This Is the Author

In this episode, meet filmmaker and actor Desiree Akhavan, astrobiologist and theoretical physicist Sara Imari Walker, and co-hosts of the Obitchuary podcast Spencer Henry and Madison Reyes. Go behind the mic to hear what inspired these authors, what surprised them most about recording their audiobooks, and what they are most excited for listeners to hear. You're Embarrassing Yourself by Desiree A...

In this episode, meet poet and playwright Vincent Toro, New York Times correspondent Thomas Fuller, and journalist Barbara Bradley Hagerty. Hear how reading his audiobook helped Vincent Toro experiment with poetry performance, learn what special food Thomas Fuller ate before his recording sessions, and hear Barbara Bradley Hagerty describe the visceral experience of reliving her book as she read i...

In this episode, meet pastor Oneka McClellan, Haiti Country Director for the UN World Food Programme Jean-Martin Bauer, and writer and former professional soccer player Georgia Cloepfil. Hear what inspired each of these authors to write their books, and what surprised them about reading their audiobooks. Plus, navigating tongue-twisters, emotions, and other vulnerable moments in the studio. Born R...

In this episode, meet writer and lecturer Zara Chowdhary, former attorney and bestselling author Tara M. Stringfellow, and marine biologist Jasmin Graham. Listen in as these authors share insights into their works, and what made recording their audiobooks feel enriching, cathartic, and even magical. The Lucky Ones by Zara Chowdhary: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/733872/the-lucky-ones-by...

In this episode, meet novelist Kevin Barry, novelist and poet Olivia Gatwood, and novelist and filmmaker Ruth Ozeki. Listen in as these authors share what felt most revealing, most humbling, and most like time travel in the process of recording their audiobooks. Plus, what they can’t wait for listeners to hear. The Heart in Winter by Kevin Barry: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/743397/the...

In this episode, meet paleontologist John Long, writer and entrepreneur Nathaniel Eliason, and CEO of Soulcast Media Jessica Chen. Tune in to hear what these authors hope to teach listeners about sharks, cryptocurrency, and workplace communication. The Secret History of Sharks by John Long https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/714624/the-secret-history-of-sharks-by-john-long/9780593909454/ Cryp...

In this episode, meet independent editor and writer Alizah Holstein, writer and activist Jessica Goudeau, and journalist Nellie Bowles. Listen in to hear what big life moments inspired these authors to write their audiobooks, and how they would describe their time in the recording studio. My Roman History by Alizah Holstein: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/697279/my-roman-history-by-aliza...

In this episode, meet writer Brea Baker, founder and CEO of Babes Ciera Rogers, and writer and former Executive Editor of Teen Vogue Samhita Mukhopadhyay. Tune in to hear the beautiful story behind Brea Baker’s book Rooted, what Ciera Rogers is most excited for listeners to hear, and why Samhita Mukhopadhyay calls the experience of recording her audiobook “meditative.” Rooted by Brea Baker https:/...

In this episode, meet writer, producer, and podcaster Priyanka Mattoo, actor, film producer, and film director Griffin Dunne, and speaker and former journalist Jess H. Gutierrez. Hear these authors share what it was like to fully inhabit their memoirs in the audio booth, and the recording moments that surprised and delighted them most. Plus, more behind-the-scenes details on what only audiobook li...

In this episode, meet therapist and founder of The Embodiment Institute Prentis Hemphill, writer and podcast producer Glynnis MacNicol, and hospice nurse Julie McFadden. Hear these authors on how they prepared to record their audiobooks, what it was like to get vulnerable behind the mic, and their favorite recording moments. What it Takes to Heal by Prentiss Hemphill https://www.penguinrandomhouse...

In this episode, meet Pulitzer Prize–winning biographer Jon Meacham, founder and CEO of Khan Academy Salman Khan, and economic commentator Kyla Scanlon. Hear Jon Meacham on writing the life of President George H.W. Bush, Salman Khan on how artificial intelligence can have a positive impact on education, and Kyla Scanlon on helping lay people understand what’s going on in the contemporary economy....

S9 E16: In this episode, meet former Apple executive and one of Fortune’s “Most Powerful Women” Denise Young, founder of The New Happy company Stephanie Harrison, and writer and cultural worker KB Brookins. Press play to hear about the unique way Denise Young prepared to record, the two big problems that inspired Stephanie Harrison to write her book, and what KB Brookins is most excited for listen...

In this episode, meet Vanessa Angélica Villarreal, physician and Levels Health co-founder Casey Means, and culture, science, and nature writer Lucy Jones. Tune in to hear the one word Vanessa Angélica Villarreal would use to describe her recording experience, what Casey Means is most excited for her listeners to hear, and what inspired Lucy Jones to write her book about motherhood. Magical/Realism...

