The Thoughtful Bro

My interview with one of my favorite speculative/horror authors, Alma Katsu, whose latest book, Incarnate, is a cross between Rumpelstiltskin, Oscar Wilde's Picture Of Dorian Gray, and digital urban legend.

We discussed, (1) the rapidly growing online contemporary folklore / horror scene, a.k.a. "creepy-pastas," (2) how AI won't ever replace real art, and (3) why the golden age of horror storytelling is NOW.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My exploration of the American publishing landscape with one of our great book critics, Ron Charles.

We discussed (1) the cardinal sin of novels—sentimentality, (2) whether readers will soon care if their books are mass-produced AI slop rather than the expression of flesh-and-blood humans; and (3) how Toni Morrison gave him the most astonishing reading experience of his life.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My chat with Scottish literary punk icon Irvine Welsh, who came on to discuss his sequel to Trainspotting, Men In Love.

We covered, (1) the impact of his iconic, generational film thirty years later, (2) how AI is trying to make us all redundant, and how creative expression is how to strike back, and (3) why you don't have to choose between your hooligan and artsy sides of your personality. Just be both.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My chat with Teddy Wayne about his latest literary thriller, The Au Pair.

We covered (1) techniques for writing a bingeable book that can beat prestige TV at its own game; (2) the unexpected way he figured out the devilish final twist for his ending, and (3) why ambition and sex are the inexhaustible engines of delectable storytelling.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My talk with Silver Linings Playbook author Matthew Quick, discussing his poignant memoir, Dad, Love, Me.

We covered, (1) his effort to end the cycle of generational abuse by caring for his father who now has dementia, (2) how trauma served as both a blessing and a curse, fueling a creative outpouring that carried Matthew to global fame, but also driving him to alcoholism, and (3) how true forgiveness is not a one-and-done conversation, but a lifelong, daily practice.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My interview with Caroline Kepnes, creator of the You series, on her latest Joe Goldberg book, You First.

We discussed (1) how she created a voice that's so electric and hypnotic, (2) what Joe Goldberg understands about people that allows him to manipulate them so well, and (3) the one thing that makes a character someone you root for, no matter how despicable they may be.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My talk with my good friend Kimberly Hensle Lowrance on her debut novel What Remains Of You.

We covered: (1) the architecture of planting a "phat hook" in the first few pages to snag a reader good; (2) why she didn't give up on the nine-year road to getting her first book released; and (3) what happens when an ardent and outspoken supporter of indie bookstores gets her debut novel published by Amazon.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My interview with Dane Bahr on his prohibition era thriller, one part David Mamet, one part Cormac McCarthy, The Dead Ringer.

We discussed: (1) being a literary guy among diesel mechanics; (2) how he's activated to the highest expression by the darkest underbellies and hardest truths; and (3) being a typewriter guy in the age of the Interwebs.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My one-on-one with Courtney Maum, re her latest novel Alan Opts Out.

We covered: (1) The longing for the better aspects of the pandemic, when the whole world, for one brief moment, opted out, (2) her lifelong struggles with plot, and (3) the most important rule for a writer: don't be ruled by envy.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My interview with ESPN/The Ringer writer Jordan Ritter Conn about his new work of narrative non-fiction, American Men.

We covered: (1) How men cope with the gap between who they truly are and their ideal of masculinity, (2) what the manosphere tells men they need, versus what they *actually* need to lead fulfilling lives, and (3) how the most important thing men need to realize is that they can't do it alone.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My talk with a true American Rambler, Isaac Fitzgerald, whose latest is about walking in the footsteps of folklore icon Johnny Appleseed.

We chatted re: (1) the tradition of literary quests in search of the spirit of America, (2) how the *real* America ain't what's on your screens, and (3) why the book publishing industry is not in the danger people say—books still make lots of money and *no one* wants their great literature written by AI.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My interview with Dr. Brennan Spiegel on his new book, Pull, about how to overthrow our oldest oppressor—gravity.

We discussed: (1) how your relationship with gravity impacts your health—both mind and body; (2) how becoming gravity-resilient is a goal we all should shoot for, and (3) tips for writing lucid, compelling non-fiction, and making complicated scientific issues easy for the lay reader to grasp. Bonus—a hidden talent for beatboxing may be revealed (!!!)

