Best Robin Duncan Podcasts (2025)

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Long Story Short Ep-12: Why Science Fantasy is the Best (Sub) Genre, with Lorraine Wilson 55:24

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2d ago55:24

55:24

Robin & David converse with Lorraine Wilson, author of We Are All Ghosts in the Forest, about folklore, the future of identity, and the sea. In search of a response to the podcast’s title, literature, fantasy, magic and science all go into the growbag of genre. The efficacy of an ice-skating scoring system for panel responses is also assessed durin…

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165. The Economist Who (Gasp!) Asks People What They Think 53:14

7d ago53:14

53:14

Stefanie Stantcheva’s approach seemed like career suicide. In fact, it won her the John Bates Clark Medal. She talks to fellow winner Steve Levitt about why she uses methods that most of the profession dismisses — and what she’s found that can’t be learned any other way. SOURCES: Stefanie Stantcheva, professor of political economy at Harvard Univer…

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#29: Transformers for Recommender Systems with Craig Macdonald and Sasha Petrov 1:37:25

10d ago1:37:25

1:37:25

In episode 29 of Recsperts, I welcome Craig Macdonald, Professor of Information Retrieval at the University of Glasgow, and Aleksandr “Sasha” Petrov, PhD researcher and former applied scientist at Amazon. Together, we dive deep into sequential recommender systems and the growing role of transformer models such as SASRec and BERT4Rec. Our conversati…

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Rick Rubin on How to Make Something Great (Update) 53:24

14d ago53:24

53:24

From recording some of the first rap hits to revitalizing Johnny Cash's career, the legendary producer has had an extraordinary creative life. In this episode he talks about his new book and his art-making process — and helps Steve get in touch with his own artistic side. SOURCES: Rick Rubin, music producer and record executive. RESOURCES: The Crea…

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Self-Love Revolution with Aunty Robin with Moxie, Martinis, and Microsoft Vista 36:10

17d ago36:10

36:10

Send us a text Ready to become unfuckable with? That's the revolutionary ideals at the heart of Auntie Robin's new podcast direction. Saying goodbye to Kicked Can Generations Podcast, she's embracing a fresh path focused on fierce self-love and challenging beliefs that no longer serve us. Drawing inspiration from her great aunt who "gave zero shits…

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Long Story Short Ep-11: The Power of Community, with Jay McGuiness 59:28

16d ago59:28

59:28

Join David & Robin in conversation with Jay McGuiness, star of stage, screen & chart, as we talk about all manner of things including painting with watercolours rather than oils, love of Lemony Snicket, with a dramatic ‘Hollywood deal-making’ twist at the end. Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasy…

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164. Unravelling the Universe, Again 1:02:14

21d ago1:02:14

1:02:14

More than two decades ago, Adam Riess’s Nobel Prize-winning work fundamentally changed our understanding of the universe. His new work is reshaping cosmology for a second time. RESOURCES: Adam Riess, astrophysicist at Johns Hopkins University. SOURCES: "The Nobel Prize Winner Who Thinks We Have the Universe All Wrong," by Ross Andersen (The Atlanti…

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Long Story Short Ep-10: Does the Balrog Have Wings? with Calah Singleton 1:07:22

1M ago1:07:22

1:07:22

In which David speaks to Calah Singleton about many things Middle Earth; the Hobbit, the trilogy, the movies, Rings of Power, where their own love of Tolkien’s work originated, their hot takes, and much, much more. Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Lea…

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163. The Data Sleuth Taking on Shoddy Science 56:25

1M ago56:25

56:25

Uri Simonsohn is a behavioral science professor who wants to improve standards in his field — so he’s made a sideline of investigating fraudulent academic research. He tells Steve Levitt, who's spent plenty of time rooting out cheaters in other fields, how he does it. SOURCES: Uri Simonsohn, professor of behavioral science at Esade Business School.…

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Beyond the Flames and the Heatwaves: Robin Degron on Europe and the Mediterranean Basin’s Climate Crisis 36:03

