Best Rudy Gray Podcasts (2025)

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Ep. 96 - Back On Stage, Gray Week, and 9 Hours of SLEEP! 28:27

Play Pause

3d ago28:27

28:27

This week, I’m talking about what it feels like to get back into comedy after brain surgery and an ablation, Brain Tumor Awareness Week, and how I’m feeling about returning to work soon. I did two shows this weekend — one for a cancer benefit and another at Bleepin’ Funny — and they both went great…except for the part where an entire table of women…

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Between Obergefell and the Flag 31:59

18h ago31:59

31:59

Send us a text A lot of people feel the cultural ground shifting and want a faster fix. We explore a different path with Dr. Hunter Baker—one rooted in Baptist history, biblical ecclesiology, and a hard-won vision of religious liberty that helped shape the American constitutional order. We talk candidly about why Christian nationalism is attracting…

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JATG Goes to the Movies - Shelby Oaks 4:30

4d ago4:30

4:30

I saw the movie Shelby Oaks, written and directed by Chris Stuckman! He's a youtube movie review guy, so it was cool to see him get his shot at making a movie. Was it great? I dunno...listen to find out what I think! Find me, Rudy Tyburczy, on TikTok @jokesandthegym Youtube @jokesandthegym www.rudytyburczy.com ig @jokesandthegym and @rudytyburczy a…

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Ep. 95 - Ablation, Books, Blazers, and TV Shows 1:03:23

10d ago1:03:23

1:03:23

Hey friends, it’s Rudy. This week marks one week since my heart ablation, and I’m happy to say I haven’t had an AFib episode since. I talk about what the procedure was like, some hospital stuff, and how it feels to finally give myself permission to slow down without guilt. But what I lack in heart chaos, I make up for in a rather chaotic episode: a…

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Elders, Deacons, and the Net 32:05

16d ago32:05

32:05

Send us a text What if the strain so many churches feel isn’t from weak people but from worn-out structures? We sit down with Phil Newton and Rich Shadden, co-authors of Mending the Net: Rethinking Church Leadership, to explore how biblical polity—rooted in a plurality of elders and distinct deacon service—repairs the holes that exhaust pastors, co…

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Ep. 94 - Quick Episode, Ablation Time 6:45

18d ago6:45

6:45

As I'm about to get a pulsed field catheter ablation in my heart, I check in and talk about making choices in the interest of health and rest. Quick episode, thanks for stopping by! Find me, Rudy Tyburczy, on TikTok @jokesandthegym Youtube @jokesandthegym www.rudytyburczy.com ig @jokesandthegym and @rudytyburczy and @rudyandthecats Facebook, Twitte…

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Episode 348: From Trail of Tears to School Lunch: Andrea Freeman on the Politics of Food 29:48

20d ago29:48

29:48

Diverse Voices Book Review contributor Amanda Moore interviewed Southwestern Law School professor Andrea Freeman about her book, RUIN THEIR CROPS ON THE GROUND: The Politics of Food in the United States, from the Trail of Tears to School Lunch. With thoughtful analysis and a careful examination of historical events, Professor Freeman reveals how th…

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JATG Goes to the Movies - One Battle After Another and Paul Thomas Anderson's Films RANKED 24:37

23d ago24:37

24:37

I saw One Battle After Another twice (empty house vs packed crowd) and it hit harder on rewatch. Here’s my spoiler-free review and my (almost) definitive PTA ranking (all 10 films) from a guy who just loves watching movies. Honestly, upon a full PTA rewatch, my number 4 movie has leapfrogged into the number 2 position. Other than that, they're all …

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Mormonism, Clearly Explained 34:01

23d ago34:01

34:01

Send us a text A wave of headlines brought Mormonism back into the spotlight, so we pressed pause on our usual format and sat down with Travis Kearns to map the LDS system from the ground up. We start where everything begins for Latter-day Saints—authority—noting how the King James Bible sits alongside the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pe…

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Ep. 93 - Rapping, Myq, and Movies 34:50

25d ago34:50

34:50

By Rudy Tyburczy

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Forgiving When It Hurts 22:52

