Meet the Writers
Meet the Writers is a podcast that delves into the lives and creative processes of authors. Hosted by Georgina Godwin, each episode features an in-depth conversation with a writer about their inspiration, methods, and the stories behind their books. The show airs every Saturday.
Episodes
Anuradha Roy and life in the Himalayas
Georgina Godwin speaks to Anuradha Roy on living in the Himalayas as detailed in her latest work, ‘Called by the Hills’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Leo Varadkar on power, identity and leaving politics
Georgina Godwin speaks to former Irish taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who reflects on identity, leadership and life after politics. From Brexit and Biden to the coronavirus pandemic and stepping down, he shares lessons from power and public service. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The winners of the 2026 Women’s Prize
Georgina Godwin sits down with the winners of the 2026 Women’s Prize for fiction and non-fiction, Virginia Evans for The Correspondent and Lyse Doucet for The Finest Hotel in Kabul.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tim Wu and the future beyond big tech
Georgina Godwin meets Tim Wu, the man who coined the term “net neutrality” in Silicon Valley, and discusses his book ‘The Age of Extraction’, which critiques the extractive practices of tech giants.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tayari Jones at the 2026 Hay Festival
Georgina Godwin meets Tayari Jones at the 2026 Hay Festival. Jones details her upbringing and her path into writing leading to her new novel, ‘Kin’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Judy Blume on taboos, breaking barriers and leaving writing
Georgina Godwin meets award-winning writer Judy Blume at the Santa Fe International Literary Festival. She shares career moments and her thoughts on the future of literary works in the US in the current political climate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Julia Franck on fiction, memoir and personal history
Georgina Godwin meets Julia Franck, a writer born in East Berlin, who shares insight into her upbringing, literary influences and her memoir, ‘Worlds Apart’, which explores her Jewish heritage. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oana Aristide on satire, space dreams and fiction
Georgina Godwin speaks to Romania-born author Oana Aristide about communism, satire and fiction, while tracing her journey from macroeconomics and political advising to her latest novel, ‘Astronaut!’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Megan Mulry and the Santa Fe International Literary Festival
Ahead of the 2026 Santa Fe International Literary Festival, Georgina Godwin speaks to Megan Mulry, the executive director, to discuss this year’s event and the importance of global literary engagements.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ece Temelkuran on exile, language and finding a new voice
Georgina Godwin is joined by journalist and novelist Ece Temelkuran. Forced exile led to her writing in English and producing her latest work, Nation of Strangers: Rebuilding Home in the 21st Century, which explores the concept of home and belonging. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nicholas Thompson on leading change and running habits
Georgina Godwin meets Nicholas Thompson, CEO of ‘The Atlantic’, to discuss ‘The Running Ground’, a memoir which intertwines his career in journalism, his relationship with his father and his passion for running.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rachel Eliza Griffiths and the weight of memory
Georgina Godwin is joined by writer and poet Rachel Eliza Griffiths to discuss her memoir, ‘The Flower Bearers’, a deeply moving portrait of love, loss and the power of bearing witness in a fractured world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Catherine Carr and the complexities of sibling dynamics
Georgina Godwin meets award-winning documentarian Catherine Carr to discuss the exploration into sibling dynamics that led to her new book, ‘Who’s the Favourite?’, which gives insight into birth order, roles, and the impact of estrangement and loss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Maria Semple on stoicism, rebellion and personal growth
Georgina Godwin meets Maria Semple, bestselling author of ‘Where’d You Go, Bernadette’, to discuss her new book, ‘Go Gentle’, which follows a divorced stoic philosopher’s mid-life transformation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Poet Sasha Debevec-McKenney on writing with joy
Georgina Godwin is joined by Sasha Debevec-McKenney to discuss the writer’s debut poetry collection “Joy is My Middle Name”, which is shortlisted for the 2026 Dylan Thomas Prize. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret Busby on publishing, power and representation
