Episode Summary

This episode of Writer’s Voice features two urgent and thought-provoking conversations. First, we speak with Professor Bernadette Atuahene, author of Plundered: How Racist Policies Undermine Black Homeownership in America, about how predatory governance has systematically stripped Black homeowners of generational wealth—particularly in Detroit, where one in three homes has gone through property tax foreclosure since 2009. She explains how local governments exploit racist policies to raise revenue, creating an underreported crisis that has devastated Black communities nationwide.

Bernadette Atuahene: “Black and Hispanic homeowners pay higher property tax rates than white homeowners—$300 to $400 more per year. That’s predatory governance at work.”

Then, we bring back Andrew Boyd, activist and author of I Want a Better Catastrophe, to discuss his viral Substack post, We Shall Not Be Overwhelmed. In a time of political and social crisis, Boyd shares strategies for avoiding burnout, focusing activism, and fighting back against authoritarianism through selective denial and targeted resistance.

Andrew Boyd: “Selective denial, when paired with selective attention, is not about ignorance. It’s about protecting your mental health while focusing on a chosen issue that you can actually impact.”

Connect with WV:

Follow us on Bluesky @writersvoice.bsky.social and subscribe to our Substack. Or find us on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast 

You can support our show and the others you listen to by contributing through Lenny.fm. Your support helps us bring you more of the episodes, like this one, that you look forward to. Thanks for being a vital part of our community!

Key Words: Bernadette Atuahene Plundered book, Black homeownership and systemic racism, property tax overassessment in Black communities, Andrew Boyd We Shall Not Be Overwhelmed, activism and mental health strategies, resisting Trump policies effectively

You Might Also Like: Andrew Boyd, I WANT A BETTER CATASTROPHE, Tamara Payne on Les Payne’s THE DEAD ARE ARISING

Key Topics Covered:

Bernadette Atuahene on Plundered

• What is Predatory Governance? – How local governments raise revenue through racist policies.
• Detroit’s Property Tax Foreclosure Crisis – Why one in three homes has been foreclosed since 2009, the worst rates since the Great Depression.
• The Hidden Tax Burden on Black Homeowners – Black and Hispanic homeowners pay 10–13% more in property taxes than white homeowners on average.
• Historical Context – How racist housing policies like redlining, blockbusting, and urban renewal paved the way for today’s crisis.
• Fighting Back – How the Coalition for Property Tax Justice is preventing foreclosures and demanding compensation for displaced homeowners.
• Legal and Political Solutions – Why courts have blocked lawsuits against these policies, and what reforms are needed at state and national levels.

Andrew Boyd on We Shall Not Be Overwhelmed

• How to Cope with Political Chaos – Why selective denial and selective attention can be ethical survival strategies.
• The Problem with Doomscrolling – How nonstop bad news paralyzes people into inaction, and how to refocus efforts.
• Finding Your One Thing – Choosing a specific issue or movement to dedicate energy toward, rather than being overwhelmed by everything at once.
• Trump 2.0 and the Resistance – How to effectively counter authoritarianism through protests, creative messaging, and public opposition.
• Why “Playing Possum” is a Bad Strategy – A critique of James Carville’s advice to let Trump self-destruct, and why activism must remain strong.
• Hope Through Action – How focused resistance can be a source of resilience and purpose.

Links & Resources:

• Plundered: How Racist Policies Undermine Black Homeownership in America – Buy the book
• Coalition for Property Tax Justice – Learn more & donate
• Andrew Boyd’s Substack, The Tragic Optimist – Read We Shall Not Be Overwhelmed
• Andrew Boyd, I WANT A BETTER CATASTROPHE – Listen to the Interview

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In this episode, we welcome Aran Shetterly to discuss his powerful new book, Morningside: The 1979 Greensboro Massacre and the Struggle for an American City’s Soul. Shetterly unearths the long-overlooked history of the Greensboro Massacre, a brutal attack in which members of the Ku Klux Klan and neo-Nazis murdered five labor and civil rights activists in broad daylight—while law enforcement stood by.

“The most vicious repression in America happens when Black and white workers unite. Greensboro was no exception.” — Aran Shetterly

Then we replay part of our 2023 interview with Jonathan Eig about his biography of the Reverend Dr. MLK, Jr., King: A Life.

