Reed, Write, and Create
107 episodes - English - Latest episode: 29 days ago - ★★★★★ - 53 ratingsTune in to the award-winning, Reed, Write, & Create podcast to hear bite-sized pep-talks for BIPOC writers at every stage of the writing game. Author, educator, and creative writing coach, Lori L. Tharps (award-winning author of ”Hair Story,” ”Kinky Gazpacho,” and ”Substitute Me”) knows how hard it is to stay motivated and inspired to write - whether you’re working on that debut novel, a gut-wrenching memoir, or an essay about your trip around the world. Writing can be your passion, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.
On the show, Lori helps writers of color tap into their divine right to write. She shares mindset tips, creativity & writing prompts, and true stories about our literary foremothers and forefathers - Toni Morrison, Lorraine Hansberry, Phillis Wheatley e.t.c. - that will leave you motivated and ready to write. You’ll also hear inspiring interviews with best-selling, BIPOC authors who share actionable writing tips and techniques to help improve your craft and better understand the business of writing and the publishing industry.
If the idea of having your very own creative writing coach sounds like just what you need to optimize your writing life, then this is the podcast for you. New episodes are released biweekly on Mondays.
Subscribe to the show and find more writing resources for BIPOC writers and the readers who love them at ReedWriteandCreate.com.
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Episodes
Bonus Episode with Black & Published: Vanessa Riley Writes Regency Romance with Black People in the Starring Roles
June 17, 2024 12:00 - 51 minutes - 47.9 MBSURPRISE! It’s a Bonus Episode. Yes, I am officially on summer vacation, working on my novel, and the podcast is on a summer hiatus. So, why am I back in your podcast feed? Because I have a special bonus episode for you! I want to introduce you to a literary podcast I love to listen to called Black & Published. Hosted by author Nikesha Elise Williams, Black & Published features interviews with novelists, nonfiction writers, poets and playwrights every week. For today’s bonus episode...
Busting the Myth of The Solitary Writer: Virginia Woolf Got it Wrong
June 10, 2024 12:00 - 21 minutes - 20.2 MBOn episode 32 of the podcast, our final episode of Season 3, I’m going to share a final pep talk meant to get you to stop thinking that you have to do this writing thing all alone. On today's show, I’m going to dispel the myth of the solitary writer, sharing why it’s a myth, how it got started, why it’s a dangerous myth, who the myth actually benefits, and how we should be handling our writing lives instead. My hope is that by breaking down the faulty logic behind the solitary writer myt...
"Pursue Your Writing Life Like a Dog Pursues a Bone" with Bernice L. McFadden
May 27, 2024 12:00 - 50 minutes - 46.9 MBOn episode 31 of the podcast, I have saved the best for last. Our final author interview this season is with the incomparable, American-Book-Award-winning author, Bernice L. McFadden. Bernice L. McFadden is the author of over a dozen books, including Sugar and Glorious. Her latest novel, Praise Song for the Butterflies, was long listed for the 2019 Women's Prize in Fiction. McFadden’s novel, The Book of Harlan won the 2017 American Book Award and the 2017 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding...
Why BIPOC Writers Should Consider a Life Abroad: Lessons from James Baldwin
May 13, 2024 12:00 - 24 minutes - 23.1 MBOn episode #30 of the Reed, Write, & Create podcast, we’re doing two things; we’re honoring the late, great James Baldwin, who would be turning 100 years old in 2024, and I'm giving you a pep talk about being an American writer abroad. Yes, I’m sharing the life and times of Mr. James Baldwin to offer you the opportunity to consider what travel can mean for your writing life. And by the way, if you think we’re going to mostly be talking about Baldwin’s life in Paris, think again. On this epi...
From Self-Published to New York Times Bestseller: Sadeqa Johnson Shares Her Story of Success
April 29, 2024 12:00 - 52 minutes - 48.9 MBOn episode #29, New York Times bestselling author Sadeaqa Johnson is on the show sharing her inspiring author journey and her practical strategies to living a successful literary life. Sadeqa Johnson is the New York Times bestselling author of five novels, including Yellow Wife and her latest, The House of Eve, which was the February 2023 Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick. Sadeqa’s accolades include being a NAACP Image Award nominee, a 2022 Hurston/Wright Foundation Legacy finalist, a BC...
