The Names by Florence Knapp is a stunning story about the power of family, legacy, language and lineage. Florence joins us to talk about writing in alternate timelines, the power of a name, fate vs choice, parenting and more with guest host Brenda Allison. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Brenda Allison and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): The Names by Florence Knap...
May 08, 2025•38 min
The Original Daughter by Jemimah Wei is a story about the dawn of the internet, budding influencer culture and complicated family ties. Jemimah joins us to talk about Singapore, sisterhood, ambition, the rise of social media and more with Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): The Original Daughter by Jemimah W...
May 06, 2025•47 min
Strangers in the Land by Michael Luo is a gripping history of Chinese immigrants in America, from the nineteenth century to modern times. Michael joins us to talk about researching archives, the Chinese Exclusion Act, writing narrative nonfiction, working as a journalist and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured...
May 03, 2025•45 min
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt is the big-hearted tale of a detective octopus helping a grieving aquarium employee solve the mystery of her missing son. Shelby joins us to talk about living in an octopus renaissance, small towns, feeling uprooted, writing about grief, creating chapter titles and more with cohost Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and...
May 01, 2025•38 min
Omar El Akkad began writing fiction while working as a journalist, leading to two novels and an essay collection: American War , What Strange Paradise and One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This . Omar joins us to talk about the relationship between journalism and fiction writing, worldbuilding, living in translation, interiority and inversion with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursda...
Apr 29, 2025•57 min
When the Harvest Comes by Denne Michele Norris is a story about fathers and sons, love, life and inheritance. Denne joins us to talk about capturing music on the page, sibling relationships, literary influences, Ohio and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): When the Harvest Comes by Denne Miche...
Apr 26, 2025•37 min
The Imagined Life by Andrew Porter is a novel about fathers and sons, complex family mythologies and buried secrets. Andrew joins us to talk about finding the right tone for his novel, writing about the 1980s, Proust, the evolution of language and more with host Miwa Messer. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): The Imagin...
Apr 24, 2025•41 min
If you've ever wanted to start journaling, we’ve got you covered. The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad is filled with inspiration, advice and anecdotes from a lifelong journaler and bestselling author. Suleika joins us to talk about flexing your creative muscles, the importance of constancy over output, finding community in reading and writing, navigating uncertainty and more with cohost Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes la...
Apr 22, 2025•43 min
Our favorite book families tend to be delightfully dysfunctional, and there are none quite like the one in The Usual Desire to Kill by Camilla Barnes. With two sisters, a pair of aging parents and barn animals aplenty, this is a quirky and heartfelt novel that reminds readers our parents had lives before us. Camilla Barnes joined us live at the Barnes & Noble on NYC's Upper West Side to talk about long-term marriage, family folklore, llamas and more with cohost Jenna Seery. This episode of Poure...
Apr 17, 2025•37 min
Mỹ Documents by Kevin Nguyen follows four cousins navigating a tumultuous political landscape, internment camps, exploitation and isolation. Kevin joins us to talk about Japanese incarceration, media misinformation, writing family stories, war movies and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Book...
Apr 15, 2025•47 min
Doggerel by Reginald Dwayne Betts is a profound new collection on the intricacies of humanity and life, with man’s best friend as its focal point. Reginald joins us to talk about storytelling, the power of poetry, the necessity for community, masculinity, freedom, forgiveness and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite ...
Apr 12, 2025•59 min
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley is escapist and relatable, poignant and funny. This genre-bending novel is firing on all storytelling cylinders, and is a terrific pleasure to read. Kaliane joined us to talk about falling down reading rabbit holes, writing about time travel, categorizing identity and more with cohost Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on ...
Apr 10, 2025•46 min
Audition by Katie Kitamura follows one woman’s daring exploration of identity, life and love. Katie joins us to talk about writing in first person, unreliable narrators, marriage as a narrative tool, writing women and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): Audition by Katie Kitamu...
Apr 08, 2025•49 min
After you read Becoming Earth by Ferris Jabr, be prepared to reconsider everything you think, know or believe to be true thanks to this engaging and thoughtful new look at our world. Ferris joins us to talk about the Gaia hypothesis, understanding planetary systems from your own backyard, science writing and more with guest host Chris Gillespie. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Chris Gillespie and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays)...
Apr 05, 2025•1 hr
With personal anecdotes, writing exercises and a deep-dive into the pillars of creativity, Dear Writer by Maggie Smith is a one-stop-shop for budding authors, poets and artists from a bestselling voice in literature. Maggie joins us to talk about craft books, quieting the inner critic, tenacity, vulnerability and more with cohost Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here a...
