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The Lit Hub Podcast

Literary Hub
Literary Culture
Booker Prize
Censorship
Artificial Intelligence
Literature
Books
Literary Awards
Horror Literature
Joan Didion
Publishing Industry
Labor Movement
National Book Awards
Christmas
Literary Community
Meta
Independent Bookstore Day
Generative AI
Contemporary Fiction
Book Bans
Authors Against Book Bans

A monthly behind-the-scenes dive into everything interesting, dynamic, strange, and wonderful happening in literary culture—featuring Lit Hub staff, columnists, and special guests! Hosted by Drew Broussard, The Lit Hub Podcast airs the last Friday of every month. Maybe some other times too!

The Lit Hub Podcast is a production of Lit Hub Radio

Music by Dani Lencioni of Evelyn

Engineering and prod... more

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Latest Episodes

Tomorrow is Independent Bookstore Day! (If you're listening to this on release day, anyway.)

So, in the spirit of heading out to support your local indie(s), we have a very indie-forward episode for you this month. First, Philomena Polefrone from t... more

Slop-pocalypse now! Oh yes, folks, the AI nonsense continues to accelerate and Drew has some feelings about it and why you (yes you!) should also be a stick in the mud about it. Then, Sara Yasin joins James Folta to talk about launching The Key, the ... more

It's the end of February already! Thank goodness! Drew's reporting in from Pittsburgh, at the annual conference hosted by the American Booksellers Association, and boy oh boy do we have a lot of bookish goodness for you, including...

* the weirdness... more

When we launched The Lit Hub Podcast in 2024, we promised you a weekly dive into the behind-the-scenes of the literary world—and what a series of weeks it has been! But 2026 looks a lot different than 2024, in so many ways, and so we're going to try ... more

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Recent Guests

Philomena Polefrone
Associate Director of American Booksellers for Free Expression (ABA Free Expression initiative)
American Booksellers Association
Episode: April 24, 2026
Sara Yasin
Editor of The Key, Palestine Festival of Literature collaborator
The Key, Palestine Festival of Literature
Episode: March 27, 2026
Casey Scieszka
Author of The Fountain
Author
Episode: March 27, 2026
Colette Delawalla
CEO of Stand Up for Science, an activist organization defending America's scientific ecosystem
Episode: February 27, 2026
Michael Welch
Editor-in-Chief of the Chicago Review of Books
Episode: February 27, 2026
Nick Ripatrazone
Writer who discusses the importance of creativity in opposition to generative AI
Episode: January 23, 2026
Aaron Tracy
Writer and audio producer discussing Roald Dahl's legacy
iHeartRadio
Episode: January 23, 2026
Kat Abughazaleh
Democratic congressional candidate for Illinois' 9th District
Episode: December 19, 2025
Miriam Gershow
Organizer of the 100 Notable Small Press Books of 2025
Episode: December 12, 2025

Host

Drew Broussard
Host of The Lit Hub Podcast

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 43 ratings
  • Sanctimonious & scoldy

    LitHub’s podcast used to be an auto-listen for me but lately the host has ratcheted up the sanctimony and hyperbole; it has become increasingly political and less enjoyable to listen to. Not sure what percentage of listeners are outside the US like I am but I prefer more publishing industry and author discussion than being told repeatedly to call my representatives or to Do Better.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    retroklaus_
    Canadaa month ago
  • More books, less politics

    I really enjoy listening to this podcast. The interviews about books and the publishing industry are very interesting. However, Drew Broussard’s political rants can be cloying at times. Keep up the great stories and interviews relevant to books and the people who love them.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    chabad fan
    United States4 months ago
  • Yuck

    Don’t want to know your politics so leaving this show.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Cybele237
    Australia4 months ago
  • A must listen for book lovers!

    Always insightful and truly enjoyable! Highly recommend to all the literature lovers out there.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TheLadyBruce
    United Statesa year ago
  • Lively and Fun Literary Time

    A nice roundup of different literary news and bits from the week, and a good way to kick off the weekend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Capfox
    Canadaa year ago

Listeners Say

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

The host's passion for literature is engaging, though a few find political takes distracting.
Listeners value the deep dives into literary culture and publishing trends.
Many enjoy the thoughtful guest conversations and book recommendations.
Some listeners crave more episodic variety and less political commentary.
Overall, the show is praised for quality interviews and literary insights.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

March 27, 2026
Q: Why include The Fountain reading, and what themes does it highlight for Lit Hub readers?
The Fountain reading foregrounds aging, mortality, and the human cost of longevity fantasies, connecting literary craft with personal memory and ethical questions about life, death, and the meaning of youth.
March 27, 2026
Q: What does PALFest represent in the context of shifting journalism and literary spaces after the genocide?
PALFest offers a space for high-quality, accessible literary work that foregrounds Palestinian voices, especially at a moment when mainstream outlets are constrained; it emphasizes ethical storytelling and a non-censorious approach to presenting complex realities.
March 27, 2026
Q: Can you tell me more about how The Key is operating differently from mainstream outlets and why Palestine is placed at the center?
We aim to center Palestine in the modern world through a cultural lens that remains uncompromising about messaging, while also broadening access and presenting diverse perspectives beyond traditional legacy media's framing.
January 23, 2026
Q: What do you want to say to the eternal student in everyone?
I want them to recognize their innate desire for creation and not to let AI take that away.
December 19, 2025
Q: Are there any other books in or out of sci-fi that are kind of touchstones for you?
The most impactful book of my life is Clan of the Cave Bear, actually. My parents were very open about what I could read and it led to meaningful conversations about complex themes.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Lit Hub Podcast

What is The Lit Hub Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A monthly deep dive into literary culture, publishing, and the broader world surrounding books. Episodes mix thoughtful conversations with Lit Hub staff and notable guests, exploring everything from reader relationships with books to the mechanics of publishing, censorship, and literary trends. Unique angles include advocacy for libraries and small presses, as well as timely debates about AI in creative work and the role of literature in social issues. The show tends to blend rigorous literary analysis with current events, making it valuable for editors, educators, authors, and book enthusiasts seeking insight into the literary ecosystem and culture wars shaping the field.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Lit Hub Podcast?

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How many listeners does The Lit Hub Podcast get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Lit Hub Podcast?

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How many subscribers and views does The Lit Hub Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Lit Hub Podcast 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 The Lit Hub Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Lit Hub Podcast:

1. The Book Review
2. NPR's Book of the Day
3. Between The Covers : Conversations with Writers in Fiction, Nonfiction & Poetry
4. Critics at Large | The New Yorker
5. Poured Over

How many episodes of The Lit Hub Podcast are there?

The Lit Hub Podcast launched 2 years ago and published 72 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 Lit Hub Podcast?

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 The Lit Hub Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on The Lit Hub Podcast?

Recent guests on The Lit Hub Podcast include:

1. Philomena Polefrone
2. Sara Yasin
3. Casey Scieszka
4. Colette Delawalla
5. Michael Welch
6. Nick Ripatrazone
7. Aaron Tracy
8. Kat Abughazaleh

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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