The Thoughtful Bro

The Thoughtful Bro, hosted by Mark Cecil, is a podcast for writers, readers, and anyone interested in a tale well told. Each episode features an author who's recently published a book, and we unpack how and why they wrote it. It's "Inside the Actors Studio"...but for storytellers.

Episode 61: Callan Wink 03/07/2025

Episode 61: Callan Wink Unpacking storytelling with , who's out with a new novel, . 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 . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by and . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/35569190

Episode 60: Eric Puchner 03/01/2025

Episode 60: Eric Puchner My chat with about his incredible Oprah's Book Club pick . 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 . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by and . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/35493810

Episode 59: Scott Turow 02/21/2025

Episode 59: Scott Turow My interview with author Scott Turow, on his latest novel, . 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 . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by and . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/35369160

Episode 58: Deborah Treisman 02/14/2025

Episode 58: Deborah Treisman 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 . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by and . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/35280585

Episode 57: Stephen Mitchell 12/12/2024

Episode 57: Stephen Mitchell My discussion with one of the towering literary and spiritual writers of our time, translator . 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 . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by and . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/34414160

Episode 56: Alan Lightman 12/10/2024

Episode 56: Alan Lightman My interview with author Alan Lightman. His latest is , 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 . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/34357260

Episode 55: Oliver Burkeman 11/14/2024

Episode 55: Oliver Burkeman My chat with New York Times-bestselling “recovering productivity geek” , 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 . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/33933887

Episode 54: Joe Moldover 10/26/2024

Episode 54: Joe Moldover With one of my oldest publishing friends, YA author , discussing his latest novel . 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 . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/33620517

Episode 53: CJ Leede 10/03/2024

Episode 53: CJ Leede My interview with CJ Leede on her latest freshy-fresh horror novel . 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 . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/33307617

Episode 52: Jesmyn Ward 09/05/2024

Episode 52: Jesmyn Ward My glorious conversation with 2-time National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward, discussing her latest novel, . 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 . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/32920677

Episode 51: Alison Espach 08/22/2024

Episode 51: Alison Espach With , author of the instant bestseller . 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 . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/32690827

Episode 50: David Wroblewski 08/14/2024

Episode 50: David Wroblewski An inspiring conversation with two-time Oprah Book Club pick David Wroblewski. His first novel, , was a #1 New York Times best-seller, and now, 16 years later, he’s back with his second novel, . 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 . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/32576522

Episode 49: T. J. Newman 07/31/2024

Episode 49: T. J. Newman A masterclass on thriller writing with bestselling phenom T. J. Newman, whose third novel , 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 . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/32367512

Episode 48: Mateo Askaripour 07/26/2024

Episode 48: Mateo Askaripour Pumping Literary Fire straight in ya veins on my latest with Mateo Askaripour, discussing his new one, . Topics: (1) taking big risks after a bestseller (2) shaking up the publishing industry, and (3) helping people feel seen. Order Mark's novel . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/32298342

Episode 47: M.T. Anderson 07/11/2024

Episode 47: M.T. Anderson With National Book Award winner M.T. Anderson, on his debut novel for adults, . 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 . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/32099832

Episode 46: Sara Shukla 07/03/2024

Episode 46: Sara Shukla With debut novelist , on her satirical, absurdist and emotionally satisfying beach reach, . 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 . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/31998797

Episode 45: Derek Black 06/26/2024

Episode 45: Derek Black With Derek Black, on their new memoir . 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 . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/31899752

Episode 44: Garth Risk Hallberg 06/07/2024

Episode 44: Garth Risk Hallberg With Garth Risk Hallberg discussing his second novel, and first in nine years, . 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 . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/31638252

Episode 43: Caroline Leavitt 05/31/2024

Episode 43: Caroline Leavitt With bestselling author and A Mighty Blaze co-founder Caroline Leavitt. We discussed her 13th novel, , 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 . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/31542742

Episode 42: James Comey 05/24/2024

Episode 42: James Comey With former FBI Director discussing his second novel, . 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 . Order Mark's novel . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/31439697

Episode 41: Téa Obreht 05/10/2024

Episode 41: Téa Obreht With 5-Under-35 and Orange-Prize-winner , discussing her third novel, . 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 . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/31220267

Episode 40: Doug Westerbeke 04/26/2024

Episode 40: Doug Westerbeke My convo with debut bestseller Doug Westerbeke, author of , 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 . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/31001723

Episode 39: Bunyan and Henry; Or the Beautiful Destiny 03/28/2024

Episode 39: Bunyan and Henry; Or the Beautiful Destiny 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 , now available wherever books are sold. Make sure you check out his and learn . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/30570203

Episode 38: Hank Phillippi Ryan 03/25/2024

Episode 38: Hank Phillippi Ryan With Boston literary citizen par excellence , discussing her latest suspense novel . 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 . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/30517823

Episode 37: Tommy Orange 03/18/2024

Episode 37: Tommy Orange With one of the foremost Native American artists working today in any field, Tommy Orange, talking about his second novel, . 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 . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/30426518

Episode 36: Steve Almond 03/08/2024

Episode 36: Steve Almond With the inimitable, incorrigible, ingenious Steve Almond, discussing his new craft book, . 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 . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/30290008

Episode 35: Jonathan Escoffery 02/02/2024

Episode 35: Jonathan Escoffery With ultra-fresh debut author Jonathan Escoffery, discussing his celebrated linked collection of stories about Jamaican immigrants, . 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 . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/29774888

Episode 34: Brad Listi 01/10/2024

Episode 34: Brad Listi With literary podcaster and author Brad Listi, discussing his first novel in 16 years, , 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 . Pre-order Mark Cecil's upcoming novel . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/29428603

Episode 33: Isaac Fitzgerald 12/14/2023

Episode 33: Isaac Fitzgerald 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, . Pre-order Mark Cecil's upcoming novel . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/29078903

Episode 32: Shelby Van Pelt 11/28/2023

Episode 32: Shelby Van Pelt With sleeper hit and absolute runaway debut sensation Shelby Van Pelt, discussing her hopeful, poignant, friendship-with-an-octopus book club novel, . 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, "," about the necessity of fairy tales told to grown ups. Pre-order Mark Cecil's upcoming novel . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/28826438

The Thoughtful Bro

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