KJZZ's Word
The final episode of KJZZ's Word podcast was released in June 2024.
S11 E7 · Tue, June 11, 2024
Word S11.7 — Stoicism with Donald Robertson, Chicano Frankenstein with Daniel Olivas, and good reads
On this penultimate episode for Season 11 of Word, everything old is new when it comes to a Roman Emperor who practiced Stoicism. Plus, we offer a new spin on a gothic literary classic. And, we propose a couple of adult fiction summer reading suggestions.
S11 E6 · Tue, May 28, 2024
Word S11.6 — Jackie Balderrama and poetry, Siskel and Ebert freak out and spies with David Ignatius
Arizona State University will host a CantoMundo retreat with Latinx poets; a new play about two beloved film critics comes to the stage in the Valley; and David Ignatius from the Washington Post talks about his new fictional spy thriller, and real-world technology that poses a serious national security concern.
S11 E5 · Tue, May 14, 2024
Word S11.5 – Romance in Peoria, heartbreak with Susan Vespoli and Cli-Fi with Ross West
On this episode of Word, we discuss a new romance book club in the Valley, how the 2022 shooting of a Valley man by a former Phoenix police officer inspired a collection of poems and a new collection of climate fiction short stories.
S11 E4 · Tue, April 23, 2024
Word S11.4 – Poetry with Craig Santos Perez and evangelical politics with NPR’s Sarah McCammon
On this episode of “Word,” we talk religion and politics with NPR National Political Correspondent and co-host of NPR’s "Politics Podcast," Sarah McCammon. We also chat with the winner of the 2023 National Book Award for Poetry, Craig Santos Perez.
S11 E2 · Tue, February 27, 2024
Word S11.2 – Crime from E.A. Aymar, Gary Sarnoff plays ball, science with NPR’s Nell Greenfieldboyce
On this episode of KJZZ's Word podcast about literature, we feature stories about a crime, a baseball historian with a century-old tale and science from an NPR correspondent. Plus, we have the winner of this year’s KJZZ Haiku Writing Contest.
S11 E1 · Tue, February 06, 2024
Word S11.1 – Erotica, haikus and HBCUs with Rosemarie Dombrowski and NPR’s Ayesha Rascoe
To kick off Season 11, this episode of Word features author awards, an NPR host, poetry and the annual KJZZ Haiku Writing Contest.
S10 E8 · Wed, December 27, 2023
Word S10:E8 – 2023 highlights and 'Tiny Library' winners
On this season-ending episode of Word, we highlight some of those who appeared during 2023. It's a "Fest Of Us," celebrating literature and the winners of KJZZ's "Tiny Library" drawing.
S10 E7 · Tue, December 12, 2023
Word S10:E7 – Betsy Coffeen, Kelly Barnhill and Theodore Wheeler
On this episode we catch up with children’s authors who discuss the importance of empathy and interconnectedness as well as a former journalist who has a page-turning new historical novel about an American reporter who turned into a mouthpiece for Nazi propaganda during World War II.
S10 E6 · Tue, November 28, 2023
Word S10:E6 – ‘Books We Love’ with Riyon Harding, Craig Santos Perez and NPR’s Andrew Limbong
On this episode of KJZZ's Word podcast about literature, we feature the winner of the National Book Award for his collection of poetry. Plus, the holiday season means it’s time for NPR’s annual, “Books We Love" feature. Also, a children's author offers two new interactive titles.
S10 E4 · Tue, October 31, 2023
Word S10:E4 — Magic, Marvel and Lincoln with Roland Lazenby, Gavin Edwards and NPR's Steve Inskeep
It’s Halloween and on this episode, we explore Magic, Marvel and President Abraham Lincoln.
S10 E3 · Tue, October 17, 2023
Word S10:E3 – Carew Papritz on banning books, plus murder with J.A. Jance and Chuck Palahniuk
On this episode, Word spotlights horror in numerous ways from banned books to a new novel about a murdered Indigenous woman, as well a murder satire of cozy mysteries. Guests include Carew Papritz, J.A. Jance and Chuck Palahniuk.
S10 E2 · Tue, September 26, 2023
Word S10:E2 – ‘Tempe’s Got Talent’ with Austin Davis, plus YA lit from Mary Vensel White and J. Elle
Poets and storytellers have an opportunity to perform in the Valley, plus we feature young adult travel and romance set in Arizona, as well as a YA fantasy/romance rooted in dark magic.
S10 E1 · Tue, September 12, 2023
Word S10:E1 – Anecdotes: Baseball, biography and Bob Dylan
On this Season 10 opener of KJZZ's Word podcast hosted by Tom Maxedon, it’s all about anecdotes.In this episode, we feature conversations about minor league baseball, the only Latino governor of Arizona, Raúl Héctor Castro, affectionately known as Raúlito, plus tales on the road about legendary troubadour Bob Dylan.
S9 E8 · Tue, June 13, 2023
Word S9:E8 — Travels and travails take us into summer
On this episode of Word, it’s the season-ender! We discuss reading events beyond the upcoming Juneteenth holiday that offer a deeper connection to why it’s celebrated. Plus, a literary conversation from Kenya happened while on "vacation," and I returned to the Valley to discuss a debut novel from an ASU professor emerita.
S9 E7 · Tue, May 16, 2023
Word S9:E7 — My cousin wasn't a murderer, and other fabulous parameters of this penultimate pod
On this episode, a Diné writer releases her first novel. Plus, we examine an international true-crime story by a Valley poet-turned sleuth. And, we extend a bow to Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a day at the Kentucky Derby.
S9 E6 · Tue, May 09, 2023
Word S9:E6 — Lizzo, language and love usher in May
Coming up on this episode, musician Lizzo is the subject of a new graphic short story series.Plus, a linguist argues for bad language … "Like, literally, dude."And, a rapid-fire play examines the search for love and dignity by single Black females.
S9 E5 · Tue, April 18, 2023
Word S9:E5 — National Poetry Month ‘Goes. So. Fast.’
National Poetry Month continues on this episode of Word, which also features crime fiction, a novel set in 1940s Harlem, plus a memoir from journalist and NPR's "All Things Considered" co-host Marie Louise Kelly.
S9 E4 · Tue, April 04, 2023
Word S9:E4 – Country music in the West and poetry reverberate the sounds of spring
Country music in the West and poetry reverberate the sounds of spring in this episode of Word, a podcast about literature in Arizona and the region.
S9 E3 · Tue, February 28, 2023
Word S9:E3 — Shakespeare, hiking, poetry on vinyl and a haiku winner share some thematic space
Shakespeare, hiking in Arizona, poetry on vinyl and a haiku winner share some thematic space on this KJZZ podcast about literature in Arizona and the region. It's hosted by Tom Maxedon.
S9 E2 · Tue, February 14, 2023
Word S9:E2 — From prison to park, a festival of haiku continues anew
A Valley resident turns experience as a former prison inmate into a graphic novel, an addiction to an anti-anxiety drug leads to a debut mystery, the KJZZ Annual Haiku Writing Contest keeps on chugging and Arizona Matsuri returns to Phoenix, in person.
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