Best Paul Wharton Podcasts (2025)

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Nat Ward 1:06:19

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1h ago1:06:19

1:06:19

In today's episode, W. Scott Olsen speaks with Nat Ward, a photographer whose work spans bold installations, conceptual projects, and experimental collaborations, merging place, materiality, and identity into immersive visual narratives. You can visit Nat's website here. This podcast is brought to you by FRAMES, a high-quality quarterly printed pho…

1
735 Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf (with Mark Hussey) | My Last Book with Graham Watson 1:23:55

4d ago1:23:55

1:23:55

Jacke talks to author Mark Hussey (Mrs Dalloway: Biography of a Novel) about Virginia Woolf's beloved novel Mrs Dalloway, which turned 100 earlier this year. PLUS author Graham Watson (The Invention of Charlotte Bronte) stops by to discuss his choice for the last book he will ever read. Join Jacke on a trip through literary England (signup open thr…

1
734 The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien (#16 GBOAT) | 1925 - A Literary Encyclopedia (with Tom Lutz) 56:09

8d ago56:09

56:09

Jacke talks to author Tom Lutz about 1925: A Literary Encyclopedia, which provides a fascinating window into a year when literature was arguably at its peak centrality. PLUS a look at J.R.R. Tolkien and his influential Lord of the Rings, #16 on the list of the Greatest Books of All Time. Join Jacke on a trip through literary England (signup open th…

1
733 Haruki Murakami (with Mike Palindrome | To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (#17 GBOAT) | A Letter from Tehran 1:24:11

11d ago1:24:11

1:24:11

Haruki Murakami (b. 1949) is one of the rare writers who combines literary admiration with widespread appeal. Host Jacke Wilson is joined by lifelong Murakami fan Mike Palindrome to discuss what makes his novels so compelling, so mysterious, and so popular. Works discussed include The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, Norwegian Wood, Kafka on the Shore, and …

1
Christopher Wharton 37:26

10d ago37:26

37:26

In today's episode, W. Scott Olsen speaks with Christopher Wharton, an artist-photographer whose passion for movement, born from skateboarding imagery in the late ’80s, continues to inform his dynamic visual storytelling—most recently recognized as a 2025 Photo Laureate nominee. You can visit Christopher's Instagram account here. This podcast is br…

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732 The Bible (#18 GBOAT) | The Diaries of Samuel Pepys (with Kate Loveman) | Health Advice 1:13:35

16d ago1:13:35

1:13:35

Jacke starts the episode by looking at the different ways that ten writers have viewed the Bible, #18 on the list of the Greatest Books of All Time. Then he's joined by scholar Kate Loveman, one of the few people in the world who's been able to read the diaries of Samuel Pepys in the original shorthand, for a discussion of her book The Strange Hist…

1
Charlene Rothkopf and Dr. Z. Colette Edwards: The Health Shift: How to Go from Exhausted to Empowered 45:10

15d ago45:10

45:10

Charlene and Colette share how shifting from burnout to balanced health transformed their lives. Discover practical strategies to boost energy, resilience, and joy. In this episode, Len Hayduchok and our guests, Charlene Rothkopf and Dr. Z. Colette Edwards, discuss: Advocating for Personal Healthcare Planning for Long-Term Care Maintaining Holistic…

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731 The Brothers Karamazov Reclaimed (#19 Greatest Book of All Time) 1:21:06

19d ago1:21:06

1:21:06

Responding to a special request from a listener, Jacke discusses Fyodor Dostoevsky, his novel The Brothers Karamazov, and the search for meaning in a meaningless world. This episode was originally released as episode #250 on October 7, 2020. For reasons Jacke discusses, it has not been available for several years. One show note: at several points i…

51
Kino Seido 33:03

20d ago33:03

33:03

In today's episode, W. Scott Olsen speaks with Kino Seido, a Japanese documentary photographer whose work explores identity and memory through the intersections of people, places, and time. You can visit Kino's website here. This podcast is brought to you by FRAMES, a high-quality quarterly printed photography magazine, and its accompanying interna…

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730 "To Autumn" by John Keats | The Invention of Charlotte Brontë (with Graham Watson) | My Last Book with Sara Charles 1:06:20

23d ago1:06:20

1:06:20

Jacke looks forward to a new season by exploring the language and imagery of John Keats's famous ode to autumn. Then he talks to Graham Watson about his new book The Invention of Charlotte Brontë: A New Life, which tells the story of how how Charlotte reinvented herself as an acclaimed author, a mysterious celebrity, and a passionate lover. PLUS Sa…

