Episodes

  • Isaac Fitzgerald: American Rambler

    Isaac Fitzgerald: American Rambler
    May 12 2026
    On this week’s episode of You Are What You Read, we are so excited to welcome Isaac Fitzgerald with his new memoir, American Rambler: Walking the Trail of Johnny Appleseed. Isaac is the New York Times bestselling author of Dirtbag, Massachusetts and the children’s book How to Be a Pirate. He has also co-authored the books Pen & Ink: Tattoos and the Stories Behind Them and Knives & Ink: Chefs and the Stories Behind Their Tattoos. Isaac appears frequently on The Today Show—you might have seen us with Isaac earlier this year with 2026 book recs and on Jenna Bush Hager’s Open Book podcast. Isaac’s writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Esquire, GQ, The Guardian, and The Best American Nonrequired Reading. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • Kathryn Stockett: The Calamity Club

    Kathryn Stockett: The Calamity Club
    May 5 2026
    Kathryn Stockett is back! The New York Times bestselling author of The Help returns with a new novel, The Calamity Club, which hits bookshelves today. Kathryn’s first novel The Help, has sold over 15 million copies worldwide, was translated into 35 languages and adapted into the major motion picture starring Octavia Spencer, Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Jessica Chastain and more. The Calamity Club is Kathryn Stockett at her most confident, heartfelt, and hilarious—the triumphant return of one of the most beloved storytellers of our time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • LIVE with La Lucci: A conversation with Susan Lucci

    LIVE with La Lucci: A conversation with Susan Lucci
    Apr 22 2026
    On this week’s episode of You Are What You Read, we are thrilled to bring you our LIVE conversation with the great Susan Lucci at the Adelphi University Writers & Readers Festival. Susan Lucci is the most famous face in daytime television history and held audiences spellbound for over forty years as the iconic Erica Kane on ABC’s award-winning daytime drama All My Children. In May of 1999, on her nineteenth nomination, she won the Emmy for Best Actress, receiving the longest standing ovation in television history. She is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoirs All My Life and La Lucci, which we discuss in this episode. Susan most recently finished a successful run starring in the off-Broadway hit show My First Ex-Husband and appears in Jonah Hill’s Apple TV+ film Outcome. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    55 mins
  • Emma Straub on Books and Boy Bands

    Emma Straub on Books and Boy Bands
    Apr 7 2026
    On this week’s episode of You Are What You Read, we are joined by Emma Straub with her new novel, American Fantasy. Emma is the New York Times-bestselling author of This Time Tomorrow, All Adults Here, The Vacationers, Modern Lovers, Laura Lamont’s Life in Pictures, and the short story collection Other People We Married. She is also the author of a picture book, Very Good Hats. Her books have been published in more than twenty languages. She and her husband own one of our favorite indie bookstores, Books Are Magic in Brooklyn, New York. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    42 mins
  • Holy Week with Sister Helen Prejean

    Holy Week with Sister Helen Prejean
    Apr 1 2026
    This Holy Week on You Are What You Read, we are thrilled to welcome bestselling author, lecturer and community organizer, Sister Helen Prejean. You know Sister Helen’s books: Dead Man Walking (which was adapted into the Academy Award-winning film), The Death of Innocents, and River of Fire: My Spiritual Journey. The graphic edition of Dead Man Walking was recently released with stunning illustrations by award-winning artist, Catherine Anyango Grünewald, with a script by Rose Vines that faithfully intertwines the original with the present. Sister Helen is known around the world for her tireless work against the death penalty, and she has been instrumental in sparking national dialogue on capital punishment and in shaping the Catholic Church’s opposition to all executions. In this conversation, Sister Helen reflects on writing, spirituality and community in the spirit of this Easter Season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Table 4 at the River Cafe with Ruthie Rogers

    Table 4 at the River Cafe with Ruthie Rogers
    Mar 24 2026
    On this week’s episode of You Are What You Read, we are joined by Ruthie Rogers with her all-new book, Table 4 at The River Cafe: Conversations about Food and Life. Ruthie Rogers is the co-founder of The River Cafe in London and an award-winning chef. She is also the host of the podcast Ruthie’s Table 4 and the author of thirteen cookbooks, including The River Cafe Cookbook, River Cafe 30, and The River Cafe Look Book. She was awarded an MBE in 2010 and a CBE in 2020. You can follow her on Instagram @RuthieRogers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    24 mins
  • Annabelle Gurwitch: The End of My Life is Killing Me

    Annabelle Gurwitch: The End of My Life is Killing Me
    Mar 17 2026
    On this week’s episode of You Are What You Read, we are joined by Annabelle Gurwitch with her latest book, "The End of My Life is Killing Me: The Unexpected Joys of a Cancer Slacker". Annabelle is an actress and author, and known most notably for her stint co-hosting "Dinner and a Movie" on TBS and for her years as a regular commentator on NPR. In "The End of My Life is Killing Me", Annabelle upends the notion of living each day as if it were your last—she discovers you can carpe too much diem, and she embraces, instead, the extraordinary in the ordinary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • Joan Crawford and Hollywood: A conversation with Film Historian Scott Eyman

    Joan Crawford and Hollywood: A conversation with Film Historian Scott Eyman
    Mar 14 2026
    In honor of tomorrow's 98th Academy Awards show, we are joined by film historian and acclaimed New York Times bestselling biographer Scott Eyman on this episode of You Are What You Read. In this conversation, we take a look back on Hollywood history through the lens of Joan Crawford, Scott's latest subject in his new biography, "Joan Crawford: A Woman’s Face". Scott is the author of eighteen books including the bestsellers "John Wayne: The Life and Legend", "Pieces of My Heart", and "You Must Remember This", which Scott co-wrote with actor Robert Wagner. Scott is a former literary critic at The Palm Beach Post and currently writes book reviews for The Wall Street Journal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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