Best Calling All Dwaynes Podcast Podcasts (2025)

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Maus and the Power of Images 26:29

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6d ago26:29

26:29

Art Spiegelman’s Maus almost single-handedly elevated comics from throw-away inserts in newspapers to a serious literary art worthy of winning the highest award in book publishing. But it’s not an accident that this book is coming back to us now. Maus was swept once again into the public eye three years ago, when the conservative movement to target…

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Book Riot: The Untold Story of Black Librarians 20:02

20d ago20:02

20:02

This episode comes to us from our friends at Book Riot! In this segment, you'll hear Book Riot’s Erica Ezeifedi speak with Rodney Freeman, a librarian and producer of the forthcoming documentary, Are You a Librarian? The Untold Story of Black Librarians. This is part of their Reading and Resistance series, which looks at the relationship between re…

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Matt de la Peña on Small Stories and the Power of Perspective 18:58

27d ago18:58

18:58

Matt de la Peña is the Newbery Medal-winning author of seven Young Adult novels and five picture books. We talked with him about writing small stories and what it means to write a book that is, as he calls it, “Diversity 2.0.” You can read a transcript of this episode on our website. Check out our booklist with books by Matt de la Peña and more! Le…

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Meg Medina on Latine Stories and Reading as a Family 17:07

1M ago17:07

17:07

Meg Medina is an award-winning author of books for kids and young adults, and she was the 2023-2024 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. We talked to her about what it meant to be the first Latinx author in that role, about the need for more diverse kids books, and the importance of reading in families. You can read a transcript of th…

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How The Snowy Day Changed Children’s Books 28:22

1M ago28:22

28:22

The Snowy Day wasn’t the first picture book to feature a Black child as its beloved protagonist, but it might be the most visible. When it came out in 1962, it challenged the publishing industry to champion books that depict kids of color. Today, we find ourselves in a moment not so different from the one Ezra Jack Keats was in when he sat down to …

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The Legacy of Howard Zinn's Radical History 21:27

2M ago21:27

21:27

When Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States came out in 1980, it literally rocked the boat. Instead of starting where most histories of the Americas start — on the deck of Columbus’s ship as it approached land — Howard Zinn flipped the script, focusing instead on what the people standing on the shore would have seen. In this episode,…

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Reginald Dwayne Betts on Freedom and Poetic Constraint 20:33

2M ago20:33

20:33

Reginald Dwayne Betts is a poet, a lawyer, and the founder and CEO of Freedom Reads, an organization with the goal of bringing a library to every cell block in America. We talked with him about what he read – and wrote – while he was incarcerated, and what it taught him about what it means to be free, to be loved, and to be part of a community. Rea…

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On Reading The Autobiography of Malcolm X in Prison 25:42

2M ago25:42

25:42

There are so many reasons to read – and reread – The Autobiography of Malcolm X. But for this episode, we’re revisiting the book with the perspectives of readers who are, or were, incarcerated. Malcolm X’s story isn’t just radical for its narrative of change and self-improvement; it also encourages readers to think more critically about the prison …

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N.K. Jemisin on Truth, Education, and Speculation 21:27

3M ago21:27

21:27

N.K. Jemisin is a New York Times-bestselling science fiction and fantasy writer. She’s a Brooklynite, the recipient of a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship, and the first author to win three Best Novel Hugos in a row. We talked to her about Octavia Butler’s influence on her writing, and how she processes the present moment in her own fiction. You can re…

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What Parable of the Sower Taught Us About the Future 26:38

3M ago26:38

26:38

In these unfathomable moments, when the world seems to be falling apart—we often turn to stories for guidance. For the folks in Southern California earlier this year, that story was Parable of the Sower. Readers are returning to the book today because it shows us how speculation – and Afrofuturism in particular – can help us move through the world …

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Introducing: Borrowed and Returned 2:14

3M ago2:14

2:14

Borrowed and Returned is a new podcast series that examines what our reading public borrowed in the past, and what we’re all reading now. In conversations with library workers, authors and readers across the country, we’ll return to the books that changed us, and changed America, too. First episode drops July 8, with new episodes coming out weekly.…

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Tracing the Legacy of Slavery in Brooklyn 14:03

3M ago14:03

14:03

A new exhibit at BPL's Center for Brooklyn History explores the history and legacy of slavery here in Brooklyn. The team at CBH gathered documents and accounts from people who were touched by slavery in Brooklyn, and traced the descendants of both the enslaved and enslavers. "Trace/s" is up at the Center for Brooklyn History (128 Pierrepont Street)…

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A New Year’s Plunge (Rebroadcast) 11:25

