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Writer's Voice with Francesca Rheannon
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Writer's Voice with Francesca Rheannon

Author: Francesca Rheannon

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Writer's Voice features author interviews and readings, as well as news, commentary and tips related to writing and publishing. We also talk with editors, agents, publicists and others about issues of interest to writers. Francesca Rheannon is producer and host of Writer's Voice. She is a writer, an independent radio producer and a broadcast journalist.
478 Episodes
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In this thought-provoking episode, acclaimed author Olivia Laing shares insights from The Garden Against Time, exploring the concept of gardens as both physical spaces and metaphors for paradise, exclusion, and resistance. Laing recounts restoring a historic garden and reflects on themes of ecological stewardship, historical gardens, and the philosophical tensions between control and collaboration with … Continue reading Gardening Utopia: Olivia Laing on THE GARDEN AGAINST TIME →
Douglas Rushkoff discusses his book, Survival of the Richest: Escape Fantasies of the Tech Billionaires. Tyson Yunkaporta talks about Indigenous thinking. His book is Sand Talk. The post Douglas Rushkoff, SURVIVAL OF THE RICHEST & Tyson Yunkaporta, SAND TALK appeared first on Writer's Voice.
In this episode of Writer’s Voice, we feature two stories about war and secrets. First, we talk with Howard Mansfield about his book, I Will Tell No War Stories: What Our Fathers Left Unsaid About World War II. The book uncovers the truth about the terrible toll that war took on American airmen like Mansfield’s … Continue reading War & Secrets: Howard Mansfield, I WILL TELL NO WAR STORIES & Sasha Vasilyuk, YOUR PRESENCE IS MANDATORY →
In this episode of Writer’s Voice, entomologist and author Barrett Klein discusses his book, The Insect Epiphany: How Our Six-Legged Allies Shape Human Culture. From the crucial roles insects play in ecosystems to their influence on art, architecture, and medicine, Klein unpacks the deep connections between humans and these often misunderstood creatures. [Image above by … Continue reading How Insects Shape Our Culture & Stewarding Wildness →
Sociologist Stephanie Canizales examines the lives of unaccompanied migrant youth in her groundbreaking book, Sin Padres Ni Papeles. Drawing from years of immersive research in the Pico-Union neighborhood of Los Angeles, Canizales sheds light on the systemic challenges these young people face, from exploitative labor conditions to emotional isolation. She connects their experiences to historical … Continue reading SIN PADRES NI PAPELES: Stephanie Canizales on the Lives of Unaccompanied Migrant Youth →
In this episode, we dive into the world of eels with Ellen Ruppel Shell, author of Slippery Beast: A True Crime Natural History with Eels. From ancient mysteries and ecological importance to international crime syndicates and sustainable farming, Ruppel Shell unravels the fascinating and complex story of one of nature’s most enigmatic creatures. The conversation … Continue reading Slippery Beast: Ellen Ruppel Shell on Eels, Ecology, and the Global Wildlife Trade →
In this special holiday edition of Writer’s Voice, journalist and author Petrina Engelke shares her journey exploring iconic American cuisine along Route 66, detailed in the book she co-wrote with food blogger Gabriele Frankemölle, Cook Across America: 66 Iconic Recipes Along the Legendary Route 66. Engelke delves into the diverse cultural traditions that define American food, … Continue reading Petrina Engelke on Iconic American Cuisine  →
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 Montauk Point. … Continue reading Eiren Caffall THE MOURNER’S BESTIARY & Betsy McCully, AT THE GLACIER’S EDGE →
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 enduring impact of the … Continue reading Jacob Mikanowski, GOODBYE EASTERN EUROPE & Michael Lerner Remembered →
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 … Continue reading July 4 Special: Danielle Allen, OUR DECLARATION →
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 exploring the broader national scandal of … Continue reading Uncovering Hidden Histories: Claire Wills on Family Secrets and National Scandals →
We talk with Victor Lodato about his terrific new novel, Honey. It’s about an octogenarian who is trying to come to terms with her life — her childhood growing up in a Mafia family in New Jersey and her adulthood trying to escape it. Then, we talk with Kimberly Belle about her new thriller, The … Continue reading Two Great Beach Novels: Victor Lodato, HONEY & Kimberly Belle, THE PARIS WIDOW →
Larry Tye tells us about his new book, The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America. It’s a fresh look at three titans of the Jazz Age. Then, we re-air our 2020 interview with Larry Tye about his biography of Senator Joe McCarthy, Demagogue. Writers Voice— in depth conversation with writers … Continue reading Two Biographies by Larry Tye: THE JAZZMEN & DEMAGOGUE →
This week we talk about two novels that explore connections: between men and women, people and nature, the young and the old.