The Paradox of Jessie Redmon Fauset: The Harlem Renaissance's Most Prolific Novelist that You Don't Know
April 15, 2024 12:00 - 25 minutes - 23.9 MBEpisode #28 of the podcast is dedicated to the literary life and legacy of Jessie Redmon Fauset, the most prolific novelist of the Harlem Renaissance, and also, sadly, the most overlooked and under-appreciated. On this episode of the Reed, Write, & Create podcast, I will be sharing Fauset’s fascinating life story, as well as four reasons why she is often sidelined and left in the shadows when it comes to conversations about the literary greats of the Harlem Renaissance. Spoiler alert: Havi...
Being a Writer is Hard Work:A Masterclass in Creative Writing with Phillip B. Williams
April 01, 2024 12:00 - 58 minutes - 54.3 MBOn episode 27 of the podcast, award-winning poet and debut novelist, Phillip B. Williams, is on the show. You might have heard about Williams because his brand new novel, Ours, was one of Oprah’s most anticipated books for 2024. Ours is an epic story about a conjure woman named Saint, who goes around destroying plantations in the south, and then freeing the enslaved workers. She then creates a magical world called Ours where the newly emancipated can live in peace because white people can n...
How Do You Make a Living as a Writer in Hard Times? Ask Langston Hughes!
March 18, 2024 12:00 - 22 minutes - 21.6 MBOn episode #26 of the podcast, I’m using the life of the illustrious Langston Hughes, to give you a pep talk on how to make a living with your writing. Even in hard times. Did you know that Langston Hughes is recognized as the first African-American writer to make a living solely from his writing? Yes, Langston Hughes was definitely the hardest working writer in Harlem, and throughout his life before and after the renaissance. So studying his success and strategies can give us some exce...
How to Bring History's Hidden Figures to Life on the Page with New York Times Bestselling Author, Ilyon Woo
March 04, 2024 12:00 - 56 minutes - 52.4 MBOn episode 25 of the podcast, my guest is New York Times Bestselling author, Ilyon Woo. Ilyon is the author of the new book, Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom and The Great Divorce: A Nineteenth-Century Mother’s Extraordinary Fight Against Her Husband, the Shakers, and Her Times. Her writing has also appeared in The Boston Globe, The Wall Street Journal,Time, and The New York Times. During our delightful conversation Ilyon shares: When she fell in love wi...
Art, Activism, and Audre Lorde: How to Use Your Words to Change the World
February 19, 2024 12:00 - 18 minutes - 17.9 MBOn episode 24 of the podcast, you’re getting a pep talk about art and activism, using the life and times of the incredible Audre Lorde as our role model. We’re talking about the intersection of identity, writing, and making the world a better place. Audre Lorde was a Black feminist writer and activist who authored several books of poetry, essays, and memoir. Some of her most popular titles include, Sister Outsider, Zami: A New Spelling of My Name, and The Cancer Journals. This epis...
Writing Romance, Race, and Ricki Wilde with New York Times Best-Selling Author, Tia Williams
February 05, 2024 12:00 - 44 minutes - 41.1 MBWe’re back with season 3 of the Reed, Write, and Create Podcast! On episode 23 of the podcast, my guest is New York Times best-selling author, Tia Williams. Tia is an author of both YA titles and adult fiction. She wrote the bestselling debut novel The Accidental Diva and then penned two young adult novels, It Chicks and Sixteen Candles. Her award-winning novel, The Perfect Find is currently a Netflix movie starring Gabrielle Union. Her next novel, Seven Days in June was a New Y...
A Short But Important Announcement about the Podcast!
January 05, 2024 12:00 - 6 minutes - 6.38 MBLori is taking a break from her winter break to share an update about the future of the podcast. The podcast is getting a new name! Find out what it is and what caused the change on this short but important episode. New Links for all things Reed, Write, & Create. The Reed, Write, & Create website. Reed, Write, & Create on Facebook. Reed, Write, & Create on Twitter @ReedWriteCre8 Reed, Write, & Create on IG @readwritecre8 To learn more about the fascinating history of the Papyrus ...
