This Is The Author

In this episode, meet journalist Joe Nocera, poet and educator Tracy K. Smith, and Assistant Professor of Design Studies Lesley-Ann Noel. Tune in to hear about each of these authors’ experiences in the recording booth, and what they hope listeners will learn from their audiobooks. The Big Fail by Joe Nocera and Bethany McLean: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/670529/the-big-fail-by-joe-nocera-and-bethany-mclean/audio To Free the Captives by Tracy K. Smith: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/706866/to-free-the-captives-by-tracy-k-smith/audio Design Social Change by Lesley-Ann Noel and Stanford d.school: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/623527/design-social-change-by-lesley-ann-noel-and-stanford-dschool/audio

In this episode, meet the current mayor of Montgomery, Alabama, Steven L. Reed and Sonic Youth founder Thurston Moore. Tune in to hear their stories of resilience, hardship, and triumph, and how it inspired their books. First, Best by Steven L. Reed https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/696851/first-best-by-steven-l-reed-with-fagan-harris/9780593674918 Sonic Life by Thurston Moore https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/706260/sonic-life-by-thurston-moore/9780593748947

In this episode, meet Pastor Amy Butler, founder of With Understanding Comes Calm Julie F. Skolnick, and Honor Summit CEO and founder Faith Eury Cho. Listen in to hear what inspired these authors to write their books, and what it was like recording their audiobooks in the studio. Beautiful and Terrible Things by Amy Butler: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/546293/beautiful-and-terrible-things-by-amy-butler/audio/ Gifted and Distractible by Julie F. Skolnick: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/727187/gifted-and-distractible-by-julie-f-skolnick-ma-jd/audio Experiencing Friendship with God by Faith Eury Cho: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/726243/experiencing-friendship-with-god-by-faith-eury-cho/audio

In this episode, meet researcher Cat Bohannon, children’s writer Jacqueline Woodson, and puberty expert and writer Vanessa Kroll Bennett. Press play to hear how these authors radically celebrate the human experience, from the processes of the human body to the relationships we share with each other. Eve by Cat Bohannon https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/227568/eve-by-cat-bohannon/ Remember Us by Jacqueline Woodson https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/535797/remember-us-by-jacqueline-woodson/ This is So Awkward by Cara Natterson, MD and Vanessa Kroll Bennett https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723035/this-is-so-awkward-by-cara-natterson-md-and-vanessa-kroll-bennett/

In this episode, meet New York Times tech reporter Kashmir Hill, podcast hosts jarrett hill and Tre’vell Anderson, and film professor Foster Hirsch. Tune in to hear how these authors weave together history and popular culture, from AI facial recognition to the history of Black vernacular to the most iconic movies from the nineteen-fifties. Your Face Belongs to Us by Kashmir Hill: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/691288/your-face-belongs-to-us-by-kashmir-hill/ Historically Black Phrases by jarrett hill and Tre’vell Anderson: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/711955/historically-black-phrases-by-jarrett-hill-and-trevell-anderson/ Hollywood and the Movies of the Fifties by Foster Hirsch: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/217245/hollywood-and-the-movies-of-the-fifties-by-foster-hirsch/

In this episode, meet speaker Devorah Heitner, comedian Aparna Nancherla, and former politician Rory Stewart. Hear Devorah Heitner’s insights on teens' visibility in a digital world, Aparna Nancherla on impostor syndrome, and Rory Stewart’s remarkable journey through British politics. Plus, learn what it was like for these authors to revisit their work in the recording studio.

