Episode 328 with Tom Junod, Author of In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What it Means to be a Man, and Masterful Researcher and Writer of Iconic Character and Cultural Studies

Notes and Links to Tom Junod’s Work   Tom Junod is an ESPN senior writer who has written some of the most enduring and widely read longform journalism of the last 30 years.    He joined ESPN in 2016 and has specialized in deeply reported stories on subjects ranging from Muhammad Ali’s funeral to Tom Brady’s desire to play forever. He has been nominated for an Emmy for his work on “The Hero of Goodall Park,” an E60 program on the ancient secrets that were revealed when a car drove on a baseball field in Maine during a Babe Ruth League game in 2018.     In a 2022 piece, “Untold,” he and ESPN investigative reporter Paula Lavigne spent nearly two years uncovering the horrific crimes of Todd Hodne, a  Penn State football player who in the late 1970’s terrorized State College PA, and Long Island, NY, as a serial sexual predator.    Before coming to ESPN, Junod wrote for GQ and Esquire, where he won two National Magazine Awards and was a finalist for the award a record 11 times. For Esquire’s 75th Anniversary, the editors of the magazine selected his 9/11 story “The Falling Man’ as one of the seven top stories in Esquire’s history. In 2019, his story on beloved children’s TV host Fred Rogers, “Can You Say…Hero?,” served as the basis for the movie “A Beautiful Day in The Neighborhood,” starring Tom Hanks and Matthew Rhys.    His work has been widely anthologized in collections including The Best American Magazine Writing, the Best American Sports Writing, the Best American Political Writing, the Best American Crime Writing, and the Best American Food Writing. Buy In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to be a Man   Esquire: “Mr Rogers Changed Tom Junod's Life. Here's the True Story Behind A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood   Esquire Magazine: “Can You Say…Hero” Article about Fred Rogers   New York Times Review: “Tom Junod Would Like to Tell You about His Father”   “My Father’s Fashion Tips”-1996 GQ Article   “Untold”: 2023 Article from ESPN Regarding Penn State and Todd Hodne At about 1:00, Tom talks about his night and days leading up to Pub Day, and the sometimes-arbitrary nature of publishing and Pub Day At about 3:00, Tom talks about his upcoming book tour/events At about 4:15, Tom highlights the greatness and importance of Amy Wallace and her work, an upcoming conversation partner for him At about 6:30, Pete is highly complimentary-joining thousands and ten of thousands of fans-of Tom’s legendary “The Falling Man” article   At about 7:05, Tom responds to Pete’s questions about the ways in which Jerry Sandusky haunts Tom and Paula Lavigne’s master class in journalism, “ ” At about 12:00, Tom expands on how the article about Todd Hodne pointed out the lies and hypocrisy regarding Joe Paterno and Penn State  At about 13:35, Tom responds to Pete’s questions about the seeds for In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to be a Man; he emphasizes the importance of a 1996 GQ article  At about 17:30, Pete brings up some intriguing quotes in making some connections between Lorenzo Carcaterra’s A Safe Place and Tom’s memoir At about 18:30, Tom highlights the classic portrait of her father for the GQ article by Marion Ettlinger (also featured in the book), and talks about his father’s essence being captured  At about 20:20, Tom responds to Pete asking about his father Lou as a distinctive type of “man’s man” At about 25:00, Tom talks about his dad as “Italian-adjacent” At about 26:30, Tom discusses the two funeral services held for his father, and how “having the last word” in dealing with his father led to him becoming a writer  At about 30:50, Tom highlights a stunning eulogy from a former lover of his father  At about 32:10, Tom responds to Pete’s questions about balancing his father’s behaviors in his mind and in his feelings towards him; Tom emphasizes the “suspicions” about his father that he harbored for decades about his father  At about 36:50, Tom talks about love “unlocking” so much for his writing of the book, including his father but also his wife, his mother, his siblings, his aunts, etc. At about 38:55, Tom reflects on ideas of grace and scrutiny involving his father, his paternal grandmother, and their life histories  At about 42:35, Tom responds to Pete’s question about how his life with his father has affected him as a father         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 Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Jeff Pearlman, a recent guest, is up now at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!    This month’s Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of formative and transformative writing for children, as Pete surveys wonderful writers on their own influences.    Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.     This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he’s 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 329 with Grant Ginder Please tune in for Episode 325 with Grant Ginder, the author of the novels Let’s Not Do That Again, Honestly, We Meant Well, The People We Hate at the Wedding, Driver’s Education, and This is How It Starts, a few of which have been made into movies. His latest is So Old, So Young.     The episode airs on March 13 or 14.    Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.    You can also donate at chuffed.org, World Central Kitchen, and so many more, and/or you can contact writer friend Ursula Villarreal-Moura directly or through Pete, as she has direct links with friends in Gaza.

