The Chills at Will Podcast

chillsatwillpodcast
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The Chills at Will Podcast is a celebration of the visceral beauty of literature. This beauty will be examined through close reads of phrases and lines and passages from fiction and nonfiction that thrills the reader, so much so that he wants to read again and again to replicate that thrill. Each episode will focus on a different theme, such as "The Power of Flashback," "Understatement," "Cats in the Cradle," and "Chills at Will: Origin Story."

  1. MAY 15

    Episode 344 with Rachel León, Author of How We See the Gray and Woman of All Trades-Compassionate Social Worker, Writer, and Editor Extraordinaire

    Notes and Links to Rachel León’s Work     Rachel León (she/they) is a writer, editor, and social worker, who has worked in child welfare for nearly two decades. She serves as Managing Director for Chicago Review of Books. Their debut novel, How We See the Gray, is out from Curbstone Books as of May 15, 2026. Buy How We See the Gray   Rachel León Website     At about 1:45, Rachel gives a summary of How We See the Gray and information about book events and purchasing At about 4:15, Rachel talks about her writing and reading background, as well as how visual art figured in to her early publications  At about 6:30, Rachel highlights Gwendolyn Brooks’ work as formative and transformative for her At about 7:50, Rachel cites Sarah Lippman and Justin Torres as contemporary writers who inspire her, including Torres’ approach and “We” usage At about 10:10, Rachel responds to Pete asking about her reading life as an editor At about 16:10, Pete asks Rachel about seeds for How We See the Gray and the myriad ways in which her work in child welfare has informed her writing of the book At about 20:55, Rachel homes in on the time in the field that led her to write How We See the Gray and her current work At about 22:00, Rachel talks about her love for the band La Historia, and getting permission to use the band’s lyrics in the book At about 24:00, Pete riffs on the book’s collective voice and asks Rachel to talk about the usage of “We” in the book At about 26:30, Rachel responds to Pete’s questions about case workers and their motivations, as well as ideas of “vocations” and working “in the trenches” At about 29:55, Pete lays out some of the book’s exposition, and asks Rachel about ideas of Meredith, a main character, being too trusting/savior-ish in her work At about 33:25, The two discuss Meredith and her coparenting  At about 34:50, Rachel talks about the youth of her characters and their relationship with idealism  At about 36:50, Rachel expands on the ways in which main character Ebony has learned to “not let her guard down” At about 38:20, Rachel reflects on race and privilege and patronizing attitudes in the foster system, both outside the book and inside At about 42:30, Rachel talks about “mapping out” storylines and “microstories” and chronologies for her book At about 43:50, The two discuss double-standards regarding lack of responsibility for  At about 44:55, Rachel expands on Rockford, Illinois, and her rationale in including slightly-adapted headlines from the local papers At about 47:15, Pete talks about foster parents in the book bucks expectations  At about 48:00, Rachel responds to Pete asking about the “trauma-bonding” among coworkers and the benefits and disadvantages  At about 52:00, Jamal and his versatile work is discussed At about 53:10, Meredith’s drinking and the root causes are discussed  At about 56:00, “Found families” through the foster system are discussed At about 56:50, Pete cites some of the book’s vast profundity  At about 58:00, Rachel talks about the treatment of LGBTQ+ young people in the system At about 1:01:23-AXE Body Spray profundity! At about 1:02, Medreith and being part of the system as a mother are discussed, and Pete asks Rachel about her views on the state of the “system”        You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Jeff Pearlman, a recent guest, is up now at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!    This month’s Patreon bonus episode deals with short, powerful poems and prose that pack a punch-take that, alliteration! The episode features meaningful and resonant work from Robert Hershon, Mosab Abu Toha, Ernest Hemingway, Sara Abou Rashed, Khaled Juma, Andrea Cohen, and Marwan Makhoul.    Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.    The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.     Please tune in for Episode 345 with Devin Thomas O'Shea is the author of The Veiled Prophet, publishing with Haymarket Books in June 2026. His writing appears in The Nation, The Iowa Review, Slate, Jacobin, Boulevard, and elsewhere.    The episode airs on June 23, Pub Day for The Veiled Prophet.    Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.    You can also donate at chuffed.org, World Central Kitchen, and so many more, and/or you can contact writer friend Ursula Villarreal-Moura directly or through Pete, as she has direct links with friends in Gaza.

