Lit Up

This week we're re-releasing an episode featuring Trent Dalton. The adaptation of his book, Boy Swallows Universe, is currently a hit on Netflix. Angie and Trent talked about the book in 2019 when it came out.Finding meaning in sadness, defining the different types of love and looking at the complexities of masculinity, are the overarching[...]

Angie speaks with award-winning journalist Bianca Bosker about how hearing of the existence of ‘The Best Sommelier in the World Competition’ sparked an obsession to become a sommelier herself, a decision that upended her life and led to her best-selling book Cork Dork: A Wine-FUELED Adventure Among The Obsessive Sommeliers, Big Bottle Hunters, and Rogue Scientists Who Taught[...]

Hi everyone!In celebration of the release of Isaac Fitzgerald's DIRTBAG, MASSACHUSETTS in paperback, we are re-releasing our episode with him from last year. We'll be back in two weeks with Bianca Bosker, author of CORK DORK, to talk about wine for the holidays.Enjoy!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Angie's got a cold, and it's making her think about hot toddys. And the time she sipped some bourbon and talked with with Cody Keenan, President Obama's speech writer and author of Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America. Grace has just arrived in paperback, so it's a perfect time to[...]

This week. we're re-releasing of our best and most popular conversations: Angie's 2018 conversation with Esther Perel.Psychotherapist Esther Perel joins Angie to talk about her latest book "The State of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity," the provocative follow up to her New York Times best-seller "Mating in Captivity." This conversation, like Esther's book, will no doubt push[...]

Angie speaks with Adriana Trigiani, the author of 20 best-selling books of fiction and nonfiction, most recently the novel THE GOOD LEFT UNDONE. She is an award-winning filmmaker who has directed the greats such as Whoopi Goldberg and Ashley Judd and now she’s hosting a new podcast, You Are What You Read, with Book of[...]

This week Angie is joined by writer and filmmaker Shaina Feinberg and illustrator Julia Rothman to talk about their new book, How We Got By: 111 People Share Stories of Survival, Resilience & Hope through Hardship. The book was inspired by the success of their illustrated column for the business section of The New York[...]

This week on the podcast, Angela speaks with the James Beard award-winning food writer Anya von Bremzen about her book National Dish: Around the World in Search of Food, History, and the Meaning of Home. Angie and Anya also talk about what makes a memorable meal, the joy of Neapolitan pizza, and how the ongoing[...]

This week, LIT UP producer and podcaster Liam Billingham comes back to chat with Angie about her vacation reading, things to watch, and a whole lot more! A chill end of summer episode for your ears. Enjoy! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week on the podcast, Angela speaks with writer Prachi Gupta about her new book They Called Us Exceptional. Angie and Prachi also talk about her work as a reporter during the 2016 election, and her award-winning essay Stories About My Brother. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week Angie is joined by award-winning journalist and writer Mattie Kahn. She's written one of the buzziest books of the season: Young and Restless, the Girls Who Sparked America's Revolutions. This book highlights the gutsy girls and the women whose voices and courageous actions have helped shape American society for the better. Maddie has[...]

This week on Lit Up, Angie welcomes back Helen Ellis to chat about her new collection of essays, Kiss Me in the Coral Lounge: Intimate Confessions From A Happy Marriage.. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week on Lit Up, Angie is putting her feet up and taking a well deserved break. In her place this week is her producer and friend Liam Billingham, who is bringing us an episode of his film podcast, DIE HARD ON A BLANK. On DHOAB, Liam and his co-host, screenwriter Philip Gawthorne explore the[...]

This week, on a sweltering day in New York City, Gina Chung joined Angie to talk about her new book Sea Change. Angie and Gina talk about a lot: professional mourners, Sharktinis (2 parts gin, 1 part mountain dew, hint of jalapeño,) supernatural places, and shitty break ups. Gina's book Sea Change is available in[...]

This week Angie talks to Max Porter about his new novel 'Shy,' the story of a few strange hours in the life of a teenage boy. Max and Angela talk about being young, grief, and loss, but they also make room for lighter topics, like Max's penchant for shower gels and Japanese socks (a bit[...]

This week, we welcome New York City food critic and writer Hannah Goldfield to Lit Up! Angela and Hannah discuss what makes a restaurant experience special, how Hannah captures New York City's shifting moods through the lens of food for The New Yorker, early influences that inspired Hannah to pursue a career in food criticism,[...]

This week on Lit Up, Samantha Irby—TV writer ("And Just Like That..."), comedian, and best-selling author and essayist—graces us with her singular presence! Angie and Sam discuss what it’s like to write on a TV show that everyone actually watches (and has an opinion about), what to ask before you say ‘I do' (hint: how[...]

This week, we welcome back repeat Lit Up guest Adrienne Westenfeld, Esquire's Books and Fiction Editor! Given Adrienne's role overseeing books coverage, writing about film, TV, & culture, and curating the Esquire Book Club, it's always a treat to get a glimpse into her ever-growing stack and to find out what recent reads and series[...]

