In this episode, meet sex educator and Hoodrat to Headwrap podcast co-host Ericka Hart, professor of sociology and founder of LightenLab Leah Ruppanner, and founder of RARE Coaching & Consulting Aiko Bethea. Hear Ericka Hart on the central place of race, class, and other elements of intersectionality in the field of sexual education. Tune in to hear Leah Ruppanner on why we need better language to understand the concept of “mental load.” And hear Aiko Bethea on the importance of providing a framework for ending rumination and finding the confidence to make life-changing decisions. Nasty Work by Ericka Hart https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/705447/nasty-work-by-ericka-hart/9798217286546/ Drained by Leah Ruppanner https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/762972/drained-by-leah-ruppanner-phd/9798217285662/ Anchored, Aligned, Accountable by Aiko Bethea https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/747123/anchored-aligned-accountable-by-aiko-bethea/9780593950135/

In this episode, meet the host of the Everything Happens podcast Kate Bowler, co-authors Annie Leonard and Andre Carothers, and speaker and advocate Libby Ward. Tune in to hear Kate Bowler on accessing joy without having to be “fixed,” hear Annie Leonard and Andre Carothers on the civic concerns that prompted them to write their book on the power of protest, and hear Libby Ward on helping moms feel less alone and more whole in motherhood. Joyful, Anyway by Kate Bowler: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/764086/joyful-anyway-by-kate-bowler/audio Protest by Annie Leonard and Andre Carothers: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/835338/protest-by-annie-leonard-and-andre-carothers/audio Honest Motherhood by Libby Ward: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/749972/honest-motherhood-by-libby-ward/audio

In this episode, meet journalist and space industry analyst David Ariosto, science journalist Roxanne Khamsi, and physician and medical journalist Dr. Trisha Pasricha. Tune in to hear about the documentary filmmaking trip that inspired David Ariosto’s book, hear Roxanne Khamsi on how she prepared for her time in the recording studio, and learn the surprising statistics that inspired Dr. Trisha Pasricha’s research into better bowel movements for all. Open Space by David Ariosto https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/708833/open-space-by-david-ariosto/9798217165711/ Beyond Inheritance by Roxanne Khamsi https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/711682/beyond-inheritance-by-roxanne-khamsi/9798217281626/ You've Been Pooping All Wrong by Dr. Trisha Pasricha's https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/776380/youve-been-pooping-all-wrong-by-trisha-pasricha-md-mph/9798217285686/

National Library Week 2026 is April 19-25, and it's the perfect time to share our love of libraries and our deep appreciation for the librarians who work to make them the vibrant and welcoming places that they are. In this special compilation episode of This Is the Author, hear Mychal Threets, Arthur C. Brooks, Tom Junod, Elizabeth Berg, Erin McGoff, Angela Buchdahl, Zachary Rubin, Dominic Hoffman, Chuck Klosterman, C .Thi Nguyen, and Susan Orlean share what they love most about their local libraries.

In this episode, meet therapist Nidhi Tewari, professor Arthur C. Brooks, and professor and behavioral scientist Julia Minson. Tune in to hear the science behind Nidhi Tewari’s deep dive into workplace burnout, discover what Arthur C. Brooks is most excited for listeners to hear in his audiobook, and hear Julia Minson on the art of disagreement – and why she loves listening to audiobooks on a long drive. Working Well by Nidhi Tewari, MSW, LCSW: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/788782/working-well-by-nidhi-tewari-msw-lcsw-foreword-by-amy-cuddy/audio The Meaning of Your Life by Arthur C. Brooks: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724315/the-meaning-of-your-life-by-arthur-c-brooks/audio How to Disagree Better by Julia Minson: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/774525/how-to-disagree-better-by-julia-minson/audio