    1h 7m

  2. MAY 15

    Episode 343 with Dr. Steven Thrasher, Author of The Viral Underclass, and Stalwart Activist, Journalist, and Educator in Solidarity with Truth and His Students

    Notes and Links to Steven Thrasher’s Work      Dr. Steven Thrasher is an American journalist and academic. In 2019, he became the inaugural Daniel H. Renberg Chair of social justice in reporting and an assistant professor of journalism at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. In 2012, he won the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association Journalist of the Year award.   Buy The Overseer Class: A Manifesto   Stephen Thrasher's Website   Review of The Overseer Class from Publisher’s Weekly   At about 1:15, Steven talks about book events and the book’s May 19 publication At about 2:40, Steven shares interesting and “clarifying” feedback from readers on The Overseer Class At about 4:00, Steven details his childhood reading and writing and creative pursuits At about 7:40, Steven and Pete discuss the horrible news about the attacks on book choice, a high number of higher education institutions and their “capitulation,” but also the wonderful ways in which Oxnard, CA, and other “low ed” institutions have helped foster community and safety At about 11:45, Steven responds to Pete’s asking about the three quotes that start the book by sharing his gratitude to the three writers/estates who allowed him to use the words; he talks about the quotes setting up “tension” in his book At about 18:00, The two discuss the way the book starts and reflect on dynamics of the repression of Gaza as both singular and as representative of all “imperial force,” such as Tyre Nichols’ killing in early 2023 At about 22:00, the two discuss Martin Luther King and Malcolm X’s legacies and the stories told about them, and their work to make connections with international struggles  At about 24:35, Steven expands on cases in which Black men have been killed by the police, and the changing dynamics and populations around US police forces At about 26:00, Steven notes the “rehabilition” of the Black cop in media in recent years, and the ways in which Black chiefs  At about 27:10, Pete references a possible thesis for Steven’s book and asks Steven to talk about distinguishing (or not) between the overseer class and individuals outside the system At about 30:40, Steven recounts the history of Denmark Vecsey in furthering his point of the overseer class and its role At about 33:10, Steven discusses his short-lived plans to become a police officer and its connection to employment  At about 34:30, Steven cites Black in Blue as a pivotal book in his research At about 36:00, Steven reflects on needs for jobs and connections to jobs that people may be ideologically opposed to police work or similar work At about 37:00, Steven responds to Pete asking about the idea of “changing the institution (policing) from within” At about 40:00, Steven talks about power dynamics, levels of power, and historical links to the “overseer” trope At about 42:40, Steven breaks down terms coined to show the engineering of Black cops and female cops as tools of “freedom” At about 44:20, The two discuss the overseer trope in the military, including “feel good stories” involving Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell At about 46:45, Pete and Steven reflect on the power of a “No” for those resisting overseer status At about 48:10, Steven gives background on being in solidarity with his students and how he has stood up for his ideals; he also talks about the wonderful work by protestors on various college campuses  At about 51:45, Steven reflects on his unforgettable five days on campus at Northwestern and evolving campus protests  At about 56:10, Steven talks about the importance of “being a Toni”        You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Jeff Pearlman, a recent guest, is up now at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!    This month’s Patreon bonus episode deals with short, powerful poems and prose that pack a punch-take that, alliteration! The episode features meaningful and resonant work from Robert Hershon, Mosab Abu Toha, Ernest Hemingway, Sara Abou Rashed, Khaled Juma, Andrea Cohen, and Marwan Makhoul.    Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.    The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.     Please tune in for Episode 344 with Rachel León, a writer, editor, and social worker, who has worked in child welfare for nearly two decades. She serves as Managing Director for Chicago Review of Books.     The episode airs on May 15, Pub Day for How We See the Gray, their first novel.    Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.    You can also donate at chuffed.org, World Central Kitchen, and so many more, and/or you can contact writer friend Ursula Villarreal-Moura directly or through Pete, as she has direct links with friends in Gaza.

    1h 4m

  3. MAY 13

    Episode 342 with Isaac Fitzgerald, Author of American Rambler: Walking the Trail of Johnny Appleseed, and Master of the Sacred and the Profane, the Quotidian and Spectacular, and the Softly Resonant

