Some Things Considered
Join award-winning author Sean Murphy for conversations with the most accomplished minds spanning the literary, music, and tech industries. Sean brings his decades of experience as a cultural critic, professor, and founder of a literary non-profit to explore and celebrate the ways stories define us as artists and human beings. This podcast peels back the layers of creativity, examining why it matters and how brilliant minds achieve mastery. Each episode features authentic discussions and deep dives into craft, routines, and the personal journeys of successful storytellers.
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Season 5 Ep 3 | Tim Wendel | Baseball, History, and Craft
01/06/2026
Season 5 Ep 3 | Tim Wendel | Baseball, History, and Craft
In this episode, I speak with award-winning author and Johns Hopkins writing professor Tim Wendel, whose books include Summer of ’68, Castro’s Curveball, Cancer Crossings, and his newest novel Rebel Falls. Tim is productive, well-read, and well-traveled, so our conversation inexorably covered a great deal of ground, and some topics include: Baseball & storytelling: How the game shaped Tim’s life as a writer; the mythology of Bull Durham; the legend of Steve Dalkowski. Substack & citizen historians: Why Tim believes everyday people must help preserve historical truth, especially amid 2025’s wave of historical erasure. History as many stories: Why the meaning of history changes depending on who tells it—and why authoritarian regimes always try to control the narrative. Travel as antidote to prejudice: In the spirit of Mark Twain, how Tim’s global reporting career shaped his worldview and fuels empathy. Censorship & cultural retreat: The rise of anti-Humanities rhetoric, the danger of “whitewashing” civil rights history, and why cultural amnesia is alarming. Artists and athletes as change agents: Jackie Robinson, jazz musicians, and others who changed America while facing enormous resistance. Teaching writing today: Tim’s advice to students, the challenges and opportunities of AI, and why craft still matters. I hope you find Tim as refreshing and informative as I do: he’s versatile, curious, and passionate–and cares deeply about why stories matter, and how to tell them. Tim Wendel’s books include SUMMER OF ‘68, CASTRO’S CURVEBALL, CANCER CROSSINGS and other works. His latest, the historical novel REBEL FALLS, won the W.Y. Boyd Award from the American Library Association. A longtime writer-in-residence at Johns Hopkins University, his stories and columns have appeared in Esquire, GQ, Gargoyle, The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, Psychology Today and National Geographic. ABOUT TIM WENDEL Instagram: LinkedIn: Facebook: Website: ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: X: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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From Prison to Advocacy: Stephanie Shepard on Justice and Reform
12/16/2025
From Prison to Advocacy: Stephanie Shepard on Justice and Reform
In this episode, I speak with Stephanie Shepard, Executive Director of Last Prisoner Project. She was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for a first-time, nonviolent cannabis offense and now leads the Last Prisoner Project (LPP). Her story—and her advocacy—reveals the human cost of the War on Drugs and the urgent need for restorative justice. Some key takeaways from our conversation include: Stephanie’s story: From her 2010 conviction and nine-year sentence to becoming Executive Director of LPP. What LPP does: Freeing cannabis prisoners, record clearance, reentry support, and policy reform. Breaking myths: The legacy of “Just Say No,” drug panic politics, and bipartisan failures from Nixon to Clinton. Narrative & policy: How storytelling shifts public perception and drives real legislative change. Where we are now: Cannabis tolerated or legal while people remain imprisoned; opioid crisis reframes priorities. Human impact: Individual cases showing how lives are disrupted—and rebuilt—through LPP’s work. Mobilizing advocates: How people affected by incarceration become powerful voices for reform. LPP’s current battles: Clemency, resentencing, expungement, and federal reform. Goals ahead: Expanding services, increasing national awareness, and pushing comprehensive drug reform. What everyone should know: Drug policy is political—not scientific—and justice requires empathy and action. I’m so grateful for, and inspired by this conversation. I encourage everyone to listen and share, and get involved: spreading the word and supporting justice for all Americans is an essential act not only for activists, but patriots. Stephanie was convicted of conspiracy to distribute marijuana in 2010. As a first-time, non-violent offender, Stephanie was sentenced to ten years in the Federal Bureau Of Prisons. After serving nine years, she was placed on federal probation for an additional five years. She now serves as Last Prisoner Project’s Executive Director and sits on the organization’s Board of Directors. She is adamantly advocating for restorative justice for those who have suffered as she has from the criminalization of cannabis. ABOUT STEPHANIE SHEPARD Instagram: X: Facebook: Website: LinkedIn: ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber at seanmurphy.live ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: X: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Season 5 Ep 1 | Matt Davis | What does Mount Rushmore tell us about America?
12/09/2025
Season 5 Ep 1 | Matt Davis | What does Mount Rushmore tell us about America?