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 and Writer's Bone.

My talk with National Book Award-nominee Andrew Krivak, discussing his latest novel, Mule Boy, a book that Publishers Weekly called "flawless."

We covered (1) the importance of wrestling with the old, hard, elemental questions through words; (2) the pride of 20th century coal miners, who loved their treacherous work; and (3) how Andrew learned to tell stories from his grandmother, the one who really made him into a writer.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My probing discussion with Christopher Castellani re his brand-new literary/true crime novel Last Seen.

We discussed (1) the Smiley Face Murder Theory, (2) how understanding the motives of your narrator is the key to any story, and (3) the real reason why some writers give up, and some keep going.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My chat with "overnight success" and One Story editor-in-chief Patrick Ryan, who published his debut novel for adults, Buckeye, at 60 years old, and it became the runaway hit of last year.

We discussed (1) how novels have the unique ability to present audiences with the grand sweep of time; (2) what was different about Buckeye from the six or seven novels he wrote before it that didn't get published; and (3) his long, twisty journey to literary stardom late in life, a tale full of gratitude and fortitude, one that gives nourishment and hope to any aspiring artist.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My fab interview with the legendary Jenna Blum, who's written one of the most purely entertaining books I've read in ages, Murder Your Darlings.

I was there for the whole life cycle of this book, from the moment she thought of it, all the way to launch. We discussed: (1) making a mid-career genre pivot, (2) the keys to a good sex scene, and (3) what it means to be writing popcorn-munching, fun-forward fare in times of turmoil.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My galvanizing 1:1 with one of the coolest writers out there, Ottessa Moshfegh.

We discussed: (1) what happens when an artist is open about their world-sized ambitions; (2) the connection between the artist and the "god" (for lack of a better word) of creativity; and (3) how to create the kind of art that Mick Jagger himself recommends: the kind that "achieves madness."

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 and Writer's Bone.

My talk with Oscar-nominated director ("Sugarcane") and first time author Julian Brave NoiseCat, on his new memoir/"coyote story" We Survived The Night.

We discussed (1) a father son saga so improbable, it almost requires a higher power to explain it, (2) the haunting legacy of indigenous genocide at mission schools, and (3) the healing power of myth...in particular, how the oral tradition of the trickster coyote can bring reconciliation and understanding to the world.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My electrifying interview with Elaine Castillo, author of Moderation, which the New Yorker called "one of the best books of the year."

We discussed (1) the psychological hellscape of the content moderator, one of the worst jobs on earth; (2) the redemptive power of VR therapeutics, and (3) how the most interesting kinds of characters are often those who are certain they are right, but are absolutely wrong.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My chat with Jon Hickey, author of the timely debut novel Big Chief, a study of big egos, bad blood, and mudslinging reservation politics.

We discussed: (1) the power of belonging, and how it drives power stuggles; (2) the sorrow of losing touch with your culture, and (3) the patient work of trying to make characters come alive on the page.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My interview with one of the queens of Romantasy, Jennifer L. Armentrout, discussing her latest in the bestselling Blood And Ash series.

We discussed (1) The psychological underpinnings of popular tropes (The Chosen One, Enemies To Lovers); (2) What she'd fix about publishing (hire editors outside of New York!); and (3) How, exactly, to publish 70 books in under 15 years (Answer: work 12 hour days, seven days a week, and never feel like you've actually made it.)

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 and Writer's Bone.

My *utterly electric* convo with one of the great non-fiction writers and scholars of our time, Stephen Greenblatt. Stephen is the Pulitzer Prize winning/bestselling author of some of my favorite books EVER about literary history (including The Swerve), and he's out now with Dark Renaissance, about the troubled, complex genius of Shakespeare's top rival, Chris Marlowe.

We discussed (1) how Marlowe, the same age as the Bard, was a far more important writer than Shakespeare when he was stabbed to death at 29; (2) how Elizabethan London was a North Korea-like tinderbox of political repression and censorship; and (3) how Greenblatt's entire career has been guided by a profound desire to communicate with the great spirits long deceased.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My chat with God And Sex author Jon Raymond, a book that The New York Times assures "lives up to its epic title."