This week, Angie’s joined by pastry chef and writer Natasha Pickowicz for a conversation on why there’s so much more to cake than meets the eye. Her long-anticipated debut book of recipes, More Than Cake: 100 Recipes Built for Pleasure and Community, is out now from Artisan Publishers. They discuss Natasha’s experiences crafting glorious pastries[...]

This week, we welcome French-English culture & travel journalist, bestselling author, and host of The New Paris podcast, Lindsey Tramuta.  Lindsey talks about what she’s observed over her 16 years in Paris, the illuminating ideas behind her books The New Parisienne (Abrams, pub. 2020) and The New Paris (Abrams, pub. 2017), her ongoing work to[...]

This week, Angela welcomes back Lit Up’s first-ever (!) guest, author Catherine Lacey, and delve into the making and imagining of her brilliantly textured new book, Biography of X: a multilayered portrait of an inscrutable art and literary star as reported by her widow. Catherine shares the entry points into her chosen fictional biography form,[...]

From La Rousse to Le Coucou, Michael Cecchi-Azzolina—Maitre d’ extraordinaire—has a birds eye view on some of New York City’s most historic, glamorous restaurants. After more than 35 years in the restaurant world, he’s sharing his behind the scenes tales in his delicious new memoir YOUR TABLE IS READY (Dec. 2022, pub: St. Martin's Press). This week,[...]

This week on Lit Up, Angela chats with author Reid Mitenbuler, whose new book, Wanderlust: An Eccentric Explorer, an Epic Journey, a Lost Age (Mariner at HarperCollins) charts the true story of adventurer Peter Freuchen and his larger-than-life escapades. They talk about the origins of Freuchen’s adventurous spirit, the unexpected quirks you uncover when delving[...]

This week on the podcast, we're re-releasing one of our favorite episodes from 2022, when we talked to Elizabeth Day about her book Magpie. Next month, Elizabeth is releasing a new book called Friendaholic: Confessions of a Friendship Addict, and seeing as she and Angie talked about friendship, we couldn't think of a better time to revisit this warm[...]

This week, Angela chats with Kate Baer, the Pennsylvania-based poet and New York Times-bestselling author of the collections WHAT KIND OF WOMAN, I HOPE THIS FINDS YOU WELL, & AND YET. They talk about Kate's path to sharing poems about motherhood, in all its complexity, with strangers on the internet; pushing back against misogynistic takes[...]

This week on Lit Up, Angela speaks with Tarajia Morrell, writer, born-and-raised New Yorker, and creator of the food and travel blog, The Lovage. They discuss Tarajia’s impactful collaboration with the late boundary-breaking chef Fatima Ali on her 2022 posthumous memoir Savor: A Chef's Hunger for More (Ballantine Books), which features writing from Fatima during[...]

For Lit Up’s final episode of 2022, Angie and Ruby (a brilliant colleague who works on the Sugar23 Books imprint, and spent a past life as a bookseller at New York City’s iconic Three Lives & Company), catch up about their year in great books, titles they’ve loved, what’s topping their list for winter break[...]

This week, Angela chats with Jen Ortiz, Deputy Editor of New York Magazine’s The Cut. They talk about Jen’s trajectory through the media world, working with writers, life and abortion resources after Roe, newsletters and books she’s loving of late, and of course, this August’s Meghan Markle cover story. Jen's recs include: Alive at the[...]

This week, Angela speaks with writer and editor Nimarta Narang, who has worked as a journalist since she was 15 in Thailand and currently oversees Brown Girl Magazine’s literary vertical, commissioning and publishing original fiction from established and emerging South Asian writers.  Brown Girl Magazine, a multimedia company created by and for South Asian womxn,[...]

I’m changing things up a bit today and bringing you a preview of a new podcast I’m enjoying and think you will, too. Where There’s a Will: Finding Shakespeare searches for the surprising places Shakespeare shows up outside the theater. Host Barry Edelstein, artistic director at one of the country’s leading Shakespeare theaters, asks what[...]

This week, Angela talks to New Yorker staff writer Susan Orlean, the New York Times-bestselling author of Rin Tin Tin, Saturday Night, and The Orchid Thief (the basis for the Academy Award–winning film, Adaptation), among other books. The conversation begins with On Animals—Susan’s collection of favorites pieces exploring animal-human relationships—and her own experiences of living[...]

This week on the podcast, Angela is joined by Alyssa Shelasky, editor of NY Mag's Sex Diaries (and soon to be the star of the HBO series), writer, and author of 'This Might Be Too Personal,' a collection of essays on relationships, sex, motherhood, and finding yourself. Angie and Alyssa talk about the 'good old[...]

This week on the podcast, Angela speaks with teacher and author Laura Warrell. They discuss Laura's new novel, Soft, Sweet, Plenty Rhythm, and the 20-year journey to getting it into the world. Laura's book is about Circus Palmer, a trumpet player and the women in his orbit. They talk about Laura's work to make these[...]

