The Thoughtful Bro

Mark Cecil
  • 5.0 (20)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The Thoughtful Bro

The Thoughtful Bro, hosted by Mark Cecil, is a podcast for writers, readers, and anyone interested in a tale well told. Each episode features an author who's recently published a book, and we unpack how and why they wrote it. It's "Inside the Actors Studio"...but for storytellers.

  1. 12/12/2024

    Episode 57: Stephen Mitchell

    My discussion with one of the towering literary and spiritual writers of our time, translator Stephen Mitchell. We dug into his insights and process in a career translating everything from the Tao Te Ching to The Iliad to The Bible to the Bhagavad Gita. I've read more of Mitchell's words than any other writer. In many ways I've been preparing my whole life for this interview. A meaningful one. Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry. All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm and Writer's Bone.

    1h 17m

  2. 12/10/2024

    Episode 56: Alan Lightman

    My interview with Einstein’s Dreams author Alan Lightman. His latest is The Miraculous From The Material, a beautiful book which pairs stunning nature photos with brief essays which explain the science behind everything from Saturn’s rings to soap bubbles. Topics included (1) spirituality for the scientific-minded; (2) Alan’s most powerful and personal spiritual experience; and (3) how Salman Rushdie quietly and unexpectedly helped launch Alan's career when he was an unknown debut. Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry. All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

    1h 6m

  3. 11/14/2024

    Episode 55: Oliver Burkeman

    My chat with New York Times-bestselling “recovering productivity geek” Oliver Burkeman, on how to re-program your brain so you can live a life of meaning. Topics included (1) finding self-worth outside of one’s productivity output; (2) helpful ways to think about huge issues one can’t control (elections, global warming); and (3) how (oddly) admitting that it’s impossible to change is often the moment when real change begins. Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry. All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

    1h 7m

  4. 10/26/2024

    Episode 54: Joe Moldover

    With one of my oldest publishing friends, YA author Joe Moldover, discussing his latest novel Just Until. We unpacked: (1) writing about trauma, (2) whether you can really save another person, and (3), our most colorful insights re the publishing industry from a couple of young fellas just gettin in the game. Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry. All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

    1h 4m

  5. 10/03/2024

    Episode 53: CJ Leede

    My interview with CJ Leede on her latest freshy-fresh horror novel American Rapture. We got into (1) America's puritan resistance to/capitalist obsession with sex, (2) how to find your authentic writing voice/genre, and (3) rescue dogs! Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry. All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

    55 min

  6. 09/05/2024

    Episode 52: Jesmyn Ward

    My glorious conversation with 2-time National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward, discussing her latest novel, Let Us Descend. Topics included: (1) gaining hope and strength by remembering what others have borne; (2) making invisible history visible; and (3) finding authorial authenticity through concrete specifics. Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry. All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

    1h 11m

  7. 08/22/2024

    Episode 51: Alison Espach

    With Alison Espach, author of the instant bestseller The Wedding People.  We discussed (1) her long, unpredictable process of writing her hilarious, absurdist mega-hit, (2) how writing a great book is often about letting characters just be honest and forcing them “stay in the room,” and (3) truly the *best piece of writing advice* I’ve heard in a minute, which instantly helped me improve my own work in progress. You have to listen to find out what it is. Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry. All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

    1h 6m

  8. 08/14/2024

    Episode 50: David Wroblewski

    An inspiring conversation with two-time Oprah Book Club pick David Wroblewski. His first novel, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, was a #1 New York Times best-seller, and now, 16 years later, he’s back with his second novel, Familiaris.  We discussed (1) his writing process of overwriting, then pulling back (2) the unique ways novels seep into readers’ lives, and (3) how writing, like computer programming, is ultimately about having “a conversation with the material.” Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry. All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.

    1h 5m
See All (58)

5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

The Thoughtful Bro, hosted by Mark Cecil, is a podcast for writers, readers, and anyone interested in a tale well told. Each episode features an author who's recently published a book, and we unpack how and why they wrote it. It's "Inside the Actors Studio"...but for storytellers.

Information

  • Creator
    Mark Cecil
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2024
  • Episodes
    58
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2022
  • Show Website
    The Thoughtful Bro

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