Some Things Considered returns with our fifth season, and we could not be more excited. Episode One features Matthew Davis, with whom I speak about his new book Biography of a Mountain, an in-depth examination of Mt. Rushmore as both a monument and a metaphor for America. Drawing on years of research and personal engagement with the Black Hills, Davis unpacks the layered histories, mythologies, and political tensions embedded in this iconic site. We cover a ton of ground, and highlights include: Why Mt. Rushmore: How Davis realized this was the book he needed to write — and why the mountain mirrors the American story. Many Americas: Mt. Rushmore as a metaphor for the evolving, often conflicting visions of what “America” means. Native history: The mountain’s sacred role long before white settlement, and how Indigenous perspectives were erased or overwritten. Power & narrative: Who tells America’s story? Who benefits? Why monuments become battlegrounds. Gutzon Borglum: The ambition, ego, and controversy surrounding the monument’s creator — including his troubling political ties. Author in the narrative: Why Davis chose to include his own journey, and how personal context strengthens historical storytelling. The paradox of monuments: How the same statue symbolizes pride to some and oppression to others — and what that reveals about American identity. Relevance in 2025: How Davis’s research unexpectedly speaks to today’s political climate and the weaponization of history. Trump, Reagan, and symbolism: The modern fight over commemoration, legacy, and political mythmaking. What the mountain teaches us: Reflections on history, country, culture, and narrative itself. It’s always a pleasure to speak with Matt, whom I consider a good friend, colleague, and source of inspiration. His book could hardly be more timely–and it adds valuable insights for an America that, in 2025, is as complicated and bifurcated as ever. Matthew Davis is the author of When Things Get Dark: A Mongolian Winter’s Tale. His work has appeared in the New Yorker, The Atlantic, The Los Angeles Review of Books and Guernica, among other places. He has been an Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fellow at New America, a Fellow at the Black Mountain Institute at UNLV, and a Fulbright Fellow to Syria and Jordan. He holds an MFA in nonfiction writing from the University of Iowa and an MA in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Davis lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife, a diplomat, and their two young kids. ABOUT MATT DAVIS Website: ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Season 4 Ep 11 | Karen E. Bender | Literary Fiction, Storytelling, and the Times We Live In
10/07/2025
Season 4 Ep 11 | Karen E. Bender | Literary Fiction, Storytelling, and the Times We Live In
What is the role of literary fiction in 2025? Is it simply escapism, or is it something deeper — a mirror to the world we inhabit, a lens on its inequities, contradictions, and quiet truths? In my latest episode of Some Things Considered, I spoke with Karen E. Bender, National Book Award finalist and author of The Words of Dr. L, to explore these questions. Karen’s new collection is a meditation on our times. Her stories navigate the uneasy space between overt political urgency and narrative subtlety, achieving what only the most mature and authoritative fiction can: illuminating society without sacrificing character or craft. We talked about how her stories came together, the delicate process of unifying disparate pieces into a cohesive collection, and how she chooses between writing short fiction or novels. We also discussed the realities of the literary ecosystem today. Universities and festivals that once nurtured writers are under threat — including the recent cancellation of the Iowa Summer Writing Festival, a hub of creative excellence for decades. Karen reflected on the growing importance of nonprofits, activism, and community support to sustain writers and their work in challenging times. Throughout our conversation, one thing became clear: literary fiction matters now more than ever. It helps us reflect, empathize, and engage with our world in ways that journalism, social media, or fleeting news cycles cannot. Karen’s insights remind us that stories are not just entertainment — they are essential. ABOUT KAREN E. BENDER Website: Facebook: ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Season 4 Ep 10 | Caroline Bock & Jona Colson | Talking "America's Future" with Washington Writer's Publishing House
09/30/2025
Season 4 Ep 10 | Caroline Bock & Jona Colson | Talking "America's Future" with Washington Writer's Publishing House
In this episode of Some Things Considered, I’m joined by Caroline Bock and Jona Colson, co-presidents of . They are two of my favorite DC-area writers and advocates, but today we gather to discuss–and celebrate–the publication of a brand new anthology “America’s Future: poetry & prose in response to tomorrow.” Caroline is the author of the story collection “Carry Her Home” and Jona’s poetry collection “Said Through Glass” (both published in 2018). Washington Writers’ Publishing House is the longest, continuously operating nonprofit, cooperative, literary organization in the United States. Established in 1975 in our nation’s capital, we have published over 100 volumes of poetry as well in more recent years fiction and nonfiction. We discuss: The conception and labor of love that culminated in this anthology. The role of community, both local and global, to curate and publish writers. Why this collection coincides with the 50th anniversary of WWPH’s founding. The intersections of writing, teaching, editing, and organizing. How the written word can–and must–speak to today’s sociopolitical confusion and turmoil. Jona and Caroline also read their pieces from the new collection. These two literary citizens have established themselves as vital and indispensable forces not only for DC-Metro artistic community, but are working to publish and promote inclusive, relevant writing to showcase why creativity and story matter most of all during uncertain times. ABOUT CAROLINE BOCK Instagram: Twitter/X: Website: ABOUT JONA COLSON Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn: Website: ABOUT WASHINGTON WRITERS’ PUBLISHING HOUSE Instagram: Facebook: Twitter/X: Website: ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Season 4 Ep 9 | Karen Eber | The Art & Science of Storytelling
09/23/2025
Season 4 Ep 9 | Karen Eber | The Art & Science of Storytelling
