In this episode, host Lissa Jones talks with author/musician James McBride at Minneapolis' Ivy Hotel. McBride is the author of five books including Miracle at St. Anna, which McBride adapted for the Spike Lee-directed film of the same name released in 2008. His most recent novel, The Good Lord Bird, won the National Book Award in 2013 and inspired 'A talking music book,' combining pieces from the novel with music performed by McBride and an ensemble of other musicians called the Good Lord Bird Band.

Recordings of The Good Lord Bird: A Talking Music Book were provided by Riverhead Books, and clips were used with their permission.