This Is the Author

S4 E18: In this episode meet Emily Arnold McCully, author of DREAMING IN CODE; Matthew Gray Gubler, author of RUMPLE BUTTERCUP; and A.S. King, author of DIG. From illuminating the life of a brilliant mathematician to using a delightfully weird monster to encourage kids to be themselves, the stories these authors bring to life will enthrall listeners. Plus, find out which author can’t distinguish h...

S4 E15: In this episode, meet Alex Kotlowitz, author of AN AMERICAN SUMMER; Dr. Jennifer Eberhardt, author of BIASED; and Preet Bharara, author of DOING JUSTICE. These authors’ timely audiobooks explore the complex topics of violence, race, and criminal justice. Hear about the meaningful and influential interviews that contributed to these audiobooks, and how these personal stories and different p...

S4 E16: In this episode, meet Sunita Puri, author of THAT GOOD NIGHT; Oren Jay Sofer, author of SAY WHAT YOU MEAN; and Serene Jones, author of CALL IT GRACE. By sharing spiritual lessons and life skills, these authors aim to help listeners communicate their needs and achieve more meaningful lives. Plus, discover which author’s dream narrator is Bryan Cranston. That Good Night by Sunita Puri: https...

S4 E14: In this episode, meet Helen Oyeyemi, author of GINGERBREAD; Halle Butler, author of THE NEW ME; and Chris Bohjalian, author of WINGSPAN. It’s a rare treat when fiction authors step behind the mic to read their written words aloud—and, luckily, each of these authors had a blast! Plus, discover which famous (classic) author has the best gingerbread recipe. Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi: https...

S4 E13: In this episode meet David Dean Bottrell, author of WORKING ACTOR; Laura Vanderkam, author of JULIET'S SCHOOL OF POSSIBILITIES; and Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, authors of THE HOME EDIT. Whether it’s making a dream career come true, learning how to manage your time efficiently, or organizing your home, each of these authors wants to help make listeners lives’ easier. And catch which aut...

S4 E12: In this episode, meet Amber Tamblyn, author of ERA OF IGNITION; Laurie Halse Anderson, author of SHOUT; and Joan Chittister, author of THE TIME IS NOW. Each of these women are contributing to and growing the conversations surrounding sexual assault, the power of the #metoo movement, and the importance of standing up for what we believe in. Plus, find out which of these impassioned activist...

S4 E11: In this episode, meet Jacob Tobia, author of Sissy; Abby Maslin, author of Love You Hard, and Andrew Rannells, author of Too Much is Not Enough. These illuminating memoirs that explore the value of trans storytelling, a different kind of love story that’s far from a fairy tale, and the early career wins that led to a success on the stage and screen - will assure listeners that they aren’t...

S4 E10: In this episode, meet Dr. Lisa Damour, a psychologist and New York Times contributor; David Wallace-Wells, a deputy editor at New York magazine; and Judith Grisel, a behavioral neuroscientist. From brain science to earth science, the topics these authors’ audios address add much-needed conversation to understanding anxiety, addiction and climate change. Plus, hear why you may rethink how y...

S4 E09: In this episode, meet creator of Millennial Money, Grant Sabatier, artist and lead pastor of Mosaic, Erwin Raphael McManus, and businessman Aaron Dignan. As you listen to each of these authors talk about their audiobooks, their messages of taking action will inspire you—whether at work, with your finances, or within yourself—to enable a fuller life. And, find out which author said that nar...

S4 E08: In this episode, meet Jodie Patterson, a social activist, entrepreneur, and writer; Susan Packard, cofounder of HGTV; and Ayelet Tsabari, an award-winning writer. Hear about the intense emotional journeys that took place behind the mic in bringing these books to life and how their recording processes were affected by sharing their vulnerabilities. Plus, hear why one author’s dream narrator...

S4 E07: In this episode, meet award-winning journalist, producer, and New York Times bestselling author Raymond Arroyo; award-winning author (and former oceanographer) Padma Venkatraman; and owner and creator of The Homeschool Alliance, Julie Bogart. Drawing on inspiration from childhood memories, travel adventures, and insights in education, hear why each of these authors are excited to share the...

S4 E06: In this episode, meet bestselling author Jill Santopolo, inspirational speaker and CEO of Creative Trespassing Tania Katan, and founder of Girls Who Code Reshma Saujani. Hear why recording an audiobook is just plain FUN – despite it being hard – and why one author needed permission to have fun recording it. These authors’ audiobooks will encourage listeners to look at things in a new light...

