Writer"s Voice with Francesca Rheannon

59:01

Stories for Survival: Eiren Caffall, ALL THE WATER IN...

Writer"s Voice with Francesca Rheannon ·

2025/04/28

Writer’s Voice: compelling conversations with authors who challenge, inspire, and inform. Episode Summary Today’s episode brings together two extraordinary voices in literature—each grappling with the legacies of crisis, survival, and identity. First, we speak with Eiren Caffall about her novel, All the Water in the World, a haunting, hope-filled work of climate fiction set in … Continue reading Stories for Survival: Eiren Caffall, ALL THE WATER IN THE WORD and Ishion Hutchinson, FUGITIVE

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58:36

Seeds, Symphonies, and Survival: Leningrad’s...

Writer"s Voice with Francesca Rheannon ·

2025/04/20

Writer’s Voice: compelling conversations with authors who challenge, inspire, and inform. Episode Summary Two riveting accounts from the Siege of Leningrad during WWII: In the first half, Simon Parkin discusses The Forbidden Garden, the incredible true story of Soviet botanists who protected the world’s first seed bank during the Nazi blockade—sacrificing their own lives to … Continue reading Seeds, Symphonies, and Survival: Leningrad’s Resistance in Science and Music →

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56:39

Sanjana Sekhar, METAMORPHOSIS & Sy Montgomery, WHAT...

Writer"s Voice with Francesca Rheannon ·

2025/04/13

Writer’s Voice: compelling conversations with authors who challenge, inspire, and inform. Episode Summary Earth Day is coming up this month, so we get a jump on environmental awareness. From visionary climate futures to the minds of our feathered friends, this episode reminds us that joy, attention, and imagination may be our greatest tools for survival. … Continue reading Sanjana Sekhar, METAMORPHOSIS & Sy Montgomery, WHAT THE CHICKEN KNOWS →

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1:08:20

Poetry of Place and Freedom with Forrest Gander and...

Writer"s Voice with Francesca Rheannon ·

2025/04/04

Episode Summary This is the first week of April and April is Poetry Month. So we are so pleased to feature two conversations with poets who use their genre as a vehicle for historical witness and spiritual transformation. First, we talk with poet, geologist and translator Forrest Gander about his novel in poetry Mojave Ghost. … Continue reading Poetry of Place and Freedom with Forrest Gander and DaMaris Hill →

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56:14

Speculative Futures: Cary Groner & Silvia Park on...

Writer"s Voice with Francesca Rheannon ·

2025/03/28

Episode Summary We explore two speculative fiction novels that challenge our understanding of consciousness, communication and the human condition. First, we speak with Cary Groner about The Way, a post-pandemic road novel that blends adventure, Buddhist philosophy, and a hopeful vision of the future after our current civilization has been largely swept away. “It’s not … Continue reading Speculative Futures: Cary Groner & Silvia Park on Survival, AI, and the Meaning of Being Human

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58:06

Breaking Barriers on Denali: Cassidy Randall on...

Writer"s Voice with Francesca Rheannon ·

2025/03/20

Episode Summary For Women’s History Month, we speak with Cassidy Randall about her book Thirty Below, which tells the gripping true story of the first all-women’s ascent of Denali in 1970. Facing extreme sexism, brutal conditions, and life-threatening storms, this pioneering team of climbers defied expectations and set a precedent for future generations of women … Continue reading Breaking Barriers on Denali: Cassidy Randall on THIRTY BELOW & Omar El Akkad on Empire, Liberalism &

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Women’s History Month: The Fight for Abortion Rights...

Writer"s Voice with Francesca Rheannon ·

2025/03/16

In this episode, we talk with journalist Amanda Becker about the impact of the Dobbs decision, the legal chaos that followed, and how the fight for abortion rights continues. Becker shares insights from her book You Must Stand Up, detailing the rollback of reproductive rights, the history of anti-abortion legislation, and the movement’s ongoing efforts to restore access … Continue reading Women’s History Month: The Fight for Abortion Rights After Dobbs →

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58:13

Alice Rothchild & Grace Tiffany on Women’s History,...

Writer"s Voice with Francesca Rheannon ·

2025/03/08

Episode Summary We speak with two remarkable writers about two fascinating stories—one rooted in personal history, the other in literary imagination—both shedding light on the fight for justice and self-determination. First, Alice Rothchild tells us about Inspired and Outraged: The Making of a Feminist Physician. It’s a powerful memoir in free verse exploring her journey … Continue reading Alice Rothchild & Grace Tiffany on Women’s History, Power, and Resistance →

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59:00

Black History Month: Victoria Christopher Murray on...

Writer"s Voice with Francesca Rheannon ·

2025/02/15

We sit down with award-winning author Victoria Christopher Murray to talk about Harlem Rhapsody, her novel about the Harlem Renaissance and the woman who made it possible. This gripping novel brings to life Jessie Redmon Fauset, a pioneering literary editor, mentor, and novelist who played a pivotal role in shaping the Harlem Renaissance—yet remains largely … Continue reading Black History Month: Victoria Christopher Murray on HARLEM RHAPSODY & Reviving Forgotten Women Writers →

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1:02:37

From the Amazon to the Chinese Diaspora: Rowan...