How to Make a Living Writing YA Fiction: A Conversation with Ibi Zoboi
December 18, 2023 12:15 - 1 hour - 61.9 MBOn episode 22 of the podcast, award-winning author, Ibi Zoboi is my guest. Ibi is the New York Times Bestselling author of the YA novel, American Street, which among other distinctions, was a National Book Award finalist. Ibi is the editor of the anthology Black Enough: Stories of Being Young and Black in America. She co-authored the Walter Award and L.A. Times Book Prize-winning novel-in-verse, Punching the Air, written with Exonerated Five member, Yusef Salaam. Her debut picture book, The ...
It’s All About The Sanctuary: A Membership Community for BIPOC Women Writers
December 04, 2023 12:00 - 19 minutes - 18.3 MBOn episode 21 of the podcast, I’m taking you on a tour of The Sanctuary, the new private membership community we’re launching at Read, Write, and Create headquarters. The Sanctuary is a private community for BIPOC women writers who want to get their work out into the world and who want to get paid for doing it. I’m going to share the origin story of The Sanctuary, but I’m also going to share why writing communities are gaining in popularity, even though they are far from a new idea. So,...
Greenlight Your Own Projects: Self-Publishing Without Apology with Dr. Tamara Pizzoli
November 20, 2023 12:00 - 47 minutes - 43.4 MBOn episode #20 of the Read, Write, and Create podcast, my guest is Dr. Tamara Pizzoli, who shares her unconventional success story as an independent children’s book author and publisher. Dr. Pizzoli is an African-American author, curator, producer and publisher. Originally from Texas, she is the mother of four children and has resided in Rome, Italy for over fifteen years. In 2013, she opened a boutique English-language school for kids in Rome called The English Schoolhouse, which she later...
Writing Retreats are Not Bougie: Why Writing Retreats Should be a Part of Your Regular Writing Practice
November 06, 2023 12:00 - 22 minutes - 20.9 MBOn episode 19 of the podcast, I’m giving a pep-talk on the importance of writing retreats for your regular writing practice. Yes, I just ran my first writing retreat, so I’m still glowing from that amazing experience, but this pep talk isn’t about me. It’s about you and all the benefits you will gain from adding writing retreats to your writing life. Some of the benefits of attending writing retreats include: Increased productivity in your writing Improved self-confidence as a writer A...
How to Have a 40-Year Literary Career with Award-Winning Author and Literary Activist Marita Golden
October 23, 2023 12:00 - 46 minutes - 42.2 MBOn episode 18 of the podcast, the amazing Marita Golden is my guest. Marita Golden is an award-winning author of over twenty works of fiction and nonfiction. Her books include the novels, The Wide Circumference of Love, and After and the memoirs Migrations of the Heart, Saving Our Sons, and Don’t Play in the Sun: One Woman’s Journey Through the Color Complex. Her most recent work of nonfiction is The New Black Woman Loves Herself, Has Boundaries and Heals Every Day. Marita is also th...
Find Your Passion and Your Purpose as a Writer with Maya Angelou
October 09, 2023 12:00 - 23 minutes - 21.1 MBOn episode 18 of the podcast, I’m sharing a lively pep-talk using the life and times of the incredible Dr. Maya Angelou to inspire you to tap into your purpose and passions as BIPOC writers. One little programming note, make sure you stick around all the way to the end of the episode because I’m launching a new segment of the show called, Read Like a Writer, where I will be sharing a book recommendation for a book that is delightful to read and will help you improve your craft. Th...
How to Make a Living as a Writer: New York Times Best-Selling Author, Denene Millner Shares Her Story and Her Strategies for a Prolific Literary Career
September 25, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 63.9 MBOn episode 16 of the podcast, I am joined by the incredible Denene Millner. Denene is truly a powerhouse in the publishing world. She is an author, editor, television and podcast host, and journalist. She has authored more than 30 books, including six New York Times best sellers. She is the creator and director of Denene Millner Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, and MyBrownBaby.com, a critically acclaimed blog that examines the intersection of parenting and race. Millner has written an...
