A Phone Call From Paul

By Literary Hub

What's A Phone Call From Paul about?

You have reached Literary Hub's aural department. Because sometimes the words are better when they're out of your head. More at LitHub.com.

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A Phone Call From Paul episodes:

07.02.2020
A Conversation with Parul Sehgal
Parul Sehgal is a book critic at The New York Times. She was previously a columnist and senior editor at The New York Times Book Review. Her work has appeared in the Atlantic, Slate, Bookforum, The New Yorker, Tin House, and The Literary Review, among other publications, and she...
05.04.2020
A Conversation with Ocean Vuong
Ocean Vuong is the author of the critically acclaimed poetry collection Night Sky with Exit Wounds and the New York Times bestselling novel On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous. A recipient of the 2019 MacArthur "Genius" Grant, he is also the winner of the Whiting Award...
01.30.2020
A Conversation with Garth Greenwell
Garth Greenwell is the author of What Belongs to You, which won the British Book Award for Debut of the Year, was longlisted for the National Book Award, and was a finalist for six other awards, including the PEN/Faulkner Award,...
12.26.2019
A Conversation with Lewis Hyde
Lewis Hyde is the author of Trickster Makes This World: Mischief, Myth, and Art and The Gift: Creativity and the Artist in the Modern World, as well as a book of poems, This Error Is the Sign of Love. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
11.22.2019
A Conversation with Imani Perry
Imani Perry is the Hughes-Rogers Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University, where she also teaches in the Programs in Law and Public Affairs, and in Gender and Sexuality Studies. She is a native of Birmingham, Alabama, and spent...
11.07.2019
A Conversation with Maaza Mangiste
Maaza Mengiste was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A Fulbright Scholar and professor in the MFA in Creative Writing & Literary Translation program at Queens College, she is the author of The Shadow King and Beneath the Lion’s Gaze, named one of the Guardian’s Ten...
08.15.2019
A Conversation with Sarah Broom
In this week's episode of A Phone Call From Paul, Paul Holdengraber and Sarah Broom discuss her memoir, The Yellow House, the Kei Miller and Peter Turchi epigraphs in the book, the influence of Toni Morrison on her work, and...
07.18.2019
A Conversation with John Waters
In this week's episode of A Phone Call From Paul, Paul Holdengraber and John Waters discuss his new memoir, Mr. Know-It-All (or as he describes, a "self-help book for lunatics," what he's reading this summer, and his experience working for...
07.04.2019
A Conversation with David Ulin
In this episode of A Phone Call With Paul, Paul Holdengraber speaks with David Ulin about the dramatic changes in Los Angeles, the literature of the city, and his work on Joan Didion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
06.20.2019
A Conversation with Robert Macfarlane
In this episode of A Phone Call With Paul, Paul Holdengraber speaks with Robert Macfarlane about his new book, Underland, the pleasures and necessities of walking, the threshold experience of the underworld, and the longing for the language of trees. Learn...
10.25.2018
A Conversation with Nathaniel Kahn
In this episode of A Phone Call With Paul Paul Holdengraber speaks with Nathaniel Kahn about Larry Poons, playing dumb while interviewing documentary subjects, the relationship between capitalism and the art world, and where art's true power and purpose lies. Learn...
08.30.2018
A Conversation with Deborah Eisenberg
In this episode of A Phone Call From Paul, Paul Holdengraber speaks with Deborah Eisenberg on "Bartleby the Scrivener," the dire political state we live in, the virtue (and adventure) that lies in difficulty, the commodification of art, and why...
08.16.2018
A Conversation with Sameen Rushdie
In this episode of A Phone Call From Paul, Paul Holdengraber speaks with Sameen Rushdie about racist attitudes towards food, food as language and a means of connection, the senselessness of a divided world, and the Rushdie family’s Christmas traditions. Learn...
08.02.2018
A Conversation with Terry Tempest Williams
In this episode of A Phone Call With Paul, Paul Holdengraber plays music from Terry Tempest Williams' childhood and talks to her about beauty, the twin elements of joy and sorrow, and the power and importance of the human voice....
08.02.2018
A Converation with Terry Tempest Williams
In this episode of A Phone Call With Paul, Paul Holdengraber plays music from Terry Tempest Williams' childhood and talks to her about beauty, the twin elements of joy and sorrow, and the power and importance of the human voice....
07.19.2018
A Conversation with Alexander Chee
In this episode of A Phone Call From Paul, Paul Holdengraber reaches Alexander Chee in Italy and asks him about mentors (and mentoring), his favorite Italian writers, virtues great and small, and the need for fiction to address the violent...
05.10.2018
A Conversation with Rebecca Solnit
In this episode, Paul Holdengräber talks to the American writer about skipping high school and growing up in California. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
04.26.2018
A Conversation with Susan Orlean
In this episode, Paul Holdengräber talks to the American journalist and author about her new book on the 1986 Los Angeles Public Library fire, the future of libraries and public spaces, and the smell of books. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn...
04.12.2018
A Conversation with Eileen Myles
In this episode, Paul Holdengräber talks to the American poet about the #MeToo movement, why they applaud hating poetry, and the beautiful devastation of New York City. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
03.30.2018
A Conversation with Alberto Manguel
In this episode, Paul Holdengräber talks to the Argentine-Canadian translator and essayist about his library, his relationship with Jorge Luis Borges, and why no one reads Rudyard Kipling any more. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
03.01.2018
A Conversation with Wayne Koestenbaum
In this episode, Paul Holdengräber talks to the American poet and cultural critic about Susan Sontag, Marcel Proust, and quote-o-mania. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
02.16.2018
A Conversation with Joyce Carol Oates
In this episode, Paul Holdengräber and the American writer Joyce Carol Oates discuss writing about politics, future dystopias, and boxing (a favorite subject for both of them). For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
01.03.2018
A Conversation with Ursula K Le Guin
In this episode, Paul Holdengräber talks to the award-winning author Ursula K. Le Guin on the blurring of fact and fiction, the problem with celebrities, and the anxiety of influence. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
12.21.2017
