Selected Shorts

By Symphony Space

Society & Culture Arts

What's Selected Shorts about?

Our greatest actors transport us through the magic of fiction, one short story at a time. Sometimes funny. Always moving. Selected Shorts connects you to the world with a rich diversity of voices from literature, film, theater, and comedy. New episodes every Thursday, from Symphony Space.

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A Simple Solution

11.23.2023

Host Meg Wolitzer presents three stories about finding solutions to complex problems, and to simple ones. T. C. Boyle tackles evolution and government intervention in “Top of the Food Chain,” read by Zach Grenier. In Matthew Ryan Frankel’s “Carapace,” a ...

Selected Shorts episodes:

11.23.2023 A Simple Solution Host Meg Wolitzer presents three stories about finding solutions to complex problems, and to simple ones. T. C. Boyle tackles evolution and government intervention in “Top of the Food Chain,” read by Zach Grenier. In Matthew Ryan Frankel’s “Carapace,” a ...
11.16.2023 Ferocious Figureheads Host Meg Wolitzer presents two stories about indomitable women. A mother grieves a loss fiercely in Carribean Fragoza’s “Lumberjack Mom,” performed by Roberta Colindrez. And Richard Yates’ classic “Fun with a Stranger” offers a portrait of an unforgettable teacher. It’s ...
11.09.2023 Dangerous Women Host Meg Wolitzer presents three works about women who defy the status quo and might therefore be perceived as “dangerous” in this encore presentation. In Margaret Atwood’s “Unpopular Gals,” fairy-tale archetypes reclaim their power. The reader is Ann Harada. A ...
11.02.2023 Intervention Host Meg Wolitzer presents three stories about people inserting themselves into the lives of others—in their own best interests. In Simon Rich’s “Relapse” friends rally ‘round when one of their number heeds the call of the muse. It’s read by ...
10.30.2023 Too Hot for Radio: Jen Spyra "The Secret Meeting of the Women's Club" Performed by Mary Lynn Rajskub who voices various real-life female celebrities who are part of a secret club working to dominate the world. Raucous, dark, satirical, and very funny.
10.26.2023 Inseparable Host Meg Wolitzer presents two stories about close—but complex—ties of family and friendship. Jamaica Kincaid offers up a lyrical, dreamlike account of the mother/daughter bond in “My Mother,” performed by Laurine Towler. In Laura van den Berg’s “Lessons” a quartet ...
10.19.2023 Just the Thing Host Meg Wolitzer presents stories about characters coping with problems, large and small—and then encountering someone or something with a solution. In “Shoulder-Top Secretary,” by Shinichi Hoshi, a door-to-door salesman unveils the must-have technology of the future. It's read by ...
10.12.2023 It's About Time Host Meg Wolitzer presents two stories about the nature of time and how it shapes our lives. In Helen Phillips’ “The Knowers,” a woman chooses to learn a vital fact about her future, while her husband does not. Stockard Channing ...
10.05.2023 Antagonists Wanted Host Meg Wolitzer presents three stories featuring famous villains, real and fictional. A woman writes a letter to a former president—now residing in Hell—in “Thank You, Mr. Nixon,” by Gish Jen, performed by Cindy Cheung. And a man in recovery ...
09.28.2023 A Didion Duo Host Meg Wolitzer presents two works by the dazzling writer Joan Didion, whose essays, novels, and memoirs have been beloved by generations of readers. This sophisticated, knowing artist placed herself squarely in her reportage, telling her own story vividly and ...
09.21.2023 Generation Gap Host Meg Wolitzer presents three stories that cross generations. In Justin Torres’s “Trash Kites,” performed by Colman Domingo, teens find beauty in scarcity. A daughter’s aging parent links her past and present in “The World with My Mother Still in ...
09.14.2023 Uprooted On this SELECTED SHORTS, host Meg Wolitzer presents three stories about moving out of familiar territory into new spaces and new understanding. In Meron Hadero’s “The Thief’s Tale,” read by Teagle F. Bougere, an émigré can’t leave some of his ...
09.11.2023 Too Hot For Radio: Samanta Schweblin "An Unlucky Man" WARNING: This story is going to make you feel a little bit or maybe a lot of bit uncomfortable—even while you're laughing.
09.07.2023 Make a Meal of It Guest host Roxane Gay (no mean cook herself) presents three stories centered on food. In “Three Great Meals” the late New Yorker humor writer Donald Barthelme tells you how to prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner from a terrifying medley of ...
08.31.2023 Perfectly Unmatched Host Meg Wolitzer presents perfect mismatches. In “The Man and the Moose” by Ben Loory, performed by Michael Cerveris, a man’s best bud has antlers. In “Red Dirt Don't Wash” by Roger Mais, performed by Brandon J. Dirden, a young ...
