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Plus: The U.S. economy grew more slowly than previously reported at the end of last year. And Adobe’s CEO will step down after the company finds a new leader for the AI era. Pierre Bienaimé hosts.
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Since the publication of her first novel, “Love Medicine,” in 1984, Louise Erdrich has written fiction, nonfiction, poetry and children’s books. Her work has earned multiple awards, including the National Book Award (“The Round House”) and the Pulitzer Prize (“The Night Watchman”).
On this week’s episode, Erdrich talks with Gilbert Cruz, the editor of The New York Times Book Review, about her new short story collection, “Python’s Kiss.” She reflects on some of the formative experiences that shaped her as a writer, including watching “Planet of the Apes” and growing up in North Dakota, a state that housed hundreds of intercontinental ballistic missiles.
She says that writing has been her “only real way of processing” her experiences and that her creative process is full of mystery.
“There’s really no way to control everything that happens in a piece of art. Some of these stories — I wasn’t sure that I had written it,” she said, adding: “And yet, obviously, it was in my handwriting.”
Plus, Erdrich recommends the one book that always puts her to sleep.
Books discussed on this episode:
“Animal Farm,” by George Orwell
“Brawler,” by Lauren Groff
“Winter in the Blood,” by James Welch
“The Pillow Book,” by Sei Shōnagon
“The Death of the Heart,” by Elizabeth Bowen
“Save Me, Stranger,” by Erika Krouse
“The Bluest Eye,” by Toni Morrison
“Austerlitz,” by W.G. Sebald
“The Rings of Saturn,” by W.G. Sebald
“Whistler,” by Ann Patchett
“Make the Golf Course a Public Sex Forest,” published by Maitland Systems Engineering
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Commentary contributing editor Eli Lake joins us today to discuss the two terrorist attacks in a Michigan synagogue and Old Dominion University, the reality of security for Jewish institutions in America, and the media's obsessive focus on the impact of antisemitism on Muslim Americans. Plus, is the U.S. military prepared to enforce passage in the Strait of Hormuz?
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The Israeli military has carried out waves of airstrikes across Lebanon, including the capital Beirut, after Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah launched about 200 rockets into northern Israel. At least 687 people, including 98 children, have been killed in Israeli attacks in Lebanon since then and 800,000 others have been displaced, according to Lebanese authorities.
Caught up in this conflict are tens of thousands of African domestic workers. Many say they cannot leave the country because they are employed under Lebanon’s Kafala system - a legal framework that ties a migrant worker’s residency to their employer, meaning they cannot change jobs or leave without their employer's consent.
Focus on Africa podcast host, Nkechi Ogbonna, spoke to Banchi Yimer, who left her home country of Ethiopia to move to Lebanon over a decade ago. After workign as a domestic worker for years, she founded an NGO that advocates for the rights of African migrant workers. She spoke to Nkechi from Beirut about the plight of African migrant workers in Lebanon.
Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Carolyne Kiambo Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Senior Producers: Priya Sippy Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla
The Senate passed a bipartisan bill yesterday that aims to take on housing affordability by increasing the housing supply and cutting red tape. But it has a tough road ahead in the House and possibly the White House. This morning, we'll dig in. Also on the show: GDP growth was revised down to just 0.7%. Plus, China's latest five-year plan aims to transform the country into a tech-driven global power, while boosting domestic demand.
The massive bombardment of Iran is continuing with explosions heard across Tehran. Iranian state television reported a major blast near where thousands of Iranians are taking part in a Quds Day rally - an annual march in support of Palestinians and opposing Israel. One person is reported to have been killed. There is also growing criticism in Europe of Washington's decision to ease sanctions on Russian oil in a bid to counter rising oil prices caused by the US and Israel's war with Iran.
Also, how the White House is selling its war on social media.
And we look ahead to the Oscars, where international cinema in the spotlight this year.
Plus researchers warn AI toys for children misread emotions and respond inappropriately.
(Photo: Iranians collect their belongings among the rubble of their damaged residential buildings in central Tehran, Iran, 12 March 2026. Credit: EPA)
Plus: FedEx plans to expand its use of AI agents. And Adobe’s CEO abruptly steps down after 18 years. Danny Lewis hosts.
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In this episode, Rivers and Sam are hangin' out at Disgraceland Studios with TWO incredible guests: comedians Jon Allen and Blake Hamilton! The boys start things off by chugging a Swedish energy drink that tastes like candles and talking about a song from 1997 scientifically designed to be the worst ever. Then, they talk about the WWE debut of Danhausen, who made his grand entrance from a gigantic wooden box. This leads into Rivers's deep dive into the true stories of guys who mailed themselves and the disastrous outcomes that followed. Bob Seger's "Night Moves" is our JAM OF THE WEEK! Tune in, everyone! Follow Jon on social media @TheJonAllen Follow Blake on social media @Blake__Hamilton Follow the show on social media @TheGoodsPod. Rivers is @RiversLangley Sam is @SlamHarter Carter is @Carter_Glascock Subscribe on Patreon for the UNCUT video version of this episode as well as TONS of bonus content! http://patreon.com/TheGoodsPod Pick up a Goods from the Woods t-shirt here: http://prowrestlingtees.com/TheGoodsPod
Some Christians observe the weeks of Lent leading up to Easter by not eating meat on Fridays. That means that we’re in the thick of fish fry season. Thing is, tariffs have raised the price of seafood. We head to one local fish fry near Akron, Ohio, to learn about the impact. But first, the war in the Middle East is threatening critical water desalination plants, which many Gulf countries rely on to make seawater potable.