Read the Transcript

Black History Month on Writer’s Voice 

Every week this month, we’ll be featuring books about key times in America’s Black History, a history that enriches and enlightens us all. We talk with:

Aaron Robertson, about BLACK UTOPIANS; Aran Shetterly about MORNINGSIDE: The 1979 Greensboro Massacre; Victoria Christopher Murray about HARLEM RHAPSODY; Bernadette Atuahene about PLUNDERED
You might also like: 

• The Power of Asking Questions: Ethel Payne, First Lady Of The Black Press
• Freedom Summer, Bob Moses, and the Fight for First Class Citizenship

Connect with WV:

Follow us on Bluesky @writersvoice.bsky.social and subscribe to our Substack. Or find us on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast 

You can support our show and the others you listen to by contributing through Lenny.fm. Your support helps us bring you more of the episodes, like this one, that you look forward to. Thanks for being a vital part of our community!

Key Words: Aran Shetterly, Morningside book, Greensboro Massacre, Nelson Johnson, Ku Klux Klan, Communist Workers Party, Martin Luther King, Jr., Jonathan Eig, King: A Life

Segment One: Aran Shetterly

Aran Shetterly takes us deep into the history behind the massacre, from the labor struggles of the 1970s to the FBI’s infiltration of both the Klan and the Communist Workers Party. He also explores the life and evolution of Nelson Johnson, a central figure in the movement, who transformed from a radical organizer into a leader of faith-based activism and racial reconciliation.

This conversation exposes the deep roots of white supremacy, the role of law enforcement in racial violence, and the hard-won fight for justice in Greensboro—a struggle that continues to resonate in today’s America.

Key Topics Covered:

• What Happened on November 3, 1979? – A detailed account of the Greensboro Massacre and its aftermath.
• Nelson Johnson’s Journey – From radical activism to the founding of the Beloved Community Center and faith-based reconciliation.
• The Communist Workers Party and Class Struggle – How the victims of the massacre sought to bridge racial and economic divides.
• The Ku Klux Klan’s Resurgence – Why the 1970s saw a new rise in Klan activity and its links to today’s far-right movements.
• The FBI’s Role – How law enforcement infiltrated both the Klan and the Communist Workers Party, yet failed to prevent the massacre.
• White Supremacy and Divide-and-Conquer Tactics – The long history of using race to divide workers and suppress progressive movements.
• Greensboro’s Truth and Reconciliation Process – How Greensboro became the first U.S. city to conduct a Truth and Reconciliation Commission based on the South African model.

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We sit down with award-winning author Victoria Christopher Murray to talk about Harlem Rhapsody, her novel about the Harlem Renaissance and the woman who made it possible. This gripping novel brings to life Jessie Redmon Fauset, a pioneering literary editor, mentor, and novelist who played a pivotal role in shaping the Harlem Renaissance—yet remains largely forgotten today.

“W.E.B. Du Bois and Jessie were always together. I tried to write the story without their affair, but there were too many plot holes. It was part of the truth.”

We also talk with the founders of a new publishing company featuring largely forgotten women authors of an earlier time. Bremond Berry MacDougall and Lisa Cooper founded Quite Literally Books — which is coming out with Jessie Redmon Fauset’s 1928 novel Plum Bun, along with two other books.

Black History Month on Writer’s Voice 

Every week this month, we’ll be featuring books about key times in America’s Black History, a history that enriches and enlightens us all. We talk with:

• Aaron Robertson, BLACK UTOPIANS
• Aran Shetterly about MORNINGSIDE: The 1979 Greensboro Massacre
• Victoria Christopher Murray about her novel of the Harlem Renaissance, HARLEM RHAPSODY
• Bernadette Atuahene about her history of how racist policies undermine Black home ownership In America, PLUNDERED

You might also like: Carla Kaplan: Miss Ann in Harlem

Connect with WV:

Follow us on Bluesky @writersvoice.bsky.social and subscribe to our Substack. Or find us on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast 

You can support our show and the others you listen to by contributing through Lenny.fm. Your support helps us bring you more of the episodes, like this one, that you look forward to. Thanks for being a vital part of our community!