This week on the podcast, Angela welcomes Cody Keenan, author of Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America. This book is a special one for Angela and Sugar23, as we are publishing this book in partnership with Mariner at HarperCollins. Cody spent years as President Obama's speechwriter, a position he held[...]

This week Angela welcomes Karah Preiss, Co-Founder of Bellatrist, to the show. They talk about how Bellatrist came to be, what she's reading right now, and the role books that have changed her life. They also talk about 'the biz,' and how to turn a book into a TV show or movie. Belletrist celebrates great[...]

This week, Angela speaks to the actor and writer Kal Penn about his memoir You Can't Be Serious, now in paperback. Angie talks to Kal about what led him to leave his role as a TV regular on House to work in the Obama administration, and a whole lot more. Kal's book, You Can't Be[...]

Hello Lit Up listeners! While you're making summery cocktails and making pasta salad this labor day week/weekend, we thought you'd like to enjoy the dulcet tones of Stanley Tucci. Today we're revisiting Angela's October 2021 conversation with the internet's favorite martini maker. We hope you enjoy, and that you have a lovely, sunny Labor Day[...]

When Angela first heard Natasha Sizlo's story in 2020, she couldn't believe what she was reading, but she knew she had to be a part of telling it. Now, Natasha joins Angela on Lit Up to talk all about what inspired her to write her new memoir, ALL SIGNS POINT TO PARIS. We'll be back[...]

This week on the pod, Angela welcomes her friend Isaac Fitzgerald to talk about his memoir Dirtbag, Massachusetts, which recently made its way onto the New York Times Bestseller list. Isaac is known for championing others on the Today Show, but Angie asks him about his life, including why he waited a decade to write[...]

On this week's episode, Angela speaks with Safia Elhillo about her new book of poetry GIRLS THAT NEVER DIE. Safia and Angie talk about poetry (of course!), Safia's amazing fashion sense, and what it means to be a poet in all aspects of her life. Safia's the author of two other books, including Home Is Not[...]

Fellow books podcast host Christopher Hermelin (So Many Damn Books) joins Angela for a special crossover episode! Angie and Christopher talk about what to do when the magic of reading has temporarily vanished (especially when your day job is in publishing), books that help us make sense of modern life and the near future, and[...]

Angela loves talking to Lisa Taddeo, who is on Lit Up for the third time this week. Lisa's writing always makes Angie nervous because it's so good at confronting the darker side of longing and attachment. Angie and Lisa talk about Lisa's new short story collection, GHOST LOVER, and why Lisa's writing gives Angie a[...]

This week on the podcast, Angela talks to Abi Morgan, BAFTA and Emmy award-winning playwright and screenwriter best known for The Iron Lady, Shame, The Invisible Woman and Suffragette. Most recently, she's also created the hit series The Split. Now, Abi has released 'This Is Not A Pity Memoir,' and it's all about what happens[...]

Today on the podcast Angela welcomes Elizabeth Day, a journalist, broadcaster, and author of five books, including her latest, the domestic thriller Magpie. Elizabeth also hosts the only podcast Angela listens to religiously, How To Fail with Elizabeth Day. Angie and Elizabeth talk about Magpie, but they also share their journeys, failures, and how they've[...]

This week, we’re sharing a special preview of a podcast we’ve been enjoying, Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso, from Pushkin Industries. Talk Easy is a weekly interview podcast, where writer Sam Fragoso invites actors, writers, activists, and musicians to come to the table and speak from the heart in ways you probably haven't heard from[...]

This week, Angela talks to documentarian, writer, and comedian Zarqa Nawaz, whose new book, Jameela Green Ruins Everything, is out now. Angie and Zarqa talk about Zarqa's career, including her documentary Me and The Mosque, her TV show Little Mosque on the Prarie, and how years writing pilots in Hollywood lead her to write a[...]

On this week's episode, Angela speaks with musician, author, and broadcaster Clemency Burton-HIll. Clemency wants to make classical music more accessible, and has brought this mission to her work at New York Public Radio, WNYC, and the BBC. Angie and Clemency talk about her books Year of Wonder and the follow-up Another Year of Wonder,[...]

This week we're revisiting Angela's conversation with Max Porter about his book Grief Is The Thing With Feathers. It's all about messy families, relationships, and we hope it'll encourage you to hug your families tight this Easter weekend. Follow these links to get Max's newer books, Lanny, and The Death of Francis Bacon. We'll be[...]

This week on Lit Up, Angela speaks with Pamela Paul, formerly the editor of The New York Times Book Review and now a Times Opinion Columnist. She's also the author of 8 books, including her latest, 100 Things We've Lost to The Internet. Angie and Pamela talk about the importance of boredom, what the pandemic taught[...]

This week on the show, Angela talks to Stephan Lee, author of K-Pop Confidential and the upcoming K-Pop Revolution. They talk about K-Pop, his recent move from New York to LA, and his experience of feeling like an outsider in both America and Korea. You can purchase K-Pop Confidential and pre-order K-Pop Revolution via the link[...]