Georgina Godwin meets Margaret Busby, Britain’s first black publisher. They discuss her career, the landmark anthology ‘Daughters of Africa’ and new release ‘Part of the Story: Writings from Half a Century’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Fatima Bhutto at the Daunt Books Festival 2026
Following the release of her memoir, ‘The Hour of the Wolf’, Fatima Bhutto joins Georgina Godwin at the Daunt Books Festival 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Francis Spufford on faith, fantasy and the craft of fiction
Georgina Godwin is joined by renowned writer Francis Spufford. They discuss his early days at Chatto & Windus, his wrangles with sceptics and latest novel, ‘Nonesuch’, which is set in London during the Blitz.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Luka Ivan Jukic on the enduring significance of Central Europe
Georgina Godwin meets journalist and historian Luka Ivan Jukic, whose latest book, Central Europe: The Death of a Civilization and the Life of an Idea, explores the emergent rebirth of the region.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Karen Dobres and pitch politics
It’s International Women’s Day and Georgina Godwin is joined by a former model who helped transform Lewes FC into the world’s first equal-pay football club. She discusses ‘Pitch Invasion’, a story about sport, culture and Britain’s global soft power.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tom Freston on media, reinvention and change
Georgina Godwin meets Tom Freston to discuss his memoir, Unplugged. It traces his journey from launching MTV and shaping Comedy Central to how philanthropy reshaped his sense of purpose and reinvention.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Maria Alyokhina on activism, Russia’s regime and hope for the motherland
Georgina Godwin is joined by Maria Alyokhina, who shares insight into her latest memoir, Political Girl, and her hopes for the future of Russia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bora Chung on the rise of Korean literature
Georgina Godwin speaks with author Bora Chung about her life and activism, the rise of South Korean literature and her short-story collection The Midnight Timetable, which explores speculative fiction and political themes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Andrey Kurkov on chronicling a nation at war
Georgina Godwin meets Ukrainian author Andrey Kurkov, who shares his experiences from four years of war, the impact of conflict on daily life and the role of culture in resistance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Damian Barr on Scottish art, memory and belonging
Damien Barr meets Georgina Godwin to reflect on childhood shaping his memoir and novel, examining class, his move from journalism to fiction and celebrating overlooked Scottish artists via writing, theatre and an exhibition.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Alexander B Smalls on opera, food and African heritage
Georgina Godwin meets Alexander B Smalls, tracing his path from opera to food writing via his family roots, landmark restaurants and books championing African cuisine, community and cultural pride.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Steve Crawshaw and confronting global impunity
Georgina Godwin speaks to Steve Crawshaw about his book Prosecuting the Powerful, including cases from Milošević and Putin to Netanyahu. Plus: the ICC, US hostility and why accountability matters in Gaza and Ukraine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mary L Trump and how power destroys a nation
Georgina Godwin meets US psychologist and author Mary L Trump. They discuss her upbringing within the Trump family, pivoting from psychology to writing memoirs and what’s next for America and its politics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
EA Hanks and retracing family ties
EA Hanks joins Georgina Godwin in the studio to discuss her debut memoir The 10, which recounts a solo journey, retracing family ties and the memory of her late mother.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Manni Coe on roots, ruins and reinvention
Georgina Godwin speaks with writer-guide Manni Coe about his memoir Little Ruins, tracing his Yorkshire roots, music, struggles and plans for new books and tours.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
India Knight on finding Home
Georgina Godwin speaks to British journalist and author India Knight on what makes a home worth living in her latest novel "Home"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
John Lloyd and ‘The Meaning of Liff’
Georgina Godwin meets John Lloyd, one of the men behind ‘The Meaning of Liff’. He shares insight on working with Douglas Adams and the impact of the humorous dictionary on its 42nd anniversary.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sir Michael Palin on his travels, decades-long career and finding laughter
Georgina Godwin sits down with Sir Michael Palin, who shares insight into his upbringing, his start in comedy with Monty Python and his latest venture, ‘Michael Palin in Venezuela’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mitchell Kaplan, the founder of Miami Book Fair