In this episode of Some Things Considered, I sit down with Karen Eber — TED speaker, award-winning author of The Perfect Story, and former Fortune 500 executive whose talks have reached millions worldwide. Karen specializes in the science and skill of storytelling, helping leaders and creatives alike use stories to inform, influence, and inspire. The conversation explores: The science of storytelling: what happens in the brain when a story works, and why humans are wired to connect through narrative. What makes a story succeed—or fail: common pitfalls and how to avoid them. Trust and connection: how storytellers can build authenticity and credibility with their audiences. Inherited stories and bias: recognizing how cultural, familial, and corporate narratives shape our beliefs and choices. Choosing which story to tell: balancing timeless themes with timely resonance. Introverts as storytellers: why some of the best storytellers aren’t the loudest voices in the room. Story in leadership and business: from media to the courtroom to the boardroom, the most effective leaders leverage story to motivate and inspire. Data storytelling: transforming raw information into narratives that resonate and drive action. Storytelling in the age of AI and misinformation: why the best defense against “bad stories” and fake narratives is to tell better ones. This episode offers both practical insights and big-picture reflections on how stories shape our lives, our decisions, and our culture. ABOUT KAREN EBER Instagram: Twitter: LinkedIn: Website: ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Season 4 Ep 8 | Lisa Cooper Ellison | Writing, Resilience, and the Creative Life
09/16/2025
Season 4 Ep 8 | Lisa Cooper Ellison | Writing, Resilience, and the Creative Life
In this episode, I’m joined by Lisa Cooper Ellison—author, speaker, trauma-informed writing coach, and host of Writing Your Resilience. Lisa works at the intersection of storytelling and healing, using her personal experiences and clinical training to help writers transform difficult life events into meaningful art. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, HuffPost, Risk!, and more. She recently completed her memoir Please Stage Dive Carefully: How I Survived My Brother’s Suicide and Forgave Myself. Our conversation explores: The multiple hats every modern writer must wear: creator, promoter, brand-builder, and, most importantly, healthy human. Why curiosity, empathy, and vulnerability are essential to creativity—and how to cultivate them without burning out. What it means to “gaslight-proof” your writing practice and set healthy boundaries. How to share your story in an era of oversharing and constant brand-building. The intersection of trauma and art, and how to transform pain into powerful creative work. Lessons Lisa has learned as a podcaster—from preparation to professionalism—that can serve as a blueprint for others. Practices and mindsets that make for a rewarding creative process, including pushing past comfort zones. The evolving meaning of “literary citizenship” and why it matters for writers today. This is part craft talk, part creative therapy session, and part masterclass in how to live a sustainable creative life. ABOUT LISA COOPER ELLISON Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Website: ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Season 4 Ep 7 | Whitney Matheson | Talking Shop with the Queen of Pop
09/02/2025
Season 4 Ep 7 | Whitney Matheson | Talking Shop with the Queen of Pop
In this wide-ranging, high-energy conversation, I’m overjoyed to connect with old pal Whitney Matheson—one of the most important and beloved pop culture writers of the past 25 years. Best known as the creator of Pop Candy, the groundbreaking USA Today blog that ran from 1999–2014, Whitney has built a career out of curiosity, enthusiasm, and the art of connecting people to the culture they love. Today she’s busier than ever with her Substack newsletter Hi, It’s Whitney, as well as short fiction, comics, and other creative projects. We cover a lot of ground, digging into her career trajectory, which doubles as a case study in the shifting fortunes of journalism, culture writing, and the arts in an era of technological disruption, late-stage capitalism, and diminishing opportunities for creatives. We discuss how writers and artists must adapt to survive, and how Whitney has continually reinvented herself without losing her distinctive voice. She has evolved, but she has also, miraculously, expanded. Our conversation touches on: The unique talent—and discipline—required to stay plugged into cultural trends while connecting them to the past and presenting them with infectious enthusiasm. How Whitney moves between different forms—short fiction, comics, culture criticism—and the different creative “head spaces” each demands. The role of “literary citizenship” and how championing the work of others strengthens the entire creative ecosystem. Why building and sustaining community is essential for creative resilience. The state of the humanities, the arts, and cultural criticism in today’s politically charged environment. Whitney’s take on AI: less concerned about its impact on creative expression, more worried about its wider societal consequences. The increasingly blurred lines between art, politics, and cultural engagement, and why creatives can no longer afford to be apolitical. More than a profile of Whitney’s career, this episode is a candid meditation on resilience, reinvention, and the enduring power of sharing what inspires you. Whether through a blog, a comic strip, or a newsletter, Whitney Matheson continues to embody the joy of discovery and the importance of connecting with an audience who cares. Subscribe to Whitney on Substack: ABOUT WHITNEY MATHESON Instagram: Twitter: LinkedIn: Facebook: Website: ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Season 4 Ep 6 | Robert Rodriguez | The Long and Winding Road with a Beatles Expert
08/26/2025
Season 4 Ep 6 | Robert Rodriguez | The Long and Winding Road with a Beatles Expert
This week on Some Things Considered I’m joined by Robert Rodriguez—award-winning author, creator of the Something About the Beatles podcast, and one of the most prolific and insightful chroniclers of the Fab Four and their cultural universe. Robert has written or contributed to more than a dozen books, including Solo in the '70s, The Beatles FAQ series, and the critically acclaimed Revolver: How the Beatles Reimagined Rock ‘n’ Roll. He’s also one of the most trusted voices in Beatles fandom, consistently bridging rigorous scholarship with genuine fan enthusiasm. More, he is a community builder, advocate for storytelling of all kinds, and an industry veteran who has successfully navigated a ceaselessly changing media landscape. In this conversation, we cover: The arc of Robert’s creative career — from early fandom to world-class Beatles authority How to build a career by going deep, not wide — carving out your lane with focus and integrity Why community matters — especially for creatives, superfans, and storytellers The evolution of publishing and platforming — from print to podcasts to social media The Beatles as a case study in infinite curiosity — why their story never gets old The challenges and joys of podcasting & self-promotion What AI and the modern internet mean for researchers and writers Advice for new authors and cultural critics — and how the SOP has changed Fan culture, obsession, and the legacy of deep-dive storytelling Robert’s trajectory is a case study of sorts for 21st-century creative success: part old-school passion, part modern hustle, and 100% dedication to the story. If you’re interested in writing, music, media, or the long tail of fandom, this episode will resonate. ABOUT ROBERT RODRIGUEZ Apple Podcasts: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: Website: ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Leah Paulos: Finding Your Book PR Superpower
08/19/2025
Leah Paulos: Finding Your Book PR Superpower
