Podcasts

No explanation needed. Listen to these - they are amazing! Names are linked to podcast sites. Enjoy.

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The Memory Palace - This show is truly a master class in story telling. Creator, writer, and producer Nate DiMeo weaves exquisite, yetunpretentious prose to tell stories about the people behind historical events. Not only will you likely learn a thing or two, you'll get to hear truly evocative tales weaving imagery with facts. As I first listened to his podcast, I literally said to myself, "Now that's how you tell a story!" (Excellent episodes I recommend: 77 "Butterflies" and 134 "The Dress.")

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Science! With Friends - for a discussion of science topics with the very likable hosts, Brad and Jocelyn. This show is great because, while it can get pretty in-depth physics wise, they cover why science communication and story telling are important. Right up my alley!

(Favorite episode is Episode 5)

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RadioLab - produced by podcast supergiant NPR, this show is the single greatest example of impressive storytelling. I always learn a ton and the production value is great.

(Favorite episode is called 'Words.')

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Revisionist History - Malcolm Gladwell is just an incredible font of knowledge. In his podcast he discusses historical phenomena that are either miss-remembered or forgotten. Gladwell is a master storyteller and his descriptions of people and places are absolutely captivating.

(Favorite episodes Season 3 Episodes 8/9 - it's a 2-parter and it's fantastic!)

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Writing Excuses - Really great 15 minute podcast for writers. Panel of award-winning novelists discuss issues from crafting plot twists to writing characters of different ethnicity/sexuality/sex, etc.

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Helping Writers Become Authors - I recently discovered KM Weiland and her incredibly easy breakdown of all the tough to tackle issues in writing, such as: character arcs, plot structure, etc. Her podcast is extremely informative and her voice is soothing, so that's a bonus.

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Books

This is a tough topic to tackle because there are thousands of books in the world and only one lifetime to fill with them. So that's a bummer. Here are the books on my MUST READ list:

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• Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury

• 1984 - George Orwell

• Sirens of Titan - Kurt Vonnegut

• The Reader - Bernhard Schlink

• Red Rising - Pierce Brown (first 3 books- life changers!)

• Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card (I don't care if you hate the movie. The book is incredible.)

• The Help - Kathryn Stockett