Georgina Godwin speaks with Mitchell Kaplan, the founder of Miami Book Fair. They discuss his switch in career to becoming a bookseller, influencing the city’s literary culture and adapting to new reading trends.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Harlan Greene at the 2025 Charleston Literary Festival
Georgina Godwin meets American writer and historian Harlan Greene at the 2025 Charleston Literary Festival to discuss the playwright Dorothy Heyward, who is the subject of Greene’s book ‘Porgy’s Ghost’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The winner of the 2025 Booker Prize: David Szalay
Georgina Godwin meets David Szalay, winner of the 2025 Booker Prize, at Charleston Literary Festival. They discuss his winning novel, Flesh, his connection to the UK, his multicultural upbringing and the prize’s impact.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kiran Desai on loneliness, legacy and the curse of rewriting
Georgina Godwin is joined by Kiran Desai, whose novel ‘The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny’ was shortlisted for the 2025 Booker Prize. She discusses her New Delhi childhood, political unrest and the influence of her mother, Anita Desai.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction 2025 winner: Helen Garner
Georgina Godwin is joined by Helen Garner, the 2025 winner of the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction, who shares insight into How to End a Story: Collected Diaries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Richard Armitage and the power of storytelling
Richard Armitage discusses moving from acting to writing with ‘The Cut’, which explores trauma and memory. Reflecting on his Leicestershire roots, immersive roles and empathy, Armitage seeks a balance between storytelling on stage and page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Richard Lloyd Parry and the journeys within stories
Richard Lloyd Parry, Asia editor for The Times and Sunday Times, shares memories of his upbringing in Southport and his Blockbusters prize trip to Japan, which sparked a desire to cover the continent during his career.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Olivier Norek on courage, conflict and history
French author Olivier Norek presents ‘The Winter Warriors’, his first historical novel, on the 1939 Soviet invasion of Finland. He joins Georgina Godwin to discuss his research and why this story deserves global recognition.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sam Sussman on the possibility of family ties
Writer Sam Sussman joins Georgina Godwin to discuss his US upbringing, relationship with his mother and the op-ed that developed into his debut novel, ‘Boy from the North Country’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Juhea Kim on stories woven from silence
Georgina Godwin speaks to Juhea Kim about her path from ballet to bestsellers, the inspirations behind her work, her passion for conservation and the television adaptation of her debut novel, ‘Beasts of a Little Land’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Priyanka Mattoo on the search for home
Writer and filmmaker Priyanka Mattoo joins Georgina Godwin following the release of her memoir, ‘Bird Milk & Mosquito Bones’, which details a journey of self-discovery and finding home in an ever-changing world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Michael Wolff on chaos, power and America’s reckoning
Journalist Michael Wolff joins Georgina Godwin to discuss his career and his perception of Donald Trump, leading to his ‘Fire and Fury’ series. Plus: he shares his view on the political landscape in the media.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
R James Breiding on what small nations teach the world
R James Breiding, Naissance Capital founder and author, recounts his path from Catholic school to finance. He champions small nations’ strengths, praises Singapore’s healthcare and highlights lessons from Nordic countries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Michelle de Kretser on literature and belonging
Georgina Godwin interviews Michelle de Kretser on her Sri Lankan roots, family influences, migration to Australia and her novel ‘Theory & Practice’, which explores desire, jealousy and identity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Iain Sinclair on London, literature and hidden journeys
Georgina Godwin is joined by the chronicler of London’s psychogeographies, Iain Sinclair. His latest novel, ‘Pariah Genius’, traces the footsteps of photographer John Deakin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nick Berg on revolutions, exile and the stories that we inherit
Nick Berg joins Georgina Godwin to discuss ‘Shadows of Tehran’, a novel mirroring the author’s life in Iran before and after the revolution. He reflects on activism, escape, military service and Iran’s future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Iris Wolff on weaving memory into words