We covered: (1) writing a story that unites the worldviews of his Buddhist father and Jewish mother; (2) drawing inspiration from Graham Greene's classic The End Of The Affair, and (3) how curing writer despair is often a matter of just re-investing yourself in the writer community. The karma is real.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My interview with bestselling Whalefall author Daniel Kraus, chatting about his new World War I novel (written entirely in one sentence!), Angel Down.

We covered: (1) the Whalefall film adaptation, starring fellow actor (and writer), Josh Brolin; (2) His previous collabs with horror/fantasy legend Guillermo del Toro; and (3) why he never, ever, ever imitates himself, and how tackling new genres and styles is what gives spark to his work.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My conversation with Bruce Holsinger, author of the bestseller/Oprah pick Culpability, in which a family is torn apart in the wake of a self-driving car accident.

We discussed, (1) the rampant feeling of fear and malaise related to the ongoing AI culture takeover, (2) writing zeitgeisty novels, and (3) how using chatbots instead of learning to read and write for yourself dangerously cuts one off from the traditions that have shaped human culture for millennia.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My interview with horror master Stephen Graham Jones discussing his latest, The Buffalo Hunter Hunter.

Our talk covered (1) re-inventing the vampire for the American West, (2) writing for the fans v. writing for the critics, and (3) the ancient and visceral attributes of the horror genre (and how snobs like T.S. Eliot look down on it).

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 and Writer's Bone.

My interview with Phil Melanson re his bestselling debut Florenzer.

Topics included: (1) the secret/suppressed details of Leonardo da Vinci's sex life, (2) the scandalous details surrounding the most expensive painting ever sold (Salvator Mundi), and (3) the mysterious/beguiling/restless nature of da Vinci's genius.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My convo with Brendan Slocumb re his latest thriller set in the world of classical music, The Dark Maestro.

We covered (1) how people can't really hide the art that needs to come out of them; (2) musical prodigies from underprivileged backgrounds (there's more of them out there than you think); and (3) how a personal health scare can make the creation of art even more urgent than before.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My 1:1 with novelist + novel-structure-master Dana Spiotta.

We discussed her latest novel, Wayward, as well as (1) midlife crises...the female version; (2) the risks of "challenging" the reader with innovative novel forms, and (3) her techniques for giving humane feedback.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My interview with David Baldacci discussing his career selling over 150 million books, his MasterClass on writing, and his latest novel, Stranger in Time.

We covered (1) the one skill he wishes he had, that some other writers do with ease, (2) how he is, in my estimation, the Tom Cruise of literature (you'll have to listen to the ep to find out how), and (3) the *one quality* that all his books have in common, and which explains the wild popularity of his stories.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My *everything* talk with Adam Ross, discussing his hit literary novel Playworld.

Along with *everything* (we covered a lot of ground) we also chatted about (1) Safetyism v. Adventure in raising kids today, (2) the origin and theory behind his beautifully warm opening paragraph, and (3) his love/hate relationship with being compared to that other writer of precocious New York City kids, J.D. Salinger.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My interview with NYPL Young Lion/5-Under-35 debut author Alexander Sammartino, on his novel Last Acts.

We discussed: (1) the search for transcendence and "leaving your body" via literature; (2) father & son stories; and (3) unchecked Samuel Beckett fandom.

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

My talk with National Book Award-winner Colum McCann, discussing his latest novel, Twist.

We explored, (1) the underwater garden hose-sized tubes that (rather vulnerably) carry all the world's information; (2) how writers ought to feel in the age of AI writing (hint: undaunted!); and (3) how the current age of political strife will likely generate powerful new art.

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

My fresh convo on with Ron Currie re his latest novel, the family crime saga, The Savage, Noble Death of Babs Dionne.

We discussed: (1) creating existentialist heroes, (2) eats-nails-for-breakfast French Canadian female mobsters, and (3) how leading an authentic life as the highest virtue in a world of fading meaning.

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

Unpacking storytelling with Callan Wink, who's out with a new novel, Beartooth.

