Small Talk Media

•

Канал • Подкастов: 2

Книги

Книги

Каждые две недели
Общество и культура

Общество и культура

Еженедельно

19.06.2024

Joyce Maynard on J.D. Salinger, Her New Novel, and Writing with ADHD

Fifty years ago, The New York Times Magazine featured Joyce Maynard on its cover for an essay she wrote entitled "An 18-Year-Old Looks Back on Life." That story would catapult her to national prominence but also mark a traumatic beginning to a celebrated career as a prolific novelist and memoir writer. Unwittingly, Maynard became part of a MeToo scandal with iconic novelist J.D. Salinger long before male predatory behavior was in the news. She survived that affair to become an acclaimed, prolific author— penning 13 novels and 5 works of non-fiction, two of which were adapted for film. On the pod, she talks about her newest masterpiece, How the Light Gets In, getting canceled in the 90s, returning to Yale as a middle age mom to get a degree, reading and writing with ADHD, and the best writing advice she was ever given. Follow Joyce on Facebook: joycemaynardauthor Sign up for my online Writing Masterclass on June 27 @ https://bit.ly/smallmasterclass

19.06.2024

•

1 ч. 14 мин.
26 МАР.

How This Writer Found Freedom in a Tell-All Memoir

Courtney Kocak grew up a small-town girl in Jackson, Minnesota, dreaming of becoming an actress. But her path to Hollywood led through some unexpected territory: seven weeks on the Girls Gone Wild tour, abusive relationships, an abortion, and eventually OnlyFans. During that time, she also became a celebrated writer, podcaster, and teacher. It's all laid bare in her new memoir, Girl Gone Wild, which chronicles how she transformed experiences she thought defined her shame into a writing career built on radical honesty. In our juicy conversation we talk about: Witnessing the exploitation tactics on the Girls Gone Wild bus Raising over $32,000 for Black Lives Matter by offering topless photos to donors How you can be an exhibitionist but not an extrovert Writing dick reviews on OnlyFans as a creative writing exercise The difference between sexploitation and empowerment when it comes to monetizing your looks

26 мар.

•

49 мин.
19.03.2024

'I Was Engaged to a Con Man:' A Reporter's Odyssey Through Deception

Veteran journalist Abby Ellin almost married a pathological liar and convicted criminal, but luckily, her reporter's instincts for the truth kicked in, and she averted disaster. Her crazy story is chronicled in her book Duped and podcast Imposters: The Commander. On the show, she talks about falling for the con, discovering the truth, and what the experience taught her about those who deceive. Subscribe to my newsletter Small Talk @ https://jonathan856.substack.com

19.03.2024

•

56 мин.
25 ЯНВ.

Joyce Maynard on J.D. Salinger, Survival, and Writing Through ADHD

Joyce Maynard has been writing for 53 years. At 18, she landed on the cover of the New York Times Magazine, caught the eye of J.D. Salinger, and disappeared into a relationship that would define her for decades—until she finally told her story and was called a "predator" by Maureen Dowd. In this conversation, Joyce talks about being canceled before canceling was a thing, surviving as a Me Too survivor before Me Too became a movement, and why she returned to Yale at 65 only to discover she reads in the 17th percentile. TIMELINE: 00:35 Being canceled before it was a thing 01:47 The New York Times Magazine cover story at 18 03:29 JD Salinger's letter and the beginning of their relationship 04:30 Moving in with Salinger and giving up Yale 05:39 Keeping the secret for 25 years 06:22 Writing "At Home in the World" and the backlash 08:26 When 18-year-olds dating 53-year-olds was "romantic" 09:41 The Charlie Rose interview (and what happened after) 10:27 Why the culture turned against her in 1998 11:23 Can you separate the artist from the art? 13:25 Teaching memoir to women in Guatemala 15:45 Writing family sagas and "How the Light Gets In" 16:31 Growing up in a problematic family 17:00 Mother's writing bootcamp from age 3 22:23 Including real-world events (Trump, January 6th) in fiction 24:09 Writing is not therapy or catharsis 29:43 Throwing away manuscripts that aren't good enough 30:08 Discovering ADHD at Yale at age 65 32:08 The D-minus French exam that changed everything 34:22 Reading in the 17th percentile 36:39 The gift of ADHD 40:39 "You cannot be a writer if you're not a reader" - and why that's wrong 41:48 Character-first vs. plot-first writing 43:33 Never knowing where the story will end (vs. John Irving) 44:18 No outlines - "outline is for a term paper" 46:22 Finding inspiration in news headlines 47:49 Why some stories are memoir and others are fiction 50:48 On sensitivity readers and the transgender character 51:44 When characters display "politically incorrect" attitudes 52:57 Fear of cancellation from the left 53:29 Trigger warnings at Yale and the softening of everything

25 янв.

•

1 ч. 14 мин.
2 ЯНВ.

