About this podcast
Our greatest actors transport us through the magic of fiction, one short story at a time. Sometimes funny. Always moving. Selected Shorts connects you to the world with a rich diversity of voices from literature, film, theater, and comedy. New episodes every Thursday, from Symphony Space.
Episodes
- Pushed from the Nest · 59 minOn this week’s SELECTED SHORTS, Meg Wolitzer presents three stories that offer unpredictable life lessons, from characters who are adolescent, and those who love them—a little…
- If You’d Only Listen · 58 minMeg Wolitzer presents three stories about characters who need someone to listen to them. In Jesse Eisenberg’s “If She Ran Into Me Now…” a high school failure wants to prove he…
- Charming Devils · 59 minMeg Wolitzer presents two stories about persuasive, but not always trustworthy, characters. In “Fortune-Telling,” by Alix Ohlin, an actor tries on new role, with unexpected…
- Unexpected Guests · 58 minMeg Wolitzer presents two stories about unexpected guests. In Carlos Greaves’ “A Visit from the Tune Squad,” a procrastinating writer gets a surprise intervention, in…
- Mostly Good Intentions · 58 minMeg Wolitzer presents three stories that explore good intentions and how they can go wrong. In “Mantis,” by Gina Chung, a deadly insect tries to mend her ways. The reader is…
- Fitting In · 1 h 0 minMeg Wolitzer presents three stories in that explore the idea of “fitting in,” and whether it’s worth the effort. In “Reality,” by Diana Spechler, a woman longs for the ephemeral…
- Too Hot For Radio: Austin Blaze "Hail Mary" · 40 minActor Will Brill reads author Austin Blaze's short story, "Hail Mary." The episode is hosted by Aparna Nancherla.
- Passport to Ireland with Colum McCann · 58 minOn this Selected Shorts, host Meg Wolitzer invites us on a literary tour of Ireland with bestselling author Colum McCann, who hosted a live event at Symphony Space celebrating…
- The New American West · 58 minHost Meg Wolitzer presents two works that reassess and redefine our ideas of “the West.” It’s both a landscape of awesome beauty, and the scene of cultural appropriation, and…
- Tim Curry Performs "Ziggurat" by Stephen O'Connor · 46 minBritish actor Tim Curry died on August 26th at the age of 80. We are pleased to share, on this special bonus podcast, his deliciously chilling and seductive reading of Stephen…
- Too Hot For Radio: Erin Somers "Washing Up" · 30 minMiriam Shor (Pluribus, The Americans) reads Erin Somers' story about a mom doing not seemingly very mom-like things.
- Too Hot For Radio: Jonathan Lethem "The King of Sentences" · 44 minThe author of novels such as Motherless Brooklyn and The Fortress of Solitude brings us a story about meeting your heroes. It's read by the actor Brendan Hunt, best known these…
- Tell Me More: Jodi Kantor · 31 minMeg Wolitzer speaks to Jodi Kantor, the prize-winning investigative reporter for The New York Times, as part of the spin-off series, where we bring together all kinds of stories…
- Meg Wolitzer Talks with Louise Erdrich · 15 minIn this bonus feature, host Meg Wolitzer talks with author Louise Edrich about “The Big Cat,” her craft, and her Native American roots.
- Meg Wolitzer Talks with Denis O'Hare · 16 minIn this bonus feature, host Meg Wolitzer talks with actor Denis O’Hare about his craft, and his approaches to readings of the two very different stories on this program.
- Too Hot For Radio: Carmen Maria Machado "Persephone Rides at the End of Days" · 21 minCynthia Nixon reads Carmen Maria Machado's short story, "Persephone Rides at the End of Days."
- Bonus: Etgar Keret and Ira Glass · 35 minIsraeli writer Etgar Keret talks to his friend, This American Life host Ira Glass.
- Meg Wolitzer Talks to Author Michael Cunningham · 23 minThe author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Hours sits down with Meg for a chat about all things writing.