In this episode, meet World Champion lacrosse player and Premier Lacrosse League co-founder Paul Rabil, psychotherapist Dr. Christy Angelle Bauman, and psychotherapist and founder of Brown Girl Therapy, Sahaj Kaur Kohli. Hear Paul Rabil on the ups and downs of pursuing elite performance (and how one of his personal life lessons came into play in the recording booth), Dr. Christy Angelle Bauman on...

In this episode, meet journalist Sean Patrick Cooper, writer Dominic Gordon, and writer Suzanne Scanlon. Hear what inspired these authors to write their books, and what most surprised them about recording their audiobooks. Enjoy! The Shooter at Midnight by Sean Patrick Cooper: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/625173/the-shooter-at-midnight-by-sean-patrick-cooper/audio Excitable Boy by Domi...

In this episode, meet bestselling author Chanel Miller, bestselling author Amy Tan, and historian Nell Irvin Painter. Tune in to hear how each of these writers turned their everyday experiences into extraordinary audiobooks, and what they’re most excited for listeners to hear. Magnolia Wu Unfolds it All by Chanel Miller https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735878/magnolia-wu-unfolds-it-all-by-...

In this episode, meet actor George Takei, bestselling writer Leila Mottley, and neuroscientist-turned-environmental journalist Clayton Page Aldern. Listen in as these authors share powerful histories and coming-of-age stories, from George Takei's childhood experience in a US internment camp during World War II, to Leila Mottley's poems of becoming, to Clayton Page Aldern's exploration of the surpr...

In this episode, meet novelist and non-fiction writer Anne Lamott, podcaster and founder of The Honey Scoop Ashley Hetherington, and chaplain and creator of the popular “Rude Ass Enneagram” Instagram account Elizabeth Orr. You’ll hear thoughts on love, thoughts on faith, and thoughts on adding humor to self-compassion. Plus, what it really takes to get through hard times. Somehow by Anne Lamott ht...

In this episode, meet CNN anchor and Chief National Security Analyst Jim Sciutto, journalist Megan Kimble, and psychiatrist Dr. Alok Kanojia. Hear what inspired these authors to write their books, how they prepared to record their audiobooks, and what most surprised them about the recording process. Plus, find out who loves to listen to spy novels on audio. Enjoy! The Return of Great Powers by Jim...

In this episode, meet actress, playwright, and activist Najla Said, supermodel and co-founder of Model Mafia Cameron Russell, and Executive Director of the Undocumented Migration Project Jason De León. Tune in to hear these authors talk about their new work, and what it was like for them to record their audiobooks. Looking for Palestine by Najla Said https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/308356...

In this episode, meet Walela Nehanda, Olivia A. Cole, and Stephanie Kuehnert. Press play to hear what it was like for these authors to record the audiobooks of their new works for young adults, and discover who went to a Hozier performance in preparation for recording. Enjoy! Bless the Blood by Walela Nehanda: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/703192/bless-the-blood-by-walela-nehanda/audio...

In this episode, meet speaker and blogger Geraldine DeRuiter, writer and style influencer Lyn Slater, and communication specialist Elaine Lin Hering. Tune in to hear what inspired these authors to write their new books, and what it was like for them in the audiobook recording studio. Plus, learn why there should be a universal appreciation for tea and honey. If You Can't Take the Heat by Geraldine...

In this episode, meet poet Rose McLarney, poet and novelist Morgan Parker, and journalist Shalene Gupta. Hear what it was like for these authors to record their audiobooks, and what surprised them most about the process. Enjoy! Colorfast by Rose McLarney: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/715727/colorfast-by-rose-mclarney/audio/ You Get What You Pay For by Morgan Parker: https://www.penguin...

In this episode, meet writer and editor Manjula Martin, stand-up comedian, writer, and actor Moshe Kasher, and entrepreneur and CEO of AppSumo Noah Kagan. Tune in to hear which passages were their favorites to record, and which author’s book inspired them to take up DJing. The Last Fire Season by Manjula Martin https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/711111/the-last-fire-season-by-manjula-martin/...

In this episode, meet writer Molly Roden Winter, physician and healthcare thought leader Dr. Uché Blackstock, and storyteller and birth and postpartum doula Brandi Sellerz-Jackson. Listen to hear how Roden and Sellerz-Jackson wrote the books they needed years ago, and which chapter Dr. Blackstock is most excited for listeners to hear. More by Molly Roden Winter https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/b...