Episode 129—Lisa D’Apolito Talks ‘Love, Gilda’, Her Connection to Gilda Radner, and Documentary Film as Discovery

Lisa D’Apolito’s first feature documentary was the brilliant film “Love, Gilda.”

By Brendan O’Meara

“You’re whole life adds up to who you are.” —Lisa D’Apolito (@lovegildafilm)

“The most successful people create the best experience for the people on set.” —Lisa D’Apolito

You probably want to know who’s on the show this week. This is of course The Creative Nonfiction Podcast, the show where I talk to bad-ass writers, filmmakers, and producers about the art and craft of telling true stories whereby I unpack their artist journey and tap into their routines and habits about doing the work.

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Episode 126—Glenn Stout on Shotgunning Ledes, Creative Chain Smoking, and ‘The Pats’

Glenn Stout is the author of several books, most recently “The Pats,” and the series editor for Best American Sports Writing.

By Brendan O’Meara

“You look for the narrative, which tells a larger story.” —Glenn Stout (@glennstout)

“I never try to write a valentine. I always try to tell the story straight.” —Glenn Stout

Buckle up, CNFers, I’m Brendan O’Meara and this is my podcast, the show where I speak to the best writers and filmmakers, producers and podcasters about the art and craft of telling true stories. I try and extract habits and routines around the work so you can apply those tools of mastery to your own work.

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Episode 125—Brin-Jonathan Butler Talks “The Grandmaster,” Obsession, Madness, and the Power of Being an Outsider

Brin-Jonathan Butler, Brendan O'Meara
Brin-Jonathan Butler sporting Cuban refugee Yasiel Puig’s No. 66.

By Brendan O’Meara

Brin-Jonathan Butler has the world record for appearances on The Creative Nonfiction Podcast at four times. In honor of that, here’s a riff in 4/4 time.

You an check out his past few trips when he talked about what his ego is tied to, all things Cuba, and the blessings of struggle.

His new book The Grandmaster: Magnus Carlsen and the Match that Made Chess Great Again is a masterpiece.

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Episode 123—Elena Passarello on Listening to the Book, Polaroids, and Self-Doubt

Elena Passarello, author of “Animals Strike Curious Poses,” stopped by (literally) CNFPod HQ for Episode 123.

By Brendan O’Meara

Tweetables by Elena Passarello (@elenavox on Twitter):

“I loved going to the library and getting lost.”

“I wanted to dig deeper into the essay collection as the essay.”

Welcome wayward CNFers, it’s the Creative Nonfiction Podcast, the show where I speak to bad ass writers, filmmakers, movers and shakers about the art and craft of telling true stories. Here you’ll learn the story, tips, and tactics that will inspire you to greater heights in your own own work. I’m your host Brendan O’Meara, hey, hey.

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Episode 121—Susan Orlean on Pacing, Structure, and ‘The Library Book’

Susan Orlean for Grub Street / New York Magazine

By Brendan O’Meara

“I’m always learning about structure. Always.” —Susan Orlean (@susanorlean)

Oh, hey, welcome to the show, CNFers, and, my, my, my are you in for a treat. Susan Orlean, @susanorlean on Twitter, a New Yorker staff writer and the best selling author of The Orchid Thief, Rin Tin Tin, and now her latest book, The Library Book (Simon & Schuster, 2018), is out now. And it’s everything you’d expect from her work.

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Episode 120—Eli Saslow, the Pulitzer Prize Winner on Empathy, Muscling Through Drafts, and His Book ‘Rising Out of Hatred’

Eli Saslow, Pulitzer Prize winner, stopped by the show.

By Brendan O’Meara

[Pull Quotes TK]

Welcome to The Creative Nonfiction Podcast, the show where I speak to the best artists about the art and craft of telling true stories. Leaders from narrative journalism, doc film, memoir, essay, radio, and podcasting stop by to share their stories and how they go about the work so you can apply those tools of mastery to your own work.

Would you look at this guest for Episode 120L: Eli Saslow (@elisaslow), Pultizer Prize winner and fellow Oregonian, and author of Rising Out of Hatred: The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist, and staff writer for The Washington Post joined me for a wonderful conversation about his work.

Eli is one of the good ones. You can tell by talking to him that he’s an energy giver, you know what I mean? You talk to the guy and you want to go out and do your best work. I felt similarly when I spoke with Elizabeth Rush and Andre Dubus III.

Fact is, Eli’s work alone makes you want to go out and do good work because it’s top notch and major league. His latest book is a masterpiece so you need to go out and buy a copy for you and a pal. It is published by Doubleday.

You’re gonna learn a lot of great writing and reporting tips from your time spent listening to this episode.

Be sure to follow the show and me on Twitter @BrendanOMeara and @CNFPod. Why not sign up for my monthly newsletter? I give out reading recommendations. Once a month. No spam. Can’t beat it.

Go like the Facebook page too and consider leaving a nice review on Apple Podcasts.

Thanks to the show’s sponsors: Goucher College’s MFA for Nonfiction and for Creative Nonfiction Magazine.

Books by Eli Saslow

Ten Letters: Stories Americans Tell Their President

#CNF Episode 13—Greg Hanlon on the Audacity of Voice and the Value of Struggle

Written by Brendan O’Meara

“Putting in the work is confidence building.” —Greg Hanlon

“You struggle and struggle until the end product comes close to your original expectation. It’s all about the struggle.” —Greg Hanlon

Greg Hanlon is a crime editor at People Magazine and also a freelance sports writer. His piece “Sins of the Preacher” was anthologized in the Best American Sports Writing 2015 edition. His “The Many Crimes of Mel Hall” was a notable selection.

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