Behind The Stack

Brett sits down with writer/director and oncologist (you read that right!) Roshan Sethi to discuss his debut novel, The Simp. He unpacks his rise from medicine to the arts, and his drive behind all of it. Diversity, race, sexuality, 'The White Lotus', 'A Nice Indian Boy,' and Hollywood assistants. Is it satire or real life? Roshan's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ros...

Brett sits down with Renee from @itsbooktalk to talk about our favs from quarter two. A total of ten books including:  -Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin -In the Days of My Youth, I Was Told What It Means To Be a Man by Tom Junod -Smile or You're Doing It Wrong by Andy Glaze -Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer -Wonderland by Jennifer Hiller -Fruit Fly by Josh Silver -Kingfisher by Rosie Kelly -Tran...

Brett sits down with debut author Meg Charlton to discuss her timely book, Voyagers. They talk about childhood friends and the life events that bond us, choosing character perspective, the human capacity to normalize extraordinary events, writing an ambiguous ending, an alien named Allen, and perhaps the most unique (?) self help book you'll ever hear. Meg's website:  https://megcharlton...

Brett talks with author Rasheed Newson about his latest book, 'There's Only One Sin In Hollywood.' They discuss dreamers in Hollywood and what it takes to succeed, Diahann Carroll and Sydney Poitier, and writing real life icons into stories, stars and privacy, oppression and creating safe spaces, mixing politics with celebrity, and the double standards that still exist in the indust...

Brett talks with Claire Fuller about her new novel, 'Hunger & Thirst'. They discuss writing without a plot, being drawn to dark stories, horror movies, book lists, and find out who became a character in the book.  The book anthology Claire talks about: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Unquiet-Guests-by-Dan-Coxon-editor/9781917792073 Claire's instagram: https://www.insta...

Brett talks with writer Natalie Adler about her debut novel, 'Waiting On A Friend'. They discuss the inspiration for the book, belief in the paranormal, the AIDS crisis, getting married, caretaking lesbians, and a magical creature named Chester. Natalie's website: https://www.natalie-adler.com Natalie's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalie.and.chester/ If you like what...

Brett sits down with author John Glynn to discuss his fiction debut, 'The Lost Book Of Lancelot'. They talk about his work as an editor, the massive source material behind this book, queering a legend, staying true to a time period while keeping in mind a modern audience, and the difficulty in writing a love scene.  John's website: http://johnglynn.net/ John's instagram: https:...

Brett sits down with writer Djamel White to discuss his debut novel, 'All Them Dogs'. They talk about early reading and Roddy Doyle's Fighting Words, gangster inspiration, toxic masculinity and feeling like an outsider. Tattoos, gender roles, and the explosive collision of desire and fear.  Djamel's Website: https://djamelwhite.com/ Djamel's instagram: https://www.instagra...

Brett sits down with Douglas Stuart for his latest book, 'John of John'. They discuss his transition from designer to writer, what brought him to the books location, the Hebrides, the liberation of writing fathers and sons, living in a place with religious conservatism, queerness in a masculine environment, and returning as an adult to the home you grew up in.  Douglas' website: htt...

Brett sits down with Tim Ehrenberg of @Timtalksbooks who is also the  cohost of the popular book podcast, Books, Beach & Beyond with Elin Hilderbrand, and the President of the Nantucket Book Foundation which produces the Nantucket Book Festival. They discuss his own bookish origin story, his podcast and friendship with Elin as well as the hugely acclaimed book festival. Tim then shares six sum...

Brett sits down with author TJ Klune to discuss his latest book 'We Burned So Bright'. They talk books from when they were younger, and find more than one in common. They touch on the Heated Rivalry zeitgeist, where the idea for the book came from, centering a story on older protagonists, age and maintaining curiosity, and the ultimate belief in the goodness of people. TJ's website:...

In this episode Brett sits down with Stephanie Sy-Quia to discuss her debut novel, 'A Private Man'. They talk Catholicism, elder care, writing from real life, being a foodie, male beauty, women ahead of their time, a life of service and having a soul fulfilled.  Stephanie's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c_est_qui77/ If you like what you're hearing on this podcast please...

