Thecuriousmanspodcast Matt Crawford

Matt Crawford speaks with author Jeffrey Lewis about his book, Leonard Cohen: A Novel. The Leonard Cohen at the center of Leonard Cohen: A Novel is an everyman, a would-be artist, a would-be lover, a would-be tragic figure, yet a man haunted by the greatness of his namesake. He struggles to compete with the "real" Leonard Cohen wishing to do some as equivocal to the great bard. Traveling to Hydra in Greece seems like the logical Leonard Cohen thing to do. Leonard then meets Daphne, and he has his muse. Will she be the inspiration he needs? A great read of reflection that we can all relate to in some way, I highly recommend it.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Jerome Petty about his book, From Broken to Blessed: An Attempt at Suicide that Ended with Blessings Beyond My Dreams. Jerome shares with us the heartbreaking decision to end his own life and how that failure turned into the most beautiful gift he could imagine. Truly and emotional, inspiring and uplifting read that everyone can take something from. Give this a read and please share what you find with others, we have no idea who may be suffering in silence and talking about this book may open the door to a deeper conversation.

Matt Crawford speaks with authors Laura Blackett and Eve Gleichman about their book, Trust & Safety: A Novel. Newlyweds Rosie and Jordan move out of NYC after Rosie has grown disenchanted with NYC. When tech-bro Jordan loses his job they are forced to rent their outbuilding to a very attractive queer couple Dylan and Lark. The dynamic that follows has Rosie questioning her sexuality and Jordan feeling inadequate. Everyone is put under the microscope and even the reader will feel Blackett and Gleichman's gaze as we all are forced to question our societal presumptions.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Alexander Boldizar about his book, The Man Who Saw Seconds. This is one that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page, The Man Who Saw Seconds explores the nature of time, the brain as a prediction machine, and the tension between the individual and the systems we create. Boldizar provides with the thinking man's John Wick, and it makes us ask ourselves some very difficult questions. All the while you will be thoroughly entertained.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Tim Wendell about his book, Rebel Falls. Rory Chase, a capable yet haunted young woman eager to contribute to the Union cause, accepts a mission from the Secretary of State, William Seward, to travel to Niagara Falls and prevent two rebel spies, John Yates Beall and Bennet Burley, from seizing the U.S.S. Michigan on Lake Erie and bombarding Buffalo, Cleveland, and other northern cities to sow fear and disorder ahead of the upcoming election. With actual events underpinning the tumultuous story in Rebel Falls, Wendell highlights the fact that the Civil War had far reaching impacts that many have forgotten. This character-driven narrative about a consequential struggle with the backdrop of Niagara Falls' is gripping from start to finish.

Matt Crawford speaks with veteran costume designer and author Marjorie McCown about her new novel Star struck: A Hollywood Mystery. Costumer designer Joey Jessop is working on a 1930's Hollywood period piece with two of its biggest stars. After she witnesses a hit-and-run near the set, she realizes the car may belong to the movies female lead, Gillian Best. What follows is a great whodunit with the flare and style of Hollywood that lifts the veil on an unappreciated part of movie making. McCown and I also discuss her decades long work as a costume designer to some of the biggest stars and what her craft entails.