In this episode, meet journalist Alyssa Ages, Your Parenting Mojo podcast host Jen Lumanlan, and video creator Daniel M. Jones. Tune in to hear each of these authors discuss what inspired them to write their audiobooks, and what they learned in the process of writing and recording. Secrets of Giants by Alyssa Ages: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/707130/secrets-of-giants/ Parenting Beyond Power by Jen Lumanlan, MS, MEd: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/729724/parenting-beyond-power/ Autism for Adults by Daniel M. Jones: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/746559/autism-for-adults/

In this episode, meet beloved Peloton instructor Cody Rigsby, existential psychotherapist Sara Kuburic, and speaker Madison Prewett Troutt. Press play to hear about how these authors dug deep to write their books, and how it feels to share their audiobooks with the world. XOXO, Cody by Cody Rigsby https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/726560/xoxo-cody/ It's On Me by Sara Kuburic https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/700579/its-on-me/ The Love Everybody Wants by Madison Prewett Troutt https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/721047/the-love-everybody-wants/

In this special edition of our podcast This Is the Author, we’re celebrating Library Card Sign-up Month by asking authors to share their favorite thing about their local library. Listen to Ruta Sepetys, Aurora James, Russell Moore, Hakeen Oluseyi, Esmerelda Santiago, Najwa Zebian, Warren Zanes, Susan Casey, Timothy Egan, Christian Cooper, and Torrey Maldonado share why libraries are so special to them. Ruta Sepetys: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/702455/you-the-story/ Aurora James: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/672115/wildflower/ Russell Moore: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/709965/losing-our-religion/ Hakeem Oluseyi: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/690545/a-quantum-life-adapted-for-young-adults/ Esmerelda Santiago: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/222921/las-madres/ Najwa Zebian: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/721788/the-only-constant/ Warren Zanes: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/647205/deliver-me-from

In this episode, meet poet Gabriel Dozal, author of The Border Simulator, professor and theologian Esau McCaulley, author of How Far to the Promised Land, and writer J. Michael Martinez, author of Tarta Americana. Listen in to hear how they each channeled their struggles and difficulties into works of full-pictured honesty and hope. The Border Simulator by Gabriel Dozal: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/711710/the-border-simulator/ How Far to the Promised Land by Esau McCaulley: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/703275/how-far-to-the-promised-land/ Tarta Americana by J. Michael Martinez: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/695913/tarta-americana/

In this special In Conversation episode of This Is the Author, Joe Posnanski, author of Why We Love Baseball, chats with his co-narrator (and friend) Ellen Adair. Listen in as they talk about how baseball brought the two of them together, their experiences recording Joe’s book, and the communal aspect of America’s favorite pastime. WHY WE LOVE BASEBALL by Joe Posnanski https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/715577/why-we-love-baseball/

In this episode meet journalist, producer, and researcher Nick McDonell, social worker and founder of Minaa B. Consulting, Minaa B., and Deeper Than Money CEO Chloe Elise. Learn how the tense summer of 2020 inspired Nick McDonell and Minaa B. to write their books and how Chloe Elise prepared to record her audiobook by attending the Eras Tour. QUIET STREET by Nick McDonell https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/704830/quiet-street/ OWNING OUR STRUGGLES by Minaa B. https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/707127/owning-our-struggles/ DEEPER THAN MONEY by Chloe Elise https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/708811/deeper-than-money/

In this episode, meet speaker and teacher Sarah L. Sanderson and editor-in-chief of Christianity Today, Russell Moore. Press play to hear Sarah Sanderson compare recording to being in a confessional booth, and discover why Russell Moore purposely did not prepare to record his audiobook. The Place We Make by Sarah L. Sanderson: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/709751/the-place-we-make/ Losing Our Religion by Russell Moore: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/709965/losing-our-religion/

In this episode meet award-winning writer Esmeralda Santiago Professor of Shakespeare Studies at King’s College London Farah Karim-Cooper, and the first woman to win the Thurber Prize, Julie Schumacher. Tune in to hear how Farah Karim-Cooper became empowered through recording her audiobook, how Julie Schumacher intentionally included the point of views of undergraduates in her novel, and how the fear of losing history inspired Esmeralda Santiago. Las Madres by Esmeralda Santiago https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/222921/las-madres/ The Great White Bard by Farah Karim-Cooper https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/691287/the-great-white-bard/ The English Experience by Julie Schumacher https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/730658/the-english-experience/

In this episode, meet NASA astrophysicist Hakeem Oluseyi, journalist Susan Casey, and speaker and educator Michelle Icard. Discover why Susan Casey considers her library her personal nirvana, which events Michelle Icard loves most at her local library, and how Hakeem Oluseyi wrote his book to be a guide for others going through hard times. A Quantum Life (Adapted for Young Adults) by Hakeem Oluseyi: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/690545/a-quantum-life-adapted-for-young-adults/ The Underworld by Susan Casey: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/612438/the-underworld/ Eight Setbacks That Can Make a Child a Success by Michelle Icard: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/710070/eight-setbacks-that-can-make-a-child-a-success/

In this episode, meet meditation teacher, Reiki Master, and Reset founder Liz Tran; writer, editor, podcast host Andrew Leland; and founder and CEO of the be.come project, Bethany C. Meyers. Hear Liz Tran on the intersection of business and spirituality; Andrew Leland on researching what blindness—and sightedness—means to people around the world; and Bethany Meyers on how helping people was the driving force behind their book. Plus, hear each author’s reflections on unexpected and “exhilarating” moments in the audiobook studio. THE KARMA OF SUCCESS by Liz Tran https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/713615/the-karma-of-success/ THE COUNTRY OF THE BLIND by Andrew Leland https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/635964/the-country-of-the-blind/ I AM MORE THAN MY BODY by Bethany C. Meyers https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/722218/i-am-more-than-my-body/

In this episode, meet bestselling author and host of the Visionary Souls podcast Sydney Campos, astronomer and astrobiologist Aomawa Shields, PhD, and physician Anupam B. Jena, MD. Tune in to hear about the power of writing for your younger self, the magic of vocal cord lubricating tea, and what it feels like to become deeply immersed in the audiobook recording process. I'm Ascending, Now What? by Sydney Campos: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/734052/im-ascending-now-what/ Life on Other Planets by Aomawa Shields, PhD: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/673665/life-on-other-planets/ Random Acts of Medicine by Anupam B. Jena & Christopher Worsham: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/708150/random-acts-of-medicine/

In this episode, meet science writer and editor Christian Cooper, hospice registered nurse Hadley Vlahos, and psychologist and Therapy for Black Girls founder Dr. Joy Harden Bradford. Hear Christian Cooper talk about “nerdiness to go with birdiness,” Hadley Vlahos on revisiting emotional scenes from her book in the studio, and Dr. Joy Harden Bradford on “holding space” for listeners while recording. Better Living Through Birding by Christian Cooper https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/671722/better-living-through-birding/ The In-Between by Hadley Vlahos, R.N. https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/709707/the-in-between/ Sisterhood Heals by Joy Harden Bradford, PhD https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/702822/sisterhood-heals/

In this episode, meet podcaster, family therapist, and parenting expert Amber Trueblood, bestselling author Helen Ellis, and Emmy-winning writer and television host Teresa Strasser. Press play to hear how these authors prepared to read their audiobooks, and what (or who) they’d love to have with them in the recording booth. The Unflustered Mom by Amber Trueblood https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/735356/the-unflustered-mom/ Kiss Me in the Coral Lounge by Helen Ellis https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/695824/kiss-me-in-the-coral-lounge/ Making It Home by Teresa Strasser https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/707100/making-it-home/

In this episode, meet reporter and editor Stephanie McNeal, Slow AF Run Club founder Martinus Evans, and science writer Jennifer Ackerman. Dive into influencer culture, hear about the joy of recording “cautionary tales,” and learn what it’s like to perform owl hoots in the studio. These authors certainly weren’t shy about what it was like to record their audiobooks! Swipe Up for More! by Stephanie McNeal https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/675748/swipe-up-for-more/ Slow AF Run Club by Martinus Evans https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/696850/slow-af-run-club/ What an Owl Knows by Jennifer Ackerman https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/673192/what-an-owl-knows/