Patrick Ryan joins the podcast to discuss his mesmerizing and captivating new novel, Buckeye. He explores the emotional undercurrents of the story, the characters that linger long after the final page, and the ideas that inspired the novel’s atmosphere. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, writer, editor, and Southern foodways champion John T. Edge has a thoughtful conversation about his memoir, House of Smoke. This episode digs into how food becomes narrative, how place leaves its mark, and why telling Southern stories still matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, author Addie E. Citchens joins the podcast to talk about her debut novel, Dominion. Exploring the ideas, inspirations, and personal experiences that shaped the work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Dr. Darden North as he sits down with Royal Allis, Executive Director of Mississippi Public Broadcasting, to talk about his career as a medical doctor and author. Darden's latest book Party Favors follows a young orthopedic surgeon on the Mississippi Gulf Coast who, desperate to save his failing practice, turns to selling leftover narcotics and even hooking new patients on opioids. As local police investigate his ties to a drug ring, the novel explores the moral and ethical dilemmas behind the opioid crisis.Dr. Darden North: Darden North, a board-certified OB-GYN and daVinci Robotic Surgeon in Flowood, Mississippi, has presented at literary events like the Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration and Killer Nashville. He has also served as Chairman of the Mississippi Public Broadcasting Foundation and Mississippi Health Partners.Royal Allis: Royal Aills, executive director of Mississippi Public Broadcasting, is an Arkansas native who has led teams at both commercial and public television stations. Prior to joining MPB, Aills was general manager at RSU Public TV at Rogers State University in Oklahoma. During his tenure at RSU TV, Aills’ team won numerous awards, including four Emmys.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen to Joesph Earl Thomas talk with host Matt Sawyer about his award-winning book, God Bless You, Otis Spunkmeyer. Joseph Earl Thomas - Joseph Earl Thomas is an American writer and educator known for his memoir "Sink", which was longlisted for the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award and shortlisted for the William Saroyan International Prize for Writing. His work has appeared in publications such as The Kenyon Review, Virginia Quarterly Review, Dilettante Army, and The New York Times Book Review.Matt Sawyer: Matt is an educator, podcaster, writer, and hip-hop artist based in Macon County, North Carolina. He is the creator of the Story Made Project, an exploration for and of stories that make a difference in our world.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen as author Julia Philips becomes fast friends with host Matt Sawyer as they talk about her latest best-selling book, Bear.Julia Philips: Julia Philips is the author of the bestselling novel Bear and Disappearing Earth, a finalist for the National Book Award, and one of The New York Times Book Review’s 10 Best Books of the Year. A 2024 Guggenheim fellow, she lives with her family in Brooklyn.HostMatt Sawyer: Matt is an educator, podcaster, writer, and hip-hop artist based in Macon County, North Carolina. He is the creator of the Story Made Project, an exploration for and of stories that make a difference in our world.    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Crystal Wilkinson as she sits with Ebony Lumumba to discuss her national best-selling book, Praise Song for the Kitchen Ghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks. Crystal Wilkinson: Crystal Wilkinson is an acclaimed American author, poet, and educator known for her poignant and lyrical explorations of identity, family, and rural Black life in Appalachia.Host Ebony Lumumba: Ebony Lumumba is an English professor specializing in African American and Diasporic literature. Her work intersects education, activism, and literature, making her a vital voice in discussions on contemporary race, culture, and social progress. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Richard Grant as he talks with Matt Sawyer about his book, A Race to the Bottom of Crazy. In A Race to the Bottom of Crazy, Grant blends memoir, research, and reporting to explore what makes Arizona both perplexing and undeniably captivating.Richard Grant: Richard Grant is an author, journalist, and television host. He currently writes for the Smithsonian magazine, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Telegraph UK, Aeon, and several other publications. He grew up in London, England, and now lives in Tucson, Arizona.HostMatt Sawyer: Matt is an educator, podcaster, writer, and hip-hop artist based in Macon County, North Carolina. He is the creator of the Story Made Project, an exploration for and of stories that make a difference in our world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Kate Medley as she talks with Matt Sawyer about her coffee-table book of photographs, Thank You Please Come Again. The book has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN, among others. It was named a Best Book of 2024 by NPR and won the 2024 Mississippi Institute of Arts & Letters prize.Kate Medley: Kate Medley is a North Carolina-based visual journalist documenting the American South. Born and raised in Mississippi Kate has investigated Civil Rights-era cold cases, covered the devastating impacts of Hurricane Katrina, and chased down hot tamales and Koolicles in the Mississippi Delta.HostMatt Sawyer: Matt is an educator, podcaster, writer, and hip-hop artist based in Macon County, North Carolina. He is the creator of the Story Made Project, an exploration for and of stories that make a difference in our world.    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join New York Times bestselling author Patrick deWitt as he talks to Matt Sawyer about his newest novel, The Librarianist. The story follows retired librarian Bob Comet. The book is billed as a wide-ranging and ambitious document of the introvert's condition. Patrick deWitt: Patrick deWitt is the author of the novels French Exit (a national bestseller), The Sisters Brothers (a New York Times bestseller short-listed for the Booker Prize), and the critically acclaimed Undermajordomo Minor and Ablutions. Born in British Columbia, he has also lived in California and Washington, and now resides in Portland, Oregon.HostMatt Sawyer: Matt is an educator, podcaster, writer, and hip-hop artist based in Macon County, North Carolina. He is the creator of the Story Made Project, an exploration for and of stories that make a difference in our world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.