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
Dave Eggers and the art of storytelling
Dave Eggers returns with ‘Contrapposto’, a novel that was 20 years in the making. He speaks with Georgina Godwin about the process of the story, following two friends throughout life and the medium of art.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jack Jewers on Samuel Pepys: Historical mystery and Restoration London
Award-winning writer, filmmaker and visual artist Jack Jewers speaks with Georgina Godwin on depicting Restoration London through historical mystery in his latest novel, ‘Seething Lane’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Carlos Barragán on the new age of digital fraud
Author Carlos Barragán spent months in Nigeria exploring the world of Yahoo Boys after his mother was scammed. He discusses his book, ‘The Yahoo Boys’, with Georgina Godwin and the evolution of online fraud. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Marlon James and the people who we can’t forget
Marlon James returns with The Disappearers, now shortlisted for the 2026 Booker Prize. He joins Georgina Godwin, reflecting on his career so far and the possibility of winning the award for the second time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Teun Toebes and Jonathan de Jong on the right to live fully
Georgina Godwin speaks to Teun Toebes and Jonathan de Jong about 'Human Forever: Searching the World for a Better Life with Dementia', exploring dementia care and rethinking ageing through human connection and quality of life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Catherine Cho on devotion and destiny
Georgina Godwin meets Catherine Cho, who discusses motherhood, identity and the journey from memoir to fiction with her debut novel, The Devoted.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The house of stories: Inside Chatsworth House’s literary treasures
From Chaucer and Jane Austen to children growing up in a world dominated by screens, Georgina Godwin explores the enduring importance of reading against the backdrop of Chatsworth House’s extraordinary exhibit and the Queen's Reading Room Festival.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ruthie Rogers at The River Café
Georgina Godwin meets chef Ruthie Rogers at The River Café to discuss her podcast, Ruthie’s Table 4, which has now been turned into a book titled Table 4 at The River Café.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sir Vince Cable and the changing global economic landscape
Georgina Godwin meets former UK business secretary Sir Vince Cable to discuss his latest book, Eclipsing the West, which explores the global economic landscape as power transitions from the West to emerging superstates.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Louise Doughty and the letters that changed everything
Novelist Louise Doughty, author of Apple Tree Yard, sits down with Georgina Godwin and shares insights into recounting her parents’ origins in her new memoir, On This Spot Fell One Tear of Love.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Emma-Lee Moss and the icons of Cantopop
Emma-Lee Moss, also known as Emmy the Great, joins Georgina Godwin to discuss her memoir, ‘My Cantopop Nights’, which expresses her love for the unique genre and how it helped to forge her identity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Simon Woodroffe on reinventing British dining
British entrepreneur Simon Woodroffe reflects on his journey from a troubled upbringing to founding Yo! Sushi and Yotel, sharing lessons from rock and roll, Dragon’s Den, and business and personal reinvention.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kathy Lette on growing up, speaking out and ‘The Sisterhood Rules’
Georgina Godwin meets bestselling author Kathy Lette to discuss her rebellious youth, her Puberty Blues breakthrough, motherhood and her new novel, The Sisterhood Rules, which celebrates the power of sisterly relationships.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nicholas Boggs and the legacy of James Baldwin
Georgina Godwin meets writer Nicholas Boggs to trace the life of James Baldwin in his new biography ‘Baldwin: A Love Story’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Chloe Aridjis on objects, projection and transformation
Booker Prize-longlisted writer Chloe Aridjis is the author of Book of Clouds, Asunder and Sea Monsters. Her fourth novel, The Shadow of the Object, moves between Mexico City and London in a tale of illness, friendship, magic lanterns, silver polishing, grief and the strange charge of objects.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Raoul de Jong’s mystical journey into his Surinamese ancestry
Georgina Godwin meets Raoul de Jong to discuss his book ‘Jaguarman’, now translated into English, which explores his Suriamese heritage through the prism of a mystical ancestor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Erica Wagner and the life of Washington Roebling
Georgina Godwin meets writer and journalist Erica Wagner to discuss the life of Brooklyn Bridge engineer Washington Roebling, in her new work, ‘Wash’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Victoria Bateman and the hidden economics of women
Georgina Godwin meets economist Victoria Bateman to discuss her latest work, Economica, which explores and rewrites our understanding of women’s role in the economy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ben Faccini on family, memory and fiction
Georgina Godwin meets Ben Faccini to discuss how his multicultural upbringing shaped his writing and the themes of his latest novel, ‘Other People’s Children’, including wartime Italy, memory and family.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oliver Bullough on financial secrecy, corruption and global power
Georgina Godwin meets journalist Oliver Bullough, who explores money laundering in the most unlikely of places in his latest work, Everybody Loves Our Dollars.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.