Georgina Godwin is joined by Iris Wolff to discuss her childhood in Romania, emigrating to Germany in the 1980s and the use of language and creative processes in the writing of her novel ‘Blurred’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Andrei Soldatov & Irina Borogan: Exiled voices on Russia
Russian journalists Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan, exiled in London, discuss ‘Our Dear Friends in Moscow’. The conversation ranges from post-Soviet transformations and censorship to their ongoing investigative reporting on Russian intelligence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Karin Slaughter on banned books and the fight for truth
Karin Slaughter joins Georgina Godwin to reflect on her upbringing and her latest novel, ‘We Are All Guilty Here’. Plus: she shares her criticisms of book banning and censorship in the US.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The women redefining literary festivals
Georgina Godwin speaks with women directing major literary festivals worldwide, from Edinburgh and Auckland to Sydney and Dubai. She explores their histories, audiences, themes and reach, highlighting diverse programming, cultural impact and international connections.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nick Harkaway and the legacy of Le Carré
Nick Harkaway joins Georgina Godwin to discuss life with John le Carré as a father and carrying on his legacy with the latest installment in the George Smiley series: ‘Karla’s Choice’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jean McNeil on bearing witness to a disappearing world
Canadian author Jean McNeil reflects on her journey from Cape Breton Island to Antarctica in a conversation that explores grief, climate change and honouring the earth through her latest novel, ‘Latitudes’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Guadalupe Nettel on human nature in fiction
Georgina Godwin speaks to Guadalupe Nettel about her award-winning writing, life between Mexico and France, partial blindness and how human and animal behaviour inspires the themes in her latest work, ‘The Accidentals’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
C K Stead at the 2025 Auckland Writers Festival
New Zealand literary giant C K Stead joins Georgina Godwin to discuss aging, mortality and his early fascination with poetry. He also reflects on his influential role in shaping New Zealand’s literature. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Karim Kattan on writing between languages and landscapes
Karim Kattan joins Georgina Godwin to discuss his upbringing in Bethlehem, putting Palestine in his own words and writing ‘The Palace on the Higher Hill’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Michael and Matariki Bennett at the 2025 Auckland Writers Festival
Georgina Godwin speaks with Michael and Matariki Bennett, co-curators of the Auckland Writers Festival, about their Māori heritage, the kōhanga reo movement and addressing sociopolitical issues through art.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Damian Le Bas on writing between worlds
Damian Le Bas joins Georgina Godwin to discuss his latest work, ‘The Drowned Places’, which delves into the myth of Atlantis and the sunken worlds beneath the ocean’s surface.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Agustina Bazterrica at Hay Festival 2025
Georgina Godwin speaks to Argentine author Agustina Bazterrica about her shift from opera to writing, literary influences and her novels exploring oppression, capitalism and control.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Esther Freud on family, fiction and healing
Esther Freud reflects on her childhood and literary journey to ‘My Sister and Other Lovers’, which follows two sisters facing secrets and heartbreak.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Damien Wilkins at the 2025 Auckland Writers Festival
Georgina Godwin meets Damien Wilkins, the 2025 Ockham New Zealand Book Award winner for fiction with his novel ‘Delirious’. Wilkins reflects on his early literary influences, past work and transitioning to songwriting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Eliza Reid on crafting her first mystery
Eliza Reid speaks to Georgina Godwin about growing up in Ottawa, her time as Iceland’s first lady and her debut whodunit, ‘Death of a Diplomat’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meike Ziervogel on her humanitarian and literary drive
Meike Ziervogel joins Georgina Godwin to discuss her literary and humanitarian journey, and her new novel, Shams.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Winners of the 2025 Women’s Prize for Fiction and Non-Fiction
Georgina Godwin meets Yael Van Der Wouden and Rachel Clarke, the winners of the 2025 Women’s Prize for Fiction and Non-Fiction for their works ‘The Safekeep’ and ‘The Story of A Heart’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Miranda Cowley Heller on what lies beneath art and memory