1M ago36:03

36:03

Devastating wildfires and intense heatwaves are sweeping across continents—from Indonesia’s burning rainforests and Canada’s parched woodlands to Latin America and, of course, Europe’s Mediterranean coasts. The scale and frequency of these disasters are reminders that climate change is no longer a distant threat, but a global emergency demanding ac…

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Arne Duncan Says All Kids Deserve a Chance — and Criminals Deserve a Second One (Update) 46:11

1M ago46:11

46:11

Former U.S. Secretary of Education, 3x3 basketball champion, and leader of an anti-gun violence organization are all on Arne’s resume. He’s also Steve’s neighbor. The two talk about teachers caught cheating in Chicago public schools and Steve shares a story he’s never told Arne, about a defining moment in the educator’s life. SOURCES: Arne Duncan, …

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Long Story Short Ep-9: Fun, Games & Medieval Combat with Adrian Tchaikovsky 56:44

1M ago56:44

56:44

Robin and David talk with the one and only Adrian Tchaikovsky about writing comedy, fighting in armour, TTRPGs, conventions and of course, books, in a wide-ranging chat covering the breadth and height of Adrian’s authorial career to date. Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-…

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Can One Crisis Solve Another? Debt-for-Nature Swaps with Sawsan Bou Fakhreddine 31:41

1M ago31:41

31:41

As mounting debt strangles public services and climate disasters escalate, a provocative idea is gaining ground: what if countries could trade their debt burdens for environmental action? In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Sawsan Bou Fakhreddine, Director General of the Association for Forests, Develo…

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162. Will We Solve the Climate Problem? 57:56

2M ago57:56

57:56

Kate Marvel spends her days playing with climate models, which she says are “like a very expensive version of The Sims.” As a physicist she gets tired of being asked to weigh in on economics, geopolitics, and despair — but she still defends the right of scientists to have strong feelings about the planet. SOURCES: Kate Marvel, climate scientist and…

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The Aid Localization Mirage: Dr. Duncan Green on Why Shifting Power Means Rethinking Aid 38:47

2M ago38:47

38:47

“Localization” has become one of the most repeated terms in international development—but is it a genuine shift, or just a new label for old practices? In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Dr. Duncan Green, Professor in Practice at the London School of Economics and longtime Oxfam strategist, about why …

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Long Story Short Ep-8: Myth, Romantasy & Feminist Rage with Scarlett St. Clair 1:10:17

2M ago1:10:17

1:10:17

Join Robin & Pam (PS Livingstone) for Episode 8, Myth, Romantasy & Feminist Rage, with Scarlett St. Clair. Discard preconceptions of Romantic Fiction, learn the power of librarians, social media, and emotion over mechanics. [CW: indirect sex references.] Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociet…

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Video confessions from Auntie Robin (check out YouTube and spotify) 8:02

2M ago8:02

8:02

Send us a text Sometimes healing demands that we show up exactly as we are - messy, unfiltered, and courageously vulnerable. Fresh from finalizing my divorce and barely settled into my new apartment, I'm coming to you raw and unedited from the pool area of my complex, sporting a bikini at 53 because my ancestors and spirit guides pushed me to be se…

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161. How to Captivate an Audience 48:48

2M ago48:48

48:48

Twenty years ago, before the Freakonomics book tour, Bill McGowan taught Steve Levitt to speak in public. In his new book he tries to teach everyone else. SOURCES: Bill McGowan, founder and C.E.O. of Clarity Media Group. RESOURCES: Speak, Memorably: The Art of Captivating an Audience, by Bill McGowan (2025). "Sheryl Sandberg Gives UC Berkeley Comme…

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Annie Duke Thinks You Should Quit (Update) 48:25

2M ago48:25

48:25

Former professional poker player Annie Duke wrote a book about Steve’s favorite subject: quitting. They talk about why quitting is so hard, how to do it sooner, and why we feel shame when we do something that’s good for us. SOURCES: Annie Duke, author and former professional poker player. RESOURCES: Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away, by …

