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The Chills at Will Podcast is a celebration of the visceral beauty of literature. This beauty will be examined through close reads of phrases and lines and passages from fiction and nonfiction that thrills the reader, so much so that he wants to read again and again to replicate that thrill. Each episode will focus on a different theme, such as "The Power of Flashback," "Understatement," "Cats in the Cradle," and "Chills at Will: Origin Story."
Episodes
Saturday Oct 15, 2022
Saturday Oct 15, 2022
Episode 146 with Sandy Ho:
A Discussion of the Work and New Book (Year of the Tiger) of Alice Wong, Sandy’s Partner in Meaningful and Change-Inducing Work in Disability Circles and Beyond
Sandy Ho is guided by the light of the closest disco ball. Born in the year of the tiger, her boldness has shown up in her community organizing and activism as the founder of the Disability & Intersectionality Summit. She is also one-third of the team behind the “Access is Love” campaign in partnership with Alice Wong and Mia Mingus. Her essay “Canfei to Canji: The Freedom of Being Loud” is included in Disability Visibility: FirstPerson Stories from the Twenty-First Century edited by Alice Wong. She produced the discussion guide for Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life by Alice Wong (September 2022). In 2022 Sandy received the Disability Futures Fellowship. Currently she is the director of the Disability Inclusion Fund at Borealis Philanthropy. Sandy spends her time reading, cheering for the Red Sox, and daydreaming while drinking tea. She identifies as a queer disabled Asian American woman.
Donate to Alice Wong's Recovery Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/alice-wong-stay-in-community
Alice Wong is the founder and director of the Disability Visibility Project, an online community that fosters and amplifies disability media and culture. A Chinese-American activist and writer, Wong fights for access and representation for people with disabilities from all backgrounds.
Wong launched the Disability Visibility Project in 2014. It began as a partnership with StoryCorps to offer opportunities for people with disabilities to record their own oral histories. It grew into an online community that documents and amplifies disability media and culture. Wong, who never felt represented in popular culture while growing up as an Asian-American girl with a disability, wanted to help people tell their stories without the filter of the media, an act she hoped they would find empowering.
Wong’s writing on disability issues has been published in numerous media outlets across the country. She has edited two anthologies that feature essays written by people with disabilities, and she published her memoir, Year of the Tiger, in 2022.
In 2020, Time recognized Wong as one of 16 notable people fighting for equality in America.
Wong continues her intersectional advocacy for the disability community and the Asian American community through her efforts as an activist and writer. In her own words, “I want to create a world that is reflective of all of us. This is my life’s work.”
At about 10:50, Pete and Sandy discuss a recent Teen Vogue article, “ 'Year of the Tiger' By Alice Wong Is a Letter to Asian American Disabled Women and Girls,” excerpted from the book
At about 11:30, Sandy responds to Pete asking about what Alice means to the disabled communities and beyond and how she functions as an “oracle”
At about 15:10, Pete and Sandy reflect on how relatively short the post-Americans with Disabilities Act history is and about Alice and her contemporaries as “OGs”
At about 17:05, Sandy gives background on her meeting Alice and “community organizing” and how “Letters to Thrive” served as a catalyst
At about 20:50, Pete and Sandy talk about interdependence and community, including the symbolism of the peaches brought from Masumuto Farms
At about 26:55, Sandy tells of a recent birthday party that Alice threw for her; this serves as a shining example of Alice’s copious generosity, selflessness, and care for others
At about 29:00, the two discuss Alice’s emphasis in her book and in her life on rest and relaxation and recharging
At about 31:40, Sandy and Pete examine the word “ally” and Sandy discusses what we as a collective can do to be more than just “performative” allies
At about 34:00, Sandy gives out bookstores and libraries of note, including Green Apple Books
Disability Visibility Twitter Page
Buy Year of the Tiger: Activist's Life
From Eater Magazine, October 2022: "Constant Cravings"
Tuesday Oct 11, 2022
Tuesday Oct 11, 2022
Episode 145 Notes and Links to Vanessa Bee’s Work
On Episode 145 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Vanessa Bee, and the two discuss, among other topics, Vanessa’s adoption, her hunger for books and ideas of representation (or lack thereof) in her literary world, family dynamics and different forms of love, her various experiences living in three countries and two continents, the exquisite crafting and structuring of her book to center “home” in myriad ways, her multilingualism and its effects on her writing, evangelicalism and her coming-of-age in a changing and sometimes-chaotic world.
Vanessa A. Bee is a consumer protection lawyer and essayist. Born in Cameroon, she grew up in France, England, and the United States. Vanessa holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Nevada and a law degree from Harvard.
Book Excerpt: “You Have to Suffer” from Guernica, 2020
Excerpt from Home Bound-From The Cut, October 2022-"Easy Target"
October 21 Online Event-Vanessa in Conversation with Sanae Lemoine for Books are Magic: 7pm EST
At about 7:10, Vanessa discusses the excitement and hubbub surrounding the release of her book on October 11, including tour stops
At about 9:55, Pete asks Vanessa about her history with languages and her relationship with the written word in her childhood
At about 14:10, the two discuss ideas of the reimagination of gendered words in French
At about 15:00, Vanessa outlines formative and important reading from her childhood
At about 17:30, Vanessa discusses ideas of representation (or lack thereof) in her childhood reading, and the all-too-rare occasions in which she found that representation, including the power Americanah by Adichie
At about 22:00, Vanessa details her college and postgraduate reading, both for business (law school!) and pleasure, and Pete follows up by asking about contemporary reading
At about 25:50, Pete wonders about “seeds” for Vanessa’s book and she responds to Pete’s question about “ ‘Eureka’ moments”
At about 30:45, Pete favorably compares Vanessa’s book to Jean Guerrero’s Crux and Nadia Owusu’s
At about 31:25, Vanessa explains meanings for her book’s title
At about 32:40, The two detail the book’s structure and its use of definitions of “home” as well as the book’s first chapter and connections to “home”; Vanessa gives an idea of her mindset during the book’s opening scenes
At about 34:30, Vanessa explains the significance of empathy and sympathy in her book and their connections to a Page Six quote from Ishiguro
At about 37:00, Vanessa discusses the meaning of her names and gives background on her adoption
At about 42:35, Pete compliments Vanessa for her multidimensional portrayals of her fathers, adopted and biological
At about 43:25, Vanessa details her childhood homes and moves and Pete notes her multifaceted coverage of the neighborhood in rational ways and more visceral ones
At about 45:20, Vanessa remarks that her two years at Internat in France were some of her “favorite childhood years” and explains why
At about 46:25, Vanessa gives background on her family’s move to Reno
At about 47:50, Pete wonders how much of joining churches, especially in London and Reno, was based on ideas of home and community and/or faith
At about 49:40, Pete highlights Lucky Lane in Reno, and Vanessa explains its significance
At about 52:35, The two discuss a fateful phone call with Vanessa’s biological father, and she addresses the immediate and long-term effects of her father’s death
At about 56:15, The two discuss Harvest Fellowship and its importance in her life, including her boyfriend and future husband and his treatment in the book, and the pivotal 2008 election
At about 1:00:00, Vanessa details a lack of communication between father and daughter
At about 1:01:00, Vanessa responds to Pete’s questions about exposure to a liberal group of friends at Harvard
At about 1:03:00, The two discuss a “growing apart” of husband and wife
At about 1:05:30, Pete cites a profound excerpt that sums up her time in evangelical circles
At about 1:06:10, Vanessa explicates the importance of her first condo that she owned and talks about the “complex topic” of gentrification
At about 1:09:40, the two discuss different meanings of “home” as laid out in chapters in the book-home in the body, etc.-including ideas of colorism, racism, and the importance of Alek Wek in Vanessa’s life and so many others’ lives
At about 1:13:40, the two discuss “home as a safe space” and stories of sexual harassment and abuse, and Pete asks about catharsis for Vanessa
At about 1:18:20, Vanessa gives out social media info and thanks publisher Astra House
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow me on IG, where I’m @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where I’m @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both my YouTube Channel and my podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
The Chills at Will Podcast is joining Patreon in October! Pete will be spreading the word-sharing links and discussing the perks that come with Patreon membership during next week’s episode with Gustavo Barahona-Lopez. Keep your ears and eyes out as we unveil Chills at Will merch like refrigerator magnets and t shirts and unlock bonus episodes.
Please tune in for Episode 146 with Jonathan Escoffery, the author of the linked story collection, If I Survive You, a National Book Award Nominee, a New York Times Editor’s Choice, and an Indie National Bestseller. If I Survive You has been named a ‘best’ or ‘most anticipated’ book by Entertainment Weekly, Oprah Daily, and elsewhere.
The episode will air on October 18.
Tuesday Oct 04, 2022
Tuesday Oct 04, 2022
Episode 144 Notes and Links to Gustavo Barahona’s Work
On Episode 144 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Gustavo Barahona, and the two discuss, among other topics, ideas of Chicanismo, Nepantla, and how these affected his early reading and writing, as well as salient themes of grief, loss, masculinity, and borders, real and imagined. Pete is so thankful to Gustavo for opening up about grief in his poetry collection and in this conversation.