Inside the Pluribus Writers' Room

Since its debut on Apple TV Plus, Pluribus has sparked an unusually intense response. Viewers not only watch it, they debate it and project onto it. Executive Producer Alison Tatlock talks about why the series has connected so deeply with audiences. We dig into the emotional problem at the center of the show, how skepticism shapes its characters, and why discomfort is doing more of the storytelling than plot twists or spectacle. We also talk about writing restraint, trusting viewers, and building a world that feels strange but uncomfortably familiar. Subscribe to my newsletter @jonsmalltalk.substack.com

2 янв.

•

53 мин.
22.11.2025

How To Make Seven Figures As a Writer

Former Hollywood TV writer Amy Suto walked away from her dream job to build a seven-figure writing business. She has a new book out called Write for Money and Power: The Anti-Starving Artist's Guide to Becoming a Seven-Figure Writer, which argues that writers need to stop romanticizing poverty and start building sustainable businesses. In this conversation, she reveals the three pillars creatives should focus on if they want to make money. Topics include: why self-publishing beats traditional deals, how she made $300K on Upwork, the Substack tweaks that added $100K in value, where freelance writers actually make money in 2025, why cold emails still work, and how to stop romanticizing the starving artist myth. This interview is packed with actionable strategies you can use today. Small Talk Amy Suto

22.11.2025

•

1 ч. 1 мин.
25 ЯНВ.

A Gen Xer's Accidental Journey from Merrill Lynch to Dunder Mifflin

Andy Buckley never expected to become David Wallace, one of television's most recognizable bosses. But a chance encounter at a farmer's market changed everything. In this Small Talk conversation, the Gen X actor tells the story of his surprising second act from a financial advisor in corporate America to CFO of Dunder Mifflin on The Office. He also shares stories from the set working with Steve Carrell, Jenna Fischer, and Melora Hardin, why The Office continues to be so popular decades after it stopped production, particularly with Gen Z, and the current state of Hollywood production for 50-plus actors. Subscribe to Small Talk for more great Gen X content!

25 янв.

•

49 мин.
2 МАР.

These '80s Records Changed Hip Hop Forever

The 90s usually get called hip hop's golden era. But the foundation was crafted in the 80s. I went live with journalist and cultural critic Jeff Chang, author of Can't Stop Won't Stop, to talk about the records that changed the game — from Blondie's "Rapture" to It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, from Run-DMC to Eric B. & Rakim. Then we talk about the greatest Gen X rappers of all time. Jeff drops some science here. Straight from the dome. I thought I knew everything there was to know about 80s hip hop. Man, was I wrong. For more content like this, sign up to the Small Talk Substack Wanna go to Gen X Con? Find out more here.

2 мар.

•

1 ч. 17 мин.
02.12.2025

The Money Conversation Writers Can No Longer Avoid

People in their 50s are confronting a financial reality nobody prepared us for. We grew up assuming steady careers, pensions, and a clear path to retirement. Instead, we're juggling layoffs, credit card debt, college tuition, aging parents, and rising healthcare costs, all while wondering what "retirement" even means anymore. Kerry Hannon and Janna, co-authors of Retirement Bites: A Gen X Guide to Securing Your Financial Future, break down how our generation ended up here and offer practical steps we can take now to build a future that feels possible, not panicked. Even if you're not Gen X, there is practical and useful advice for you here. Subscribe to my Small Talk substack for more conversation like this

02.12.2025

•

58 мин.
2 МАР.

A Hip Hop Historian on the Records That Started It All

Jeff Chang, author of Can't Stop Won't Stop, joins the pod to reminisce about when hip hop moved from park jams to mainstream America in the 1980s. From "Rapper's Delight" to Run-DMC's crossover moment to Rakim changing the flow entirely and Public Enemy making it political, Jeff breaks down the turning points. We revisit the so-called golden era debate, why the 80s deserve more respect, and our nomintations for the best rappers of this time. For more content like this, subscribe to Small Talk Wanna go to Gen X Con? Sign up

2 мар.

•

1 ч. 17 мин.

Small Talk Media is home to original podcasts and conversations hosted by Jonathan Small.

Сайт

Small Talk Media

Популярные подкасты

Joyce Maynard on J.D. Salinger, Her New Novel, and Writing with ADHD

How This Writer Found Freedom in a Tell-All Memoir

'I Was Engaged to a Con Man:' A Reporter's Odyssey Through Deception

Joyce Maynard on J.D. Salinger, Survival, and Writing Through ADHD

Inside the Pluribus Writers' Room

How To Make Seven Figures As a Writer

A Gen Xer's Accidental Journey from Merrill Lynch to Dunder Mifflin

These '80s Records Changed Hip Hop Forever

The Money Conversation Writers Can No Longer Avoid

A Hip Hop Historian on the Records That Started It All

Об этом подкасте

Small Talk Media

Популярные подкасты

Популярные выпуски

Об этом подкасте