Episodes

Danielle Bacher and I discuss her Esquire story, and the unique challenges of writing about your own family.

One mother struggles to find answers about her son’s health, and explores what it means for a parent to grapple with uncertainty. Taylor and I talk about the unique challenges about writing about your biggest doubts and fears.

How three hard-partying goofballs made a small fortune smuggling illegal immigrants into the United States. Flinder Boyd and I talk about how he found this story and put it together for Rolling Stone.

Writer Jessica Ogilvie rode along with third-generation trucker Melissa Rojas for six days and 3,500 miles. We talk about how it went and what she learned along the way.

Author Davy Rothbart looks at a company that provides “crowds on demand.” For the right fee, it can deliver a mob of cheering fans or a rowdy, noisy crowd of angry protesters. We talk about his adventure working as part of a hired crowd.

Two fighters faced off for their first professional boxing match; tragedy followed. I talk with New York Times writer Dan Barry about what it took to put together the story of what led both men into that ring, and what happened to the one who survived.

“The Irrationality of Alcoholics Anonymous” looks at AA (and related addiction treatment programs) and asks tough questions about whether it works as well as many believe, and if there are better, more effective alternatives. I talk with author Gabrielle Glaser about the challenges of reporting and writing about this controversial topic.

“A Million Little Boxes” looks at the 39th Annual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament and the battle between two of the greatest puzzle solvers of all time. I talk with Oliver Roeder about his story.

What caused the worst American rail disaster in decades? Matt Shaer looked at the accident, the victims, and the man who was driving the train that night. We discuss the challenges of reporting and writing the story.