    Notes and Links to Isaac Fitzgerald’s Work     Isaac Fitzgerald is the New York Times bestselling author of Dirtbag, Massachusetts (winner of a New England Book Award and the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association Book of the Year Award). He appears frequently on The Today Show and is also the author of the bestselling children’s book How to Be a Pirate as well as the co-author of Pen & Ink: Tattoos and the Stories Behind Them and Knives & Ink: Chefs and the Stories Behind Their Tattoos (winner of an IACP Award). His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Esquire, GQ, The Guardian, The Best American Nonrequired Reading, and numerous other publications. He lives with his wife, Kelly Farber, and their two dogs on the North Fork of Long Island. His next book, American Rambler, is forthcoming from Knopf. Buy American Rambler: Walking the Trail of Johnny Appleseed    Isaac Fitzgerald's Website   Review for American Rambler in The Boston Globe     At about 3:20, Isaac talks about the book as “braided” and positive feedback he’s gotten from independent booksellers At about 4:40, Isaac gives background on his rich reading and writing life from childhood At about 7:00, Isaac talks about a few catalysts for American Rambler, including Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods… Another B******t Night in Suck City by Nick Flynn, and An American Story by Howard Means At about 8:55, Pete shouts out Matt Bell’s Appleseed, and Isaac reflects on the “mythification” of Johnny Appleseed  At about 13:20, Pete cites a beautiful quote on the connection between parents and storytelling and expands on how his parents and their travels and their storytelling thrilled him At about 17:00, Pete tells about his own experience with childhood stories, and Isaac shares his thoughts on oral storytelling and its connection to real-life experiences for children winning out over continued screen time At about 19:10, Isaac responds to Pete’s asking about his mother and father as opposites in many ways At about 23:00, Pete compliments the book’s first line and asks Isaac about the book’s first hike: Isaac refers to the book as a “coming-of-middle-age” At about 28:10, Isaac responds to Pete’s questions about Swedenborgism and its influence on Johnny Appleseed At about 33:10, The two discuss the balance between the social and the solitary  At about 35:50-John Freeman shoutouts! Isaac talks about important advice/editing from John Freeman with AA Knopf At about 38:20, The two discuss reading as a collaborative pursuit-a “two-person technology” At about 39:00, Pete and Isaac talk about Old Man and the Sea and the idea of a “comfort read” At about 40:15, Pete cites two examples of Isaac’s work in connection to David Foster Wallace’s work in complimenting Isaac’s work in opposition to the “flyover country” ethos; Isaac cites Rabin’s Old Glory: An American Voyage   At about 45:40, Pete and Isaac highlight a particularly charismatic person who was featured in the book At about 48:25, Isaac talks about his great experience with the Fort Wayne Tin Caps in the book At about 50:50, Isaac responds to Pete asking about the passages from the book where he shared profundity with Ashley C. Ford and Saeed Jones At about 51:25, It gets defecatory!  At about 52:15, Isaac expands on how his time staying with writer friends is in a Kerouac-ian tradition  At about 55:40, Isaac talks about his process that allowed him to  “writing conversationally” and the importance of reading his work aloud At about 57:20, Pete and Isaac reflect on the idea of the public intellectual and the balance between social media communities and authentically celebrating exploration and wonderful art    You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Jeff Pearlman, a recent guest, is up now at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!    This month’s Patreon bonus episode deals with short, powerful poems and prose that pack a punch-take that, alliteration! The episode features meaningful and resonant work from Robert Hershon, Mosab Abu Toha, Ernest Hemingway, Sara Abou Rashed, Khaled Juma, Andrea Cohen, and Marwan Makhoul.    Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.    The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.     Please tune in for Episode 343 with Steven Thrasher, whose writing has been widely published by Scientific American, The New York Times, Nation, The Journal of American History, BuzzFeed News, Esquire and New York magazine. In 2019, Out Magazine named him one of the 100 most influential and impactful people of the year and in 2020, the Ford Foundation awarded him a grant for Creativity and Free Expression. The Viral Underclass, his first book, was widely-awarded and acclaimed, and his second book, The Overseer Class: A Manifesto, will be the focus of the podcast conversation.    The episode airs on May 14, and the book has a May 19 Pub Date.    Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.    You can also donate at chuffed.org, World Central Kitchen, and so many more, and/or you can contact writer friend Ursula Villarreal-Moura directly or through Pete, as she has direct links with friends in Gaza.

    1h 5m

  4. MAY 13

    Episode 341 with Kerri Schlottman, Author of Daytime Moon, and Master of Wonderful, Flowing Sentences, Real Pathos, and Unforgettable Characters and Storylines