08.24.2023 Small Odysseys Host Meg Wolitzer presents two stories from our anthology, Small Odysseys, which features 35 commissioned stories from some of the series’ favorite writers. This week, parents try to help with their daughter’s unusual school science research project. Michael Shannon reads ...
08.17.2023 The Way I See It On this Selected Shorts, host Meg Wolitzer offers up stories about limited viewpoints and larger visions. In “You Can Find Love Now" by Ramona Ausubel, performed by Amy Ryan and Martin Short, an unusual character drops into the dating pool; ...
08.10.2023 Mothers Know Best Host Meg Wolitzer presents two stories featuring mothers and children, and entertains a special guest—her own mother, Hilma Wolitzer. In Annette Sanford’s “Trip in a Summer Dress,” a young woman is setting out to get married, but leaving her real ...
08.03.2023 Tangled Lives Host Meg Wolitzer presents three stories about tangled lives; those situations; those people that pull you in and won’t let you go. These works focus on encounters that affect a character's life in some unusual or enduring way. “Missed Connection—M4W,” ...
07.27.2023 Behind Her Eyes Host Meg Wolitzer presents three stories about social masks and what might lie beneath. Truman Capote’s “A Lamp in a Window” introduces an eccentric character with a secret. It’s performed by Arian Moayed. In Molly Giles’ “What Do You Say?” ...
07.20.2023 Mcsweeney’s 25th Anniversary Extravaganza Host Meg Wolitzer presents a celebration of the 25th anniversary of powerhouse indie publisher McSweeney’s, known for clever, funny, playful, weird, and literary writing. Ophira Eisenberg reads “Poor Little Egg-Boy Hatched in a Shul," by Nathan Englander. Andy Richter performs ...
07.13.2023 Didn’t See It Coming Meg Wolitzer presents two stories with surprises the characters didn’t anticipate. A smart Mom defies expectations in “Agouti,” by Brenda Williams, performed by Laurine Towler. And a smart house has unexpected features in a classic by sci-fi master Ray Bradbury. ...
07.06.2023 Punching In Meg Wolitzer hands off to guest host Maulik Pancholy, who presents three stories about workers and the workplace—and "the daily grind." In a John Cheever classic, “Bayonne,” a busy waitress defends her territory. The reader is Mary Kay Place. The ...
06.29.2023 #42 Reading Between the Lines Meg Wolitzer presents two stories about the things she loves most: books and words and why they matter. In Ben Loory’s “The Book,” a contrarian volume becomes a literary sensation, and alters one woman’s life. The reader is Jane Kaczmarek. ...
06.29.2023 Bonus: Meg Wolitzer Visits Her Favorite Indie Bookstore Host Meg Wolitzer visits a favorite indie bookstore, Three Lives & Company in Greenwich Village, remembers her early years there as a writer and reader, and is let in on some trade secrets.
06.22.2023 Sleight of Hand Meg Wolitzer presents three stories with a little bit of trickery. The British writer Penelope Lively offers up a tricky combination of love and real estate in “The Third Wife,” performed by real-life husband and wife Patricia Kalember and Daniel ...
06.15.2023 Margaret Atwood: Future Imperfect Host Meg Wolitzer presents stories by the incomparable Margaret Atwood, drawn from our archives and a live performance evening hosted by the author. “There Was Once” is a brief satire about the art of writing and the importance of free ...
06.15.2023 Bonus: Margaret Atwood and A.M. Homes In this bonus conversation, writers Margaret Atwood and A.M. Homes discuss everything from feminism, time, writing and dystopian fiction, to Atwood’s new short story collection “Old Babes in the Wood.” The interview was recorded in front of a live audience ...
06.08.2023 All of It with Alison Stewart Host Meg Wolitzer partnered with WNYC’s Alison Stewart on this program featuring tales of love and haunting by new and established writers who have been featured on her show All of It. In Hilary Leichter’s “Doggy-Dog World,” family life takes ...
06.08.2023 Bonus: Meg Wolitzer Talks to Alison Stewart In this bonus conversation, host and best-selling author, Meg Wolitzer, talks to host of WNYC’s All of It, Alison Stewart. Wolitzer reveals some of the secrets to great writing and the two share their own reading habits and thoughts about ...
06.01.2023 Pride Inside It’s June, time to celebrate Pride privately and publicly. Host Meg Wolitzer presents four works that delve into the complexities of love, family and belonging. Ivan E. Coyote’s “No Bikini,” read by Becca Blackwell, offers one child’s act of quiet ...
05.25.2023 A Point of Honor On this SELECTED SHORTS, we celebrate Memorial Day. Host Meg Wolitzer presents two stories that feature men in uniform, codes of honor, and how conflicts can sometime lead to connection. Maile Meloy’s “Red,” performed by Keith Szarabajka, takes place in ...
