The PEN Pod

By PEN America

As an organization that's all about the literary community, PEN America knows that the ongoing health crisis is hitting our Members and friends particularly hard. The PEN Pod is meant to provide regul... more

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FAQs about The PEN Pod:

How many episodes does The PEN Pod have?

The podcast currently has 194 episodes available.

The PEN Pod episodes:

April 30, 2020 Episode 32: Critically Engaging with the World with Dinaw Mengestu
On this edition, we talk to novelist and PEN America trustee Dinaw Mengestu for how he's teaching writing amid the pandemic, and what we can learn from his work about uncertainty. Then our own Julie Trebault discusses the challenges facing artists amid a global crackdown against artistic expression.
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13min
April 29, 2020 Episode 31: The Spiritual Urgency of Poetry with Carolyn Forché
On today's episode, poet and activist Carolyn Forché shares insights on the power of poetry, the concepts of migration and movement during a lockdown, and reads from her new collection.
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13min
April 28, 2020 Episode 30: A Photo and a Family Saga with Brandon Shimoda
On this, our 30th episode, we talk to PEN America Literary Award winner Brandon Shimoda and the epic family tale he tells in The Grave on the Wall. Plus, our efforts to get state governors to support local journalism.
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11min
April 27, 2020 Episode 29: A Search for Empathy with Ramiza Koya
On today's episode for Monday, April 27, we talk to debut novelist Ramiza Koya about her new book THE ROYAL ABDULS; she discusses her own health struggles and how her community in Portland has come to support her. Plus, how small and independent publishing houses are coping with COVID-19.
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11min
April 24, 2020 Episode 28: Endurance, Survival, and Poetry with Rigoberto Gonzalez; Plus Tough Questions with Suzanne Nossel
On this Friday edition of The PEN Pod, we talk to poet Rigoberto Gonzalez about how family history helps define his work and about how he still sees plenty of beauty in our socially isolated world. Then, it's time for Tough Question with PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel.
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21min
April 23, 2020 Episode 27: The Paris Review Transforms with Emily Nemens, Plus Supporting the Literary Arts
On this episode, we talk to the editor of the Paris Review Emily Nemens about how the magazine has changed, and about her new book. We also hear from listeners, and discuss ways cities can support the literary arts.
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11min
April 22, 2020 Episode 26: Belonging in the World with Mimi Lok, Plus the Outlook From Hong Kong
For Wednesday's episode, we talk about belonging, mentorship, and human connections with author Mimi Lok. We also discuss how the coronavirus is impacting the ability to demonstrate in Hong Kong.
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18min
April 21, 2020 Episode 25: The Possibility of Surprise with Emily St. John Mandel, Plus Local Journalists as Heroes
On today's edition, we talk to novelist Emily St. John Mandel about her new book and a bit about her own writing on a post-pandemic future. We're also joined by PEN America's own Katie Zanecchia to talk about the organization's work elevating the reporting of local journalists.
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13min
April 20, 2020 Episode 24: Cities and Our Future with N.K. Jemisin, Plus a Virtual Translation Festival with Mary Ann Newman
On this Monday's episode, we talk to Hugo Award winning author N.K. Jemisin reckoning with real themes in a fantasy world, and then Catalan translator Mary Ann Newman on bringing a translation festival online.
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16min
April 17, 2020 Episode 23: This Moment Will Change Literally Everything with Franklin Leonard; Plus Tough Questions with Suzanne Nossel
On this Friday, we talk to film executive and PEN America board member Franklin Leonard on the coronavirus crisis' impact on screenwriters and the dynamic in Hollywood. Then, it's our weekly Tough Questions segment with PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel.
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22min

FAQs about The PEN Pod:

How many episodes does The PEN Pod have?

The podcast currently has 194 episodes available.