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729 Milton the Revolutionary (with Orlando Reade) | My Last Book with Jodi Picoult | More Exciting News 1:07:45

26d ago1:07:45

1:07:45

Since the publication of John Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost in 1667, readers and critics have noted the relationship between the poem and the author's political and personal struggles. What has been less prominent - at least until now - is how the poem came to haunt various political struggles over the next four centuries. In this episode, Jacke…

1
TJ Kostecky: Eyes Up: Expanding Your Perspective 43:29

29d ago43:29

43:29

In this episode, Len Hayduchok and world-renowned coach TJ Kostecky reveal how curiosity, gratitude, and service can transform leadership, personal growth, and retirement into a richer, purpose-driven journey. In this episode, Len Hayduchok and our guest, TJ Kostecky, discuss: Eyes Up Philosophy: Perceive, Process, Plan, Perform, Persist Transforma…

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728 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (#20 GBOAT) | Lorraine Hansberry - RECLAIMED 1:30:35

1M ago1:30:35

1:30:35

As part of the "25 for '25" series, Jacke starts the episode with a look at #20 on the list of Greatest Books of All Time, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain. Then he reclaims a previous episode devoted to Lorraine Hansberry, author of A Raisin in the Sun, a brilliant playwright who died at the tragically young age of 34. (The Hansbe…

1
Joyce DiDonato 40:45

1M ago40:45

40:45

In today's episode, W. Scott Olsen speaks with Joyce DiDonato, who, alongside her distinguished career as a Grammy‑winning mezzo‑soprano, curates a richly expressive photo gallery—featuring portraits, backstage scenes, travel snapshots, masterclass moments, and editorial‑style visual storytelling drawn from her artistic journey. You can visit Joyce…

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727 Earthly Paradise in Old French Verse (with Jacob Abell) | My Last Book with Victorian Literature Expert Allen MacDuffie | A Dueling Neapolitan Passionate for Poetry 1:04:12

1M ago1:04:12

1:04:12

What happened to Eden? While today we might view the story of Adam and Eve as metaphorical, for many generations of Christians, the Earthly Paradise was a vibrant symbol at the heart of the cosmos. In this episode, Jacke talks to Jacob Abell about his book Spiritual and Material Boundaries in Old French Verse: Contemplating the Walls of the Earthly…

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726 England vs France - A Literary Battle Royale (with Mike Palindrome) - RECLAIMED 1:03:36

1M ago1:03:36

1:03:36

“Our dear enemies,” a French writer once called the English. Englishman John Cleese called the French “our natural enemies” and joked “if we have to fight anyone, I say let’s fight the French.” With the exception of some (very important) twentieth-century alliances, the French and the English have been at each others’ throats for a thousand years. …

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Toby Binder 50:00

1M ago50:00

50:00

In today's episode, W. Scott Olsen speaks with Toby Binder, an award-winning documentary photographer with experience in areas of war and crisis. You can visit Toby's website here. This podcast is brought to you by FRAMES, a high-quality quarterly printed photography magazine, and its accompanying international photography membership. Find out more…

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725 The Trial by Franz Kafka (#21 GBOAT) | Edith Wharton and Patrick O'Brian (with Olivia Wolfgang-Smith) | An Uplifting Story 1:18:40

1M ago1:18:40

1:18:40

Jacke starts the episode with an uplifting story, then submerges himself into chaos and absurdity for a look at The Trial by Franz Kafka, which lands at #21 on the list of Greatest Books of All Time. Then he welcomes novelist Olivia Wolfgang-Smith to the show for a discussion of her admiration for Edith Wharton, her passion for the works of Patrick…

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Paul Cullen: Following Your Passions: From Rock Star to Renaissance Man 38:28

2M ago38:28

38:28

From bassist for the legendary Bad Company to private chef, winemaker, and philanthropist, Paul Cullen has mastered the art of reinvention. In this episode, he shares how following your passions can lead to unexpected opportunities, how to rebuild your identity after life-changing shifts, and why giving back can be just as fulfilling as chasing the…

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724 The Stranger by Albert Camus (#22 Greatest Book of All Time) | Christopher Isherwood (with Jake Poller) | Postcard from a Listener in Yunnan 1:01:38

2M ago1:01:38

1:01:38

Put on your black turtleneck! Jacke starts the episode with a look at #22 on the list of The Greatest Books of All Time, The Stranger by Albert Camus. Then he talks to Jake Poller about British and American novelist and playwright Christopher Isherwood, whose Goodbye to Berlin was adapted into the stage musical and movie Cabaret. In discussing his …

