Best Federal Writers Project Podcasts (2025)

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EP. 175 – Kara Richardson Whitely (The Gorgeous Agency) 53:46

7d ago53:46

53:46

Legislative efforts in the US are starting to recognize that people can face discrimination and bias in the workplace based on the size of their bodies. In this episode, host Janelle Wrigley speaks with Kara Richardson Whitely, author of ‘Gorge: My Journey Up Kilimanjaro at 300 Pounds’ and founder of The Gorgeous Agency (https://thegorgeousagency.c…

1
EP. 174 – Adrian Usher (Prisons & Probation Ombudsman) 45:57

21d ago45:57

45:57

Host Becky Annison explores the UK's court backlog crisis and its troubling ripple effects throughout the justice system. Her guest, Adrian Usher, the UK’s Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, explains how delayed trials are creating a bottleneck in prisons, with some Crown Court cases now being scheduled as far ahead as 2028, and he outlines the human…

1
EP. 173 – Kerry Lawlor (The Workplace Collective) 1:02:02

1M ago1:02:02

1:02:02

In a profession that celebrates achievement and relentless work ethic, what happens to the mental and physical wellbeing of those caught in this culture? Following our previous exploration of the mental health crisis in the legal community, this episode delves deeper into practical solutions. Join host Teneé Frazier as she welcomes Kerry Lawlor, ps…

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EP. 172 – Harriet Wistrich (Centre for Women's Justice) 36:04

2M ago36:04

36:04

Who protects women when the very systems that are supposed to protect them, like the police and the broader legal system, refuse to, or even worse, are causing the harm in the first place? This episode's guest has been fighting against the systemic challenges women face in securing justice for decades. And she has some extraordinary stories to tell…

1
Bonus Content - Pictures of Belonging 7:42

2M ago7:42

7:42

Episodes Summary: A beautiful and powerful art exhibition is touring the country right now, called Pictures of Belonging, which explores three artists of Japanese descent - Miki Hayakawa, Hisako Hibi and Miné Okubo. The exhibition puts these artists and their work in their rightful place in the history of American art. For this bonus episode, produ…

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EP. 171 – Rebecca Haw Allensworth (The Licensing Racket) 50:31

3M ago50:31

50:31

Most people would agree that lawyers and doctors should have professional licenses and oversight to protect the public from malpractice. But does the licensing system actually serve its intended purpose? In this episode, join host Janelle Wrigley for an insightful conversation with Professor Rebecca Haw Allensworth of Vanderbilt Law School, as she …

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EP. 170 – Stephen Kinsella (Law for Change) 31:50

3M ago31:50

31:50

Those who could benefit most from the legal system are often those least able to access it. As this episode's guest, Stephen Kinsella, notes, "There are only so many cake stalls and jumble sales you can have in a local community, in order to raise funds to pay a lawyer." So that's where his organisation, Law for Change, steps in – as a Community In…

1
Human Powered: Art Against the Odds 44:35

4M ago44:35

44:35

The People’s Recorder was funded in part with a grant from Wisconsin Humanities. But did you know that Wisconsin Humanities also has their own podcast, Human Powered? Hosted by Adam Carr and Dasha Kelly Hamilton, Human Powered focuses on the power of the humanities in Wisconsin's prisons. We wanted to share an episode from that terrific show with y…

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EP. 169 – Dan Nardello (Nardello & Co.) 48:36

4M ago48:36

48:36

In this episode, Dan Nardello, the founder of top-tier investigative firm Nardello & Co., speaks with host Teneé Frazier about the evolving role of private investigations within the legal industry. They discuss the increasingly sophisticated nature of investigations, their essential role in complex litigation and dispute resolution, and the need fo…

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EP. 168 – Abimbola Johnson (UK Police Independent Scrutiny & Oversight Board) 58:40

