Liz Mugavero is a bestselling cozy mystery writer of the Cat Cafe series, which she writes under the pen name Cate Conte.  She's also a writing coach and the host of the podcast Get Writing with Liz Mugavero. In this episode, we explore the fundamentals of mystery writing and Liz's journey to becoming a published author. She shares insights passed down from her grandfather, a small town detective, and reveals how she discovered her passion for crime writing. Other topics include creating compelling characters, building story settings, the cozy mystery genre, the brilliance of The Artists' Way, writing productivity tips, and creative mindfulness practices. .

In August 2020, during the depths of the pandemic, an unlikely TV show about a clueless American football coach taking over an English soccer team became a cultural phenomenon. In this episode, we're joined by New York Times television editor Jeremy Egner, whose new book "Believe" takes us behind the scenes of Ted Lasso's journey from a commercial to an Emmy award-winning, hit series. Through extensive interviews with the cast, creators, and crew, Jeremy uncovers how a show filled with mostly unknown actors and led by a mustachioed nice guy became exactly what the world needed then and now - a story about decency, friendship, and the power of believing. As someone who covered the show from its inception and survived his own harrowing battle with early COVID, Jeremy brings both journalistic insight and personal connection to this definitive account.

It's hard enough writing a novel, try writing one on your cell phone. Nifemi Aluko wrote his new book Musta's Mixtape with his thumbs. He says the process was liberating, allowing him to write whenever and wherever he wanted, including at the Parisian cafes Ernest Hemingway frequented. Nifemi joins the podcast to talk about his unique approach to writing, marketing, and funding his book, including using blockchain technology and NFTs to raise money and AI as a collaborative partner. Take my Writing with AI masterclass  Subscribe to my Substack   My first interview with Nifemi is here 

Andrew Bridgeman has sold everything from carpets to insurance, but like so many of us, his lifelong dream was to publish a novel. And now he’s done it. At the age of 59, he just released his debut, Fortunate Son, a political thriller with memorable characters and plot twists that will keep you reading through the night. On the pod, Andrew talks to me about the challenges of learning to write at a later age, the importance of persistence, and the unexpected twists in his publishing journey. Andrew also offers insights into his unique approach to character development and plot construction. This convo is a must-listen for aspiring writers and book lovers alike. Sign up for my masterclass on working with Generative AI: https://pandemicuniversity.com/product/generative-ai/

This week is Banned Books Week, which draws attention to the number of book ban attempts in U.S. schools and libraries. So far, in 2024, the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 414 attempts to censor books, with 1,128 unique titles challenged. American Library Association President Cindy Hohl joins the show to talk about who is trying to rid people of reading these books and why. She also discusses what the ALA and other groups are doing to fight back.  Order the new Write About Now book @ bit.ly/BackStories

“Writing is my happy place,” says this week’s guest, bestselling mystery writer J.A. Jance. With 70 books under her belt, she’s spent a lot of time typing with a smile on her face. (That makes one of us) Her latest novel, Den of Iniquity, features the return of beloved private investigator J.P. Beaumont. How did this former high school teacher, who was told by her teachers, her ex-husband, and publishers that she couldn’t be a writer have such a prolific and successful career? That, my friends, is the mystery that we solve in this interview.   Order my new book, Write About Now @ bit.ly/BackStories

div]:bg-bg-300 [&_pre]:-mr-4 md:[&_pre]:-mr-9"> _*]:min-w-0"> William Cope Moyers, son of famed journalist Bill Moyers, thought he conquered his addiction demons after hitting rock bottom. But 20 years into recovery, prescribed painkillers triggered a relapse that challenged everything he knew about the path to sobriety. In this revealing conversation, Moyers opens up about his new book, Broken Open, sharing this experience with substance abuse and how it threatened to derail his life for a second time. His journey offers hope to those struggling with addiction and pushes for a more inclusive approach to treatment, even in the face of resistance from recovery traditionalists. Sign up for my new masterclass on Writing Articles that Sell @ bit.ly/smallmasterclass Send a clever headline for this podcast and enter a chance to win a free copy of my new book, Write About Now. Submit titles to [email protected]