    Notes and Links to Kerri Schlottman’s Work   Kerri Schlottman is a writer of literary fiction novels, most recently Daytime Moon, out with Unnamed Press as of May 12, 2026. Her novel Tell Me One Thing was named a 2025 Storytrade Literary Fiction Finalist, a two-time 2024 PenCraft Fiction Award Winner, a 2023 American Book Fest Best Literary Fiction Book Finalist, and a Shelf Awareness Best Book This Week.  She works to support artists, performers, and writers in creating new projects and is a part-time graduate professor at NYU in arts administration. Previously, she was a massage therapist, a factory worker, a copy editor, and briefly enrolled in law school.  Buy Daytime Moon   Kerri Schlottman’s Website At about 2:00, Kerri talks about early feedback for Daytime Moon At about 3:00, Kerri outlines her arts administration university job At about 5:00, Kerri gives background on her early reading and writing  At about 6:20, Kerri talks about transformational and formational works and writers At about 7:20, Kerri expands on the particular greatness of Vonnegut At about 8:30, Kerri responds to Pete asking about Detroit and Michigan and any connections to “Midwest Nice” At about 9:30, Kerri cites contemporary writers who push her own work forward, include Charlotte McConaghy and Christie Hodgen At about 11:20, Kerri shoots out publisher Unnamed Press and places to buy her book, as well as book events, one with Meagan Woods At about 13:35, Kerri talks about seeds for the book and gives interesting background on the history of the Salton Sea At about 16:30, Kerri details a New Yorker article about Hannah Upp and its influence on her work At about 18:45, Pete shouts out Tod Goldberg’s stellar Salton Sea writing, and Kerri expands on the “fascinating” life in the Salton Sea “plots”/flat and Slab City and “off the grid” living  At about 21:50, Pete outlines the book’s exposition, and Kerri responds to Pete’s questions about the symbolism of this part and its setting up later plot At about 25:50, Pete outlines more of the book’s opening and main characters, and Kerri speaks to the combination of the “artsy, countercultural" Isa and the business-oriented Merce At about 30:00, Kerri expounds on connections between Isa and her brother  At about 32:30, Kerri responds to Pete’s questions about Ella, Isa’s sister, and the reason for Isa’s fleeing the Salton Sea At about 34:45, Kerri talks about Isa’s “culture shock” in NYC, and talks about Dane’s sending them on a quest with letters left behind At about 36:00, Pete highlights the later age for the coming-of-age in the book-a resounding success At about 36:55, Kerri responds to Pete’s question about different expectations for men and women and their treatment and/or neglect of their children At about 41:10, Isa’s Lizzie and her cancer diagnosis are discussed, as Kerri discusses her last days and promises At about 45:00, Pete asks Kerri about ideas of tarot and the future and belief in some or all of the process/precepts; Kerri talks about “escapism” in its many forms At about 48:00, The two discuss Isa’s sadness after her friend’s death and Isa’s interactions with her father At about 49:00, Kerri gives background on a tarot reading scene that Pete highlights as so well-drawn At about 49:50, Pete stumbles into a classic Faulkner quote and the two discuss the past’s impact on the characters’ present At about 52:15, Pete references a great Alice Elliott Dark line when talking about the book as a moving “elegy” At about 53:40, Kerri discusses the “cascading effect” as Isa and Cole begin to meet new/undiscovered family members At about 55:10, Pete mentions the book as a great “road trip book” in response to Kerri’s reflection on “found families” At about 57:45, Pete remarks on how masterfully Kerri deals with time span, and she reflects on her mindset in writing about this as she did At about 1:00:00, Kerri talks about “allusion[s]” in the book to environmental dangers happening in real time At about 1:02:45, Pete gives kudos to Kerri for the book’s pathos and overall greatness    You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and please leave a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Jeff Pearlman, a recent guest, is up now at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!    This month’s Patreon bonus episode deals with short, powerful poems and prose that pack a punch-take that, alliteration! The episode features meaningful and resonant work from Robert Hershon, Mosab Abu Toha, Ernest Hemingway, Sara Abou Rashed, Khaled Juma, Andrea Cohen, and Marwan Makhoul.    Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.     This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he’s convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.    The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.     Please tune in for Episode 342 with Isaac Fitzgerald, the New York Times bestselling author of Dirtbag, Massachusetts (winner of a New England Book Award and the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association Book of the Year Award). He appears frequently on The Today Show and is also the author of the bestselling children’s book How to Be a Pirate as well as the co-author of Pen & Ink: Tattoos and the Stories Behind Them and Knives & Ink: Chefs and the Stories Behind Their Tattoos (winner of an IACP Award). His next book, American Rambler, is out now.    The episode airs on May 12, Pub Day for American Rambler.     Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.    You can also donate at chuffed.org, World Central Kitchen, and so many more, and/or you can contact writer friend Ursula Villarreal-Moura directly or through Pete, as she has direct links with friends in Gaza.

