. This episode is pr

Episodes

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More Arts shows

AWM Author Talks

Episodes 243

Episode 242: Lauren Groff & John Stauffer

Episode 241: Suspense & Humor

Episode 240: SFWA Nebula Award Finalists

Episode 239: Annabelle Gurwitch

Episode 238: Daniel Kraus & Susan Orlean

Episode 237: A Nation Wrestles with God

Episode 236: Randall Sullivan

Episode 235: America at 250: Untold Stories

Episode 234: Rory O’Neill

Episode 233: Jennifer Keishin Armstrong – “Parks and Rec”

Episode 232: Naoko Fujimoto

Episode 231: Marilyn Hacker & Deema K. Shehabi

Episode 230: Kati Curts

Episode 229: Oscar Brown, Jr.

Episode 228: Rima Vesely-Flad

Episode 227: Lisa Marie Gring-Premble & Martha Watson

Episode 226: Mary Ann Ahern

Episode 225: Alan Light

Episode 224: Christopher W. Hunt

Episode 223: Divine Love

Episode 222: Thomas A. Tweed

Episode 221: Faith is Funny

Episode 220: Susan Orlean

Episode 219: Horror Writing and Religion

Episode 218: Paul Elie

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Episodes 243

Episode 242: Lauren Groff & John Stauffer

Episode 241: Suspense & Humor

Episode 240: SFWA Nebula Award Finalists

Episode 239: Annabelle Gurwitch

Episode 238: Daniel Kraus & Susan Orlean

Episode 237: A Nation Wrestles with God

Episode 236: Randall Sullivan

Episode 235: America at 250: Untold Stories

Episode 234: Rory O’Neill

Episode 233: Jennifer Keishin Armstrong – “Parks and Rec”

Episode 232: Naoko Fujimoto

Episode 231: Marilyn Hacker & Deema K. Shehabi

Episode 230: Kati Curts

Episode 229: Oscar Brown, Jr.

Episode 228: Rima Vesely-Flad

Episode 227: Lisa Marie Gring-Premble & Martha Watson

Episode 226: Mary Ann Ahern

Episode 225: Alan Light

Episode 224: Christopher W. Hunt

Episode 223: Divine Love

Episode 222: Thomas A. Tweed

Episode 221: Faith is Funny

Episode 220: Susan Orlean

Episode 219: Horror Writing and Religion

Episode 218: Paul Elie