Conspiracy theories such as QAnon have had devastating political consequences as they’ve exploded in popularity. But what’s often overlooked is their heartbreaking effect on families. In her new book The Quiet Damage, investigative journalist Jesselyn Cook tells the stories of five American families shredded by true believers whose journey down the rabbit hole caused them to be alienated, suicidal, and often completely different people. Jesselyn shares fascinating insights from her three-year deep dive into the world of conspiracy theories, revealing: The surprising economic and educational diversity of QAnon believers The psychological needs that conspiracy theories fulfill Social media's role in spreading misinformation Why fact-checking and ridicule are ineffective in combating beliefs Effective strategies for reaching loved ones, including setting boundaries  

Love it or hate it, AI is here to stay. Writers ignore it at their own peril, especially when it comes to marketing their work. Guest Gini Dietrich, a marketing and PR expert, has been proactive in her embrace of artificial intelligence, using it to enhance her work and its reach. Gini's media company and blog 'Spin Sucks' is a go-to source for staying up-to-date on the ever-changing PR landscape. In this interview, she breaks down effective tips for content marketing in the age of AI, including the importance of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trust), the use of LinkedIn as a powerful platform for content distribution, and the evolution of SEO strategies in the era of AI and Google's changing algorithms.  Order my new book, Write About Now: bit.ly/BackStories

Hot off the presses, my new book, Write About Now: Successful Authors on Overcoming Obstacles, Finding Inspiration and the Birth of Their Careers, just dropped. The book features the inspirational origin stories of some of the most successful writers who have ever appeared on the podcast. In this episode, I share my recent appearance on The Bleeders podcast talking out the origin story of my book on origin stories. Host Courtney Kocak grills me on my journey from podcast host to author, common threads I discovered in surveying successful writers' beginning, my experience with indie publishing, the promotional strategies I'm using for my book launch, and how I hope these collected stories can inspire creatives.  Order the book: bit.ly/BackStories Courtney's Pitch Party: bit.ly/septemberpitchparty Jon's September Writing Webinar: bit.ly/smallmasterclass  

Will Selber is a former Middle East Foreign Area Officer with 20 years of experience in the intelligence community. He served for nearly 1500 days in Iraq and Afghanistan during heavy combat operations. How retired, his life's mission is to shed light on the current situation in Afghanistan and help many of the U.S.'s allies escape the country and the Taliban. It’s grueling and heart-breaking work that requires him to make Sophie's Choice-like decisions about who lives and dies. He now writes about his experiences for such publications as The Bulwark. In our interview, we touch on why he joined the Air Force, the horrors he saw in Iraq and then Afghanistan, the mental heath challenges he’s had to face, how writing has become therapy, his upcoming trip to Israel, what we don’t understand about groups such as the Taliban and Hamas, and his hope for the future of Afghanistan.  Sign up for Jonathan Small's Six-Week Non-Fiction Writing Course @ https://bit.ly/46fnKae Subscribe to Will Selber's substack @ https://substack.com/@willselber  

Boys are in a crisis. They're "isolated, emotionally repressed, and adrift," says guest Ruth Whippman. The research bears her out. Boys are four times more likely than girls to commit suicide, three times more likely to be addicts, and they're dropping out of high school and not going to college at record rates. Whippman, a journalist, cultural critic, and mother of 3 boys, has written a must-read new book on this essential topic called BoyMom: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity. In our interview, we talk about: Boys' difficulty forming deep emotional connections The role of nature vs nurture in this crisis The educational disparities between men and women. The lack of role models for boys. The surprising things Ruth learned about incels How sexisms cuts both ways Ruth's suggestions for working toward solving many of these issues.   Subscribe to my newsletter SmallTalk @ substack.com/jonsmalltalk Our sponsor is AG1. Order and get freebies @ drinkag1.com/writeaboutnow

Culture writer Anne Helen Petersen has spent years researching and writing about burnout —that feeling of chronic stress and exhaustion that plagues so many in our always-working culture. On this special replay edition of the show, Anne explains how burnout differs from regular stress, why millennials seem particularly susceptible to it, and how we can start to overcome it both individually and systemically.    Subscribe to Anne's substack Culture Study @ annehelen.substack.com Subscribe to Jonathan Small's substack @ jonsmalltalk.substack.com