    1h 8m

  5. MAY 12

    Episode 340 with Donna Minkowitz, Author of Growing Up Golem, and Master Craftswoman of the Conceit, The Juxtaposition, The Universal, and The Ultraspecific

    Notes and Links to Donna Minkowitz’s Work     Donna Minkowitz is a writer of fantasy, memoir, and journalism lauded by Lilith Magazine for her “fierce imagination and compelling prose.” Science fiction great Terry Bisson called her writing “rich and wild, dark and funny, as fearless as her legendary journalism and as scary as a fairy tale.” And she’s proud that Kirkus has praised the “defiant and playful energy” of her work.    Her memoir Growing Up Golem, a finalist for both a Lambda Literary Award and the Judy Grahn Nonfiction Award, is being republished by Indolent Books after 13 years!    Buy Growing Up Golem   Donna Minkowitz's Website   Review of Growing Up Golem from Kirkus Reviews     At about 1:30, Donna and Pete highlight the pending reissue of Growing Up Golem  At about 2:30, Pete asks Donna about how she sees Growing Up Golem 13 years later, and she gives a summary of the book At about 4:10, Donna expands on the idea set forth in the Writer’s Note that the book is “88% true” At about 7:15, Donna talks about the general idea of the “golem” and the providence of the book’s conceit At about 9:00, Donna reflects on the idea of “memory” and the science behind it, as well as the memoir as a “work of art” At about 10:10, Donna responds to Pete’s asking about the book’s opening referencing Donna’s mom and her creating a “Donna Doll” At about 12:40, Donna expands on ideas of guilt and selfishness and psychosomatic pain that came with her Repetitive Strain Injury At about 14:40, Donna responds to Pete asking about her mother’s health struggles and ideas of impending death At about 17:00, The two talk about Donna’s mother’s artistic prowess and Donna’s feelings of “twoness” At about 19:45, Donna examines the idea of her mother that lying could be correct, and what the philosophy said about her mother and her morality At about 22:40, Donna expands on feelings of “twoness” in connection to W.E.B. DuBois At about 24:10, Donna reflects on her early writing with The Village Voice and her motivations and mindset in writing for the publication  At about 27:00, Donna outlines her mother’s health problems and connections to her sexuality and sensuality  At about 29:00, Pete asks Donna how she balances the fact that her mother was a victim of sexual violence  At about 32:05, Donna expands on The Village Voice and her reporting around ACT Up and its advocacy and activism, as well as Queer Nation  At about 34:35, Donna tells Julio Rivera’s story, as she did for the publication  At about 36:20, Donna talks about her father’s death and his “scari[ness]” before his death and the “strange dynamic" of him as a “scapegoat” and her mother’s behavior after his death At about 39:20, Pete wonders about a sort of "competition" between Donna and her mother, particularly with regard to a 1991 Thanksgiving interaction  At about 41:45, Donna responds to Pete asking about her mother’s often making fun of her mother's body  At about 44:25, Donna speaks about the “competing therapists” At about 48:15, Donna speaks on the idea of the golem as being built and possibly destroyed by the same person, as well as the classic legend of the golem  At about 51:30, Donna talks about a familial way of acting when threatened and confronting that reaction At about 52:25, Pete cites some “beautiful moments” from her therapist and mother, and Donna reflects  At about 53:20, The two reflect on ideas of control and freedom in Donna’s personal life and connections to therapy and her mother’s influence  At about 55:25, Donna talks about connections between early and later relationships and the ways she was treated  At about 58:20, Pete and Donna discuss the book’s juxtapositions and her concerns and struggles with her chronic pain          You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Jeff Pearlman, a recent guest, is up now at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!    This month’s Patreon bonus episode deals with short, powerful poems and prose that pack a punch-take that, alliteration! The episode features meaningful and resonant work from Robert Hershon, Mosab Abu Toha, Ernest Hemingway, Sara Abou Rashed, Khaled Juma, Andrea Cohen, and Marwan Makhoul.    Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show. You can also buy single episodes for $3 each.    The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.     Please tune in for Episode 341 with Kerri Schlottman, whose novel Tell Me One Thing was named a 2025 Storytrade Literary Fiction Finalist, a two-time 2024 PenCraft Fiction Award Winner, and a 2023 American Book Fest Best Literary Fiction Book Finalist. She is a part-time graduate professor at NYU in arts administration.    The episode airs today, Pub Day for her latest gem, Daytime Moon, May 12.    Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.    You can also donate at chuffed.org, World Central Kitchen, and so many more, and/or you can contact writer friend Ursula Villarreal-Moura directly or through Pete, as she has direct links with friends in Gaza.