Notes and Links to Adolfo Guzman Lopez’s Work   Adolfo Guzman-Lopez has been a reporter at LAist 89.3, the Los Angeles NPR affiliate since 2000. He reported and hosted Imperfect Paradise: The Forgotten Revolutionary, a true crime podcast looking into the death in 1994 of Chicano college activist Oscar Gomez. He has reported on L.A. politics, education, art, museums and other topics. His stories have also aired and published nationally on NPR, The Washington Post, and other media. His awards include the LA Press Club’s “Radio Journalist of the Year.” He was born in Mexico City, grew up in Tijuana and San Diego, and lives in Long Beach. Buy California Southern: writing from the road, 1992-2025   Listen to Adolfo’s “The Forgotten Revolutionary” Podcast Series   KPCC/LAist Article about Adolfo’s Visit to Pete’s Classroom, 2012   KPCC/Laist OnRamp Article about Adolfo being referenced on The Simpsons At about 2:20, Pete and Adolfo talk about the wonderful experience Adolfo provided for Pete’s students during a 2012 class visit At about 5:15, Adolfo recounts great stories and lessons learned (especially “collective voice”) from time with The Taco Shop Poets At about 9:00, Adolfo gives background on growing up in San Diego and Tijuana, "bicultural and bilingual” At about 11:30, Pete and Adolfo reflect on the book as “a road trip book” At about 13:30, Adolfo discusses what he recently learned about earlier family immigrants to the US At about 15:40, the two discuss of National City and San Diego in discussing the wonderful “binaries” that Mike Sonksen compliments in blurbs for the book At about 20:50, Adolfo describes the “sadness” in the writing of Jack Kerouac and connections to ideas of “home” for himself and Kerouac At about 23:10, Pete and Adolfo shout out Tim Hernández and his great work with Mañana Means Heaven At about 24:00, “The Spine of Califas,” the book’s first poem, is discussed, and Adolfo discusses the “personification” of the border At about 27:50, Pete highlights the POV and “myriad stories” in a poem about  At about 28:40, Adolfo responds to Pete’s questions about poems that focus on the border crossing and questions from immigration authorities  At about 29:40, Adolfo explains a dynamic phrase he uses-”milquetoast bilingualism" and how he played with language, especially with regards to “proper” Spanish and English At about 34:55, Adolfo reads some of his work, meditating on ideas of possessions, tangible and not At about 38:00, The two discuss “SanDiegotijuana” and its “negative definitions” and Adolfo reflects on the “set of feelings” that differ depending on where he is At about 41:00, Adolfo reflects on his “footprints still [being] wet” in San Diego and its implications  At about 43:40, Pete compliments Adolfo’s work in tracing the histories, military and not, of San Diego and LA At about 47:00, Adolfo responds to Pete’s asking about his poem(s) about Pacific Beach Junior High School  At about 48:55, Adolfo expands on his word play, especially using various permutations of “Sal” and talks about adopting Jewish religious practices and writing about a meaningful story from the Torah At about 53:25, Adolfo responds to Pete’s questions about “The Words I’ve Lost” and ideas of remembered and forgotten language At about 55:45, The two discuss gentrification as a topic in the poetry collections, particularly in San Diego At about 1:00:25, Adolfo recounts the story behind his poem on the opening of the National City Library  At about 1:03:40, ideas of “passing the baton” and transitions between immigrant communities and migrant communities are discussed  At about 1:06:20, Adolfo reads the poem “Prudence” At about 1:07:45, Adolfo talks about writing in response/in honor of Ginsberg and Chicano/a history  At about 1:10:35, Adolfo talks about the Chicano Student Movement, which he covered for his podcast, “The Forgotten Revolutionary” At about 1:11:50, Adolfo talks about continuing various movements, and how he has written a “sequel(s) for “The Movement” poem At about 1:14:00, Adolfo responds to Pete’s questions about the term Chicano and its changing meanings At about 1:18:00, Adolfo reflects At about 1:20:30, Adolfo reflects on continuing activism and misogyny within activist circles  At about 1:24:10, Adolfo expands on writing and a changed viewpoint on life after a horrible injury caused by police at a protest At about 1:26:40, Pete shouts out “Those Winter Sundays” in highlighting Adolfo’s strong ending with a question At about 1:27:40, Adolfo expands on a poem that highlights the building of the LA Philharmonic  At about 1:31: 30, Pete highlights a favorite poem in the collection, “Trucks” and shares a little Italian bone to pick with Adolfo At about 1:35:15, Pete compares Adolfo’s “Trucks” and love for home to Hemingway’s “Old Man at the Bridge” At about 1:37:30, Shifra Goldman and her mentorship and activism are referenced, as well as the “Tercera Caida”   At about 1:39:00, Adolfo reflects on dreams and their impact on writing and learning  At about 1:41:10, Adolfo reflects on how he was cognizant of tone at the end of the collection, and he reads “The Treaty” At about 1:43:00, Adolfo shares how he ended “The Treaty” with a reference to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo      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 Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Jeff Pearlman, a recent guest, is up now at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!    This month’s Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of formative and transformative writing for children, as Pete surveys wonderful writers on their own influences.    Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.     This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he’s 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 328 with Tom Junod, ESPN senior writer who has written some of the most enduring and widely read longform journalism of the last 30 years.    He joined ESPN in 2016 and has specialized in deeply reported stories on subjects ranging from Muhammad Ali’s funeral to Tom Brady’s desire to play forever. He has been nominated for an Emmy for his work on “The Hero of Goodall Park,” an E60 program on the ancient secrets that were revealed when a car drove on a baseball field in Maine during a Babe Ruth League game in 2018.     In a 2022 piece, “Untold,” he and ESPN investigative reporter Paula Lavigne spent nearly two years uncovering the horrific crimes of Todd Hodne, a  Penn State football player who in the late 1970’s terrorized State College PA, and Long Island, NY, as a serial sexual predator.    Before coming to ESPN, Junod wrote for GQ and Esquire, where he won two National Magazine Awards and was a finalist for the award a record 11 times. For Esquire’s 75th Anniversary, the editors of the magazine selected his 9/11 story “The Falling Man’ as one of the seven top stories in Esquire’s history. In 2019, his story on beloved children’s TV host Fred Rogers, “Can You Say…Hero?,” served as the basis for the movie “A Beautiful Day in The Neighborhood,” starring Tom Hanks and Matthew Rhys.    His work has been widely anthologized in collections including The Best American Magazine Writing, the Best American Sports Writing, the Best American Political Writing, the Best American Crime Writing, and the Best American Food Writing.    The episode airs on March 10 or thereabouts, Pub Day for In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man: A Memoir.    Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.