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723 The Moral Rights of Authors (with Mira T Sundara Rajan) | My Last Book with Radha Vatsal 1:16:28

2M ago1:16:28

1:16:28

As technology advances, the ability of authors and artists to prevent their works from being pirated or misused has become urgent. In this episode, Jacke talks to copyright expert Mira T. Sundara Rajan (The Moral Rights of Authors and Artists: From the Birth of Copyright to the Age of Artificial Intelligence) about the history of copyright law, the…

1
Martin Zweierlein 45:20

2M ago45:20

45:20

In today's episode, W. Scott Olsen speaks with Martin Zweierlein, a physics professor at MIT and a pioneer in quantum gas research. In 2025, his team became the first to photograph individual, freely moving atoms, capturing stunning images of quantum behaviors like fermionic anti-bunching and bosonic clustering. This breakthrough offers rare visual…

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722 Kerouac's Road - A Conversation with Ebs Burnough, Director of a New Kerouac Documentary | My Last Book with Beat Generation Expert Steven Belletto 1:03:15

2M ago1:03:15

1:03:15

Since its publication in 1957, Jack Kerouac's iconic novel On the Road has inspired millions to head for the highways and live life to its fullest. In this episode, Jacke talks to filmmaker Ebs Burnough about his new documentary Kerouac's Road: The Beat of a Nation, which interweaves stories of modern-day travelers with those influenced by or conne…

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721 Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (The #23 Greatest Book of All Time) 1:28:14

2M ago1:28:14

1:28:14

Jacke continues his journey through the list of the 25 Greatest Books of All Time with a look at Flaubert's "perfect novel," Madame Bovary (1856-57). Telling the story of the bored wife of a provincial doctor who enters into a series of infidelities, Flaubert's debut caused an immediate sensation - and changed the way we've come to view both novels…

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720 The 25 Greatest Books of All Time - #24 "The Odyssey" by Homer | The Conclusion to F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" (with Mike Palindrome) 1:23:43

2M ago1:23:43

1:23:43

Jacke continues his analysis of "The 25 Greatest Books of All Time" by a special look at Homer's Odyssey. Then Mike Palindrome, the president of the Literature Supporters Club, joins Jacke for a discussion of the second half of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1922 story, "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz," in which a young midwesterner travels to a secluded Mo…

1
Paul Hart 45:02

2M ago45:02

45:02

In today's episode, W. Scott Olsen speaks with Paul Hart, a celebrated British landscape photographer and master printmaker who has dedicated over three decades to exploring the complex relationship between humans and the natural world. You can visit Paul's website here. This podcast is brought to you by FRAMES, a high-quality quarterly printed pho…

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719 "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" by F Scott Fitzgerald (with Mike Palindrome) | 25 for 25 - #25 The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck 1:51:49

2M ago1:51:49

1:51:49

In June of 1922, the twenty-five-year-old wunderkind F. Scott Fitzgerald published "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz," an incredible story of fabulously wealthy people living a secret life in remote Montana. Later that month, he began composing his most famous work, The Great Gatsby. In this episode, Jacke and Mike read and discuss this early Fitzger…

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718 Jim - The Life and Afterlives of Huckleberry Finn's Comrade (with Shelley Fisher Fishkin) | Mark Twain's Dreams 1:36:04

2M ago1:36:04

1:36:04

In this episode, Jacke talks to eminent Twain scholar Shelley Fisher Fishkin (Was Huck Black?: Mark Twain and African-American Voices) about her new book Jim: The Life and Afterlives of Huckleberry Finn's Comrade, which sheds new light on the origins and influence of Mark Twain's beloved yet polarizing figure. PLUS Jacke takes a look at the recent …

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717 Einstein and Kafka (with Ken Krimstein) | Dr Johnson Helps a Friend (and Changes the Course of Literary History) | My Last Book with Fernando Pessoa Expert Bartholomew Ryan 53:41

2M ago53:41

53:41

It's an action-packed day at the History of Literature! First, Jacke recounts the story of Dr. Johnson racing to the aid of his friend, the playwright Oliver Goldsmith, whose landlady was threatening him with debtor's prison. Naturally, the great critic and dictionary author Johnson found a very literary way to help. Then Jacke is joined by author …

1
Sarah Sense 1:02:46

2M ago1:02:46

1:02:46

In today's episode, W. Scott Olsen speaks with Sarah Sense, a Chitimacha and Choctaw artist known for weaving her photographs into traditional basket patterns, blending image, memory, and Indigenous history into powerful visual narratives. You can visit Sarah's website here. This podcast is brought to you by FRAMES, a high-quality quarterly printed…

