S uzanne Lang talks with Matthew Ferrence, who ran for the Pennsylvania State Legislature (and lost) in a gerrymandered red area that is deemed “un-winnable” by Democrats. He tells his story in I Hate it Here, Please Vote for Me: Essays on Rural Political Decay . Also featured is Suzanne’s conversation with award winning librarian and free speech advocate Amanda Jones, who has been the target of a nasty campaign of harassment from the far right in her home state of Louisiana. Her memoir is That

Suzanne Lang talks with philanthropist, motivational speaker, and author Jillian Haslam on her memoir A Voice Out of Poverty. Haslam grew up in India amongst the poorest of the poor, for a time living with her family under a cement stairwell; she miraculously emerged to work in international banking and has founded educational and vocational organizations to give a hand up to those who still struggle. Also featured is long time NPR commentator Andrei Codrescu, musing on his life and past and the

Suzanne Lang talks with philanthropist, motivational speaker, and author Jillian Haslam on her memoir A Voice Out of Poverty. Haslam grew up in India amongst the poorest of the poor, for a time living with her family under a cement stairwell; she miraculously emerged to work in international banking and has founded educational and vocational organizations to give a hand up to those who still struggle. Also featured is long time NPR commentator Andrei Codrescu, musing on his life and past and the

The German occupation of Paris during World War II was a time of shifting and uncertain alliances, and life for Parisians required a bit of careful attention. Suzanne Lang talks with Aurelie Thiele, author of the historical novel, The Paris Understudy, a sweeping tale of the Paris Opera world, two rival opera singers, their struggle for success amidst Hitler and the Nazis, and their plight to save others victimized by them. Also featured is Suzanne’s conversation with Brian Belefant on his novella

The German occupation of Paris during World War II was a time of shifting and uncertain alliances, and life for Parisians required a bit of careful attention. Suzanne Lang talks with Aurelie Thiele, author of the historical novel, The Paris Understudy, a sweeping tale of the Paris Opera world, two rival opera singers, their struggle for success amidst Hitler and the Nazis, and their plight to save others victimized by them. Also featured is Suzanne’s conversation with Brian Belefant on his novella

Becoming who we are. Suzanne M. Lang talks with thought leader, McArthur Fellow, and founder of the Sphinx Project, Aaron P. Dworkin on his book “Lessons in Gratitude, a Memoir on Race, the Arts, and Mental Health”. Becoming who we are. Suzanne M. Lang talks with thought leader, McArthur Fellow, and founder of the Sphinx Project, Aaron P. Dworkin on his book “Lessons in Gratitude, a Memoir on Race, the Arts, and Mental Health”. Shamanism is one of the oldest wisdom traditions on the planet and

Becoming who we are. Suzanne M. Lang talks with thought leader, McArthur Fellow, and founder of the Sphinx Project, Aaron P. Dworkin on his book “Lessons in Gratitude, a Memoir on Race, the Arts, and Mental Health”. Becoming who we are. Suzanne M. Lang talks with thought leader, McArthur Fellow, and founder of the Sphinx Project, Aaron P. Dworkin on his book “Lessons in Gratitude, a Memoir on Race, the Arts, and Mental Health”. Shamanism is one of the oldest wisdom traditions on the planet and

A Novel Idea goes polar with Cynthia Reeves and her novel of love, loss, and survival at the top of the world, THE LAST WHALER. Also featured is journalist Andrea Pitzer with her riveting tale of polar explorer William Barents’ time stuck in the frozen polar ice and overwintering there in the late 16 th Century. It’s A Novel Idea with Suzanne Lang. Streaming and podcasting at krcb.org .

Fred Waitzkin, best-selling author of Searching for Bobby Fischer, joins Suzanne Lang in conversation on his writing and latest work addressing friendship and homelessness, Anything is Good. Also featured is Susan Sisko Carter, singer and Hollywood scriptwriter, with her novel, The Lyric Hotel. It’s A Novel Idea, Sunday August 4 th at 10am PT on KRCB 104.9 FM, streaming and podcasting at krcb.org .

