The Song of Rowland: American Culture at Full Volume

Episode 28 - Suzi Ehtesham-Zadeh

Suzi Ehtesham-Zadeh is an Iranian-American writer, educator, and editor who lives in Woodstock, Georgia. Her work has appeared in The Georgia Review, Fiction International, Glassworks Magazine, Quiddity International Literary Journal, Hektoen International Journal, Narrative Northeast, Mobius Journal for Social Change, and elsewhere.  Zan, a collection of her stories, was awarded the 2022 Dzanc Short Story Collection Prize and was released on June 11, 2024.   Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2448115/support]

Episode 27 - Catherine O'Hara Retrospective

The recent, unexpected death of Catherine O'Hara provided an important reminder of how important it is to appreciate those who provide a shining light while they're still around. O'Hara's career was a perfect example of how people can become an important part of American culture slowly, over time, with a solid catalogue of strong performances.  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2448115/support]

Episode 23 - Rob Reiner Retrospective

Ever since the tragic death of Rob Reiner, I’ve been thinking a lot about how we can often take for granted someone who is such a steady presence in American culture. He never seemed like someone who was desperate for attention or praise, despite producing a solid body of work. So I wanted to talk about my ten favorite Rob Reiner projects. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2448115/support]

Episode 22 - Lynn Stegner

When Lynn Stegner met her future husband Page, she had no idea that his father was one of the most famous writers in America, even though she was an aspiring writer. But the first time she met Wallace Stegner in person, they quickly discovered that they had both lived in the same orphanage when they were children, about 45 years apart. They became very close, and as Lynn's career developed, Wallace Stegner became her most valuable mentor. She has since published four novels, a collection of short stories, a tryptic, which is three short novellas, and an anthology that she and I edited together called WEST OF 98: Living and Writing the American West. I had a wonderful time talking to her about her latest novel, The Half-Life of Guilt. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2448115/support]

Episode 21 - 20 Favorite Western Films

Growing up in Montana during the '60s and '70s, I was a huge fan of Western films, although my attitude toward that genre changed a lot through the years. As I became more aware of how these films tended to show racist, sexist attitudes, I came to value the films that gave a more realistic and nuanced view of this part of the country, and my list shows that change in my viewpoint. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2448115/support]