Gustavo Barahona-López is a writer and educator from Richmond, California. He is the author of the poetry chapbook, "Loss and Other Rivers That Devour,” and in 2023 his debut full-length collection will be published by FlowerSong Press.
Buy Loss and Other Rivers That Devour
At about 7:50, Gustavo talks about language and reading and writing and storytelling and its impact and iterations in his childhood
At about 10:50, Gustavo recounts his father’s skill in and love for storytelling, and how Gustavo was shaped by this
At about 11:40, Gustavo describes his love for science fiction as a kid
At about 12:30, Gustavo talks about important his high school “Latino Literature” class was, and about meeting/hearing from Martin Espada and Jane Hirschfield
At about 13:20, Gustavo responds to Pete’s question about the type of stories that his father would tell; Gustavo describes them as “epic”
At about 14:30, Gustavo plays arm-chair psychologist in explaining what drew him to fantasy/science fiction
At about 16:05, Pete asks Gustavo about ideas of representation in what he read growing up
At about 17:50, Gustavo cites work and writers that have given him “chills at will” throughout the years, including Aldurista’s “Yo Soy Joaquin,” Gloria Andaluza, and Tomás Rivera, whose title inspired
At about 22:55, Pete asks Gustavo about contemporary writers who have inspired and shaped his work; Gustavo cites, among others, Eduardo Corral, Vanessa Angelica Villarreal, Alan Chazaro, Raina León, and Marcelo Hernández Castillo
At about 26:15, Pete and Gustavo discuss evolution as used in Gustavo’s collection, and Gustavo responds to Pete’s questions about the evolution of the meanings of “Chicano” in literature
At about 31:30, Pete references lines from Gustavo collections and ideas of Nepantla and biculturalism/bilingualism and Gustavo discusses his own writing and history with the ideas
At about 34:40, Gustavo points out a poem that he believes best worked (only worked?) in Spanish
At about 36:20, The two discuss ideas of masculinity and father-son relationships as themes while analyzing aspects of “Mi Padre: El Más Fuerte del Mundo” and Gustavo talks about being the son of such a big personality like his father and what has been and should be passed down to future generations
At about 40:20, the two discuss ideas of awe in relation to the “indomitable” father
At about 42:15, the two discuss ideas of grief as seen in Gustavo’s work
At about 43:55, The two talk about masculinity as a repeated theme and how it comes out in various poem
At about 44:30, Pete looks to make a connection between Gustavo’s poem “How to Make a Man” and Johnny Cash’s “A Boy Named Sue”; Gustavo describes the writing process of “Mi Padre, El Más Fuerte del Mundo,” and how it was written after his father’s cancer diagnosis
At about 45:30, Gustavo traces the evolution of his examination of his own childhood and its marking his views on masculinity
At about 51:15, Pete is enthralled by a line about apologizing from Gustavo’s poem and asks him to describe its background
At about 54:15, Pete lays out the outline of Gustavo’s collection
At about 56:00, Gustavo responds to Pete’s questions about the meanings of “rivers” from the title of the collection
At about 57:15, Pete cites the “contradictions” and “in-betweens” of the poem’s collections and reads from a poem about
At about 58:30, Pete points out an incredibly moving and apt line about those who feel grief and asks Gustavo if writing about grief was cathartic
At about 1:01:15, Gustavo discusses exciting upcoming projects
At about 1:02:25, Gustavo reads from and discusses his poem “Mi Padre, El Más Fuerte del Mundo”
At about 1:06:25, Gustavo reads from and discusses his poem “Foundation”
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow me on IG, where I’m @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where I’m @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both my YouTube Channel and my podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 145 with Vanessa Bee, who is “a consumer protection lawyer with a freelancing habit.” She is “primarily interested in inequality, corporate power, the American Left, and Washington D.C.,” and she “also love[s] a good meandering essay.” Her experimental memoir, HOME BOUND: An Uprooted Daughter’s Reflections on Belonging, will publish on October 11.
The episode will air on October 11.
Tuesday Sep 27, 2022
Tuesday Sep 27, 2022
Episode 143 Notes and Links to Neema Avashia’s Work
On Episode 143 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Neema Avashia, and the two discuss, among other topics, her lifelong love of words, books as sources of comfort and disappointment, formative writers like Abraham Verghese and Salman Rushdie, her own writing and its strengthening through workshops and writers’ groups and through her work as an educator and activist, her book as a direct response to uneven and often wrong depictions of South Asians and more diverse Appalachian communities, the ways in which the book’s diverse chapters coalesce, and salient ideas of home and belonging.
Neema Avashia was born and raised in southern West Virginia to Indian immigrant parents, and she has been a civics and history teacher in the Boston Public Schools since 2003. She is the author of Another Appalachia: Coming Up Queer and Indian in a Mountain Place, published in March 2022.
Buy Another Appalachia: Coming Up Queer and Indian in a Mountain Place
Neema’s Article for Lithub from Jan. 2021- “The Deep Connection of West Virginia’s Indian Community”
At about 1:55, Neema sets Pete straight on the correct pronunciation of
At about 2:15, Neema discusses her childhood relationship with words-with Gujarati and English, her favorite books, etc.-and she
At about 6:10, Neema discusses reading as a way of exploring life outside of her small town, and highlights a seminal moment recently with hometown librarians
At about 8:05-10:20, Neema responds to Pete’s question about representation; she cites racist and factually-wrong references to South Asian people in pop culture
At about 10:20, Neema describes moments in which writing became a love and a possible profession for her
At about 11:15, Neema talks about writers and writing that gave (and gives) her “chills at will,” including the formative Salman Rushdie
At about 13:05, Neema is asked how teaching informs her writing, and vice versa, and she gives background on how her writing career has had stops and recent starts
At about 14:35, Neema explains how a lot of her inspiration for her book, Another Appalachia, is in direct response to the book and hoopla from JD Vance’s
At about 16:35, Neema further expands on how she has learned “clarity” through teaching
At about 18:45, Neema responds to Pete’s question about Neema’s school community’s reactions to her book publication
At about 20:15, Neema answers Pete’s questions about books that have resonated with her students over the years-she highlights Jason Reynolds and Elizabeth Azevedo’s work
At about 21:20, Pete and Neema discuss contextualizing works that resonate with young readers when
At about 23:55, Neema explains how her essays were found to have a “throughline” and how Grub Street Writers and Kenyon Writer’s Workshop (and mentors like Geeta Kothari) help the book crystallize
At about 26:20, Pete compliments the book’s opening and asks about Neema’s rationale for its second person usage
At about 28:30, The two discuss a pivotal early passage about patriotism and “returning home”
At about 30:30, Neema discusses Appalachian tropes and how she balanced what people previously thought they knew about the region with counter examples
At about 34:30, Neema discusses the wonderful CNN documentary done by W. Kamau Bell and how she was profiled for the CNN website
At about 36:10, The two discuss the book’s second chapter/essay and her parents’ move to the United States and the two discuss connections to the great Abraham Verghese’s work
At about 38:10, Neema speaks glowingly of the “masterpiece of a book,” Cutting for Stone, as well as Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See
At about 38:40, Pete references Chaya Bhuvaneswar’s fictional account of the 1984 Bhopal explosion in discussing with Neema the horrific tragedy and her father’s working for Union Carbide
At about 42:30, Pete highlights the juxtapositions and comparisons between mother and daughter and mother and father that make the book stellar
At about 43:50, Pete and Neema discuss the “moment-in-time” essence of the profile of Neema’s Indian “aunties” in the third chapter
At about 45:15, Pete and Neema discuss the salient chapter regarding Neema’s connections to Wilt Chamberlain (and underhanded free throws) and the importance of supportive mentorship
At about 49:20, Pete asks Neema about how she sees any distinctions between “less than” and “different”
At about 50:10, The two discuss the painful chapter that deals with the wonderful relationship with “Mr. B.” and his family and the implications of the ensuing and ongoing hateful narratives that have coupled with the growing influence of social media
At about 55:30, The two discuss ideas of “coming home” in the essay that deals with Neema’s bringing her partner Laura to Neema’s various homes; also, the two talk about a cool connection and memories attached to Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton’s “Islands in the Stream”
At about 57:30, Neema gives background on her ritual enacted to remember her beloved cousin after his death
At about 1:00:25, Neema explains hireath and its connection to a chapter in the book; the conversation moves to saudade, the Portuguese concept that informs much of the book
At about 1:02:20, Neema delves into the ideas connected to sharam and links between her writing and her cousin’s social media livelihood
At about 1:05:00, Pete and Neema discuss ideas of shame on Sept 12, 2001 from Hasan Minhaj’s Homecoming King
At about 1:07:05, The two discuss the book’s last chapter with the quote, “ ‘I am from here, but no of here’ ” as a launch pad
At about 1:10:30, Neems talks about upcoming projects-(“Be Like Wilt” as a children’s book? Yes, please!)