Notes and Links to Yiming Ma’s Work      Born in Shanghai, Yiming Ma spent a decade in tech and finance before writing the dystopian novel These Memories Do Not Belong to Us, named a Spotify Editors' Pick, longlisted for the Goodreads Choice Award, and featured on Best Book of 2025 lists by Electric Literature, Debutiful, PEN America,and elsewhere.    Yiming attended Stanford for his MBA, and Warren Wilson for his MFA. His stories and essays appear in the New York Times, The Guardian, The Globe and Mail, Florida Review, and elsewhere. His story “Swimmer of Yangtze” won the 2018 Guardian 4th Estate Story Prize. Buy These Memories Do Not Belong to Us   Locus Magazine Review of These Memories Don't Belong to Us     Yiming Ma's Website   Interview with Michael Zapata for Chicago Review of Books: “Mirrors, Memories, Rebellions: An Interview with Yiming Ma” At about 2:10, Yiming shares the feedback he’s gotten and the ways in which These Memories Do Not Belong to Us has “resonated” with readers At about 4:20, Yiming talks about his relationship with “home” and reading as a kid At about 5:15, Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go is highlighted as a formative and transformative read for Yiming At about 8:15, Yiming expands on how his immigrant background informed his career choices, agency, and adaptive skills and outlook on capitalism-he connects these to his book’s plot and themes  At about 10:25, Pete reflects on the book as science fiction/speculative fiction At about 11:25, Yiming responds to Pete’s question about contemporary books that “flipped the switch” At about 12:50, Yiming reflects on the dearth of fiction read by people in his former work life, as well as ideas of empathy and the changing landscape of diversity in authorship At about 15:00, Yiming talks about AI and men reading (or not reading) fiction, and differences between his writer friends and tech friends  At about 18:00, Yiming describes the structure of the book in conjunction with seeds for the book, largely coming from the pandemic and ideas of what is remembered and not remembered and how At about 21:55, Yiming explains how his award-winning story “Swimmer of Yangtze” and the idea of “constellation writing” At about 23:00, Yiming lays out the book’s opening/exposition  At about 24:40, Yiming responds to Pete’s questions about early connections and memories between Jill and Hao At about 28:00, Yiming recalls the early question about seeds for the book in reflecting on the motif of watches in the novel  At about 30:15, the two discuss “Easter eggs” in the book regarding “Ri-Ben” (China in Japanese), and Pete reflects on geopolitical tragedies that frame the “constellation writing”  At about 32:10, Pete asks Yiming about the book’s “Memory Epics” and ideas of art vs. commercialism and censorship in connection to today’s similarities  At about 36:40, Yiming expands on the story “Chankonabe” and its connections to real-life and its fit in the novel’s “constellation” At about 37:35, Yiming talks about the importance of mantras in his book as guides for his storytelling At about 40:00, Yiming talks about research on sumo wrestling and the resulting questions and reflection that brought out some profound scenes  At about 43:15, The two discuss the book’s first-person accounts from the main narrator, and Yiming expands upon ideas of agency and resistance against systems  At about 45:30, Yiming reflects on connections between the Chrysanthemum Virus and the coronavirus At about 51:00, The two discuss the story “Swimmer of Yangtze” At about 52:10, Yiming tells of the beautiful homage to his grandmother in the book At about 53:10, Yiming turns the tables and asks Pete probing questions about the ever-encroaching AI At about 56:40, Yiming talks about the “incredible” students he’s spoken with and reflects on a “biased sample” and the “paradigm shift” between disparate groups he speaks with regarding AI and its implementation  At about 1:01:00, Yiming reflects on the “worry” he has over critical thinking skills and employment in a future focused on AI At about 1:02:20, Pete asks about “+86 Shanghai” and its immigration stories  At about 1:03:20, The two discuss the balance between changing the system and ideas of assimilation and Yiming talks about personal connections to “mining [his] own immigration story” and changing immigration narratives At about 1:07:50, The two reflect on Kaveh Akbar’s brilliant work that Yiming riffs off in the book; Pete shares a story about Kaveh’s profundity in action, and Yiming talks about censorship and the timing of the release of his 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 Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Jeff Pearlman, a recent guest, is up at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!    This month’s Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of formative and transformative writing for children, as Pete surveys wonderful writers on their own influences.    Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.     This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he’s 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 327 with Adolfo Guzman-Lopez. Adolfo Guzman-Lopez has been a reporter at LAist 89.3, the Los Angeles NPR affiliate since 2000. He reported and hosted Imperfect Paradise: The Forgotten Revolutionary, a true crime podcast looking into the death in 1994 of Chicano college activist Oscar Gomez. He has reported on L.A. politics, education, art, museums and other topics. His stories have also aired and published nationally on NPR, The Washington Post, and other media, and his poetry, especially from time with the Taco Shop Poets, has been awarded and anthologized.     The episode airs later today, March 3.      Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.       You can also donate at chuffed.org, World Central Kitchen, and so many more, and/or you can contact writer friend Ursula Villarreal-Moura directly or through Pete, as she has direct links with friends in Gaza.