05.18.2023 With a Little Help Host Meg Wolitzer presents four stories in which characters give, and get, a little assistance, from friends, strangers and family. A daughter copes with a cantankerous parent in “How to Take Dad to the Doctor,” by Jenny Allen, performed by ...
05.11.2023 The Best American Short Stories Host Meg Wolitzer presents our annual celebration of this important collection. This year’s show features a pick by 2022 Best American guest editor Andrew Sean Greer, “The Little Widow from the Capital,” by Yohanca Delgado, performed by Krystina Alabado. And ...
05.04.2023 No Filter Host Meg Wolitzer presents two stories about selves obscured and revealed, by characters whose own identities are mysteries to them. In Aimee Bender’s “Un-Selfie, a woman reveals her extraordinary past to a stranger. The story was a commission for our ...
05.01.2023 Too Hot For Radio: Erin Somers "Ten Year Affair" Actress Holly Hunter reads Erin Somer's short story "Ten Year Affair."
04.27.2023 The Stories We Tell Ourselves with Brooke Gladstone Host Meg Wolitzer presents stories chosen by On the Media’s Brooke Gladstone. Gladstone was our guest for a live Selected Shorts event in which all the stories explore the theme of tales we tell ourselves—and others. The title says it ...
04.20.2023 Secret Spaces Meg Wolitzer presents two stories about secret spaces, and what they represent. In N.K. Jemisin’s speculative fantasy “Elevator Dancer” a security guard in a totalitarian regime is beguiled by an act of freedom. The reader is Laura Gomez. And Hugh ...
04.13.2023 On Repeat Meg Wolitzer presents three provocative works about rituals that reshape and define their characters. In “oh she gotta head fulla hair,” by Ntozake Shange, a woman’s attention to her hair consumes her life. The reader is Tamara Tunie. In “Half ...
04.06.2023 Grace Paley Centennial Host Meg Wolitzer shares our tribute to the influential and outspoken New Yorker Grace Paley, who would have turned 100 in 2022. Her emphasis on friends, family, and doing the right thing are evident in the three stories on this ...
03.30.2023 Friendship! On this show, host Meg Wolitzer gets friendly, and shares three stories about friendships of all kinds. Kelly Stout’s zinger “Let’s Get Drinks,” offers up the perils of conducting a social life via hyperbolic texts, which are hilariously performed by ...
03.23.2023 Approaching Peace On this show, Meg Wolitzer hands things off to guest host Hope Davis, who presents three stories about finding some kind of peace and stability in a variety of challenging circumstances. In Rabih Alameddine’s “Break” a trans woman reconnects with ...
03.16.2023 Slippery Roads and Fancy Shorts Host Meg Wolitzer presents two stories in which some things are saved and some are left behind. Both stories also have a connection to the German language. In Haruki Murakami’s “Lederhosen,” performed by Aasif Mandvi, the traditional German shorts become ...
03.09.2023 The World According to Vonnegut Host Meg Wolitzer presents stories by Kurt Vonnegut in which the Slaughterhouse Five author somehow managed to make a bleak dystopia funny and a high school band teacher a hero. The stories explore the darkly absurd side he’s known for—“Harrison ...
03.06.2023 Too Hot For Radio: Roxane Gay "Men On Bikes" Read by Jane Kaczmarek, author Roxane Gay's playful story somehow confronts alcoholism, matrimony, masculinity, the nuclear family and the failure of the American Dream, while making us laugh. And host Aparna Nancherla talks to her friend, comedian Alison Leiby her ...
03.02.2023 The Road Not Taken On this Selected Shorts program, host Meg Wolitzer presents stories about journeys—physical and emotional—that end in unexpected places. In “A Woman Driving Alone,” by Marie-Helene Bertino, the main character travels s long way to see a friend, but seems also ...
02.23.2023 Work of Art Host Meg Wolitzer presents stories of inspirations small and large. In these tales, writers investigate moments in which art inspires life, or life inspires art, especially in a visual medium. In Elizabeth Crane’s “Blue Girl,” read by Valorie Curry, a ...
02.16.2023 Almost Like Love On this week’s SELECTED SHORTS, Meg Wolitzer presents two stories about love, or the next best thing. In Pam Houston’s “How to Talk to a Hunter” a smart woman can’t get enough of what her man can’t offer. The reader ...
02.09.2023 School Misrule On this week’s SELECTED SHORTS, we're going to hear stories about students and schools that abandon the usual rules to follow their own, unusual, codes of behavior. In "Singin' in the Acid Rain," by Patricia Marx, performed by Katrina Lenk, ...
02.09.2023 Bonus: Meg Wolitzer Talks to Patricia Marx In this bonus conversation, host Meg Wolitzer talks to friend and New Yorker humorist Patricia Marx about her story “Singin’ in the Acid Rain,” and writing funny.

