Episodes

  • S11 E34: Vanessa Fuchs, Emily W. King, and Noelle Mering

    S11 E34: Vanessa Fuchs, Emily W. King, and Noelle Mering
    Sep 9 2026
    In this episode, meet science communicator and host of the Branch Out podcast Vanessa Fuchs, child psychologist Emily W. King, and Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center Noelle Mering. Hear Vanessa Fuchs on how the incredible world of plants influences our daily lives, Emily W. King on what inspired her to write her book, and Noelle Mering on what she’s most excited for listeners to hear. What the Flora? by Vanessa Fuchs https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/854834/what-the-flora-by-vanessa-fuchs/9798217535576/ The Neurodivergent Learner by Emily W. King https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/792430/the-neurodivergent-learner-by-emily-w-king-phd/9798217513314/ No Contact by Noelle Mering https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/804101/no-contact-by-noelle-mering/9798217408221/
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    18 mins
  • S11 E36: David Soren, Tim Manley, and M. T. Anderson

    S11 E36: David Soren, Tim Manley, and M. T. Anderson
    Sep 22 2026
    In this episode, meet director, screenwriter, and illustrator David Soren, filmmaker and storyteller Tim Manley, and award-winning children’s book author M.T. Anderson. Hear David Soren on how his voiceover experience in the animation world influenced his narration, Tim Manley on the nuance of creating stand-up comedy scenes for his audiobook, and M.T. Anderson on the incredible true story that led him to write his action-packed new book. Visible by David Soren https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/752153/visible-by-david-soren/9798217348619/ My Own Kind of Person by Tim Manley https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/808273/my-own-kind-of-person-by-tim-manley/9798217349760/ Stealing Saint Nick by M.T. Anderson https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/742015/stealing-saint-nick-by-m-t-anderson/9798217280896/
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    12 mins
  • S11 E37: Ravi Gupta, Serena Kerrigan, and Danny Meyer

    S11 E37: Ravi Gupta, Serena Kerrigan, and Danny Meyer
    Sep 29 2026
    In this episode, meet entrepreneur Ravi Gupta, confidence coach and influencer Serena Kerrigan, and restauranteur and founder of Union Square Hospitality Group Danny Meyer. Tune in to hear Ravi Gupta on the lifelong journey of learning, why Serena Kerrigan describes her recording experience as “cathartic,” and what Danny Meyer is most excited for listeners to hear. The Invisible List by Ravi Gupta: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/800645/the-invisible-list-by-ravi-gupta/audio Let's F*cking Date by Serena Kerrigan: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/815815/lets-fcking-date-by-serena-kerrigan/audio What Could Possibly Go Right? by Danny Meyer: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/746504/what-could-possibly-go-right-by-danny-meyer/audio
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    13 mins
  • S11 E38: Dr. Suzanne Garfinkle-Crowell, Lindsay Owens, and August Lamm

    S11 E38: Dr. Suzanne Garfinkle-Crowell, Lindsay Owens, and August Lamm
    Oct 6 2026
    In this episode, meet psychiatrist Dr. Suzanne Garfinkle-Crowell, president of the Groundwork Collaborative Lindsay Owens, and artist and musician August Lamm. Hear Suzanne Garfinkle-Crowell on the surprising social and interpersonal impacts of diagnostic labels for young women and girls, Lindsay Owens on which aspects of recording her audiobook were most memorable, and August Lamm on the life-changing experience of being offline. Girlhood, Translated by Dr. Suzanne Garfinkle-Crowell, M.D. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/777756/girlhood-translated-by-suzanne-garfinkle-crowell-md/9798217406869/ Gouged by Lindsay Owens https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/778487/gouged-by-lindsay-owens/9798217356157/ You Don't Need a Smartphone by August Lamm https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/815485/you-dont-need-a-smartphone-by-august-lamm/9798217406760/
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    23 mins
  • S11 E34: Vanessa Fuchs, Emily W. King, and Noelle Mering

    S11 E34: Vanessa Fuchs, Emily W. King, and Noelle Mering
    Sep 9 2026
    In this episode, meet science communicator and host of the Branch Out podcast Vanessa Fuchs, child psychologist Emily W. King, and Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center Noelle Mering. Hear Vanessa Fuchs on how the incredible world of plants influences our daily lives, Emily W. King on what inspired her to write her book, and Noelle Mering on what she’s most excited for listeners to hear. What the Flora? by Vanessa Fuchs https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/854834/what-the-flora-by-vanessa-fuchs/9798217535576/ The Neurodivergent Learner by Emily W. King https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/792430/the-neurodivergent-learner-by-emily-w-king-phd/9798217513314/ No Contact by Noelle Mering https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/804101/no-contact-by-noelle-mering/9798217408221/
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    18 mins
  • S11 E33: 2026 Library Card Sign-up Month Special Compilation

    S11 E33: 2026 Library Card Sign-up Month Special Compilation
    Sep 1 2026
    September is Library Card Sign-up Month! To celebrate the vibrancy of the libraries we love and all that they bring to our communities, we're pleased to present this special compilation episode of This Is the Author, in which you can hear authors Isaac Fitzgerald, Eli Hardwood, Elizabeth Preston, Hill Harper, Brooke Averick, Alexandra Elle, Libby Ward, Nephi Craig, Kate Bowler, David Epstein, J. J. Johnson, Nicole Gonzalez Van Cleve, Nathan Peterson, Emily Durham, Clare Sullivan, Nicholas Epley, Genny Rumancik, and Erika Hart share what they love most about their local libraries.
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    11 mins
  • S11 E35: Sona Movsesian, Barry Blanchard, and Sam Tallent

    S11 E35: Sona Movsesian, Barry Blanchard, and Sam Tallent
    Sep 15 2026
    In this episode, meet author and cohost of Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend Sona Movsesian, world-renowned alpinist and mountain guide Barry Blanchard, and comedian Sam Tallent. Hear about the items Sona Movsesian’s kids gave her for the recording studio, the parts of his book Barry Blanchard is most excited for listeners to hear, and the unorthodox way Sam Tallent prepared to record his audiobook. The World's Worst Mom by Sona Movsesian: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/785801/the-worlds-worst-mom-by-sona-movsesian/audio The Echo by Barry Blanchard: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/840695/the-echo-by-barry-blanchard/audio Brut by Sam Tallent: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/787018/brut-by-sam-tallent/audio
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    17 mins
  • S11 E32: Kathryn Jezer-Morton, Josh Turknett, and Patricia Faison Hewlin

    S11 E32: Kathryn Jezer-Morton, Josh Turknett, and Patricia Faison Hewlin
    Aug 18 2026
    In this episode, meet author of The Cut’s Brooding column Kathryn Jezer-Morton, neurologist Josh Turknett, and behavioral scientist Dr. Patricia Faison Hewlin. Press play to hear which audiobook Kathryn Jezer-Morton recommends for a family road trip, what unlikely item Josh Turknett would bring into the studio with him, and why Patricia Faison Hewlin describes her recording experience as “exhilarating.” The Story of Your Life by Kathryn Jezer-Morton https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/768019/the-story-of-your-life-by-kathryn-jezer-morton/9798217338795/ The Genius and The Impostor by Josh Turknett https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/763790/the-genius-and-the-impostor-by-josh-turknett/9798217338610/ Staying True to You by Patricia Faison Hewlin https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/752239/staying-true-to-you-by-patricia-faison-hewlin-phd/9798217338535/
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    15 mins