Write About Now

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. 

Michael Ian Black is a comedian, actor, and writer. His new book, A BETTER MAN: A (Mostly Serious) Letter to My Son, offers a thoughtful and personal look at the complicated meaning of masculinity in an era of the Angry White Male, lawless insurrections, school shootings, and #MeToo. For a comedian, this is a pretty heavy topic. We talk about his own unusual upbringing, the shortcomings of traditional masculinity, dating and relationships in today’s world, and ultimately what it takes to be a better man.

On January 6, 2021, thousands of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol as Congress was meeting to confirm Joe Biden as the 46th U.S. President. Five people died and the nation plunged into chaos. Our brave guests--both writers--were on the ground to bear witness: Andrew Denny is a journalist who reported on the riot for Business Insider. Terry Bouton is an author and professor of history at UMBC. His Twitter thread on the event has over 100 thousand views. This is what they saw and heard, and what they believe it means for the future of our country. 

Ever feel like you could organize your days better? This is the episode for you. Guest Laura Vanderkam is a time-management and productivity guru. She's the author of several bestselling books on the topic, including What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast and The New Corner Office: How The Most Successful People Work From Home. Her Ted Talk has over 11 million views. On the pod, we talk about the best morning routines, how to organize your days by task not time, dealing with email overload, and the future of working from home. 

In 1864, two newspapers published a call, allegedly from President Lincoln, for the conscription of 400,000 more Union soldiers to the Civil War. But it was a hoax. The fake news and what happened next is the subject of guest Elizabeth “Biz” Mitchell’s new book Lincoln’s Lie. We talk about journalism during this time, the complicated relationship between the President and the press, and Mitchells’ own rise from the executive editor at John F. Kennedy Jr's George magazine to the author of historical books.

Meowy Christmas! On this special holiday episode of Write About Now, we take a deep dive into the fuzzy world of felines. Guest Dr. Meghan Herron, DVM is a veterinary behavior specialist and author of the new book Decoding Your Cat. She explains common cat behaviors, such as purring, meowing, and even loving, to help demystify kitties. She also offers fascinating insights into understanding different cat personalities and techniques to train your cat. 

Pulitzer Prize finalist Sarah Maslin Nir talks about her new coming-of-age memoir, Horse Crazy, which explores why she and so many others are completely obsessed with horses. We learn about her life growing up as an outsider in the insular world of New York City's elite. From riding to writing, Nir also takes us behind-the-scenes of her impressive career, including a yearlong investigation into New York City’s exploitive and dangerous nail salon industry.