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Long Story Short Ep-7: Tripping the Queer Urban Fantastic with A.K. Faulkner 1:01:18

2M ago1:01:18

1:01:18

Author A.K. Faulkner joins David and Robin to talk about many and varied subjects, including writing books, selling books, and people reading books out loud. Also, learn about “the breadmaker”, trusting your brain, and fizzy drinks. [CW: handful of instances of stronger language.] Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: h…

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Abandonment at the Breaking Point: Confronting Aid Cuts with Stephen Cornish 34:22

2M ago34:22

34:22

Abandonment at the Breaking Point: Confronting the Aid Cuts with Stephen Cornish By: DevelopmentAid Dialogues In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Stephen Cornish, General Director of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Switzerland, about the mounting global humanitarian crises—from famine zones in Sudan to …

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160. How to Help Kids Succeed 1:00:09

3M ago1:00:09

1:00:09

Psychologist David Yeager thinks the conventional wisdom for how to motivate young people is all wrong. His model for helping kids cope with stress is required reading at Steve’s new high school. SOURCES: David Yeager, professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. RESOURCES: 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Ground…

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Aid cuts: Gamble on development or risky retreat? Insights from Professor Stefan Dercon 39:38

3M ago39:38

39:38

In this 26th episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam interviews Stefan Dercon, Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Oxford and author of Gambling on Development, about the global consequences of recent aid cuts by major donor countries, particularly the United States. As foreign aid budgets shrink and populist po…

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Long Story Short Ep-6: the Cymera Festival special (recorded live) 56:52

3M ago56:52

56:52

Robin attends the 2025 Cymera Festival in Edinburgh and talks to all sorts of people about all sorts of things, mainly festival and writing related, but also featuring soccer, puppers, blueberries, games, a non-hostile takeover, and much, much more. David is present in spirit and in voice. Recorded live, so expect some beeps and boops. You can find…

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159. Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Manifesto for a Gift Economy 57:16

3M ago57:16

57:16

She’s a botanist, a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, and the author of the bestselling Braiding Sweetgrass. In her new book she criticizes the market economy — but she and Steve find a surprising amount of common ground. SOURCES: Robin Wall Kimmerer, botanist and founder and director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment. RES…

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Does Death Have to Be a Death Sentence? (Update) 42:22

3M ago42:22

42:22

Palliative physician B.J. Miller asks: Is there a better way to think about dying? And can death be beautiful? SOURCES: B.J. Miller, palliative-care physician and President at Mettle Health. RESOURCES: A Beginner’s Guide to the End: Practical Advice for Living Life and Facing Death, by Shoshana Berger and B.J. Miller and (2019). “After A Freak Acci…

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Long Story Short Ep-5: Fantasy & History with James Bennett 1:01:44

3M ago1:01:44

1:01:44

James Bennett joins David and Robin to consider many a varied topics around the intersection of Fantasy and History. Prepare for discussion of dark times, but also hope for the future, and as a bonus, James reads to us from a work by George Orwell (not that one). Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfant…

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Kicked Can Generations: Breaking Free 13:46

3M ago13:46

13:46

Send us a text Boundaries blur between personal growth and societal anxieties in this raw exploration of transformation. Your Auntie Robin pulls back the curtain on her journey through therapy, marriage dissolution, and family reconciliation while drawing surprising parallels to our cultural moment. The realization hits hard - this podcast has been…

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The War on Global Health | Diagnosing the Impact of Aid Cuts with Lisa Hilmi 34:19

3M ago34:19

34:19

As foreign aid cuts ripple across donor nations, global health systems are beginning to fracture. In the 25th episode of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam sat down with Lisa M. Hilmi, Executive Director of CORE Group, to discuss the very real and immediate consequences of this funding vacuum. Hilmi, a seasoned public health le…

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158. Why Did Rome Fall — and Are We Next? 55:24

4M ago55:24

55:24

Historian Tom Holland narrowly escaped a career writing vampire novels to become the co-host of the wildly popular podcast The Rest Is History. At Steve’s request, he compares President Trump and Julius Caesar and explains why the culture wars are arguments about Christian theology. SOURCES: Tom Holland, historian and host of The Rest is History. R…