At about 1:13:30, Neema gives out her contact info and social media info while shouting out independent bookstores
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow me on IG, where I’m @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where I’m @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both my YouTube Channel and my podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
The Chills at Will Podcast is joining Patreon in October! Pete will be spreading the word-sharing links and discussing the perks that come with Patreon membership during next week’s episode with Gustavo Barahona-Lopez. Keep your ears and eyes out as we unveil Chills at Will merch like refrigerator magnets and t shirts and unlock bonus episodes.
Please tune in for Episode 144 with Gustavo Barahona-Lopez. He is a writer and educator from Richmond, California. In his writing, Barahona-López draws from his experience growing up as the son of Mexican immigrants. His poetry chapbook, "Loss and Other Rivers That Devour," was published by Nomadic Press in February 2022.
The episode will air on October 4.
Tuesday Sep 20, 2022
Tuesday Sep 20, 2022
Episode 142 Notes and Links to Sadie Shorr-Parks’ Work
On Episode 142 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Sadie Shorr-Parks, and the two discuss, among other topics, her lifelong love of poetry, formational writers and poems, art’s role in her writing life, themes of her poetry revolving around love and loss and so many more themes, and the amazing circumstances that inspired her poetry collection’s title and ethos.
Sadie Shorr-Parks teaches writing at Shepherd University, where she is the Director for the Society for Creative Writing. She is the author of HONEY MONTH (Main Street Rag). Her writing has previously appeared or is forthcoming in Appalachian Heritage, Aquifer: The Florida Review, Blueline, Cimmaron Review, The Hongkong Review, Lines+Stars, Painted Bride Quarterly, Sierra Nevada Review, Southwest Review, Utne Reader, and Witness, among others. Her book reviews can be found in Los Angeles Review of Books and Southern Literary Review. She edited Becoming International: Musings on Studying Abroad in America (Parlor Press).
“Making Light of It”-Gabby Bates Interviews Sadie for Southwest Review, Aug 2022
At about 2:00, Sadie discusses her loves in teaching, and the two discuss the power of personal narratives
At about 4:20, The two begin to explore ideas of perspective in writing
At about 4:45, Sadie lists some of the artistic works-visual, literature, etc.-that have thrilled her and inspired her
At about 8:00, Pete cites a profound quote from Sadie’s work that dovetails with questions for her about art and muses; Sadie analyzes the exact quote with regard to her mother’s life and her own
At about 11:50, Sadie responds to Pete’s questions about works/writers that have given her “chills at will,” including Warsan Shire, “For Women Who are Difficult to Love,” Marianne Boruch, Louise Gluck (“her desert island poem”), and Ada Limón
At about 14:25, the two fanboy/girl as they discuss Andrea Cohen’s legendary, chill-inducing “The Committee Weighs In”
At about 15:20, Sadie gives some Ada Limón recs
At about 16:10, Pete (again) recommends “The Gospel According to Mark” as a stunner
At about 18:00, Pete wonders about “ ‘Eureka’ moments” for Sadie, and she talks about the “dreamy” feeling associated with grad school and creating
At about 21:30, Sadie delves into the significance of the title and inspirations for Honey Month
At about 23:55, The two discuss the “loving review” done by Gabby Bates for Sadie’s collection
At about 24:55, the two use a quote from Bates to discuss
At about 27:20, Pete cites a quote from Honey Month’s Goodreads page and the conversation moves to Pete’s description of the collection as “quiet” and Sadie reacts to this description
At about 30:30, Sadie talks about her love of 16th/century poetry and its characteristics
At about 31:50, The two reflect on the quiet and nature depicted in the collection
At about 35:25, Sadie references a certain poem and ideas of beauty and love being intertwined
At about 37;00, Sadie discusses the recurring theme of love and breaks from lovers, and Pete notes the opposites that stand out that accentuate love and other ideas
At about 38:25, Pete points out some clever and interesting verb usages throughout the collection
At about 40:20, Pete cites another set of opposites and Sadie is reminded of writing this work in 2017, as the world was changing so rapidly
At about 42:00, Sadie notes how differently her upcoming collection themes are from the first
At about 43:00, Pete shouts out Nightbitch as an incredible work that so aptly describes early parenthood
At about 44:50, The two discuss “adding to subtract” and Sadie discusses ideas of body image, double-standards and metaphors that come with “destruction”
At about 47:40, the two discuss poems that feature themes of nostalgia and lost love and equilibrium
At about 49:40, Sadie talks about the importance of being “even-keeled”
At about 50:50, Pete cites a meaningful line, and Sadie discusses various meanings of “missing” someone
At about 52:40, The two discuss poems dealing with love and reconciliation
At about 55:15, The two gives differing takes on a key line about “endings”
At about 57:15-57:50, Sadie describes how a poem brought her boyfriend (now husband!) and her together
At about 57:55, A key line about daughters and mothers engenders conversation about a key theme of the book and how hard is it to write about beloved people (moms for sure!)
At about 1:00:00, The two discuss the format of
At about 1:02:50, Sadie reads “The Slowing”
At about 1:03:45, Sadie reads “Magma”
At about 1:05:20, The two discuss “comfort books”
At about 1:06:40, Sadie shouts out places to buy her book and discusses upcoming
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow me on IG, where I’m @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where I’m @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both my YouTube Channel and my podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 143 with Neema Avashia. Neema was born and raised in southern West Virginia to Indian immigrant parents, and she has been a civics and history teacher in the Boston Public Schools since 2003. She is the author of Another Appalachia: Coming Up Queer and Indian in a Mountain Place, published in March 2022.
The episode will air on September 27.
Tuesday Sep 06, 2022
Tuesday Sep 06, 2022
Episode 141 Notes and Links to Ingrid Rojas Contreras’ Work
On Episode 141 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Ingrid Rojas Contreras, and the two discuss, among other topics, her childhood in Colombia that was full of incredibly-interesting, loving, and charismatic family members and memorable experiences, roots for her storytelling, her pivotal accident that led to amnesia, how she wrote so skillfully and memorably about such an event, ideas of curanderismo and medicines of all types, the roles that ghosts have played in her family history, links between her and her mother and her paternal grandfather, and how her genre-bending book thrills with a varied approach to history, sociology, family stories, etc.
Ingrid Rojas Contreras’ first novel, Fruit of the Drunken Tree, was the silver medal winner in First Fiction from the California Book Awards, and a New York Times editor's choice. Her essays and short stories have appeared in the New York Times Magazine, Buzzfeed, Nylon, and Guernica, among others. Her latest book, The Man Who Could Move Clouds, has been universally-beloved and covered on NPR and in The New York Times.
Ingrid Rojas Contreras' Website
Buy The Man Who Could Move Clouds
New York Times Book Review by Miguel Salazar for The Man Who Could Move Clouds
Ingrid talks about Her Book on NPR All Things Considered with Ari Shapiro
At about 2:00, Ingrid talks about the importance of finding writing community/ies and the support systems and paths that help writers on their way and supporting the arts
At about 4:35, Ingrid describes a relaxing and productive getaway during a recent writing retreat/fellowship
At about 5:35, Ingrid responds to Pete’s questions about indigenous roots in the many forms of speaking Spanish in Colombia
At about 7:30, Indrig describes the “creativity” and “speak” that comes with Spanglish and similar iterations of languages
At about 8:00, Ingrid describes the ways in which she and her mom and tias played a funny game of telling the most boring, mundane stories
At about 10:20, Ingrid shares examples of beautiful tinkering with Spanish
At about 11:20, Ingrid breaks down the connotations of the terms “curandero” versus “homeopath,” as used by her grandfather, Nono
At about 13:00, Ingrid reflects on who is/are the protagonist(s)
At about 14:40, Pete highlights the journalistic and varied writing skill used by Ingrid, and he asks her about the experience of observing others but also writing about herself
At about 17:50-20:05, Ingrid replicates the pitch she had made originally to her editor and recounts the circumstances that led her editor to meet Ingrid’s mother
At about 20:05, Ingrid discusses the significance of the ways in which she inserted photo in her book
At about 21:50, The two discuss the amnesia events linking mother and daughter and how Ingrid was able to write about such an ethereal experience
At about 26:00, the two discuss mirrors as a motif and as literal in the book, especially regarding Ingrid’s first view into a mirror after her accident; they also talk about conceptions of “what are we”/“who are we” in history and in connecting to the book
At about 31:45, Pete asks about The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Ingrid points him towards a strong depiction of amnesia with the movie Solaris (1972 version)
At about 38:00, the two discuss the immediate aftereffects of Ingrid’s accident and how her family
At about 39:00 Ingrid talks about ideas of storytelling and metaphor that she learned directly and indirectly from her mother and grandfather and how it affected her outlook on the world and on writing
At about 44:40, the two analyze the term “desandar” and the multiple ways in which ghosts run throughout the book
At about 48:00, Ingrid describes a sense of wanting a fresh start and living a life surrounded by the ocean and people who didn’t know her after her accident
At about 50:00, Ingrid responds to Pete’s questions about ideas of the pull of “home”
At about 54:00, Pete and Ingrid discuss ideas of history manifested in her book
At about 55:30, The two discuss some almost-unbelievable stories related in the book, including a possible ghostly possession of her grandfather
At about 1:00:00, Ingrid discusses her interactions with her grandfather when she was a baby and ways in which he tried to safeguard her future, and he responds to Pete’s questions about her grandfather's duality
At about 1:03:00, Pete highlights the interesting history recounted in the book and asks Ingrid about the use of the term “The Situation” to describe Colombian conflicts
At about 1:05:00, Ingrid discusses the “yin and yang” of her parents’ relationship
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow me on IG, where I’m @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where I’m @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both my YouTube Channel and my podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
Please note that the show will offer exciting Patreon benefits starting in October, with merchandise and extra content that you'll want to check out. More details forthcoming in the next few weeks.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 142 with Robert Lopez. He is author of three novels, including Kamby Bolongo Mean River—named one of 25 important books of the decade by HTML Giant, All Back Full, two story collections, and a novel-in-stories, A Better Class Of People. The LA Times wrote, "Lopez has the ability to give readers whiplash with his unconventional and bewitching stories."
