Viola Davis and the Joy of Being Alive

Glory speaks with actor and author Viola Davis about her new memoir, Finding Me. In the final episode of this season, Viola gets candid about books as a means of escape during her difficult childhood and how she and her sisters found salvation in literature while living in poverty in Rhode Island. …

Tayari Jones Writes to Heal Her Readers

Glory speaks with author Tayari Jones about her award-winning novel An American Marriage. In this episode, the women talk about the healing power of Tayari’s work, her long writing process, and the value of sisterhood in her life. Glory also talks about a heartfelt memento she received from the aut…

Honorée Fanonne Jeffers’ on Writing The Love Songs of W.E.B. DuBois

Glory speaks with poet and author Honorée Fanonne Jeffers about her award-winning debut novel, The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois. In this episode, Honorée opens up about being inspired by poet Lucille Clifton and about reading Tolstoy at an early age. She also shares her Soul Train scramble board-st…

Ashley C. Ford on Design Matters with Debbie Millman

Today, an episode from another podcast we think you'll like: Design Matters with Debbie Millman from the TED Audio Collective. Each week Debbie sits down with an exceptionally creative person to explore how they design the arc of their lives. In this episode, Ashley C. Ford joins to discuss her mem…

Elizabeth Acevedo’s in a Lyrical League of Her Own

Glory talks to poet and author Elizabeth Acevedo about her books Clap When You Land and The Poet X. They discuss Elizabeth’s research process for writing poetry versus writing novels in verse. In this episode, they also talk about how music influenced Elizabeth’s early poetry, and how hip hop gave …

Nikole Hannah-Jones is Built to Serve

Glory talks to Pulitzer Prize-winning author and journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones about her writing process and her preparation for publishing The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story. In this episode, they also talk about how social justice showed up in Hannah-Jones’ childhood and her exciting journey t…

Brit Bennett on Writing Confidently

Glory and New York Times best-selling author Brit Bennett talk about her latest novel, The Vanishing Half. In this episode, they also get in the weeds talking about the task of writing a story that tackles race and colorism, what Brit’s revision process looks like, and how workshopping her first no…

Deesha Philyaw Is Done Playing Small

Glory talks to author Deesha Philyaw about her National Book Award finalist debut collection, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies. In this episode, they explore Black women’s complex relationship with the church, how Deesha crafts her bold characters, and why writers — especially writers of color — s…

Zeba Blay Brings Healing to the Page

Glory talks to culture critic and author Zeba Blay about her book Carefree Black Girls: A Celebration of Black Women in Popular Culture and creating space for Black women to heal. In this episode, they explore Zeba’s mental health journey, how the internet shaped her writing, and why her work cente…

Gabrielle Union On Writing Her Truth

Glory catches up with actress and author Gabrielle Union to talk about her latest book You Got Anything Stronger? In this episode, they also talk about Gabrielle’s lifelong love of reading, how some of her most iconic roles still bring her joy, and how writing and living without fear bring her clos…