- Tell Me More: Kathryn Nicolai · 33 minIntroducing Tell Me More, a bonus podcast that brings all kinds of stories and storytelling together under one big tent. First up, an interview with the popular host of the…
- Bonus: A.M. Homes interviews Margaret Atwood · 18 minAs part of our live event with Margaret Atwood, host A.M. Homes interviewed her from the stage at Symphony Space. Here is that interview.
- Bonus: Meg Wolitzer Talks with Judy Blume · 15 minMeg Wolitzer speaks with author Judy Blume about her life, her writing and the challenges of book banning.
- A Conversation with Andy Borowitz · 14 minHost Meg Wolitzer talks with political satirist and author Andy Borowitz in this bonus interview.
- Too Hot For Radio: Ottessa Moshfegh "The Weirdos" · 43 minFrom the author of Eileen and My Year of Rest and Relaxation, a story about weird people doing weird things. Read by Colby Minifie. This episode is hosted by Michael Ian Black.
- Picture Perfect · 1 h 1 minHost Meg Wolitzer presents three works about idealized lives, and ideas about what constitutes an “ideal” life. “Boy Meets Girl” is Jen Kim’s humorous version of a Hollywood love…
- Bonus: A Conversation with Elizabeth Strout · 11 minHost Meg Wolitzer talks with author Elizabeth Strout about her story “Home” and the fictional family Strout has created.
- Meg Wolitzer interviews Louise Erdrich · 15 minIn this bonus conversation, host Meg Wolitzer talks to author Louise Erdrich about her story; her writing life; and what do with left over index cards. •
- Bonus: Meg Wolitzer Talks to Denis O’Hare · 16 minIn this bonus conversation, host Meg Wolitzer talks to actor Denis O’Hare about his craft, and his approaches to readings of the two very different stories on this program.
- Bonus: Meg Wolitzer Visits Her Favorite Indie Bookstore · 16 minHost Meg Wolitzer visits a favorite indie bookstore, Three Lives & Company in Greenwich Village, remembers her early years there as a writer and reader, and is let in on some…
- Bonus: Margaret Atwood and A.M. Homes · 18 minIn this bonus conversation, writers Margaret Atwood and A.M. Homes discuss everything from feminism, time, writing and dystopian fiction, to Atwood’s new short story collection…
- Bonus: Meg Wolitzer Talks to Alison Stewart · 9 minIn this bonus conversation, host and best-selling author, Meg Wolitzer, talks to host of WNYC’s All of It, Alison Stewart. Wolitzer reveals some of the secrets to great writing…
- Bonus: Meg Wolitzer Talks to Patricia Marx · 12 minIn this bonus conversation, host Meg Wolitzer talks to friend and New Yorker humorist Patricia Marx about her story “Singin’ in the Acid Rain,” and writing funny.
- Bonus: Meg Wolitzer Talks with George Saunders · 20 minIn this bonus conversation, host Meg Wolitzer talks to friend and Booker Prize-winning author George Saunders about crafting short stories, where ideas come from, and how his…
- Bonus: Meg Wolitzer Talks to Elizabeth Strout · 11 minIn this bonus conversation, host Meg Wolitzer talks to friend and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Elizabeth Strout about writing, short stories, and the use of recurring characters…
- Host Meg Wolitzer Talks to Comedian Michael Ian Black · 19 minIn this bonus conversation, host Meg Wolitzer talks to comedian and writer Michael Ian Black about what he’s been reading and the tricky business of being funny. Join and give!…
- Bonus: Meg Wolitzer and Mona Eltahawy Talk Being a Dangerous Woman · 22 minIn this bonus conversation, host Meg Wolitzer talks to journalist, activist and feminist writer Mona Eltahawy about her life, literature and what it means to be a "dangerous…
- Bonus: Meg Wolitzer and Alison Stewart Talk Fiction · 9 minA bonus interview between our host and best-selling author, Meg Wolitzer, and the host of WNYC’s All of It, Alison Stewart. Wolitzer reveals some of the secrets to great writing…