We talk with Les Leopold of the Labor Institute about his groundbreaking study of the political cost of mass layoffs. His book is Wall Street’s War on Workers: How Mass Layoffs and Greed Are Destroying the Working Class and What to Do About It. Then we re-air a clip from our 2013 interview with Les … Continue reading Les Leopold, WALL STREET’S WAR ON WORKERS →
We explore the people of North Sentinel Island, who are thought to be the last un-contacted tribe on Earth. Our guest is historian, essayist, and author Adam Goodheart and his book is The Last Island: Discovery, Defiance, and the Most Elusive Tribe on Earth. Read The Interview Transcript Then, we talk with author, gardener and … Continue reading Adam Goodheart, THE LAST ISLAND & Jennifer Jewell, WHAT WE SOW →
Antisemitism and conspiracy theories. Also, how to protect wildlife by protecting people. First, we talk with Mike Rothschild about his book: Jewish Space Lasers: The Rothschilds and 200 Years of Conspiracy Theories. It’s about the persistence of rightwing antisemitism and its link to conspiracy theories. Then, scientist Adam Hart tells us about how people become … Continue reading Mike Rothschild, JEWISH SPACE LASERS & Adam Hart, DEADLY BALANCE →
What an owl taught a famed ecologist about a deadly human misconception. Also, the role of oil in the Israel/Palestine conflict. We talk with ecologist Carl Safina about his book, Alfie and Me: What Owls Know, What Humans Believe. It’s about how a tiny ragged ball of fluff taught a famed ecologist about a deadly … Continue reading Carl Safina, ALFIE AND ME & Charlotte Dennett, FOLLOW THE PIPELINES →
Gloria Dickie tells us about bears and how people relate to them, for good and for ill. Her book is Eight Bears: Mythic Past and Imperiled Future. And Sonja Swift discusses her book: Echo Loba, Loba Echo: Of Wisdom, Wolves and Women.
We talk with Tan Twan Eng about his new novel, The House of Doors & Kerri Maher tells us about All You Have To Do Is Call.
We spend the hour with David Lipsky talking about The Parrot and The Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial. It’s about the sordid history of climate denialism and its deep roots in the industry of tobacco denialism.
We talk with Tania James about her novel Loot. Vauhini Vara tells us about her short story collection, This is Salvaged. And we review a new book about "Planting For Pollinators."
For Climate Week, we talk with Andrew Boyd about I Want A Better Catastrophe. Then nonfiction author Chuck Collins tells us about his debut climate action-themed novel, Altar to an Erupting Sun.
We talk with Clare Carlisle about her book The Marriage Question: George Eliot's Double Life and with Norman Solomon about his new book, War Made Invisible.
Ahmed White talks about his history of the Wobblies, Under the Iron Heel. Then Nikhil Goyal tells us about his book, Live to See the Day: Coming of Age in American Poverty.
David Goodman talks about his book, An American Cannabis Story about Puffin Farm in Washington State. And Carl Hart discusses Drug Use For Grownups: Chasing Liberty In The Land of Fear.
We talk with historian Martha Hodes about her memoir My Hijacking: A Personal History of Forgetting and Remembering. In 1970, she survived six days as a hostage on a hijacked plane when she was twelve years old. Then, teacher Adam Bessie tells us about his take on how the pandemic has driven us apart—and what it will take to bring us together. His graphic pandemic memoir is Going Remote: A Teacher’s Journey.
Paul Kix tells us the thrilling story of the fight to end Jim Crow, led by the greatest figures of the Civil Rights Movement—and won by children. His book is You Have To Be Prepared To Die Before You Can Begin To Live.
Buzzy Jackson tells us the story of the anti-Nazi saboteur, Hannie Schaft and the lessons it holds for us as we confront fascism today. Her novel based on true events is To Die Beautiful. Then Francesca reads a short excerpt from her own father’s story of resistance in the same war.
Ava Chin tells us about her stunning family memoir/history of the Chinese Exclusion Act in America, Mott Street: A Chinese American Family’s Story of Exclusion and Homecoming. Then we talk with Tanis Rideout about her new novel The Sea Between Two Shores. It’s about two families, one Canadian and one from an island in Vanuatu, who must deal with the legacy of colonialism in the South Pacific and the responsibilities they have to each other.
Family separation continues to devastate the lives of children, as explored in Sylvia Rodriguez-Vega's book, Drawing Deportation: Art and Resistance among Immigrant Children. This poignant work delves into the traumatic experiences faced by immigrant children and showcases the healing power of art in their recovery. In another thought-provoking book, You Are The Universe: Ram Dass Maps The Journey, Amy Beutens brings to life the profound teachings of renowned spiritual teacher Ram Dass. With captivating illustrations and co-editing by Julie Weinstein, this graphic book conveys a transformative message of love and unity, appealing to both teens and adults.
Jonathan Eig discusses his acclaimed new biography, "KING: A Life," on Writer's Voice. This captivating portrait of the civil rights leader offers fresh insights and an intimate perspective.
We talk with Stephen Markley about his acclaimed new novel about the climate crisis, The Deluge. It lays out the different paths that may be taken to changing the political will to tackle climate, the unintended consequences they lead to, and the twists and turns of political, ecological and individual fates that intertwine and react with each other. Then we talk about what we can do in our own lives to protect our planet from climate disaster. We air excerpts from our interviews with Peter Kalmus (Being The Change) and Darr Reilly of Carbon C.R.E.W.