    1h 7m

  6. APR 22

    Episode 339 with Sarah Aziza, Author of The Hollow Half, and Writer of Loving and Challenging Prose and Probing and Deeply-Researched Nonfiction

    Notes and Links to Sarah Aziza’s Work     Sarah Aziza (she/هي ) is a Palestinian American writer, translator, and artist with roots in ‘Ibdis and Deir al-Balah, Gaza. She is the author of The Hollow Half. Winner of the Palestine Book Awards, The Hollow Half is a genre-bending work of memoir, lyricism, and oral history exploring the intertwined legacies of diaspora, colonialism, and the American dream. It is available wherever books are sold.    Sarah’s award-winning journalism, poetry, essays, and experimental nonfiction have appeared in The New Yorker, The Paris Review, Best American Essays, The Baffler, Harper’s Magazine, Mizna, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and The Nation, among other publications. The recipient of fellowships from Fulbright, MacDowell, the Asian American Writers Workshop, Tin House Writers’ Workshop, and numerous grants from the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting, she has lived and worked in Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Jordan, South Africa, Palestine, and the United States.  Buy The Hollow Half   Sarah Aziza’s Website   Review of The Hollow Half from Kirkus Reviews   Sarah on Democracy Now Discussing Her Memoir     At about 2:30, Sarah talks about her language and reading life growing up At about 5:10, Sarah expands upon readings that inspired and challenged her At about 13:00, Pete and Sarah discuss ideas of writing as “political,” inspired by Marwan Makhoul, and Sarah cites a gripping poem by Noor Hindi At about 15:20,  At about 17:30, Sarah responds to Pete asking about the book’s title and ideas of generational trauma and Sarah’s Americanness  At about 20:30, Sarah talks about his father “pouring his hope” into her and sheltered and open pain  At about 22:20, Pete uses a Hasan Minhaj routine and Sarah expands on ideas of first generation and immigrant parents’ relationships  At about 23:20, Sarah reflects on ideas of love’s multiple meanings and connects these myriad ideas to much of the book and calls the book “an offering…in a time of suffering” At about 28:00, The two discuss the vagaries of Arabic and translation and its challenges and beauty  At about 33:20, Pete recounts the book’s opening, and Sarah expands on her grandmother’s life and struggles and joys and how Sarah is connected to her grandmother-”Sittoo” At about 37:25, The two meditate on the “small victories” of Sarah’s grandmother  At about 39:05, Sarah explains how she sees her recovery/”recovered” and her present and past with anorexia At about 41:45, Sarah responds to Pete asking about an emblematic scene from the memoir where an IpHone asks to verify her identity  At about 43:05, Sarah discusses the idea of “better than what?” especially as a child At about 45:15, Sarah talks about her family’s connections to ‘Ibdis, Gaza, and the fact that so much stolen and ethnically-cleansed land in Palestine is open/unused At about 48:15, Sarah talks about her time recovering from prolonged anorexia  At about 50:45, Pete notes the specific and universal in the book, as he and Sarah discuss the impulse to bury oneself in work At about 53:10, Sarah expands on reasoning for writing the book and in particular “put[ting] into place” her family history and finding a place to publish a story like hers that she feels is rarely published At about 55:20, Sarah talks about her grandmother’s time living with Sarah and her family At about 57:30, Sarah responds to Pete’s questions about the anorexia ward and how she saw and sees the employees there At about 1:00:45, Sarah talks about the ways in which photos opened up ideas and research and thoughts of her grandmother and her history  At about 1:03:20, Pete talks about ideas of misogyny that is specific to non-white women  At about 1:03:50, Sarah reflects on and outlines two pivotal and damaging experiences in which white neighbors showed surprise and revulsion At about 1:06:45, The two discuss Sarah’s parents and their foundation and Foundation  At about 1:08:45, Sarah responds to Pete’s questions about research for the book At about 1:11:00, Sarah expands on connections between the personal and the geopolitical in her work and research At about 1:11:30, Sarah recounts the story of some early involvement with pro-Palestine efforts and emotional and physical assaults At about 1:13:00, Sarah talks about being in Middle East and ideas of “humanizing” and “a political awakening” in the US and Middle East At about 1:17:10, Sarah talks about connections between resistance and love At about 1:20:25, Pete cites Ernest Hemingway in citing Sarah’s family connections to Gaza At about 1:22:00, Sarah talks about the idea of “yes” and a meaningful part of the book and interpretations of being “half…” Palestinian, etc. At about 1:27:10, Sarah talks about parallels between her partner’s love for her and her choice to love Palestine on a daily basis At about 1:28:00, Pete asks Sarah about ways forward, and how we get people to not “look away,” and she talks about inspiration       You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Jeff Pearlman, a recent guest, is up now at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!    This month’s Patreon bonus episode deals with short, powerful poems and prose that pack a punch-take that, alliteration! The episode features meaningful and resonant work from Robert Hershon, Mosab Abu Toha, Ernest Hemingway, Sara Abou Rashed, Khaled Juma, Andrea Cohen, and Marwan Makhoul.    Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.    The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.     Please tune in for Episode 340 with Donna Minkowitz, a writer of fantasy, memoir, and journalism lauded by Lilith Magazine for her “fierce imagination and compelling prose.” Her first book, Ferocious Romance, won a Lambda Literary Award for Best Book On Religion/Spirituality. She is also the author of the novel DONNAVILLE, published in 2024.    She and Pete will be revisiting her memoir Growing Up Golem, a finalist for both a Lambda Literary Award and Judy Grahn Nonfiction Award.     The episode airs on May 5.    Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.    You can also donate at chuffed.org, World Central Kitchen, and so many more, and/or you can contact writer friend Ursula Villarreal-Moura directly or through Pete, as she has direct links with friends in Gaza.

