The Unsettled by Ayana Mathis follows a family through generations from small town Alabama to Philadelphia in the 80s as they struggle, succeed and learn to care for each other. Mathis joins us to talk about how long it took her to write this book, keeping joy in hard stories, how real events and culture shape her characters and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over.

This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Executive Producer Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.

New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app.

Featured Books (Episode):

The Unsettled by Ayana Mathis

The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis

Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

Philadelphia Fire by John Edgar Wideman

A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel