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The Creative Nonfiction Podcast with Brendan O'Meara

Brendan O'Meara
Narrative Journalism
Writing
Journalism
Storytelling
Creative Nonfiction
Creativity
The Atavist
The New Yorker
Writing Process
Memoir Writing
Hakeem Olajuwon
Sports Journalism
Burnout
Bleak Man
Narrative Nonfiction
Memoir
Freelance Journalism
Cartooning
Creative Writing
Publishing

The Creative Nonfiction Podcast with Brendan O'Meara is a weekly podcast that showcases leaders in narrative journalism, essay, memoir, documentary film, radio and podcasts about the art and craft of telling true stories. Follow the show @creativenonfictionpodcast on Instagram and visit patreon.com/cnfpod to support!

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes546Founded14 years ago
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Latest Episodes

"I'm very comfortable not writing perfectly. I think a lot of writers have difficulty writing because they can be such good editors that there's almost this like, inherent need of sometimes rereading the same chapter over and over again and trying to... more

YouTube

"In the case of being a storyteller, I keep a document that I call my nonfiction compost pile. I keep little snippets of things that I've heard but it didn't really dive deeper into it. When you have other things to fall back on, it's easier to to pi... more

YouTube

"The Chronology of Water story was an 11-page story written in tiny fragments. And the MFA program I was in, they told me, that's not a story. It's a poem or something. It's a list of fragments. I'm like, 'Fuck you!' My whole enterprise has been to t... more

YouTube

“Not to confuse journalism with newspapers. Newspapers are one set of communication methods. But it's certainly not the only one. If they have the right mindset, and that's what I try to get them to do, there are so many more opportunities. You can g... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Lidia Yuknavitch
Author of eight books; memoirist and essayist; founder of Corporeal Writing
Corporeal Writing; author
Episode: Episode 523: Lidia Yuknavitch Troubles the Edges
Giri Nathan
Staff writer, co-founder of Defector, author of Changeover
Defector, Changeover
Episode: Episode 521: Giri Nathan Takes the Insider-Outsider Perspective
Renee Hess
Founder of Black Girl Hockey Club (BGHC); author of Blackness is a Gift I Can Give Her
Black Girl Hockey Club
Episode: Episode 520: R. Renee Hess on the Work that Inspires her and the Founding of Black Girl Hockey Club
Stephen Wood
Journalist, author of The Buffalo Raiders/Atavist story
Atavist/American journalism outlets
Episode: Episode 519: Stephen Wood's 'Ocean's 11' Anti-Government Caper
Laura LeBleu
Co-founder of Geezer Magazine, writer/producer
Geezer Magazine
Episode: Episode 518: All Hail Gen-X with Geezer Magazine!
Paul von Zielbauer
Co-founder of Geezer Magazine, former journalist
Geezer Magazine
Episode: Episode 518: All Hail Gen-X with Geezer Magazine!
Keith O'Brien
Author of Heartland, A Forgotten Place, An Impossible Dream, and The Miracle of, Larry Bird
Author; Publisher: Atria Books
Episode: Episode 517: The Miracle of Writing a Book with Keith O'Brien
Tom Junod
Writer for GQ, Esquire and ESPN; author of The Memoir
Independent/Various magazines
Episode: Episode 516: Tom Junod Wrote One of the Best Memoirs You'll Ever Read
Peter Ward
Writer for The Atavist; author of The Consequential Frontier and The Price of Immortality
The Atavist
Episode: Episode 515: Pitching Stories and Not Topics with Atavist Writer Peter Ward

Host

Brendan O'Meara
Host of The Creative Nonfiction Podcast

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 209 ratings
  • Indispensable

    The CNF pod is great fun. Crucial insights into writing nonfiction from a pool of excellent writers who know their stuff. Must-listen not only for aspiring nonfiction writers but working, successful ones, too. This is the community you’re looking for.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ndyestermorrow
    United States3 months ago
  • Reader, Writer, Listener

