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Big Books & Bold Ideas with Kerri Miller

Minnesota Public Radio
CIA
Familect
Women In Intelligence
Poetry
Mother Nature
Liza Mundy
Nature
Language
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January 6th Insurrection
Political Polarization
Osama Bin Laden
Counterterrorism
Aldrich Ames
LGBTQ+ Rights
Authoritarianism
Chaos
Democracy
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Where Readers Meet Writers. Conversations on books and ideas, Fridays at 11 a.m.

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Latest Episodes

When Tracy K. Smith was named U.S. Poet Laureate in 2017, the country was in a fragile place.

In her new book, Smith writes that, by then, “we’d come to find ourselves in a climate of language — I’d call it a national vocabulary — grounded in fear,... more

Change is inevitable.

But that doesn’t stop us from fearing it.

We fear the uncertainty. We fear the pain. We fear who we might become.

But cognitive scientist Maya Shankar says — while understandable — that’s the wrong posture.

In her new bo... more

It takes courage to reimagine a classic.

Xiaolu Guo was drawn to Herman Melville’s “Moby-Dick,” from the first time she read it in her native Chinese. The writing was lyrical — hard to translate — and the descriptions of sailing were dense. But the... more

“You have a good life,” her aunt said. “You don’t want to ruin it with the past.”

Those words were deeply unsettling to journalist Christine Kuehn. She always suspected there was more to her paternal family history. Her father was kind but evasive, ... more

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Recent Guests

Maya Shankar
Cognitive scientist, author of The Other Side of Change
Author and host of A Slight Change of Plans podcast
Episode: Cognitive scientist Maya Shankar on 'The Other Side of Change'
Xiaolu Guo
Author known for her insightful narrative style and exploration of gender and identity in literature.
Author
Episode: 'Moby-Dick' is recast with a woman at its center in 'Call Me Ishmaelle'
Christine Kuehn
Author and journalist uncovering her family's past as Nazi spies.
Author of Family of Spies
Episode: A journalist uncovers her family secret: They were spies for the Nazis
Dr. Ben Rein
Neuroscientist and Chief Science Officer at the Mind Science Foundation
Mind Science Foundation
Episode: Made to mingle: Why your brain is happier with friends
Jen Hatmaker
Author and speaker known for her advocacy on faith and inclusion
Author of 'Awake, A Memoir'
Episode: Jen Hatmaker rises from the ashes in 'Awake'
Charles Bock
Author of 'I Will Do Better', which discusses raising a daughter after his wife's death
Author
Episode: The best and most surprising Big Book shows of 2025, part one
Stefan Fatsis
Journalist and writer about language and dictionaries
Episode: The delight — and potential downfall — of the modern dictionary
Quan Barry
Professor of English at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and author
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Episode: Looking for a chill? 'The Unveiling' is spooky, discomforting literary horror
Catherine Newman
Author of many books, including Waiting for Birdie, and the new novel Wreck.
Episode: Catherine Newman’s witty, warm and wary Rocky returns in ‘Wreck’

Host

Kerri Miller
Host of engaging literary discussions, providing insights and fostering conversations with authors and thought leaders.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 219 ratings
  • Happy to have this podcast

    I miss hearing Kerri Miller more often. And Tom Weber too. I do like Angela Davis’ show but also miss the former hosts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    e85gal
    United States2 years ago
  • A brilliant broadcaster

    I started listening to Kerri when I first moved to North Dakota in 2006. I continued to do so for all of my 10 years in the USA. When I retired back to Australia in 2016 I had to take Kerri with me. She is a consummate broadcaster. An amazingly beautiful voice with a wonderful intelligence. Essential listening and an ornament to public broadcasting.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cetigne
    Australia3 years ago
  • Insightful and well read

    Thanks so much for the insightful questions and conversation which are based on the perceptions of well read and thoughtful readers

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    APFineday
    United States4 years ago
  • defund MPR

    biased leftist garbage, these democrat activists need to be defunded

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    MnReview
    United States5 years ago
  • Too biased!

    I know it’s harder than ever to find unbiased reporting and conversation, I guess I just have high expectation for a “public” funded organization. One star is far more generous than this public personality deserves. I vote to defund biased reporting and Leftist leaning conversations that our tax dollars fund. What a joke Kerri Miller, maybe it’s time to take a look inward and make some much needed reflections!! I will never support this biased nonsense again! I truly hope this show goes in the t... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Trace off
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some comments express concern about a perceived political bias in recent episodes, citing that they expected more diverse viewpoints.
Overall, the podcast is regarded as an essential listen for those passionate about literature and social issues, offering a rich exploration of ideas.
Listeners praise the engaging conversations, often highlighting the depth and insightfulness of the topics discussed.
Kerri Miller is recognized as a talented interviewer who fosters thoughtful dialogue with her guests.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

'Moby-Dick' is recast with a woman at its center in 'Call Me Ishmaelle'
Q: Is that right?
Yes, sure, I think the idea about being the captain on the ship is the idea of power on the sea.
'Moby-Dick' is recast with a woman at its center in 'Call Me Ishmaelle'
Q: Does that make sense?
Absolutely, I really want to write a young character on the road, but in the form of ship and in the sea.
'Moby-Dick' is recast with a woman at its center in 'Call Me Ishmaelle'
Q: Tell me why Ishmaelle suddenly has a sense that she's discovered her destiny.
Her parents and sisters have died, leading her to seek a new life at sea, inspired by adventurous tales from 19th century women.
Cognitive scientist Maya Shankar on 'The Other Side of Change'
Q: How did losing her violin shape Maya's identity?
It led her to explore her deeper connection to music and the importance of emotional connections over mere identity.
Cognitive scientist Maya Shankar on 'The Other Side of Change'
Q: Can moral elevation be experienced from distant scenarios?
Yes, moral elevation inspires rethinking different parts of oneself irrespective of the specific circumstances.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Big Books & Bold Ideas

What is Big Books & Bold Ideas about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Conversations center around literature and the creative minds behind popular books, exploring both fiction and non-fiction works. Themes of family dynamics, personal identity, and societal issues often emerge, with guests ranging from authors discussing their latest publications to experts debating relevant contemporary topics. The discussions encourage listeners to engage with complex ideas while highlighting the nuances of human experience, making it an engaging option for both avid readers and those interested in cultural discourse.

Noteworthy is the blend of humor and emotional depth that guests bring, with each episode weaving in personal anecdotes that resonate with listeners. This format not only emphasizes the literary journey of t... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Big Books & Bold Ideas?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Big Books & Bold Ideas:

1. Fresh Air
2. On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti
3. The Interview
4. The New Yorker Radio Hour
5. The Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of Big Books & Bold Ideas are there?

Big Books & Bold Ideas launched 20 years ago and published 157 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Big Books & Bold Ideas?

Recent guests on Big Books & Bold Ideas include:

1. Maya Shankar
2. Xiaolu Guo
3. Christine Kuehn
4. Dr. Ben Rein
5. Jen Hatmaker
6. Charles Bock
7. Stefan Fatsis
8. Quan Barry

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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