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The Creative Nonfiction Podcast with Brendan O'Meara

Brendan O'Meara
Bleak Man
Levi Axtell
Larry Scully
Vigilante Justice
Child Sexual Abuse
Climate Change
The Quickening
Murder Farm Massacre
Young Woman and the Sea
The Atavist
Narrative Journalism
Antarctica
Motherhood
Thwaites Glacier
Polar Exploration
Oregon
Peonage
Memoir Writing
Women's Sports
Daddy's Little Stranger

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!

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes529Founded14 years ago
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Latest Episodes

"I spent several months trying to narrow down the cast. I had access to so many people with interesting stories. But what [my agent] said to me over and over again was, 'narrative arc, narrative arc,' all the time. What he needed to know in order to... more

YouTube

"Practically speaking, mostly what I'm doing is I'm writing in a hotel room and then writing in the taxi, and then if the TSA queue is long, I might whip my laptop out and balance it on the stanchion and do some more writing, and then get on the oth... more

YouTube

"I feel like many of us can relate to that, like, that's the trough of despair, right? Like, that moment where you're energetic optimism, diving in, and then, like, that's the wall of regret, where you're like, 'What was I thinking? This is not a sto... more

YouTube

"We always were having conversations about, if we can't solve it, what then? What is this about? Why isn't it solved? And what is our job? Is the job of a journalist to solve crimes? No, it's to document. So what are we documenting? We're documenting... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Cory Doctorow
Author, activist, and journalist, known for his work on digital rights and technology policy
Episode: Episode 507: 'Enshittification' Author Cory Doctorow Believes in a New, Good Internet
Alexandra Marvar
Freelance writer and photographer, with work in major publications including The Guardian and Vanity Fair.
Independent
Episode: Episode 506: Alexandra Marvar and the Trough of Despair, the Wall of Regret
Jason Brown
Brilliant short story writer and author of the memoir Character Witness
University of Nebraska Press
Episode: Episode 503: An Atmospheric River of Rejection with Jason Brown
Christa Hillstrom
Freelance journalist based in the Pacific Northwest, who covers gender-based violence
Episode: Episode 502: Christa Hillstrom Takes Pride in Her Rejections
Julian Brave NoiseCat
Author of the memoir We Survived the Night, writer, filmmaker, powwow dancer
Knopf
Episode: Episode 501: Julian Brave NoiseCat Aimed for a Woven Text
John McPhee
Author and journalist known for narrative nonfiction
The New Yorker
Episode: Episode 500: Structure, Spec, and Panic with John McPhee
Maggie Mertens
Author of Better Faster Farther and freelance writer
Algonquin Books
Episode: Episode 499: The Post-Book Malaise is Real with Maggie Mertens
Sasha Bonét
Writer, critic, editor, and author of The Waterbearers
Knopf
Episode: Episode 498: Sasha Bonét on Not Holding Back
Jack Rodolico
Journalist and author known for writing about art theft and narrative nonfiction.
The Atavist
Episode: Episode 497: The Seduction of Art Thievery with Jack Rodolico

Host

Brendan O'Meara
Host and creator, known for his engaging interviews that explore the craft of writing and storytelling, connecting with a diverse range of authors and journalists.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 202 ratings
  • 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
    Spain2 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 States4 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 States8 months ago
  • Great episode

    Just listened to your discussion with Isa Adney and thought it was fantastic. You asked her a lot of good questions about the challenges of being a creative person with “dreams” (or “goals,” per your discussion!) and she had such thoughtful answers. I felt so grounded after listening to the conversation. Loved it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    courtneyinLA
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great Podcast

    Love this podcast and hearing about others’ creative processes. The editor interviews are especially insightful to me, someone always on the other end of that process. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Summer Colson
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

There are mixed feelings about the host's style; while many admire his sincerity and preparation, some find the delivery occasionally overly energetic, particularly in introductions.
Listeners appreciate the deep dives into the craft of writing and storytelling, with many highlighting Brendan's ability to foster engaging conversations with guests who offer valuable insights into their creative processes.
Overall, listeners find the content to be enriching and informative, especially for anyone interested in creative nonfiction, with a consistent emphasis on practical advice for writers.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#36
Russia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#88
Russia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#115
Brazil/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#244
Brazil/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 506: Alexandra Marvar and the Trough of Despair, the Wall of Regret
Q: What's it been like to revisit the writer and the reporter of this piece from 2018 now that you know, seven, eight years removed?
Marvar reflects on the nostalgia of revisiting her earlier work; she finds the writing isn't as bad as she feared and realizes the challenges of reporting have evolved since then.
Episode 506: Alexandra Marvar and the Trough of Despair, the Wall of Regret
Q: What is your relationship to ambition? Or how has your ambition changed over the years?
Alexandra Marvar discusses how the general idea of professional success has changed and how she now seeks opportunities that allow her to choose her words and have more creative control in her writing.
Episode 504: Seth Wickersham and the Macbethian Tragedy of the American Quarterback
Q: How did you approach the curation of the quarterbacks that you prominently featured in American Kings?
I did extensive research on every quarterback in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and selected stories that personally interested me.
Episode 504: Seth Wickersham and the Macbethian Tragedy of the American Quarterback
Q: What do you identify as something that you are particularly good at?
I think that I'm good at telling stories that get to the heart of the matter.
Episode 503: An Atmospheric River of Rejection with Jason Brown
Q: When did you sense that you were ready to tackle your material for your memoir?
I started thinking there was nonfiction here about 15 years ago, but it wasn't until I felt I had worked through more of my relationship with my mother that I was ready.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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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?

A weekly exploration into the art of storytelling, this podcast features conversations with prominent figures in narrative journalism, memoir, and creative nonfiction. Through insightful interviews, listeners gain access to the experiences and techniques of an array of writers and creators, exploring themes such as identity, ambition, and the emotional challenges inherent in the writing process. The discussions often reveal personal anecdotes and craft advice, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in nonfiction storytelling. Each episode serves not only as a platform for guests to share their work but also provides aspiring writers with practical insights and inspiration.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Creative Nonfiction Podcast?

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How many listeners does The Creative Nonfiction Podcast get?

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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. The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
2. The Book Review
3. Fresh Air
4. Between The Covers : Conversations with Writers in Fiction, Nonfiction & Poetry
5. Writing Excuses

How many episodes of The Creative Nonfiction Podcast are there?

The Creative Nonfiction Podcast launched 14 years ago and published 529 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 The Creative Nonfiction Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on The Creative Nonfiction Podcast?

Recent guests on The Creative Nonfiction Podcast include:

1. Cory Doctorow
2. Alexandra Marvar
3. Jason Brown
4. Christa Hillstrom
5. Julian Brave NoiseCat
6. John McPhee
7. Maggie Mertens
8. Sasha Bonét

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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