It's not every day that a fiction writer joins the Watson Institute as a Senior Fellow. But ZZ Packer isn’t your typical novelist. In addition to her 2003 debut short story collection 'Drinking Coffee Elsewhere,' she also contributed to The 1619 Project, a groundbreaking set of writings and podcast series from The New York Times, which reframed slavery as the central institution on which the United States was made. It’s been met with praise (including a Pulitzer), as well as criticism among some thinkers and historians. On this episode, Sarah talked with ZZ about The 1619 Project, her work as a writer, and her experience helping students to understand the role narrative plays in politics, policy, and history.

*Excerpt at the beginning of the episode from '1619,' the podcast companion to The 1619 Project. You can learn more about The 1619 Project here.

You can learn more about Watson’s other podcasts here.