28d ago22:52

22:52

Send us a text A moment of public forgiveness stunned millions and reminded us of something ancient: grace is not cheap, sentimental, or soft on justice. We sat down to unpack why forgiveness sits at the heart of the Christian gospel, how Scripture frames it, and what it demands of us when wounds feel unhealable. From 1 Corinthians 15 to Matthew 18…

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JATG Goes to the Movies - (Not) HIM 6:40

1M ago6:40

6:40

In this bonus mini-episode, I celebrated being cleared to drive again post brain surgery by treating myself to a $5 Tuesday showing of Him. There were only three of us in the theater, and honestly, I can see why. The movie was a strange, muddled football-horror mashup that never quite came together. I talk about why it didn’t work for me—the random…

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Mending the Nets: Biblical Leadership for Today's Church 31:46

1M ago31:46

31:46

Send us a text What does biblical church leadership look like? In this thought-provoking episode of Courier Conversations, host Jeff Robinson sits down with veteran pastors Phil Newton and Rich Shadden to discuss their new book "Mending the Nets: Rethinking Church Leadership" published by Courier Publishing. The conversation dives deep into the bib…

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Ep. 92 - AFib Awareness Month and My Story 30:52

1M ago30:52

30:52

This week I get personal for AFib Awareness Month: how a house-call "huh" turned into an AFib diagnosis, what AFib actually is, the warning signs people miss, and the small, daily choices that have helped me, and could help you. Human, useful, and a little funny—because hearts shouldn’t be freestyling all the time. Find me, Rudy Tyburczy, on TikTok…

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Episode 347: The Mexican American Roots in the Novels of Rudy Ruiz 40:47

1M ago40:47

40:47

In this episode of Diverse Voices Book Review, host Hopeton Hay welcomes back Rudy Ruiz, the author of THE BORDER BETWEEN US, which was just released in paperback. In the interview, Ruiz delves into his Mexican American roots and how they have profoundly influenced his writing. He discusses how his personal experiences growing up on the U.S.-Mexico…

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Episode 346: Easy Rawlins Returns: Walter Mosley Insights on His Latest Novel, Gray Dawn 43:09

1M ago43:09

43:09

In this episode of Diverse Voices Book Review, host Hopeton Hay welcomes back the acclaimed author Walter Mosley for an insightful discussion about his latest novel, GRAY DAWN, the 17th installment in the Easy Rawlins series. In the interview, Walter Mosley discusses the origins and development of his character Easy Rawlins, emphasizing the importa…

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Episode 345: The 2025 Texas Book Festival Author Lineup 26:30

1M ago26:30

26:30

On the latest episode of Diverse Voices Book Review, host Hopeton Hay welcomed Texas Book Festival’s Literary Director Hannah Gabel and Chief Operations Officer Dalia Azim for an inside look at the upcoming festival, set to take place November 8–9 in downtown Austin. With more than 300 authors slated to appear, the Texas Book Festival 2025 Authors …

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Ep. 91 - Priorities, Plans, and My Brain and Heart 36:33

1M ago36:33

36:33

91 weeks in a row. Today I talk about balancing brain and heart (literally and figuratively), how “too much time” can scramble priorities, and my plan to hit 100 episodes before a December reset. Plus a divorce double-feature: The Roses (dark, funny ego battle) and Splitsville (modern, messy, hilarious). Cinema healing, with snacks. Find me, Rudy T…

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Episode 344: Exploring East Texas: Joe Lansdale on Writing, Inspiration, and the Hap and Leonard Series 37:00

1M ago37:00

37:00

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Joe Lansdale, author of HATCHET GIRLS, his 14th Hap and Leonard mystery novel. In this podcast episode, Joe Lansdale discusses his prolific writing career, the inspiration behind the Hap and Leonard series, and how his personal experiences and the unique setting of East Texas shape his storyte…

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Ep. 90 - A Month Out, A Month to Go 35:01

2M ago35:01

35:01

In this 90th episode, I check in on where I’m at—a month out from brain surgery and a month away from my next significant heart procedure. I talk about how hoodie weather, football season, and a steady diet of alien shows are helping me appreciate the little things. I share how I’m shifting my approach to training and recovery, celebrate 90 straigh…

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Episode 343: Black Existential Freedom: A Conversation with Nathalie Etoke 1:03:21