This week on the podcast Angela talks to Jason Diamond, contributor to GQ and author of The Sprawl and Searching For John Hughes. Angie and Jason have a wide-ranging chat about growing up in the suburbs, house cardigans, and his Martini drinking club called The Beardo Crew. Jason also talks about his Polish and Russian[...]

This week on the podcast, Angela is joined once again by Sheila Heti, whose book, Pure Color, is available now. Sheila is also the author of many other books, including How Should a Person Be? and Motherhood. This episode is about beards, birds, fish, and which one you are. Sheila and Angie also talk about[...]

Valentine's Day has got Angela thinking about an old conversation with philosopher Alain De Botton: If you've ever been in love, had your heart broken, been in a relationship, or yearned for one, this week's episode is for you -- in other words, if you're a human, you'll benefit from listening to the wise words[...]

This week on Lit Up, Angela speaks with comedian, podcaster, actor, and her friend Maeve Higgins. Angie and Maeve talk about her big family, how going back to school to study migration has influenced her comedy, and about the time she accidentally ingested THC. She also unmasks Angie as a loving friend who nevertheless finds[...]

This week on the pod, Angela speaks with Wajahat Ali, author of the new book Go Back To Where You Came From and Other Helpful Recommendations On How To Become American. Angie and Wajahat talk about how it took 3 months (but really forty years) to write the first draft of his book, how his[...]

It's a new year, and we're so excited to be joined by HIllary Kelly, a book and TV critic at Vulture, The New Yorker, and LA Times. Angela and Hillary talk about the books they missed in 2021, and what to look forward to in 2022. They also talk about the hype machine, talking about[...]

Angela and Liam, our producer, finally met in person this week after over a year of working on the pod together! Angie and Liam jumped on the mics to talk about some of their great memories from a year of podcasting. Then they give you a Christmas present (scroll down in the feed to see[...]

This week on the podcast Angela chats with Uli Beutter Cohen, who spent the last 7 years riding the subway and asking people what they were reading. This led to her acclaimed Instagram account Subway Book Review, and her new book Between The Lines: Stories From The Underground. Angie and Uli discuss their favorite subway[...]

This week Angela talks to Ann Patchett about her book These Precious Days. Angie and Ann discuss her remarkable friendship with Sooki Raphael, whose work graces the cover of Ann's book. They also talk about why writing about happy people seems like a radical thing to do lately. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week Angela talks to model, entrepreneur and writer Emily Ratajkowski. She's written a new book called 'My Body,' that delves into the way Emily's image has been bought and sold, and the way this has impacted her. Angie and Emily talked about what feminism is, the role of mothers in how we see ourselves,[...]

It's a big week here at Lit Up. Angie sits down with Brendan Borrell, author of The First Shots, The Epic Rivalries and Heroic Science Behind the Race to the Coronavirus Vaccine, a book she is publishing through her job as Editorial Director at Sugar23 books.  The First Shots bring us inside the world of[...]

This week on Lit Up, Angela brings on Esquire editor Adrienne Westenfeld to talk about the books you should read this Fall. Adrienne and Angie also talk about TV, Hobbits, the changing ways men are writing about masculinity, and a lot more. You can read Adrienne's writing in Esquire and on esquire.com Next week: Brendan[...]

This week Angela welcomes Christine Pride and Jo Piazza on Lit Up to talk about their new book, We Are Not Like Them. They talk about their own interracial friendship, how it informed their book, and what it's like to write with another person. We Are Not Like Them is available now, and you can[...]

This week, Angela welcomes actor, director, writer, TV show host, and Instagram’s favorite bartender Stanley Tucci to Lit Up. Angie and Stanley talk about food (of course), living in Italy, and how you should always talk to whoever’s next to you. Stanley’s book, Taste, is available now, and you can purchase it via the link[...]

This week, Angela welcomes her old friend and colleague Annie Daly on the podcast to chat about her new book Destination Wellness. They talk about the commercialization of wellness, the origin of the term self-care, and that time they crashed a wedding. They also talk about how to be a better traveler. Annie’s book is[...]

For the past 5 years, a mysterious figure has been tricking agents, famous authors, book scouts, and other unwitting participants into sending them their precious manuscripts. New York Magazine writer Reeves Wiedeman began an obsessive, exhaustive to figure out who this person is. Angie and Reeves talk about the exhaustive work (and danger) that went[...]

With fall here in the US, and much of the world going in and out of lockdown, Angela is feeling like it’s a moment of transition, so she decided to talk to a friend and colleague for guidance. Liz Plosser is the Editor in Chief of Women’s Health, and she’s written a new book called[...]

Angie misses New York. Yes, she still lives there, but she's missing the beautiful chaos of life before the pandemic in New York. Maybe that's why she decided to share one of her favorite episodes with the quintessential New Yorker Parker Posey. If you're a lucky New Yorker, you saw her walking in the East[...]

For the next couple weeks, we’re going into the archives to give you some of our most requested episodes. This week, Angie talks with National Book Award Finalist Min Jin Lee about her smash novel Pachinko. It’s a timely conversation about complicated history and the experience of people who are persecuted where they live and[...]

