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The Literary Lounge

The Literary Lounge

Written by: Jennifer Cash
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The Literary Lounge is a cozy literary podcast featuring thoughtful conversations with authors, booksellers, publishing insiders, and other special guests about books, writing, and living a creative life.

© 2026 The Literary Lounge Art
Episodes
  • Making Time for What Matters with Fran Hauser

    Making Time for What Matters with Fran Hauser
    Sep 22 2026

    This week in The Literary Lounge, Jennifer sits down with author, career expert, and bookstore owner Fran Hauser to discuss her new book, Twenty Minutes Is the New Hour: The Ambitious Woman’s Guide to Doing Less and Achieving More.

    Fran shares how women can rethink their relationship with time by recognizing the “Four P’s”—perfectionism, people-pleasing, procrastination, and padding—and challenging the idea that everything needs as much time as we give it. She and Jennifer explore creating more space for meaningful work, managing meetings, inboxes, and social media, and Fran’s weekly practice for making sure her calendar reflects her priorities.

    They also step inside Bedford Books, the independent bookstore Fran opened in Bedford, New York, and discuss the community of readers and writers that has formed since it opened its doors.

    In This Episode

    • Why “twenty minutes is the new hour” is a mindset, not just a productivity hack
    • The difference between Chronos and Kairos time
    • The Four P’s stealing our time: perfectionism, people-pleasing, procrastination, and padding
    • How shorter meetings, stronger boundaries, and more intentional use of email and social media can give us time back
    • Fran’s lifelong dream of owning a bookstore and the story behind Bedford Books
    • The surprising lesson Fran learned while opening Bedford Books in just eight weeks
    • How author events, workshops, and book clubs are creating community and connection in Bedford


    Meet Fran Hauser

    Fran Hauser is a leading career expert and vocal champion of women in the workplace, a former President of Digital at Time Inc., and a startup investor. She is also the owner of Bedford Books in Bedford, New York, and the acclaimed author of The Myth of the Nice Girl. Her forthcoming book, Twenty Minutes Is the New Hour, will be published by Penguin Random House/Crown Currency in September 2026.

    She has spoken at over 200 organizations, including Meta, Google, Unilever, BlackRock, Mastercard, and The Conference for Women. Fran’s insights have appeared in Fortune, CNBC, Fast Company, Elle, Refinery29, and Business Insider.

    Fran lives outside NYC with her husband, two sons, and beloved mini Goldendoodle.


    Connect with Fran

    franhauser.com

    Follow Fran on Instagram @fran_hauser

    Bedford Books

    Follow Bedford Books @bedfordbooks_

    Purchase a copy of Fran’s new book: Twenty Minutes is the New Hour


    Books Mentioned:

    • The Myth of the Nice Girl by Fran Hauser
    • Embrace the Work, Love Your Career by Fran Hauser
    • The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
    • Walk with Me New York: Holiday by Susan Kaufman


    STAY CONNECTED

    The Literary Lounge

    Follow and subscribe to The Literary Lounge wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss a new conversation.

    Continue the conversation by subscribing to The Literary Lounge on Substack, delivered every Sunday and featuring:

    • The Guest Book (extended guest Q&A)
    • The Bookshop (a featured independent bookstore)
    • Recommended reads
    • Literary discoveries and behind-the-scenes updates

    Instagram: @theliterarylounge.co

    Jennifer Cash

    Host, Creator, Producer & Editor of The Literary Lounge

    Instagram: @readwithjennifer

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    36 mins
  • Inside the Charleston Literary Festival with Executive Director Sarah Moriarty

