Ask Penguin

This week on the Penguin Podcast, Isy Suttie is joined by bestselling author, public speaker, and founder of The School of Life, Alain de Botton. His latest book, A Therapeutic Journey, deals with mental ill-health and recuperation and has been described as both a source of companionship in our loneliest moments and a practical guide to finding reasons for hope.

In this episode, Isy and Alain discuss the theory behind why, as adults, we cry at happy things, the importance of listening to children, and the value of pursuing a 'good enough' life that prioritises emotional wellbeing.

Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and don't forget to leave us a review – it really helps! To find out more about the #PenguinPodcast, visit www.penguin.co.uk/podcasts

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This week on the Penguin Podcast, Isy Suttie is joined by comedian, writer and actor David Mitchell for a chat about Unruly, a thoughtful, funny exploration of the founding fathers and mothers of England and, subsequently, Britain.

They discuss the historical artefacts that inspired the book, why people in the Middle Ages had more confidence, and how a bout of food poisoning changed the course of English history forever.

Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and don't forget to leave us a review – it really helps! To find out more about the #PenguinPodcast, visit www.penguin.co.uk/podcasts 

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This week on the Penguin Podcast, Isy Suttie is joined by journalist and award-winning writer, Megan Nolan.

Megan joins Isy for a chat about her latest novel, Ordinary Human Failings.

They also discuss the amorality of tabloid journalism, familiar narratives of where trauma can lead you, personal pain and the limitations of empathy, and the significance of owning an armchair you’ll rarely use. 

Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and please do leave us a review – it really does help us. And finally, to find out more about the #PenguinPodcast, visit www.penguin.co.uk/podcasts

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This week on the Penguin Podcast, Isy Suttie is joined by Barister, TV host and Novelist, Rob Rinder. 

Rob joins Isy for a joyful conversation about his number one Sunday Times best-selling novel, The Trial.

Also on the podcast, we hear Rob's perspective on imposter syndrome and its benefits, how fear and justice intersect in court, that he believes your writing style is influenced by where you sit, and why a worn-out hair brush is so precious to him. 

Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and please do leave us a review – it really does help us. And finally, to find out more about the #PenguinPodcast, visit www.penguin.co.uk/podcasts

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This week on the Penguin Podcast, Nihal Arthanayake is joined by debut novelist Michael Magee.

Michael joins us to discuss his critically acclaimed novel, Close to Home, which has already been shortlisted for the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize.

The two also discuss how Michael's novel started off as a letter-writing exercise, approaching masculinity on his own terms, working alter egos into fiction, and how bleakness in working-class fiction works best when there is added levity.

Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and please do leave us a review – it really does help us. And finally, to find out more about the #PenguinPodcast, visit www.penguin.co.uk/podcasts.

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This week on the Penguin Podcast, we bring you a special episode: Shaparak Khorsandi in conversation with Isy Suttie live from Lattitude Festival.

Shaparak joined us to discuss her latest book, Scatter Brain: How I finally got off the ADHD rollercoaster and became the owner of a very tidy sock drawer.

The two also discuss the subtle distinctions between shame and embarrassment, memories of climbing a pear tree, the life-changing power of an ADHD diagnosis, and how being on I’m A Celebrity gave her a spiritual experience.

Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and please do leave us a review – it really does help us. And finally, to find out more about the #PenguinPodcast, visit https://www.penguin.co.uk/podcasts.

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This week on the Penguin Podcast, Isy Suttie is joined by Booker shortlisted writer, Brandon Taylor.

Brandon joins us to discuss his new novel, The Late Americans.

The two also discuss the importance of material signifiers when writing characters, how reading contemporary fiction can influence the writing process, how learning expression through photography helped feed creativity, and what is the value of not writing during the act of writing. 

Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and please do leave us a review – it really does help us. And finally, to find out more about the #PenguinPodcast, visit https://www.penguin.co.uk/podcasts.

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This week on the Penguin Podcast, Isy Suttie is joined by another of Granta's Best of Young British novelists, award-winning novelist, Isabella Hammad.

Isabella Joins us to discuss her new novel, Enter Ghost.

Also in the episode the two discuss how observing the real world helps form fictional characters, how stories can evolve and eventually become part of a communal identity, the significance of a roof in Isabella’s childhood and the importance of the sea in her new novel.

Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and please do leave us a review – it really does help us. And finally, to find out more about the #PenguinPodcast, visit https://www.penguin.co.uk/podcasts.

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This week on the Penguin Podcast, Nihal is joined by one of Granta's Best of Young British novelists and recent recipient of the Orwell Prize for political fiction, novelists Tom Crewe.

Tom Joins us to discuss his incredible new novel, The New Life.

The two also discuss why the novel took over 10 years to write, what Tom admired most about a particular Victorian age, the candour and insights gained from the collected testimonies in the ground-breaking and inspirational book, Sexual Inversion, and also how his novel unconsciously reflects the times he has lived through. 

Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and please do leave us a review – it really does help us. And finally, to find out more about the #PenguinPodcast, visit https://www.penguin.co.uk/podcasts.

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This week on the Penguin Podcast, Isy Suttie talks to author and psychoanalytic psychotherapist, Maxine Mei-Fung Chung. Maxine joins us to discuss her latest book, What Women Want, an intimate examination of female desire.

The two also discuss the importance of making time for yourself, the impulse to keep busy for fear we may break down, why many of our coping mechanisms are developed in childhood, and why eye contact is essential when sharing intimate information.

Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and please do leave us a review – it really does help us. And finally, to find out more about the #PenguinPodcast, visit https://www.penguin.co.uk/podcasts.

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