How to Make a Living as a Writer: New Times Best-Selling Author, Denene Millner Shares Her Story and Her Strategies for a Prolific Literary Career
September 25, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 63.9 MBOn episode 16 of the podcast, I am joined by the incredible Denene Millner. Denene is truly a powerhouse in the publishing world. She is an author, editor, television and podcast host, and journalist. She has authored more than 30 books, including six New York Times best sellers. She is the creator and director of Denene Millner Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, and MyBrownBaby.com, a critically acclaimed blog that examines the intersection of parenting and race. Millner has written an...
New York Times Best-Selling Author, Denene Millner Shares Her Story and Her Strategies for a Prolific Literary Career
September 25, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 63.9 MBOn episode 16 of the podcast, I am joined by the incredible Denene Millner. Denene is truly a powerhouse in the publishing world. She is an author, editor, television and podcast host, and journalist. She has authored more than 30 books, including six New York Times best sellers. She is the creator and director of Denene Millner Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, and MyBrownBaby.com, a critically acclaimed blog that examines the intersection of parenting and race. Millner has written an...
The Sisterhood and Why Writers Need a Writing Community
September 11, 2023 12:00 - 16 minutes - 15.5 MBIt was Virginia Wolf who said, “a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction.” And it’s true, when we write, particularly if we’re working on creative work, we need peace and quiet so we can sink into our imagination. But writers are human too. And that means we are social beings. We crave connections. We need our tribe. But not just any tribe, we writers need fellow writers who understand the nuances of a literary life and will help us stay committed to our craf...
Best of Author Series with Kaitlyn Greenidge: Real Talk about What it Takes to Be a Writer
July 17, 2023 11:22 - 49 minutes - 45.1 MBOn episode 14, I have another episode from my “Best of…Author Interviews.” This week I am sharing my 2021 interview with award-winning novelist, Kaitlyn Greenidge. Kaitlyn Greenidge's debut novel We Love You, Charlie Freeman (Algonquin Books), was one of the New York Times Critics' Top 10 Books of 2016. She is currently Features Director at Harper’s Bazaar as well as a contributing writer for The New York Times. Her second novel, Libertie, was published by Algonquin Books and it had just co...
Best of Author Series with Dr. Yaba Blay: Why Self Publishing is a Revolutionary Act
July 03, 2023 12:00 - 57 minutes - 52.4 MBOn episode 13, I have another episode from my “Best of…Author Interviews.” My guest is Dr. Yaba Blay, author of the groundbreaking book, One Drop: Shifting the Lens on Race. On the show we talk about how One Drop went from being a self-published labor of love and resistance, to arriving on bookshelves with a major publisher seven years later. Dr. Blay talks about what she had to sacrifice to get One Drop out into the world, and why she refused to compromise on her vision for her book. Dr. B...
”Best of ...Author Series:” Lauren Francis-Sharma + Book of the Little Axe
June 12, 2023 14:38 - 55 minutes - 50.9 MBOn episode 12 of the podcast, I’m dipping into my podcast archives to bring you one of my favorite author interviews. My guest is novelist Lauren Francis-Sharma. Lauren is a child of Trinidadian immigrants, and is the author of Till the Well Runs Dry and Book of the Little Axe. Lauren’s most recent writings can be found in The Lily, Electric Literature, Barrelhouse, Salon, as well as Marita Golden’s anthology, Us Against Alzheimer’s: Stories of Family Love and Faith. Lauren is also the Assi...
Get Your Writing Life on Track with the NBA
May 29, 2023 11:23 - 24 minutes - 22.9 MBOn episode 11 of the podcast, our last episode of the season, I am giving you a pep talk that will leave you truly lit. Before signing off for the summer, I want to get you fired up and inspired to write, but also give you a source of inspiration you can always go back to when you need that little pick me up. So, I decided to share my secret source for writing inspiration and guidance. It’s the NBA! Yes, I’ve been fashioning my writing career based on the lives and lessons learned from baske...
How to Launch, Sell, and Market Your Book: A Masterclass with Mr. Ernest Owens
May 15, 2023 11:00 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBOn episode 10 of the Read, Write, and Create podcast, award-winning journalist and author Ernest Owens joins me on the show to provide a masterclass on how to launch, market and sell your book. The author of the new book, The Case for Cancel Culture, Ernest brings his wit and wisdom to the topic of book marketing, and provides actionable advice for authors at all stages of their career. This is an episode where knowledge is dropped, the truth is shared, and tips and tricks come at your fast....