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Long Story Short Ep-4: Slavic Folklore with Lauren Wiesebron 50:33

4M ago50:33

50:33

David and Robin are joined by marine biologist and bestselling fantasy author Lauren Wiesebron to discuss various subjects, in particular Lauren's debut novel The House of Frost and Feathers, but also including mermaids... and leprechauns. Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the…

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Unveiling the aid cuts: Between chaos and power shifts | Rethinking the aid model with Katri Bertram 30:44

4M ago30:44

30:44

As foreign aid budgets shrink across Western nations, the global development sector is confronting a moment of reckoning. In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, host Hisham Allam speaks with Katri Bertram—a global health and development expert with two decades of experience spanning international organizations, NGOs, and government institutio…

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157. The Deadliest Disease in Human History 1:05:19

4M ago1:05:19

1:05:19

John Green returns to the show to talk about tuberculosis — a disease that kills more than a million people a year. Steve has an idea for a new way to get treatment to those in need. SOURCES: John Green, best-selling author and YouTube creator. RESOURCES: Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection, by John Gr…

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Abraham Verghese Thinks Medicine Can Do Better (Update) 46:59

4M ago46:59

46:59

Abraham Verghese is a physician and a best-selling author — in that order, he says. He explains the difference between curing and healing, and tells Steve why doctors should spend more time with patients and less with electronic health records. SOURCES: Abraham Verghese, professor of medicine at Stanford University and best-selling novelist. RESOUR…

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Long Story Short Ep-3: Politics & Religion in SFF with Justin Lee Anderson 55:48

4M ago55:48

55:48

David and Robin are joined by the very insightful and entertaining Justin Lee Anderson - author of the Eidyn Saga - to discuss his wealth of experience of the publishing industry, providing great insight on various topics, in particular treatments of Politics and Religion in SFF. Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: ht…

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Ask Me Anything # 3 1:04:15

4M ago1:04:15

1:04:15

In the final episode of season 6 of Flourish in the Foreign, host Christine Job engages with her audience through an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session. With this 151st episode, Christine addresses questions about moving abroad as a creative, navigating corporate jobs overseas, managing finances internationally, and handling partner hesitations about re…

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Ask Me Anything # 3 1:04:15

4M ago1:04:15

1:04:15

In the final episode of season 6 of Flourish in the Foreign, host Christine Job engages with her audience through an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session. With this 151st episode, Christine addresses questions about moving abroad as a creative, navigating corporate jobs overseas, managing finances internationally, and handling partner hesitations about re…

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Water shortage isn't the problem - we are. Navigating the water crisis with David Shackleton. 41:17

4M ago41:17

41:17

In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, host Hisham Allam speaks with David Shackleton, CEO of SIS.BIO, about a problem that rarely makes headlines but affects millions every day: water that’s too polluted to use. Shackleton makes a clear distinction—this isn’t a crisis of not having enough water but of failing to protect what we already have.…

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Kicked Can Generations: A Punks Guide to the Tower Moments in the Hero's Journey 30:13

4M ago30:13

30:13

Send us a text Buckle up, punks! Auntie Robin gets raw about navigating personal catastrophe while the world seems to be falling apart around us. Life's "tower moments" – those periods when everything crumbles – aren't random acts of cosmic cruelty. They're necessary catalysts for transformation. Drawing from tarot symbolism, Robin explains how the…

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156. A Solution to America’s Gun Problem 59:24

4M ago59:24

59:24

Jens Ludwig has an idea for how to fix America’s gun violence problem — and it starts by rejecting conventional wisdom from both sides of the political aisle. SOURCES: Jens Ludwig, professor of economics at the University of Chicago and director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab. RESOURCES: Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of America…

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From Detroit to Valencia with Ava LaTanya Hilton 1:09:10