The episode will air on September 9.
Tuesday Aug 30, 2022
Tuesday Aug 30, 2022
Episode 140 Notes and Links to Oscar Hokeah’s Work
On Episode 140 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Oscar Hokeah, and the two discuss, among other topics, Oscar’s childhood and adulthood living in and being interested by the confluence of multiple languages, his early reading of Stephen King, his love of Alice Munro and N. Scott Momaday, discussions of decolonization through his work and in the outside world, and the myriad themes, symbols, and allusions contained in his dynamic and profound debut novel.
Oscar Hokeah is a regionalist Native American writer of literary fiction, interested in capturing intertribal, transnational, and multicultural aspects within two tribally specific communities: Tahlequah and Lawton, Oklahoma. He was raised inside these tribal circles and continues to reside there today.
He is a citizen of Cherokee Nation and the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma from his mother (Hokeah and Stopp families), and he has Mexican heritage from his father (Chavez family) who emigrated from Aldama, Chihuahua, Mexico.
You can find the Stopp family (Cherokee) in Tahlequah, Oklahoma and the Hokeah family (Kiowa) in Lawton, Oklahoma. Family on his Kiowa side (Hokeah, and Tahsequah through marriage) organized the Oklahoma Gourd Dance Club for over a decade, and he has family members actively involved with the Kiowa Tia-Piah Society, Comanche War Scouts Society, and Comanche Little Ponies Society.
Oscar has spent nearly 20 years empowering Native American communities. From his work in Santa Fe, NM with Intermountain Youth Centers and the Santa Fe Mountain Center, he has worked with Pueblo, Apache, and Diné peoples. Currently, living in his home town of Tahlequah, Oklahoma (in the heart of Cherokee Nation), he works with Indian Child Welfare, where he gives back to the community that nurtured and embedded the Indigenous values he passes along to his children.
He is a recipient of the Truman Capote Scholarship Award through IAIA, and also a winner of the Native Writer Award through the Taos Summer Writers Conference. His writing can be found in World Literature Today, American Short Fiction, South Dakota Review, Yellow Medicine Review, Surreal South, and Red Ink Magazine.
His highly-anticipated debut novel, Calling for a Blanket Dance, came out on July 26.
Buy Waiting for a Blanket Dance
New York Times Book Review by Antonia Angress for Waiting for a Blanket Dance
Oscar Gives a Sketch of his Book’s Plot and Themes
Waiting for a Blanket Dance Review from Minnesota Star Tribune
At about 3:00, Oscar talks about the blitz and fun accompanying the recent publication of his book
At about 6:00, Oscar describes emotional connections and favorite characters that readers have shared with him
At about 7:30, Kristin Apodaca is touted as having a “Salvador Dali-style” as Oscar describes the cover and its background
At about 10:20, Pete asks Oscar about growing up and his relationship with languages and the printed word, including his early work based on favorite writers like Stephen King
At about 15:50, Oscar continues to discuss intersections of language and how he has used Kiowa, Spanish, English, and Cherokee in his life and in his writing
At about 18:30, Oscar responds to Pete’s questions about formative writers in life, including N. Scott Momaday, Kafka, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and Alice Munro
At about 22:10, Pete and Oscar laugh about a cool book cameos by a “Hokeah” and an N. Scott Momaday shout out
At about 23:20, Oscar references the varied reading he has done in recent times, including Velorio by Xavier Navarro Aquino, and he also shouts out “an amazing time for Native writers’
At about 26:00, Pete highlights the recent NYT reviews for the book, and Oscar to Pete’s question about the book’s pitch
At about 27:50, Oscar describes his rationale in including an N. Scott Momaday quote as his epigraph
At about 30:00, Pete and Oscar discuss the book’s POVs and how “telling someone else’s story” serves as a successful craft piece; Oscar explains the power of this “peripheral narration”
At about 32:30, the two discuss a pivotal scene that starts the book and Oscar highlights “male-on-male violence” and the concept of “indigenous landscapes” with a shifting lense
At about 38:40, Pete and Oscar discuss ideas of “home” and Vincent’s chapter and the importance of Vincent’s redemption; Oscar highlights real-life connections
At about 43:00, The two chart Ever’s development and setbacks while noting the significance of a gift given in the form of a booger mask
At about 44:30, Oscar captures moments of familial and community love
At about 45:10, The two discuss the implications of the phrase “Ni modo” and an incident with Ever and his father that was “too little, too late”
At about 46:20, the two discuss “per caps” and the chapter that focuses on them
At about 46:55, Pete and Oscar reflect on ideas of communication or lack thereof with regard to Lena Stopp and Sissy and Ever, as Oscar talks about a character based on his mom and parenting when one’s children are in transition to maturity
At about 49:25, Oscar discusses ideas of addiction in the book and connections to his own communities, including how the character of Lonnie acts differently as a woman in the drug world
At about 50:45, The two discuss hearsay and its connections to perceptions of people, including how every character in the book is sketched so skillfully in order that they are all objects of sympathy/empathy
At about 52:45, Ever’s surrogate son Leander and hope and his question of “How did I get here?” is discussed and ideas of breaking generational habits, too
At about 54:15, Oscar points out an important scene that involves Leander and his memories and art as an outlet
At about 55:50, Pete asks Oscar about the book’s title in complimenting the chapter dealing with quilts and family legacy
At about 57:00, Oscar gives the real-life details that he experienced that gave rise to the book’s powerful and moving last chapter that involved Cherokee housing
At about 58:10, Oscar connects an important series of quotes to the idea of community parenting in Cherokee
At about 58:10, Pete points out the last chapter’s stand-alone and combined greatness that uses ideas of community and implementing ideas learned throughout Ever’s life
At about 1:00:05, Oscar responds to Pete’s questions about the title’s larger implications
At about 1:01:55, Oscar highlights future projects
At about 1:03:20, Oscar does some casting for an aspirational movie/tv show based on the book
At about 1:04:15, Oscar gives contact info and social media info and shouts out Too Fond of Books in Tahlequah, OK
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow me on IG, where I’m @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where I’m @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both my YouTube Channel and my podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 141 with Ingrid Rojas Contreras, whose first novel, Fruit of the Drunken Tree, was the silver medal winner in First Fiction from the California Book Awards, and a New York Times editor's choice. Her essays and short stories have appeared in the New York Times Magazine, Buzzfeed, Nylon, and Guernica, among others. Her latest, The Man Who Could Move Clouds, has been universally-beloved and covered on NPR and in The New York Times.
The episode will air on September 6.
Wednesday Aug 24, 2022
Wednesday Aug 24, 2022
Episode 139 Notes and Links to Felicia Taylor’s Work
On Episode 139 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Felicia Taylor, and the two discuss, among other topics, the ways in which memory and her childhood and her family histories have informed her work, her creative process, living a creative life as poet, playwright, actor, etc., and themes and thought processes manifested in her standout poetry collection.
Felicia Taylor E is a writer, poet, storyteller, performer and arts educator, along with being a "gently nudging" wife to her hubby and a fun "trying to stick to a schedule" mom for her son. She has been writing since elementary school and has kept a diary or a journal since the 5th grade. Southern Spiced: A Brown Girl's Tale is her first book.
Buy Southern Spiced: A Brown Girl's Tale
Felicia performs “Echoes in my Spirit”
At about 1:45, Felicia describes her childhood, mainly spent in Denton, Texas, and her relationship with language, reading, and “oral preservation of history”
At about 4:30, Felicia details some of her favorite books and writers growing up, including the great Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes
At about 6:25, Pete and Felicia meditate on the beauty and strength of Maya Angelou’s work, including her piece from Bill Clinton’s inauguration; thanks to Professor Winston for her contribution to Felicia’s reading!
