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The Stacks

Traci Thomas
Toni Morrison
Identity
Books
Poetry
Mental Health
Climate Change
Pop Culture
Literature
Harlem Renaissance
Literary Fiction
Family Dynamics
Parable Of the Sower
Romance Novels
Racism
Jazz
Book Recommendations
Shakespeare
Social Media
Domestic Violence
A Love Song For Ricki Wilde

The Stacks is your one stop shop to talk books and reading. Guests will join the host, Traci Thomas for lively discussions about books and the ways they have shaped their lives, and they way we all understand culture, race, politics, and more. The last Wednesday of each month Traci and guest will break down a book in detail as part of The Stacks Book Club.

Make sure to check the website www.thes... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes514Founded8 years ago
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Artwork for The Stacks

Latest Episodes

Today on The Stacks, we’re joined by Sequoia Holmes, the award-winning host of the Black People Love Paramore and Freshly Pop’d podcasts. We’re chatting about bouncing back from professional setbacks, how Sequoia got into reading, and why she hasn’t ... more

It’s The Stacks Book Club day, and we're joined by nonfiction editor Julianna Haubner to discuss our July pick, Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity by Katherine Boo. This book follows the families of Annawadi, a... more

YouTube

*Patreon and Substack-only bonus episode teaser, click here for the full episode*

You knew this episode was coming. Now that the World Cup has officially wrapped up, I'm doing a full recap of our summer of soccer with my favorite amateur sports anal... more

YouTube

Today on The Stacks, we’re celebrating Traci’s 40th birthday! That’s right, it’s her actual birthday today, and she’s invited her friends—media personality and Higher Learning co-host Rachel Lindsay, award-winning journalist and podcast host Sam Sand... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Julianna Haubner
Non-fiction editor
Self-described/editorial context within The Stacks
Episode: Ep. 435 Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo — The Stacks Book Club (Julianna Haubner)
Brady Thomas
Soccer analyst and guest on The Stacks Unabridged
Episode: Unabridged: World Cup Recap with Brady Thomas
Pamela Colloff
ProPublica reporter and New York Times Magazine staff writer; author of Catch the Devil
ProPublica; The New York Times Magazine
Episode: Ep. 433 A Con Man Caper with Pamela Colloff
Shannon Sanders
Author of The Great Wherever
Author, The Great Wherever
Episode: Ep. 432 There’s No Hiding from a Sibling with Shannon Sanders
Cree Myles
Guest on The Stacks Unabridged
Guest
Episode: Unabridged: 2026 Mid-Year Book Check-In with Sara Hildreth and Cree Myles
Sara Hildreth
Guest on The Stacks Unabridged
Guest
Episode: Unabridged: 2026 Mid-Year Book Check-In with Sara Hildreth and Cree Myles
Justine van der Leun
Award-winning independent journalist and author
Author of Unreasonable Women
Episode: Ep. 429 All Journalism Has a Point of View with Justine van der Leun
Dusty Baker
Legendary Major League Baseball player and manager, author of Crossroads, A Memoir in Baseball and Life
Dusty Baker, Crossroads (Memoir)
Episode: Ep. 428 A Life in Baseball with Dusty Baker
Mary HK. Choi
Bestselling author, discussing Pool House
Episode: Ep. 427 I Love Books So Much with Mary H.K. Choi

Host

Traci Thomas
Host of The Stacks

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 2.3k ratings
  • Traci is the BEST

    An excellent show if you're into books, especially non-fiction and literature... But honestly, Traci is such a compelling interviewer... I think any book person will find something here.

    Traci is my favorite interviewer in book land currently. She's smart and responsive and also has some wonderful questions she asks everybody.

    Seriously why aren't you listening already?!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    James-X-W
    United States4 months ago
  • Enriches my reading life

    I’ve been listening to the Stacks for years. This podcast has helped me discover so many new books and has encouraged me to read more non-fiction. Traci is a great interviewer. Often I listen to an author interview for a book I haven’t read yet. Then, when reading the book, my reading is enriched by the authors thoughts and process. Often, I’ll go back and re-listen to an author interview after finishing the book. I just finished Tayari Jones’s Kin and kept thinking about character names which w... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Abshammy
    United States4 months ago
  • Traci is the BEST

    An excellent show if you're into books, especially non-fiction and literature... But honestly, Traci is such a compelling interviewer... I think any book person will find something here.