What does it really take to break through the noise and get your book noticed? In this episode, I talk with Leah Paulos, founder of Press Shop PR and Book Publicity School. With 25+ years in the literary publicity world, Leah has worked on campaigns for authors like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, John Lewis, and Neil deGrasse Tyson — and now she’s using that experience to demystify the PR process for authors of all stripes. We discuss: Why standing out in today’s media landscape is harder than ever The biggest myths authors believe about publicity What publishers actually do — and what they don’t Why early prep is essential (and how to start) The power of small podcasts, niche influencers, and digital storytelling How authenticity and integrity are the new currency in publicity Why she’s committed to offering more affordable PR options for emerging writers Whether you're traditionally published or indie, debut or veteran, this conversation is packed with actionable advice and honest insights from one of the best in the business. ABOUT LEAH PAULOS Website: Twitter (X): LinkedIn: Facebook: ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Gregg Wilhelm: Telling Better Stories in Troubled Times
08/12/2025
Gregg Wilhelm: Telling Better Stories in Troubled Times
Today on STC, I’m joined by someone I’ve had the pleasure of working with (and learning from) for years: Gregg Wilhelm, Director of Mason Creative Writing, co-founder of Watershed Lit, and long-time literary advocate and publishing pro. Gregg’s experience spans every corner of the literary world—from launching presses to running CityLit, mentoring students, and staying in the fray as the arts face new pressures and provocations. In this conversation, we go deep on: The state of MFA programs and the future of English majors Why fewer students are reading (and how to bring them back) The collapse of public arts funding and what can (or can’t) replace it How to maintain faith and focus when AI, apathy, and anti-humanities sentiment threaten to flatten everything we care about The power of literary citizenship—not just as a concept, but as a lifeline for community and creative survival I’ve always admired Gregg for his tireless advocacy, his unshakable belief in writers and teachers, and his realism that never tips into resignation. He’s someone who doesn’t just talk about “resistance,” he builds platforms, creates programs, and helps train the next generation of literary citizens. This episode is especially relevant for: Writing students and aspiring educators Anyone navigating the literary world post-Covid / mid-AI Advocates trying to make sense of a shrinking public square for the arts Listeners who want to be reminded why stories still matter—and how we can keep telling them, even now If you dig it, please share with a teacher, student, or friend trying to do the good work. ABOUT GREGG WILHELM Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn: Website: CityLit Project: ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Dinaw Mengestu: Art, Immigration, Masculinity, and the Power of Storytelling
08/05/2025
Dinaw Mengestu: Art, Immigration, Masculinity, and the Power of Storytelling
Today’s guest is the acclaimed Ethiopian American novelist and writer Dinaw Mengestu, whose award-winning work has appeared in Harper’s Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and many other outlets. He currently directs the Written Arts program at Bard College and has been recognized as a MacArthur Fellow among numerous other honors. I first encountered Dinaw at a recent event hosted by George Mason’s Cheuse Center—shout out to my alma mater!—where his insights lingered long after the talk. His artistry is compelling, but I was especially drawn to his reflections on two urgent themes: masculinity and immigration, and their intersection with art and politics in 2025. We began by grappling with a pressing question: What use is art, especially novels, in an increasingly authoritarian climate? For me, the answer is clear—art becomes more vital than ever as a means to challenge, to bear witness, and to connect. Dinaw’s work offers a nuanced exploration of human relationships and identity that transcends national boundaries. Where American novels often fixate on the nation, his stories probe the fragile balances that shape all our lives. In particular, we talked about how immigration narratives are not just political flashpoints but deeply human stories filled with complexity, survival, and sometimes silence. His novel Someone Like Us exemplifies this approach, revealing how immigrant lives are collections of stories—some fabricated for survival, some never told—that demand empathy and deeper understanding. We also tackled masculinity, a loaded and often misunderstood topic. Dinaw shared his views on male anger and violence as social constructs, shaped by cultural narratives that influence how identity and behavior are formed—and how those narratives show up in both fiction and media. In this, our conversation circled back to the power of storytelling itself: how art can push back against reductive or toxic narratives by offering more authentic, nuanced perspectives. This is, I argued, a crucial form of resistance and a pathway to more peaceful social discourse. We also touched on the challenges of engaging younger generations, especially in a world where reading is often seen as less appealing. Dinaw and I agreed on the importance of meeting readers where they are, connecting through culture and technology, and gently drawing them into the broader world of literature. This wide-ranging conversation offers a lot for anyone interested in how art, identity, and politics intersect today—and why stories matter more than ever. ABOUT DINAW MENGESTU Facebook: X (formerly Twitter): Instagram: ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Emma Sarappo: On Novels, Lists, and Literary Life
07/29/2025
Emma Sarappo: On Novels, Lists, and Literary Life
This week, I was delighted to be joined by Emma Sarappo, senior associate editor at The Atlantic, where she writes and commissions coverage on books, poetry, and literary culture. Formerly the arts editor at Washington City Paper, Emma’s work has also appeared in Preservation, Pacific Standard, Washingtonian, The Bitter Southerner, and beyond. In other words: she’s the real deal, and she’s got the literary chops to prove it. In this wide-ranging and lively conversation, we dug into everything from The Atlantic's ambitious recent packages on The Best American Novels of the 20th Century and The Best American Poetry of the 21st Century, to the state of critical discourse, comics, canons, and the eternal (and eternally tricky) question: what makes a work “great”? Topics We Covered The process behind curating landmark literary lists for The Atlantic How lists can fuel discovery, conversation, and canon expansion Why list-making is both a celebration and a provocation Which classic (and obscure) American novels Emma is willing to throw down for What poetry can do in an era of fractured attention and endless noise Underground comics and their critical future How to respond to the common complaint: “young people don’t read anymore” Favorite Moments & Takeaways Emma reminded me that serious criticism isn’t about gatekeeping; it’s about stewardship. It’s about introducing work to new audiences, reintroducing overlooked gems, and advocating for voices who deserve more space in the conversation. We also talked about how poetry might just be the perfect literary form for 2025—compressed, emotional, deeply portable, and ideal for those of us trying to carve clarity out of chaos. If you’re a writer, teacher, editor, or simply a passionate reader, this is an episode that will feed your curiosity and remind you why we keep returning to stories—even when the world seems hellbent on scrolling past them. Thanks, as ever, for listening and supporting STC. More conversations soon. ABOUT EMMA SARAPPO Personal Website: LinkedIn: Bluesky: Instagram: ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Richard Blanco: The Inaugural Poet on Politics, Poetry, and Power