2M ago1:03:21

1:03:21

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Nathalie Etoke, author of BLACK EXISTENTIAL FREEDOM. Published in 2022, BLACK EXISTENTIAL FREEDOM explores how Black freedom transcends political and economic success and lies in affirming one's humanity in the face of systemic dehumanization. Etoke draws on historical experiences, Black cultu…

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Baptists and the Bible: Dr. Tom Nettles on Faith, History, and Children's Education 40:03

2M ago40:03

40:03

Send us a text Baptist historian Dr. Tom Nettles joins Courier Conversations to share the story behind his newest book, "Baptist History for Kids" – a beautifully illustrated journey through Baptist heritage designed to help children understand their theological roots. Drawing from over four decades of experience teaching at institutions like South…

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Ep. 89 - Neurology, Cardiology, Oncology—Plus My Return to Stand-Up 1:00:57

2M ago1:00:57

1:00:57

On this (slightly late) episode I dive into my recent time on the circuit - the doctor's circuit! While I've been going to more appointments than shows, I also talk about doing my first comedy set since surgery - just 17 days after getting my head sliced open! I bookend with some surprises, starting with those that my cats have brought me, and endi…

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Episode 342: Robert Justice Novel Addresses Wrongful Convictions 32:46

2M ago32:46

32:46

Diverse Voices Book Review host interviewed Robert Justice, author of the novel A DREAM IN THE DARK. Published in 2024, A DREAM IN THE DARK is his second novel in a planned trilogy focused on wrongful convictions. Justice shared how his novel incorporates themes of deferred dreams, systemic injustice, and jazz motifs, drawing on real-life wrongful …

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Episode 341: 1968: A Tumultuous Year in the LBJ Presidency 26:42

2M ago26:42

26:42

In October 2018, Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Kyle Longley, author of LBJ's 1968: Power, Politics, and the Presidency in America's Year of Upheaval. 1968 was an unprecedented year in terms of upheaval on numerous scales: political, military, economic, social, cultural. In the United States, perhaps no one was more undone …

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Episode 340: Fast Food and the Black Community 47:58

2M ago47:58

47:58

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Naa Oyo Kwate, author of WHITE BURGERS, BLACK CASH: Food from Black Exclusion to Exploitation. In the interview, they discussed the fast-food industry and its impact on health disparities in the Black community. They also explored the complex relationship between Black communities and fast foo…

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Ep. 88 - 3 Nights in the Hospital 43:07

2M ago43:07

43:07

This episode goes deep into the three nights I spent in the hospital throughout the experience of my craniotomy. I talk about getting there at 5:30AM, surgery at 8 (what I remember of it), my 8 hours waiting for an ICU room (and the barf bags that came with it), one night in the ICU, my racy initial interaction with my OT, and two nights in my room…

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Baptist Convictions: Identity in an Age of Division 32:45

2M ago32:45

32:45

Send us a text What does it mean to be Baptist in today's polarized religious landscape? Can strong theological convictions coexist with genuine kindness toward those who disagree? Nate Akin believes they not only can but must go together. In this thought-provoking conversation, Nate unpacks the framework of his book "Convictional, Confessional, Ch…

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Ep. 87 - 12 Days After Brain Surgery Quick Check In 16:00

2M ago16:00

16:00

I hopped on the mic for a short check-in—my first episode since coming home from brain surgery. I talk about the scar, my 21 head staples, my wobbly sleep schedule, and share some of what recovery has looked like almost two weeks out. I share updates from my surgeon, my PA Tom (not to be confused with Tommy the Tumor), and the pathology report (gra…

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Episode 339: Best Of: Manisha Sinha's Expansive View of the History of Reconstruction 49:39

2M ago49:39

49:39

In May of 2024, Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed historian Manisha Sinha, author of THE RISE AND FALL OF THE SECOND AMERICAN REPUBLIC: Reconstruction, 1860-1920. In the interview, Manisha explained her idea that Reconstruction is a defining moment in the history of American democracy. She also asserts that Reconstruction was …

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Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson 1:26:27

