“Project Hail Mary” with Ray Porter

"Country People" with Daniel Mason

Today, we're joined by novelist Daniel Mason to explore the quietly enchanted world of Country People, his warmest and funniest novel yet. An academic California family lands in rural Vermont for a year while the father takes up scything and seeks out the “country people” who can maybe inspire him to finish his dissertation. Daniel talks about the secret society of Hollow Earth believers at the story's heart, what drew him to writing a novel so different from his previous work, and why a man who has spent fourteen years not finishing his dissertation might not be a failure after all. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

BONUS: How to Combat Brain Rot with Manoush Zomorodi

This week, we're sharing an episode from Kal's other podcast, Here We Go Again With Kal Penn, all about brain rot and how to fight back. Manoush Zomorodi is a journalist and host of TED Radio Hour. Mostly, she's trying to figure out how technology is changing your body, your brain, and your behavior. She and Kal sit down to talk about how movement and boredom can be vital parts of warding off the more negative effects of scrolling and screentime. Check out Manoush's new book, Body Electric on Audible [https://www.audible.com/pd/Body-Electric-Audiobook/B0FT52MWCN].  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

“Heads Will Roll: Heir Apparent” with Emily Lynne

Today, we’re joined by comedian Emily Lynne to jump into the deranged fantasy world of Heads Will Roll: Heir Apparent, an Audible Original comedy she co-created with her sister Kate McKinnon. An evil queen must produce an heir before 40 or die by demon; her cursed-raven best friend gets cosmetic surgery and ends up a toad. Emily dishes about casting Richard Kind, negotiating with her therapist, and the tiny horrible real-life moments behind the jokes. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

“Dungeon Crawler Carl” with Matt Dinniman and Jeff Hays

Earsay goes live at Audible Story House in New York for an episode about Dungeon Crawler Carl, the global phenomenon that started as a single line in a middle school notebook ("Alien Game Show") and grew into an eight-book franchise with a TV adaptation in the works. Kal was joined by author Matt Dinniman, and Jeff Hays, the narrator who brings this immersive world and all its characters to life in the audiobook. They get into where the story and the performance comes from, why Carl is a deeper character than meets the eye, and how maybe it’s the cats who are really in charge. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

“Seek the Traitor’s Son” with Veronica Roth

Today, we’re diving into Seek the Traitor's Son — the sweeping new romance/fantasy/sci-fi epic from Veronica Roth, author of the Divergent series. Veronica shares why she spent years steering away from the things that actually made her happy as a writer, how COVID shaped the story's central premise, and what it means to write a male romantic lead whose superpower is radical empathy. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.