07/22/2025
Richard Blanco: The Inaugural Poet on Politics, Poetry, and Power
We’re back. And I can’t think of a better or more necessary guest to kick off Season 4 of STC than the poet Richard Blanco. If you’ve been reading or listening to me for any length of time, you know I believe in the power of storytelling—not only to entertain or inspire, but to bear witness, raise the stakes, and push the culture forward. That’s why this conversation means so much to me, and why I hope you’ll make time for it. Richard Blanco was —the youngest, the first Latinx, the first openly gay person, and the first immigrant to serve in that role. Last year, he was awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Biden. In addition to being a deeply gifted writer and public intellectual, he’s also an educator, an advocate, and one of the most thoughtful people I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with. We cover a lot in this episode. Art and activism, yes—but also attention and agency. We talk about the challenges of writing political poetry that is also beautiful, personal, and true. We talk about the pressure of platform, what it means to have a public voice in a fractured nation, and how to resist despair in a time when cruelty and confusion seem to have the upper hand. Among the many gems: How to avoid cynicism by doubling down on your humanity What James Baldwin meant when he said “The role of the artist is the same as the role of the lover…” Why poetry, more than ever, is the form we need now The moral weight and potential of witness in the 21st century We also talk craft, classroom dynamics, and why a poem can sometimes reach people in ways even the best essay or op-ed can’t. Richard shares insights into his own process and reads from How to Love a Country and Homeland of My Body, two collections I consider essential texts for this moment. And yes—we talk about AI, the future of storytelling, and why it’s no coincidence that art comes under attack when authoritarianism gains traction. A Personal Note It’s hard not to feel overwhelmed right now. The headlines. The feed. The rising tide of bad faith and short attention spans. I sometimes wonder if art can still matter in the face of so much noise and nihilism. This conversation reminded me that the answer is: yes, it can—and it must. ABOUT RICHARD BLANCO Instagram: Facebook: X (formerly Twitter): Website: ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Season 3 Ep 10 | Paula Whyman | In the Weeds: Writing, Identity, & Belonging
07/08/2025
Season 3 Ep 10 | Paula Whyman | In the Weeds: Writing, Identity, & Belonging
Today’s guest is Paula Whyman, author of the collection You May See a Stranger, which received a starred review in Publishers Weekly. Her new book Bad Naturalist: One Woman’s Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop is a blend of memoir, natural history, and conservation science. Her writing has appeared in myriad outlets, and she was co-founder and editor in chief of the literary journal Scoundrel Time. Paula and I discuss the story behind the story of her new memoir, and her real time training as a contemporary naturalist. Her book, filled with vivid descriptions of plants, insects, and one woman’s battle/love affair with seemingly everything that grows, flies, lives, and dies, is highly recommended, perhaps especially for anyone looking for a positive distraction from the chaotic “inner space” of today’s sociopolitical reality. I learned a great deal about everything from invasive species to non-native plants, all of which seem to mirror present discussions about immigration, identity, and ownership. Paula is not only a wonderful writer, but patient and passionate tour guide, and her words will resonate with outdoor enthusiasts and those with less green thumbs. We also talked about craft, teaching, the rewards and burdens of running a literary magazine, the solace of nature and the inspiration of one’s imagination. Inevitably, we also touched on the importance of community and the responsibility of being a good literary citizen. ABOUT PAULA WHYMAN Learn more about Paula’s work at ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Season 3 Ep 9 | Shawn DuBravac | AI, Technology, and the Cultural Shift Ahead
07/01/2025
Season 3 Ep 9 | Shawn DuBravac | AI, Technology, and the Cultural Shift Ahead
Today’s guest is my longtime friend and colleague, Dr. Shawn DuBravac. Shawn is author of the New York Times bestseller Digital Destiny: How the New Age of Data Will Transform the Way We Work, Live, and Communicate. An economist, futurist, tech analyst, and public speaker, Shawn has always been my go-to guy when I want to better understand emerging technologies, or make necessary connections between what’s happening today to understand—and predict—what might happen tomorrow. Shawn is one of the most intelligent, curious, and charismatic people I know, and I’ve seldom encountered anyone who can talk effortlessly about complex issues in such a conversational, accessible way. This, of course, is a tremendous skill, and Shawn has been polishing his portfolio for decades. We, inevitably, get into the implications of AI, why our culture typically fears new innovations before embracing them, and how technology will impact everything from the classroom to the creative world. If you are really into tech or if you are looking for someone who can help make sense of a world that is quite literally changing, fast, each day, I can’t recommend anyone more highly than Dr. DuBravac! ABOUT SHAWN DUBRAVAC Learn more about Shawn DuBravac at Twitter: ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Season 3 Ep 8 | Ryan Flahive | Fighting Disinformation and Inspiring Change
06/24/2025
Season 3 Ep 8 | Ryan Flahive | Fighting Disinformation and Inspiring Change
Today’s guest is Ryan Flahive, an entrepreneur, podcaster, and Learning Technology & Publishing Executive with deep experience in higher education, workforce development, and social impact. He is currently producer and host of CLIMATE CHANGERS, a podcast featuring interviews with scientists, activists, and other leaders. Ryan, and this conversation scarcely scratches the surface, has a long, varied, successful career, and he’s the rare individual who combines passion with expertise, and success has followed him from adventure to adventure. We talked about his amazing work and mission, as well as the necessity of wearing many hats in the creative realm. Ryan, like most influencers, wears multiple hats, and shares with me a conviction that effective narrative is the essential ingredient to telling good stories. We get into the nitty gritty of what makes for meaningful activism, and how spreading awareness about the climate is particularly challenging since there’s well-funded players trying 24/7 to remove all considerations that impact profits. Ryan frankly discusses the challenges, rewards, and opportunities of his work, and his belief in community building is profoundly inspiring. Whether you’re a writer, a non-profit employee, or entrepreneur, Ryan is an invaluable guide. ABOUT RYAN FLAHIVE Learn more about Ryan at ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Season 3 Ep 7 | Will Boast | Gut Feelings: Storytelling, Writing, and Indigestion