Topics: (1) reinventing the heist novel, (2) life in the *real* Yellowstone (as opposed to Kevin Costner's TV version) and (3) the pros and cons of living the writers' life far from the Brooklyn literary/publishing scene.

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

My chat with Eric Puchner about his incredible Oprah's Book Club pick Dream State.

We discussed (1) writing the "good old fashioned" novel, (2) writing the "big little" emotional moment on which stories often turn, and (3) whether you should write as if everyone you know is dead.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My interview with Presumed Innocent author Scott Turow, on his latest novel, Presumed Guilty.

Topics included, (1) The creative freedom that comes when authors realize they can't write like their heroes; (2) the advice Scott gave to Gillian Flynn, when she was on the rocket ship to literary fame, and (3) as a former President of the Authors Guild, his take on the threat AI poses to writers.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My conversation with The New Yorker fiction editor of 20+ years, Deborah Treisman.

Topics included: the "egoless" midwifery of editing; common traits among the famous writers she's known (obsessiveness and dedication are hallmarks); and anecdotes of the late David Foster Wallace.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My discussion with one of the towering literary and spiritual writers of our time, translator Stephen Mitchell.

We dug into his insights and process in a career translating everything from the Tao Te Ching to The Iliad to The Bible to the Bhagavad Gita. I've read more of Mitchell's words than any other writer. In many ways I've been preparing my whole life for this interview. A meaningful one.

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 and Writer's Bone.

My interview with Einstein's Dreams author Alan Lightman. His latest is The Miraculous From The Material, a beautiful book which pairs stunning nature photos with brief essays which explain the science behind everything from Saturn's rings to soap bubbles.

Topics included (1) spirituality for the scientific-minded; (2) Alan's most powerful and personal spiritual experience; and (3) how Salman Rushdie quietly and unexpectedly helped launch Alan's career when he was an unknown debut.

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 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.

With National Book Award winner M.T. Anderson, on his debut novel for adults, Nicked.

We discussed: (1) the blurry boundary between YA/adult fiction, (2) the identity of his true intended audience, and (3) how great titles begin to tell the tale before you turn the first page. He also reads aloud the opening paragraph of the story, one of the finest in recent memory.

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 debut novelist Sara Shukla, on her satirical, absurdist and emotionally satisfying beach reach, Pink Whales.

We discussed (1) making sure you have a solid story beneath the humor; (2) figuring out the formula of comedy through trial and error, and (3) how she finally gave up on writing that Big Important Literary Novel, and started just having fun.

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 Derek Black, on their new memoir The Klansman's Son.

We discussed Derek's journey from being the child of the head of the KKK, to their renunciation of their white supremacist beliefs and becoming an anti-racist. In an America where the GOP presidential nominee is openly adopting planks of the white nationalist platform, Derek is sounding the alarm.

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 Garth Risk Hallberg discussing his second novel, and first in nine years, The Second Coming.

Topics included: (1) the unique benefits of writing *very* long books; (2) Tom Wolfe & the sprawling, all-inclusive NYC novel; and (3) how/how not to deal with sudden, massive literary fame.

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 bestselling author and A Mighty Blaze co-founder Caroline Leavitt. We discussed her 13th novel, Days of Wonder, then went deep on a subject we're both obsessed with: story structure.

We covered (1) the importance of presenting your book's main question in the first chapter, (2) the pros of workshopping your synopsis before writing, and (3) how Caroline says learning to structure "saved my life."

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 former FBI Director James Comey discussing his second novel, Westport.

We chatted re: (1) the truth/falsehood behind popular mystery genre tropes, (2) the importance of a reliable bad cop to any investigation, and (3) his prognosis on the Trump Trials.

Listen to Mark's first conversation with James Comey.

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 5-Under-35 and Orange-Prize-winner Téa Obreht, discussing her third novel, The Morningside.

We chatted re: (1) the necessity of an urgent emotional connection to your work; (2) what can/can't be taught about writing; and (3) today's fraught political climate for artists.

Order Mark Cecil'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 convo with debut bestseller Doug Westerbeke, author of A Short Walk Through A Wide World, about which The New York Times says, "Imagine The Life of Pi, The Alchemist, and The Midnight Library rolled into one fantastical fable."