4M ago58:40

58:40

The world can feel hopelessly polarised at times, especially on topics such as racism and criminal justice. If your spirits need lifting, and if you need reassurance that respectful dialogue is possible, even if people disagree with each other, then this episode is for you. Abimbola Johnson, a barrister at London's Doughty Street Chambers, speaks w…

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EP. 167 – Kent Halkett (Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services) 47:17

5M ago47:17

47:17

In a recent survey, 79% of legal professionals said they felt the profession had negatively affected their mental health. And over 15% had even considered suicide. These are two of the worrying statistics we learned from this episode's guest, Kent Halkett. Kent is an attorney with the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services who has written articles a…

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10 A Creative Incubator 40:04

5M ago40:04

40:04

Episode Summary: In the 1930s, the notion of making an incubator for creativity in a region devastated by the Great Depression got tested in Nebraska. This episode looks at what happened there when the Writers’ Project came to town, through a group of creatives from contrasting backgrounds, including a hobo, a nurse and a hardware store poet – all …

1
EP. 166 – Derek Walker (Future Generations Commissioner) 27:44

5M ago27:44

27:44

We are leaving future generations to face more challenges than ever. Yet it can be incredibly difficult for governments to act for the long term when so many of their incentives encourage short-term thinking. In this episode, host Becky Annison chats with Derek Walker, the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, about how Wales is attempting to …

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EP. 165 – Matthew Campbell (Native American Rights Fund) 54:33

6M ago54:33

54:33

Native Americans are fighting for their legal rights across many important fronts in the US. In this episode, Janelle Wrigley speaks with Matthew Campbell, Deputy Director of the Native American Rights Fund, about NARF's legal and advocacy work. Matthew and Janelle's wide-ranging discussion covers issues such as voting rights, the protection of pla…

1
Bonus Content - Discussion with the FDR Library 5:43

7M ago5:43

5:43

Episode Summary: The Franklin Delano Library and Museum is an amazing place which just celebrated its 75th anniversary. President Roosevelt had the idea to build the library on his family property in Hyde Park, New York, using private funds. And then he donated the library and its historical collections, including all of his personal and official p…

1
EP. 164 – Lucie Allen (BARBRI) 36:34

7M ago36:34

36:34

"The legal profession is going through significant transformation, and I thought that was a wonderful thing to try and grab with both hands and see what role or part I could play in making that a success," shares this week's guest, Lucie Allen. For this episode, Lucie Allen, the managing director of the legal education platform BARBRI, sits down wi…

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EP. 163 – Terah Shelton Harris (heir property) 54:26

7M ago54:26

54:26

"From 1910 to 1997, Black Americans have lost 90 percent of farmland to heir property. The Department of Agriculture has deemed it the worst problem that you've never heard of." These are just two of the staggering facts we've learned about heir property from writer and author Terah Shelton Harris. Terah chats with new host Tenee' Frazier about her…

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EP. 162 – Jury nullification in the UK (Richard Vogler, University of Sussex) 48:51

8M ago48:51

48:51

"Mind your privilege, give not away your right!" With those words, William Penn urged the jurors in his 1670 religious freedom trial to remember the power and the responsibility of their role in the English judicial system. For this episode, we return to the topic of jury nullification – the power of juries to acquit despite evidence of the defenda…

1
King's Speech 36:49

8M ago36:49

36:49

This month, we're doing something a little different. There are some amazing podcasts out there that give us a view of America through a distinctive lens. One of our favorites is Sidedoor: A podcast from the Smithsonian. Every episode, host Lizzie Peabody sneaks listeners through Smithsonian's side door to search for stories that can't be found any…

1
EP. 161 – Garrard Beeney (Sullivan & Cromwell) 47:09

8M ago47:09

47:09

Content warning: This episode discusses sexual violence, domestic violence, and criminalized survivorship. If you or anyone you know needs help, please safely contact one of the organizations in our show notes. To mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Jenn sits down with Garrard Beeney to discuss his pro bono representation of Nicole "Nikki" Addi…

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EP. 160 – Bibi Badejo (The Advocacy Coach) 45:52