Apr 03, 2025•53 min
Rabbit Moon by Jennifer Haigh is a story of sisterhood, secrets and complicated family mythologies. Jennifer joined us to talk about writing in public spaces, visiting Shanghai, chance encounters, how well we really know our parents and more with guest host Brenda Allison. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Brenda Allison and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): Rabbit Mo...
Apr 01, 2025•41 min
O Sinners! by Nicole Cuffy is a story about identity, grief, belonging, cults and coming-of-age centered on a young journalist in the California redwoods. Nicole joined us to talk about what it takes to build a cult, writing battle scenes, researching the Vietnam War, taking control of her language and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) her...
Mar 29, 2025•47 min
Passing Through a Prairie Country by Dennis E. Staples is a chilling tale of fear and folklore set in a labyrinthine casino on an Ojibwe reservation deep in the wilds of northern Minnesota. Dennis joins us to chat about brushing up against the paranormal, casino culture, writing genre fiction and more with cohost Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favori...
Mar 27, 2025•46 min
As timely as any book can possibly be, There Is No Place for Us is a sweeping and comprehensive journalistic investigation into a troubling new trend in American cities. Brian Goldstone joins us to talk about the realities of housing insecurity, on-the-ground reporting, narrative structure and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on ...
Mar 25, 2025•45 min
The Mirror and the Light is the final book in Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall Trilogy, showcasing the final years of Thomas Cromwell. Before you watch the newest season of the tv show, listen to Mantel talk about crafting her beloved series, her unique approach to historical fiction, planning the end of the trilogy and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. We end this episode with TBR Top Off book recommendations from Marc and Donald. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mix...
Mar 22, 2025•36 min
The Jackal’s Mistress by Chris Bohjalian is a sweeping tale of humanity and hope centered on two remarkable characters faced with a gruesome time in American history. Bohjalian joins us live at BN UWS to talk about his new book, his writing process and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books ...
Mar 20, 2025•42 min
Firstborn by Lauren Christensen is a memoir of tragedy and hope that depicts grief and love with tenderness and heart. Christensen joins us to talk about deciding to tell this story, the impact of writing the book on herself and those close to her, her healing process and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast ...
Mar 18, 2025•40 min
Sucker Punch by Scaachi Koul is a witty and wise collection of essays on family, love, divorce and healing . Koul joins us to talk about what lead her to telling this story now, the vulnerability of writing a memoir, exploring challenging themes and more with cohost Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app . Featured Books ( Episode): Suck...
Mar 15, 2025•40 min
The Antidote by Karen Russell is a transportive story about history, American ideology, and community . Russell joins us to talk about creating her cast of characters, her research process and historical inspiration, writing short stories vs. novels and more with cohost Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app . Featured Books (Episode): T...
Mar 13, 2025•40 min
Stag Dance by Torrey Peters is a series of short stories and a novel that examine gender identity, pushing societal boundaries and more. Peters joins us to talk about exploring complicated themes, creating understanding for complex characters and a unique use of literary form with cohost Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured B...
Mar 11, 2025•42 min
Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton is the inspiring and extraordinary story of an unlikely connection between a woman and a wild hare. Dalton joins us to talk about how her life changed after encountering the leveret, her transformed perspective on nature, finding a sense of wonder and more with cohost, Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app ....
Mar 08, 2025•47 min
The Strange Case of Jane O. by Karen Thompson Walker is a mesmerizing story about motherhood, memory and complicated family ties based on case notes from Oliver Sacks. Walker joins us to talk about returning to the theme of time in her work, her writing process, her teaching career and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your fav...
Mar 06, 2025•47 min
The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami is an engrossing, dire and dystopian story about authoritarianism, survival and the fight for privacy in a surveillance state. Lalami joins us to talk about the idea that inspired the novel, worldbuilding, creating her characters and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app . F...
Mar 04, 2025•56 min
Disposable by Sarah Jones is a compassionate examination of the most overlooked people in the United States. Jones joins us to talk about what inspired her to write this book, balancing personal narratives with broader themes, the lasting effects of the pandemic and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. We end this episode with TBR Top Off book recommendations from Marc and Jamie. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and...
Mar 01, 2025•36 min
Lion by Sonya Walger is an autobiographical novel detailing the life and loss of her complicated and charismatic father. Walger joins us to talk about writing themes of grief and love, crafting her own experience into fiction, nonlinear storytelling and more with cohost, Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): L...
Feb 27, 2025•42 min
