All Of It with Alison Stewart

Authors are always saying to "write what you know." But what's the best way to incorporate your life experience into your writing? Bestselling author Ruta Sepetys joins us to discuss her new book, You: The Story: A Writer's Guide to Craft Through Memory, and take calls from listeners about how to include their memories in their work.

Sarah Silverman's new comedy special, "Someone You Love," is her first in ten years. The special comes a year after the success of Silverman's off-Broadway musical, "The Bedwetter," inspired by her memoir. Silverman joins us to discuss the special, which is available on Max now.

Peak growing season is upon us, both for outdoor plants and our indoor ones. Christopher Satch, aka The Plant Doctor, takes your calls and questions on how to keep your green companions happy and healthy.

Acclaimed writer Brandon Taylor is back with a new novel. In The Late Americans, a group of artists and friends in Iowa City head to a cabin to celebrate their last days all living in the same city... where a revelation might change their relationships forever. Taylor joins us to discuss the novel.

What should we do with great art made by bad people? That's the central question of the latest book from author and critic Claire Dederer. She joins us to discuss, Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma, and take calls from listeners about the moral distinctions they've made when it comes to their consumption of art.

In "King James," Glenn Davis and Chris Perfetti star as two men who become best friends through their shared fanatacism for the Cavaliers and, specifically, LeBron James. The play by Rajiv Joseph traces the ups and downs of their relationship from James' first NBA season, in 2003-2004, through the 2016 finals. Davis, Perfetti, and Joseph join us.

This Pride Month, in light of the increase in book banning around the nation, particularly of books featuring LGBTQIA+ characters or themes, we are spending the month spotlighting authors of these frequently challenged books. Up first this month we talk to George M. Johnson, author of the acclaimed young adult memoir, All Boys Aren't Blue. According to the American Library Association, the book was the second most banned title of 2022. We talk to Johnson about their book, and about the experience of witnessing their book being banned across the country.

Over decades of albums, concerts, and collaborations, banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck has crossed genres and cultural boundaries, bringing the instrument beyond bluegrass. On the collaborative album As We Speak, Fleck draws from both western and Indian classical music and is joined by double bassist Edgar Meyer, tabla player Zakir Hussain, and bansuri flutist Rakesh Chaurasia. Fleck stops by the studio to discuss the album and play live.

A new film screening at Tribeca follows a helpline operator played by Tessa Thompson. "The Listener" relies heavily on audio storytelling and is directed by actor and director Steve Buscemi. Buscemi joins to discuss.

Actor Phil Dunster has spent three seasons on "Ted Lasso" starring as playboy soccer star Jamie Tartt, who underwent a redemptive arc in the most recent season. He joins us to discuss the season finale, Jamie Tartt, and take calls from listeners!