06/17/2025
Season 3 Ep 7 | Will Boast | Gut Feelings: Storytelling, Writing, and Indigestion
Today’s guest is Will Boast, author of a story collection, Power Ballads, a memoir, Epilogue, and a novel, Daphne. His work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, The New Republic, and The Guardian, among others. I love Will’s writing and was truly blown away by his recent piece in the Virginia Quarterly Review, “From the Gut: A Literary History of Indigestion.” This is long-form journalism at its best: informative, deeply researched, often amusing, at times disturbing, and a reminder that so many human beings, including beloved authors ranging from Voltaire to Twain, Kafka and Beckett, have all had tummy issues. As a fellow author who can’t boast of having a stomach of steel, I enjoyed comparing notes with Will, and appreciated his candid stories of his own adventures with food, writing, and a moody constitution. It was especially relevant to talk through the history of con artists and hucksters, particularly when the clownish RFK Jr. has inexplicably become America’s Secretary of Health and Human Services. We also, inevitably, talked craft, the lit industry, technology, and influences. If this conversation is a gateway introduction to the world of Will Boast, I’m pleased, and hope you’ll share his work widely. ABOUT WILL BOAST Learn more about Will at Twitter: ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Season 3 Ep 6 | Jason Zinoman | For Comedians, PR & Branding is No Joke
06/10/2025
Season 3 Ep 6 | Jason Zinoman | For Comedians, PR & Branding is No Joke
Today’s guest is Jason Zinoman, a critic and author of Shock Value and Letterman: The Last Giant of Late Night. He’s currently critic at large for the Culture section of the New York Times and writes a column about comedy. Jason became a blinking red light on my radar courtesy of his recent piece “For Comics, Honing Jokes Has Taken a Back Seat to Marketing. That’s Not Good.” Jason’s perceptive take confirmed a phenomenon I’ve both read a great deal about and experienced personally: that is, any artist, in today’s environment, is obliged to focus an increasing amount of time on promotion and PR. We explore the ways this might help the artist but hinder the art, and both how and why some creatives are better at this than others. Does it make sense to get professional help? Was it easier in the 20th Century? Are there silver linings to putting oneself more aggressively into the public sphere? These are some of the questions we tackle, all leading up to the current state of “cancel culture” and its implications, especially in stand-up comedy. Jason is super informed and full of valuable insights, and as you’ll see it was my extreme pleasure to speak with him. MORE FROM JASON ZINOMAN Read New York Times articles by Jason: ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Season 3 Ep 5 | Ed Simon | The Great American Novel Remains a Work-in-Progress
06/03/2025
Season 3 Ep 5 | Ed Simon | The Great American Novel Remains a Work-in-Progress
Today’s guest is Ed Simon, who is the Public Humanities Special Faculty in the English Department of Carnegie Mellon University and the Editor-in-Chief for Belt Magazine and the forthcoming Pittsburgh Review of Books. His essays have appeared in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, The New York Times and many others. He dropped by to discuss his recent piece from Lit Hub, “American Literature’s White Whale: Why the “great American Novel” is Still Worth Pursuing.” Our conversation tackled this question (spoiler alert: a resounding YES), and explores how the best American novels have had one consistent quality across the centuries: they all, in their way, interrogate and grapple with what America is, and the ways it falls short of its utopian designs. As such, we mention Hawthorne, Melville, Faulkner, Fitzgerald, Morrison, and many other notable names, all of whom can make claims to writing the American novel. Inevitably, we talk about narrative, the importance of story not only for creative endeavors (duh), but the ways exceptional storytelling is utilized by politicians, tech oligarchs, and lowly lit nerds. If you are interested in a lively discussion about what makes a good book endure across generations (and cultures and languages), you’ll love this episode, and if you could use a reminder that Moby Dick rules, we’ve got you covered. ABOUT THE GUESTS Read more from Ed Simon: https://lithub.com/american-literatures-white-whale-why-the-great-american-novel-is-still-worth-pursuing ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Season 3 Ep 4 | Bill Miller & Leeya Mehta | International Literature as Cultural Force
05/27/2025
Season 3 Ep 4 | Bill Miller & Leeya Mehta | International Literature as Cultural Force
Today’s guests are Leeya Mehta and Bill Miller, both of whom I admire as friends, artists, teachers, and occasional collaborators. Bill directed the creative writing program at George Mason University for more than two dozen years, and helped establish the Alan Cheuse Center. Leeya is the current Director of the Center, and is also a prize-winning poet, fiction writer and essayist. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Cheuse Center, and we talk about how this beloved institution went from idea to thriving cultural force. Bill and Leeya share a genuine passion for community and connection, and their combined super power is generating awareness of—and enthusiasm for—international literature. We discuss the thrills, challenges, and opportunities inherent in operating a center that serves students, artists, and the wider community. We also assess the role of teachers, advocates, and creatives in uncertain times (hint: we agree this is vital work, always, but especially when powerful forces are doing their worst to stymie and silence expression). You’ll come away from this conversation informed, inspired, and hopefully fired up. ABOUT THE GUESTS Learn more about Bill and the Cheuse Center here: Learn more about Leeya here: ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Season 3 Ep 3 | Jessa Crispin | Cultural Criticism as Political Project
05/20/2025
Season 3 Ep 3 | Jessa Crispin | Cultural Criticism as Political Project