This week on the podcast, Angela speaks with Katie Kitamura, author of the new novel Intimacies. Katie and Angie talk about how novels become different things once they are written, what it’s like being married to a writer, and catching your students on YouTube. Katie's new novel, Intimacies, is available now and you can purchase[...]

This week on the podcast, Angela speaks with Meredith Westgate, author of the new novel The Shimmering State. Meredith and Angie talk about the pitfalls of sharing too much with your partner, the power dynamics in Hollywood for young women, and the power of dance. You can purchase Meredith's debut novel, The Shimmering State, via[...]

This week on the podcast, Angela speaks with Azareen Van Der Vliet Oloomi, author of Call me Zebra and her new novel Savage Tongues. Azareen tells Angie about traveling with healing in mind, how mothers and daughters speak to one another, and the way riding a horse makes her feel. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out:[...]

This week on the podcast, Angela speaks with Stephanie Danler, author of the best seller Sweetbitter and her new memoir Stray. Stephanie tells Angela about confronting her past, the dangers of magical thinking, and the value of gentleness. Stray is available now and you can purchase it via the link on our website, LitUpPodcast.com. Lit[...]

This week on the podcast, Angela speaks with Raven Leilani author of the award-winning book Luster. Raven tells Angie about her obsession with painting, writing as the act of speaking to your past self and failure being integral to making art. They also talk about Six Flags as a romantic destination. Luster is available now[...]

This week on the podcast, Angela speaks with Lisa Taddeo, author of the best-selling book Three Women and the new novel Animal. Angie and Lisa chat about being obsessed with their moms, jealousy between women, and the wisdom of French actresses.  Lisa's book, Animal, is available now, and there's a link to purchase via our[...]

This week on the podcast, Angela speaks with her friend Laura Dave, author of the best-selling book The Last Thing He Told Me. Angie and Laura talk about being the hero of your own story, writing to Bruce Springsteen songs, and how every book is a love letter. We're off next week, but we'll be[...]

This week on the podcast, Angela speaks with writer, poet, and immigrant justice organizer Gabriela Garcia, author of Of Women and Salt. Angie and Gabriela talk about the best intentions of mothers, machismo, and the importance of The Babysitter’s Club in Gabriela’s life. You can purchase Gabriela's book, Of Woman and Salt, via the link[...]

This week on the podcast, Angela meets up IN PERSON with her friend Trent Preszler. He’s a winemaker, wooden boat builder, and author of the memoir Little and Often. Angie and Trent discuss what Trent learned about himself in the wake of his father’s passing, and how a beat up wooden toolbox changed his life.[...]

This week on Lit Up, Angela welcomes poet, clinical psychologist and author Hala Alyan. Her new novel, The Arsonist’s City, is about a family spread between Lebanon and the US who come together after the death of their family’s patriarch. Angie and Hala talk about messy family dramas, the charged history of the Middle East,[...]

This week on the podcast, Angela welcomes Clint Smith, author of How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America. Clint shares stories about the places he visited and people he met on his mission to understand the legacy of slavery in the US. Angie and Clint also talk about[...]

This week, Angela welcomes Lauren Oyler to the podcast. They talk about dumb ex-boyfriends, apocalyptic mindsets, and why depressing books make them feel in step with the world. They also talk about Lauren’s new book, Fake Accounts. Fake Accounts is available now, and you can purchase it via the link on our website, LitUpPodcast.com. You[...]

On this week’s episode, Angie speaks with author and journalist Te-Ping Chen, whose collection of short stories about China, Land of Big Numbers, is available now. They talk about robots cutting your noodles, funeral strippers, and hotline girls. Te-Ping’s book The Land of Big Numbers is available now, and you can purchase it via the[...]

On this week’s episode, Angie speaks with Nadia Owusu, the author of one of 2021’s most anticipated books, Aftershocks. Angie and Nadia talk about growing up all over the world, loving jazz, and the healing power of a rocking chair. Nadia's memoir, Aftershocks, is available now, and there's a link to purchase it on our[...]

Angie has been dancing in her apartment during covid. And her dancing reminded her of this convo from early 2020, before we were all stuck dancing in our apartments. On this episode, Angie speaks with Elizabeth Gilbert about dancing, becoming interesting, and why being honest is better than being good. Elizabeth's book, City of Girls,[...]

On this episode, Angie speaks with award-winning author Jess Walter about his novel, The Cold Millions, inspired by his grandfather’s years crisscrossing the west by train, searching for work. Angie and Jess talk about how to make the best Manhattan, wealth inequality in the Gilded Age, and why the history of organizing in Spokane, Washington[...]

On this episode, Angie speaks with Jen Silverman about her new novel, We Play Ourselves, inspired in-part by her own life as an award-winning playwright—minus the scandals! Angie and Jen talk about the blurred boundaries of a creative life, anger, why Jen draws sad pandas, and what lights her up. Jen's book, We Play Ourselves,[...]