We covered (1) struggling to nail the ending, (2) writing the adult fairy tale, and (3) why sometimes "the best way to survive things is to not understand them."

Order Mark Cecil'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.

Who could possibly step into Mark Cecil's host shoes on The Thoughtful Bro on his pub day without skipping a beat and fire super intelligent and fun questions at him? A Mighty Blaze co-founder and best-selling author Jenna Blum, of course!

They discuss Mark's debut Bunyan and Henry; Or the Beautiful Destiny, now available wherever books are sold. Make sure you check out his book tour schedule and learn more about the novel.

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

With Boston literary citizen par excellence Hank Phillippi Ryan, discussing her latest suspense novel One Wrong Word.

Hank has won scores of awards as a TV journalist and novelist (including 37 Emmys), and I dug into her storytelling habits, methods and style, unpacking the mind of this master of economical prose, twisty plots and upbeat endings.

Order Mark Cecil'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 the foremost Native American artists working today in any field, Tommy Orange, talking about his second novel, Wandering Stars.

We discussed the struggle of America to both remember and forget its past; his generative friendship with fellow celebrated novelist Kaveh Akbar; and whether the time has come when white writers of literary fiction will be expected to talk about whiteness.

Pre-order Mark Cecil's upcoming 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 the inimitable, incorrigible, ingenious Steve Almond, discussing his new craft book, Truth Is The Arrow, Mercy Is The Bow: A DIY Manual For The Construction Of Stories.

We covered: obsession as the engine for literature; the aims and importance of opening paragraphs; and how one of the ultimate goals of literature is a magnification the inner life, so we might all better understand and forgive one another.

Pre-order Mark Cecil's upcoming 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 ultra-fresh debut author Jonathan Escoffery, discussing his celebrated linked collection of stories about Jamaican immigrants, If I Survive You.

Topics included: (1) the impossibility of answering the loaded race question "What are you?" (2) the underserved market of father/son literature, and (3) the rare/extremely necessary topic of men's fashion on Zoom.

Pre-order Mark Cecil's upcoming 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 literary podcaster and author Brad Listi, discussing his first novel in 16 years, Be Brief And Tell Them Everything, a work of autofiction exploring the despair, terror, and glory which is the creative life.

We covered: brevity as an aesthetic, writing like there's no tomorrow, and how he builds literary community through his beloved podcast Otherppl.

Pre-order Mark Cecil's upcoming 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.

Why do men turn to rage as a solution to their problems? "Because they feel stuck," says bestselling first-time memoirist Isaac Fitzgerald. We unpacked the underbelly of the two big "mass's," masculinity and Massachusetts, as we discussed his raw, drug-sex-violence laden odyssey of the Bay State, Dirtbag, Massachusetts.

Pre-order Mark Cecil's upcoming 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 sleeper hit and absolute runaway debut sensation Shelby Van Pelt, discussing her hopeful, poignant, friendship-with-an-octopus book club novel, Remarkably Bright Creatures.

We discussed finding the voice for her "gentleman philosopher" octopus, how all good book ideas are probably a little bit bananas, and how it's never too late to change, no matter how old you are.

With an intro that discusses Tolkein's famous essay, "On Fairy Stories," about the necessity of fairy tales told to grown ups.

Pre-order Mark Cecil's upcoming 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.

Checking in with poetry slam champ Melissa Lozada-Oliva on her outrageous debut novel Candelaria, which one reviewer described as One Hundred Years Of Solitude meets "The Royal Tenenbaums" meets "Night of the Living Dead."

Topics: (1) writing against the traditional diaspora story, (2) when to follow/break storytelling rules, and (3) representation and the legacy of American Dirt.

Pre-order Mark Cecil's upcoming 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 Matt Bell, on his abundant, uncategorizable, epic novel Appleseed. This interview, like Bell's sweeping book, is chock full of ideas that we crammed in the most exciting way into a rather limited space, including: the state of eco-fiction; mashing up ancient mythic tropes and future-tech; and Matt's deep commitment to the richness of language.

Pre-order Mark Cecil's upcoming 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.

What does Shelley Parker-Chan want readers to feel at the end of her debut best-selling fantasy novel She Who Became The Sun? "A feeling of catharsis...the subtitle should be Revenge Of The Genderqueers."

