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Artwork for Reckon True Stories

Reckon True Stories

Ursa Story Company
Imani Perry
Alexander Chee
South To America
Breathe: A Letter To My Sons
The Prophets Of the Hood
Black Literary Tradition
Essays
Kiese Laymon
Deesha Philyaw
Grief
Misogyny
Yale University
Memoirs
Non-Fiction
Manosphere
National Book Award
Macarthur Genius Grant
Samantha Irby
The Heartbreak Years
Journalism

Reckon True Stories is a celebration of new and classic nonfiction – the essays, journalism, and memoirs that inspire us, that change the world, and help us connect with each other. Join hosts and acclaimed authors Deesha Philyaw (The Secret Lives of Church Ladies) and Kiese Laymon (Heavy, How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America, Long Division) for in-depth discussions about the stories ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes12Foundeda year ago
Category
Arts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Reckon True Stories

Latest Episodes

While we're on season break with Reckon True Stories, here's a sneak preview from Season Three of Ursa Short Fiction, Deesha's other podcast with author (and True Stories producer!) Dawnie Walton.

Show notes:

Follow Season Three in your favorit... more

YouTube

Deesha Philyaw and Kiese Laymon chat with the hilarious and multitalented Samantha Irby, author of multiple wickedly funny essay collections, as well as writer for multiple television series.

Samantha talks about her own confidence and how she’s abl... more

Deesha Philyaw and Kiese Laymon dig into a classic essay by Toni Morrison, “The Work You Do, the Person You Are,” published in The New Yorker in May 2017. They talk about labor and self-identity — how our feelings of worth can become so closely tied ... more

On the latest episode of Reckon True Stories, Deesha Philyaw and Kiese Laymon are joined by MacArthur Genius and National Book Award Winner Dr. Imani Perry to discuss genre, personal stories and the ethical commitment to those we write about, the uti... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
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Recent Guests

Samantha Irby
Essayist and TV writer known for her humor and relatable storytelling.
Episode: Season One Finale: Samantha Irby on the Art of Comedy Writing
Imani Perry
Harvard Professor, celebrated scholar and author of eight books including South to America and Breathe: A Letter To My Sons
Harvard University
Episode: Imani Perry: What Do We Owe of Ourselves as Black Writers?
Minda Honey
Author and essayist
Editor of Black Joy at Reckon, Director of BFA in Creative Writing Program at Spalding University
Episode: Minda Honey On Being ‘Shameless’ in Telling Your Story
Alexander Chee
A novelist, poet, essayist, critic, short fiction writer
Dartmouth College
Episode: Alexander Chee on Storytelling, Motivation, and Money
Hanif Abdurraqib
Award-winning poet, essayist, and cultural critic
Random House
Episode: Hanif Abdurraqib on Basketball, Ohio, and the Art of the Playlist
Roxane Gay
Notable essayist, fiction writer, memoirist, and cultural critic
Contributing opinion writer for The New York Times
Episode: Roxane Gay on Criticism, Social Media, and Being Heard

Hosts

Deesha Philyaw
Co-host and author known for exploring themes of identity, culture, and personal experience in her writing, particularly in her acclaimed work, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies.
Kiese Laymon
Co-host and author who engages deeply with personal narratives and critical cultural commentary in his writing, including notable works like Heavy and Long Division.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 166 ratings
  • Pure Excellence

    There’s no short list to compose about all the right notes these hosts and their guests hit. All I can say is, I am looking forward to 2025 and what additional thought provoking, substantives this duo will challenge us with next. Cannot wait.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Brwn Grl
    United States9 months ago
  • Already ready for next season.

    It only took me a week to listen to ALL of these episodes. Two of my favorite writers talking to so many of my other favorite writers about writing (and life) is a dream.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hazel7562
    United Statesa year ago
  • I’m Now a Podcast Person

    This was really what I’ve been missing. I love the connection between the authors but also the honesty. Would love to have more non-guest episodes too but mainly I desire more episodes. Very inspiring and informative.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BK2DC
    United Statesa year ago
  • raucous, real, and so smart

    my new favorite podcast! deesha and kiese have such great chemistry, which spills over onto their guests. these episodes feel less like interviews than eavesdropping on the funniest group of friends having dinner at the next table. such a joy to listen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    scribblepost
    United Statesa year ago
  • both inspiring and cracks me up

    I just feel so happy every time I listen to this show. Like going to a really good party every time, where you know that the conversation’s gonna go deep AND make you guffaw, which let’s be honest not that many podcasts can do. Building my reading list, stretching my mind, filling my soul, Kiese and Deesha!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bumbledore
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the deep, honest discussions and the chemistry between the hosts.
The podcast offers a unique blend of humor and poignant storytelling, making it enjoyable and thought-provoking.
Many find the exploration of personal experiences and societal themes relatable and impactful.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Minda Honey On Being ‘Shameless’ in Telling Your Story
Q: Can you talk about the role of music at all in those early years when you were trying to manifest what you knew in your heart?
I've always wanted to tell stories and I've always been just, I've loved the act of creation itself, which is what led me to writing.
Minda Honey On Being ‘Shameless’ in Telling Your Story
Q: Minda, can you describe your vision for The Heartbreak Years?
I wanted people to take away from this book that they are not alone in their loneliness, particularly as a Black woman from the South.
Imani Perry: What Do We Owe of Ourselves as Black Writers?
Q: Can you talk about how you've gone about parenting those two incredible young black artists in this current age of genocide?
It's a reckoning with the world they live in and acknowledging the challenges they face while maintaining a relationship built on care and humility.
Imani Perry: What Do We Owe of Ourselves as Black Writers?
Q: Is Breathe your most personal work, and if not, what is?
Both Breathe and South to America are intensely personal, but the most personal might be the audiobook, A Dangerously High Threshold for Pain, about living with disease.
Season One Finale: Samantha Irby on the Art of Comedy Writing
Q: Do you think that comedy writing can be taught?
Samantha expressed that while it's challenging to teach humor, someone who is inherently funny can learn the craft of storytelling.

Audience Metrics

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

Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Reckon True Stories

What is Reckon True Stories about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast explores the realm of nonfiction storytelling, emphasizing essays, journalism, and memoirs that inform and inspire listeners. Through engaging conversations, the hosts discuss the nuances of personal narratives and cultural commentary, highlighting the works of both established and emerging voices in writing. The conversations often touch on deep themes such as grief, identity, celebration of Black culture, and the art of storytelling, making it a rich resource for those interested in the literary arts and social issues. The podcast creates a unique platform where personal experiences are interconnected with broader societal themes, fostering a sense of community among listeners and authors alike.

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How many listeners does Reckon True Stories get?

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What are the audience demographics for Reckon True Stories?

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How many subscribers and views does Reckon True Stories have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Reckon True Stories has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Reckon True Stories?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Reckon True Stories:

1. The Daily
2. Hidden Brain
3. This American Life
4. Pod Save America
5. This is Love

How many episodes of Reckon True Stories are there?

Reckon True Stories launched a year ago and published 12 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Reckon True Stories?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Reckon True Stories?

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What guests have appeared on Reckon True Stories?

Recent guests on Reckon True Stories include:

1. Samantha Irby
2. Imani Perry
3. Minda Honey
4. Alexander Chee
5. Hanif Abdurraqib
6. Roxane Gay

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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