Notes and Links to Oliver James’ Work   Oliver James is a literacy advocate and motivational speaker who has been sharing his journey about learning to read as an adult, through TikTok and Instagram. Through videos and posts, he has been charting the books he’s read, and the lessons he’s learned and relearned. He has been featured on The Jennifer Hudson Show, The Today Show, NPR, and more.   Buy Unread: A Memoir of Learning (and Loving) to Read on TikTok   Oliver's Website   Oliver on The Jennifer Hudson Show At about 1:25, Oliver talks about feedback he has gotten from early readers of Unread At about 2:35, Oliver responds to Pete’s question about vulnerability in writing the book and presenting the book to the world At about 4:00, Oliver talks about his social media availability and upcoming tour stops At about 5:20, Pete asks Oliver about the book’s Dedication and important epigraph; Oliver expands upon the connections between reading and exercises At about 7:40, Oliver talks about the emotions at the moment after he shared with his social media followers that he couldn’t read, in 2021 At about 10:00, Oliver explains how he would get by when being called on to read in school At about 12:20, Oliver replies to Pete’s question about good ways for people to start learning to read/cement their developing reading skills At about 15:00, Oliver talks about his singing and reading and other things that he does on Tik Tok Live and Instagram At about 16:10, Oliver and Pete discuss  At about 18:00, Pete highlights Oliver’s great book recommendations throughout his book, and particularly connections between The Giver and Oliver’s pains and triumphs in learning and reading At about 21:45, The two discuss missing important learning opportunities and learning cycles in adolescence  At about 23:15, Oliver talks about “creating [his] own identity” based on what teachers and other authority figures sometimes told him, subtly or not At about 24:40, The two discuss how The Phantom Tollbooth connects to Oliver’s reading and learning journey At about 26:30, Oliver gives background on how a speech class gave him more confidence and how it led to speech becoming a vocation At about 29:50, Oliver reflects on what might have been different had he been a reader when he was set up in a sting operation At about 31:50, Oliver explains how people in jail gave him hope and how this experience connects to the character of Zero in Holes, particularly with regard to a sense of “duty” and community learning  At about 33:50, Oliver highlights Dirty Laundry and shame and relationships with girls and dependence  At about 37:20, Oliver talks about the importance of a quote book that was his first gifted book and the “helpless[ness]” that came at the beginning of the COVID pandemic  At about 43:20, Oliver makes connections between COVID and “how to carry” on his reading and emotional journey At about 44:20, The Diary of Anne Frank and The Outsiders and ideas of reading and being in community with readers and reading is discussed  At about 45:40, Pete gives a rec for one of his all-time favorites, That Was Then, This is Now At about 46:20, The two discuss the Piiraha people and “living in the moment” based on Oliver’s car accident and other traumatic and triumphant moments  At about 51:00, Pete highlights The Alchemist and ideas of how books “unlock” so much, and expands upon the “agreements” featured in Don Ruiz’s books, in particular with regards to his father  At about 54:30, Empathy is discussed, as experienced in reading and in life, and love and thanks for his mother At about 56:10, Oliver reflects on children’s books and “tap[ping] into emotions” and “be[ing] a kid” At about 1:00:30, Pete highlights ways in which Oliver gave him a different perspective on finishing a book and on the classic The Giving Tree At about 1:02:10, Oliver responds to Pete’s questions about his feelings upon meeting famous people for interviews, like Jennifer Hudson    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 Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Jeff Pearlman, a recent guest, is up soon at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!    This month’s Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of formative and transformative writing for children, as Pete surveys wonderful writers on their own influences.    Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.     This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he’s 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 326 with Yiming Ma, who spent a decade in tech and finance before writing the dystopian novel These Memories Do Not Belong to Us, named a Spotify Editors' Pick, longlisted for the Goodreads Choice Award, and featured on Best Book of 2025 lists by Electric Literature, Debutiful, PEN America,  and elsewhere.    The episode airs on February 24 or 25.       Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.       You can also donate at chuffed.org, World Central Kitchen, and so many more, and/or you can contact writer friend Ursula Villarreal-Moura directly or through Pete, as she has direct links with friends in Gaza.

Notes and Links to Lillian Li’s Work      Lillian Li is the author of the novel Number One Chinese Restaurant, which was an NPR Best Book of 2018, and longlisted for the Women’s Prize and the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize. Her work has been published in the New York Times, Granta, One Story, Bon Appetit, Travel & Leisure, The Guardian, and Jezebel. Originally from the D.C. metro area, she lives in Ann Arbor. Buy Bad Asians   Kirkus Reviews for Bad Asians   Lillian Li's Website     At about 1:30, Lillian talks about her mindset as Pub Day is a day away, and she shares heartening feedback she’s received on Bad Asians At about 3:00, Lillian talks about her early relationship with language and literature, including Amy Tan’s Joy Luck Club, and coins a great term, a “Borders Kid” At about 4:40, Lillian describes growing up in a Chinese-American and Asian-American community in connection with ideas of representation  At about 6:30, Lillian reflects on “growing pains” with Joy Luck Club and having ambivalent feelings towards the book’s lasting impact At about 8:50, Lillian highlights How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder as a standout text she’s reading currently  At about 10:10, Lillian highlights Literati Bookstore as a great place to buy her book and interesting tour events coming up At about 12:05, Lillian gives background on starting the book with a map At about 13:10, Lillian talks about North Potomac, MD, and growing up there  At about 14:50, Pete sets the book’s exposition through discussion of the Prologue, and Lillian comments on her interest in the experience of those who have gone viral At about 16:30, Grace as the “golden child” is discussed in terms of Lillian’s childhood seeing comparison and "competitive friendships” At about 18:10, the two continue to describe the book’s opening and main characters  At about 21:40, Lillian describes the original video that Grace recorded that morphs into the foundation for the “Bad Asians” viral video(s) At about 23:00, Lillian responds to Pete’s asking about a middle-of-the-book scene with a caring/boundary-overstepping teacher  At about 25:20, Grace and her gilded rich girl life is described  At about 27:20, Lillian and Pete describe the ways in which the friends like Errol and Justin feel “unburdened” and free in filming with Grace, but also how Grace gets some controversial footage At about 28:55, “Going to the Mall on Molly” and its ramifications is discussed At about 30:40, Lillian describes how Vivían’s phone call leads to Grace “running away” to LA At about 32:25, Lillian gives background on the plan that the group hatches in collaboration with Carrie Yang At about 35:00, Vivían and Errol and their post-vows life and rave culture are discussed by Lillian; she talks about MDMA as a sort of emotional regulation   At about 36:30, Lillian talks about the scenes in the book as emblematic of the 2008 recession and recovery in Detroit At about 37:20, Lillian riffs on “self-medication,” with regards to an article she read about overdoses in the Asian-American community/rave culture At about 38:40, Errol’s dangerous “pranks” are analyzed  At about 40:00, Lillian discusses the “gilded cage” and “success trap” for Grace and her creative pursuits At about 42:10, the two discuss the notoriety that comes with leaked cell phone footage from the New York At about 42:45, Lillian talks about Justin’s sexuality and provides background on her research on bisexuality, intimacy and love for his character  At about 46:00, Pete compliments the ending of the book, and Lillian expands on her mindset in ending the book that way        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 Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Jeff Pearlman, a recent guest, is up soon at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!    This month’s Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of formative and transformative writing for children, as Pete surveys wonderful writers on their own influences.    Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.     This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he’s 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 325 with Grant Ginder, the author of the novels Let’s Not Do That Again, Honestly, We Meant Well, The People We Hate at the Wedding, Driver’s Education, and This is How It Starts, a few of which have been made into movies. His latest is So Old, So Young.     The episode airs on February 20, three days after Pub Day for So Old, So Young.     Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.     You can also donate at chuffed.org, World Central Kitchen, and so many more, and/or you can contact writer friend Ursula Villarreal-Moura directly or through Pete, as she has direct links with friends in Gaza.