In this episode, meet artist and hip-hop pioneer Fab 5 Freddy, journalist Tom Junod, and food writer Luke Barr. Tune in to hear how writing his memoir gave Fab 5 Freddy a way to share the context behind 40 years of living at the nexus of art and culture. Hear Tom Junod on the need to find a definition of masculinity other than what he had been taught as a child. And go behind the mic with Luke Barr as he explains what inspired his latest book on French cooking. Everybody's Fly by Fab 5 Freddy https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/775871/everybodys-fly-by-fab-5-freddy-with-mark-rozzo/9798217281770/ In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man by Tom Junod https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/89092/in-the-days-of-my-youth-i-was-told-what-it-means-to-be-a-man-by-tom-junod/9798217174065/ The Secret History of French Cooking by Luke Barr https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/602455/the-secret-history-of-french-cooking-by-luke-barr/9798217285600/

In this episode, meet hip-hop artist and Cookies CEO Berner, founder of AdviceWithErin Erin McGoff, and poet and essayist Camonghne Felix. Tune in to hear what inspired Berner to write his book, Erin McGoff on her mission to help people advocate for themselves in the workplace, and Camonghne Felix on the activism and organizing experiences that inspire her work. Becoming Legend by Berner: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/778154/becoming-legend-by-berner/audio/ The Secret Language of Work by Erin McGoff: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/784182/the-secret-language-of-work-by-erin-mcgoff/audio Let the Poets Govern by Camonghne Felix: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/671601/let-the-poets-govern-by-camonghne-felix/audio

In this episode, meet writer and musician Alicia Jo Rabins, writer and lecturer Nir Eyal, and mental health counselor Jay Stringer. Tune in to hear how spiritual memoirs inspired Alicia Jo Rabins’s writing, how Nir Eyal applied the practices outlined in his book to narrating his audiobook, and how Jay Stringer drew inspiration from his ancestors to write his book on human desire. When We're Born We Forget Everything by Alicia Jo Rabins https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/774429/when-were-born-we-forget-everything-by-alicia-jo-rabins/9798217174249/ Beyond Belief by Nir Eyal https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/761993/beyond-belief-by-nir-eyal-with-julie-li/9780593852033/ Desire by Jay Stringer https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/742247/desire-by-jay-stringer/9798217064991/

In this episode, meet actor Andrew Keenan-Bolger, writer and professor Jordy Rosenberg, and novelist Elizabeth Berg. Hear about the queer history that inspired Andrew Keenan Bolger’s book, the real-life people that informed Jordy Rosenberg’s fictional characters, and the estate sale that began Elizabeth’s Berg’s inquiry into the meaning of life. Limelight by Andrew Keenan-Bolger: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/768589/limelight-by-andrew-keenan-bolger/audio Night Night Fawn by Jordy Rosenberg: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/689017/night-night-fawn-by-jordy-rosenberg/audio Life: A Love Story by Elizabeth Berg: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/710166/life-a-love-story-by-elizabeth-berg/

In this episode, meet psychiatrist Dr. Suzan Song, pediatrician and allergist Dr. Zachary Rubin, and founder of fashion company Tibi, Amy Smilovic. Tune in to hear Suzan Song’s experience of writing her book during the pandemic, what Star Wars has to do with Zachary Rubin’s research into allergies, and what item of clothing Amy Smilovic would bring into the studio if she had to record her audiobook again. Why We Suffer and How We Heal by Dr. Suzan Song https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/726239/why-we-suffer-and-how-we-heal-by-suzan-song-md-phd/9798217279098/ All About Allergies by Dr. Zachary Rubin https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/790561/all-about-allergies-by-zachary-rubin-md/9798217285624/ Almost Reckless by Amy Smilovic https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/773715/almost-reckless-by-amy-smilovic/9798217282081/

In this episode, meet couples therapist Colette Jane Fehr, Harvard Business School professor Leslie John, and creator of the Big Talk communication method, Kalina Silverman. Tune in to hear each of these communication experts on how you can foster more meaningful connections in your own life, and learn what it was like for them to record their audiobooks. The Cost of Quiet by Colette Jane Fehr LMFT, LMHC: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/763866/the-cost-of-quiet-by-colette-jane-fehr-lmft-lmhc/audio Revealing by Leslie John: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724990/revealing-by-leslie-john/audio/ Big Talk by Kalina Silverman: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/779591/big-talk-by-kalina-silverman/audio