    1h 37m

  7. APR 21

    Episode 338 with Adam H. Johnson, Author of How to Sell a Genocide: The Media's Complicity in the Destruction of Gaza & Dogged Researcher & Accountant of the Unconscionable Gaza Genocide Whitewashing

    Notes and Links to Adam H. Johnson’s Work     Adam H. Johnson is co-host of the Citations Needed podcast. His writing can also be found in his Substack titled ‘The Column.’ His book, How to Sell a Genocide: The Media's Complicity in the Destruction of Gaza, is out as of today, April 21, through Pluto Press.   Buy How to Sell a Genocide: The Media's Complicity in the Destruction of Gaza   12 Page Excerpt from How to Sell a Genocide…   Adam H Johnson, Website for The Intercept   Column Blog: Adam’s Media and political analysis (with contributions from Sarah Lazare)  At about 1:30, Adam gives a summary of the book’s subject matter and his aim in writing the book At about 5:00, Adam cites “liberal” media institutions and how they have laundered and perhaps “incited” the genocide At about 6:45, Adam expands on his aim in using data and research to point out the media and educational institutions who have used diction that has aided/incited the Gaza genocide; he talks about making the information searchable to aid other researchers and institutions  At about 11:00, Adam talks about pessimism for the Democrats’ role in the genocide and their “accountability” At about 13:00, Adam talks about liberal podcasters and media members and think tanks who have been silent or complicit  At about 16:00, Adam argues that an accounting and a lack of “moving on” is absolutely necessary, such that the “milieu” of Biden’s time will be repeated otherwise At about 18:00, Adam talks about effective ways of quieting criticism in the face of overwhelming evidence of a genocide in Gaza  At about 19:20, Adam talks about using the map of Gaza atrocities and obfuscation in the future for imperial ends At about 22:00, Adam identifies the “template” used for further atrocities in Gaza and beyond, especially with regard to stereotypes and othering of Muslims and Middle Eastern cultures  At about 26:30, Pete cites numbers from the book that shows the preponderance of violent and incendiary language used in describing Palestinians versus Ukrainian victims At about 27:30, Adam responds to Pete’s sarcasm over Joe Biden’s niceties in funding the genocide and Adam talks about a broken system and articles that stated the same thing over and over again  At about 33:05, Adam talks about the “tote bag” set and justifying racist and colonial systems and genocide  At about 34:40, Adam and Pete discuss the alarming dearth of Palestinian guests on political talk shows and other media At about 36:55, Pete and Adam reflect on the “chilling” cover of the book, designed by Melanie Patrick, and the “uniformity of the elite consensus” in masking/inciting genocide and being so “chummy” with Benjamin Netanyahu, as shown in the standing ovation given to him by Congress      You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Jeff Pearlman, a recent guest, is up now at Chicago Review.      Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!    This month’s Patreon bonus episode deals with short, powerful poems and prose that pack a punch-take that, alliteration! The episode features meaningful and resonant work from Robert Hershon, Mosab Abu Toha, Ernest Hemingway, Sara Abou Rashed, Khaled Juma, Andrea Cohen, and Marwan Makhoul.    Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.     This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he’s convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.    The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.     Please tune in for Episode 339 with Sarah Aziza, a Palestinian American writer, translator, and artist with roots in ‘Ibdis and Deir al-Balah, Gaza. She is the author of The Hollow Half. Winner of the Palestine Book Awards, The Hollow Half is a genre-bending work of memoir, lyricism, and oral history exploring the intertwined legacies of diaspora, colonialism, and the American dream.     The episode airs on April 22, the one-year anniversary of the publication of The Hollow Half.       Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.       You can also donate at chuffed.org, World Central Kitchen, and so many more, and/or you can contact writer friend Ursula Villarreal-Moura directly or through Pete, as she has direct links with friends in Gaza.

