With New Yorker staff writer and #1 best-seller David Grann (Killers of the Flower Moon, The Lost City of Z, and The Wager). We covered: the worst shipwreck in history; writing as both a real and metaphorical quest; and how the chronicle of real life disaster is merely an excuse to explore Grann’s true perennial subject: the human condition. Asked what the human condition actually is, Grann told me: “It’s f&cked up.”

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

With Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, one of the most lauded young writers in America. His short story collection Friday Black, and his new novel, Chain Gang All Stars, have garnered comparisons to no less than Chekhov, Orwell, and Atwood. We discussed satire, mass incarceration, and what he learned from his mentor George Saunders.

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

Former FBI Director James Comey is one of the most revered, controversial, and consequential figures in American law enforcement history. He’s also a great writer.

We had an open, fascinating, and frankly quite entertaining conversation regarding the publication of debut novel Central Park West. Also covered: the Mar-a-Lago indictment, Trump’s legal woes, and the one adjective he’d use to describe Dick Cheney.

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

An (actually) uplifting and inspiring talk re racism and South Boston, with the master of Beantown's dark underbelly, Dennis Lehane.

While discussing his new book Small Mercies, we covered (1) where he sees hope in the national race convo (2) why The Wire (which he helped write), was such a hit, and (3) the one quality that makes Stephen King, well, the king.

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

With one of my true literary heroes, and a treasure to the world’s literary and spiritual communities, Karen Armstrong, on her new book Sacred Nature.

We discussed the mythic self, natural ecstasy, and how saving the planet begins with the smallest of steps. Looking back across my life, she is probably the author I have loved most and longest.

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

One of my most hilarious Thoughtful Bros ever, with one of the funniest writers anywhere, former U.S. Poet Laureate, Billy Collins. Along with readings from his latest book, Musical Tables, we discussed finding your voice, how gratitude is a key ingredient in making a poet, and late bloomers.

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

A conversation with the ever-stylish, ever-readable, always unputdownable Rebecca Makkai, on her new boarding-school-literary-whodunit-bestseller, I Have Some Questions For You.

We discussed strategies for reviving a flagging work-in-progress, story structure hacks, and the importance of interrogating your own memories with a critical eye.

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

An epic discussion with one of my heroes & mentors, the world renowned screenwriting guru Robert McKee. While discussing his new book Action: The Art of Excitement For Screen, Page and Game, we covered: embracing story conventions while avoiding cliches; how you can't have great heroes without great antagonists; and a furious throw down of Joseph Campbell and the Hero’s Journey.  

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

Upholding his reputation for minimal BS and straight talk on Trump’s America, Officer Michael Fanone did not disappoint as he discussed his new memoir Hold The Line.

We talked about what it was like in the war zone of January 6 at the Capitol, why that day inspired him, what to make of the midterms, and his sharp reply to whether the former President should be indicted.

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

With Maggie O’Farrell, whose heartfelt, lyrical exploration about genius and grief, Hamnet, vacuumed up awards and made, it seems, every last reader weep. If you’re looking for sensual prose, a startling theory on why Shakespeare wrote his most famous play, or a rollicking sex scene in an apple-storage-shed, look no further.

With introductory thoughts on historical fiction as a genre, paring down your story, and becoming the writer you want to be, with Whitney Scharer, author of The Age Of Light. All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.