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716 Icelandic Folk Legends (with Dagrun Osk Jonsdottir) | John le Carre at the Bodleian 58:28

2M ago58:28

58:28

Since the first permanent settlers landed there more than a thousand years ago, Iceland has been perhaps the most unique and enchanting place in all of Europe. How fitting, then, for its people to have developed unique, enchanting, and captivating stories involving hidden people, trolls, ghosts, sea monsters, and more. In this episode, Jacke talks …

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715 How Did George Eliot and the Victorians Respond to Climate Collapse? (with Nathan Hensley) | People at Museums Are Losing Their Brains! | My Last Book with Stephen Browning and Simon Thomas 1:09:12

3M ago1:09:12

1:09:12

What does it feel like to live helplessly in a world that is coming undone? If you're alive in 2025, you are probably very familiar with this feeling - and if you'd been alive in the age of Victorian literature, you might have felt that way too. In this episode, Jacke talks to author Nathan K. Hensley about his book Action without Hope: Victorian L…

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714 The Real Charles Dickens (with Stephen Browning and Simon Thomas) | Dickens and the Theatre 1:22:00

3M ago1:22:00

1:22:00

Charles Dickens (1812-1870) led one of the most colorful and interesting lives of any author. But while many of us are familiar with his unforgettable characters and fantastically successful novels, we often don't know the details of his difficult early life, his success as a reporter, his troubled marriage and suspected relationship with another w…

1
Romeu Marques 53:00

3M ago53:00

53:00

In today's episode, W. Scott Olsen speaks with Romeu Marques, a Portuguese photographer based in Caldas da Rainha, known for his light painting, abstract landscapes, and experimental in-camera work. This podcast is brought to you by FRAMES, a high-quality quarterly printed photography magazine, and its accompanying international photography members…

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713 The Odyssey (with Daniel Mendelsohn) | The History of Literature Podcast Tour! 1:31:43

3M ago1:31:43

1:31:43

Homer's Odyssey is one of the oldest surviving works of literature - and yet, somehow, it can also feel like one of the newest. The inventive narrative structure, complex hero, and surprisingly modern themes still feel fresh, thousands of years after the poem's genesis. In this episode, Jacke talks to author and translator Daniel Mendelsohn about h…

1
Sharon Rolph: The Queen of Courage on Purposeful Aging 40:27

3M ago40:27

40:27

In this inspiring episode, 77-year-old Sharon Rolph reveals how to rediscover your inner spark, overcome invisibility, and live with bold purpose—at any age. In this episode, Len Hayduchok and our guest, Sharon Rolph, discuss: Discovering personal essence and purpose Overcoming the feeling of being invisible after leaving work Rekindling joy throug…

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712 Shakespeare's Greatest Love (with David Medina) | New Play About Shakespeare's Collaboration with Marlowe 56:46

3M ago56:46

56:46

He might be the greatest writer about love that the world has ever known. But as is so often the case with Shakespeare, the biographical record raises as many questions as it answers. How often did Shakespeare fall in love, and with whom, and what happened? Who was Shakespeare's greatest love? In this episode, Jacke talks to David Medina about his …

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711 How Does Literature Handle Atrocities? (with Bruce Robbins) | My Last Book with Hemingway Expert Alex Vernon | Who Will Come to Jacke and Emma's Party? 1:10:28

3M ago1:10:28

1:10:28

For millennia, literature has represented humanity at its finest. Over the same period of time, human beings have been committing the worst acts of mass violence imaginable. How have authors addressed these atrocities? Have they shown an ability to look at their own nation with the critical eyes of a stranger? And if so, have works of imagination p…

1
Lowell Wolff 48:38

3M ago48:38

48:38

In today's episode, W. Scott Olsen speaks with Lowell Wolff, a fine art photographer whose work blends documentary curiosity with artistic vision, capturing everything from Gulf Coast waterbirds to haunting infrared landscapes and soulful human portraits. Click here to visit Lowell's website. This podcast is brought to you by FRAMES, a high-quality…

1
Mike Drak: The Retirement Rebel: How He Found His Second Act 41:32

3M ago41:32

41:32

Retirement isn’t the end—it’s your Victory Lap! In this episode, Mike Drak shares how to turn post-career life into a purpose-filled journey of growth, reinvention, and bold living. In this episode, Len Hayduchok and our guest, Mike Drak, discuss: Retirement is more than money Victory lap retirement lifestyle Longevity drivers beyond physical healt…