    Inside the Charleston Literary Festival with Executive Director Sarah Moriarty
    Sep 15 2026
    This week in The Literary Lounge, Jennifer sits down with Sarah Moriarty, Executive Director of the Charleston Literary Festival. Sarah and Jennifer talk about the festival’s evolution from its roots at Charleston Farmhouse in England, the gathering place of the Bloomsbury Group, to the thriving literary celebration it has become in Charleston, South Carolina.Sarah takes us behind the scenes of curating a world-class literary festival, shares why Charleston has become such an exciting destination for readers and writers, and previews this year’s 10th festival, featuring more than 50 events across ten days.They also talk about the magic of experiencing books and authors in person, Charleston’s independent bookstore boom, opportunities for emerging and young writers, and why literary festivals are a place for curious minds. In This EpisodeFrom Sussex to South Carolina: The history of the Charleston Literary Festival The role of Executive DirectorCurating world-class literary programming Charleston as a literary city Planning your festival visit Highlights of the 2026 Festival Nurturing emerging and young writers Building community through a shared love of booksMeet Sarah Moriarty Sarah Moriarty is a long-time literature enthusiast, branding specialist, and marketing creative. Born in Dublin, Ireland, Sarah developed a love of literature that took her from Dublin’s Trinity College to Freie Universität Berlin, where she wrote her master’s thesis on Samuel Beckett, best known for his play Waiting for Godot. She graduated from Trinity College Dublin, where she earned a BA in Literature, and Freie Universität Berlin, where she received an MA in the same field. Before her move from Berlin to Charleston in October 2021, she was the Global Director of Brand at Blinkist, a technology company in the audiobook publishing industry. In 2021, when her husband, Mena Mark Hanna, accepted the position as general director of Spoleto Festival USA, Moriarty again leaned on her literary knowledge to change course, becoming director of marketing for Charleston Literary Festival. In 2023, she was appointed executive director. Under her leadership, the festival has become one of the “Top Lit Fests” in the world according to Travel + Leisure magazine.When she’s not working, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family and reading literary fiction. She lives in downtown Charleston, S.C. with her husband and their two children.Connect with Charleston Literary Festival charlestonliteraryfestival.com Follow on Instagram @charlestonlitfestFollow on FacebookBooks & Authors MentionedKin by Tayari Jones The Correspondent by Virginia Evans Heart the Lover by Lily King Flashlight by Susan Choi Buckeye by Patrick Ryan Angel Down by Daniel Kraus Show Don’t Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld Partita by Barbara Kingsolver Lázár by Nelio Biedermann This Is Happiness by Niall Williams O Now! by Niall Williams Jacaranda by Gaël Faye Strangers by Belle Burden Small Town Girls by Jayne Anne Phillips Joyride by Susan Orlean The Odyssey translated by Daniel Mendelsohn The Family Man by James Lasdun Jean Hanff Korelitz Salman Rushdie The Flower Bearers by Rachel Eliza Griffiths Tiger’s Mouth by Lucy TanVirginia Woolf STAY CONNECTED The Literary LoungeFollow and subscribe to The Literary Lounge wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss a new conversation. Continue the conversation by subscribing to The Literary Lounge on Substack, delivered every Sunday and featuring:The Guest Book (extended guest Q&A)The Bookshop (a featured independent bookstore) Recommended readsLiterary discoveries and behind-the-scenes updates Instagram: @theliterarylounge.co Jennifer CashHost, Creator, Producer & Editor of The Literary Lounge Instagram: @readwithjennifer
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    38 mins
  • Building Community Through Books with Beth Seufer Buss of Bookmarks

    Building Community Through Books with Beth Seufer Buss of Bookmarks
    Sep 1 2026
    This week in The Literary Lounge, Jennifer is joined by Beth Seufer Buss, Program Director of Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. More than a bookstore, Bookmarks is a literary arts nonprofit with a mission to build an inclusive, curious, and connected community through books. Beth shares the unique story of Bookmarks—from its beginnings as a volunteer-run book festival to becoming North Carolina’s first nonprofit bookstore—and how its year-round events, school programs, and community outreach bring readers together and help foster a love of books in the next generation. Jennifer and Beth also go behind the scenes of the annual Festival of Books & Authors. Beth shares what goes into planning the festival, highlights from this year’s lineup of more than 50 authors, and her best tips for first-time attendees heading to downtown Winston-Salem on September 26, 2026. Whether you’re a longtime Bookmarks supporter or discovering it for the first time, this conversation is a celebration of the connection, curiosity, and sense of belonging that can grow when a community gathers around books. In This EpisodeThe story behind Bookmarks and the Festival of Books & Authors Beth’s journey from librarian and Bookmarks volunteer to Program Director Building connection and community through books Helping young readers discover the joy of reading What goes into planning a 50+ author book festival A preview of the 2026 Festival of Books & Authors Creating bookish fun for readers of all ages Beth’s tips for first-time Festival attendeesBookmarks' year-round events and community programming Ways to support Bookmarks from afar Meet Beth Seufer BussBeth Seufer Buss is Program Director at Bookmarks, where she oversees the nonprofit's bookstore, year-round author events, and Festival of Books & Authors, helping build an inclusive, curious, and connected community through books.Connect with Beth Instagram: @firststreetbethreadsConnect with Bookmarks Website: bookmarksnc.orgFestival of Books & Authors: bookmarksncfestival.orgInstagram: @bookmarksncFacebook: facebook.com/BookmarksNCTikTok: @bookmarksnc Donate to Bookmarks: bookmarksnc.org/donate Books & Authors Mentioned in this Episode: Trixie Belden series by Julie Campbell Judy Bolton series by Margaret SuttonStation Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel Stacey AbramsInvestiGators by John Patrick GreenAmari and the Night Brothers by B B AlstonAlan Gratz Breakout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola YoonA Princess is a Princess by Anika Noni RosePunished for Dreaming by Dr. Bettina L Love Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea by Emily Wilson Jax Freeman and the Graveyard Forest by Kwame MbaliaJohn GreenAngie ThomasHollow Bones by Jodi PicoultThe Correspondent by Virginia EvansSarah Addison AllenKristy Woodson HarveyNic Stone STAY CONNECTED The Literary LoungeFollow and subscribe to The Literary Lounge wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss a new conversation. Continue the conversation by subscribing to The Literary Lounge on Substack, delivered every Sunday and featuring:The Guest Book (extended guest Q&A)The Bookshop (a featured independent bookstore) Recommended readsLiterary discoveries and behind-the-scenes updates Instagram: @theliterarylounge.co Jennifer CashHost, Creator, Producer & Editor of The Literary Lounge Instagram: @readwithjennifer
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
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