Key Words: Victoria Christopher Murray, Harlem Rhapsody, Jessie Redmon Fauset biography, Harlem Renaissance, W.E.B. Du Bois, Quite Literally Books, Dorothy Canfield Fisher, Nelia Gardner White

Segment One: Victoria Christopher Murray

Jessie Redmon Fauset was one of the most influential women in American literary history, yet few remember her today. She helped spark the Harlem Renaissance in her role as literary editor of The Crisis, the magazine of the NAACP.

But she carried a secret: Her boss, W. E. B. Du Bois, wasn’t just her mentor—he also was her lover. At least, that’s what novelist Victoria Christopher Murray imagines in her wonderful novel about Jessie Fauset, Harlem Rhapsody. She creates narrative tension between Fauset’s secret liaison with Du Bois and her mission: to scout and champion literary talent among young Black writers.

Fauset discovered and mentored such future literary giants as Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, and Nella Larsen. As a Black woman, she stood as a singular figure at the center of a cultural revolution, contending with both racial and gender prejudice to cement her place in history.

Victoria Christopher Murray is the New York Times and USA Today best selling author of more than 30 novels.

Key Topics Covered:

• How Jessie Redmon Fauset discovered, mentored, and published some of the greatest Black writers of the Harlem Renaissance
• Her Complex Relationship with W.E.B. Du Bois – Their intellectual and romantic connection.
• Gender and Power in the Harlem Renaissance – Why Fauset’s work was overshadowed by men and how sexism shaped her career.
• The Talented Tenth and Class Divides – How W.E.B. Du Bois’ philosophy impacted Black society and Fauset’s life.
• The Civic Club Dinner of 1924 – How an event meant to honor Fauset was co-opted by male writers, symbolizing broader gender inequalities.
• What It Means to Be a ‘Black Writer’ vs. Just a Writer – Murray shares her own experiences navigating racial categorization in publishing.

Segment Two: Reviving Forgotten Women Writers with Quite Literally Books

We welcome Bremond Berry MacDougall and Lisa Cooper, the co-founders of Quite Literally Books, a new independent press dedicated to reviving out-of-print books by women. Their mission is to bring forgotten female authors back into the literary conversation—especially Black women writers and feminist voices whose works have been overlooked or erased.

Key Topics Covered:

• The Mission of Quite Literally Books – Why MacDougall and Cooper are reviving forgotten women writers.
• Jessie Redmon Fauset’s Plum Bun – A novel exploring race, gender, and passing through a feminist lens.
• Feminism in The Homemaker – How Dorothy Canfield Fisher’s novel challenged gender roles 100 years ago —and why it’s still relevant today.
• Nelia Gardner White’s The Pink House
• Upcoming Releases – The feminist utopian novel Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, and why its themes of female autonomy resonate today.

In this episode of Writer’s Voice, we talk with Aaron Robertson about his fascinating book, The Black Utopians: Searching for Paradise and the Promised Land in America. It’s about the hidden legacies of Black utopian experiments and what they teach us about the power of community today.

Then, we talk with best-selling novelist, journalist and activist Cory Doctorow about his new crime thriller, the latest installment in the Martin Hench series, Picks and Shovels. It tells the origin stories of forensic accountant Martin Hench and the most powerful tool for crime ever invented: the personal computer.

Black History Month on Writer’s Voice

Every week this month, we’ll be featuring books about key times in America’s Black History, a history that enriches and enlightens us all. We talk with:

• Aaron Robertson, BLACK UTOPIANS
• Aran Shetterly about MORNINGSIDE: The 1979 Greensboro Massacre
• Victoria Christopher Murray about her novel of the Harlem Renaissance, HARLEM RHAPSODY
• Bernadette Atuahene about her history of how racist policies undermine Black home ownership In America, PLUNDERED

Connect with WV:

Follow us on Bluesky @writersvoice.bsky.social and subscribe to our Substack. Or find us on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast 

You can support our show and the others you listen to by contributing through Lenny.fm. Your support helps us bring you more of the episodes, like this one, that you look forward to. Thanks for being a vital part of our community!