Author Miranda Cowley Heller speaks to Georgina Godwin at Adelaide Festival about the personal and literary crucible of her upbringing in a bohemian family of artists and writers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ewan Morrison on AI and its side effects
Ewan Morrison joins Georgina Godwin to discuss the inspiration behind his ninth book, For Emma. His first science-fiction novel follows a grieving father in search of answers after the death of his daughter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tiffany Watt Smith on female friendships
Tiffany Watt Smith joins Georgina Godwin to discuss her new release, ‘Bad Friend’, which explores the dynamics of female friendships with personal insights from Smith’s own life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jeremy Vine: Broadcasting and the stories that matter
Broadcaster Jeremy Vine sits down with Georgina Godwin to share details about his upbringing in Surrey, his entry into reporting as a political correspondent and writing a cosy mystery novel, Murder on Line One.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ahmed Alnaouq: the voices of Gaza beyond the headlines
Gazan journalist Ahmed Alnaouq joins Georgina Godwin to discuss his upbringing, losing family in a 2014 Israeli bombing and co-founding We Are Not Numbers, a network dedicated to sharing Palestinian stories beyond the headlines.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Lynda La Plante and the art of crime writing
Lynda La Plante speaks to Georgina Godwin about the latest addition to her Detective Jack Warr series, ‘Crucified’, as well as her research methods, personal challenges and experiences with psychics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jenny Mustard on writing literary fiction
Georgina Godwin is joined by Jenny Mustard to discuss her upbringing in Sweden, new novel ‘What A Time To Be Alive’ and the challenges of writing literary fiction.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
AC Grayling and making peace in the culture wars
AC Grayling has written theses and philosophies about society and the world for decades. His latest work, ‘Discriminations: Making Peace in the Culture Wars’, proffers the argument that discrimination is a human rights issue and if fully respected, there would be no discrimination. Speaking to Georgina Godwin, Grayling shares insights into his upbringing, starting his own university an
Rachel Shabi and the complexities of antisemitism
As an award-winning journalist, Rachel Shabi has reported for ‘The Times’, ‘The Guardian’, Al Jazeera English and many more besides. Her coverage of the Middle East, in particular the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the resurgence of antisemitism, led to ‘Off White: The Truth About Antisemitism’. The book addresses the need to understand and confront antisemiti
Stephen May’s reimagination of Victor Grayson
Stephen May has a penchant for reimagining the lives of historical figures and his new novel, ‘Green Ink’, is a case in point. May evocatively explores what could have happened on firebrand politician Victor Grayson’s last day. The former socialist MP suspiciously disappeared one night in September 1920. May joins Georgina Godwin to share insights on writing, creativity and his r
Natasha Brown on the effect of language
Natasha Brown’s 2021 debut ‘Assembly’ was met with critical acclaim, shortlisted for several awards including the Folio Prize, the Goldsmiths Prize and the Orwell Prize for Fiction, and translated into 17 languages. Her second novel ‘Universality’ is another extension of her talent, exploring the effect of language and applying to certain narratives affecting so
Abdulrazak Gurnah and Zanzibar’s multicultural history
The history of Zanzibar is prevalent in the work of Nobel laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah, including his new release, ‘Theft’, which is set in the 1990s and explores themes of injustice, class and personal growth. Abdulrazak speaks to Georgina Godwin about his upbringing in Britain following the revolution in his home country, his PhD on West African fiction and his transition from academia
Lauren Markham at the Lannan Literary Festival
As a fiction writer, essayist and journalist, Lauren Markham’s work most often concerns issues related to youth, migration, the environment and her home state of California. ‘A Map of Future Ruins’ explores the global immigration crisis’s historical, contemporary and, of course, future implications. Speaking with Georgina Godwin during the Lannan Literary Festival at George
Janet de Neefe’s cultural ventures in Bali
Janet de Neefe’s explorations of cooking and writing have seen her publish her hybrid memoir-cookbook ‘Fragrant Rice’ and open various restaurants and guesthouses in Bali, Indonesia. Speaking to Georgina Godwin in Ubud, De Neefe discusses her many businesses, including founding the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, her Balinese cultural integration and spirituality, and furthe
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