A Conversation with Maggie Nelson
In this episode, Paul Holdengraber talks to the writer Maggie Nelson about how Proust inspires guilt, the disillusionment of youth, and how aging is a spectacular adventure. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11.23.2017
A Conversation with Simon Winchester
In this episode, Paul Holdengraber talks to the writer and historian Simon Winchester about his latest book on turbines, how Jan Morris changed his life, and how we need Philip Larkin more than ever now. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more...
10.27.2017
A Conversation with Chris Abani
In this episode, Paul Holdengraber talks to the writer Chris Abani about the refugee experience, the timelessness of James Baldwin, and the paradox of love. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
09.19.2017
A Conversation with Jesmyn Ward
In this episode, Paul Holdengraber talks to the writer Jesmyn Ward about her latest book, "Sing, Unburied, Sing," the art of the profile, and reading history. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
08.10.2017
A Conversation with Marlon James
In this episode, Paul Holdengraber talks to the writer Marlon James about why he hates the word inspiration, why writing is work, and xxx. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
08.04.2017
A Conversation with Wallace Shawn
In this episode, Paul Holdengraber talks to the playwright Wallace Shawn about his new book, Night Thoughts, the infinite appetites of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, and what's in store for civilization. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad...
07.13.2017
A Conversation With Pico Iyer
In this episode, Paul Holdengraber talks to the essayist and novelist Pico Iyer about the attention economy, the depth and graciousness of Leonard Cohen, and reading Proust on his terrace. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
06.22.2017
A Conversation With Pamela Paul
In this episode, Paul Holdengraber talks to New York Times Book Review editor Pamela Paul about her new book, "My Life With Bob," the relationship between authors and readers, the Invisible Institute, and the sad fact that you're never finished...
06.15.2017
A Conversation With Derren Brown
In this episode, Paul Holdengraber talks to the mentalist Derren Brown about his new show, "Secret," the skeptical mindset of his profession, and reading between the lines. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
05.30.2017
A Conversation With Michael Frank
In this episode, Paul Holdengraber talks to the memoirist Michael Frank about his new book, "The Mighty Franks," the lives we could have led, and searching for the truth in our own past. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your...
05.18.2017
A Conversation With Sjon
In this episode, Paul Holdengräber talks to the poet Sjon about the importance of travel, keeping your audience awake, classical Nordic literature, the Future Library, and articulating the world. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
05.03.2017
A Conversation With Dani Shapiro
In this episode, Paul Holdengraber talks to Dani Shapiro about the grueling nature of book tours, the difficult task of writing while reading, the “unthought known,” and… marriage. For more visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
03.23.2017
A Conversation With Geoff Dyer
In this wonderful conversation from the podcast vault, Geoff Dyer and Paul Holdengraber travel back to a time before President Trump (summer 2016) to talk art, writing, Kerouac, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
03.03.2017
A Conversation With Stephen Karam
Stephen Karam talks to Paul Holdengraber about pain, despair, and the enduring power of great writing.. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
02.17.2017
A Conversation with Maira Kalman
Maira Kalman talks to Paul Holdengraber about the search for meaning, finding your limits, and the pleasures of being a mother and a grandmother. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
02.15.2017
Red Ink Series, featuring Michele Filgate
Red Ink is a quarterly series focusing on women writers curated by Michele Filgate. On this track, listen to Margo Jefferson, Ruth Franklin, Elisa Albert, Morgan Parker and Bethanne Patrick discuss writing about depression. More at LitHub.com
02.09.2017
A conversation with Edmund de Waal
Edmund de Waal and Paul Holdengraber discuss the uses of darkness, the necessity of bravery in art, and much more. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
01.25.2017
A conversation with Paul Auster
Paul Auster talks to Paul Holdengraber about the nature of the unexpected, the nature of the self, and the cruel nature of Donald Trump. Auster's new novel, 4 3 2 1 is available January 31 from Henry Holt. Learn more about...
01.20.2017
A Conversation with Bryan Stevenson
Civil rights lawyer and activist talks to Paul Holdengraber about justice, race, America, and the importance of books. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
01.11.2017
A conversation with W.S. Merwin
W.S. Merwin and Paul Holdengraber discuss the pleasure of literary discovery, the joys of paying attention, and much, much more. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11.11.2016
In conversation with John Berger
John Berger talks with Paul Holdengraber about President Donald Trump, the emptiness of American political commentary, desire, place, and how the hell to keep going. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11.04.2016
In Conversation with Isaac Mizrahi
Paul Holdengraber talks to Isaac Mizrahi about storytelling, looking back at life, and the joys of art. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10.27.2016
In Conversation with Junot Diaz
Junot Diaz talks to Paul Holdengraber about death, pain, the joys of teaching, and the magic of the library. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10.20.2016
Margaret Atwood Takes a Phone Call From Paul
Margaret Atwood talks to Paul Holdengraber about technology, magic, and Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10.06.2016
A Conversation with Jan Morris
In this charming conversation the great travel writer Jan Morris talks to Paul Holdengraber about the religion of kindness, her love of Trieste, and plays one of her favorite records (bonus: there is whistling). For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about...
10.06.2016
Jan Morris
In this charming conversation the great travel writer Jan Morris talks to Paul Holdengraber about the religion of kindness, her love of Trieste, and plays one of her favorite records (bonus: there is whistling). For more, visit LitHub.com.
09.20.2016
Etgar Keret, part two.
In part two of Paul Holdengraber’s conversation with Etgar Keret, the pair discuss the relationship between writers and readers, rediscovering books with your children, and how to get slapped at a book signing. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your...