At about 8:00, Felicia discusses the reading of varied genres that she read in college and beyond, including Stephen King (Pete shares a favorite piece of his from King) and Alice Walker
At about 11:30, the two discuss Langston Hughes’ impact on them
At about 12:45, Felicia discusses her creative history and impulses including her mindset in creating her short film and then elaborates on films’ advantages versus books’ advantages
At about 17:35, Felicia responds to Pete’s questions about “muses” and how she accentuates her creativity, especially the power of memory (19:05)
At about 19:50, Felicia answers Pete’s questions about what it is like to write about intimate relationships in her life
At about 22:00, Felicia expands upon some real-life and profound connections to particular poems in her collection, including to the staggeringly-upsetting case of Timothy Cole
At about 24:50, Pete and Felicia cite the four distinct parts of the novel and discuss the reasoning behind her many “dedications” in the book; she cites “Freedom Tree” as an especially powerful example of work “echoing in her head”
At about 26:40, Pete and Felicia ruminate on the importance of Sesame Street as they discuss the collection’s first poem
At about 27:45, Pete wonders about Felicia’s mindset in writing about racism and hate in conjunction with the beauty of innocence
At about 29:45, Pete highlights the carefree, breezy language that is childlike yet profound
At about 33:20, Felicia speaks to the disparate experiences expressed in back-to-back poems that involve her hair
At about 38:20, Felicia details the event and the feelings and fears associated with a childhood encounter with the KKK that compelled Felicia to write about it
At about 43:20, Pete and Felicia reflect on Part II and its highlighting of Soul Train and beautiful times with family
At about 46:20, Part III and its historical connections are highlighted, in addition to a “heart wrenching” quote from Timothy Cole
At about 49:10, the two explore “White Lies, Part I” and its focus on dementia and a reversal of roles
At about 51:35, Ideas of absurdist and dark humor are discussed in connection to “A Dignified Death, Please”
At about 54:10, Pete makes a Sopranos’ reference (evergreen statement??)
At about 54:45, Felicia reads “Red Lips”
At about 56:10, ---silence---as Pete makes a 112 reference
At about 56:40, Felicia outlines some contact info and provides contact/social media info
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow me on IG, where I’m @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where I’m @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both my YouTube Channel and my podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 140 with Oscar Hokeah, who is a regionalist Native American writer of literary fiction, interested in capturing intertribal, transnational, and multicultural aspects within two tribally specific communities: Tahlequah and Lawton, Oklahoma. In addition, author of the recent standout novel, Calling for a Blanket Dance.
The episode will air on August 30.
Friday Aug 19, 2022
Friday Aug 19, 2022
Episode 138 Notes and Links to Dr. Miguel Valerio’s Work
On Episode 138 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Dr. Miguel Valerio, and the two discuss, among other topics, Miguel’s love of languages and his multilingualism, his early reading and reading that informed his career path, the process of writing for academia, and themes and salient issues revolving around the African diaspora and the great joys and festivities that came even in the midst of great hardship and dehumanizing treatment and racism.
Prof. Valerio is a scholar of the African diaspora in Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula. He teaches courses in Afro-colonial culture and contemporary Afro-Latin American literature and culture. His research has focused on black Catholic brotherhoods or confraternities and Afro-creole festive practices in colonial Latin America, especially Mexico and Brazil. His research has appeared in various academic journals, including Slavery and Abolition, Colonial Latin American Review, The Americas, and The Journal of Festive Studies. He is the author of Sovereign Joy: Afro-Mexican Kings and Queens, 1539-1640 (Cambridge University Press, 2022) and a co-editor of Indigenous and Black Confraternities in Colonial Latin America: Negotiating Status through Religious Practices (Amsterdam University Press, 2022).
Miguel Valerio's Faculty Website
Buy Sovereign Joy: Afro-Mexican Kings and Queens, 1539-1640
At about 2:10, Miguel talks about growing up in the Dominican Republic and his relationship with languages and the brain’s development when one is multilingual
At about 4:50, Miguel talks about Ruben Dario and how reading his work “ruined” Miguel
At about 7:00, Miguel responds to Pete’s question about his formal/school reading lists and how he was drawn to language, literature, and graduate studies
At about 9:15, Miguel discusses the progression of his learning of multiple languages and any confusion that may come up with being multilingual
At about 11:10, Miguel explains the ways in which Caribbean/Dominican Republic Spanish is and has been viewed with the world of academics and within the field of social linguistics
At about 13:50, the two outline ideas of formality and informality within the Spanish-speaking world
At about 15:20, Pete wonders about ideas of representation in what Miguel read growing up and the two discuss Marquez and fanboy over Marquez’s work
At about 18:30, Miguel details his path to academia/masters program
At about 20:35, Miguel gives background on his upcoming book
At about 22:15, Pete and Miguel explore connections to the powerful Preface of his book, a response to Imani Perry’s moving piece about joy from June 2020 in The Atlantic
At about 27:55, Chapter Two and ideas of colonial paranoia over African collectivism is discussed
At about 28:55, Pete cites a beautifully-written thesis of the book and the two discuss ideas of “exotic genre” and how Miguel filled in gaps in the historical record
At about 29:45, Miguel narrows down definitions of “festive” as used in the book
At about 33:30, Miguel gives historical background on groups from the African diaspora and their movement within México in colonial times
At about 38:25-39:57, Pete references his conversation with Vanessa Angelica Villarreal and this leads to discussion of the Vasconcelos’ quote that Mexicans are of a “raza cosmica.”
At about 40:00, Miguel responds to Pete’s questions about “creolization” and the caste system imposed in colonial México; Miguel mentions a great read-Before Mestizaje: The Frontiers of Race and Caste in Colonial Mexico
At about 45:20, Miguel discusses the cofradias and their works, as well as performances and their motives
At about 50:40, Pete asks Miguel if there were any figures who Miguel wishes he could have found more information on; Miguel cites Francisco Loya, Martin, Juan Bautista (two Juan Bautistas)
At about 53:00, Miguel outlines the process in writing a book for the academic world
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow me on IG, where I’m @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where I’m @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both my YouTube Channel and my podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 139 with Felicia E. Taylor. She is an impressive creative who is an Author/PoetActress/Comic/Mom "Southern Spiced: A Brown Girl's Tale" is her first book of Poetry.
The episode will air on August 23.
Tuesday Aug 16, 2022
Tuesday Aug 16, 2022
Episode 137 Notes and Links to Vanessa Angélica Villarreal ’s Work
On Episode 137 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Vanessa Angélica Villarreal, and the two discuss, among other topics, Vanessa’s upbringing, her bond with her beloved grandmother, religion and indigenous traditions in her family and in her communities, punishing and overbearing institutions that oppressed her as a student, finding solace in books and poetry and bands, and ideas both historical and personal that inform her standout poetry collection.
Vanessa Angélica Villarreal was born in the Rio Grande Valley to Mexican immigrants. She is the author of the award-winning collection Beast Meridian (Noemi Press, Akrilica Series 2017), recipient of a 2019 Whiting Award, a Kate Tufts Discovery Award nomination, and winner of the John A. Robertson Award for Best First Book of Poetry from the Texas Institute of Letters. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Harpers Bazaar, Oxford American, POETRY, and elsewhere. She is a recipient of a 2021 National Endowment for the Arts Poetry Fellowship and a doctoral candidate at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where she is working on a poetry and nonfiction collection while raising her son. Her essay collection, CHUECA, is forthcoming from Tiny Reparations Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, in 2023. Find her on Twitter @Vanessid.
