logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2015
49m 45s

Steve Almond

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode
This week we talk to Steve Almond about the good and bad in all of us

Steve Almond spent seven years as a newspaper reporter in Texas and Florida before writing his first book, the story collection My Life in Heavy Metal. His books, Candyfreak, and Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life: A Book by and for the Fanatics Among Us were New York Times Bestsellers. His short fiction has been included in The Best American Short Stories and Pushcart Prize anthologies, and his collection, God Bless America, won the Paterson Prize for Fiction. Almond writes commentary and journalism regularly for The New York Times Magazine and The Boston Globe. A former sports reporter and play-by-play man, his latst book is called Against Football: One Fan's Reluctant Manifesto.
He is also the co host of the popular Dear Sugar podcast that he co-hosts with Cheryl Strayed.



 


 Our Sponsor this Week is Athletic Greens
Click here to get 50% off your first order!!
 

 In This Interview Steve and I Discuss...



The beginnings of the Dear Sugar column
Being funny and poignant at the same time
What makes good writing
How to make an advice column good
The culture of treating everything like a joke or with irony
Kurt Vonnegut
Language, storytelling and humor as a way to fight of despair
The declining American culture
The One You Feed parable
The two stories that we are constantly telling the world
How the two wolves keep fighting all our lives
The flattening out of character in American discourse
How we all contain great and terrible qualities
How our culture makes a god out of convenience

For more show notes visit our website

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Oct 7
The Power of Awareness: Lessons from the 100 Best Books for Work and Life with Todd Sattersten
In this episode, Todd Sattersten explores the art of awareness with lessons from his new book “The 100 Best Books for Work and Life. He delves into how we can reshape the way we live, work, and become who we’re meant to be. Todd also discusses how mindfulness, Zen practice, and s ... Show More
58m 27s
Oct 3
Trusting Yourself: The Key to Navigating Relationships and Personal Growth with Mark Groves
In this episode, Mark Groves discusses the importance of trusting yourself and the key to navigating relationships and personal growth. Mark shares insights from his own journey, including leaving a secure career, embracing sobriety, and navigating relationship endings with integ ... Show More
58m 36s
Sep 30
The Power of Choice: How to Break Free from Shame, Anger, and Grief with Shaka Senghor
In this episode, Shaka Senghor discusses the power of choice, and how to break free from shame, anger, and grief, which can be the hardest prisons to escape. Shaka spent 19 years in prison and seven of those in solitary confinement. But he’ll tell you that he was imprisoned long ... Show More
57m 23s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2022
Chuck Klosterman on Writing, Being Wrong, and The Nineties
Ryan talks to author Chuck Klosterman about his new book The Nineties, the inevitability of being wrong, the value of simplicity, and more. Chuck Klosterman is a NYT bestselling author and culture critic. His books include Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs; But What If We’re Wrong?; an ... Show More
1h 31m
Dec 2022
Dan Buettner On The Lost American Diet
The U.S. is one of the most prosperous nations on the planet—and yet, our country has never been more unhealthy. Here to offer us a fact-based prescription for living longer and better is the intrepid Dan Buettner. A true renaissance man, Dan is an investigative journalist, a Nat ... Show More
1h 45m
May 2023
The Best Mental Health Insights from Past Guests (Bonus Episode)
In honor of mental health awareness month, we want to welcome you to the first ever Inside Mental Health podcast clips show. Listen now to hear some great insights from some of the best guests of the past year. Featuring clips from Jennette McCurdy, Alanis Morissette, Wil Wheaton ... Show More
28m 37s
Jan 2024
Adam Nicolson On The Rule Of Philosophy & Greek Mythology
On this episode of the Daily Stoic Podcast, Ryan talks with English author Adam Nicolson on greek mythology, real meaning of the oceans, travel, the grand question about philosophy, that what really matters more? to understand the higher things above you, or the material actualit ... Show More
1h 5m
Jan 2024
Greg McKeown - How Essentialism Brings Meaning to Your Life
In today's episode of Slo Mo, we're joined by Greg McKeown, the mind behind the 'Essentialist' philosophy. Greg, renowned for his insights on simplifying life's complexities, shares his personal journey, shedding light on the experiences and inspirations that have shaped his pers ... Show More
1h 42m
May 2022
Brad Stulberg: Ditch The Hedonic Treadmill For Sustainable Success
Ambition is laudable. But hustle culture extracts a cost. True, sustainable success demands groundedness. Here today to elaborate is Brad Stulberg—a writer and coach specializing in human performance and well-being. Returning for his third appearance (you can check out episodes # ... Show More
2h 19m
Feb 2023
Roll On Re-Entry: AMA on Addiction, Lifestyle Change, & A New Format
Welcome to the 2023 season premiere of ‘Roll On’, the version of the podcast where we indulge in some good-natured banter and ramble on matters of interest across culture, sports, politics, literature, art, self-betterment, and more. My co-host is Mr. Adam Skolnick, an activist, ... Show More
1h 29m
Oct 2023
David Itzkoff
Meet David Itzkoff, an American journalist, writer and former cultural reporter for the New York Times. If you would like to catch up on everything culture, this is the episode for you! Don’t miss David’s books Cocaine’s Son: A memoir and Robin, a biography of Robin Williams and ... Show More
47m 38s
Mar 2023
What Psychiatry Can and Cannot Do (A Nuanced Investigation)
When Daniel Bergner’s brother received a bipolar disorder diagnosis, his family was told he needed to adhere to the doctor’s orders or death was a likely outcome. This set off a chain reaction of fear his life while Daniel’s brother was just trying to manage a difficult and persi ... Show More
33m 25s