The Other 51

Dr. Ben Sawyer, a historian from Middle Tennessee State, joins Brian to talk about why Forest Gump is a dangerous movie, why journalists are kicking historians butts in terms of writing compelling works, and why Lenin was making it all up as he went along (validating a long-standing theory of Brian’s). They also discuss their favorite Founding Fathers.

Dan Horan, ofm, is Alexander Hamilton to Brian’s Aaron Burr. OK, not exactly. But the writer, theologian and Franciscian friar talks about how he keeps up an insanely productive writing schedule (seriously, six books and 120 articles in just about a decade), reinvention, the problems with academic writing, and drops some Post-Colonial Theory on us. (Also, there’s a fair amount of St. Bonaventure talk).

Author Jeff Pealrman tells us why the 1980s were an awesome time in sports, how he turns 400-500 interviews into a narrative, and why he loves writing in coffee shops. He also tells us the real reason he wrote the excellent book “Gunslinger” about Brett Favre.

Food writer Jared Paventi tells us how to eat like a food critic, how he uses his camera to write recipes and the challenges in trying to maintain a blog you’re proud of . He also breaks down why he doesn’t like Hamilton.

Food writer Jared Paventi tells us how to eat like a food critic, how he uses his camera to write recipes and the challenges in trying to maintain a blog you’re proud of . He also breaks down why he doesn’t like Hamilton.

ESPN’s Bomani Jones joins us to talk about the lessons writers can learn from economics; how his writing career influences his broadcasting work; and why college journalism students should take philosophy courses. He also gives Brian a long-overdue education to James Brown.

ESPN’s Bomani Jones joins us to talk about the lessons writers can learn from economics; how his writing career influences his broadcasting work; and why college journalism students should take philosophy courses. He also gives Brian a long-overdue education to James Brown.

Michelle Garcia, senior editor for race and identities at Vox, talks about growing up as the daughter of an award-winning author, growing up in the shadow of Donald Trump, and why journalism is all about verbs. She and Brian also share some shocking confessions about Harry Potter and Oswego. It’s amazing they stay friends.

Michelle Garcia, senior editor for race and identities at Vox, talks about growing up as the daughter of an award-winning author, growing up in the shadow of Donald Trump, and why journalism is all about verbs. She and Brian also share some shocking confessions about Harry Potter and Oswego. It’s amazing they stay friends.

Writer, podcaster and one of Brian’s favorite people on the internet Merlin Mann talks about how the best writing books are kind of self-help books; how writing can influence every aspect of your life; and Hamilton. So much wonderful Hamilton nerdery.