Also discussed: Wuxia, fate v. triumph of will, and historical fanfiction. (Exciting to note: Shelley's second book, which completes the series, has just come out: He Who Drowned The World.)

Pre-order Mark Cecil's upcoming 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 probing convo on American imperialism as seen from abroad; the rich historical and economic complexity of Haiti; and being a creative late-bloomer; with the great Ben Fountain, discussing his new international thriller Devil Makes Three. A true gentleman of American letters; the entire chat was as fresh as it was compelling.

Pre-order Mark Cecil's upcoming 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 Oprah Book Club pick Nathan Hill, discussing his latest novel, Wellness, which NPR called "a masterpiece....beyond remarkable."

We get into the dangers and benefits of the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves; how to hook readers with ecstatic openings; and, toward the end of the show, Nathan offers his best piece of advice on how to be sure your 600-page+ novel gets published.

Pre-order Mark Cecil's upcoming 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 insightful, wide-ranging and frankly rather zen talk with one of America's most raw, transgressive, and pot-stirring artists, Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk. While discussing his new novel, Not Forever, But For Now, we covered finding vitality and cartharsis in extreme behavior, the fate of the famed Cacophony Society, and the need to love your characters if you want your reader to love them, too.

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

With Silver Linings Playbook author Matthew Quick, discussing his new novel We Are The Light. We talked about how visions and fantasy can be a necessary part of the healing process and how storytelling itself is linked to managing trauma. We also recapped Matthew's origin story, an archetypal tale of how he was willing to "pay the cost" of becoming a writer.

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

With white-hot debut novelist and Pulitzer Prize finalist Xochitl Gonzalez, discussing her wise, funny, politically-charged rom-com, Olga Dies Dreaming. We chatted about inspiring Latinx readership, what she learned at the Iowa Writers Workshop, and the moment she decided to make a mid-career pivot while bargain-hunting at a sales rack in Nieman Marcus.

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

With National Book Award winner Tess Gunty, discussing her sensational debut The Rabbit Hutch. We chatted re writing transcendent sex scenes that have meaning; a rebelliously positive, mystic take on Catholicism; and how to write as your book as if you were talking to your best and smartest friend (advice she took from novelist Jeffrey Eugenides).

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

A bull-by-the-horns convo on the intersection of storytelling/racism with David Mura. His new book, The Stories Whiteness Tells Itself, is a urgent cri-de-coeur and a page-turning lay-of-the-land of where the race convo is at. Necessary and comprehensive for any writer or reader wanting to engage with race narratives, which are…all narratives. Our national story is changing. David Mura lays out how.

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

With New Yorker staff writer and #1 best-seller David Grann (Killers of the Flower Moon, The Lost City of Z, and The Wager). We covered: the worst shipwreck in history; writing as both a real and metaphorical quest; and how the chronicle of real life disaster is merely an excuse to explore Grann's true perennial subject: the human condition. Asked what the human condition actually is, Grann told me: "It's f&cked up."

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

With Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, one of the most lauded young writers in America. His short story collection Friday Black, and his new novel, Chain Gang All Stars, have garnered comparisons to no less than Chekhov, Orwell, and Atwood. We discussed satire, mass incarceration, and what he learned from his mentor George Saunders.

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

Former FBI Director James Comey is one of the most revered, controversial, and consequential figures in American law enforcement history. He's also a great writer.

We had an open, fascinating, and frankly quite entertaining conversation regarding the publication of debut novel Central Park West. Also covered: the Mar-a-Lago indictment, Trump's legal woes, and the one adjective he'd use to describe Dick Cheney.

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

An (actually) uplifting and inspiring talk re racism and South Boston, with the master of Beantown's dark underbelly, Dennis Lehane.

While discussing his new book Small Mercies, we covered (1) where he sees hope in the national race convo (2) why The Wire (which he helped write), was such a hit, and (3) the one quality that makes Stephen King, well, the king.

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 true literary heroes, and a treasure to the world's literary and spiritual communities, Karen Armstrong, on her new book Sacred Nature.