Today’s guest is Jessa Crispin, one of my favorite go-to sources for cultural insight and inspiration. She’s the author of Why I Am Not a Feminist: A Feminist Manifesto, and The Dead Ladies Project. Currently, she is editor-in-chief of the awesome publication The Culture We Deserve. Jessa joins me to talk about everything from the present state of American politics, to how both class and education remain ubiquitous yet oddly—and annoyingly—under-discussed topics in our media, and especially amongst progressives. Jessa, suffice it to say, is a much-needed voice, and one more self-satisfied and myopic critics and opinion writers should pay attention to. We inevitably discuss craft and why effective narrative works, not only via essays, but political campaigns. We also compare notes on the challenges and opportunities of maintaining an online brand, building a community amongst creatives, and why it’s always been difficult to carve out a viable (much less paying) gig as a writer. Jessa is always refreshing, provocative, challenging, and honest, and I hope everyone tuning in becomes a fan and spreads the word. ABOUT JESSA CRISPIN Learn more about Jessa at ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Season 3 Ep 2 | Matthew Shipp | Visions of Icons & Artistry
05/06/2025
Season 3 Ep 2 | Matthew Shipp | Visions of Icons & Artistry
Today’s guest is American avant-garde jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader Matthew Shipp. Prolific and critically adored, Shipp has been praised by eclectic musicians ranging from David Bowie to Henry Rollins, and has recorded with virtually every significant contemporary jazz musician. Matthew joined me to talk about his new book Black Mystery School Pianists and Other Writings, which covers decades of his writing on subjects ranging from jazz icons, his own influences, and his voracious appetite for art and culture of all kinds. Matthew has many opinions, all of them deeply held and informed, and he shared his thoughts on everything from authenticity, discipline, community, and how to cultivate a creative existence. We also reminisced about the New York City scene of the mid 1980s, which was a much dirtier, diverse, and nurturing place; Matthew was part of a world where one might bump into anyone from John Zorn to Jean-Michel Basquiat. Matthew also talks about his discography, which is wide-ranging—from solo to trio and quartet work, as well as his cross-genre experimentations (some of which, from the early 2000’s, are among my favorite albums, particularly his collaborations with geniuses such as David S. Ware, William Parker, and DJ Spooky). This conversation, like Matthew’s music, went in many different directions, and anyone can learn a great deal from the trail Shipp has blazed. MORE FROM MATTHEW SHIPP ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Season 3 Ep 1 | Jacob Silverman | Crypto, Chaos, & the Culture War
04/29/2025
Season 3 Ep 1 | Jacob Silverman | Crypto, Chaos, & the Culture War
Today’s guest is Jacob Silverman, who is an independent journalist and co-author of the New York Times bestseller Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud. He writes often about the politics of technology, the media, and is a contributing editor for The Baffler and The New Republic. Jacob and I compare notes on how we saw the 2024 election unfold (including predictions and assumptions we—and most journalists—made), and some of the myriad things that are different with Trump 2.0. One particular topic we go deep on is the unsettling, recent development of MAGA-supporting tech oligarchs, and how that money and influence has virtually reshaped our culture. We also take a crack at a personal obsession, which is why—and how—the Democrats have historically been so inept at crafting compelling or effective messaging. We also cover the ways technology is impacting everything from politics and academia to the arts. Jacob also has long been an astute observer of social media (in general) and the ways it at once connects and disrupts a global audience. Check out why I’ve been a big fan of Jacob, and see why you should begin following him, and look forward to his next book, coming later in 2025! ABOUT JACOB SILVERMAN You can learn more about Jacob at https://www.jacobsilverman.com ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Season 2 Ep 10 | Jane Friedman | The Truth About AI and the Future of Writing
03/04/2025
Season 2 Ep 10 | Jane Friedman | The Truth About AI and the Future of Writing
Today’s guest is Jane Friedman who, if you have even casually followed anything to do with book publishing and the state of the literary industry during the last two decades, you already know—and appreciate. Jane has been the consensus go-to for insights on trends, developments, and how to build a platform in the 21st Century. Named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World in 2023, Jane has been featured across countless media outlets, including The New York Times, The Atlantic, CNN, BBC, NPR, and many others. Her guide The Business of Being a Writer is the book I most often recommend to anyone looking to get a handle on an industry that, while always evolving, is primarily driven by the same people: those writing and those seeking good writing. I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with Jane on many occasions, dating back to when I was an analyst for the technology industry (and we chatted about such new-fangled developments as eReaders and blogs!). Every time I speak with Jane, I learn new things about a world I’m deeply involved—and invested—in, so I can’t overstate how invaluable her perspective is. In this episode of Some Things Considered we cover what to be excited and/or concerned about (hint: people are still buying books!), how writers can and should balance their priorities as they relate to writing vs. marketing, we assess the health of lit mags, and inevitably, we talk a bit about AI. This conversation will, in sum, illustrate why Jane is my annual MVP of all-things literary. ABOUT JANE FRIEDMAN Learn more about Jane's work at ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Season 2 Ep 9 | Grant Shonkwiler | How Storytelling Powers Best-Selling Games
02/25/2025
Season 2 Ep 9 | Grant Shonkwiler | How Storytelling Powers Best-Selling Games
Today’s guest is Grant Shonkwiler who, if you’ve been following the gaming industry during the last couple of decades, you already know as the legend he is. For those unfamiliar, Grant has built his reputation as a programmer, lead designer, technical producer, leadership coach, and author. (Even if you aren’t personally a gaming enthusiast, it’s almost impossible you’ve not heard of Doom and Fortnite—just two of the massively popular and influential projects Grant has worked on!) For today’s discussion, Grant reviews his career trajectory—from apprentice to master, from fan to mentor—through the consistent influences of curiosity and passion. In addition to insights provided about how best-selling games go from conception to execution to marketing, Grant also explains how storytelling impacts all aspects of the business. We also explore how technology is often if not always challenging (and challenged) before it becomes embraced and adopted; one could look at the ways gaming has—and hasn’t—changed and make myriad comparisons to the movie, music, and book industries. Perhaps the most critical ingredient of everything Grant has accomplished is an understanding that one can only succeed (as a gamer, as a writer, as a consultant) if one is able to make genuine connections: authenticity, along with curiosity and passion, is the special sauce that makes special things happen. ABOUT GRANT SHONKWILER Learn more about Grant at ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Season 2 Ep 8 | Karen E. Bender & Robert Anthony Siegel | How to Adapt & Thrive as a Writer
