Nerdette Greta Johnsen

This October, Nerdette Book Club is reading Celeste Ng’s new novel, ‘Our Missing Hearts.’ It follows Bird, a 12-year-old boy living with his father in an alternate version of the United States, which has undergone a “crisis.” Anti-Asian hate is rampant, children are quietly being taken from their families, and books that are seen as unpatriotic are disappearing from library shelves. Celeste Ng joined us for a spoiler-free conversation on the historical influences behind the novel, the power of myth, and the paradoxes of motherhood. Listen, read, then tell us what you think! Send a voice memo to nerdettepodcast@gmail.com to participate in our panel discussion on the book at the end of the month. Happy reading!

This week, the hosts of NPR’s Invisiblia, Yowei Shaw and Kia Miakka Natisse, stop by to discuss NASA’s asteroid mission, the CIA’s new podcast and a child art prodigy.
Then, we dive into the history of literary pseudonyms with Carmela Ciuraru, author of ‘Nom de Plume.’
Plus, Autostraddle CEO Riese Bernard explores why so many queer TV shows have been canceled after one season with Nerdette producer Anna Bauman.

Nerdette Book Club is back to discuss our September book, ‘Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow’ by Gabrielle Zevin. Our panelists are Jason Concepcion, co-host of ‘The Official Game of Thrones Podcast: House of the Dragon’ with Nerdette’s Greta Johnsen, and Amber Sparks, author of ‘And I Do Not Forgive You.’
Special thanks to all of the listeners who contributed your voices to this chat! We love y’all.

WBEZ’s Adora Namigadde and Lauren Ober, host of the podcast ‘The Loudest Girl in the World, discuss ukuleles, ants, and scrunchies, all of which had news-worthy moments this week.
Plus, what should you do with old clothes? We ask The Atlantic’s Amanda Mull.

WBEZ’s Meha and Ahmad and The New Yorker’s Helen Rosner join Greta to talk about King Charles’s standoff with a pen, the new unsend feature for iPhones, and pumpkin spice’s entrée into Merriam-Webster.
Then, we talk to romance writer Jasmine Guillory about her eighth book, ‘Drunk on Love.’

We are living for the drama behind the scenes of the film Don’t Worry Darling. Our fabulous guests, Christina Tucker, co-host of Autostraddle’s ‘Wait, Is This a Date?’ podcast, and Margaret Willison, culture writer and podcaster with Not Sorry Productions, unpack it all.
Plus, W. Kamau Bell and Kate Schatz stop by to discuss their new book ‘Do the Work! An Antiracist Activity Book.’