We discussed the mythic self, natural ecstasy, and how saving the planet begins with the smallest of steps. Looking back across my life, she is probably the author I have loved most and longest.

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

One of my most hilarious Thoughtful Bros ever, with one of the funniest writers anywhere, former U.S. Poet Laureate, Billy Collins. Along with readings from his latest book, Musical Tables, we discussed finding your voice, how gratitude is a key ingredient in making a poet, and late bloomers.

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

A conversation with the ever-stylish, ever-readable, always unputdownable Rebecca Makkai, on her new boarding-school-literary-whodunit-bestseller, I Have Some Questions For You.

We discussed strategies for reviving a flagging work-in-progress, story structure hacks, and the importance of interrogating your own memories with a critical eye.

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

An epic discussion with one of my heroes & mentors, the world renowned screenwriting guru Robert McKee. While discussing his new book Action: The Art of Excitement For Screen, Page and Game, we covered: embracing story conventions while avoiding cliches; how you can't have great heroes without great antagonists; and a furious throw down of Joseph Campbell and the Hero's Journey.

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

Upholding his reputation for minimal BS and straight talk on Trump's America, Officer Michael Fanone did not disappoint as he discussed his new memoir Hold The Line.

We talked about what it was like in the war zone of January 6 at the Capitol, why that day inspired him, what to make of the midterms, and his sharp reply to whether the former President should be indicted.

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

With Maggie O'Farrell, whose heartfelt, lyrical exploration about genius and grief, Hamnet, vacuumed up awards and made, it seems, every last reader weep. If you're looking for sensual prose, a startling theory on why Shakespeare wrote his most famous play, or a rollicking sex scene in an apple-storage-shed, look no further.

With introductory thoughts on historical fiction as a genre, paring down your story, and becoming the writer you want to be, with Whitney Scharer, author of The Age Of Light. All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

With Pulitzer Prize-winner Erin Kelly and Patsy Rembert, wife of the late Winfred Rembert, whose improbable life story and stunning art are featured in the miraculous, American-classic-to-be Chasing Me To My Grave: An Artist's Memoir of the Jim Crow South.

We discussed how Winfred found beauty in his life's terror and how he avoided resentment in order to live and make art with love. An indispensable new text for understanding our country's race relations. Trigger warnings for adult content.

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

With Harley Rustad, discussing his fascinating new true crime/travelogue Lost In The Valley Of Death. We covered: "India Syndrome"; the paradoxes of authenticity on social media; the intrepid 1800s explorer Richard Burton; and the potentially deadly perils of mythologizing your own life on Instagram. This book really got to me, and I spend a bit of time at the opening of the show trying to figure out why.

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

With Emily St. John Mandel, discussing her new novel Sea of Tranquility. Topics: how she got to know her "Station Eleven" HBO showrunner at a super creepy gun show; the cathartic role of art and sports in any functioning society; and her deep ambivalence regarding our utterly convenient, utterly tech-enabled modern life.

With guest host Whitney Scharer, author of the award winning novel The Age of Light. All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

A mind-altering convo with anthropologist and public conversationalist Christopher Ryan about his book Civilized to Death. We discussed civilization's sneakily bad deal, as well as how cavemen knew better than we do how to laugh, live & love. Anecdote from the show: after reading his book Sex at Dawn, an elderly widow once told Chris, "This is the most important book I have ever read. I wish I could live my life over."

With guest host Joe Moldover, author of the YA novel Every Moment After. All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

A story craft masterclass with Oscar-winning screenwriter Michael Arndt (Toy Story 3, Little Miss Sunshine, Star Wars: The Force Awakens). Highlights include: packing the most meaning possible into your climax; 3-act-structure pro hacks; how to get unstuck when blocked by reducing your story to a fairy tale; and what Hollywood can do to help stop gun violence.

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

With the author of Tuesdays With Morrie, and one of the bestselling writers in American history, Mitch Albom. Discussing his new book, The Stranger In The Lifeboat, we got into the beguiling nature of answered prayers and how Mitch hopes to be the author readers reach for in times of trouble. In an emotional moment I also asked him, if he met Morrie again, what would Morrie think of what he's done with his life?