Key Words: Black utopian communities, Aaron Robertson, The Black Utopians, Promiseland Tennessee, Black Christian nationalism, Albert Cleage Jr., Black History Month, Cory Doctorow, Picks and Shovels book, enshittification, digital rights, big tech antitrust

Segment 1: Aaron Robertson

Aaron Robertson’s book The Black Utopians uncovers the rich yet often overlooked history of Black utopian communities in America—places born from struggle, but driven by hope, self-determination, and perserverance. From the historic town of Promiseland, Tennessee, to the radical vision of Black Christian nationalism in Detroit, Robertson takes us on a journey through forgotten movements that sought to build a better world right here in America.

“Moments of crisis are often when utopian experiments flourish. When existing systems fail, people turn to each other and create something new.“ — Aaron Robertson

Topics Covered

• The history and significance of Black utopian communities
• Promiseland, Tennessee: A historic all-Black town
• The role of Black Christian nationalism and its leader, Albert Cleage Jr.
• How Black utopian movements contrast with white countercultural movements of the 1960s
• Why mainstream narratives have overlooked Black utopian experiments
• Lessons from The Black Utopians for building resilient communities today

Read an Excerpt

Segment 2: Cory Doctorow

We welcome back Cory Doctorow—bestselling author, activist, and one of the most incisive voices on the intersection of technology, capitalism, and digital rights. His latest book, Picks and Shovels, is a gripping prequel to Red Team Blues and The Bezel, diving into the dawn of the personal computing era in 1986. Through the eyes of forensic accountant Martin Hench, Doctorow explores corporate fraud, the rise of monopolies, and what he famously calls the “enshittification” of technology.

We also discuss how modern fraud operates, the power of spreadsheets in financial crimes, Amazon’s monopoly over the audiobook industry, and why Doctorow is hopeful—not optimistic—about the future of digital rights and labor movements.

“We stopped enforcing antitrust laws, and we got monopolies. This shouldn’t surprise anyone.” — Cory Doctorow

Topics Covered

• Why Doctorow set his novel in 1986 and how it serves as a prequel to his previous books
• How the character Martin Hench uses forensic accounting to uncover fraud using spreadsheets, and why fraudsters often think they’re untouchable.
• How the early PC industry was a Wild West of innovation, scams, and untapped potential.
• The “Enshittification” of Everything: A deep dive into how monopolies, regulatory capture, and digital lock-in have turned once-great platforms into exploitative systems.
• Amazon and the Audiobook Monopoly: Why Doctorow refuses to sell his audiobooks on Audible and how he’s fighting back with Kickstarter.
• How unions and collective action can push back against corporate overreach.

In this episode of Writer’s Voice, we explore two fascinating books. Rowan Jacobsen takes us deep into the Amazon in Wild Chocolate, uncovering the origins of cacao and the ethical challenges of the chocolate industry.

Then, Karissa Chen discusses Homeseeking, her powerful novel tracing the Chinese diaspora through generations of displacement, love, and longing for home.

“We’ve been eating a shadow of what chocolate once was— and wild chocolate is bringing back its soul.”* — Rowan Jacobsen

Connect with WV:

Follow us on Bluesky @rheannonf.bsky.social and subscribe to our Substack. Or find us on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast 

Key Words: Rowan Jacobsen, Wild Chocolate book, wild cacao, ethical chocolate, cacao biodiversity, Big Chocolate, Karissa Chen, Homeseeking novel, Chinese diaspora.

You Might Also Like: Rowan Jacobsen, AMERICAN TERROIR, Tessa Hulls, FEEDING GHOSTS, Ava Chin, MOTT STREET

Summary

Rowan Jacobsen shares the hidden world of wild chocolate, from its Amazonian roots to its ethical and environmental implications. He contrasts mass-market chocolate with rare, wild cacao varieties and explores the industry’s dark side, from worker exploitation to Big Chocolate’s market manipulation.

Next, Karissa Chen discusses Homeseeking, a novel spanning decades of displacement, war, and migration, following two star-crossed lovers through the upheavals of modern Chinese history. Chen reflects on themes of identity, memory, and what it truly means to find home.