Notes and Links to Luke Epplin’s Work   Luke Epplin is the author of Moses and the Doctor: Two Men, One Championship, and the Birth of Modern Basketball, and Our Team: The Epic Story of Four Men and the World Series That Changed Baseball.    His writing has appeared online in The Atlantic, The New Yorker, GQ, Slate, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and The Paris Review Daily. Born and raised in rural Illinois, Epplin lives outside of New York City with his wife and daughter. Buy Moses and the Doctor   Wall Street Journal Review of Moses and the Doctor   Luke Epplin's Website At about 1:15, Luke highlights Greenlight Books and Astoria Bookshop as places to find signed books, both online and off- At about 2:15, Luke shares an interesting tidbit about fellow Illinois-ian David Foster Wallace At about 4:40, Luke responds to Pete’s question about seeds for Moses and the Doctor, and how his first book figured in At about 8:10, Luke and Pete discuss the book’s Prologue and an important Julius Erving “speech” At about 11:15, Luke shares Dr. J’s thoughts on this consequential speech and further implications for his relationship with future teammate Moses Malone  At about 12:15, Chapter One is discussed, especially Julius Erving’s dazzling time at Rucker Park; Luke ruminates on Julius as “two people at once” At about 17:55, The two discuss Moses Malone as a “prodigy” and how his hometown and upbringing shaped him  At about 21:05, Moses Malone’s college search and pro basketball signing are discussed  At about 24:00, Luke responds to Pete’s comments and question about the ABA/NBA and generalizations about Julius Erving and other players  At about 26:50, Luke reflects on Julius Erving’s free agent demands and travails  At about 28:00, the two discuss Moses Malone's “lost year” as the ABA wilts At about 29:20, Luke references Julius Erving’s time in the ABA, and how people who watched him and played with him talk about how the NBA Julius Erving wasn’t the same At about 30:55, Luke talks about the ways in which the super-successful Sixers were not hyped as much as teams like Magic Johnson’s Lakers and Larry Bird’s Celtics At about 31:55, Luke pinpoints a pivotal scene in 1982 that he marks as critical in his book’s arc At about 33:15, Luke responds to Pete wondering about the criticism towards Julius Erving before he won a NBA Championship  At about 34:15, The 1977 Finals and the competing styles the two teams brought are discussed, along with the New Jersey Nets’ impasse with Julius over his signing At about 37:55, Pete shouts out an incredible dunk from Julius Erving on Bill Walton At about 38:30, Luke expands upon the legendary stories told about Julius from his ABA days At about 39:50, Luke responds to Pete’s questions about research processes for the book At about 41:45, Luke reflects on his interactions with and memories of Bill Walton At about 43:15, The two discuss Moses Malone’s opening season and NBA Finals’ Run with the Rockets At about 45:00, Pete notes a transformational experience for Julius Erving/Dr. J at the end of the 1970s and Luke talks about Julius’ injury history and a turning point at age 30 At about 47:30, Luke reflects on a sense of “blessing” and introspection by Julius At about 48:10, Luke reflects on racial and racist more of the 70s and 80s in Philadelphia, including the town ethic and Frank Rizzo’s oppressive governing, and how Moses Malone and Julius Erving acted in response and how they were received in Philly At about 52:20, Pete references the Fonde Rec Center and its connection to Moses Malone’s “superstardom” At about 53:15, Pete and Luke reflect on key moments and key losses that led to the teaming up with Moses Malone and the winning of the 1983 NBA Championship and Julius Erving opening up emotionally At about 56:25, Pete highlights the power of Luke ending the book in 1983 At about 57:50, Luke discusses Moses Malone’s post-NBA career and his choice to live in the “shadows” At about 58:40, Pete catalogs some of the post 1983 foibles and missteps of the 76ers players and brass, and Luke expands on why the buildup to the championship was so “dramatically satisfying” At about 1:00:25, Luke talks about Julius Erving’s “legend” and legacy At about 1:01:30, Andrew Toney was a bucket!        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 Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Jeff Pearlman, a recent guest, is up now at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!    This month’s Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of formative and transformative writing for children, as Pete surveys wonderful writers on their own influences.    Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.     This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he’s 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 324 with Lillian Li, author of the book out as of today, February 17, Bad Asians.  She is also the author of the novel Number One Chinese Restaurant, which was an NPR Best Book of 2018, and longlisted for the Women’s Prize and the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize. Again, the episode airs on February 17, today, Pub Day for Bad Asians.    Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.     You can also donate at chuffed.org, World Central Kitchen, and so many more, and/or you can contact writer friend Ursula Villarreal-Moura directly or through Pete, as she has direct links with friends in Gaza.