Fifty years ago, The New York Times Magazine featured Joyce Maynard on its cover for an essay she wrote entitled “An 18-Year-Old Looks Back on Life.” That story would catapult her to national prominence but also mark a traumatic beginning to a celebrated career as a prolific novelist and memoir writer. Unwittingly, Maynard became part of a MeToo scandal with iconic novelist J.D. Salinger long before male predatory behavior was in the news. She survived that affair to become an acclaimed, prolific author— penning 13 novels and 5 works of non-fiction, two of which were adapted for film. On the pod, she talks about her newest masterpiece, How the Light Gets In, getting canceled in the 90s, returning to Yale as a middle age mom to get a degree, reading and writing with ADHD, and the best writing advice she was ever given.  Follow Joyce on Facebook: joycemaynardauthor Sign up for my online Writing Masterclass on June 27 @ https://bit.ly/smallmasterclass  

Guest Steve Almond has written a terrific new book called Truth is the Arrow, Mercy is the Bow: A DIY Manual for the Construction of Stories. In it, he shares the insights he gleaned over three decades as a teacher, mentor, and author of 12 books of fiction and non-fiction. He also talks about his strategy for confronting the all-too-commom fear of failure. Some topics we dive into: Steve's transition from journalism to creative writing. Mastering plot, chronology, and creating a chain of consequences How he draws characters from real-life observations, personal experiences, and sometimes characters that emerge from his artistic unconscious. Co-hosting the podcast Dear Sugar with writer Cheryl Strayed Listen in as we try to demystify the writing process. Sign up for my online Writing Masterclass on June 27. https://bit.ly/smallmasterclass Subscribe to my substack newsletter to get all the latest writing news. substack.com/jonsmalltalk Order AG1 using this special address and get five free travel packs with your first purchase. www.drinkAG1.com/writeaboutnow

How much do you know about the history of the day you were born? Could you tell me any significant event, aside from your birth, that happened on your birthday? If you are born on July 4th or January 6th, that’s cheating. We're taking about less infamous days. Guest Dan Bova has written a fun new book for the History Channel called: This Day in History For Kids: 1001 Remarkable Moments & Fascinating Facts, which is chock full of interesting moments from early civilization up to the 21st century all around the world for every day of the year. We don't talk about all 1001, but you'll learn quite a bit. Dan also discusses his research process, the challenges of writing for kids in a polarized world, and why April 15 is a cool day to be born.  Sign up for my online writing masterclass on June 27. https://bit.ly/smallmasterclass Subscribe to my substack newsletter to get all the latest writing news. substack.com/jonsmalltalk Order AG1 using this special address and get five free travel packs with your first purchase. www.drinkAG1.com/writeaboutnow  

When Ithaca College's president asked Jason DeLand to give this commencement address at his alma mater, he didn't hesitate for one second. DeLand, the co-founder of a big-time advertising firm called Anomaly, has quite the inspiring, rags-to-riches story. He grew up penniless on a street called Swamp Road. But he put himself through college and established an agency known for its viral Super Bowl ads. In the episode, DeLand talks about the process of writing his commencement speech, the profound role of teachers in his life, what makes advertisements stick, how that industry is changing, and what he's learned about life and writing over the years.  Sign up for Jon Small's online writing masterclass, The Secret Formula to Writing Nonfiction Stories. https://bit.ly/smallmasterclass Get all the latest tips and tricks about writing on the substack newsletter Small Talk. https://bit.ly/smalltalksubstack

There has been a worrisome escalation of anti-Semitism over the past few months around the world. But what's behind it? Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza or something deeper, more complex? Jonathan Small sits down with Gavriel Rosenfeld, President of the Center for Jewish History and author of "Fascism in America, Past and Present," to delve into the historical roots and modern manifestations of this enduring prejudice. Rosenfeld offers insights into the nuanced interplay between anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, shedding light on a complex but important topic.   

Does it make your skin crawl when people use words like "like," "um," and "dude," like literally every hella second? You're not alone. But guest Valerie Fridland argues that these linguistic ticks are actually useful and important ways of communicating. Fridland is a sociolinguist at University of Nevada Reno, and the author of Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English. On the pod, she talks about the history and psychology behind these filler words and why they are far from the end of the world as we know it.  Sign up for my online course, The Secret Formula to Writing Nonfiction Stories that Sell @ https://bit.ly/smallmasterclass

On this episode, we go behind the scenes with author Trish Lundy to find out what it takes get a YA novel written, sold, and published by a major house. Trish just released her eminently readable debut YA Thriller novel, “The One That Got Away with Murder.” She talks about the process of writing multiple manuscripts before getting it right, her journey in finding an agent, tips and tricks for finding a story and characters that jump off the page, and what she's learned about the craft by going through the process.  Speaking of debut books, I have one coming out next month. If you'd like to receive an early copy for review, sign up @ https://bit.ly/3vD4s0B I'm teaching an online masterclass on writing magazine articles that sell.  Sign up @ https://bit.ly/smallmasterclass Write About Now is sponsored by AG1. Order with my special code:drinkAG1.com/writeaboutnow