Key Topics

Segment 1: Rowan Jacobsen on *Wild Chocolate

• The Amazonian origins of cacao and its discovery in Mesoamerica
• How wild chocolate differs from industrial chocolate in taste and genetics
• The exploitation of cacao farmers and labor conditions in West Africa
• The rise of ethical chocolate and sustainable harvesting efforts
• The role of indigenous communities in preserving wild cacao biodiversity

Segment 2: Karissa Chen on *Homeseeking

• The inspiration behind the novel: a family history of displacement
• The impact of war and political upheaval on personal identity
• How the novel’s dual timelines reflect different perspectives on memory
• The evolving definition of “home” in the context of migration and diaspora
• The role of fate, fortune-telling, and personal agency in shaping the characters’ lives

This week on Writer’s Voice we feature three great conversations. Karen Joy Fowler reflects on the relevance of Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Dispossessed and its vision of utopia on the occasion of the 50th anniversary re-issue of that classic work of speculative fiction. She wrote the introduction. Listen to our 2012 interview with Ursulla K. Le Guin

Then, Charlotte Dennett gives us a timely update on the geopolitics of the Middle East, connecting current conflicts to her book Follow the Pipelines.

And finally, we pay tribute to Jules Feiffer, the legendary cartoonist and author, revisiting his insights on political art and his noir graphic novel about the Hollywood Black List, The Ghost Script. We spoke with him in 2019. He died January 17.

Connect with WV:

Follow us on Bluesky @rheannonf.bsky.social and subscribe to our Substack. Or find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, and on Instagram and Threads @WritersVoicePodcast 

Key Words: Karen Joy Fowler, Ursula K. Le Guin, The Dispossessed, utopia, Charlotte Dennett, Follow the Pipelines, Middle Eastern geopolitics, Jules Feiffer, The Ghost Script, Hollywood blacklist, energy politics

You Might Also Like: Charlotte Dennet, FOLLOW THE PIPELINES, Jules Feiffer, THE GHOST SCRIPT, Ursula K. Le Guin, UNREAL AND REAL.

Listen, Like & Subscribe to Writer’s Voice!

Key Topics:

Segment 1: Karen Joy Fowler on The Dispossessed

• Le Guin’s vision of “ambiguous utopias” and its contradictions
• The ongoing relevance of The Dispossessed in today’s sociopolitical climate
• Exploring themes of equality, individualism, and community
• Fowler’s reflections on human nature and the balance between utopia and dystopia

Segment 2: Charlotte Dennett on Middle Eastern Geopolitics

• The role of pipelines as “arteries of empire” in shaping global power
• How energy politics fuel ongoing conflict in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon
• The significance of the Leviathan gas fields and Netanyahu’s energy corridor ambitions
• Broader implications for U.S. foreign policy and energy security

Segment 3: Jules Feiffer on The Ghost Script

• The Hollywood blacklist’s impact on creatives and its relevance today
• Feiffer’s personal connection to the blacklist as a political cartoonist
• How The Ghost Script blends noir storytelling with political commentary
• Reflections on the power of art to challenge oppression

Listen, Like & Subscribe to Writer’s Voice

In this episode of Writer’s Voice, entomologist and author Barrett Klein discusses his book, The Insect Epiphany: How Our Six-Legged Allies Shape Human Culture. From the crucial roles insects play in ecosystems to their influence on art, architecture, and medicine, Klein unpacks the deep connections between humans and these often misunderstood creatures. [Image above by Barrett Klein.]

“We’d be knee-deep in dung and heaps of cadavers and corpses if it weren’t for insects.” — Barrett Klein

Then, Paula Whyman, author of Bad Naturalist: One Woman’s Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop, shares her journey from novice gardener to passionate steward of over 200 acres of meadow and forest. Whyman discusses the challenges of managing invasive species, restoring native habitats, and the unexpected joys of observing interconnected ecosystems.

“The kind of human interference that’s good is managing for the plants that will help the local ecosystem.” — Paula Whyman

Connect with WV:

Follow us on Bluesky @rheannonf.bsky.social and subscribe to our Substack. Or find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, and on Instagram and Threads @WritersVoicePodcast 

Key Words: Barrett Klein, The Insect Epiphany, ecological importance of insects, insect pollination, biomimicry, insect-inspired architecture, insect conservation, pollinator decline, Paula Whyman, Bad Naturalist, native plants, invasive species management, rewilding, land stewardship.

