Are we alone in the universe? No way, says guest Avi Loeb, a Harvard University astrophysicist and author of a persuasive new book called Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth, which focuses on the discovery of Oumuamua in 2017. Loeb argues that the unidentified interstellar object is the first to visit our solar system. On the pod, we talk about the evidence that led him to stake his reputation on his theory, the reason it's so controversial, and why more scientists aren't interested in discovering life beyond our planet. 

For more information on Write About Now, visit www.writeaboutnowmedia.com

Music and editing by Jesse McInturff

British writer Katherine May has written both fiction and non-fiction books about dealing with stress. In her new memoir Wintering, she writes beautifully about how to cope with life when it throws you unexpected challenges. After weathering the storms of a critically sick husband, Katherine became ill with Crohn's disease. Then her 6-year-old refused to go to school and she quit her job. Rather than wallowing in self-pity, Katherine mined her own experience and other cultures to learn how to deal with hard times by retreating, hibernating, healing, and re-grouping. 

Kristin Hannah is one of the most successful novelists working today. She has written over 20 novels, including the international blockbusters, The Nightingale (soon to be a film starring Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning), and Firefly Lane (now on Netflix with Katherine Heigl). Her powerful new novel is called The Four Winds and takes place during the dust bowl. A former lawyer turned writer, Kristin shares her unlikely origin story, how she chooses the characters and setting of her epic tales, and what it's like to see her words come to life on the screen.

This podcast was produced by Jonathan Small and Strike Fire Productions, edited by Jeremy Grater. 

Elizabeth LaBan is the bestselling author of five novels and one nonfiction book, including Beside Herself, Not Perfect, The Restaurant Critic's Wife, and The Tragedy Paper, which has been translated into eleven languages. She's also a former high school classmate. We learned to write under the watchful eye of an erudite English teacher. On the pod, she talks about her journey from NBC Page to novelist, the importance of raising the stakes in storytelling, and her advice for every writer she meets.

Dr. Jack Goldstone is a sociologist, political scientist, and historian recognized as one of the leading authorities on revolutions and social change. His latest book, Revolutions: A Very Short Introduction, shows how revolutions have shaped our world. On the podcast, he talks about the current state of political instability in the U.S.: How we got here, where we're going, and what history can teach us about how to fix this seemingly intractable divide. This is a masterclass in understanding the current political and social climate.

While most of us are familiar with the stories of Black historical figures, like Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman, many unheralded people in Black history are lesser-known. In her new book, Unsung, Michelle D. Commander (with co-editor Kevin Young) collects life stories and overlooked American Slavery and Abolitionists' accounts that have mostly been excised from today's historical accounts. An associate director and curator of the Lapidus Center and a professor of Africana Studies, Commander shares some amazing stories you probably don't know but should. 

Can meditation help you become a kinder, calmer, and happier person? Does regular practice help you become a better writer? These are some of the questions posed to master meditator Sharon Salzberg. Sharon is the co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society and author of several bestselling books on meditation, including Real Happiness and Real Change. Her accessible, down-to-earth approach to meditating has made her a much sought-after teacher. On the podcast, she shares tips for overcoming writer's block, the inner critic, and other obstacles that stand in our way. 

One in three people in the U.S. suffers from a sleep disorder, impacting their health, happiness, and overall sanity. But it doesn't have to be this way, says this week's guest Dr. Michael Breus, a Clinical Psychologist, renowned sleep expert, and author of the book, The Power of When. Known as The Sleep Doctor, Dr. Breus has appeared numerous times on Oprah, Dr. Oz, and over 250 TV shows. On the pod, he offers practical tips for getting a better night's sleep based on your sleep chronotype: Are you a bear, wolf, lion, or dolphin? Dr. Breus also offers advice for stopping snoring, drinking coffee, napping, and using CBD, Melatonin, and other sleep medicine. 

Guest Mark Bittman is one of the most successful food writers of all time. Over the past 30 years, he has penned over 17,000 recipes and countless books, including the How to Cook Everything series. He was also the lead food writer for the New York Times Magazine. Recently, he shifted gears to become a food academic and activist. His latest book is Animal Vegetable Junk, which gives a comprehensive tour of the history of food, and how it has impacted humanity and the environment. On the pod, Bittman shares how he broke into the food writing business, how he comes up with recipe ideas, and his concerns about and solutions for our not-so-nutritious national diet. 

If you find yourself entertaining too many negative and self-critical thoughts, this episode might really help you. Rick Hanson, Ph.D. is a psychologist and author who has written several bestselling books, including his latest Neurodarma, on the inner skills of personal well-being, psychological growth, and meditation. A practicing Buddhist, Hanson integrates the ancient teachings of the Buddha with modern science to explain not only what's happening in your mind, but how to rewire your brain to experience more happiness and positivity.