02/11/2025
Season 2 Ep 8 | Karen E. Bender & Robert Anthony Siegel | How to Adapt & Thrive as a Writer
Today’s guests are dynamic duo and my favorite creative husband and wife team Karen E. Bender and Robert Anthony Siegel. Karen is author of the story collection Refund, which was a Finalist for the 2015 National Book Award in Fiction and also a Los Angeles Times bestseller. Her third collection of stories, The Words of Dr. L, will be published by Counterpoint Press in May, 2025. Robert is a writer, writing coach, and author of the memoir Criminals and two novels, All Will Be Revealed, and All the Money in the World. In addition, they have taught creative writing at the college level for more than two decades and are deeply dedicated literary citizens. During our very busy conversation, we covered their recent—and forthcoming—writing, how teaching has changed (and, importantly, the ways it hasn’t), and how the state of the literary industry is ever-evolving. Key themes involve the necessity of adapting, embracing available technologies, and why community is a necessary, if often overlooked component of the artistic existence. Karen and Robert remain positive forces of inspiration, because they consistently operate at the highest levels of achievement (as writers, as teachers), but they are also incredibly kind and generous human beings; we need their example more than ever right now. Please enjoy this wonderful conversation! ABOUT KAREN E. BENDER & ROBERT ANTHONY SIEGEL Learn more about Karen's work at Learn more about Robert's work at ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber at ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Season 2 Ep 7 | Hannah Grieco | A Literary Powerhouse on Writing & Motherhood
02/04/2025
Season 2 Ep 7 | Hannah Grieco | A Literary Powerhouse on Writing & Motherhood
Today’s guest is Hannah Grieco, who, using baseball terminology is a five tool player: she’s a writer, a teacher, an editor, an advocate, and a literary citizen extraordinaire. She is also one of my favorite creative people, managing to be insanely productive (and successfully published!), but also a devoted mother, friend, and cheerleader for the arts. You may have read her work in The Washington Post, or Huffington Post, or The Rumpus, or in any number of other highly regarded lit journals. Her writing has been nominated for Best American Essays, The Pushcart Prize, Best of the Net, Best Small Fictions, and Best Microfiction. It’s been my pleasure to collaborate with Hannah many times, via , and—proving the literary community in DC is tight and supportive—many of the other organizations and authors we know and support. Hannah, as I mention in this conversation, is a rare and refreshing person who’s incapable of dishonesty; this shines through in her work, but is also what makes her such an indefatigable champion for other people’s work. She’s got opinions (which is good), and they are all informed and insightful (which is better), and we check in on the state of our industry, academia, constant hustle being the “new normal” for creatives, and how to find balance between writing, life, and the daily grind. Hannah keeps it real in every sense of the word, and I hope—if you’re not yet familiar with her—you’ll become a fan once you hear her. She’s got wisdom to share, and while no one could copy her, everyone should be inspired by her example. Please enjoy this action-packed conversation! ABOUT GUEST HANNAH GRIECO Learn more about Hannah's work at ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Season 2 Ep 6 | Jordan Blum | Prog Rock, Honest Criticism, & Mastering Modern Media
01/28/2025
Season 2 Ep 6 | Jordan Blum | Prog Rock, Honest Criticism, & Mastering Modern Media
Today’s guest is Jordan Blum, a writer and critic I admire and hold up as an ideal example for anyone who is trying to figure out how to navigate an ever-evolving media landscape. I first met Jordan more than a decade ago when we both were columnists for PopMatters—contributing features, reviews, and interviews on everything from music and books to movies and politics. Jordan, like myself, is a music fanatic and it’s illuminating (and, yes, inspiring) to hear him discuss his early forays into criticism, his first bylines, and his maturation as a widely published editor and subject matter expert. He and I share an obsession with prog rock, and during our conversation we explore how it’s necessary to be honest, even when writing about a beloved band or musician (especially if it’s not a positive review). Jordan holds an MFA in fiction and teaches composition and creative writing at several colleges/universities. Beyond that, he’s a past or present contributor to Grammy.com, Metal Injection, MetalSucks, PROG magazine, Consequence, WhatCulture, Loudwire, and Kerrang! Finally, his three books (On Track: Jethro Tull, On Track: Opeth, and On Track: Dream Theater) were published by Sonicbond Publishing. ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. Subscribe to Some Things Considered at ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Substack: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn:
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Season 2 Ep 5 | Justen Ahren | Creativity, Community, & Devotion to Art
01/21/2025
Season 2 Ep 5 | Justen Ahren | Creativity, Community, & Devotion to Art
Today’s guest is Justen Ahren, a photographer, poet, musician and writing workshop facilitator. I met Justen at the Noepe Center a decade ago, and he and I share—among other things—a passion for writing and how to push creative boundaries, the rewards of cultivating communities (both in and outside artistic spaces), and balancing how to make a living and how to suck the marrow out of life, as Thoreau encouraged. Justen has, in addition to running the Noepe Center and producing his own work across multiple genres, been developing his Devotion to Writing program, which is at once a series of workshops, part of 1455’s Moveable Feast series, and an entire philosophy—and we talk in depth about what he’s done and plans to do going forward. Speaking of Thoreau, Justen is the best contemporary comp for that American icon, although he’s as gregarious and positive as Thoreau was austere and solitary; he is fascinated by the ways our natural world compliments and encourages creativity, and once you’ve seen him in his day-to-day routine, his multi-faceted talents come into sharp, spectacular focus. Justen’s photographs are held in several private collections, and have been exhibited in both solo and group shows and at Miner Family Gallery on Martha’s Vineyard. He is Emeritus Poet Laureate of Martha’s Vineyard and founder of Noepe Center of Literary Arts. He has received two commissions for poetry from Wendy Taucher Dance Theater Opera, and one from John Sims’ Afro Dixie Project. His two poetry collections are A Strange Catechism (2013) and A Machine for Remembering (2019). ABOUT GUEST JUSTEN AHREN Learn more about Justen's work at ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: LinkedIn: YouTube:
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