Notes and Links to Peter Orner’s Work    Peter Orner is the author of eight books, most recently the novel, The Gossip Columnist’s Daughter, named one of the best books of 2025 by the New Yorker and the Chicago Tribune, as well as the essay collections, Still No Word from You, a finalist for the PEN Award for the Art of the Essay, and Am I Alone Here?, a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award for Criticism. His story collection Maggie Brown and Others was a New York Times Notable Book. Other books include Love and Shame and Love (Winner of the California Book Award) Last Car Over the Sagamore Bridge, The Second Coming of Mavala Shikongo (finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Award), and Esther Stories. A recipient of the Rome Prize and a Guggenheim Fellowship, Orner is also the editor of three books of oral history for the Voice of Witness series, and co-editor with Laura Lampton Scott of a new oral history series from McSweeney’s called “Dispatches.” His work has appeared in The New Yorker, the Atlantic, Harper’s, the Paris Review and has been awarded four Pushcart Prizes. With Yvette Benavides, he’s the co-host of the Lonely Voice Podcast on Texas Public Radio. Orner recently led short courses on James Joyce’s Ulysses, and Melville’s Moby-Dick for the Community of Writers/Writers’ Annex. He teaches at Dartmouth College and lives in Vermont. Buy The Gossip Columnist’s Daughter   New York Times Review of The Gossip Columnist’s Daughter    Peter Orner's Website At about 2:30, Peter responds to Pete’s question about the feedback he’s gotten since the publication of  At about 3:30, Peter expands on ideas of making Chicago concrete for his readers At about 4:40, Peter gives background on family’s roots in Chicago and in Eastern Europe At about 6:25, Mike Ditka slander?! At about 7:50, Peter highlights Saul Bellow as a writer who influenced him, as well as Stuart Dybek, Betty Howland, and John Irving among others  At about 10:05, Peter reflects on David Foster Wallace as an “Illinois writer” At about 12:10, Peter discusses Zadie Smith and Yiyun Li, and as impressive and chill-inducing contemporary writers  At about 13:30, Peter lists some reading favorites of his university students, and he expands on how they are “blown away” by James Joyce’s work At about 15:00, The two fanboy over James Joyce’s “The Dead” At about 16:15, Peter reflects on Pete asking if his The Gossip Columnist’s Daughter would be classified as “historical fiction” At about 17:15, Peter expands on his view of the book’s epigraph from Chekhov At about 18:15, Pete cites another great epigraph and great book from Jess Walter At about 18:50, The two lay out the book’s exposition, and Peter describes the book’s inciting incident, a tragic death At about 20:20, The two discuss the book’s beginning as in medias res  At about 21:30, Peter talks about the character of Babs as inspired by grandmother, and Pete shares about his Chicago grandfather’s longevity At about 22:55, Peter expands on the idea of Jed, the book’s narrator, feeling that three key events in 1963 were a pivot point for the family At about 26:15, Jack Ruby and the provinciality and “small world” of Chicago At about 29:10, Pete and Peter lay out Jed’s college professor setup At about 30:00, Peter explains the cause of death and theories and conspiracy theories around it At about 31:35, Peter responds to Pete’s musings about the old-fashioned “imperative” headlines that  At about 33:00, Some of Cookie Kupcinet’s last writings are discussed  At about 34:30, Peter reflects on the travails and pressures of Cookie At about 36:00, Some of the prodigious pull of Irv Kupcinet is discussed, and Pete compares Irv’s work to that of Ace in Casino At about 37:55, Lou Rosenthal’s reticence and kinship with Robert Todd Lincoln are discussed At about 39:00, Peter expands on a scene in which the “grieving” narrator walks by the house where his ex-wife and daughter live; he discusses the importance he places on place At about 41:40, Sidney Korshak and his historical background and Chicago connection is discussed At about 44:10, The two discuss doubts in the story about the way in which Cookie died At about 45:20, Cookie’s legacy and the ways in which Jed, the narrator, gains a sort of obsession with conspiracy theories and marginalia  At about 48:20, Peter talks about the book’s storyline as a “family story” and using a “tiny kernel” as a “jump off” point for his book At about 49:20, Peter responds to Pete’s questions about the state of the current conspiracy theories involving the Kupcinets and JFK’s assassination  At about 51:20, The two discuss the breakup of the friendship between the Rosenthals and Kupcinets, as Pete compares a turned-down piece of writing to the book’s storyline  At about 53:20, Peter reflects on the intrigue that comes with  At about 55:00, Peter expands on the “Captain” moniker his grandfather have, and that he played off in his book At about 58:20, The two reflect on the memorable character of Solly At about 1:01:00, Theories involving traumas and low points and broken relationships are discussed  At about 1:03:00, Pete highlights a resonant last scene        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 Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Jeff Pearlman, a recent guest, is up soon at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!    This month’s Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of formative and transformative writing for children, as Pete surveys wonderful writers on their own influences.    Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.     This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he’s 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 323 with second-time guest Luke Epplin. He is the author Our Team: The Epic Story of Four Men and the World Series That Changed Baseball and Moses and the Doctor: Two Men, One Championship, and the Birth of Modern Basketball.    The episode airs on February 13, three days after Pub Day for Moses and the Doctor.    Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.