Vanessa Angélica Villarreal's Website
Vanessa Angélica Villarreal's Wikipedia Page
Review of Beast Meridian for Pleiades Magazine
At about 2:35, Vanessa talks about beginning to read at a young age, and how her dad’s music compelled her to read liner notes and still informs her writing
At about 3:30, Vanessa talks about childhood bilingualism and some early writing based on the loss of her beloved grandmother
At about 4:40, Vanessa describes the resultant grief and rebellion after her grandmother’s death, as well as how her mistreatment in school led her to be part of a backwards educational/carceral experience
At about 7:35, Vanessa discusses grunge and other 90s music-”angsty” and “against the Man”-and how they led her on a path to poetry
At about 8:30, Vanessa describes Paul Celan as an inspiration for critiquing language in rebellious and “seek the haunted”
At about 9:35, Vanessa talks about how her poetry career took a pause as she began to work long hours at an early age
At about 11:20, Pete cites the famous quote about “art being a luxury” and Angelica adds that she considers it a birthright”
At about 12:30, Pete and Vanessa fanboy and girl about the previously-mentioned musicians, and Vanessa cites these creatives as “Romantics” and writers of beautiful and “strange” lyrics
At about 15:00, Vanessa responds to Pete’s questions about where her musical/lyrical sensibilities were born, and she expands on ideas of repetition and prayer derived from her father
At about 16:50, Vanessa speaks of “writing toward the body” in a lot of her work, “creating an understanding of the body”; she compares this writing to a chord change
At about 18:20, Vanessa highlights her father as “an intuitive composer” and his facility with sound and writing
At about 21:20, Vanessa discusses inspirational and formative writers in her writing journey, including Celan, Aase Berg, Harmony Holliday, Ronaldo Wilson & Duriel Harris & Dawn Lundy Martin (The Black Took Collective), and Jennifer Tamayo
At about 25:10, Vanessa discusses the implications and subtleties of nomenclature around Chicanx/Latinx/Mexican-American identities
At about 26:30, Pete asks Vanessa about the implications of the term pocha and Malinche and ideas of women as traitors is discussed
At about 30:15, Vanessa gives background on the famous quote by José Vasconselos
At about 33:10, The two begin discussing Beast Meridian; Pete compliments Vanessa’s original use of verbs
At about 34:40, Pete’s question about the poet as speaker leads Vanessa to discuss background for the poetry collection and the ways in which she approached the pages and with what questions in mind
At about 38:15, Vanessa discusses implications of her epigraphs, including ideas put forth by Frantz Fanon and Gloria Anzaldua’s ideas of Nepantla
At about 41:35, Vanessa cites Christopher Soto’s work discussing implications for Nepantla
At about 42:40, Pete references the collection’s first poem
At about 43:40, Vanessa reads the poem “Angélica: An Elegy” and describes the importance of the poem ending with a colon (:)
At about 45:40, The two discuss ideas of Malinche and her contemporary reimagining and Malinche’s connections to a poem in the collection
At about 47:00, Vanessa cites femicides in Tijuana and among indigenous women and “Irish Murder Ballads” as stimulus for her collection
At about 50:15, Vanessa and Pete discuss the myriad meanings of her connected “assimilation poems”: connections to Malinche, inversion, Spanglish, the use of footnotes, comparisons of “Girl” by Kincaid, strong metaphors, etc.
At about 53:20, Vanessa gives her definition of “assimilation” and speaks of ideas of identity/agency
At about 57:40, Pete points out beautiful and memorable lines from Vanessa’s work, especially regarding the ideas connected to “parallax”
At about 1:00:20, Vanessa remarks that “100% on her mind” was generational trauma and ideas of ancestral memory as she wrote the collection
At about 1:02:20, Pete wonders about the animals and mythology used in Part II and how they relate to real people in Vanessa’s life
At about 1:05:40, The two discuss the salient theme of loss in the collection, with a special emphasis on “Dissociative States”
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow me on IG, where I’m @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where I’m @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both my YouTube Channel and my podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 138 with Miguel Valerio. Prof. Valerio earned his PhD from The Ohio State University. His research and teaching focus on the African diaspora in the literature and culture of the Iberian world from the late medieval period to the present. His dissertation focused on black cultural agency vis-à-vis religious confraternities and public festivals in the early modern Iberian Atlantic, particularly colonial Mexico City and Bahia, Brazil. His work has appeared in Afro-Hispanic Review, Confraternitas, and the edited volume Afro-Catholic Festivals in the Americas. He is currently completing his first book, The Black Kings and Queens of Colonial Mexico City: Identity, Performance, and Power, 1539-1640.
The episode will air on August 19.
Tuesday Aug 09, 2022
Tuesday Aug 09, 2022
Episode 136 Notes and Links to Rachel Yoder’s Work
On Episode 136 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Rachel Yoder, and the two discuss, among other topics, her Mennonite upbringing that was rich with books and libraries, her inspirations from her background and from college professors, and the myriad relatable and profound themes that populate her smash-hit Nightbitch, as Rachel shares the excitement that comes with the movie being adapted into a film. Rachel and Pete also discuss archetypes and double-standards and pressures both external and internal that come with motherhood and parenthood.
Rachel Yoder is the author of Nightbitch (Doubleday), her debut novel released in July 2021, which has also been optioned for film by Annapurna Pictures with Amy Adams set to star.
She is a graduate of the Iowa Nonfiction Writing Program and also holds an MFA in fiction from the University of Arizona. Her writing has been awarded with The Editors' Prize in Fiction by The Missouri Review and with notable distinctions in Best American Short Stories and Best American Nonrequired Reading. She is also a founding editor of draft: the journal of process.
Rachel grew up in a Mennonite community in the Appalachian foothills of eastern Ohio. She now lives in Iowa City with her husband and son.
Review of Nightbitch-“a feral debut” in The Guardian
Information from Variety about Upcoming Movie Version of Nighbitch
At about 1:50, Rachel talks about the exciting prospects for Nightbitch being made into a movie
At about 3:25, Rachel describes growing up in Ohio and her relationship with language and reading
At about 6:50, Rachel tells of the John Benton books she read as a child
At about 8:55, Rachel describes how writing was a “natural thing” and a hobby and how writing became essential during her time in Arizona
At about 11:00, Rachel cites Raymond Carver, Amy Hempel, Lorrie Moore, Hemingway, Pam Houston, and others as “formative writers” for her
At about 12:30, Rachel talks about short stories that changed the way she viewed the medium; she cites Amy Hempel’s “The Harvest”
At about 15:05, Rachel talks about contemporary writers who thrill and inspire her, include Miriam Toews, Ottessa Moshfegh
At about 16:55, Rachel gives background on her immediate post-college jobs and writing background
At about 18:05, Rachel responds to Pete’s question about how visual art and the idea of the muse work in with her writing process and writing material
At about 21:10, Rachel reads from the beginning of the book and discusses the genesis of the book’s title
At about 25:20, Pete and Rachel ruminate on the dog from the book as a literal thing
At about 26:30, Pete shares the book blurb from Carmen Maria Machado in citing comparisons to Kafka’s work; Rachel then discusses the balance between writing allegory and straightforward prose
At about 29:55, Pete contributes to a possible future blurb with another comparison of the book to another
At about 30:30, Rachel explains her thought process in not giving a name to the titular character
At about 31:45, Pete cites a famous quote in pointing out Rachel’s work and subject matter work so well as fiction
At about 32:20, Pete and Rachel discuss themes of the singular focus of motherhood and “before and after motherhood”
At about 36:55, Pete and Rachel highlight ideas of ambition and regret and burdens carried by women intergenerationally with regard to moving scenes from the book
At about 40:20, Pete wonders about ideas of blame and culpability for oppression targeting women, and Rachel analyzes Nightbitch’s background and how it informed her later life
At about 43:35, Mommy groups (!) are discussed, along with the lasting image from the book
At about 44:50, The two discuss the role and importance of the “mystic, the iconoclast” who was Nightbitch’s grandmother
At about 45:50, Rachel discusses the stylistic choice of italicizing certain lines in her book
At about 47:20, The two talk about Wanda White and her Field Guide and their importance in the book
At about 50:00, Rachel explains background on the needs for community and their
At about 51:30, The two discuss themes of art and performance and their myriad meanings in conjunction with the book
At about 55:15, Pete compliments Rachel’s writing that serves as informational and affecting without becoming didactic; Pete reads a profound paragraph from page 237 that illustrates this
At about 1:10:00, Rachel outlines some future projects
At about 1:02:50, Rachel gives her social media info and recommends places to buy the book, including Prairie Lights Bookstore, where you can a signed copy
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow me on IG, where I’m @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where I’m @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both my YouTube Channel and my podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 137 with Jose Antonio Vargas, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, and Tony-nominated producer. A leading voice for the human rights of immigrants, his best-selling memoir, Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen, was published by HarperCollins in 2018. His second book, White Is Not a Country, will be published by Knopf in 2023.
The episode will air on August 12.
Tuesday Jul 26, 2022
Tuesday Jul 26, 2022
Episode 135 Notes and Links to Briana Muñoz’s Work
On Episode 135 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Briana Muñoz, and the two discuss, among other topics, her upbringing and relationship with bilingualism and poetry, an eminently memorable visit to hear Michele Serros read, Briana’s performance experience in dance and poetry, inspiring and challenging poets who have inspired her, the issues and themes that populate her work, and exciting and important future projects she is working on.
Briana Muñoz is a writer from Southern California. Raised in
San Diego, she spent a lot of her time at her mother’s Mexican
folklore dance classes and at ranches where her father trained horses
into the sunset. She is the author of Loose Lips, a poetry collection
published by Prickly Pear Publishing (2019). Her work has been
published in the Bravura Literary Journal, LA BLOGA, the oldest
Chicana Chicano Literature blog in history, the Poets Responding
page, and in the Oakland Arts Review, among others. In the 2016
publication of the Bravura, she was awarded the second-place fiction
prize. Her poem “Rebirth” was featured in the Reproductive Health
edition of the St. Sucia zine. Briana’s work was one of ten chosen
for The Best of LA BLOGA from 2015. When she isn't typing
away, she enjoys Danza Azteca, live music, cats, and thrift shopping.
