Meet the Writers
Monocle
Want to know more about the authors behind your favourite books? Tune in to discover the methods of – and inspiration behind – some of the world’s most exciting writers. Every Saturday, Georgina Godwin hosts an in-depth discussion with the person...
Location:
London, United Kingdom
Networks:
Monocle
Description:
Want to know more about the authors behind your favourite books? Tune in to discover the methods of – and inspiration behind – some of the world’s most exciting writers. Every Saturday, Georgina Godwin hosts an in-depth discussion with the person behind the prose.
Twitter:
@Monocle24
Language:
English
Episodes
Catherine Carr and the complexities of sibling dynamics
4/12/2026
Georgina Godwin meets award-winning documentarian Catherine Carr to discuss the exploration into sibling dynamics that led to her new book, ‘Who’s the Favourite?’, which gives insight into birth order, roles, and the impact of estrangement and loss.
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Duration:00:28:10
Maria Semple on stoicism, rebellion and personal growth
4/5/2026
Georgina Godwin meets Maria Semple, bestselling author of ‘Where’d You Go, Bernadette’, to discuss her new book, ‘Go Gentle’, which follows a divorced stoic philosopher’s mid-life transformation.
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Duration:00:33:30
Poet Sasha Debevec-McKenney on writing with joy
4/3/2026
Georgina Godwin is joined by Sasha Debevec-McKenney to discuss the writer’s debut poetry collection “Joy is My Middle Name”, which is shortlisted for the 2026 Dylan Thomas Prize.
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Duration:00:30:22
Margaret Busby on publishing, power and representation
3/29/2026
Georgina Godwin meets Margaret Busby, Britain’s first black publisher. They discuss her career, the landmark anthology ‘Daughters of Africa’ and new release ‘Part of the Story: Writings from Half a Century’.
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Duration:00:29:23
Fatima Bhutto at the Daunt Books Festival 2026
3/22/2026
Following the release of her memoir, ‘The Hour of the Wolf’, Fatima Bhutto joins Georgina Godwin at the Daunt Books Festival 2026.
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Duration:00:37:23
Francis Spufford on faith, fantasy and the craft of fiction
3/15/2026
Georgina Godwin is joined by renowned writer Francis Spufford. They discuss his early days at Chatto & Windus, his wrangles with sceptics and latest novel, ‘Nonesuch’, which is set in London during the Blitz.
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Duration:00:31:26
Luka Ivan Jukic on the enduring significance of Central Europe
3/11/2026
Georgina Godwin meets journalist and historian Luka Ivan Jukic, whose latest book, Central Europe: The Death of a Civilization and the Life of an Idea, explores the emergent rebirth of the region.
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Duration:00:30:53
Karen Dobres and pitch politics
3/8/2026
It’s International Women’s Day and Georgina Godwin is joined by a former model who helped transform Lewes FC into the world’s first equal-pay football club. She discusses ‘Pitch Invasion’, a story about sport, culture and Britain’s global soft power.
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Duration:00:38:49
Tom Freston on media, reinvention and change
3/1/2026
Georgina Godwin meets Tom Freston to discuss his memoir, Unplugged. It traces his journey from launching MTV and shaping Comedy Central to how philanthropy reshaped his sense of purpose and reinvention.
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Duration:00:38:13
Maria Alyokhina on activism, Russia’s regime and hope for the motherland
2/22/2026
Georgina Godwin is joined by Maria Alyokhina, who shares insight into her latest memoir, Political Girl, and her hopes for the future of Russia.
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Duration:00:30:18
Bora Chung on the rise of Korean literature
2/15/2026
Georgina Godwin speaks with author Bora Chung about her life and activism, the rise of South Korean literature and her short-story collection The Midnight Timetable, which explores speculative fiction and political themes.
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Duration:00:28:04
Andrey Kurkov on chronicling a nation at war
2/8/2026
Georgina Godwin meets Ukrainian author Andrey Kurkov, who shares his experiences from four years of war, the impact of conflict on daily life and the role of culture in resistance.
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Duration:00:27:43
Damian Barr on Scottish art, memory and belonging
2/4/2026
Damien Barr meets Georgina Godwin to reflect on childhood shaping his memoir and novel, examining class, his move from journalism to fiction and celebrating overlooked Scottish artists via writing, theatre and an exhibition.
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Duration:00:34:46
Alexander B Smalls on opera, food and African heritage
2/1/2026
Georgina Godwin meets Alexander B Smalls, tracing his path from opera to food writing via his family roots, landmark restaurants and books championing African cuisine, community and cultural pride.
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Duration:00:41:29
Steve Crawshaw and confronting global impunity
1/25/2026
Georgina Godwin speaks to Steve Crawshaw about his book Prosecuting the Powerful, including cases from Milošević and Putin to Netanyahu. Plus: the ICC, US hostility and why accountability matters in Gaza and Ukraine.
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Duration:00:36:54
Mary L Trump and how power destroys a nation
1/18/2026
Georgina Godwin meets US psychologist and author Mary L Trump. They discuss her upbringing within the Trump family, pivoting from psychology to writing memoirs and what’s next for America and its politics.
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Duration:00:38:46
EA Hanks and retracing family ties
1/11/2026
EA Hanks joins Georgina Godwin in the studio to discuss her debut memoir The 10, which recounts a solo journey, retracing family ties and the memory of her late mother.
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Duration:00:48:47
Manni Coe on roots, ruins and reinvention
1/4/2026
Georgina Godwin speaks with writer-guide Manni Coe about his memoir Little Ruins, tracing his Yorkshire roots, music, struggles and plans for new books and tours.
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Duration:00:29:10
India Knight on finding Home
12/28/2025
Georgina Godwin speaks to British journalist and author India Knight on what makes a home worth living in her latest novel "Home"
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Duration:00:28:56
John Lloyd and ‘The Meaning of Liff’
12/21/2025
Georgina Godwin meets John Lloyd, one of the men behind ‘The Meaning of Liff’. He shares insight on working with Douglas Adams and the impact of the humorous dictionary on its 42nd anniversary.
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Duration:00:42:25