How to Leave a Literary Legacy with Lorraine Hansberry
May 01, 2023 12:00 - 26 minutes - 24.1 MBOn episode nine of the podcast, I’m sharing a pep talk meant to encourage you to seize your moment to write. You must get your stories out into the world, so that you can leave a legacy of your words, your wisdom, and your dreams behind. Writing is such a powerful tool to leave a lasting legacy for our loved ones and for the world. Just look at the work our literary ancestors have left behind for us to learn from and love. To drive home my point, I’m going to be sharing the life and times o...
You’re Never Too Old to Start Writing or Keep Writing: Dorothy West
April 17, 2023 12:00 - 15 minutes - 14.1 MBOn episode # 8 of the podcast, I’m giving you a quick pep talk about the perfect age to become a literary star. Spoiler alert: There isn’t one. The truth is, age is completely irrelevant in the writing game. You never know when your big literary break is going to come, you’re never too old to pick up the pen, and it’s never too late to tell your story. Rather than worrying about your age, you should be working on your words. To prove this point, I’m going back to the ancestors, and I’m s...
The Secret to a Productive and Prolific Literary Life with Jabari Asim
April 03, 2023 12:00 - 53 minutes - 49.2 MBOn today’s episode of the podcast, award-winning author, journalist, professor, and poet, Jabari Asim, joins me on the show, to share his advice and experiences maintaining a productive, prolific, and eclectic literary career for more than thirty years. Jabari Asim is the Distinguished Professor of Multi-Disciplinary Letters at Emerson College, where he also directs the MFA Program in Creative Writing. He is the author of 23 books, including Yonder, the essay collection We Can’t Breathe, ...
The pen is mightier than the sword. Lessons learned from Ida B. Wells
March 20, 2023 11:09 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MBOn today’s episode of the podcast, I’m giving you a pep talk on the power and the potential of the written word to change the world. Yes, the pen is mightier than the sword, and I want all of my BIPOC writers to wield this powerful weapon with intention and agency. And because you know I like to give you role models to emulate, I’ll be sharing the inspiring story of how Ida B. Wells weaponized her words in order to make miracles happen. This is a pep talk you don’t want to miss. “The wa...
Should Writers Only ’Write What They Know?”: Mark Twain and Toni Morrison Have the Answers
March 06, 2023 10:00 - 25 minutes - 23 MBOn episode 5 of the Read, Write and Create podcast, get ready for an epic battle between two literary lions, Mark Twain and Toni Morrison. The battle is over whether writers should write what they know, or write what fascinates them. Mark Twain said, “write what you know.” Toni Morrison said, “please do NOT write what you know.” So who was right? And what useful writing advice can all storytellers take from these two literary legends on this topic? The answers may surprise you, so listen up ...
For Writers: Perseverance is More Important than Talent + Octavia E. Butler
February 20, 2023 12:00 - 22 minutes - 20.5 MBOn today’s episode of the podcast, I’m sharing a pep talk about perseverance. The truth is, perseverance is the most important habit, or superpower, a writer must have, even more than talent. You can be the most talented writer in the room, but if you can’t figure out how to keep writing in the face of hardship and adversity, then you’re not going to succeed in this game. To help explain the importance of perseverance in a literary life, I’m sharing the incredible true story of how Ms....
How to Have a Long-Lasting Literary Career with Tracey Lewis-Giggetts
February 06, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 112 MBOn episode #3 of the podcast, the incredible Tracey Lewis-Giggetts joins me to talk about her literary life and experiences as an African-American writer and author of over 20 books! Tracey writes fiction, nonfiction, poetry and screenplays. Her two most recent books are Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration and Then They Came For Mine: Healing from the Trauma of Racial Violence. Tracey also works as a ghostwriter and has penned best-selling memoirs for several publ...