Molly Roden Winter wouldn't seem like the poster child for polyamory. But the married, middle-aged mom's new book, More: A Memoir of Open Marriage, has caught fire, moving the controversial topic from the margins to the mainstream. Winter joins the show to talk about her unexpected open marriage and, with it, a life-changing journey of self-discovery. She also talks about the process of writing her first book, from a vision that came to her during meditation to the arduous trial-and-error journey of getting the story right—and then getting it sold.  I have a new book coming out! If you would like to be part of my Launch Squad—a group of people who are willing to read my book and review it online a few days before the official release date—sign up @  https://bit.ly/3vD4s0B 

Catherine Coldstream shares the extraordinary tale of joining an ancient and secretive Carmelite monastery in the UK, surrendering completely to a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience. But years into leading this sheltered and isolated life of a silent nun, she started to realize the complexities and dangers of the life she vowed to live. Her experience is captured beautifully in a new memoir called Cloistered: My Years as a Nun. She joins host Jonathan Small to talk about why she gave up her  carefree, bohemian life to become a cloistered nun, what life was like inside the monastery, her views on celibacy and isolation from the outside world, and the similarities between her experience and those of cult members.  I have a new book coming out and would love for you to be part of my Book Launch Squad. Sign up @ https://bit.ly/3vD4s0B 

Hip hop recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. What started off as an underground movement in the 1970s has blossomed into a global phenomenon with no end in sight. How has hip hop managed to not stop after all these years? Why were those who kept calling it a fad so completely wrong? Guest Todd Boyd has curated a comprehensive book called Rappers Deluxe: How Hip Hop Made the World that chronicles hip hop's defining moments each decade. Using photographs, movie posters, fine art, album covers, film and sports stills, he paints an often misunderstood  portrait of hip hop's influences. Even the word hip hop is often thought to denote the music, but as Boyd describes it, the culture encapsulates much more.  Listen to this sonic journey into hip hop's origins. 

Veteran journalist Abby Ellin almost married a pathological liar and convicted criminal, but luckily, her reporter's instincts for the truth kicked in, and she averted disaster. Her crazy story is chronicled in her book Duped and podcast Imposters: The Commander. On the show, she talks about falling for the con, discovering the truth, and what the experience taught her about those who deceive.  Subscribe to my newsletter Small Talk @ https://jonathan856.substack.com

Only a few months in, and it's already a bleak year for the media. Journalists lost 500 jobs in January alone, with mass layoffs at the LA Times, Business Insider, Sports Illustrated, and others. I lost my own job at Entrepreneur after working there for five years. But according to my guest Chandra Turner, where one door may be closing, others are swinging wide open. Chandra founded The Talent Fairy, a recruiting agency that places journalists in editorial, brand publishing, and content marketing positions. She sees a bright and lucrative future in content marketing and rejects the belief that these jobs are sellouts. On the pod, she talks about her own career trajectory from magazines editor to job fairy, who's hiring in 2024, and what skills they desire.  Subscribe to my newsletter @ https://jonathan856.substack.com/ Watch the interview @ https://bit.ly/WriteAboutNowYouTube  

In the fall of 2020, a Canadian farmer named Helen Naslund was sentenced to 18 years in prison for killing her violently abusive husband. That case and the lengthy sentence she received sparked tremendous outrage around Canada, exposing serious issues with how the justice system in that country treats abused women. Guest true crime journalist Jana Pruden spoke to Naslund through multiple interviews and letters from prison. It was the first time Helen opened up publicly about what happened that fateful night and everything that came after. Pruden shares this story of unspeakable violence and a woman's fight for her freedom in the critically-acclaimed podcast, In Her Defence.   Read her Globe & Mail story here.  Subscribe to the Small Talk substack

Kristin Hannah is among the most successful American novelists working today. Her books focus on unsung heroines throughout history. Her new novel, The Women, focuses on Army Nurses during the Vietnam War. The pageturner is at once an intimate portrait of a young woman coming of age in a hellish war zone and an epic tale of an American divided during an unpopular war. Hannah talks about the process of writing the book, what she's learned about storytelling as the author of over 20 novels, and how she deals with the fear of failure.  Write About Now listeners are invited to take an online masterclass with host Jonathan Small called Proven Formulas for Writing Stories that Sell on Feb 18 at 1 pm ET. Experienced and first-time writers can sign up @ https://pandemicuniversity.com/product/articles-that-sell/

