Speaking in First Draft is dedicated to elevating a range of creative voices and experiences, especially from those whose stories are suppressed. In light of nationwide xenophobic attacks targeting immigrants, we’re handing our GWN community members the mic. We received so many wonderful stories for this originally planned two-part episode that we’re extending it to give you a third and final part. So, get ready to hear captivating stories from places such as Venezuela, Guatemala, and Lebanon. These community voices are invaluable and must be protected; we are honored to share their stories with you.

The episode features the following guests and their original pieces:

* Shannon O’Neill: From Saleh to O’Neill: A Century of Identity in Dearborn, Michigan

* Cruz: “They Called Me Blasphemy, I Called It Poetry”

* Daniel Q’illaw: Reflections on Immigrant Grief

* Estefania Mena: “The Love that Brought Me Here”

Speaking in First Draft is a production by Girls Write Now.

Host: Kathryn Destin

Producers: Kathryn Destin and Vahni Kurra

Editors: Annaya Baynes, Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra

Music by Jaya Rao-Herel

Speaking in First Draft is dedicated to elevating a range of creative voices and experiences, especially those whose stories are suppressed. In light of nationwide xenophobic attacks targeting immigrants, we’re handing our GWN community members the mic. Get ready to hear captivating stories from Singapore, Bangladesh, and beyond. These community voices are invaluable and must be protected; we are honored to share their stories with you.

The episode features the following guests and their original pieces:

* Faiza Chowdhury: “A Bloodline’s End”

* Christine Obiamalu: Reflections on Coming to America

* Nathan: What the Heck Am I Doing Here?

* Sally Familia: “The Ritual Down the Block“

Speaking in First Draft is a production by Girls Write Now.

Host: Kathryn Destin

Producers: Kathryn Destin and Vahni Kurra

Editors: Annaya Baynes, Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra

Music by Jaya Rao-Herel

Speaking in First Draft is dedicated to elevating a range of creative voices and experiences, especially those whose stories are suppressed. In light of nationwide xenophobic attacks targeting immigrants, we’re handing our Girls Write Now community members the mic. Get ready to hear captivating stories from Nigeria, Ukraine, the Dominican Republic, and other parts of the world. These community voices are invaluable and must be protected; we are honored to share their stories with you.

The episode features the following guests and their original pieces:

* Melania Luisa Marte: “Coming To America in III Parts” and “A Newlywed American Portrait”

* Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond: An excerpt from My Parents’ Marriage

* Edafe Okporo: An excerpt from ASYLUM, A Memoir & Manifesto

* Vera Sirota: “Ode to Councilwoman Mary ‘Marusia’ Beck”

* Libsett Rodriguez: “¿Porqué no los dos?”"

Speaking in First Draft is a production by Girls Write Now.

Host: Kathryn Destin

Producers: Kathryn Destin and Vahni Kurra

Editors: Annaya Baynes, Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra

Music by Jaya Rao-Herel

Back with another riveting episode for this bonus season, let’s welcome first-time author Diandra Ford-Wing! In conversation with Girls Write Now’s Creative Marketing Director, Chelle Carter-Willson, they discuss Diandra’s debut novel - “Red Bird”. In this story, Diandra details the tremendous pain she underwent after losing two of the most important women in her life. From nature, spirituality, to healing, our guests leave no leaf unturned in this beautiful reflection on the mental beast that is grief.

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TW: References to sexual assault, death, and suicide

Speaking in First Draft is a production by Girls Write Now.

Host: Kathryn Destin

Producers: Kathryn Destin and Vahni Kurra

Editors: Annaya Baynes, Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra

Music by Jaya Rao-Herel

We’re obsessulated with our next bonus season guest, Winnie Holzman, writer and co-creator of Wicked the musical and films. Together, Winnie and host Kathryn get real about process, influences, and legacy when it comes to creating a cultural sensation. Prepare to hear some behind-the-scenes stories of the development and “betterizing” of Wicked, and what we can continue to learn from it in our ever-so-complicated, but beautiful world.

Speaking in First Draft is a production by Girls Write Now.

