This Is the Author

In this episode, meet journalist Stephanie Fairyington, actor and co-creator of Pen15 Anna Konkle, and author and wellness educator Alexandra Elle. Tune in to learn why Stephanie Fairyington’s favorite chapter to record was “Weird Girls Rule,” hear how Anna Konkle used to pretend to be an audiobook narrator as a kid, and learn what inspired Alexandra Elle to write The Company We Keep.

Ugly by Stephanie Fairyington

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/763595/ugly-by-stephanie-fairyington/9798217174126/

The Sane One by Anna Konkle

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/677456/the-sane-one-by-anna-konkle/9798217176380/

The Company We Keep by Alexandra Elle

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/779601/the-company-we-keep-by-alexandra-elle/9798217285723/

In this episode, meet nurse practitioner and Everyday Wellness podcast host Cynthia Thurlow, cofounder of lifestyle clothing brand Faherty, Kerry Docherty, and professor and double board-certified Gynecologic Oncologist and OB/GYN, Dr. Kemi Doll. Hear Cynthia Thurlow on what she’s learned about the transition from perimenopause to menopause, Kerry Docherty on the experience of narrating her memoir, and Dr. Kemi Doll on her powerful research, and what she’s most excited for listeners to hear.

The Menopause Gut by Cynthia Thurlow, NP: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/777129/the-menopause-gut-by-cynthia-thurlow-np/audio

Selfish by Kerry Docherty: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/775631/selfish-by-kerry-docherty/audio

A Terrible Strength by Dr. Kemi Doll, MD, MSCR: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/775526/a-terrible-strength-by-kemi-doll-md-mscr/audio

In this episode, meet actor and bestselling author Hill Harper, therapist Eli Harwood, and content creator and interior designer Clare Sullivan. Hear how Hill Harper felt revisiting his book in the recording booth, how being a therapist (and in therapy) helped prepare Eli Harwood for recording her audiobook, and why Clare Sullivan describes her audiobook experience as “natural.”

Letters to a Young Brother by Hill Harper

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/298061/letters-to-a-young-brother-by-hill-harper/9798217286782/

How to Deal with Your ____ So Your Kids Don't Have To by Eli Harwood

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/808435/how-to-deal-with-your--so-your-kids-dont-have-to-by-eli-harwood-ma-lpc/9798217278862/

Budget Luxury by Clare Sullivan

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/753294/budget-luxury-by-clare-sullivan/9798217279111/

In this episode, meet sex educator and Hoodrat to Headwrap podcast co-host Ericka Hart, professor of sociology and founder of LightenLab Leah Ruppanner, and founder of RARE Coaching & Consulting Aiko Bethea. Hear Ericka Hart on the central place of race, class, and other elements of intersectionality in the field of sexual education. Tune in to hear Leah Ruppanner on why we need better language to understand the concept of “mental load.” And hear Aiko Bethea on the importance of providing a framework for ending rumination and finding the confidence to make life-changing decisions.

Nasty Work by Ericka Hart

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/705447/nasty-work-by-ericka-hart/9798217286546/

Drained by Leah Ruppanner

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/762972/drained-by-leah-ruppanner-phd/9798217285662/

Anchored, Aligned, Accountable by Aiko Bethea

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/747123/anchored-aligned-accountable-by-aiko-bethea/9780593950135/

In this episode, meet the host of the Everything Happens podcast Kate Bowler, co-authors Annie Leonard and Andre Carothers, and speaker and advocate Libby Ward. Tune in to hear Kate Bowler on accessing joy without having to be “fixed,” hear Annie Leonard and Andre Carothers on the civic concerns that prompted them to write their book on the power of protest, and hear Libby Ward on helping moms feel less alone and more whole in motherhood.

Joyful, Anyway by Kate Bowler: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/764086/joyful-anyway-by-kate-bowler/audio

Protest by Annie Leonard and Andre Carothers: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/835338/protest-by-annie-leonard-and-andre-carothers/audio

Honest Motherhood by Libby Ward: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/749972/honest-motherhood-by-libby-ward/audio

In this episode, meet journalist and space industry analyst David Ariosto, science journalist Roxanne Khamsi, and physician and medical journalist Dr. Trisha Pasricha. Tune in to hear about the documentary filmmaking trip that inspired David Ariosto’s book, hear Roxanne Khamsi on how she prepared for her time in the recording studio, and learn the surprising statistics that inspired Dr. Trisha Pasricha’s research into better bowel movements for all.

Open Space by David Ariosto

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/708833/open-space-by-david-ariosto/9798217165711/

Beyond Inheritance by Roxanne Khamsi

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/711682/beyond-inheritance-by-roxanne-khamsi/9798217281626/

You've Been Pooping All Wrong by Dr. Trisha Pasricha's

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/776380/youve-been-pooping-all-wrong-by-trisha-pasricha-md-mph/9798217285686/

National Library Week 2026 is April 19-25, and it's the perfect time to share our love of libraries and our deep appreciation for the librarians who work to make them the vibrant and welcoming places that they are. In this special compilation episode of This Is the Author, hear Mychal Threets, Arthur C. Brooks, Tom Junod, Elizabeth Berg, Erin McGoff, Angela Buchdahl, Zachary Rubin, Dominic Hoffman, Chuck Klosterman, C .Thi Nguyen, and Susan Orlean share what they love most about their local libraries.

In this episode, meet therapist Nidhi Tewari, professor Arthur C. Brooks, and professor and behavioral scientist Julia Minson. Tune in to hear the science behind Nidhi Tewari’s deep dive into workplace burnout, discover what Arthur C. Brooks is most excited for listeners to hear in his audiobook, and hear Julia Minson on the art of disagreement – and why she loves listening to audiobooks on a long drive.

Working Well by Nidhi Tewari, MSW, LCSW: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/788782/working-well-by-nidhi-tewari-msw-lcsw-foreword-by-amy-cuddy/audio

The Meaning of Your Life by Arthur C. Brooks: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724315/the-meaning-of-your-life-by-arthur-c-brooks/audio

How to Disagree Better by Julia Minson:

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/774525/how-to-disagree-better-by-julia-minson/audio

In this episode, meet artist and hip-hop pioneer Fab 5 Freddy, journalist Tom Junod, and food writer Luke Barr. Tune in to hear how writing his memoir gave Fab 5 Freddy a way to share the context behind 40 years of living at the nexus of art and culture. Hear Tom Junod on the need to find a definition of masculinity other than what he had been taught as a child. And go behind the mic with Luke Barr as he explains what inspired his latest book on French cooking.

Everybody's Fly by Fab 5 Freddy

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/775871/everybodys-fly-by-fab-5-freddy-with-mark-rozzo/9798217281770/

In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man by Tom Junod

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/89092/in-the-days-of-my-youth-i-was-told-what-it-means-to-be-a-man-by-tom-junod/9798217174065/

The Secret History of French Cooking by Luke Barr

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/602455/the-secret-history-of-french-cooking-by-luke-barr/9798217285600/

In this episode, meet hip-hop artist and Cookies CEO Berner, founder of AdviceWithErin Erin McGoff, and poet and essayist Camonghne Felix. Tune in to hear what inspired Berner to write his book, Erin McGoff on her mission to help people advocate for themselves in the workplace, and Camonghne Felix on the activism and organizing experiences that inspire her work.

Becoming Legend by Berner: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/778154/becoming-legend-by-berner/audio/

The Secret Language of Work by Erin McGoff: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/784182/the-secret-language-of-work-by-erin-mcgoff/audio

Let the Poets Govern by Camonghne Felix: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/671601/let-the-poets-govern-by-camonghne-felix/audio