    42 min

  8. APR 14

    Episode 337 with Daniel Tam-Claiborne, Author of Transplants, and Skilled Craftsman of Subtlety, Nuance, and Probing Questions for the Reader to Investigate

    Notes and Links to Daniel Tam-Claiborne’s Work     Daniel Tam-Claiborne is a multiracial essayist and author of the short story collection What Never Leaves. His writing has appeared in Literary Hub, the Rumpus, SupChina, the Huffington Post, the Shanghai Literary Review, and elsewhere. He has received fellowships and awards from the U.S. Fulbright Program, the New York State Summer Writers Institute, Kundiman, the Jack Straw Writers Program, and the Yiddish Book Center. Tam-Claiborne serves as program director of partnerships and events at Hugo House in Seattle. He holds degrees from Oberlin College, Yale University, and the Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College, and is the author of Transplants, a finalist for the PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction and longlisted for the 2026 VCU Cabell First Novelist Award. Buy Transplants   Daniel Tam Claiborne's Website   Review and Informative Article for Transplants in the Seattle Times     At about 2:30, Daniel provides background on his reading and language life, including formative works and formative teachers  At about 6:40, Daniel talks about inspiring contemporary writers At about 10:50, Daniel responds to Pete asking about seeds for Transplants; Daniel expands on how he “processes the world through [his] work” and explores ideas of identity and perception At about 16:35, Pete cites the book’s epigraphs and ideas of transference and ideas of changing places At about 17:20, the book’s exposition is discussed, and Daniel reflects on ideas of the collective vs. individual, especially with regard to Lin At about 20:30, Daniel talks about Liz’s frustrations in connecting with others and mindset in moving to her ancestral home of China for teaching At about 24:50, Daniel talks about Lin and how she deals with her burgeoning relationship with Travis and later ideas of shame and agency At about 28:00, Liz and her “existential crisis” are discussed and her altruistic and otherwise actions are examined by Daniel  At about 31:20, The two discuss the real-life parallels involving a scene in the book that shows the back-and-forth between North Korea and China At about 37:00, Pete talks about cultural misunderstandings in the book, and Daniel talks about the dissonance in the Chinese diaspora regarding new waves of Chinese immigrants and assimilation-he emphasizes Liz’s brother, Phil, and his views At about 39:45, The two reflect on Liz’s budding relationship and growing pains in the beginning days of Covid in Shanghai At about 41:20, Daniel replies to Pete asking about what Lin finds in Gua, her partner in the westward road trip At about 45:10, The two reflect on ideas of “foreigners” and a caring nurse and her significance in the book At about 49:00, Pete talks about feminism and Lin being “in control of her narrative” and ideas of moral clarity At about 49:50, Daniel expands on Stephen, Liz’s boyfriend, and earlier iterations  At about 51:40, Daniel responds to Pete wondering about the real-life background for the housing complex and organization for which Lin delivered groceries to elderly and isolated people, many of them former internees from the Japanese/Japanese-American internment camps At about 55:20, The two muse about Liz and her motivations-subconscious or not-in traveling to China At about 56:40, Daniel talks about the book’s ending and portions of the book as “surprising” to him At about 59:00, Pete and Daniel reflect on Daniel’s writing the book only a few years after the beginning of the Covid pandemic and the balance between urgency and perspective        You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Jeff Pearlman, a recent guest, is up now at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!    This month’s Patreon bonus episode deals with short, powerful poems and prose that pack a punch-take that, alliteration! The episode features meaningful and resonant work from Robert Hershon, Mosab Abu Toha, Ernest Hemingway, Sara Abou Rashed, Khaled Juma, Andrea Cohen, and Marwan Makhoul.    Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.    The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.     Please tune in for Episode 338 with Adam H. Johnson, a media analyst and co-host of the Citations Needed podcast. His book is an incredibly important accounting of the malfeasance, whitewashing, and misdirection of so much of the media that has enabled the tragedies of Gaza.    The episode airs on April 21, Pub Day for How to Sell a Genocide: The Media's Complicity in the Destruction of Gaza.    Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.    You can also donate at chuffed.org, World Central Kitchen, and so many more, and/or you can contact writer friend Ursula Villarreal-Moura directly or through Pete, as she has direct links with friends in Gaza.

    1h 5m
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5
out of 5
68 Ratings

About

The Chills at Will Podcast is a celebration of the visceral beauty of literature. This beauty will be examined through close reads of phrases and lines and passages from fiction and nonfiction that thrills the reader, so much so that he wants to read again and again to replicate that thrill. Each episode will focus on a different theme, such as "The Power of Flashback," "Understatement," "Cats in the Cradle," and "Chills at Will: Origin Story."

Information

  • Creator
    chillsatwillpodcast
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Chills at Will Podcast

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