S4 E05: In this episode, meet Jill Schlesinger, business analyst for CBS News; Cynthia Johnson, an entrepreneur, marketer, and speaker; and Liz Fosslien, an illustrator and marketing and design consultant. Become inspired to change the way you think about money, to develop a person brand, and to recognize and learn from emotions in the workplace thanks to these three authors and the stories they s...

S04 E04: In this episode, meet bestselling author Nadia Bolz-Weber, film critic and historian David Thomson, and adventurous debut author Will Hunt. Hear the personal stories and moments and movies that inspired their audiobooks. Plus, hear which author would want Lisa Simpson to narrate her audiobook. Enjoy! Shameless by Nadia Bolz-Weber: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/247945/shamel...

S4 E03: In this episode, meet Hillary Frank, creator of the popular parenting podcast “The Longest Shortest Time,” self-described "professional soul-searcher" Megan Griswold, and Jane Mosbacher Morris, the Founder and CEO of TO THE MARKET. Each of these women were inspired to share insights they’ve learned in order to help listeners and improve the world around them. And, learn why one author want...

S4 E02: In this special episode, meet Christopher Paolini, author of the internationally bestselling Inheritance Cycle series. He tells us about his newest audiobook, The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm, which is narrated by his longtime reader, Gerard Doyle.

S4 E01: In this episode, meet memoirist Dani Shapiro, author Soniah Kamal, and professor Emily Bernard. From fearless family memoirs to updating classic fiction to reflect her own culture, each of these authors’ works share deeply personal pieces of themselves. Hear how the recording process affected each writer and, discover which author’s dreams of being an actress were finally achieved in the r...

In this episode, meet success coach and motivational speaker Jen Sincero, editor & founder of becomingminimalist.com Joshua Becker, and author & founder of This Naked Mind Annie Grace. Whether you’re beginning a new journey of personal change, or continuing on a transformational path, let these authors inspire you and help you along. And, discover which author created a new, hybrid word to describ...

In this special episode of This is the Author we asked, "What’s your recipe for a good story?" Hear Mitch Abblett, Nick McDonell, Bryan Stevenson, Maeve Higgins, Chip Conley, James Clear, Rachel Marie Martin, Scott Harrison, and Mya Spalter share their vital ingredients for a good story.

In this episode, meet illustrator and coloring book author Johanna Basford, bestselling YA author Stephanie Kate Strohm, and Caldecott Award-winning author and illustrator Emily Arnold McCully. Whether it was a collection of bedtime stories shared with a child or dreams of a romantic city like Paris, these three women share a piece of themselves with listeners in their audiobooks. You’ll be transp...

In this special compilation episode of This is the Author, hear what inspires authors Nic Stone, Torrey Maldonado, Michelle LeClair, Kevin Young, Maeve Higgins, and Carey Nieuwhof to write their books.

In this special episode of This is the Author we asked, "What’s your recipe for a good story?" Hear Markus Zusak, Kate Inglis, Tyler Reagin, Khalida Brohi, George Packer, Sam Anderson, Ryan North, Beth Comstock, and Glory Edimshare their vital ingredients for a good story.

In this episode, meet CEO of Menlo Innovations, Richard Sheridan—although you may want to refer to him as Chief Joy Officer—therapist and meditation teacher, Ralph De La Rosa, and journalist Hamish McKenzie. From stories of joyful leadership to why we need a more joyful meditation practice, you’ll be inspired by the fascinating lessons and research these authors have to share. Chief Joy Officer by...

In this inspiring, love-filled episode of This is the Author, hear from Bishop Michael Curry, who delivered his sermon on the redemptive power of love at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle; meet the charismatic cast of Netflix’s Queer Eye (otherwise known as the Fab Five), who strive to help all of us celebrate our best lives; and listen to United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand...

In this special compilation of This is the Author, we asked authors to reveal their recipes for a great story. Hear Torrey Maldonado, Heather Won Tesoriero, Jedidiah Jenkins, Marcellus Wiley, Sam Maggs, KJ Dell'Antonia, Daniel Siegel, Cristen Conger, Caroline Ervin, Tom O'Bryan, and Matt de la Peña reveal their secret ingredients, whether that be radical truth-telling or a pinch of metaphorical sa...