Host: Kathryn Destin

Producers: Kathryn Destin, Kenna McCaferty, and Vahni Kurra

Editors: Annaya Baynes, Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra

Music by Jaya Rao-Herel

Let us welcome Howard University’s esteemed professor and scholar of African-American literature Dana A. Williams! She is joined by Community Coordinator Annaya Baynes to discuss her newest book, Toni at Random: The Iconic Writer’s Legendary Editorship. In this biography of the brilliant novelist and activist Toni Morrison, Dana recounts Morrison’s legacy, close mentorship, and tenure as an editor at Penguin Random House. Listen in to this rich conversation between the two HBCU graduates as they discuss how vital it is to honor Black storytelling, mentorship, and art now more than ever.

Speaking in First Draft is a production by Girls Write Now.

Host: Kathryn Destin

Producers: Kathryn Destin, Kenna McCaferty, and Vahni Kurra

Editors: Annaya Baynes, Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra

Music by Jaya Rao-Herel

Today, we are thrilled to welcome the talented chef and author, Food Network Star Kardea Brown Smith. Host Kathryn, had the privilege of speaking with Chef Kardea about her new cookbook Make Do with What You Have. Set to launch later this year, Kardea shares 100 delicious new and accessible recipes rooted in the legacy of her family and hometown of the Gullah Geechee Sea Islands off South Carolina’s coast. We dive into rich topics such as gaining strength from “struggle” meals, the historical impact of race on the culinary industry, and how to manifest your dreams through writing.

Speaking in First Draft is a production by Girls Write Now.

Host: Kathryn Destin

Producers: Kathryn Destin, Kenna McCaferty, and Vahni Kurra

Editors: Annaya Baynes, Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra

Music by Jaya Rao-Herel

Speaking in First Draft returns for a special bonus season celebrating some of our newest additions to the Girls Write Now community. We are thrilled to highlight some of the remarkable voices we’ll honor at our Girls Write Now Awards this fall, so make sure ot stay tuned! This season, we’ll talk about a diversity of topics through creative writing and artistic lenses, from sharing culture through cooking to processing grief to navigating the immigrant experience, and so much more. Thank you for listening!

Today's special episode features comedic actress and writer, and one of our awardees for 2025, Rachel Bloom. In conversation with mentee Inica Kotasthane, they discuss how they defy death! In promotion of Rachel's latest Netflix special, Death, Let Me Do My Special, they reflect on using stand-up comedy to process the trauma from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. While we can’t guarantee you the cheat code to avoid death entirely, you’ll surely learn all the ways Rachel and Inica have learned to laugh and love through tremendous loss.

Speaking in First Draft is a production by Girls Write Now.

Host: Kathryn Destin

Producers: Kathryn Destin, Vahni Kurra, and Kenna McCaferty

Editors: Annaya Baynes, Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra

Music by Jaya Rao-Herel

For our final episode of season 3, we're joined by GWN mentee alum Romaissaa Benzizoune and our Community Coordinator Kenna McCaferty to dive into the world of advocacy journalism. Romaissaa, a passionate writer, editor, and aficionado of culture and opinion writing, gives an honest and personal insight into the current state of digital and print media. Things aren't like they used to be and it is felt across the industry. If you're interested in learning more about the ups and downs of pursuing journalism, finding purpose in creative essay writing, and learning to adapt to this ever changing industry, then this is the episode for you.

Speaking in First Draft is a production by Girls Write Now.

Host: Kathryn Destin

Producers: Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra

Editors: Annaya Baynes, Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra

Music by Jaya Rao-Herel

In this episode, we’re diving into how writing can help you step into your zone of genius, why we often self-sabotage to restore a sense of safety, and how your relationship with ambition shapes the life you are building. We're joined by Vahni Kurra, our Marketing and Communications Manager and Amina AlTai, leadership coach, chronic illness advocate, and author of The Ambition Trap: How to Stop Chasing and Start Living. Together, they talk about the generational shift in ambition and why, even if a book has already been written, no one can share your story quite like you can!

Speaking in First Draft is a production by Girls Write Now.

Host: Kathryn Destin

Producers: Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra

Editors: Annaya Baynes, Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra

Music by Jaya Rao-Herel