With guest host Daniel Ford, author of Black Coffee and founder of the Writers Bone Podcast Network. All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

With Pulitzer Prize-winner Jennifer Egan, discussing The Candy House, her critically-acclaimed follow-up to A Visit From The Goon Squad. Egan discussed how great prose voice is like great cooking stock (if it's good, anything you throw in becomes good, too); clues to finding your calling in both art and life; and how she writes blind on first drafts, trying to be a channel for the unconscious.

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

With perhaps America's most popular historian, Erik Larson, discussing the "rogue elephant" Winston Churchill during the London Blitz, as featured in his book The Splendid And The Vile. We discussed Churchill's knack for giving devastating news but somehow lifting people's spirits; how he was basically a "f-ck up" till WW2, then went on to save civilization; and how he once sat down with FDR completely naked.

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 the key figures in recent American history, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, discussing his memoir, Here, Right Matters, and the pivotal role he played in the first Trump Impeachment. We talk about his optimism for American democracy, his enduring faith in the stability of our institutions, and what it's like to suddenly become Arnold Schwarzenegger's hero.

With guest host Jenna Blum, author of Those Who Save Us and Woodrow On The Bench. All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

With Caroline Kepnes, author of the social-media-stalker-creeptastic-love-story You, which became the runaway Netflix hit show with over 50 million viewers. We chat about her newly released third book in the series, You Love Me. A great episode for fans of snappy writing, 90s pop culture references, and basement murder cages.

With guest host Jenna Blum, the bestselling author of Those Who Save Us and Woodrow On The Bench. All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

With the Booker-Prize winning master himself, George Saunders, discussing his new book, A Swim in a Pond in the Rain. We talk about how to find a story's unconscious structure, the necessary qualities it takes for a young writer to succeed in publishing, and how George knew he'd found his true literary voice, when he heard his wife laughing one night in the next room.

With guest host Whitney Scharer, author of the award winning novel The Age of Light. All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

Hi, I'm Mark Cecil host of The Thoughtful Bro.

I want to tell you about the podcast I'm launching.

See, a long time ago I realized that the greatest thing on the face of the earth, at least to me, is storytelling.

Storytelling is everywhere. It's in how we understand our planet, our country, our own bodies. Stories determine how we decide to vote, who to marry, what to eat, whether to fight a war, and quite simply, why to get out of bed in the morning.

Stories don't just reflect our world. They actively create it.

Storytelling is so fascinating to me, in fact, that pretty much my ideal social scenario is to go to a party, bump into a writer who's just put out a book, then whisk them away to a corner and spend the next 45 minutes or so, asking them about how and why they told the story that they did.

That 45 minute download is, in essence, the Thoughtful Bro podcast.

Every episode I'll spend time talking to a world class writer.

I'll speak to award winning authors like George Saunders, Erik Larson, Jennifer Egan, and Mitch Albom.

You'll hear from writers who've had their books turned into blockbuster TV shows and movies viewed by tens of millions of people: writers like Caroline Kepnes, whose books became the Netflix series "You," and Emily St. John Mandel, whose novel became the HBO show "Station Eleven."

I'll talk to writers involved in current events, like Lt. Colonel Alexander Vindman, who had a key role in Trump's first impeachment; and Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Admiral James Stavridis, who recently tried his hand at fiction.

I'll even talk to some of the most successful screenwriters working today—people like Michael Arndt, who wrote "Little Miss Sunshine" and "Toy Story 3," and David Koepp, who wrote "Jurassic Park," "Mission Impossible," and "Carlito's Way."

Together, these are some of the most innovative and decorated storytellers to be found anywhere. They've won the Pulitzer Prize, The Man Booker Prize, The MacAurthur Genius Grant, the Academy Award and more.

My interviews are wide ranging, fast moving, deep delving, and, I hope, entertaining. Think of the it as "Inside the Actors Studio"—but for storytellers.

Oh, and one last thing. What about the name? The Thoughtful Bro?

Well, that's me of course. As it turns out, being thoughtful and being bro-ish kind of go together like, say…a dinner jacket and a baseball hat. Like bourbon and Banksy.

The first two episodes of The Thoughtful Bro will be dropping very soon.

I hope you'll subscribe and check it out. In the meantime, stay thoughtful.