Similar Episodes: Oliver Milman, THE INSECT CRISIS; Isabelle Tree, WILDING; Doug Tallamy, NATURE’S BEST HOPE

The Insect Epiphany: Barrett Klein on How Insects Shape Our World

In The Insect Epiphany, Barrett Klein takes us on a journey through the hidden world of insects. Klein explores their critical ecological functions—pollination, decomposition, and nutrient cycling—and their cultural significance, from silk production to architectural inspiration.

Highlighting ethical dilemmas, conservation challenges, and surprising stories, Klein emphasizes the need to reevaluate our relationship with the little creatures that “run the world.”

Key Topics:

• The ecological roles of insects: pollination, decomposition, and nutrient dispersal
• The insect apocalypse: implications of declining insect populations
• How insects have influenced art, architecture, and human innovation
• Ethical considerations in using insects, from sericulture to pollinator exploitation
• Conservation challenges: balancing agriculture and biodiversity
• Biomimicry and the lessons we can learn from insect behavior and structures

Bad Naturalist: Paula Whyman on Stewarding a Wild Virginia Mountaintop

Paula Whyman takes us on a transformative journey in her memoir Bad Naturalist: One Woman’s Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop.

Moving from suburban gardening failures to managing 200 acres of meadow and forest, Whyman shares lessons on rewilding, invasive species control, and the delicate balance of ecosystems. Inspired by Isabella Tree’s Wilding and Doug Tallamy’s Nature’s Best Hope, she discusses the importance of ecological stewardship and the profound insights gained through observation and patience.

Key Topics:

• Whyman’s initial inspiration: transitioning from a suburban gardener to a land steward
• Learning the difference between native plants and invasive species
• The challenges of managing invasive plants like mile-a-minute vine, autumn olive, and stiltgrass
• The ecological significance of native species like white oak trees and yellow crownbeard
• Restoring habitats for declining bird species like bluebirds and kestrels
• The concept of ecological entanglement and the interdependence of species

In this week’s episode of WV, nonbinary journalist and author Nico Lang takes us inside the lives of trans and nonbinary youth across America. Their book is AMERICAN TEENAGER: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate And Finding Joy In A Turbulent Era.

“These kids are just trying to live their lives, but they’re forced to fight politically motivated hatred at every turn.” –Nico Lang

Then, we talk with National Book Award winner Lily Tuck about her new novel, The Rest Is Memory. Inspired by real events, the novel follows the life of a young Polish girl whose ordinary life is shattered by the horrors of Auschwitz.

Finally, we share with you a wonderful poem by Marie Howe to start the New Year. The video of the poem “Singularity” is at The Marginalian.org

Read the transcript

Connect with WV:

Follow us on Bluesky @rheannonf.bsky.social and subscribe to our Substack. Or find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, and on Instagram and Threads @WritersVoicePodcast \

Key Words: Nico Lang, American Teenager book, trans youth, nonbinary, gender-affirming care, anti-trans legislation, Lily Tuck, The Rest is Memory, Auschwitz novel, Holocaust fiction

Nico Lang

journalist and author Nico Lang takes us inside the lives of trans and nonbinary youth across America.

Through intimate storytelling, Lang reveals the unique challenges and joys of these young individuals, from navigating anti-trans legislation to finding community and support. With unflinching honesty, they explore themes of identity, activism, and the human desire for belonging, painting a vivid portrait of resilience in the face of systemic adversity.

Key Topics:

• The inspiration behind American Teenager and Lang’s storytelling philosophy
• The diversity of trans and nonbinary experiences: individuality over stereotypes
• The impact of anti-trans legislation on youth and families
• Stories of resilience: finding community, faith, and hope
• The intersection of race, identity, and queerness in conservative regions
• Challenges of accessing gender-affirming care and the political weaponization of trans rights

Read an Excerpt from American Teenager

Read article by Nico Lang on What Trump Can/Can’t Do About Trans Rights

Lily Tuck

Acclaimed novelist Lily Tuck joins us to talk about her latest work, The Rest is Memory. The novel, inspired by real events, follows the life of a young Polish girl, Czesława, whose ordinary life is shattered by the horrors of Auschwitz.

Tuck weaves history with fiction, exploring themes of displacement, resilience, and the brutality of war from multiple perspectives. With a narrative style that moves fluidly between past and present, the book reflects on the fragility of normalcy and the enduring power of memory.

