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 68: Brendan Slocumb 07/03/2025

Episode 68: Brendan Slocumb My convo with re his latest thriller set in the world of classical music, . We covered (1) how people can't really hide the art that needs to come out of them; (2) musical prodigies from underprivileged backgrounds (there's more of them out there than you think); and (3) how a personal health scare can make the creation of art even more urgent than before. Order Mark's novel . 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/37275695

Episode 67: Dana Spiotta 06/19/2025

Episode 67: Dana Spiotta My 1:1 with novelist + novel-structure-master . We discussed her latest novel, , as well as (1) midlife crises...the female version; (2) the risks of "challenging" the reader with innovative novel forms, and (3) her techniques for giving humane feedback. Order Mark's novel . 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/37066650

Episode 66: David Baldacci 06/05/2025

Episode 66: David Baldacci My interview with David Baldacci discussing his career selling over 150 million books, his , and his latest novel, . We covered (1) the one skill he wishes he had, that some other writers do with ease, (2) how he is, in my estimation, the Tom Cruise of literature (you'll have to listen to the ep to find out how), and (3) the *one quality* that all his books have in common, and which explains the wild popularity of his stories. Order Mark's novel . 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/36872015

Episode 65: Adam Ross 05/16/2025

Episode 65: Adam Ross My *everything* talk with Adam Ross, discussing his hit literary novel Playworld. Along with *everything* (we covered a lot of ground) we also chatted about (1) Safetyism v. Adventure in raising kids today, (2) the origin and theory behind his beautifully warm opening paragraph, and (3) his love/hate relationship with being compared to that other writer of precocious New York City kids, J.D. Salinger. Order Mark's novel . 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/36586875

Episode 64: Alexander Sammartino 05/09/2025

Episode 64: Alexander Sammartino My interview with debut author , on his novel . We discussed: (1) the search for transcendence and "leaving your body" via literature; (2) father & son stories; and (3) unchecked Samuel Beckett fandom. All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by and . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/36502380

Episode 63: Colum McCann 04/10/2025

Episode 63: Colum McCann My talk with National Book Award-winner , discussing his latest novel, . We explored, (1) the underwater garden hose-sized tubes that (rather vulnerably) carry all the world's information; (2) how writers ought to feel in the age of AI writing (hint: undaunted!); and (3) how the current age of political strife will likely generate powerful new art. All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by and . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/36078080

Episode 62: Ron Currie 04/01/2025

Episode 62: Ron Currie My fresh convo on with Ron Currie re his latest novel, the family crime saga, . We discussed: (1) creating existentialist heroes, (2) eats-nails-for-breakfast French Canadian female mobsters, and (3) how leading an authentic life as the highest virtue in a world of fading meaning. All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by and . /episode/index/show/9d333c0d-4385-40da-b74d-7545884b29e4/id/35952665

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

The Thoughtful Bro

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