On this episode, Angie speaks with Kaitlyn Greenidge about her new novel, Libertie, inspired by the life of one of the first black female doctors in the United States. Angie and Kaitlyn talk about the complexity of mother daughter relationships, what the reconstruction era can teach us about 2021, and what lights Kaitlyn up. Kaitlyn's[...]

Join host Angela Ledgerwood as she chats to the authors she loves most about books, life, and what lights them up. Episodes every Tuesday! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The city of Venice is the key character in Christopher Bollen’s latest novel A Beautiful Crime. Christopher joins host Angela Ledgerwood to discuss the summer internship that brought him to Venice for the first time, exploring power dynamics in romantic & platonic relationships and how he writes likeable characters who do bad things. Advertising Inquiries:[...]

If you've ever been in love, had your heart broken, been in a relationship, or yearned for one, this week's episode is for you -- in other words, if you're a human, you'll benefit from listening to the wise words of world-renowned philosopher and writer Alain de Botton. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Exhausted by writing, Mira Jacob used illustration to explore themes of family, love and race in her graphic memoir Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations. She joins host Angela Ledgerwood to discuss her parents’ love story, teaching herself to draw and the idea that love is the opposite of racism. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out:[...]

Veronica Roth’s latest dystopian novel, Chosen Ones, explores the negative side of fame. Veronica joins host Angela Ledgerwood to discuss building dystopian worlds in her novels, being critiqued in the media and how the unexpected success of her first novel, Divergent, lead her to undergo therapy in her early 20’s. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out:[...]

It took 18 years for Kate Elizabeth Russell to write her debut novel, My Dark Vanessa, about a student who falls in love with her teacher. She joins host Angela Ledgerwood to discuss power dynamics within relationships, consent and how the Me-Too Movement influenced her writing.   Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

An 18-month break from dating forced UK journalist Dolly Alderton to learn to become comfortable being alone. Dolly discusses her debut book, Everything I Know About Love, with host Angela Ledgerwood, the intensity of female friendships and why her Australian therapist compared her to Donald Trump. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Losing her job at Vogue forced Lauren Mechling to create a new identity for herself outside of work. Lauren joins host Angela Ledgerwood to discuss her latest novel ‘How Could She’, the impact working in magazines had on her writing and why she has an Instagram dedicated to clogs. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A lonely whale named 52 Blue is a key character in Leslie Jamison’s new essay collection Make It Scream, Make It Burn. Leslie speaks with host Angela Ledgerwood about the different things the whale represented to her readers, the three themes she structured her essay collection around and where she gets her inspiration from. Advertising[...]

Moving to New Orleans gave Jami Attenberg a new perspective on her characters. Her latest novel, All This Could Be Yours, follows one dysfunctional family in New Orleans who are coming to terms with their secrets. Jami joins host Angela Ledgerwood to discuss finding ideas in unexpected places, calling out the male gaze and how[...]

All families are nuts, according Vicki Laveau-Harvie and there was no better place to explore her family's eccentricities than her Stella Award winning debut memoir The Erratics. Vicki talks with host Angela Ledgerwood about her experience growing up with, and escaping, a narcissistic mother and creating a new life for herself in France & Australia[...]

The perfect life is different for everyone and what we all dream of but sometimes it isn’t everything we think it is. Elaine Welteroth lifts the veil on the perfect social media life in her new book More Than Enough: Claiming Space For Who You Are and talks about finding those little clues in your[...]

Addiction to technology is hard to get away from, but author Courtney Maum is taking a break from the internet and returns to talk about the preservation of art in her new book Costalegre with Host Angela Ledgerwood. Courtney talks about deep diving into an idea rather moving quickly from one to the next. Advertising[...]

Self reflection is one of the hardest things we can do to ourselves and Jia Tolentino covers this in her new book of essays Trick Mirror: Reflections of self delusion. Host Angela Ledgerwood talks with Jia on what inspires her essays and how we can learn to sit within the knowledge of things we've done[...]

There were a lot of events that shaped America in the 1960’s – the Vietnam war, the first moon landing. Host Angela Ledgerwood talks with Kathleen on how she researched these events and the consequences of our actions for her new multi-generational novel – America was hard to find. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Our past is made up of relationships, both good and bad, and these relationships shape who we are. Lisa Taddeo reveals to host Angela Ledgerwood the real-life experiences that inspired the three main characters of her new book, Three Women, and what she has learned about desire. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ocean Vuong explores race, class and masculinity within his storytelling. Better known for his honest and beautiful poetry, Ocean speaks to host Angela Ledgerwood about his debut novel: On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, and the power of breaking the silence for those less fortunate. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Eat. Pray. Love’s portrayal of the inner-struggles we deal with and the raw emotions that come with these struggles is part of what made her book hugely successful. Elizabeth shares with host Angela Ledgerwood how taking a deep dive into your own emotions and your own character and its’ flaws can help you form these[...]

Getting a publisher to agree to print a book about the world of acapella singing groups was not an easy task for Author Mickey Rapkin, but he stuck with it and this risk let to the hugely successful trilogy of Pitch Perfect films. Host Angela Ledgerwood speaks to Mickey about where he got the idea[...]