9M ago11:25

11:25

As 2024 comes to a close, we wanted to share with you an episode that we produced all the way back in 2020. That year, we went to Coney Island to record the Coney Island Polar Bear Club, the group of swimmers that congregate on Coney Island every Sunday in winter to swim in the frigid ocean as a way to renew themselves. It’s a fun one, and we hope …

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Why We Still Read Together: The Joy of Book Clubs 18:23

10M ago18:23

18:23

Graphic novels, Haitian-American book bingo, and The Power Broker. These are just a few of the book clubs happening at Brooklyn Public Library! This episode, we take a tour around the borough to listen in on our patrons' reading habits and ask why we still read together. Read a transcript of this episode here. Further resources: Check out our book …

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Book Sanctuaries, Buttons and Bouncy Houses 14:42

12M ago14:42

14:42

We're pulling out all the stops for the first annual Freedom to Read Day of Action on Saturday, October 19th! Hear from libraries in Los Angeles, San Diego, Hoboken, NJ and Austin, TX about what they're doing to promote the freedom to read. And, if you're in Brooklyn, meet us on the steps of Central Library this Saturday for a book rally! You can r…

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Banned Books Week: All for a Library Card 27:03

1y ago27:03

27:03

For Banned Books Week this year, we’re returning to our award-winning series, Borrowed and Banned. Because the fight isn’t over. In 2023, the American Library Association documented a 65% increase in the number of book titles challenged across the country. Listen to the first episode of the series about what happened in one Oklahoma town when their…

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Rebroadcast: Blocks and Brownstones 24:57

1y ago24:57

24:57

Bedford-Stuyvesant is perhaps one of Brooklyn’s most iconic neighborhoods. Its tree-lined streets and grand brownstones have been here for over 150 years. This episode, a re-broadcast from 2019, tells the story of Bed-Stuy through the lives of three women who set down roots here in different ways: activist Hattie Carthan, writer Paule Marshall, and…

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Bed-Stuy Tea: An Interview with Cookbook Author Nicole A. Taylor 29:14

1y ago29:14

29:14

Splitting her time between Athens, Georgia and Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, Nicole A. Taylor is a food writer and author of several cookbooks. She sat down with BPL’s Bed-Stuy Tea podcast to discuss finding and preserving her Southern voice, the pleasures of restaurant research, and her favorite local spots to eat and drink. Read a transcript of this episod…

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Explore Your City This Summer! 11:38

1+ y ago11:38

11:38

It's summer and school's out! No matter what age you are, you can spend your summer at the library with book lists and activities galore. We go over the facts and stats of BPL's popular Culture Pass program, which has helped thousands of New Yorkers visit museums and performance spaces in the city ... for free! Read a transcript of the episode here…

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Drag Story Hour 14:53

1+ y ago14:53

14:53

Brooklyn Public Library has been hosting Drag Story Hours since 2016. It's one of our most popular, colorful, and well-attended events for kids. In this episode, we explore why Drag Story Hour is important, and how it’s had to change in recent years in response to an increasingly tense political climate. More resources: June is Pride Month! Celebra…

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Say His Name: Arthur Miller 17:10

1+ y ago17:10

17:10

Outside of Brooklyn, Arthur Miller's name has largely faded from memory. On this episode, we tell the story of the Black community leader who was killed by NYPD chokehold in 1978, the movement pushed forward as a result of his death, and the ways that Brooklyn Public Library’s Center for Brooklyn History helps to keep the story alive. Further resou…

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When the Library's a Stage 16:50

1+ y ago16:50

16:50

Listen in on one of BPL's most popular art programs: a theater workshop where, once a week, budding thespians come together to read plays, talk about character motivations, and dig into some surprisingly emotional and political topics. Read a transcript of this episode on our website. Join fellow thespians at Central Library's theater workshop. Or,…

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Rebroadcast: Secret Lives of Librarians 16:49

1+ y ago16:49

16:49

We revisit an episode from January 2021 in honor of National Library Workers Day, and ask: what do librarians do all day? When they're not planning programs or working the reference desk, these librarians are also obscure trivia players, birders and ... sword fighters! Read a transcript here. Have a minute? Vote for Borrowed and Banned in the Webby…

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Bridging the Gap 12:28

1+ y ago12:28

12:28

Teens and older adults are perhaps the two age groups you might think have the least in common. But a new program at BPL seeks to bring the two generations together ... by having them debate. Read a transcript of this episode on our web page. Resources mentioned on this episode: Learn more about services for older adults at BPL and programs for tee…

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Browse the Branches 14:24

1+ y ago14:24

14:24

Brooklyn has 62 neighborhood libraries, each with a distinct architecture, culture, and soul. To kick off the new season and to celebrate our audio stories coming home to Brooklyn, we'll take a tour of the borough with the help of our neighborhood libraries and some of our stalwart patrons who visited all 62 of them ... in a matter of days! Read a …