9M ago45:52

45:52

In this episode, Yasmin Sheikh interviews Bibi Badejo – a family law barrister at Four Brick Court chambers, in London, and an advocacy coach. Bibi recounts her journey into law and how she pursued advocacy despite an initial fear of public speaking and a hefty dose of imposter syndrome. These challenges early in her career motivated Bibi to improv…

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09 Is This Land Your Land? 34:04

9M ago34:04

34:04

Episode Summary: This episode features two more stories of outsiders remaking themselves and California history. Eluard McDaniel left the Jim Crow South for California as a boy, and remade himself as an activist and writer on the West Coast. His account of his life brought him national attention when it appeared in American Stuff, a book of creativ…

1
EP. 159 – Jury nullification in the US (Glenn Reynolds, University of Tennessee College of Law) 41:34

9M ago41:34

41:34

Imagine you are a juror in a criminal trial. The evidence is overwhelming that the defendant is guilty. But you can’t shake the feeling that it would be unjust to convict. Maybe you don’t believe what the defendant did should be treated as a crime. Or maybe you simply believe the defendant deserves mercy. Can you vote to acquit, or must you vote ac…

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Sue Sinclair: Place, Purpose, and Community for New Brunswick Poets. 19:10

10M ago19:10

19:10

Sue Sinclair and Jenna Morton discuss the art and practice of writing in New Brunswick, emphasising the importance of creating time and space for reflection upon life - and the unique way in which writing and reading can fulfil this need. They highlight the influence of place, purpose, and the vulnerability of putting one's work into the world. Sin…

1
Wordcraft Trailer 4:03

10M ago4:03

4:03

The Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick acknowledges the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.Learn more about the WFNB at www.wfnb.caBy The Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick

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EP. 158 – Giles Bristow (Surfers Against Sewage) 35:12

10M ago35:12

35:12

In the UK you’ll find spectacular beaches and rivers, a nation of wild swimmers and water lovers… and a big pollution problem! Untreated sewage, chemicals and plastic waste are creating a worsening toxic soup. Surfers Against Sewage (https://www.sas.org.uk) has been fighting back for over 30 years – through public campaigns, education programmes an…

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Terry Armstrong: The Importance of Community, Global Reach, and Learning from Failure 35:05

10M ago35:05

35:05

Terry Armstrong discusses his diverse writing career, from songwriting to novel writing and scriptwriting. He shares his initial inspiration from a college professor and the importance of both positive and negative feedback in his development. Terry emphasises the value of alpha readers and the importance of writing for an audience, not just for on…

1
Jennifer McGrath: Write, Read, and Listen to the Incredible Community of Writers Around You. 29:36

10M ago29:36

29:36

Jenna Morton and Jennifer McGrath discuss the importance of embracing creative flexibility in writing, encouraging listeners to explore different genres and styles of writing without feeling guilty and taking advantage of the generous writing community in our region.. Jen stresses the value of not letting ego get in the way of creativity and explor…

1
08 Outsiders Remaking History 45:02

10M ago45:02

45:02

Episode Summary: California has always attracted outsiders, from the Gold Rush in the 1800s to young actors and filmmakers drawn to Hollywood. California was especially a place of migration during the Great Depression, when tens of thousands came searching for jobs and new beginnings. This is the first of two episodes about writers displaced by the…

1
EP. 157 – Bryan Garner (Black's Law Dictionary) 54:17

10M ago54:17

54:17

Following the recent release of the 12th Edition of Black's Law Dictionary, The Hearing is privileged to welcome its Editor-in-Chief, Bryan Garner, to the show. And to be honest, we're a bit nervous to write this description of our conversation with this esteemed grammarian, lexicographer, and lawyer! You don't hear about fourth graders naming "sha…

1
Len Falkenstein: Optimistic about playwriting in New Brunswick and the growth of our theatre scene 22:06

10M ago22:06

22:06

Guest, Len Falkenstein - Director of Drama at UNB and New Brunswick Playwright - discusses the importance of developing new plays by New Brunswick writers and the value of creating work rooted in the province's unique cultural and political environment. Falkenstein shares his insights on the future of playwriting in New Brunswick, expressing hope f…

1
Leo LaFleur: Mental health, writing, and the impact of supportive people. 30:34

11M ago30:34

30:34

Leo LaFleur discusses the intersections of creativity and mental health with host Jenna Morton, sharing personal experiences and perspectives from his life. He emphasises the importance of creative expression and support systems in overcoming mental health challenges, and in finding and developing your creative voice. In the second part of the conv…

1
EP. 156 – Shaun Wallace (The Chase) 31:46

11M ago31:46

31:46

At 15 years old, Shaun Wallace was told that he would most likely end up in prison. Instead, he became a barrister and a TV personality famous for his knowledge mastery – first as a champion of the BBC quiz show Mastermind, and since 2009 as one of the chasers (professional quizzers) on UK television show The Chase. In this episode, Shaun chats wit…

1
Beth Powning: Writing, Publishing, and the Power of Words in New Brunswick. 27:56

11M ago27:56

27:56

Jenna Morton and Beth Powning discuss the writer's duty to the reader, emphasising honesty, empathy, and creating a satisfying reading experience. Beth shares her experiences as a writer from New Brunswick, highlighting the importance of the relationship between the writer and reader, the importance of observation in writing, and the power of words…

1
07 A Voice for the Land 32:10

11M ago32:10

32:10

Episode Summary: In the 1930s when America was deep in the disaster of the Dust Bowl, Wisconsin professor and wildlife expert Aldo Leopold brought a new way of thinking about how people engage with nature. Studying the dynamics of soil erosion and people’s behavior, he made suggestions for change that led him to the White House to meet the Presiden…

1
EP. 155 – Aika Stephenson (Just For Kids Law) 37:16

11M ago37:16

37:16

This episode explores the heart-wrenching subject of youth justice. Guest Aika Stephenson is the founder of Just For Kids Law, a UK charity that represents and advocates for children in contact with the criminal justice system. She’s also the author of In Their Defence: Fighting for Youth Justice One Child at a Time (https://www.mombooks.com/book/i…

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Bonus Content - A Conversation with Gerald Hill 27:10

12M ago27:10

27:10

Episode Summary: Gerald Hill is an Oneida lawyer and the former President of the Indigenous Language Institute. This bonus features a conversation with Hill, who provides the voice for Oneida community leader Oscar Archiquette in our episode about the WPA Oneida Language Project in Wisconsin. For that episode, Hill read a handful of Archiquette’s q…

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EP. 154 – Zaneta Sedilekova & Ryan James ((re)purpose law) 42:04

12M ago42:04

42:04

In this episode, we dive into the philosophical depths of the legal profession – exploring some of the assumptions underpinning Western legal thought and the implications of such assumptions. So nothing we can’t handle. Join host Becky Annison as she talks to Ryan James and Zaneta Sedilekova, the founders of (re)purpose law – a personal development…

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06 Native Historians Do Stand-up 45:58

1y ago45:58

45:58

Episode Summary: In 1977, Charlie Hill became the first Native comedian to perform on a national TV broadcast – a groundbreaking performance in television and cultural history. “It was a huge moment,” said Seminole filmmaker Sterlin Harjo, “When Charlie Hill went on national television and simply spoke like a human being... He changed the public pe…

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EP. 153 – Stuart Grossman & Alex Arteaga-Gomez (Grossman Roth Yaffa Cohen) 40:25

1y ago40:25

40:25

In the US, June is no longer just June – it is also National Gun Violence Awareness Month. To that end, this episode delves into one of the most pressing issues facing the US today: school shootings. Lauren sits down with Stuart Grossman and Alex Arteaga-Gomez, two attorneys at the forefront of US legal efforts to help curb gun violence in schools,…

1
Bonus Content - Adapting Life Story Interviews to Crises Today 4:47

1y ago4:47

4:47

Episode Summary: The Federal Writers’ Project interviews, collected in the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress, have inspired generations with their personal experiences of American life. The Writers’ Project pioneered oral history and the idea of documenting history from the grassroots up. In this bonus, following the episode on th…

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EP. 152 – Neil Hudgell (Hudgell Solicitors) 31:56

1y ago31:56

31:56

Over decades, hundreds of Post Office employees in the UK were wrongly prosecuted for crimes such as fraud and theft due to accounting errors resulting from faulty software. Many lives were devastated by the false accusations. This week, Yasmin speaks to Neil Hudgell, the Executive Chairman of Hudgell Solicitors, a firm representing many of the cla…

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05 Deep in Turpentine 32:52

1y ago32:52

32:52

Episode Summary: While working on the WPA Florida guidebook, the Federal Writers’ Project team – including Zora Neale Hurston and Stetson Kennedy – documented a wide range of life from prison camps to soup kitchens to hair salons, in recordings that reveal a living culture and enduring traditions. Hurston and Kennedy traveled the state, recording p…

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EP. 151 – Jake Heller (CoCounsel, Thomson Reuters) 54:29

1y ago54:29

54:29

Picture this: a young boy enters a computer programming project in his school science fair. It's so sophisticated that his teacher mistakenly assumes a parent must have helped – and awards him last place. The boy then grows up to become CEO of a legal technology company worth $650 million. That story belongs to Jake Heller, Head of CoCounsel – a re…

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EP. 150 – Lord Tim Clement-Jones CBE 47:43

1y ago47:43

47:43

Governments around the world are grappling with how to regulate AI on issues ranging from copyright protections to ethical standards, competition rules and beyond. In this episode, host Becky Annison explores AI governance issues with Lord Tim Clement-Jones CBE, member of the UK House of Lords and former chair of its Artificial Intelligence Select …

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Bonus Content - Zora Neale Hurston Original Recordings 7:52

1y ago7:52

7:52

Episode Summary: As host Chris Haley said, Zora Neale Hurston was a homegrown Florida treasure, known for her wit, charm, and a true gift for collecting folklore. As part of her work with the Writers’ Project, she made over a dozen recordings with audio equipment borrowed from the Library of Congress. She knew about the equipment from earlier field…

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EP. 149 – Joe Green (Gunderson Dettmer) 50:31

1y ago50:31

50:31

Salt and pepper. Fish and chips. The sun and the moon. Law and innovation? Ok, maybe those last two haven’t traditionally been a natural pair. But the legal world is changing like never before. What skills should lawyers develop to excel with new technologies? How can lawyers interested in tech get more involved in that field? This episode’s guest,…

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04 Who's Recording Who? 30:12

1y ago30:12

30:12

Episode Summary: In the 1930s, Zora Neale Hurston was already a nationally known novelist, anthropologist and member of the 1920s Harlem Renaissance. Yet she saw her publishing income dry up during the Great Depression even with the publication of her best-known novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God. When she took a job with the Writers’ Project in F…

1
EP. 148 – Reena Parmar (Disabled Solicitors Network) 41:47

1y ago41:47

41:47

For lawyers who are disabled or neurodivergent, finding role models and support in the legal profession is a huge challenge. After becoming disabled eight years ago – and grappling with how to navigate her health and her work as a lawyer – Reena Parmar set out to address that problem. Now Chair of the Disabled Solicitors Network (DSN) at the Law So…

1
Bonus Content - Songs of Freedom, from Petersburg, VA 5:58

1y ago5:58

5:58

Episode Summary: As detailed in episodes 2 and 3, Roscoe Lewis’ unit on the Federal Writers’ Project conducted interviews with the survivors of slavery in Virginia. One member of the unit, a former teacher named Susie RC Byrd, interviewed dozens of formerly enslaved persons in Petersburg in a series of weekly meetings. Lewis and Byrd also arranged …

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