Long before his novel Leave the World Behind became a blockbuster, Obama-produced Netflix thriller, Rumaan Alam '99 was a creative writing major at Oberlin College, learning the craft of storytelling in rigorous workshops. His time at Oberlin shaped his approach to fiction—one that explores race, power, and the unseen forces shaping our lives.

In this episode, Oberlin College President Carmen Twillie Ambar speaks with the acclaimed author about his path from student journalist to National Book Award finalist, how wealth and privilege shape identity, and why he believes writing is an act of discipline, not inspiration. From navigating the rarefied world of magazine publishing to questioning our collective obsession with money and influence, Alam reflects on the themes that drive his work—and what’s next.

What We Cover in This Episode

• The Oberlin Influence: How a dinner with an Oberlin alum led to Alam’s first job in publishing—and how those connections shaped his career.
• From Magazines to Novels: Why he left a promising career in journalism to pursue fiction full-time.
• Predicting the Future: How Leave the World Behind eerily captured societal dread before the pandemic.
• The Allure of Wealth: Entitlement and the moral compromises we make in the orbit of billionaires.
• The Writing Process: Why Alam writes five pages a day—by hand.
• Adaptation and Control: How he felt about Leave the World Behind becoming a Netflix film produced by Barack and Michelle Obama.
• What’s Next: Why his next novel takes on a topic most contemporary writers shy away from—faith.

Rumaan Alam’s writing holds a mirror to society’s anxieties, desires, and contradictions. Don’t miss this thoughtful conversation with one of today’s most prescient literary voices.

Episode Links

Oberlin College & Conservatory

Learn more about Oberlin College, where Rumaan Alam honed his storytelling craft as a creative writing major in a rigorous workshop environment.

Leave the World Behind

Explore Alam’s bestselling novel, which was adapted into a Netflix film produced by Barack and Michelle Obama.

Netflix Adaptation of Leave the World Behind

Watch the eerie, apocalyptic thriller starring Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, and Ethan Hawke.

Entitlement

Dive into Alam’s latest novel, which explores wealth, privilege, and moral compromise in the orbit of a billionaire.

Mike Nichols’ Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

A major influence on Leave the World Behind, this classic film captures psychological tension in a single setting.

Michael Haneke’s Funny Games

A deeply unsettling film that inspired Leave the World Behind’s sense of unexplained dread.

Thomas Mann’s Dr. Faustus

Discover the novel that Alam is currently reading, which explores art, ambition, and the supernatural.