Older episodes

Selected Shorts

What's Selected Shorts about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Selected Shorts episodes:

A Simple Solution

Ferocious Figureheads

Dangerous Women

Intervention

Too Hot for Radio: Jen Spyra "The Secret Meeting of the Women's Club"

Inseparable

Just the Thing

It's About Time

Antagonists Wanted

A Didion Duo

Generation Gap

Uprooted

Too Hot For Radio: Samanta Schweblin "An Unlucky Man"

Make a Meal of It

Perfectly Unmatched

Small Odysseys

The Way I See It

Mothers Know Best

Tangled Lives

Behind Her Eyes

Mcsweeney’s 25th Anniversary Extravaganza

Didn’t See It Coming

Punching In

#42 Reading Between the Lines

Bonus: Meg Wolitzer Visits Her Favorite Indie Bookstore

Sleight of Hand

Margaret Atwood: Future Imperfect

Bonus: Margaret Atwood and A.M. Homes

All of It with Alison Stewart

Bonus: Meg Wolitzer Talks to Alison Stewart

Pride Inside

A Point of Honor

With a Little Help

The Best American Short Stories

No Filter

Too Hot For Radio: Erin Somers "Ten Year Affair"

The Stories We Tell Ourselves with Brooke Gladstone

Secret Spaces

On Repeat

Grace Paley Centennial

Friendship!

Approaching Peace

Slippery Roads and Fancy Shorts

The World According to Vonnegut

Too Hot For Radio: Roxane Gay "Men On Bikes"

The Road Not Taken

Work of Art

Almost Like Love

School Misrule

Bonus: Meg Wolitzer Talks to Patricia Marx

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