Key Topics:

• The inspiration behind The Rest is Memory, including the role of Wilhelm Brasse’s photographs
• The life of Czesława as a reflection of resilience and innocence lost
• The intersection of historical research and creative writing in Holocaust narratives
• Tuck’s narrative style: anecdotal writing and fluid time shifts
• Themes of violence, memory, and trauma in historical and contemporary contexts
• Reflections on the title and its connection to Louise Glück’s poem “Nostos”

Poem: Singularity by Marie Howe

Rafael A. Martinez discusses the lived experiences of undocumented youth in America. He’s Assistant Professor of Southwest Borderlands at Arizona State University and author of Illegalized: Undocumented Youth Movements in the United States.

He details how activism and organizing led to gains such as in-state tuition and DACA, but also the precariousness of these advancements under changing political climates.

Martinez emphasizes the resilience and creativity of undocumented communities in navigating systemic challenges, while acknowledging the significant mental and physical health consequences of living under constant threat of deportation.

His experiences underscore the systemic nature of immigration issues and the interconnectedness of undocumented immigrants’ lives with the broader U.S. society. The interview concludes with a call to action, encouraging listeners to engage with local organizations supporting immigrant rights.

“Immigration isn’t a broken system; it’s working as designed—to exploit and marginalize immigrant communities.” — Rafael Martinez

We also play an edited version of one of our ten favorite episodes of 2024 — our conversation with Eric Klinenberg about his book 2020.

Check Out our List of the Ten Best WV Episodes of 2024!

Writers Voice— in depth conversation with writers of all genres, on the air since 2004. Listen, Like & Subscribe

Connect with Us: Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest episodes and news. Find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, on Instagram and Threads @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on Bluesky @writersvoice.bsky.social. Read transcripts at the Writer’s Voice Substack. 

Keywords: Rafael A. Martinez, Illegalized book, undocumented youth, immigrant rights movements, DACA, U.S. immigration policy, private detention centers, border militarization, immigrant activism history.

Key Topics

• Martinez’s personal journey as an undocumented youth and eventual DACA recipient
• The daily impact of illegality on undocumented youth, from limited mobility to educational barriers
• The origins and evolution of undocumented youth activism, including the rise of civil disobedience
• The influence of historical movements, such as the sanctuary and civil rights movements, on immigrant organizing
• Systemic critiques of U.S. immigration policy, private detention centers, and economic exploitation
• The concept of resilience as both a survival strategy and a double-edged sword

Read An Excerpt from Illegalized

A Lookback at the book 2020

As we go into 2025, it might be a good idea to take a look back at one of the most consequential years in American history, 2020. It just might have been the year Americans lost faith in their government, with consequences we continue to experience.

That’s what sociologist Eric Klinenberg told us when we spoke with him back in May of 2024 about his acclaimed book, 2020: One City, Seven People, And The Year Everything Changed.

Through the stories of seven New Yorkers—a transit worker, a bar owner, a mutual aid organizer, and more—Klinenberg reveals how citizens stepped up when institutions failed during the pandemic, protests, and economic upheaval.

It’s a lesson we would do well to remember as we enter an era when the incoming administration is hell-bent on shredding whatever is left of the federal government’s capacity to serve our needs.

It’s always difficult to choose our ten favorite shows of the year. But the end of December gives us a chance to reflect and share with you some of the ones that stood out for us. So read on for descriptions and links to those picks, from earliest to most recent.

And remember to Listen, Like and Subscribe!

In January, Climate scientist Michael Mann discussed his book Our Fragile Moment, which explores how lessons from Earth’s past can guide us through the current climate crisis. While climate denialism is largely fading, a new threat has emerged: climate doomism. This mindset suggests that it’s too late to prevent catastrophic climate disruption, leading to a sense of fatalism and continued inaction. However, Mann argues that it’s not too late to avert climate disaster. He emphasizes that with the right support, the Earth’s climate system has the potential for resilience, offering hope if we take the necessary actions.

In April, we spoke with Tessa Hulls about her powerful graphic memoir, Feeding Ghosts. It tells the story of three generations of women — her Chinese grandmother, Sun Yi; her mother, Rose; and herself —and how, in the process of writing and drawing their stories, she was able to heal the trauma that haunted them.

