My chat with New York Times-bestselling “recovering productivity geek” Oliver Burkeman, on how to re-program your brain so you can live a life of meaning.

Topics included (1) finding self-worth outside of one’s productivity output; (2) helpful ways to think about huge issues one can’t control (elections, global warming); and (3) how (oddly) admitting that it’s impossible to change is often the moment when real change begins.

Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry.

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

With one of my oldest publishing friends, YA author Joe Moldover, discussing his latest novel Just Until.

We unpacked: (1) writing about trauma, (2) whether you can really save another person, and (3), our most colorful insights re the publishing industry from a couple of young fellas just gettin in the game.

Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry.

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

My interview with CJ Leede on her latest freshy-fresh horror novel American Rapture.

We got into (1) America's puritan resistance to/capitalist obsession with sex, (2) how to find your authentic writing voice/genre, and (3) rescue dogs!

Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry.

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

My glorious conversation with 2-time National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward, discussing her latest novel, Let Us Descend.

Topics included: (1) gaining hope and strength by remembering what others have borne; (2) making invisible history visible; and (3) finding authorial authenticity through concrete specifics.

Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry.

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

With Alison Espach, author of the instant bestseller The Wedding People.

We discussed (1) her long, unpredictable process of writing her hilarious, absurdist mega-hit, (2) how writing a great book is often about letting characters just be honest and forcing them “stay in the room,” and (3) truly the *best piece of writing advice* I’ve heard in a minute, which instantly helped me improve my own work in progress. You have to listen to find out what it is.

Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry.

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

An inspiring conversation with two-time Oprah Book Club pick David Wroblewski. His first novel, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, was a #1 New York Times best-seller, and now, 16 years later, he’s back with his second novel, Familiaris.

We discussed (1) his writing process of overwriting, then pulling back (2) the unique ways novels seep into readers’ lives, and (3) how writing, like computer programming, is ultimately about having “a conversation with the material.”

Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry.

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

A masterclass on thriller writing with bestselling phenom T. J. Newman, whose third novel Worst Case Scenario, follows the terrifying story of what happens when an airplane crashes into a nuclear power plant.

We discussed (1) how to keep creative hope alive, and when to move on, (2) how writing about the heroism in everyday people invites readers in, and (3) how mastering pace is critical to bestsellerdom.

Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry.

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

Pumping Literary Fire straight in ya veins on my latest with Mateo Askaripour, discussing his new one, This Great Hemisphere.

Topics: (1) taking big risks after a bestseller (2) shaking up the publishing industry, and (3) helping people feel seen.

Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry.

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.