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The Challenge 29:48

2y ago29:48

29:48

Student activists in York, Pennsylvania organized a silent protest when hundreds of books were banned from their classrooms, paving the way for lasting change in their community. In this final episode of the series, we tackle the challenge head-on: from encouraging open dialogue about the books on our shelves to the ongoing work of protecting the f…

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On the Frontlines 26:20

2y ago26:20

26:20

Library workers often risk their livelihoods when they speak out against censorship, spurring community members to pick up the fight for intellectual freedom. We tell the story of how one Louisiana parish came together to defend their library amidst book challenges, tip lines, and even sign burning. Read the transcript here. Our call to action for …

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An Interview with Maia Kobabe 19:06

2y ago19:06

19:06

Maia Kobabe's debut memoir, Gender Queer, was the most frequently banned book in 2021 and 2022. We talked with em about what it's like to be on the recieving end of so many challenges, and the importance of public libraries. Read the transcript here. More resources: Check out Gender Queer. Find Maia's resources for defending Gender Queer, and eir r…

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Beloved Blues 24:06

2y ago24:06

24:06

Despite being one of the most frequently banned authors, Toni Morrison’s work has inspired countless others to tell stories outside the mainstream. We take a closer look at Morisson's writing, her legacy, and her impact on the anti-censorship movement. Read the transcript here. Our call to action for this episode: Learn how you can support and defe…

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An Interview with George M. Johnson 16:33

2y ago16:33

16:33

George M. Johnson talks about their debut Young Adult memoir All Boys Aren't Blue, the support of their family, their love of Toni Morrison, and the importance of standing against book bans. Read the transcript here. Resources: Check out All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson. Read about Johnson's family supporting their book when it was challen…

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Battle of the Classics 20:45

2y ago20:45

20:45

Our call to action for this episode: Talk about the books that are important to you, even if they aren’t challenged. Stay informed about what books are being challenged in your area by subscribing to Book Riot's Literary Activism Newsletter. Each week, journalist Kelly Jensen writes about the latest in book banning trends, stories, and reports from…

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An Interview with Mike Curato 17:56

2y ago17:56

17:56

Mike Curato talks about his award-winning graphic novel Flamer, his writing practice, and how it feels to have his story vaulted into national headlines as parents, politicians, and school boards campaign to remove his book from school and library shelves. Read the transcript here. Resources: Check out Flamer from BPL, or other books by Mike Curato…

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Of Parents and School Boards 28:11

2y ago28:11

28:11

Over the past few years, school board races have become more heated and more political — and books have become the center of that political storm. We look at what happened in Keller, Texas when an ultra-conservative group took over the school board. You can read a transcript of this episode here. Our call to action for this episode: Find out when t…

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This Day in Esoteric Political History: United States vs One Book Called Ulysses (1933) 20:53

2y ago20:53

20:53

It’s an off-week for Borrowed and Banned, but we do have something special to share. We’re doing a collaboration with PRX’s Radiotopia, and they sent along an episode from one of their shows that is really relevant to our series. This Day in Esoteric Political History is a podcast that tells the story of one moment from US history that took place o…

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Seen and Obscene 27:17

2y ago27:17

27:17

The birth of obscenity laws in the 1870s provides a cautionary tale for the present moment, when far-right conservatives incorrectly label books “sexually explicit” as a way to provoke outrage in communities nationwide. This episode, we delve into the parallels that history can reveal and hear from students in Texas fighting for their freedom to re…

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All for a Library Card 27:45

2y ago27:45

27:45

When a high school teacher in Norman, Oklahoma shared a QR code with her students that would grant them access to BPL’s digital collection, she took a stand against a restrictive state law. That act of resistance made her first day of school ... also her last. Our call to action for this episode: Get a library card! Wherever you live, sign up for a…

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Introducing: Borrowed and Banned 3:45

2y ago3:45

3:45

Last year, over 2,500 unique titles were challenged in libraries across the country. That’s the highest number in over 20 years. On Borrowed and Banned, we tell the story of America’s ideological war with its bookshelves by talking with the people most impacted: the students on the frontlines, the librarians and teachers whose livelihoods are endan…

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An Episode from Grown: Culture and Identity 29:53

2y ago29:53

29:53

We’re doing something a little bit different today and sharing an episode from a totally different podcast we love … it’s called Grown, and it’s from the Moth. Grown is all about the experience of growing up. There's conversations, true stories told live, and young people grappling with big questions. Read more about Grown and subscribe at grownpod…

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Jay-Z at the Library 7:48

2y ago7:48

7:48

Over 14,000 patrons have signed up for their first library card since Jay-Z's exhibit came to Central Library in mid-July. We talk to Brooklynites traveling around the borough to collect all 13 Jay-Z library cards, and ask what The Book of HOV means to them. Learn more about the exhibit and our signature library cards: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/…

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Episode 74 | Stephen A. Smith Calls The Angels Irrelevant | Will The Angels Regret Not Trading Shohei Ohtani? 39:29

2y ago39:29

39:29

On this weeks episode of "Who's On 1st?!" Jason & Dwayne give their thoughts on ESPN's very own Stephen A. Smith calling the Angels irrelevant?! The guys also debate on if the Angels should finally trade Shohei Ohtani and will Arte Moreno regret if they don't trade Ohtani at the deadline? Keep up with all of our content and socials HERE! https://li…

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Pathways to Leadership 13:47

2y ago13:47

13:47

Kesha Powell and Amen Emile have been working at BPL for over 20 years in various roles, from public safety to circulation manager. Thanks to BPL's Pathways to Leadership program—a scholarship and mentorship initiative designed to diversify the field of librarianship—they will soon be fully-certified librarians. Read the transcript and find further…

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Episode 73 | What Is Wrong With The Padres?| Angels Treading Water| Mookie Betts Home Run Derby 39:41

2y ago39:41

39:41

On this weeks episode of "Who's On 1st?!" Jason & Dwayne try to figure out what is wrong with the Padres? The guys also give their thoughts on the Angels struggles continuing and Mookie Betts participating in the Homerun Derby! Keep up with all of our content and socials HERE! https://linktr.ee/WhosOn1st…

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Episode 72 | Angels Acquire Escobar| Dodgers Sweep The Angels! 35:38

2+ y ago35:38

35:38

On this weeks episode of "Who's On 1st?!" Jason & Dwayne speak on the Angels acquiring Eduardo Escobar Friday night essentially making the 1st significant deal before the August 1st deadline. The guys also speak on the Dodgers sweeping the Angels in act 1 of the freeway series and what could be next for both teams at the trade deadline??? Keep up w…

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Episode 71 | Whose To Blame Friedman or Roberts?| Angels Surging! 40:02

2+ y ago40:02

40:02

On this weeks episode of "Who's On 1st?!" Jason & Dwayne speak on the Dodgers HORRENDUS June and just who exactly should get the most blame for the Dodgers falling all the way to 3rd place, Andrew Freidman or Dave Roberts?! The guys also tackle the Angels surging all the way to 2nd place and could the Angels & Dodgers be perfect trade partners at t…

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Meet Our (Almost) Six-Year-Old Librarian 9:14

2+ y ago9:14

9:14

If you ask Hannah Jean what would be her greatest wish, she will say running Brooklyn Public Library. Last month, she got to do just that. Read the transcript and check out our book list: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/podcasts/meet-our-almost-six-yearBy Brooklyn Public Library

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Episode 70 | Angels At A Crossroads| Dodgers Pitching Issues 35:56

2+ y ago35:56

35:56

On this weeks episode of "Who's On 1st?!" Jason & Dwayne speak on the Angels recent struggles and give their thoughts on where they should go from here. Dwayne speaks on the Dodgers pitching issues and what both teams could potentially do at the trade deadline. Keep up with all of our content and socials HERE! https://linktr.ee/WhosOn1st…

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The Teens are Offline 13:57

2+ y ago13:57

13:57

Meet the Luddite Club, a group of library-loving, flip-phone-toting teenagers in Brooklyn who come together every week out of a shared sense that social media and smart phones just aren't working for them. Read the transcript and check out additional resources here: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/podcasts/teens-are-offline Listen to Undiscarded: Stor…

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Episode 69 | Dodgers LGBTQ+ Controversy | Bobby Miller & Gavin Stone | Angels Call Up Bachman 38:09

2+ y ago38:09

38:09

On this weeks episode of "Who's On 1st?!" Jason & Dwayne speak on the Dodgers LGBTQ+ controversy that has gained a lot of attention for all the wrong reasons! The guys also discuss Gavin Stone & Bobby Millers pitching performances against the Braves as well as the Angels calling up Sam Bachman! Keep up with all of our content and socials HERE! http…

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Buscando Asilo 24:56

2+ y ago24:56

24:56

Este episodio es sobre los solicitantes de asilo en la ciudad de Nueva York. Estamos compartiendo estas narrativas personales con la esperanza de que escucharlas devuelva la humanidad a esta crisis. Para leer el episodio en inglés y más recursos: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/podcasts/buscando-asiloBy Brooklyn Public Library

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Seeking Asylum 24:27

2+ y ago24:27

24:27

Asylum seekers continue to arrive in New York City. We look at how one faith-based organization is responding to the continuing crisis in the hope that these personal narratives offer a window into the experience of migrants in Brooklyn today. For a transcript of this episode in English and links to resources, visit: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/po…