Writer"s Voice with Francesca Rheannon ·

2025/01/31

In this episode of Writer’s Voice, we explore two fascinating books. Rowan Jacobsen takes us deep into the Amazon in Wild Chocolate, uncovering the origins of cacao and the ethical challenges of the chocolate industry. Then, Karissa Chen discusses Homeseeking, her powerful novel tracing the Chinese diaspora through generations of displacement, love, and longing for … Continue reading From the Amazon to the Chinese Diaspora: Rowan Jacobsen on WILD CHOCOLATE & Karissa Chen on HOMESEEKING

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1:03:26

How Insects Shape Our Culture & Stewarding Wildness

Writer"s Voice with Francesca Rheannon ·

2025/01/11

In this episode of Writer’s Voice, entomologist and author Barrett Klein discusses his book, The Insect Epiphany: How Our Six-Legged Allies Shape Human Culture. From the crucial roles insects play in ecosystems to their influence on art, architecture, and medicine, Klein unpacks the deep connections between humans and these often misunderstood creatures. [Image above by … Continue reading How Insects Shape Our Culture & Stewarding Wildness →

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57:19

Nico Lang On Trans Youth & Lily Tuck On Her New Novel

Writer"s Voice with Francesca Rheannon ·

2025/01/02

In this week’s episode of WV, nonbinary journalist and author Nico Lang takes us inside the lives of trans and nonbinary youth across America. Their book is AMERICAN TEENAGER: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate And Finding Joy In A Turbulent Era. “These kids are just trying to live their lives, but they’re forced to … Continue reading Nico Lang On Trans Youth & Lily Tuck On Her New Novel →

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59:08

ILLEGALIZED: Rafael Martinez on Undocumented Youth...

Writer"s Voice with Francesca Rheannon ·

2024/12/27

Rafael A. Martinez discusses the lived experiences of undocumented youth in America. He’s Assistant Professor of Southwest Borderlands at Arizona State University and author of Illegalized: Undocumented Youth Movements in the United States. He details how activism and organizing led to gains such as in-state tuition and DACA, but also the precariousness of these advancements … Continue reading ILLEGALIZED: Rafael Martinez on Undocumented Youth Movements →

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WV Best of 2024

Writer"s Voice with Francesca Rheannon ·

2024/12/27

It’s always difficult to choose our ten favorite shows of the year. But the end of December gives us a chance to reflect and share with you some of the ones that stood out for us. So read on for descriptions and links to those picks, from earliest to most recent. And remember to Listen, … Continue reading WV Best of 2024 →

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57:10

Mind and Rhythm: Daniel Fryer on Hypnotherapy & Nikki...

Writer"s Voice with Francesca Rheannon ·

2024/12/13

In this episode of Writer’s Voice, we speak with Daniel Fryer, author of How to Cope with Almost Anything with Hypnotherapy, about the science and uses of hypnotherapy in mental health and well-being. Then, we honor the late Nikki Giovanni with a replay of our 2009 conversation about Hip Hop Speaks to Children, celebrating poetry’s … Continue reading Mind and Rhythm: Daniel Fryer on Hypnotherapy & Nikki Giovanni on Hip Hop Poetry →

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29:17

Slippery Beast: Ellen Ruppel Shell on Eels, Ecology,...

Writer"s Voice with Francesca Rheannon ·

2024/12/07

In this episode, we dive into the world of eels with Ellen Ruppel Shell, author of Slippery Beast: A True Crime Natural History with Eels. From ancient mysteries and ecological importance to international crime syndicates and sustainable farming, Ruppel Shell unravels the fascinating and complex story of one of nature’s most enigmatic creatures. The conversation … Continue reading Slippery Beast: Ellen Ruppel Shell on Eels, Ecology, and the Global Wildlife Trade →

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59:04

BY THE FIRE WE CARRY, Rebecca Nagle on Indigenous...

Writer"s Voice with Francesca Rheannon ·

2024/11/27

In this episode, Rebecca Nagle, journalist and author of By the Fire We Carry: The Generations’ Long Fight for Justice on Native Land, unpacks the history of the Cherokee Nation and broader Indigenous struggles for sovereignty. Nagle intertwines personal family history with systemic injustices, tracing the consequences of the Trail of Tears, the Indian Removal … Continue reading BY THE FIRE WE CARRY, Rebecca Nagle on Indigenous Sovereignty and Democracy →

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57:29

LINGUAPHILE: Julie Sedivy on the Beauty, Complexity,...

Writer"s Voice with Francesca Rheannon ·

2024/11/21

Summary In this episode, Julie Sedivy, author of Linguaphile: A Life of Language Love, explores her profound relationship with language as both a scientist and a writer. Sedivy shares her journey from a multilingual childhood to becoming a linguist, reflecting on the complexities of multilingualism, the emotional weight of language, and its profound ties to … Continue reading LINGUAPHILE: Julie Sedivy on the Beauty, Complexity, and Mystery of Language →

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57:48

Ann Patchett & Kathy Engel on Art, Love, and the...

Writer"s Voice with Francesca Rheannon ·

2024/11/14

Summary In this episode of Writer’s Voice, celebrated novelist Ann Patchett discusses the annotated release of her beloved novel Bel Canto, exploring how themes of love, art, and humanity resonate in times of crisis. Patchett reflects on her writing process, the tenderness of her characters, and how art can provide solace in difficult times. The, … Continue reading Ann Patchett & Kathy Engel on Art, Love, and the Power of Poetry in Difficult Times →

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58:38

Gardening Utopia: Olivia Laing on THE GARDEN AGAINST...

Writer"s Voice with Francesca Rheannon ·

2024/11/08

In this thought-provoking episode, acclaimed author Olivia Laing shares insights from The Garden Against Time, exploring the concept of gardens as both physical spaces and metaphors for paradise, exclusion, and resistance. Laing recounts restoring a historic garden and reflects on themes of ecological stewardship, historical gardens, and the philosophical tensions between control and collaboration with … Continue reading Gardening Utopia: Olivia Laing on THE GARDEN AGAINST TIME →

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