Jana Monroe was the first female agent to join the agency's famed Behavioral Science Unit (BSU) to help understand who criminals are, how they think, why they do what they do. She even trained Jodie Foster for her role as Clarice Starling in Silence of the Lambs. Monroe has a new book out called Hearts of Darkness that chronicles her extraordinary career profiling such abhorrent serial killers as Jeffrey Dahmer and Edmund Kemper. On the show, Monroe talks about why she became a serial killer profiler, how she managed to be in such close contact with pure evil, and what she learned about herself and humanity on the job.  Sign up for my article writing masterclass @ https://pandemicuniversity.com/product/articles-that-sell/ Sign up for my substack newsletter @ https://jonathan856.substack.com.

Denise Hutchins and Aaron Quinn are the subject of the current top-rated show on Netflix called 'American Nightmare.' The couple's harrowing kidnapping experience and the police’s baffling response calls into question how the authorities, the press, and local government handled what became known as the real-life “Gone Girl” case. On this episode, Jon revisits his conversation with the couple, who also have a book on their story called 'Victim F. ' Breaking news: Jonathan is teaching an online masterclass on how to write an article that sells. For more information visit: https://pandemicuniversity.com/product/articles-that-sell/

What if I told you that we spend most of our day on auto-pilot? Our brains are using half their potential and generally just respond to crisis after crisis. As a result we are not actively protecting and regulating our brain’s energy to be happier and more productive. That is the thesis behind the work of guest Deb Smolensky who is a “brain trainer” and author of the book Brain On! Mental Fitness Strategies for Sharpening Focus, Boosting Emerging, and Winning the Workday. Deb combines science and anecdotal evidence from her coaching business to help people upgrade their brain power.  We discuss various techniques for getting out of the caveman-ish fight-or-flight mode and allowing your "thinking brain" to rule the day.  Watch the interview on YouTube @writeaboutnowpodcast111 Subscribe to my Substack @Small Talk

Time is the great equalizer. Everyone of us only has 24 hours each day to get things done. How we use that time constructively separates the productive from the procratinators. Guest Laura Vanderkam is a time management expert and the author of six books on the topic, including her latest, Tranquility by Tuesday: 9 Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters. In this episode, she offers smart strategies for getting stuff done more efficiently while also enjoying your life.  Subscribe to my substack @ https://jonathan856.substack.com Watch the interview @ https://bit.ly/WriteAboutNowYouTube Order AG1 @ drinkAG1.com/writeaboutnow  

Jennifer McAdam is a Scottish coal miner's daughter who lost her life's savings to a multimillion-dollar cryptocurrency scam called OneCoin. She even convinced many of her friends to invest before she realized it was all a big lie. But rather than wither away in shame, McAdam fought back, creating an online Victims’ Support Group and taking legal action. Her incredible story is captured in her new book Devil’s Coin: My Battle to Take Down the Notorious OneCoin Cryptoqueen. I interviewed Jennifer on my other podcast "Dirty Money" with my fearless co-host Dan Bova. If you like what you hear, please follow the show for more juicy tales of financial true crime.  Follow Dirty Money @ https://bit.ly/3v1S2yt Order Devil's Coin @ https://amzn.to/3toaUY9

Connell Barrett is a modern-day 'Hitch,' a dating coach who helps lovelorn men approach women, be more confident, and attract a great partner. In his new book Dating Sucks, but You Don't, he offers tips and insights that have "helped thousands of single men date amazing women." We talk about navigating dating in the #Metoo, Tinder world, the best ways to flirt and pay someone a compliment, getting over approach anxiety, and so much more.  Subscribe to my substack @ https://jonathan856.substack.com/ Check out Connell's new book @ https://jonathan856.substack.com/

Guest Lisa Cron is a story coach and author of Wired for Story, Story Genius, and Story or Die. Cron combines her wisdom of working with writers in the publishing and TV business with her fascination in the latest breakthroughs in neuroscience. She says that all humans are hardwired for story; we think in story. When writers tap into this, it triggers a dopamine rush that tells us to pay attention. The problem is too many writers don't know what makes a good story. They're stuck more in "writing well" than in writing in a way that triggers the brain to want more. In this interview, she untaps the the hidden source of great storytelling, with practical tips on how to apply it to your own work. 

