Podcast

The Free Library Podcast is an easy way to participate in the author events and lectures that take place at the Central Library. Visit Author Events to find upcoming events.

Recent Episodes

  • Veronica Chambers | Finish the Fight!: The Brave and Revolutionary Women Who Fought for the Right to Vote

    • Recorded Oct 28, 2020

    In conversation with:  Rachelle Baker, illustrator; Jennifer Harlan, writer; Steffi Walthall, illustrator Veronica Chambers is the editor for Narrative Projects at The New York Times and a co-author of "Finish the Fight!" She joined The Times in… more

    African American  Author Events  Biography and Autobiography   LGBTQ  Politics  General Research  History 

  • Nikki Giovanni | Make Me Rain

    • Recorded Oct 27, 2020

    One of America’s most celebrated poets, the “outspoken, prolific, energetic” ( New York Times ) Nikki Giovanni is the author of numerous collections of poetry including  Acolytes ;  Black Feeling, Black Talk, Black Judgment ; and  Quilting the… more

    African American  Author Events  Literature  Poetry  Politics  History 

  • Colin Quinn | Overstated: A Coast-to-Coast Roast of the 50 States

    • Recorded Oct 23, 2020

    Comedian, writer, and actor Colin Quinn’s decades-long career includes stints as anchor of  Saturday Night Live ’s “Weekend Update,” his own titular talk show, numerous standup specials, and appearances in multitudinous sitcoms, movies, and talk… more

    Author Events  Humor  General Research 

  • Maria Hinojosa | Once I Was You: A Memoir of Love and Hate in a Torn America

    • Recorded Oct 21, 2020

    In conversation with: Helen Ubiñas, metro columnist at the The Philadelphia Inquirer In her nearly 30 years as a journalist, Maria Hinojosa has reported for PBS, CBS, and CNN, among other outlets, and is the longtime anchor and executive producer… more

    Author Events  Biography and Autobiography   Movies & Television  New Americans  Newspapers, Magazines, & Journals  Politics  General Research 

  • Asha Lemmie | Fifty Words for Rain

    • Recorded Oct 20, 2020

    In conversation with Tracey Matisak, award-winning broadcaster and journalist  Asha Lemmie’s  New York Times  bestselling novel  Fifty Words for Rain  tells the decades and continents-spanning story of Nori, a child born to a married Japanese… more

    African American  Author Events  Fiction 

  • B. Janet Hibbs and Anthony Rostain | The Stressed Years of Their Lives: Helping Your Kid Survive and Thrive During Their College Years

    • Recorded Jun 25, 2020

    In conversation wth Elizabeth Mosier A longtime faculty member at Drexel University, the Family Institute, and Widener University, B. Janet Hibbs is a renowned expert on family issues and partner relationships. A professor of psychiatry and… more

    Author Events  Education  Psychology 

  • Roddy Doyle | Love

    • Recorded Jun 24, 2020

    In conversation with Liz Moore , best selling author of Long Bright River Lauded for his “marvelous” and “bloody brilliant” ( Toronto Star ) works of fiction, prolific novelist, dramatist, children’s author, and screenwriter Roddy Doyle’s work is… more

    Author Events  Fiction  Literature 

  • Ezekiel J. Emanuel | Which Country Has the World’s Best Health Care?

    • Recorded Jun 23, 2020

    Ezekiel J. Emanuel is Vice Provost for Global Initiatives and Chair of the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at the University of Pennsylvania. An oncologist and author of nine books on medical ethics and healthcare, he previously… more

    Author Events  Business and Economics  Politics  General Research  Science  History 

  • Chris Wallace | Countdown 1945: The Extraordinary Story of the Atomic Bomb and the 116 Days That Changed the World

    • Recorded Jun 22, 2020

    The popular anchor of Fox News Sunday, Chris Wallace has reported on nearly every watershed national and international political event. During his 50-year career in journalism, he has earned three Emmys, the duPont-Columbia Silver Baton, and the… more

    Author Events  Politics  General Research  Science  History 

  • Inga Saffron | Becoming Philadelphia: How an Old American City Made Itself New Again

    • Recorded Jun 17, 2020

    Architectural critic for the Philadelphia Inquirer for more than 20 years, Inga Saffron won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for her sagacious critiques of urbanism, planning, and Philly’s hyper-rapid transformation after a half-century slump. An Inquirer… more

    Author Events  Newspapers, Magazines, & Journals  Philadelphia  Philadelphia History  General Research 

Find More Episodes

20th & Vine - Backstage with Gish Jen.

This month we're featuring Gish Jen who visited the Free Library of Philadelphia to discuss her latest novel The Resisters. The author spoke backstage with Laura Kovacs about the roll books play in her life. 20th & Vine features behind-the-scenes conversations from the Free Library of Philadelphia's award-winning Author Events series. Subscribe now for more videos with your favorite authors.

Top 10 Podcasts for May 2020

  1. Paul Elie Paul Elie
  2. Frank B. Wilderson III Frank B. Wilderson III
  3. Trevor Noah Trevor Noah
  4. David Wallace-Wells David Wallace-Wells
  5. Susan Choi Susan Choi
  6. Samantha Irby Samantha Irby
  7. Seanan McGuire Seanan McGuire
  8. Karla Cornejo Villavicencio Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
  9. Jennifer Steinhauer Jennifer Steinhauer
  10. Yann Martel Yann Martel

Pulitzer Prize Winners

  1. Trevor Noah
  2. Chris Hedges
  3. George Anastasia
  4. Henry Kissinger
  5. Ronan Farrow
  6. Alain de Botton
  7. Eric Metaxas
  8. Paula Poundstone
  9. Ben Macintyre
  10. Donald Ray Pollock