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710 Weird and Wonderful Stories from Ancient Greece and Rome (with Paul Chrystal) | A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT | Two Listeners Follow Their Dream (And Create Something Amazing) 57:09

3M ago57:09

57:09

It's another action-packed episode! First, Jacke relays the story of a long-time listener who worked some mundane jobs before becoming an artistic bookmaker. Then Jacke talks to author Paul Chrystal about his work diving into lesser-known ancient texts for his book Miracula: Weird and Wonderful Stories of Ancient Greece and Rome. And in between, Ja…

1
Erik Forrester: Retirement as a New Beginning 41:55

3M ago41:55

41:55

Discover how Eric Forrester helps retirees turn uncertainty into opportunity, unlocking hidden strengths and purpose to create a vibrant, fulfilling next chapter of life. In this episode, Len Hayduchok and our guest, Erik Forrester, discuss: Unlocking Inner Strengths in Retirement Three-Lane Path to Flourishing Transforming Obstacles into Opportuni…

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709 Black American Humor (with Damon Young) | The Greatest American Joke Ever Told? 1:28:52

3M ago1:28:52

1:28:52

DAMON YOUNG (⁠What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker: A Memoir in Essays⁠) is a Pittsburgh writer and humorist. In this episode, Jacke talks to Damon about his work editing and writing an introduction for That's How They Get You: An Unruly Anthology of Black American Humor, which emphasizes how and why Black American humor is uniquely transfixing.…

1
Oliver Farshi 1:03:17

3M ago1:03:17

1:03:17

In today's episode, W. Scott Olsen speaks with Oliver Farshi, a Brooklyn-based photographer exploring intimate, transitional moments in human life. Click here to visit Oliver's website. This podcast is brought to you by FRAMES, a high-quality quarterly printed photography magazine, and its accompanying international photography membership. Find out…

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708 Science Fact and Science Fiction (with Keith Cooper) | AI Discovers a Work of Ancient Philosophy and Dreams Up a Reading List 1:08:01

4M ago1:08:01

1:08:01

For decades, writers and filmmakers have imagined worlds where characters can do things like watch a double sunset (on Tatooine, of course), or stand among the sand dunes of Arrakis, or gaze at the gas-giant planet Polyphemus from the moon Pandora. But even as works like Star Wars, Dune, and Avatar have enticed us with their fictional renditions of…

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Jillian Johnsrud: Breaking the Mold: Mini Retirements, Maximum Living 43:58

4M ago43:58

43:58

What if retirement weren’t a one-time event but a series of intentional pauses? In this episode, Jillian Johnsrud joins Len Hayduchok to explore mini retirements. Discover how stepping away can redefine your path to fulfillment. In this episode, Len Hayduchok and our guest, Jillian Johnsrud, discuss: Strategic Mini Retirements Throughout Career Pri…

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707 Emile Zola (with Robert Lethbridge) | Graham Greene's Only Ghost Story | My Last Book with Irina Mashinski 57:42

4M ago57:42

57:42

For years, listeners have been requesting an episode devoted to the French novelist, journalist, playwright, and public intellectual Émile Zola (1840-1902). In this episode, Jacke talks to author Robert Lethbridge, whose new book Émile Zola: A Determined Life presents a comprehensive exploration of the life, work, and times of the celebrated French…

1
Rebecca Kiger 50:27

4M ago50:27

50:27

In today's episode, W. Scott Olsen speaks with Rebecca Kiger, a documentary photographer from West Virginia, whose work explores life, justice, and identity in Appalachia. Click here to visit Rebecca's website. This podcast is brought to you by FRAMES, a high-quality quarterly printed photography magazine, and its accompanying international photogr…

1
Jerri Williams: The Art of Strategic Retirement: Lessons from a Life in the FBI 42:55

4M ago42:55

42:55

In this compelling episode, Len interviews retired FBI agent Jerri Williams, who turned a 26-year career in economic crime into a creative post-retirement journey. From cracking Ponzi schemes to podcasting and writing, Jerry shares how she redefined retirement on her own terms—blending purpose, identity, and lifelong curiosity. In this episode, Len…

1
706 Living with Jane Austen (with Janet Todd) | A Listener Changes His Life | Bored Parents 1:09:23

4M ago1:09:23

1:09:23

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that Jane Austen's novels make us wish she was our friend. She wouldn't be just any old friend: she'd be the sharpest and wisest, the one we turn to in a crisis, the one who understands our flaws and helps us see our blind spots. As we navigate the perils of love and life, she'd be the friend who gently point…