We talk with Elsa Panciroli about BEASTS BEFORE US: The Untold Story of Mammal Origins and Evolution. Then, we kick off the gardening season talking with gardening book author Maggie Stuckey about The Container Victory Garden: A Beginners Guide To Growing Your Own Groceries.
We center our episode on the fight for reproductive choice. Our first guest is Felicia Kornbluh. Her book, A Woman's Life Is A Human Life, chronicles the spell-binding story of how the first law legalizing abortion in the US was passed—in New York in 1970. But it also tells a second parallel story, the fight for reproductive justice, protecting poor women against involuntary sterilization.
Stewart Udall served as the Secretary of the Interior under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson from 1961 to 1969. During his time in office, he helped create national parks, protected wilderness areas, and advocated for conservation efforts. Udall was instrumental in passing important environmental legislation, such as the Wilderness Act of 1964 and the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965. The post Stewart Udall and The Politics of Beauty with John de Graaf & Tony Mazzochi, Labor Leader And Environmentalist appeared first on Writer's Voice.
Listen to the story of Ethel Payne, star reporter and Washington Press Corps correspondent for the Chicago Defender, the black press’ paper of record from the years of the Great Migration through the civil rights movement. The post Celebrating Black History Month: Interview with Biographer James McGrath Morris on Ethel Payne, First Lady of the Black Press appeared first on Writer's Voice.
We speak with Chetna Maroo about her debut novel, Western Lane. It’s a beautifully written coming of age story about a young girl and her British Indian family who are trying to come to terms with the recent death of the family matriarch. Then, for Black History Month, we hear my 2008 interview with Ta-Nahisi … Continue reading Exploring Grief, Sisterhood & Sport: Chetna Maroo, WESTERN LANE & Black History Month: Ta-Nahisi Coates, THE BEAUTIFUL STRUGGLE → The post Exploring Grief, Sisterhood & Sport: Chetna Maroo, WESTERN LANE & Black History Month: Ta-Nahisi Coates, THE BEAUTIFUL STRUGGLE appeared first on Writer's Voice.
V comes to a reckoning with the patriarchy that undergirds the violence done to women, to peoples and the planet. And Damaris Hill helps us celebrate Black History Month. The post How To Reckon With Patriarchy: V, RECKONING & Black History Month: DaMaris Hill, A BOUND WOMAN IS A DANGEROUS THING appeared first on Writer's Voice.
We talk with Ray Nayler about The Mountain In The Sea and we remember Victor Navasky. The post Ray Nayler, THE MOUNTAIN AND THE SEA & Victor Navasky Remembered appeared first on Writer's Voice.
We talk about the Green Amendment movement with Maya van Rossum. And our conversation with David Margolick remembers MLK, Jr. The post Maya K. van Rossum, THE GREEN AMENDMENT & David Margolick on MLK, Jr. appeared first on Writer's Voice.
Natural history writer Danielle Clode tells us all about koalas and we remember novelist Russell Banks. The post Danielle Clode, KOALA & Russell Banks, VOYAGER appeared first on Writer's Voice.
We talk with Jeff Lowenfells about his book on the soil microbiome, Teaming WIth Bacteria. Then we revisit some of our best interviews of 2022. The post Jeff Lowenfels, TEAMING WITH BACTERIA & Best of 2022 appeared first on Writer's Voice.
Francesca Rheannon reads her Winter Solstice story "The Food Philosophe" The post Holiday Special: THE FOOD PHILOSOPHE, A Story for the Solstice appeared first on Writer's Voice.
We talk with Elsa Sjunneson about disability rights. Then Kathryn Nicolai tells us about how to train our brains to sleep. The post Elsa Sjunneson, BEING SEEN & Kathryn Nicolai, NOTHING MUCH HAPPENS appeared first on Writer's Voice.
James Vincent talks about his book Beyond Measure: The Hidden History Of Measurement From Cubits To Quantum Constants. And Simon Winchester discusses his book, Land: How the Hunger for Ownership Shaped the Modern World. The post James Vincent, BEYOND MEASURE & Simon Winchester, LAND appeared first on Writer's Voice.
Devra Lehmann tells us about Socrates: A Life Worth Living. And Dr. Seema Yasmin about her guide to disinformation, What the fact: Finding The Truth In All The Noise. The post Devra Lehmann, SOCRATES & Seema Yasmin, WHAT THE FACT? appeared first on Writer's Voice.
We hear about a small town on the Texas coast set on fire by hatred, xenophobia, and ecological disaster— and the woman who fought to save it. The post Kirk Wallace Johnson, THE FISHERMAN AND THE DRAGON & Diane Wilson, AN UNREASONABLE WOMAN appeared first on Writer's Voice.
Nobel Prize winner Abdulrazak Gurnah talks about his novel Afterlives. R.F. Kuang tells us about her fantasy/slash/alternate history novel, Babel. The post Abdulrazak Gurnah, AFTERLIVES & R.F. Kuang, BABEL appeared first on Writer's Voice.
We talk with Octavio Solis about his short story collection about the southern border, Retablos. And Freya Sampson tells us about her novel The Lost Ticket. The post Octavio Solis, RETABLOS & Freya Sampson, THE LOST TICKET appeared first on Writer's Voice.
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