2M ago1:26:27

1:26:27

Drummer, DJ, producer, Oscar-winning documentary director, composer and musical director Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson joins SCORE from John Mayer’s private writing room at Henson Recording Studios! Ahmir discusses the absolutely bonkers music mashup from 50 years of Saturday Night Live, featured in his Emmy-nominated documentary LADIES & GENTLEMEN: 5…

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Ep. 86 - A Letter to My Future Self - Tommy Gets 86'd! 1:09:16

2M ago1:09:16

1:09:16

Episode 86 – “A Letter to My Future Self” was recorded in the two days leading up to my brain surgery — the one where Tommy the Tumor finally gets 86’d. I look back on the long road to diagnosis, from years of strange symptoms and a missed MRI to finally learning that Tommy had been squatting in my right frontal lobe for who knows how long. I share…

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Episode 338: Carrie Moore Writes Stories Centered in the Black South 44:07

3M ago44:07

44:07

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Carrie R. Moore, author of the story collection MAKE YOUR WAY HOME. In the interview, Moore explained that her story collection pays "homage to the diversity of the Black South...There are mountains, there are beaches, there are cities, there are small towns, and I really just wanted to write …

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Why I'm Baptist: Beyond Tradition 24:32

3M ago24:32

24:32

Send us a text What makes someone truly Baptist? Is it simply family tradition, or are there deeper theological convictions at play? In this thought-provoking episode, Jeff Robinson and Travis Kearns dive into the heart of Baptist identity, challenging the common notion that most people identify as Baptist merely because "that's how I was raised." …

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Ep. 85 - The Birthday Bingo Brain Tumor Bash - Backyard Live Episode!! 29:18

3M ago29:18

29:18

For my 42nd birthday, I turned my backyard into a live podcast-slash-bingo hall-slash-pre-surgery pep rally. Over 60 friends, neighbors, comedy pals, and YMCA folks showed up to eat, laugh, win creatine, and watch me forget Laura’s name for the eleventy-first time. "Blame Tommy!!" Instead of the full, chaotic raw audio (karaoke mic + summer evening…

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Episode 337: Tochi Onyebuchi's Harmattan Season Is Hard-Boiled Fantasy Noir Novel 38:26

3M ago38:26

38:26

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Tochi Onyebuchi, author of the novel HARMATTAN SEASON. Set in a dust-choked West African city, tensions rise between French occupiers and indigenous factions. The protagonist, private eye Bouba, caught between two cultures, uncovers secrets that challenge his identity and past. Blending noir g…

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Ep. 84 - Birthday Highs and Lows - Ep 84 on 8.4 While Turning 42 26:11

3M ago26:11

26:11

Episode 84 Recap: aka 42 is the Answer So, apparently the answer to life, the universe, and everything… is: a brain tumor, a cat named Milk, and a birthday bingo prize basket with Desitin and creatine in it. This wasn’t the morning I hoped for. After months of navigating this whole brain tumor diagnosis, I met with a lawyer and found out I missed t…

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John Murphy & David Fleming (Superman) 1:12:03

3M ago1:12:03

1:12:03

Superstar composers John Murphy and David Fleming finally enter the same room (you read that correctly) after an unusual but groundbreaking experience co-composing the score for James Gunn’s SUPERMAN. How John’s electric guitar-focused approach (he writes themes on a zany guitar he named Ned Flanders) harnessed the majesty of John Williams’ iconic …

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Episode 336: Madeliene Thien's Young Protagonist Explores the Lives and Ideas of Timeless Thinkers 44:28

3M ago44:28

44:28

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Madeleine Thien, author of the novel THE BOOK OF RECORDS. The novel tells a time-bending, seven-year philosophical journey of a young girl named Lina, who is taught by her father and neighbors about the lives of three historical figures. They live in a surreal enclave, where Lina and her fathe…

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Faith, Politics, and NYC's Future 21:32

3M ago21:32

21:32

Send us a text What happens when religious faith directly impacts political governance? In our latest deep dive, we examine the surprising rise of Zoran Mamdani, the 33-year-old Democrat who openly identifies as both socialist and communist while now standing as the nominee for mayor of America's financial capital. Our co-host Travis Kearns brings …

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Ep. 83 - Preparing for Brain Surgery as a Tired Person 30:37