Also in April, we spoke with with Brad Gooch about his acclaimed new biography of Keith Haring, RADIANT: The Life and Line of Keith Haring. Then we listen back to a clip of Gooch talking with us in 2017 about his biography, Rumi’s Secret: The Life of the Sufi Poet of Love.

In May, Kelly Fong told us about her book, Investigating Families: Motherhood in the Shadow of Child Protective Services. We explored the inner workings of Child Protection Services (CPS), the impact on families, and the need for systemic change.

Also in May, we spoke with Eric Klinenberg about his book 2020: One City, Seven People, And The Year Everything Changed. It follows seven New Yorkers as they try to cope with the pandemic. Among them, a transit worker, a bar owner, a retired lawyer who organizes a mutual aid network and a Black Lives Matter protester. Their stories and those of the others illustrate how our leaders and institutions failed us — and how some citizens stepped into the breach.

In July, we sat down with Dr. William Bronston, a renowned advocate for disability rights and social justice. Dr. Bronston shared his journey from a young medical student to a leading figure in the fight to protect the rights of people with disabilities. He discussed his experiences working at the Willowbrook State School, his efforts in the deinstitutionalization movement, and the transformative impact of the landmark Willowbrook case. His book is Public Hostage: Public Ransom: Ending Institutional America.

In September, we spoke with Clayton Page Aldern about The Weight of Nature, his groundbreaking new book on the impacts of climate change on our brains — from PSTD to brain-eating amoebas. Aldern explains how climate-induced stressors are shaping our mental health — harming our judgment, leading to rises in neurodegenerative diseases, and even eroding our capacity to tell truth from lies.

In October, we sat down with epidemiologist Caitlin Rivers to talk about her book Crisis Averted. From the successful eradication of smallpox to navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, Rivers delves into public health challenges, funding gaps, and the “panic and neglect” cycle that threatens our preparedness for future outbreaks.

In November, Julie Sedivy told us about Linguaphile: A Life of Language Love. Sedivy shared her journey from a multilingual childhood to becoming a linguist, reflecting on the complexities of multilingualism, the emotional weight of language, and its profound ties to time, identity, and human connection. She also explored how language shapes our social interactions, cultural divides, and even our final moments.

Also in November, journalist and author Rebecca Nagle told us about By the Fire We Carry: The Generations’ Long Fight for Justice on Native Land. She unpacked the history of the Cherokee Nation and broader Indigenous struggles for sovereignty. Nagle intertwines personal family history with systemic injustices, tracing the consequences of the Trail of Tears, the Indian Removal Act, and the ongoing fight for Native land rights. She examines how these histories intersect with larger issues of capitalism, democracy, and climate justice.

Sociologist Stephanie Canizales examines the lives of unaccompanied migrant youth in her groundbreaking book, Sin Padres Ni Papeles. Drawing from years of immersive research in the Pico-Union neighborhood of Los Angeles, Canizales sheds light on the systemic challenges these young people face, from exploitative labor conditions to emotional isolation.

She connects their experiences to historical U.S. policies in Central America and Mexico, revealing the deep ties between migration, policy, and economic inequality. This conversation explores resilience, identity, and what must change to ensure justice for migrant communities.

“The conditions that force young people to migrate aren’t inherent to them—they’re rooted in histories of U.S. intervention and inequality.” — Stephanie Canizales

Writers Voice— in depth conversation with writers of all genres, on the air since 2004.

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Read The Transcript

Key Words: Stephanie Canizales, Sin Padres Ni Papeles, unaccompanied minors, migrant youth, labor exploitation, U.S. immigration policy, Central America migration, systemic inequality, undocumented workers, migration

Key Topics

• The personal and structural factors driving unaccompanied migration from Central America and Mexico
• The emotional and material struggles of unaccompanied youth in the U.S.
• Historical U.S. policies and their impact on migration patterns
• The role of labor exploitation and systemic inequality in shaping migrant experiences
• The intersection of identity, resilience, and community among unaccompanied minors
• Broader implications for U.S. immigration reform and social justice

Read an excerpt from Stephanie Canizales’ Sin Padres Ni Papeles to explore the untold stories of unaccompanied migrant youth.

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