What does the relationships look like between an artist and their patron and what is expected of one from the other? Ceridwen Dovey speaks to host Angela Ledgerwood about the power, privilege and vulnerability of being a young, talented woman, how she found her voice as a writer and why she is exploring new voices.[...]

How does a country's history weigh on its' people? Journalist Stan Grant exiled himself from Australia in order to seek to understand Australia, what it means to be Australian and his own struggle for belonging and identity as an indigenous Australian man. Stan speaks to host Angela Ledgerwood about his book 'Australia Day,' the moment[...]

A 30,000km trip around Australia was the journey Monica Tan took to discover who she was in relation to the country she lived in, Australia. From the role Chinese Australians played in colonisation to segregation in Australia in the 70s and how Australia history is taught now, Monica's novel Strange Country explores all facets of[...]

Presenting an avatar of virtuousness online instead of presenting your real self is a danger to exploring the nuances of life and how people think, and that's what Bret Easton Ellis calls out in his first non-fiction book White. Bret explores the fame that he gained from American Psycho with host Angela Ledgerwood and how[...]

In the novel Daisy Jones & The Six, Taylor Jenkins Reid wanted to build a female character who was not conditioned to be pleasing and likeable and would react and say things that Taylor could never say herself. Taylor chats to host Angela Ledgerwood about how important female friendships build the frameworks for relationships and[...]

In a world of click bait and jarring headlines journalist Hermione Hoby believes that the key to empathy and connection is in reading novels and getting the entire character of a person in order to understand their actions. Hermione speaks to host Angela Ledgerwood about her debut novel Neon in Daylight, the boundaries to searching[...]

Finding meaning in sadness, defining the different types of love and looking at the complexities of masculinity, are the overarching themes in Trent Dalton's novel, Boy Swallows Universe. Trent shares with host Angela Ledgerwood how he used this book to put a positive spin on some of the sadness of his past and how he[...]

Through her book 'Welcome to the Slipstream' Natalka explores how sickness can complicate family dynamics. She discusses with host Angela Ledgerwood the freedom she found in placing her characters in the Nevada dessert, why she co-founded her feminist fundraising reading series The Freya Project and how the advice of her grandmother set her up for[...]

Is it desire, duty or expectation that leads someone to become a mother? This is the question Sheila Heti explores in her book Motherhood. Sheila discusses the ties between the female identity and motherhood with host Angela Ledgerwood, as well as her theory as to why female artists seem to get a pass for being[...]

Art historian Mary Gabriel has re-written history to include the incredible women who changed modern art in her book ‘9th street women.’ Mary tells host Angela Ledgerwood how the idea for the book arose out of a conversation she had with painter Grace Hartigan 30 years ago. Mary dispels a lot of the misconceptions around[...]

Rachel Kushner's existing relationships with people in the American penal system led to an understanding of, and sympathy for, the people involved in prison life, from workers to inmates. Rachel chats to Angela Ledgerwood about how she came to understand people's 'logic' surrounding murders they'd committed and how stalkers perceive their stalking actions and how[...]

Six-time Walkley Award winner Kerry O'Brien has worked in newspapers, television and the wire service as a journalist. Having been at the helm of Australian news programs This Day Tonight, Four Corners, Lateline and the 7.30 Report for 15 years, Kerry shares with host Angela Ledgerwood who his favourite interviewees were and how to spot[...]

What does touching look like in the future or do people even touch? In her book 'Touch', Courtney Maum looks to a world where romantic touching and spontaneous touch don't happen anymore and discusses, with host Angela Ledgerwood, the issues that touch deprivation can cause amongst people and how our body language skills are getting[...]

Are 'Big Tech' companies taking over governmental roles? The birth of technology as a consumer project and the value of the data we freely give away is at the heart of what Lucie Greene's ‘Silicone States’ is about. Lucie speaks to host Angela Ledgerwood about the conscious expectations we have of tech companies and how[...]

Research is key for author, performer and screenwriter Georgia Clark when writing characters that represent an experience that she has not had herself. Georgia speaks to host Angela Ledgerwood about her book 'The Bucket List' and the importance of respecting your friends and of having a strong support system around you. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy &[...]

Olivia Laing's agitation about the political events of 2017 led her to keep a diary that became the basis for her novel Crudo. In it she becomes a hybrid of h2erself and late author Kathy Acker as topics that were relevant in the 80s crop up again in the modern day like Nazism, body-autonomy and[...]

Getting rid of distractions and daily choices like what to eat and what to wear helped R.O. Kwon focus on her debut novel, The Incendiaries. This novel took her 10 years to write and she shares with Angela Ledgerwood how changes in her personal life, her stance on religion and her obsession with cults all[...]

Journalist Rebecca Traister writes about women in politics, media, and entertainment from a feminist perspective. Rebecca catches up with host Angela Ledgerwood to speak about her book 'Good and Mad' and how women's rage is portrayed negatively even though it is often the catalyst for big social change and movements. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out:[...]