Notes and Links to Carolina Ixta’s Work   Carolina Ixta is a writer from Oakland, California. A daughter of Mexican immigrants, she received her BA in creative writing and Spanish language and literature at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and obtained her master's degree in education at the University of California, Berkeley. Her debut novel, Shut Up, This Is Serious, was a Morris Award finalist, an LA Times Book Prize finalist, and the winner of the Pura Belpré Award. Few Blue Skies is out now. Buy Few Blue Skies   Carolina Ixta's Website   Kirkus Review on Few Blue Skies At about 1:50, Carolina responds to Pete’s question about how she feels with her book at Pub Day At about 3:35, Carolina shouts out Mrs. Dalloway’s and other bookstores to buy Few Blue Skies At about 4:25, Carolina talks about her language and reading background  At about 6:00, Pete and Carolina reminisce on taking the challenging Spanish linguistics class At about 8:25, The two reflect on the unceasing reading list At about 9:15, Carolina shouts out Pam Munoz Ryan and Esperanza Rising-a transformative book and wonderful person At about 10:45, Carolina highlights the wonderful evolution of young adult fiction At about 12:45, The two fanboy and -girl over Jason Reynolds At about 14:55-RILKE! At about 16:30, Aria Aber is cited as a great fan and proponent of Rilke At about 18:10, Carolina gives an intricate and wise explanation of how writing and teaching elementary school and her own schooling have come together in a balance in writing for young people  At about 24:30, Carolina gives information on seeds for Few Blue Skies-an urban education class and references to drinking water in Oakland Public Schools is cited At about 27:05, Pete compliments the universality and specificity of the book in asking Carolina about the area in which she writes and connections to real-life companies At about 28:30, The two set the book’s exposition  At about 32:40, Carolina expands on familial connections to the Bracero Program and cites Alejandra Oliva’s Rivermouth as a great source for information about the shocking (or not) racism associated with the program At about 36:20, Carolina likes to  At about 38:00, Carolina makes interesting points about the “invisible” work done by Paloma’s mother and many women At about 42:00, The two discuss the strike undertaken in the book and ideas of practicality and idealism At about 42:40, AQA days are discussed in connection to air quality issues that happen in the book and in real life At about 44:00, The two discuss grief, and Pete compliments the realism shown by the character in the book after Julio’s father’s death At about 45:20, Carolina responds to Pete’s question about the significance of a garden envisioned by Julio in the book At about 47:40, Carolina expands on Julio as a “wholesome character” and drawing his dimensions and his future and romantic life At about 49:00, Carolina talks about stretching her Bay Area loyalties in writing realistically about the IE and their sports loyalties; she talks about wanting/needing to write something that shows her "range"  At about 51:15, Carolina responds to Pete’s question about the provenance of the book’s Mayor Warner At about 55:45, Pete and Carolina talk about ideas of ignorance with regard to Paloma, and real-life versions of naivete and idealism   At about 59:00, Carolina talks about anxieties around proving that she can write fiction rooted in nonfiction, and how she so wants kids to go to Wikipedia and do deeper research in enjoying reading  At about 1:01:55, Pete cites the “good and fun awkwardness” in some of the romantic scenes in the book, and Carolina talks about struggling to write those scenes    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 Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Jeff Pearlman, a recent guest, is up soon at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content! This month’s Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of formative and transformative writing for children, as Pete surveys wonderful writers on their own influences. Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.     This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he’s 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 322 with Peter Orner, the author of eight books, most recently the novel, The Gossip Columnist’s Daughter, named one of the best books of 2025 by the New Yorker and the Chicago Tribune, as well as the essay collections, Still No Word from You, a finalist for the PEN Award for the Art of the Essay, and Am I Alone Here?, a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award for Criticism.  The episode airs February 3, later in the day. Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.  

Notes and Links to Larry Strauss’ Work    Larry Strauss is the author of five novels, most recently Light Man and Now's the Time—now an Earphone Award winning audiobook—and numerous non-fiction titles, including Students First and Other Lies, a collection of essays mostly about education, and 2025’s A Lasting Impact in the Classroom and Beyond, a guide for new and struggling teachers.   His short fiction has appeared in Streetlight, Extract(s), and elsewhere. Op-eds and other non-fiction have appeared in USA Today, for which he is an opinion columnist, and The Guardian, among others. If you grew up in the 1980s, you might have seen some of the episodes he wrote for the first-generation Transformers cartoons.  Buy A Lasting Impact in the Classroom and Beyond   Larry Strauss' Article Listing   The Chills at Will Podcast, Episode 83, with Larry Strauss At about 1:45, Larry highlights positive feedback for his book, including a lawyer who found the book so instructive At about 4:50, Larry recounts a tale from the book’s Preface,  At about 7:40, Larry talks about the “contagion” that is fun that can and should come with teaching, and how this relates to him wanting to write the book At about 9:20, Larry talks about his first teaching job allowed him to “find [his] way” At about 10:30, Larry reflects on a Catch-22 that balances systematic change and day-to-day work At about 13:10, Larry recounts conversations dealing with guilt for teachers in taking days off At about 15:20, Larry talks about administration and the demands they feel and what they ask of teachers At about 16:00, The two discuss the travails of teaching during the early days of the Covid pandemic-Larry had an active 40 person class! At about 20:30, Larry reflects on ideas of “saving kids” as a teacher  At about 23:55, Larry talks about learning, including in literature, as “life-saving” and “writers as the first psychologists"  At about 25:30, The two discuss cinematic displays of teaching and “inspirational” teaching At about 28:25, The two reflect on early days for teachers and ideas of teaching “authenticity” At about 33:30, Larry talks about At about 34:25, Larry references Willy Loman in talking about “salesman” as one of the myriad roles that a teacher plays, and Pete cites extracurriculars like basketball and the difference in working with students in a voluntary situation  At about 36:20, Larry expands on his first year(s) teaching and ways in which students bought in  At about 39:00, The two discuss the importance of passion and enthusiasm and getting to know students At about 40:40, Larry responds to Pete’s question about how he came to understand that a loud