What's A Phone Call From Paul about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

A Phone Call From Paul episodes:

A Conversation with Parul Sehgal

A Conversation with Ocean Vuong

A Conversation with Garth Greenwell

A Conversation with Lewis Hyde

A Conversation with Imani Perry

A Conversation with Maaza Mangiste

A Conversation with Sarah Broom

A Conversation with John Waters

A Conversation with David Ulin

A Conversation with Robert Macfarlane

A Conversation with Nathaniel Kahn

A Conversation with Deborah Eisenberg

A Conversation with Sameen Rushdie

A Conversation with Terry Tempest Williams

A Converation with Terry Tempest Williams

A Conversation with Alexander Chee

A Conversation with Rebecca Solnit

A Conversation with Susan Orlean

A Conversation with Eileen Myles

A Conversation with Alberto Manguel

A Conversation with Wayne Koestenbaum

A Conversation with Joyce Carol Oates

A Conversation with Ursula K Le Guin

A Conversation with Maggie Nelson

A Conversation with Simon Winchester

A Conversation with Chris Abani

A Conversation with Jesmyn Ward

A Conversation with Marlon James

A Conversation with Wallace Shawn

A Conversation With Pico Iyer

A Conversation With Pamela Paul

A Conversation With Derren Brown

A Conversation With Michael Frank

A Conversation With Sjon

A Conversation With Dani Shapiro

A Conversation With Geoff Dyer

A Conversation With Stephen Karam

A Conversation with Maira Kalman

Red Ink Series, featuring Michele Filgate

A conversation with Edmund de Waal

A conversation with Paul Auster

A Conversation with Bryan Stevenson

A conversation with W.S. Merwin

In conversation with John Berger

In Conversation with Isaac Mizrahi

In Conversation with Junot Diaz

Margaret Atwood Takes a Phone Call From Paul

A Conversation with Jan Morris

Jan Morris

Etgar Keret, part two.