My Sam Johnson

Wake discusses wokeness and Sam Johnson, with some examples from Sam's writing life. There's also a digression on Wayne's experience on Twitter.

Wayne discusses happiness and his chat with Gretchen Rubin, author of the New York Times bestselling book, Happier at Home.

Wayne talks about style and tone and how they are different in the three periodicals that Sam wrote: the Rambler, Adventurer, and Idler. He also calls on some modern examples of literature, writing,  and film to bolster the point about the importance of style, notably "On Good People and Bad People" by Matt Taibbi; Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov; Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger; the book and film versions of American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis; and the film Calm Like a Bomb, directed by Mauro Russo Rouge.

Wayne talks about the Dictionary of the English Language that Sam compiled, and which was published in 1755.

Wayne discusses Rambler essay no. 68 (Tuesday, November 10, 1750), and makes comments on it, especially as it relates to two incidents that happened to him during the week.

Wayne describes and comments on the last three weeks of Sam's life, prompted by the account kept by one of Sam's friends, John Hoole.

Wayne talks about Sam's health through his life from birth to death, but mostly focuses on his (Wayne's) methods for researching, organizing, and writing the biography, My Sam Johnson, anticipated to be published in 2022.

Wayne talked to his nephew Sam about current technology, 18th-century technology, and the tech things that are of interest to at least one 11-year-old boy.

Lacking success in finding teaching or writing jobs in Lichfield, Sam moves to London to pursue a literary career.

Wayne talks about the progress with his book, from the beginning, right to 1:27 pm.