5M ago1:09:10

1:09:10

In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign, Ava LaTanya Hilton shares her remarkable journey from growing up in Detroit during the height of Motown to living in Valencia, Spain. She reflects on the challenges and triumphs of her childhood, pivotal experiences like her senior class trip abroad, her academic and professional accomplishments, and the …

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From Detroit to Valencia with Ava LaTanya Hilton 1:09:10

5M ago1:09:10

1:09:10

In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign, Ava LaTanya Hilton shares her remarkable journey from growing up in Detroit during the height of Motown to living in Valencia, Spain. She reflects on the challenges and triumphs of her childhood, pivotal experiences like her senior class trip abroad, her academic and professional accomplishments, and the …

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Long Story Short Ep-2: Cities with T.L. Huchu! 1:07:28

5M ago1:07:28

1:07:28

Join David Green and Robin CM Duncan as they talk with the most-excellent T.L. Huchu, author of the 'Edinburgh Nights' series, about all cities in fantasy and... Star Wars? Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Keep up to date with all things T.L. Huchu: h…

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The Future of Aid, Donald Trump, and the Prisoner’s Dilemma | A dialogue with Dr. Göran Holmqvist 26:32

5M ago26:32

26:32

While the drastic aid cuts announced by the largest donors are making the headlines around the world, a deeper issue may be at stake. In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues, host Hisham Allam speaks to Dr. Göran Holmqvist, perhaps the most prominent voice in the international context of development, about the unprecedented shift in global aid …

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#28: Multistakeholder Recommender Systems with Robin Burke 1:35:07

5M ago1:35:07

1:35:07

In episode 28 of Recsperts, I sit down with Robin Burke, professor of information science at the University of Colorado Boulder and a leading expert with over 30 years of experience in recommender systems. Together, we explore multistakeholder recommender systems, fairness, transparency, and the role of recommender systems in the age of evolving ge…

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Embracing a Creative Life in Malaga, Spain with Lori L. Tharps: Aging Abroad 1:22:34

5M ago1:22:34

1:22:34

Special Series: Aging Abroad In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign, past podcast guest Lori L.Tharps shares her journey of moving to Spain with her family and the challenges and triumphs they faced over the years. She reflects on her son's educational struggles and successes, her daughter's adaptation to Spanish life, and the cultural differen…

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Embracing a Creative Life in Malaga, Spain with Lori L. Tharps: Aging Abroad 1:22:34

5M ago1:22:34

1:22:34

Special Series: Aging Abroad In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign, past podcast guest Lori L.Tharps shares her journey of moving to Spain with her family and the challenges and triumphs they faced over the years. She reflects on her son's educational struggles and successes, her daughter's adaptation to Spanish life, and the cultural differen…

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155. Helping People Die 54:57

5M ago54:57

54:57

Ellen Wiebe is a physician who helps seriously ill patients end their lives in Canada, where assisted suicide is legal. Is death a human right? SOURCES: Ellen Wiebe, clinical professor of medicine at the University of British Columbia. RESOURCES: "The Last Decision by the World’s Leading Thinker on Decisions," by Jason Zweig (The Wall Street Journa…

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Reading As A Pathway to Wellness with Emely Rumble of "Bibliotherapy in the Bronx" 1:00:51

5M ago1:00:51

1:00:51

In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign, Emily Rumble, a bibliotherapist and author of "Bibliotherapy in the Bronx", explores the concept of bibliotherapy, the history and role of literature in emotional healing, and provides book prescriptions for life abroad. Order Bibliotherapy in the Bronx here *: https://bookshop.org/p/books/bibliotherapy-i…

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Reading As A Pathway to Wellness with Emely Rumble of "Bibliotherapy in the Bronx" 1:00:51

5M ago1:00:51

1:00:51

In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign, Emily Rumble, a bibliotherapist and author of "Bibliotherapy in the Bronx", explores the concept of bibliotherapy, the history and role of literature in emotional healing, and provides book prescriptions for life abroad. Order Bibliotherapy in the Bronx here *: https://bookshop.org/p/books/bibliotherapy-i…