Guest Kristal Brent Cook is a journalism professor at Hofstra and author of a new memoir called The Girl in the Yellow Poncho. Growing up in the 80s as a bi-racial child, Zook was raised by Black women after she was abandoned by her white father when she was a baby. The memoir explores Kristal’s journey to find her true identity and ultimately track down her alcoholic father, whom she’d never met. It’s a moving story, beautifully told, about forgiveness, healing, and finding your authentic identity. There’s even a surprise cameo by Slash of Guns and Roses.

The Talking Heads are talking again. Forty years after the release of their classic concert film “Stop Making Sense,” the movie and the band are back on the big stage—same as it ever was, or maybe even better. A remastered, 4k version of the movie was released in September, and the band is back on tour burning down the house. On this episode, host Jon Small revisits his interview with the band’s co-founder and drummer, Chris Frantz, who wrote a memoir about his once-in-a lifetime experience with the band in 2020. Frantz didn’t have the nicest things to say about the band’s lead singer David Byrne, but apparently they’re back on talking terms — and that’s great news because they’re one of the best bands of the 1980s. 

Devon Daniels joins the show to talk about her new book, The Rom Con. Inspired by a 1958 McCall's Magazine article entitled "129 Ways to Get a Husband," the novel gives a modern spin to antiquated and, weirdly, timeless dating advice. Daniels also discusses her unorthodox approach to writing, how her 'unicorn' first book got her multiple publishing offers, the odd appeal of the enemies to lovers genre, and what advice she would like to give her younger self.  Subscribe to Small Talk @ https://jonathan856.substack.com/ Follow the show on Instagram @WriteAboutNowPod Watch the interview on YouTube @ https://bit.ly/WriteAboutNowYouTube

Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” opened this weekend, raking in an estimated $23 million at the box office. The gut-wrenching movie is based on the excellent book of the same name by my guest David Grann, who resurfaced the mostly forgotten story of a monstrous American crime in the 1920s. Known for his page-turning narratives and in-depth research, Grann has become one of the most successful and revered writers working today. He shares his tumultuous writer's origin story, his decision to give up his dream of writing editorials and focusing on long-read narratives, how he discovered the story of the Osage murders, and his process of researching and writing his books. The interview was recorded in 2018. To find out more about Jonathan Small, visit: https://writeaboutnowmedia.com/ Subscribe to my substack, Small Talk: https://bit.ly/smalltalksubstack Follow me on Instagram: @writeaboutnowpod

Guest Lori Majewski is a radio host, journalist, and co-author of Mad World: An Oral History of New Wave Artists and Songs That Defined the 1980s. She also holds the distinction of being my editor at YM magazine long ago when I wrote stories with titles like 'How to Tell If He's Crushing On You.' Lori is the biggest Duran Duran fan you will ever meet and parlayed her passion for that band into a career as a entertainment writer, 80s music expert, and on-air host of Fierce: Women In Music & Lust For Lists/First Wave on Sirius XM Radio. In our conversation, we talk about her writing origin story, why we just can't get enough of 80s music, and her advice to aspiring writers. 

It’s been 20 years since Ron Burgundy first appeared on the screen urging viewers to "stay classy." Film comedy historian Saul Austerlitz joins the show to talk about his new book Kind of a Big Deal: How Anchorman Stayed Classy and Became the Most Iconic Comedy of the Twenty-First Century, which celebrates this classic movie. Austerlitz shares the inside story of how Anchorman came to be, how it was written and cast, and how it ultimately launched the careers of future superstars like Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, and Paul Rudd. More than just a hilarious comedy, the film was actually a decade ahead of its time taking digs at toxic masculinity and MeToo sexism. You will be surprised at some of the tidbits Austerlitz uncovered in his research on the film. 

Alexander Stille talks about his fascinating new book, The Sullivanians: Sex, Psychotherapy, and the Wild Life of an American Commune. Led by a charismatic psychoanalyst, the Sullivanians flourished in Manhattan's tony neighborhood in the 1970s and 80s, attracting many brilliant, creative people as patients, including Jackson Pollack and Judy Collins. But what started as a utopian experiment in psychoanalysis devolved into a paranoid sex cult in which therapists controlled their patients' lives, instructing them who to sleep with and where they could work. The real tragedy is the story of the children, who were shipped off to boarding schools so that their parents could be free to sleep around and jettison the constraints of the nuclear family. Stille is an accomplished journalists and a professor at Columbia Journalism School. 

