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): Sucker ...
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): The...
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. Fe...
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
Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley is a big-hearted story with an eclectic soundtrack and sentences that'll stick in your head like your favorite lyrics. Brickley joins us to talk about her emotional connection to music, weaving together the lives of her characters, the effects of nostalgia in the novel and more with guest host Allyson Gavaletz. We end this episode with TBR Top Off book recommendations from Marc and Jamie. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Allyson Gavaletz and mixed by Harry Li...
Feb 25, 2025•49 min
Paris Undercover by Matthew Goodman sheds new light on the story of two women who rescued Allied soldiers during World War II and the complicated history that came after. Goodman joins us to talk about his research process, the consequences and challenges of analyzing the past, the cyclical nature of history 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 Saturd...
Feb 22, 2025•53 min
Gliff by Ali Smith is the story of two siblings navigating a dystopian world that feels timely and hopeful amid themes of isolation and identity. Smith joins us to talk about the meaning of the title, the beauty of physical books, creating empathy and understanding through reading 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 a...
Feb 20, 2025•36 min
Dream State by Eric Puchner is a story spanning fifty years, with three best friends grappling with life, love, family and climate change set against the Montana terrain. Puchner joins us to talk about what inspired the novel, his writing process, what he loves about storytelling 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 favor...
Feb 18, 2025•47 min
Bibliophobia by Sarah Chihaya reflects on the books that change the way we think about life and literature. Chihaya joins us to talk about these “Life Ruiner” books, the way we connect to stories at different points in our lives, the way our reading shapes us 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. Feat...
Feb 15, 2025•50 min
Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey delves into the wilderness in this tender, bold and enchanting fable set in Alaska. Ivey joins us to talk about her personal connections to the setting, themes of community and family ties, the complexities of parenthood and more with guest host Allyson Gavaletz. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Allyson Gavaletz and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Feature...
Feb 13, 2025•37 min
Loca by Alejandro Heredia is a stunning novel about identity, home, life and love that takes readers through one epic, life-changing year alongside two unforgettable protagonists. Heredia joins us to talk about his use of language in the book, his writing practice, his family connection to the story 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) he...
Feb 11, 2025•42 min
Cleavage by Jennifer Finney Boylan interrogates modern and relevant themes of gender and sexuality with writing that is both entertaining and educational. Boylan joins us to talk about her personal connections to the topic, influential authors, the importance of storytelling 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 p...
Feb 08, 2025•41 min
Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks explores what it means to truly grieve — a moving account of what it is to love, to lose and to heal. Brooks joins us to talk about her relationship with her late husband, Tony Horwitz, how writing this book helped process her grief, themes of isolation, growth 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 an...
Feb 06, 2025•47 min
Isola by Allegra Goodman is a story of courage and isolation and a sweeping tale of companionship against all odds. Goodman joins us to talk about the real historical events that inspired the novel, her meticulous research process, her unique experience writing this book and more with cohost Jenna Seery. We end this episode with TBR Top Off book recommendations from Jamie and Donald. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Th...
Feb 04, 2025•44 min
Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson takes us from New England to West Africa and France on a quest to uncover the secrets of the past and build a new future. Wilkerson joins us to talk about the history in the novel, the importance of storytelling, balancing heavy tones in her writing 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 favorit...
Feb 01, 2025•47 min
A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young is a breathtaking journey of grief, love and history about a woman that loses her twin brother in a freak accident. Young joins us to talk about her descriptive and atmospheric style, what it’s like to write for both adults and young people, creating the connection between twin characters and more with guest host, Allyson Gavaletz. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Allyson Gavaletz and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursda...
Jan 30, 2025•39 min
In Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People Imani Perry studies the color blue in all its history and hues in this remarkable analysis. From West Africa to the American South, Black in Blues examines the color's relation to Blackness and culture. Perry joins us to talk about the symbolic history of the color blue, her research process, the role of storytelling in identity and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mix...
Jan 28, 2025•42 min
The Nickel Boys, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Colson Whitehead, is a story of injustice and ultimately hope about two young men at a Florida reform school. We love this interview with Miwa Messer and Whitehead from the novel’s release in 2019. 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 Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead...
Jan 25, 2025•34 min
How to Sleep at Night is a tender and timely novel telling a heartfelt story about marriage, love and politics. Harris joined us live to talk about writing about people who are challenging their values, how her characters surprised her, the effects of being a journalist on pacing 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 favor...
Jan 23, 2025•35 min
The Naming of the Birds by Paraic O’Donnell takes readers back to dark and gloomy Victorian London with a relentless killer on the loose. O’Donnell joins us to talk about continuing a series, balancing tone with humor, his writing process and more with guest host Chris Gillespie. We end this episode with TBR Top Off book recommendations from Donald and Marc. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Chris Gillespie and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasion...
Jan 21, 2025•58 min
Good Girl by Aria Aber is a coming-of-age novel featuring the daughter of Afghan immigrants set against the backdrop of Berlin’s creative scene. Aber joins us to talk about themes of identity and exile, speaking and reading in multiple languages, her literary influences in prose and poetry 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 ...
Jan 16, 2025•46 min