3M ago30:37

30:37

Hey friends. This one’s coming to you tired. Real tired. Didn’t sleep great, and apparently that hits extra hard when you’ve got a brain tumor named Tommy squatting in your right frontal lobe. But we’re here, we’re honest, and we’re warming up—literally and metaphorically. This week I talk about easing back into comedy after my seizure in June, doi…

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Episode 335: Denise Mina Thriller Explores Forensic Scientist Choices 27:36

3M ago27:36

27:36

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Denise Mina, author of THE GOOD LIAR. The story follows a blood spatter expert who faces ethical dilemmas similar to historical cases where discredited forensic techniques led to wrongful convictions. THE GOOD LIAR publishes on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. Denise Mina is the author of twenty novels…

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Remembering John MacArthur: A Legacy of Bold Exposition 23:26

3M ago23:26

23:26

Send us a text The recent passing of John MacArthur, one of evangelical Christianity's most influential voices, has left a profound void in pastoral leadership. Over 50 years of faithful ministry at Grace Community Church in Southern California, MacArthur revolutionized expository preaching for an entire generation of pastors. In this heartfelt con…

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Ep. 82 - A Tale of Two Fridays - OCF and AFIB 41:34

3M ago41:34

41:34

This week, I walk you through two wildly different Fridays: one full of joy, the other full of deflation. First, I reflect on my incredible day at Oregon Country Fair—hosting hip hop acts, crushing a surprise comedy set, vibing with strangers at Spirit Tower, getting clean at the Ritz sauna, and locking eyes with the perfect Phoenix Rising cookie. …

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Episode 334: Paul Thomas Chamberlin Peels Back Mythology Around World War II 52:51

3M ago52:51

52:51

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed historian Paul Thomas Chamberlin, author of SCORCHED EARTH: A Global History of World War II. In the interview, we discussed how World War II fits into a larger story of the rise and fall of empires, the creation and destruction of colonial systems, and the reconfiguration of imperial power. T…

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Ep. 81 - That’s Fair and Knowing Your No - My OCF ‘25 Recap 1:33:22

4M ago1:33:22

1:33:22

Hey everybody, welcome back to Jokes and the Gym. This week’s episode is all about my Oregon Country Fair 2025 adventure. This year was the full Fair experience: beautiful, chaotic, exhausting, magical. I went in prepared—literal farmer’s carries all year to get ready to haul my gear—and even that didn’t cover everything. It was full of those human…

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Episode 333: Rachel Howzell Hall Thriller Fog and Fury 29:26

4M ago29:26

29:26

Diverse Voices Book Review host interviewed Rachel Howzell Hall, author of the new thriller FOG AND FURY. Set in northern California, FOG AND FURY features a disgraced former Los Angeles police detective, Alyson "Sonny" Rush, whose first case with her godfather's private detective agency throws her personal life into turmoil. Her life is further co…

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Ep. 80 - Oregon Country Fair and Procedure Prep (And a movie review!) 33:14

4M ago33:14

33:14

Hey friends! Welcome to Episode 80 of Jokes and the Gym—80 weeks straight, baby! Can you believe it? Well, do. This one’s a check-in about life lately. (And a bonus movie review!) I talk about navigating my AFib (cardioversion coming up where they’ll zap my heart back into rhythm) and this new brain tumor diagnosis—good ol’ Tommy the Tumor hanging …

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Episode 332: Ivy Pochoda's Novel Ecstasy Tackles Female Oppression and Marital Patriarchy 38:38

4M ago38:38

38:38

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Ivy Pochoda, author of ECSTASY. Based on a Greek tragedy by Euripides, Pochoda explained how she wanted to address difficult truths about female oppression and marital patriarchy. As described on her website, "Ecstasy is a riveting, darkly poetic, one-sitting read about empowerment, desire, an…

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Episode 331: Dana Williams Recounts Impact of Toni Morrison on Black Writers As Editor 39:41

4M ago39:41

39:41

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Dana A. Williams, author of TONI AT RANDOM: The Iconic Writer's Legendary Editorship. In the interview, Dr. Williams discussed Toni Morrison's path to becoming a book editor, some of the Black writers she edited at Random House including Angela Davis and Toni Cade Bambara, and what inspired he…