In this episode, we're talkin' bout the generations. Guest Dr. Jean Twenge is the author of the endlessly fascinating new book Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents—and What They Mean for America's Future. Twenge dives into government surveys, databases, and scientific studies to give a revelatory report on why generations change, what makes each generation unique, and how we can learn from each other. I understand my kids and my parents so much better now! Subscribe to my substack Small Talk @ https://jonathan856.substack.com/ Check out my new TikTok video @ https://www.tiktok.com/@writeaboutnowpod Watch the interview on YouTube @https://bit.ly/WriteAboutNowYouTube  

When you think of your 'future self,' who do you see? The image is probably pretty blurry, but it doesn't have to be. My guest Hal Hershfield believes that by strengthening the connections between your present and future selves, you gain a new perspective on what's important—and create the future you want. Hershfield is the author of Your Future Self: How to Make Tomorrow Better Today and a Professor of Marketing, Behavioral Decision Making at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management. He spent over a decade researching how understanding our future selves can help us achieve our goals and hopes for the future. Topics discussed include:  How similar our future selves are to our present selves Why living in the now is not in opposition to planning for the future.  How thinking of our future self motivates us.  Techniques for connecting with your future self.  Subscribe to the Write About Now newsletter @ bit.ly/SmallTalkSubstack Watch interview @ bit.ly/WriteAboutNowYouTube

Guest Courtney Kocak is a writer, podcaster, and comedian based in LA. She reports frequently on taboo topics such as porn, sexuality, and sex work. On her podcast Private Parts Unknown, Courtney takes a Bourdain-like sexual tour around the world, revealing secret seductive subcultures. On this episode, she talks about why she enjoys writing about sex, her fascinating experience getting a happy ending massage in Tokyo, and what she's learned having an OnlyFans page. After you've finished listening head on over to her other podcast, The Bleeders, in which she grills me about writing the "Jake" column for Glamour magazine.  Listen to our interview on The Bleeders:  https://bit.ly/3YnMmJW Watch the video on YouTube: bit.ly/3Qv5fZn Subscribe to my Substack: https://jonathan856.substack.com/

UFOs are back in the news. Last month, three U.S. military veterans testified to the congress that the government had possession of "non-human" biologics. And my guest Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb recently led an exhibition to the bottom of the Pacific to retrieve what he believes could be materials from an extraterrestrial spacecraft. In this episode, we revisit my conversation with Dr. Loeb about his book, Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth  and his controversial belief that we have been visited by ETs.   For more information on Write About Now, visit: writeaboutnowmedia.com Subscribe to my newsletter @ jonathan856.substack.com  

Ian Fleming introduced James Bond 007 in 1953, writing 14 Bond books before he died. Since then, a few well-regarded novelists have carried the torch for the world's most famous spy. But guest Kim Sherwood is the first woman to pen a James Bond book. Sherwood is an award-winning author and creative writing teacher at the University of Edinburgh. On the podcast, she talks about how she got the gig, her lifelong obsession with Bond, her secret mission in writing the novel, and how she updated the characters and universe for the 21st Century. 

Fiona Davis is one of the most successful historical fiction writers working today. Her seven novels all take place in famous historic New York landmarks. Last month, she released The Spectacular, set in Radio City Music Hall in its mid-century heyday. On the pod, she talks about her circuitous route to becoming a novelist, how she accidentally became a New York City real estate scribe, who she turns to for her ideas, and how she researches her projects. She also offers tips on imposter syndrome and getting over writer's block.  To learn more about Write About Now, visit: writeaboutnowmedia.com Subscribe to the Small Stack substack @ https://jonathan856.substack.com/  Watch interviews on youtube.com/@writeaboutnowpodcast111

Recently, I surveyed listeners about the biggest challenge they face in achieving their goals The number one answer: Procrastination. So this episode is all about the dreaded P-word. What procrastination is, why we do it, and how to overcome it. Guest Petr Ludwig is a procrastination slayer. His book The End of Procrastination is a well-researched action plan for inaction. Petr's main argument is that procrastination is not a time-management problem—it's an emotions-management problem. He offers tips to stop beating yourself up and start psyching yourself up to get the stuff done you know you should.