    Traci is my favorite interviewer in book land currently. She's smart and responsive and also has some wonderful questions she asks everybody.

    Seriously why aren't you kidding already?!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    James-X-W
    United States5 months ago
  • The book club I wish I was in

    Traci is so much smarter than any of my dumb friends (sorry if you’re my friend and reading this, but also you are welcome for the podcast recommendation). Excellent book recommendations, and hearing their conversations are such a good treat after reading each book. It’s like I’m in school again but this time I did the reading. Thanks for a great show!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LaurenFern
    United States5 months ago
  • Not worth my money

    The episode was supposed to be ALL THINGS Bad Bunny and a review of the halftime show. I never heard another point of view as these two ladies are clearly fans.

    I was hoping to hear something a little more moderate esp in light of the outrage over the Epstein files and children being trafficked that there would be a discussion about scantily clad young girls twerking while a man stood over them grabbing his crotch and then we broadcast this during a family show?

    Point well taken about Puerto Ri... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    DelsneyJane
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners wish for more moderated takes on controversial topics but still recognize the show's thoughtful discussions.
Listeners consistently praise the host's interview style and engagement with guests.
Many reviews highlight the show's ability to illuminate authors and works through deep, accessible conversations.
Fans value diverse guests and book recommendations that broaden reading horizons.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#70
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#195
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#159
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#239
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#211
France/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#30
India/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Unabridged: World Cup Recap with Brady Thomas
Q: So Brady, what did you make of the 2026 World Cup?
Brady notes initial skepticism about Trump's involvement and FIFA's governance, but ultimately found sporting brilliance and memorable moments that outweighed the concerns, with a sense of awe at the global reach and fan enthusiasm.
Ep. 432 There’s No Hiding from a Sibling with Shannon Sanders
Q: If you could have one person dead or alive read the book, who would it be?
I'd pick my grandmother so she could experience the whole text, potentially via audio if possible, and share in the family nostalgia this book evokes.
Ep. 432 There’s No Hiding from a Sibling with Shannon Sanders
Q: For readers who loved this book, what other works would you recommend?
Honoré Fanonne Jeffers's The Love Songs of W. E. B. Du Bois and Colson Whitehead's The Nickel Boys? No, The Love Songs of W. E. B. Du Bois and Homegoing by Jaqueline? actually recommended titles include The Love Songs of W. E. B. Du Bois and Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, plus Donnie Walton's The Final Revival of Opal & Nev and Anne Patchett's Commonwealth.
Ep. 432 There’s No Hiding from a Sibling with Shannon Sanders
Q: What kinds of other work do you do, and could you see adapting your insider-trading experience into a book?
I work as an investigator for a financial regulator and am a lawyer; I'd consider writing about that world as non-fiction, as it's juicy and highly gossipy, though I'm not currently pursuing it as a book.
Ep. 432 There’s No Hiding from a Sibling with Shannon Sanders
Q: What's your day-to-day writing process and how did you balance a big historical scope with a contemporary narrative?
I balance outlines with the discovery of voice; I start with an ending, draft in stages, and leverage 'lily pads' to bridge between present-day scenes and historical texture as I gain research pieces that fit the book.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Stacks

What is The Stacks about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, literature-forward show that features in-depth author interviews, poet spotlights, and book-club style discussions that connect books to culture, race, politics, and society. Guests range from debut novelists and poets to academics and critics, often exploring craft, writing process, and the social impact of literature. Regular book-club episodes blend detailed close reading with personal storytelling, making highbrow topics accessible while highlighting diverse voices and cutting-edge ideas in books and media. Noteworthy strengths include a consistently engaging host, a wide-range guest roster, and format variations that mix solo author conversations with collaborative readings and community-focused discussions.

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How many listeners does The Stacks get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Stacks have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Stacks 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 Stacks?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Stacks:

1. Vibe Check
2. Book Riot - The Podcast
3. The Sam Sanders Show
4. The Book Review
5. Culture Study Podcast

How many episodes of The Stacks are there?

The Stacks launched 8 years ago and published 514 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 Stacks?

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What guests have appeared on The Stacks?

Recent guests on The Stacks include:

1. Julianna Haubner
2. Brady Thomas
3. Pamela Colloff
4. Shannon Sanders
5. Cree Myles
6. Sara Hildreth
7. Justine van der Leun
8. Dusty Baker

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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