When did you first see yourself in the character of a book? Glory Edim speaks to host Angela Ledgerwood about her book Well-Read Black Girl and the importance of being represented in literature. Glory started her Instagram and Brooklyn-based book club, Well-Read Black Girl, to celebrate the uniqueness of Black literature and sisterhood. Now, having[...]

*Explicit language warning* Controversial American author James Frey doesn't care if he enrages you or breaks your heart, as long as his writing makes you feel something. James speaks to host Angela Ledgerwood about using his book, Katerina, to examine his past and what could have been. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Design affects our health and happiness whether it be in our home, work or our natural surroundings. Designer an author of Joyful - The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness, Ingrid Fetell Lee, speaks to host Angela Ledgerwood about how to inject joy into your everyday surroundings. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out:[...]

The solitary life of a writer. Actor Parker Posey chats to host Angela Ledgerwood about how her dog, Gracie, got her through the tough times when she was writing her memoir, ‘You’re on an Airplane,’ and the similarities between researching an acting role and writing. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The loneliness of motherhood is the theme explored by Aussie author and journalist Meg Mason in her novel You Be Mother. Meg chats to friend and Lit Up host Angela Ledgerwood about how she uses the characters in her books to examine complicated family dynamics and the struggles she experienced when becoming a mother in[...]

Comic books, graphic novels, films and audio theatre...English author Neil Gaiman has done it all! Gaiman discusses his novel, American Gods, with Lit Up host Angela Ledgerwood. As well as, what Norse Gods taught him about modern humanity and some handy tips for designing your own religion. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

British journalist and author Caitlin Moran chats to host Angela Ledgerwood about her book 'How to be Famous.' Caitlin calls on men to break down gender boundaries and to start their own equivalent of feminism and suggests how women can take back the power when it comes to sexual shame. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out:[...]

Ann Patchett joins Angie from Nashville to discuss her not-to-be-missed novel, Commonwealth. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Max Porter joins Angie to discuss his first novel, Grief Is the Thing with Feathers. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Angie talks to Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jennifer Egan about her latest novel "Manhattan Beach," which was 15 years in the making. They also talk about Jennifer's first solo European trip that helped forged her writing life, her intensive research for the book, and much more. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Karl Ove Knausgaard, best known for his six-volume sensation My Struggle, talks to Angie about his new book, Autumn, addressed to his unborn daughter and the first in a quartet based on the four seasons. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, Angela sits down with author of Free Food for Millionaires, Min Jin Lee, to discuss her newest novel, Pachinko. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Angela and best-selling author, Maria Semple, sit down and discuss her new book, Today Will Be Different. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Trevor Noah, host of the Daily Show, joins Angie to discuss his newly released memoir, Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood. It was a packed room at NeueHouse and an incredibly timely conversation in this era of post-election confusion. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In a particularly emotional episode, Lidia Yuknavitch joins Angela to discuss all of her work, which blurs the lines between fiction and non-fiction. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Last year's Pulitzer Prize winner Viet Thanh Nguyen, joined us to talk about the renowned collection of stories that took him nearly two decades to perfect: The Refugees. Throughout the stories, Viet gives voice to the Vietnamese communities in Southern California (where he grew up) and to those living in the country he fled. In[...]

Claire Messud and Angie talk about her new novel "The Burning Girl," as well as Claire's childhood years in Australia, and how childhood friendships can haunt and define us. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sometimes, rarely, you meet someone whose energy radiates and fills the whole room. Mary Louise Parker is that person. She joins Angie to discuss her gorgeous first book, Dear Mr. You. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Angie sits down with Salman Rushdie at Random House’s “Off the Page” event to talk about his new novel “The Golden House,” the chaos of Trump’s America, and how he scored a role on “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Maggie Nelson joins Angie to discuss her work, including The Argonauts and The Red Parts. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Stephanie Dandler and Angie sit down to discuss her novel Sweetbitter Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Tom Perrotta, the author of Election, Little Children and The Leftovers talks to Angie about his latest novel Mrs. Fletcher, which explores sexuality in America, empty nest syndrome and the universal longing for human connection. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Irby's raw and relatable book of essays "We Are Never Meeting in Real Life" will make you LOL for real. Irby shares her hilarious application to be a contestant on The Bachelorette, the life lessons she learned from her 14 years at the animal hospital, and what she's willing to do for love. Advertising Inquiries:[...]

Psychotherapist Esther Perel joins Angie to talk about her latest book "The State of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity," the provocative follow up to her New York Timesbest-seller "Mating in Captivity." This conversation, like Esther's book, will no doubt push some buttons and leave you questioning--and perhaps rethinking--the boundaries of your romantic relationships! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy &[...]

Angela sits down with Jami Attenberg to chat about her newest novel, "All Grown Up". Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Angela sits down with Mohsin Hamid to discuss his newest novel, "Exit West." Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Prolific writer Roxane Gay joins Angie to discuss her collection of short stories, Difficult Women; Madonna; and her forthcoming book, Hunger. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy