Best Miwamesser Podcasts (2025)

1
Alison Bechdel on SPENT 33:16

1d ago33:16

33:16

Spent by Alison Bechdel is a big-hearted and funny account of life and art from a beloved author. Alison joins us to talk about late-stage capitalism, vulnerability hangovers, community, writing autofiction and more with cohost Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang.                    New episod…

1
Sarah Kay on A LITTLE DAYLIGHT LEFT 45:38

5d ago45:38

45:38

Inspiring and uplifting, A Little Daylight Left by Sarah Kay is a poetry collection aimed at lighting the fire in you, whether you're facing new challenges, or staring down familiar ones. Sarah joined us live to talk about how she started writing poetry, making poetry accessible for any reader, live performances and more with host Miwa Messer. This…

1
Ron Chernow on MARK TWAIN 1:05:56

7d ago1:05:56

1:05:56

Mark Twain by Ron Chernow is a deep dive into the life of one of America’s literary geniuses through the eyes of a master biographer. Ron joins us to talk about his research process, understanding the inner and outer life of Mark Twain, viewing Twain through a modern lens, the future of biographies and more with guest host Chris Gillespie. This epi…

1
Ocean Vuong on THE EMPEROR OF GLADNESS 1:14:54

9d ago1:14:54

1:14:54

There are the books you read and then there are the books you experience, like The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong. Poet, photographer and bestselling author, Vuong’s novels are spun from gorgeous prose and vibrant, original imagery. Ocean joins us to talk about autofiction, language, wonder, characterization and more with Miwa Messer. This epis…

1
Florence Knapp on THE NAMES 37:36

14d ago37:36

37:36

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.           …

1
Jemimah Wei on THE ORIGINAL DAUGHTER 46:35

16d ago46:35

46:35

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.                   …

1
Michael Luo on STRANGERS IN THE LAND 44:37

19d ago44:37

44:37

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…

1
Shelby Van Pelt on REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES 38:14

21d ago38:14

38:14

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 ep…

1
Omar El Akkad On Writing 56:50

23d ago56:50

56:50

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 inv…

1
Denne Michele Norris on WHEN THE HARVEST COMES 37:28

26d ago37:28

37:28

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.                    Ne…

1
Andrew Porter on THE IMAGINED LIFE 41:26

28d ago41:26

41:26

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 L…

1
Suleika Jaouad on THE BOOK OF ALCHEMY 42:33

30d ago42:33

42:33

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, na…

1
Camilla Barnes on THE USUAL DESIRE TO KILL 37:19

1M ago37:19

37:19

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 Bar…

1
Kevin Nguyen on MY DOCUMENTS 47:16

1M ago47:16

47:16

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 Mess…

1
Reginald Dwayne Betts on DOGGEREL 59:06

1M ago59:06

59:06

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 Ov…

1
Kaliane Bradley on THE MINISTRY OF TIME 46:18

1M ago46:18

46:18

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 episod…

1
Katie Kitamura on AUDITION 49:28

1M ago49:28

49:28

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.         …

1
Ferris Jabr on BECOMING EARTH 59:42

2M ago59:42

59:42

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. Th…

1
Maggie Smith on DEAR WRITER 53:04

2M ago53:04

53:04

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 …

1
Jennifer Haigh on RABBIT MOON 40:54

2M ago40:54

40:54

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 …

1
Nicole Cuffy on O SINNERS! 46:37

2M ago46:37

46:37

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. Th…

1
Dennis E. Staples on PASSING THROUGH A PRAIRIE COUNTRY 45:56

2M ago45:56

45:56

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…

1
Brian Goldstone on THERE IS NO PLACE FOR US 44:50

2M ago44:50

44:50

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 episod…

1
Revisiting Hilary Mantel on THE MIRROR AND THE LIGHT 35:37

2M ago35:37

35:37

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 Pour…

1
Chris Bohjalian on THE JACKAL'S MISTRESS 42:23

2M ago42:23

42:23

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…

1
Lauren Christensen on FIRSTBORN 40:02

2M ago40:02

40:02

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 h…

1
Scaachi Koul on SUCKER PUNCH 39:31

2M ago39:31

39:31

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 Harr…

1
Karen Russell on THE ANTIDOTE 39:30

2M ago39:30

39:30

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 …

1
Torrey Peters on STAG DANCE 41:43

2M ago41:43

41:43

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 …

1
Chloe Dalton on RAISING HARE 47:23

2M ago47:23

47:23

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…

1
Karen Thompson Walker on THE STRANGE CASE OF JANE O. 47:22

3M ago47:22

47:22

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 Pou…

1
Laila Lalami on THE DREAM HOTEL 56:10

3M ago56:10

56:10

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 b…

1
Sarah Jones on DISPOSABLE 36:08

3M ago36:08

36:08

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 bo…

1
Sonya Walger on LION 41:58

3M ago41:58

41:58

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 b…

1
Holly Brickley on DEEP CUTS 49:27

3M ago49:27

49:27

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 th…

1
Matthew Goodman on PARIS UNDERCOVER 53:04

3M ago53:04

53:04

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…

1
Ali Smith on GLIFF 35:45

3M ago35:45

35:45

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 ho…

1
Eric Puchner on DREAM STATE 47:11

3M ago47:11

47:11

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 Poure…

1
Sarah Chihaya on BIBLIOPHOBIA 50:25

3M ago50:25

50:25

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 …

1
Eowyn Ivey on BLACK WOODS, BLUE SKY 37:25

3M ago37:25

37:25

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 …

1
Alejandro Heredia on LOCA 42:10

3M ago42:10

42:10

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. T…

1
Jennifer Finney Boylan on CLEAVAGE 41:16

3M ago41:16

41:16

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 Ove…

1
Geraldine Brooks on MEMORIAL DAYS 46:40

3M ago46:40

46:40

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 e…

1
Allegra Goodman on ISOLA 43:51

4M ago43:51

43:51

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 re…

1
Charmaine Wilkerson on GOOD DIRT 46:53

4M ago46:53

46:53

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 Ove…

1
Adrienne Young on A SEA OF UNSPOKEN THINGS 39:10

4M ago39:10

39:10

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 gue…

1
Imani Perry on BLACK IN BLUES 41:31

4M ago41:31

41:31

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 proce…

1
Revisiting Colson Whitehead on THE NICKEL BOYS 33:32

4M ago33:32

33:32

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.                    …

1
Elizabeth Harris on HOW TO SLEEP AT NIGHT 34:32

4M ago34:32

34:32

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 Poure…

1
Paraic O'Donnell on THE NAMING OF THE BIRDS 57:30

4M ago57:30

57:30

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…

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