In this episode Brett sits down with author Kristin T Lee, to discuss her debut, 'We Mend With Gold'. They talk about the path that led her to writing this, bringing yourself to God, inclusivity and expanding the spiritual circle, raising kids today in Christianity, coming out on social media as a Christian, and what is it that keeps her in the church.  Kristin's website: https://kr...

In this episode Brett sits down with Emma Straub to discuss her new book, "American Fantasy'. They talk cruises (of course) Boy Bands (for sure), MTV, fame, childhood crushes, recapturing memories from your youth, growing older and staying younger, opera, Sondheim, and some special books recs of two debut authors.  Emma's website: https://www.emmastraub.net/ Emma's instagram: h...

In this episode Brett sits down with author Luke Dumas to discuss his new book, 'Nothing Tastes As Good'. They talk about body image and body shaming, GLP drugs, what led to the moment he decided to write this book, and the book by a horror master that planted the seed to someday write this book.  Luke's website: https://www.lukedumas.com/ Luke's instagram: https://www.instagra...

In this chock full episode, Brett and returning guest Renee from @itsbooktalk  discuss some of their top reads from the first quarter of 2026 as well as six books we're looking forward to in quarter two. Get ready to fill up your TBRs!  Renee's substack https://substack.com/@itsbooktalk Renee's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsbooktalk/ If you like what you're hearing on...

In this episode Brett sits down with Wade Rouse to discuss his Golden Girls inspired book, 'That's What Friends Are For'. They talk age, queer cross pollination, the impact his Grandmother had on his life, spirituality, friendship, and a foodie walk through Palm Springs.  Wade's website: https://waderouse.com/ Wade's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorwaderouse/ If...

Brett sits down with author Lori Inglis Hall to discuss her debut novel, 'The Shock of the Light'. They talk about her passion for history, the photographer Lee Miller, the inspiration for this story, spies and double agents during the second World War, strong female protagonists, and characters with secrets. Lori's website: https://www.loriinglishall.co.uk/ Lori's instagram: h...

In this episode Brett sits down with Jordy Rosenberg to discuss his latest novel, "Night Night Swan". The talk about writing satire and the value of it, Transphobia, Palestine and growing up with Zionist parents, writing female friendship, lesbian and trans sci fi, and how he ended up narrating the book.  Jordy's website: https://www.jordy-rosenberg.com/ Jordy's instagram: http...

In this epsiode Brett sits down with author Rachel Hochhauser to discuss her debut novel, 'Lady Tremaine'. They talk about the inspiration for the retelling of Cinderella, being a Mother, her approach to writing, updating Happily Ever After, and her company, Piecework.  Rachel's website: https://rachelhochhauser.com/ Rachel's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hochhauser/ Pie...

In this episode Brett sits down with Christopher Castellani to talk about his new book, 'Last Seen'. They discuss the origins for this mystery that is tinged with magical realism, the magnet and draw of youth, writing flawed characters, faith, anxiety, and the magical connection between author and reader.  Christopher's website: https://christophercastellani.com/ Christopher's...

In this episode Brett sits down with author Grant Ginder to discuss his new book, 'So Old, So Young'. They talk about the challenge of this particular book, moving from politics to prose, a Sondheim musical, the brat pack and The Big Chill, how small decisions accumulate into a life, the intensity of college friendships, and how he's personally handling being so old, so young.  Gran...

In this episode Brett sits down with author Patmeena Sabit to discuss her debut novel, 'Good People'. They talk about her path from reader to writer, the unique narrative style of the book, growing up as a young woman in the Afghani community, and the expectations that community and family place on the shoulders of women.  If you like what you're hearing on this podcast please subsc...

In this episode Brett sits down with author Ashley Winstead to discuss her new book, 'The Future Saints'. They talk about the book's surprising origin, her connection to music and the music industry, what she would want to be if not a writer, music documentaries, and the raw creation of music vs writing.  Ashley's website: https://www.ashleywinstead.com/ Ashley's instagram...

In this episode Brett sits down with Jennifer Niven to discuss her book, 'Meet the Newmans'. They talk about antiquated grade school classes, her mother and how she was inspirational for the character of Dinah, working in a male dominated profession, the musicians who inspired key characters in the book, and why she made the decision to set the story in the time period she did.  Jennifer...