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From Jim Crow to Civil Rights, it was tenacious and savvy black musicians who paved the way. Suzanne Lang talks with Larry Tye whose book is The Jazzmen, How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America . Also featured is Carl Unegbu with his book Comedy Goes To Court, When People Stop Laughing and Start Fighting . It’s A Novel Idea, Sunday morning at 10 am PT, streaming and podcasting at krcb.org .

Suzanne Lang talks withaward winning author of books for kids and adults, Susan Muaddi Darraj, whose novel is BEHIND YOU IS THE SEA.This story of diaspora, of people living in a Palestinian American community in Baltimore, is an immigrant tale of generations.Rex Ogle also joins Suzanne and talks about his latest memoir geared toward young adults, ROAD HOME. At seventeen, he was kicked out of the house for being gay and for a time lived on the streets of New Orleans. The story is hard, yet full of

Suzanne Lang talks with award winning author of books for kids and adults, Susan Muaddi Darraj, whose novel is BEHIND YOU IS THE SEA . This story of diaspora, of people living in a Palestinian American community in Baltimore, is an immigrant tale of generations. Rex Ogle also joins Suzanne and talks about his latest memoir geared toward young adults, ROAD HOME. At seventeen, he was kicked out of the house for being gay and for a time lived on the streets of New Orleans. The story is hard, yet full

The importance of gathered botanical and ecological knowledge to our survival as human beings in a changing landscape is explored.Suzanne Lang talks with evolutionary biologist and science writer Erin Zimmerman, whose book isUnrooted: Botany, Motherhood, and the Fight to Save an Old Science,a memoir of botany and natural history seen through the lens of her own career, the barriers she faced, and the work she’s done. Suzanne also talks with Manjula Martin on her book,The Last Fire Season; A

The importance of gathered botanical and ecological knowledge to our survival as human beings in a changing landscape is explored. Suzanne Lang talks with evolutionary biologist and science writer Erin Zimmerman, whose book is Unrooted: Botany, Motherhood, and the Fight to Save an Old Science, a memoir of botany and natural history seen through the lens of her own career, the barriers she faced, and the work she’s done. Suzanne also talks with Manjula Martin on her book, The Last Fire Season; A

Depression, panic attacks, mania are all forms of mental dis-order. Therapy, medication, and strong support systems can help restore a bit of balance. Suzanne Lang talks with Anastasia Zadeik about her novel of art, philosophy, and people searching for love, stability, and fulfillment while experiencing mental distress, The Other Side of Nothing. Also featured is Julie Chavez, who at the age 38 experienced her first ever panic attack. Her journey back to herself is told in her often funny and always

Depression, panic attacks, mania are all forms of mental dis-order. Therapy, medication, and strong support systems can help restore a bit of balance.Suzanne Lang talks with Anastasia Zadeik about her novel of art, philosophy, and people searching for love, stability, and fulfillment while experiencing mental distress, The Other Side of Nothing. Also featured is Julie Chavez, who at the age 38 experienced her first ever panic attack. Her journey back to herself is told in her often funny and

When fiction is grounded in scientific fact, our world opens up. Suzanne Lang talks with novelist Elizabeth Reed Aden on her medical thriller The Goldilocks Genome, which uses the science behind pharmaceuticals and the human body to create a taut story of terrorism and the geeks who pursue the terrorist.Also featured is award winning writer Nell Freudenberger with her latest work of fiction, The Limits, anovel of family and culture, the survival of the coral reefs, and the social challenges of

When fiction is grounded in scientific fact, our world opens up. Suzanne Lang talks with novelist Elizabeth Reed Aden on her medical thriller The Goldilocks Genome, which uses the science behind pharmaceuticals and the human body to create a taut story of terrorism and the geeks who pursue the terrorist. Also featured is award winning writer Nell Freudenberger with her latest work of fiction, The Limits, a novel of family and culture, the survival of the coral reefs, and the social challenges of

It’s all about water. Suzanne Lang talks with author, photographer, and conservationist Tim Palmer on his book Seek Higher Ground, the Natural Solution to our Urgent Flooding Crisis. Tim explores the legacy of flooding in America and the climatic, economic, and ecological realities of our rivers and communities. Also featured is another visit with Julene Bair whose memoir isThe Ogallala Road, a Story of Love, Family, and the Fight to Keep the Great Plains from Running Dry. It’s A Novel Idea with