classroom is not necessarily a bad thing At about 44:10, Larry recounts a story of a former student discovering journalism stories that already existed in his life At about 45:30, Larry reflects on a revelation he had about never surrendering to resistant learners and about how all/most students want to learn At about 47:25, the two talk about being adaptable as students both change and remain the same At about 50:20, Larry draws a distinction between talking about students’ incredible qualities versus complaining to other teachers about the students At about 52:45, Larry talks about a second-generation student and parent complaints  At about 55:25, Larry and Pete discuss the need for adaptability and “improv” as a teacher, illustrated by a lesson that has become a stalwart At about 57:20, The two discuss the need for joy and empathy in the midst of sadness and the grind of teaching-a great Cain and Abel story! At about 58:50, The two discuss the pros and cons of small schools At about 1:05:15, Pete highlights an early publication of Larry’s as the two talk about supporting the students unconditionally  At about 1:07:00, The two discuss different ways of being an advocate as a teacher At about 1:08:10, Pete compliments the book’s mixture of art and science At about 1:08:45, Larry talks about unique new writing assignments for himself At about 1:11:30, in talking about horrible hires for US Secretary of Education, Larry highlights the way in which John King’s fifth-grade teacher “saved his life” through field trips and other ways      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 Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Jeff Pearlman, a recent guest, is up soon at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!    This month’s Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of formative and transformative writing for children, as Pete surveys wonderful writers on their own influences.    Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.     This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he’s 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 321 with Carolina Ixta, a writer from Oakland, California. Her debut novel, Shut Up, This Is Serious, was a Morris Award finalist, an LA Times Book Prize finalist, and the winner of the Pura Belpré Award. Few Blue Skies is her sophomore novel, forthcoming from HarperCollins on February 3, 2026.    The episode airs on February 3, Pub Day.    Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.

Notes and Links to Farah Ali’s Work   Farah Ali is from Pakistan. She is the writer of the novels Telegraphy (January 2026, CB editions), and The River, The Town, as well as the short story collection People Want to Live. Her fiction has been anthologized in Best Small Fictions and the Pushcart Prize where it has also received special mention. She is the cofounder of Lakeer, a digital space for writing from Pakistan, and reviews editor at Wasafiri. Buy Telegraphy   Farah Ali’s Website   2024 Interview with Swetha Amit in Atticus Review  At about 0:25, Farah talks about her mindset as Pub Day approaches At about 3:25, Farah traces her early reading, writing, and bilingualism At about 7:30, Farah responds to Pete’s question about the connection between a high volume of British books and Britain's colonial past At about 9:45, Farah cites Roy’s of The God of Small Things as “transformative” At about 10:55, Natalie Diaz and Kaveh Akbar, Tom McCarthy, and Shandana Minhas are cited some as some of purveyors of some of Farah’s contemporary thrill-inducing writing At about 13:20,  At about 15:40, Farah discusses seeds for the book At about 18:10, Farah reflects on throughlines in the book, and her clarity in knowing what the book was to be about, and not about At about 19:50, Pete riffs on Farah’s book in comparison to Sigrid Nunez’s The Friend At about 20:45, Pete lays out the book’s exposition, and Farah gives background on the book’s first character, Andreas Vesalius At about 23:55, Farah and Pete discuss protagonist Annie’s nostalgia (or lack thereof) and journaling that makes up the bulk of the book At about 25:35, Farah talks about the epistolary nature of the book At about 26:20, The main character, Quratulain/Annie, is characterized/given background At about 28:05, Farah reflects on the importance of Annie as a woman in relation to stereotypes involving women’s physical and emotional health, as well as how she incorporated Adam, the long-lost love/friend of Annie and his POV At about 30:45, an incident in which Annie and her cousin are involved in childish frivolity is discussed, and Pete asks Farah about Annie as an “observer” At about 32:45, Farah expands on her views of agency, and expectations of writers connected to that agency At about 33:40, Annie’s childhood sickness is examined with regard to her father’s warning her against being a maulani, as well as how she sees a man with wings At about 36:10, Pete highlights important events for high school age Annie, and compliments a resonant line about “taking up space in the world,” which Farah reflects upon At about 38:15, The two reflect on “awakenings” for Annie in her late adolescence and college, particularly with regard to her writing and meeting Adam At about 41:40, The two discuss existential issues for Annie, and ways in which she sees hopelessness and hope  At about 43:25, Farah responds to Pete’s questions about Adam and Annie’s views of and performance of spirituality and religiosity  At about 45:10, Farah responds to Pete’s wondering about why Annie gets married and discussions of somatic issues At about 46:15, The two discuss histories and themes used in the book, and Farah talks about the balance and planning for plot vs. allegory/symbolism, as well as her deep research At about 48:55, Emerson’s “Transparent Eyeball” is cited by Farah, as she talks of her love for Marilynne Robinson’s Housekeeping and how the book and the theory propelled her writing At about 50:50, The two discuss ideas of insanity and intellectual achievement        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 Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Jeff Pearlman, a recent guest, is up soon at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!    This month’s Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of formative and transformative writing for children, as Pete surveys wonderful writers on their own influences.    Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.     This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he’s 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 320 with second-time guest Larry Strauss, the author of five novels, most recently Light Man and Now's the Time—now an Earphone Award winning audiobook—and numerous non-fiction titles, including Students First and Other Lies, a collection of essays mostly about education and 2025’s A Lasting Impact in the Classroom and Beyond, a guide for new and struggling teachers, and the focus of the conversation. His short fiction has appeared in Streetlight, Extract(s), and elsewhere. Op-eds and other non-fiction have appeared in USA Today, for which he is an opinion columnist, and The Guardian, among others. If you grew up in the 1980s, you might have seen some of the episodes he wrote for the first-generation Transformers cartoons.     The episode airs on January 27.    Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.