Why BIPOC Writers Must Get their Stories Into the World + Zora Neale Hurston
January 23, 2023 12:00 - 22 minutes - 42.1 MBOn episode number two of the Read, Write and Create Podcast, I give BIPOC writers their marching orders for their literary lives I explain why the world needs writers of BIPOC heritage to pick up their pens and write their stories; why we have to write like our lives depend on it; and why we have to write for ourselves. For inspiration and edification, I’m using the literary life and times of Zora Neale Hurston to help make my case. In the episode I will be sharing: The grim st...
How to Find the Time to Write + Phillis Wheatley
January 09, 2023 12:00 - 17 minutes - 31.3 MBThis is the very first episode of the Read, Write, and Create podcast! Each episode of the show will include a pep-talk for BIPOC creative writers, inspired by the lives of our literary foremothers and forefathers of color. These pep talks will be short, sweet, and to the point, so you can get off the couch and back to your desk, writing the masterpiece you were meant to write. On this first episode of the Read, Write and Create podcast, host Lori L. Tharps tackles an issue that vexes...
Introducing the Read, Write & Create Podcast
December 05, 2022 12:15 - 4 minutes - 7.74 MBIt's been a while since a new episode of the MAMP podcast dropped, and sadly there won't be anymore new episodes. However, I am launching a brand new, bimonthly podcast called Read, Write & Create and on this short little episode, I'm going to tell you all about it. Think bite-sized creative pep talks for BIPOC writers. The new podcast officially launches in January 2023 and I hope if it sounds like something you need in your life, you'll tune in and subscribe. Until then, Write On!
One Last Thing About the Future of the Show
April 16, 2021 11:00 - 15 minutes - 14 MBThis is the final episode of season six of the podcast and it’s going to be a short one. I have a few important announcements about the future of the show to share, some personal updates, and of course, some multicultural book news. One of the big announcements I'll be sharing is that I am launching a new podcast called, Meltingpot Stories. Yes, the podcast that will be all about multicultural books. Please follow me on IG @LoriLTharps and visit the My American Meltingpot website to know w...
Author Kaitlyn Greenidge Talks Freedom and "Libertie"
April 09, 2021 11:00 - 45 minutes - 41.6 MBOn episode 68 of the podcast, author Kaitlyn Greenidge joins me to talk about freedom and Libertie. Kaitlyn’s debut novel was the critically acclaimed, We Love You, Charlie Freeman. Her writing has also appeared in Vogue, Glamour, the Wall Street Journal, Elle.com, Buzzfeed, and the Virginia Quarterly Review. She was a contributing editor for LENNY Letter, is currently a contributing writer for The New York Times and recently became the Features Director of Harper’s Bazaar magazine. I invi...
Children's Book Author, Zetta Elliott, Wants to Decolonize Your Imagination
April 02, 2021 11:00 - 58 minutes - 53.9 MBOn episode 67 we’re going back into the Meltingpot archives to listen to an interview with award-winning children’s book author and indie publisher, Zetta Elliott. Zetta has written over 30 books for children, teens and young adults and is committed to telling stories featuring Black characters in the most unexpected places. From sci-fi, to fantasy, to haunted historical fiction, Zetta has written it all and shows no signs of stopping. She is on a mission to decolonize all of our imagina...
The Multicultural History of Witchcraft in America with Author Via Hedera
March 26, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBOn episode 66 of the podcast we’re going to talk about witches. Why? Because there is a growing number of women who are practicing witchcraft in the United States. And because this is America, there is a racial divide in this increasingly popular witching community. Apparently, Black witches and white witches just can’t get along. Cries of cultural appropriation, questions of who gets to call themselves a witch, and how witches are portrayed in popular media are all discussions that are hap...
Children's Book Author Joanna Ho Writes to Change the World
March 19, 2021 11:00 - 44 minutes - 40.9 MBOn episode 65 of the podcast, I’m joined by children’s book author, educator, and activist Joanna Ho. Joanna is the New York Times bestselling author of Eyes that Kiss in the Corners, a beautiful picture book that tells the story of a little Asian girl who learns to love and appreciate the shape of her eyes. Joanna holds a BA in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s from the Principal Leadership Institute at Berkeley. She has been an English teacher, a dean, the ...