Buy EVERYTHING IS RETURNED TO THE SOIL/ TODO VUELVE A LA TIERRA
“Briana Munoz: The TNB Self-Interview”
Briana performs her work at Voices of California, Part II (Briana’s segment starts around 41:10)
At about 2:50, Briana talks about her growing up- her experience with writing and language, her bilingualism, and her family’s performance background
At about 6:15, Briana speaks about early influences and who she was reading when she was a kid/adolescent, writers like Sandra Cisneros
At about 7:30, Briana gives background on a turning point in attending a live reading by Michele Serros
At about 10:00, Briana talks about early reading and former and current favorite readings and how she has endeavored to “decolonize your bookshelf”
At about 11:20, Briana responds to Pete’s question about how she reads now that she is a published and accomplished poet
At about 12:40, Briana shouts out the great work of Cesar De León
At about 14:30, Pete asks Briana about how much she and the speakers in her poems are synonymous
At about 16:10, Pete wonders about how music figures in for Briana’s creative process, and she continues to explain her family’s performance background
At about 18:30, Briana details her experience with and love for danza azteca, and how it influences other parts of her life, her poetry, and her mindset
At about 22:30, Briana discusses the background for the subject matter of her first collection, Loose Lips
At about 23:20, Briana details the “big motivation” that came from a poetry trip through Cuba
At about 24:10, Briana describes how writing has been a part of her life since 10 years old and how her creative writing professors were very “motivating” for her
At about 26:00, Briana cites Sonia Gutierrez as a motivating influence
At about 27:20, Briana explains her performance “stage fright,” or lack thereof
At about 28:20, Pete wonders, and Briana responds to his question, about readers “decoding poetry”
At about 29:30, Briana talks about “seeds” for her most recent collection, the title’s significance, and a blur by Odilia Galvan Rodríguez that Briana feels sums up her writing styles
At about 31:30 and 33:10, Pete and Briana explore the Epigraph for the collection and a few selected poems, especially its focus on Mother Earth as a collection throughline
At about 32:20, Briana speaks on the idea of poetry as “catharsis” and “torment” and various and slippery emotions
At about 34:15, The two discuss themes of ancestral wounds and legacies
At about 38:10, Briana ponders what it is like to write about family members, and the personal feelings involved
At about 40:30, The two discuss “My Poem is not a Persuasive Essay” and its standout images, phrases, and its craft
At about 43:10, Briana explains the audience for her poem “Gente”
At about 45:00, Briana talks about the poem “Resilient Girl” and salient themes
At about 46:30, Briana discusses the conscious and subconscious meanings of hands, a strong motif in the poems
At about 48:30, Pete highlights some stellar lines in her work as the two discuss themes of authenticity and sentimentality and nostalgia and trauma
At about 51:15, The theme of sensuality is discussed with lines from Briana’s work, and Pete asks her about her views on poetry as rational/emotional
At about 52:50, Pete cites the collection’s last poem as lines about transition are explored
At about 53:50, Briana reveals when she knew her collection was “done,” and helpful guidance from editor/publisher Edward Vidaurre
At about 55:30, Briana gives out her contact info: social media particularly, and talks about Mutual Aid Poetry Show and other future projects
At about 58:10, Briana reads “My Poem is not a Persuasive Essay”
At about, 1:01:00, Briana reads “Soft Girl”
At about, 1:01:50, Briana reads “Why I Refuse to Celebrate the Opening of the Sixth Street Bridge”
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow me on IG, where I’m @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where I’m @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch this and other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both my YouTube Channel and my podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
Please check my social media in the next month, as I’ll be sharing more details about my Patreon page, which will go live in September and will feature some cool swag like The Chills at Will Podcast t-shirts, refrigerator magnets, and more.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 136 with Jose Antonio Vargas, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, and Tony-nominated producer. A leading voice for the human rights of immigrants, his best-selling memoir, Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen, was published by HarperCollins in 2018. His second book, White Is Not a Country, will be published by Knopf in 2023.
The episode will air on August 2.
Tuesday Jul 19, 2022
Tuesday Jul 19, 2022
Episode 134 Notes and Links to Kirstin Chen’s Work
On Episode 134 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Kirstin Chen, and the two discuss, among other topics, her childhood in Singapore and adolescent move to The United States, her relationship with reading and writing, especially in terms of “pleasure reading,” her research and process in writing two different but successful books before her current Counterfeit, the book’s success and celebrating that success, her skill with point-of-view, and salient themes in the book and their connections to her life and society.
K I R S T I N C H E N is the New York Times best-selling author of three novels. Her latest, Counterfeit, out now from William Morrow/HarperCollins (US) and The Borough Press (UK), is the June ’22 Reese’s Book Club pick. Television rights have been optioned by Sony Pictures.
Born and raised in Singapore, she lives in San Francisco. She teaches creative writing at the University of San Francisco and in Ashland University’s Low-Residency MFA Program.
Buy Kristin's Book Counterfeit
At about 1:30-Pete and Kirstin shout out The University of San Francisco and the great Christian Kiefer and talk about their connections
At about 2:30, Kirstin describes the experiences that have come with her book being picked as June’s Reese’s Book Club Pick, as well as her perspective during this heady time
At about 5:20, Kirstin discusses her background, growing up in Singapore, her relationship with language and literature, her interest in accents
At about 7:35, Kirstin talks about Singapore’s connections to the West
At about 8:55, Kirstin gives background on inspiration for some of the characteristics of Winnie from Counterfeit
At about 10:30, Pete wonders about Kirstin’s reading tastes as an adolescent and she further explains the connection between the disparate emphases in her various schools
At about 14:45, Kirstin talks about ideas of “representation” and exposure to local writing when she was a kid, as well as changing modes in 2022
At about 16:10, Kirstin details those texts and writers who thrilled her as a college student, including Mary Gaitskill, Carver, and Mona Simpson’s “Lawns”
At about 18:05, Kirstin describes the process of going from loving reading and writing to writing professionally and shares a cool Tobias Wolff story
At about 22:00, Kirstin talks about her love of fashion and how her early job at Banana Republic led to experiences that have made it into her writing; she also cites her own individual embrace of the MFA
At about 24:00, Kirstin discusses her early experiences with publishing Soy Sauce for Beginners
At about 26:15-28:35, Kirstin gives background on her second novel, Bury What We Cannot Take, especially homing in on the extensive research done for it
At about 28:50, Kirstin details her writing/rewriting process for Counterfeit during Covid and its placement post-2016 election
At about 31:20-33:10, Kirstin details the seeds for Counterfeit and how an offhand joke grew into a book
At about 33:20, Pete and Kirstin discuss the successful ways in which she plays with POV, a conscious choice to eliminate some quotation marks for purposes of framing narration in certain ways
At about 36:30, Pete compliments the book as “off-kilter,” and discusses the book’s two parts
At about 37:40, Kirstin breaks down the dynamics between Winnie and Ava and how their immigrant status as Asian-Americans informs their interactions
At about 39:20, Pete and Kirstin discuss Ava’s family and a well-drawn and hilarious scene involving preschool “tryouts”
At about 42:40, Pete and Kirstin trace the ways in which the two women come together and where they are emotionally at the time
At about 44:00, The plot is discussed, with special attention to the scam that dominates the book and was based very closely on a true story
At about 47:00, Kirstin explains how Ava’s predicaments in the book are related to themes of “saving face”
At about 50:00, Kirstin and Pete discuss expectations that are sometimes put upon immigrants or the children of immigrants
At about 51:15, The two discuss Hasan Minhaj’s special, Homecoming King, and an unforgettable anecdote he tells from Sept 12, 2001
At about 52:10, Kirstin compares the Minhaj special and salient themes with ideas of the “model minority myth” as presented in Counterfeit
At about 54:00, The shift in empathetic figures is discussed
At about 54:45, Pete wonders about what the title means to Kirstin in the context of the book
At about 56:40, The ideas of hyperbole as expressing truths is brought up in context of the book’s plotline
At about 57:45, Kirstin talks about shifting ideas of “cheating” with income inequality and ideas of “rigged” society
At about 58:50, Ideas of ethical production are discussed, as Pete references a memorable scene involving clothing production in Gomorrah, and Kirstin discusses the subtleties of production that are often generalized
At about 1:02:10, Themes revolving around women’s agency are discussed
At about 1:04:55, Kirstin connects the “model minority” myth to Covid happenings that inspired some parts of the book
At about 1:05:45, Pete trumpets the book’s many strong points
At about 1:06:40, Kirstin outlines future projects, including her role with the screen adaptation of her book
At about 1:08:25, Kirstin shouts out The Booksmith as one place to buy her signed book
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow me on IG, where I’m @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where I’m @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both my YouTube Channel and my podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 135 with Jose Antonio Vargas, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, and Tony-nominated producer. A leading voice for the human rights of immigrants, his best-selling memoir, Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen, was published by HarperCollins in 2018. His second book, White Is Not a Country, will be published by Knopf in 2023.
