Episodes

  • S10 E41: Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman, Beth Macy, and Dr. Ben Rein

    S10 E41: Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman, Beth Macy, and Dr. Ben Rein
    Oct 7 2025
    In this episode, meet researcher Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman, journalist Beth Macy, and neuroscientist Dr. Ben Rein. Hear Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman discuss why “Tokens” was her favorite chapter to record, Beth Macy on reporting the cultural and political shifts in her small town, and Dr. Ben Rein on the impacts isolation has on brain function and overall health. The Double Tax by Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/734115/the-double-tax-by-anna-gifty-opoku-agyeman-foreword-by-chelsea-clinton/9798217163656/ Paper Girl by Beth Macy https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/739927/paper-girl-by-beth-macy/9798217163564/ Why Brains Need Friends by Dr. Ben Rein https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/761227/why-brains-need-friends-by-ben-rein-phd/9798217161058/
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    17 mins
  • S10 E40: Eleanor Hamby and Sandra Hazelip, Kevin Fredericks, and Josh Malerman

    S10 E40: Eleanor Hamby and Sandra Hazelip, Kevin Fredericks, and Josh Malerman
    Sep 30 2025
    In this episode, meet world-travelling octogenarians Eleanor Hamby and Sandra Hazelip, comedian and KevOnStage Studios founder Kevin Fredericks, and writer and musician Josh Malerman. Hear Eleanor Hamby and Sandra Hazelip on the power of travel and aging with “grace and adventure” all over the world, Kevin Fredericks on what he’s most excited for listeners to hear, and Josh Malerman on finding the rhythm in audiobook recording. Here We Go by Eleanor Hamby and Dr. Sandra Hazelip: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/753976/here-we-go-by-eleanor-hamby-and-dr-sandra-hazelip-with-elisa-petrini/audio/ Successful Failure by Kevin Fredericks: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/752158/successful-failure-by-kevin-fredericks/audio Watching Evil Dead by Josh Malerman: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/783050/watching-evil-dead-by-josh-malerman/audio/
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    16 mins
  • S10 E39: Clea Shearer, Mary Roach, and Mark Mazower

    S10 E39: Clea Shearer, Mary Roach, and Mark Mazower
    Sep 23 2025
    In this episode, meet co-founder of The Home Edit Clea Shearer, writer Mary Roach, and historian Mark Mazower. Discover what inspired each of these authors to write their books, and find out who they would cast to narrate if they hadn’t read their audiobooks themselves. Cancer is Complicated by Clea Shearer https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/746020/cancer-is-complicated-by-clea-shearer/9798217163946/ Replaceable You by Mary Roach https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/807111/replaceable-you-by-mary-roach/9798217281527/ On Antisemitism by Mark Mazower https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/768066/on-antisemitism-by-mark-mazower/9798217163618/
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    9 mins
  • S10 E38: Sasha Bonét, Rickey Laurentiis, and Samin Nosrat

    S10 E38: Sasha Bonét, Rickey Laurentiis, and Samin Nosrat
    Sep 19 2025
    In this episode, meet writer Sasha Bonét, poet Rickey Laurentiis, and chef Samin Nosrat. Learn why recording her audiobook made Sasha Bonét feel like a musician, how the title of Rickey Laurentiis’s poetry collection acted as a premonition, and how Samin Nosrat turned her journey to reconnecting with food and cooking into her new book. The Waterbearers by Sasha Bonét: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/717223/the-waterbearers-by-sasha-bonet/audio Death of the First Idea by Rickey Laurentiis: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/753987/death-of-the-first-idea-by-rickey-laurentiis/audio Good Things by Samin Nosrat: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/622646/good-things-by-samin-nosrat/audio
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    16 mins
  • S10 E37: Special Edition for Library Card Sign-Up Month

    S10 E37: Special Edition for Library Card Sign-Up Month
    Sep 17 2025
    If you find yourself in need of a few moments of beauty, a breeze of empathy, and the warmth of a shared quiet space, this special episode of This Is the Author is for you. We’re celebrating Library Card Sign-up Month (all September long) by hearing from authors on their favorite library memories. Listen to clips from interviews with Naomi Watts, Glory Edim, Griffin Dunne, and so many more of your favorite authors to learn how libraries have impacted their lives and their communities. And don't be shy about letting a happy tear fall; this is truly lovely stuff. Episode features interview clips from the following authors: Naomi Watts, Glory Edim, Daniel Stone, Whitney Hanson, Tao Leigh Goffe, Joy McCullough, Susan Minot, Lydia Yuknavitch, Griffin Dunne, Haley Mlotek, Jefferson Fisher, Mikaela Loach, Antwan Eady, Manny Arango, Tourmaline, Mark Kriegel, Jennifer Pastiloff, David Gate, Jessa Crispin, Kaila Yu, Alishia McCullough, Vaunda Nelson, Suzanne Scanlon, Kevin Barry
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    15 mins
  • S10 E36: Dr. Ingrid Clayton, Carla Ciccone, and Sam Sussman

    S10 E36: Dr. Ingrid Clayton, Carla Ciccone, and Sam Sussman
    Sep 9 2025
    In this episode, meet clinical psychologist Dr. Ingrid Clayton, writer Carla Ciccone, and writer Sam Sussman. Tune in to hear about the personal experiences that inspired each of these authors to write their books, and what it was like to record their audiobooks. Plus, learn how sneakily difficult it is to pronounce the word “onions.” Fawning by Dr. Ingrid Clayton https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/779579/fawning-by-dr-ingrid-clayton/9798217160617/ Nowhere Girl by Carla Ciccone https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735723/nowhere-girl-by-carla-ciccone/9780593950074/ Boy From the North Country by Sam Sussman https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/776752/boy-from-the-north-country-by-sam-sussman/9798217163625/
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    14 mins
  • S10 E35: Christine Webb, Jim Reese, and Reza Aslan

    S10 E35: Christine Webb, Jim Reese, and Reza Aslan
    Sep 3 2025
    In this episode, meet primatologist Christine Webb, writer and poet Jim Reese, and writer and Emmy-nominated producer, Reza Aslan. Hear Christine Webb on the dangers of human exceptionalism and what we can do about them, Jim Reese on the intensity of the audiobook studio, and Reza Aslan on what he’s most excited for listeners to hear in this 20th anniversary edition of his book. The Arrogant Ape by Christine Webb: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/717436/the-arrogant-ape-by-christine-webb/audio/ Coming to a Neighborhood Near You by Jim Reese: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/796877/coming-to-a-neighborhood-near-you-by-jim-reese/audio No god but God by Reza Aslan: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/5837/no-god-but-god-by-reza-aslan/audio/
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    16 mins
  • S10 E34: Austin Channing Brown and James Delbourgo

    S10 E34: Austin Channing Brown and James Delbourgo
    Aug 26 2025
    In this episode, meet author and speaker Austin Channing Brown, author of Full of Myself, and historian James Delbourgo, author of A Noble Madness. Learn what inspired each of these authors to write their books, and what it was like for them to record their audiobooks. Full of Myself by Austin Channing Brown https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/742511/full-of-myself-by-austin-channing-brown/audio/ A Noble Madness by James Delbourgo https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/798395/a-noble-madness-by-james-delbourgo/
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    11 mins