    As a reader and writer I appreciate Brendan’s knowledge and preparedness with his interview subjects. As a lister, I love the candid conversations that unfold.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ali257
    United States4 months ago
  • Great 500

    I’ve listened to Brendan’s earliest episodes, the later ones and most of his latest episodes and I’ve learned much and been entertained by all of them. He encourages his guests to be relevant and to the point, while at the same time allowing for a free flowing conversation. Congrats for the 500.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pab429
    Spain6 months ago
  • Too Much

    All the interjections in this show destroy the flow of the interviews, as well as any illusion of intimacy.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    ManInProgress
    United States8 months ago
  • I love this podcast so much

    As an aspiring author myself, having access to a constant stream and massive archive of talented writers, talking through how they made their sausage, and all the ups and downs in the process is extremely valuable. And inspiring. Brendan is doing great work here.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dfctfdsgjhf
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Voices strong on craft, with guests who are clearly seasoned writers and editors.
Shows are consistently insightful for writers, with practical takeaways for craft and publishing.
Listeners praise the host's preparedness and thoughtful questions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#229
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#43
Ireland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#116
Ireland/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#139
Philippines/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#206
Spain/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#244
United Arab Emirates/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 523: Lidia Yuknavitch Troubles the Edges
Q: First question came from someone in the audience, and they said, is there such a thing as sharing too much information and worrying about family reaction?
The guest suggests patterns and rhythms to give readers a break, weaving in humor and big metaphors to rest the heart while telling a difficult truth, and to avoid harming or overwhelming the reader.
Episode 524: Nick Davidson Was Writing an Atavist Story All Along
Q: How do you approach developing character in a narrative where the central figure is not always accessible?
Nick discusses relying on reports, interviews with associates, and transcripts to build a credible portrait, while acknowledging limits when primary subject is unavailable.
Episode 524: Nick Davidson Was Writing an Atavist Story All Along
Q: What unique challenges did this San Luis Valley story present editorially?
The editor notes the sensitivity around portraying a tight-knit community and the undercover agent's perspective, balancing factual reporting with empathy for locals who were impacted by the investigation.
Episode 524: Nick Davidson Was Writing an Atavist Story All Along
Q: What makes a pitch for a long-form story work, and how do you show you can sustain the piece?
He stresses showing excitement and confidence, including in-scene writing and thorough upfront work to prove he has the material, access, and arc to sustain a lengthy narrative.
Episode 524: Nick Davidson Was Writing an Atavist Story All Along
Q: How did you establish momentum as you were ginning up the freelance mill?
Nick describes a long, incremental path from freelance work to long-form opportunities, emphasizing consistent pitching, networking, and delivering solid reporting so editors trust him with bigger projects.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Creative Nonfiction Podcast

What is The Creative Nonfiction Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on conversations with writers, editors, and journalists who shape narrative nonfiction, memoir, and investigative storytelling. Guests range from authors and editors to freelance journalists and publishing professionals, exploring craft, reporting methods, and the realities of building a long-form career. Listeners often gain practical insights into reporting, structure, and the emotional elements of storytelling, making it valuable for both aspiring and established writers. A notable strength is its ability to pull back the curtain on the craft through candid discussions with industry practitioners across publishing, editing, and journalism.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Creative Nonfiction Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Creative Nonfiction Podcast:

1. Between The Covers : Conversations with Writers in Fiction, Nonfiction & Poetry
2. The Book Review
3. Poured Over
4. Critics at Large | The New Yorker
5. The New Yorker: The Writer's Voice - New Fiction from The New Yorker

How many episodes of The Creative Nonfiction Podcast are there?

The Creative Nonfiction Podcast launched 14 years ago and published 546 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 The Creative Nonfiction Podcast?

Recent guests on The Creative Nonfiction Podcast include:

1. Lidia Yuknavitch
2. Giri Nathan
3. Renee Hess
4. Stephen Wood
5. Laura LeBleu
6. Paul von Zielbauer
7. Keith O'Brien
8. Tom Junod

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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