The episode will air on July 26.
Friday Jul 15, 2022
Friday Jul 15, 2022
Episode 133 Notes and Links to Nick Buccola’s Work
On Episode 133 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Nick Buccola, and the two discuss, among other topics, Nick’s early love of story and history, formative and inspiring assignments and teachers in his early education, the effects of the innovative and supportive and brilliant educators at Santa Clara University that nudged him towards his studies in political science and history, ideas of objectivity in writing, his book on Frederick Douglass, and his seminal work on the famous debate between William F. Buckley, Jr. and James Baldwin, with all of its attendant themes and connections to today’s world.
Nick Buccola is a writer, lecturer, and teacher who specializes in the area of American political thought. He is author of The Fire Is upon Us: James Baldwin, William F. Buckley Jr., and the Debate over Race in America, as well as a fellow Santa Clara University alum.
William F. Buckley and James Baldwin’s Legendary Debate
Buy The Fire Is Upon Us: James Baldwin, William F. Buckley Jr., and the Debate Over Race in America
The Atlantic Article-Review of Book: “The Famous Baldwin-Buckley Debate Still Matters Today”
Nick summarizes the book in a video for Linfield University
Nick speaks about the book with the Notre Dame Center for Citizenship & Constitutional Gov.
At about 1:40, Nick talks about his relationship with words and language and story
At about 4:40, Nick discusses key moments in his reading and literary life throughout school, including Ms. Kraut’s spirited reading aloud in class, and Ms. Crawford, the “politically pugnacious” junior high teacher
At about 7:15, Nick cites some transformational and inspirational teachers along his educational journey, particularly those who helped him foster a love of history and political science
At about 9:20, Nick shares a cool fact about his Ph. D. invitation list
At about 9:45, Nick gives background on his early writing as he worked toward graduate degrees and publication; he shouts out Santa Clara University Professor Terri Perretti’s encouragement
At about 13:15, The two discuss the impact of the Jesuits and their sense of inquiry; Nick cites a shared professor, Father Mark Ravizza, and his innovation and brilliance
At about 16:00, The two nerd out about the Decalog, a movie series explored through a class at SCU
At about 16:45, Nick and Pete agree on the power of class discussion
At about 18:00, Nick provides background for his writing on Frederick Douglass
At about 21:25, Pete asks Nick about “seeds” for his book on the famous debate between William F. Buckley and James Baldwin
At about 25:30, The two discuss the effects of Baldwin’s speeches on their respective students
At about 26:50, Nick discusses ideas of objectivity and subjectivity in his writing of the book
At about 32:25, Nick discusses a debating technique that Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts highlighted-”The Jimmy”
At about 33:40, Pete and Nick detail the book’s structure that serves to lead up to the debate itself, as well as the characterizations of Buckley and Baldwin that informed the scenes
At about 35:55, Nick dips a toe into the water in giving his experience with the book and lessons learned on craft
At about 39:30, The fathers/stepfathers of the two debaters are discussed as written about in the book and how these fathers affected their sons’ worldviews
At about 43:50, The two lay out Baldwin’s “cosmopolitan” lifestyle and formative years in his 20s and Buckley’s Yale experience and its effect on his writing and later ideas
At about 45:20, Nick speaks to the ideas expressed in Buckley’s writing about Yale and today’s ideas of “liberalization” on college campuses
At about 49:20, Nick sets out Baldwin’s views of debate and knowledge and questioning
At about 50:20, The two discuss Baldwin and Buckley’s actions in the 1950s, especially their publications, that help them crystallize some of their signature ideas and ideals
At about 52:50, Nick discusses Buckley’s attempts to distance himself from white supremacy in some ways while also espousing clearly racist views
At about 55:45, Nick compares ideas espoused by Buckley and comparisons to modern-day political coverage
At about 56:45, Nick puts Baldwin’s political outlook in perspective
At about 57:20, George Wallace and his connection to the book’s events is discussed
At about 1:01:00, Some generalities of the debate itself are discussed, with Baldwin’s strong start and debating style and subject matter particularly emphasized, including the book’s Epilogue
At about 1:03:40, Nick shares some concluding remarks about “coming to terms with history” as inspired by James Baldwin
At about 1:05:00, Nick shouts out bookstores like Powell’s and Bookshop to buy the book and gives contact information/social media information
At about 1:06:15, Pete highlights book endorsements by Whoopi Goldberg, The Atlantic (writer Gabrielle Bellot), and Ibram X. Kendi
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow me on IG, where I’m @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where I’m @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both my YouTube Channel and my podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 134 with Kirstin Chen, professor of creative writing at the University of San Francisco and in Ashland University’s Low-Residency MFA Program. She is The New York Times best-selling author of three novels, and her latest, Counterfeit, out now, is the June ’22 Reese’s Book Club pick
The episode will air on July 18.
Tuesday Jul 12, 2022
Tuesday Jul 12, 2022
Episode 132 Notes and Links to Morgan Talty’s Work
On Episode 132 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Morgan Talty, and the two discuss, among other topics, the “surreal” feeling of seeing his publication play out with such critical acclaim, his early relationship with languages and storytelling, formative experiences and authors and texts that have informed his writing, themes and throughlines in his debut story collection, and the seeds and background of the story collection and his future projects.
Morgan Talty is a citizen of the Penobscot Indian Nation where he grew up. Morgan teaches courses in both English and Native American Studies, and he is on the faculty at the Stonecoast MFA in creative writing. His highly-anticipated short story collection, Night of the Living Rez, is forthcoming from Tin House Books, on July 5.
“The Gambler” for Narrative Magazine
At about 1:20, Morgan discusses his mindset as he was in the week before publication of his short story collection, as well as events coming up promoting the book and how it feels to see his book become a reality
At about 3:40, Morgan discusses his early relationships with reading, language, and storytelling
At about 5:45, Morgan explains his rationale for writing out Penobscot words phonetically and how the language lives within him
At about 8:00, Morgan responds to Pete’s questions about Wabanaki and their connection to internal and external groups
At about 9:00, Pete wonders about any moments that turned Morgan into a writer as well as what works-Harry Potter, Sherman Alexie’s work-influenced his own; Morgan cites Toni Jensen, Tommy Orange, Terese Marie Mailhot, Chelsea Hicks, and Brandon Hobson, among others, as “establishing a broader spectrum of voices"
At about 11:15, Morgan cites the importance of Jack Kerouac and On the Road in his life and writing life
At about 13:00, Pete presents a cliched reading list that came right after college
At about 14:10, Morgan expands on ideas of “representation”
At about 17:15, Pete and Morgan fanboy about Tommy Orange’s There There; Morgan cites it as a “turning point”
At about 19:05, Morgan talks about ideas of “gatekeepers” and “the white gaze” in conjunction with publishing goals and mores; he cites JJ Amaworo Wilson anecdote that is emblematic of ideas of tropes and stereotypes in publishing
At about 21:20, Pete references the finishing scene of Morgan’s title story and Morgan expands on ideas of “performance”
At about 22:00, Morgan discusses Karen Russell, Richard Van Camp, and many others as examples of writers who thrill him
At about 23:15, Morgan describes moments of discovery and affirmation through the years that solidified his career choice
At about 24:50, Morgan details
At about 26:20, Morgan shouts out local bookstores-Briar Patch in Maine, Birch Bark Books in Minnesota, and King’s English are some examples-where his books can be bought
At about 27:15, Morgan discusses seeds for the short story collection, Night of the Living Rez, and how he “stumbled into” big and unifying ideas for the collection through the character of David
At about 31:15, Pete quotes from a short story and connects the quote to the story collection as a whole
At about 32:45, The two discuss themes of inaction
At about 34:45, the two discuss themes of trauma and grief and the connections to addiction and legacy
At about 36:35, Morgan speaks to ideas of intergenerational trauma and how he writes so well about these ideas without “sensationalizing”
At about 38:00, The two discuss themes of normalcy and Pete asks Morgan about finding balance in the collection
At about 40:40, Pete compliments the humor from the collection and asks for the full joke of a portion that was presented in the book
At about 41:35, Ideas of role reversal and maturity and responsibility are discussed
At about 44:00, Pete and Morgan talk about the Mikumwess/Pukwudjies background and connect ideas of building tension as seen in the title story
At about 48:15, Morgan discusses future projects, including a “dark David Sedaris” project- he mentions “The Gambler” from Narrative Magazine as a taste of this style
At about 50:00, Morgan gives his social media/contact information
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow me on IG, where I’m @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where I’m @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both my YouTube Channel and my podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 133 with Nick Buccola, a writer, lecturer, and teacher who specializes in the area of American political thought. He is author of The Fire Is upon Us: James Baldwin, William F. Buckley Jr., and the Debate over Race in America, as well as a fellow Santa Clara University alum
The episode will air on July 14.