Writing Wisdom: You Must Believe You Can Write
March 12, 2021 12:00 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBOn episode 64 of the podcast, I’m introducing a new segment called Writing Wisdom with Lori. On these mini-episodes, I’ll be sharing actionable inspiration for writers, aspiring writers and creative folks looking to put pen to paper. I want to give you a jolt of what you need to live your best literary life. Think tips, hacks and mindset motivation to get you going, or keep you going on your writing journey. For this very first writing wisdom segment, I'm talking about the most important...
Telling Global Stories with Jennifer Steil, Award-Winning Author of Exile Music
March 05, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 77.3 MBOn episode 63 of the podcast, I’m joined by award-winning author, Jennifer Steil, to talk about her brilliant new novel, Exile Music. Exile Music tells the remarkable story of an Austrian Jewish family who has to flee Nazi occupied Vienna during WWII, and then finds themselves living as refugees in La Paz, Bolivia. Jennifer stumbled upon this fascinating and mostly unknown piece of history – European Jewish refugees living in Bolivia – when she was living in La Paz with her diplomat husband,...
Love, Loss and Writing Memoir with Tembi Locke
February 26, 2021 12:00 - 57 minutes - 52.8 MBOn episode 62 of the podcast we’re rewinding to listen to debut author and actress,Tembi Locke, talk about writing her brilliant memoir about love and loss, From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily and Finding Home. In our conversation, Tembi and I talk about the reasons she decided to write this searing love story about life before and after her Italian husband’s death from cancer; her writing process as a new author; why writing memoir is so powerful; what life is like for a Black-American w...
Talking "One Drop," Blackness, and Publishing with Dr. Yaba Blay
February 19, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 57.6 MBOn episode 61 of the show, we’re talking about Blackness, Identity Politics and self-publishing as a form of activism with Dr. Yaba Blay, author of the just released book, One Drop: Shifting the Lens on Race. Dr. Blay’s book, One Drop is a gorgeous coffee table book filled with beautiful full-color portraits of people who identify as Black. The people are divided in groups: Mixed Black, American Black and Diaspora Black and each portrait is accompanied by a personal essay about the person...
White Like Her: Stories of Race and Racial Passing
February 12, 2021 12:00 - 54 minutes - 50.4 MBOn episode 60 of the podcast, we’re digging into the Meltingpot vault and replaying an episode that was inspired by the book, White Like Her: My Family’s Story of Race and Racial Passing (Skyhorse) by Gail Lukasik. The book is all about racial passing and family secrets in Gail’s family. I’m joined on the show by Gail Lukasik and Philadelphia journalist, Shannon Wink. Like Gail, Shannon was raised to believe she was white, but when she was doing some genealogical research for her job, she di...
Untangling the History of "Hair Story" with authors Ayana Byrd + Lori Tharps
February 05, 2021 12:00 - 49 minutes - 45.1 MBOn episode 59 of the podcast, we’re having a birthday party for a very special book. And that book is, Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America. Hair Story is the first book that I ever wrote, with my good friend, the journalist and author, Ayana Byrd. Hair Story covers the history, politics, business and culture of Black hair from 15th century Africa to modern-day America. And today, we're going behind the scenes and looking back at how Hair Story came to be. Ayana and I b...
A Big Announcement about the Future of this Podcast
January 29, 2021 12:00 - 9 minutes - 9.12 MBWelcome to 2021. It's a new year and I'm ready for something different. Not just for this world and the United States, but for this podcast. So, I'm making a change. I don't want to talk about racism anymore. What do I want to talk about? Something that lights me up. Something that makes me excited. Something that I wake up thinking about and fall asleep dreaming about. Something I really and truly love. Books! Yes, books. Multicultural books to be specific. Books written by authors of col...
Is Christmas for white people with Dr. Marc Lamont Hill
December 18, 2020 11:00 - 36 minutes - 33.6 MBOn episode 57 of the podcast, we’re replaying our Christmas show from 2019 because it's still very relevant today. Maybe even more so. On that episode, I set out to answer the question, "Is Christmas for white people?" Now, I’m not white and I’ve been celebrating Christmas with my very Black family for more than 40 years, so clearly Christmas isn’t intrinsically a white people’s holiday, but there are plenty of people of color in America who don't deck the halls or jingle any bells on Decemb...