
Book Society
Host Lucas Cantor discusses a new book each week with a distinguished guest.
Latest episodes

Nov 22, 2024 • 40min
Award winning songwriter, and New York Times best selling author Alice Randall and I discuss country music, banjos, and so much more!
Award winning songwriter, author, educator and food activist Alice Randall and I discuss "Coming Through Slaughter" by Michael Ondaatje as well as her book, "My Black Country". We geek out over banjos and the Wootens as well as discussing the differences between jazz and country and what makes country music so great. Coming Through Slaughterhttps://www.amazon.com/Coming-Through-Slaughter-Vintage-International-ebook/dp/B004QX06TW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2FZNF0YHG8UTF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.iu062M7CL5-6spVZmYiUHb3RKSwZM9Z4sFArjPuHw4ScC03FCC3ETgntrTw4bhID4bvpZDtRKaQSs0qSMlpYochE6ocQTgnsu3aCUfVaYoDZUQq5cRXXXLb2xj30IYd88MM296PDcv6DUZe_1EF4VbNZAWgZ2H5zbHdRGLbSwr2w4A5PPKOCpNlI7ipffvryTYknSrcOuBMyGiUtifZlaqPyWW702AouANWppSuo-Nw.PWwvrefsIi8HHlBZQlABm_RgiLLS8jjiV7QPLhpUsYQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=coming+through+slaughter&qid=1732261962&sprefix=coming+through+slaughter+%2Caps%2C129&sr=8-1My Black Country: https://www.amazon.com/My-Black-Country-Journey-Through/dp/B0CLWQ3PKZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1WL7VMY3F3UQ5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.NNIZDhCuMJIZKZ67bwaEzzvJkSrEzIV4vr5qFHUwPwlp75vSdkGC-eiWarqZ_x_m02eAN546CmexiFtdedUcY4j-iNSkGjl3k4Zk82IY9EjuQL-k2BeWoF0r6UCy8FMzfCGfy2yvLdtdTNju5D8sWNJ33fcghKUbuAu57m9KPXuRcQ_UjuGKy6b9lp05IF--.O_4uj5QeLAFDhNSfUMDfq05ntDTPUQrE8GSqS7RMQh4&dib_tag=se&keywords=my+black+country+alice+randall&qid=1732262097&sprefix=my+black+country+%2Caps%2C147&sr=8-1

Sep 20, 2024 • 42min
Dr. James R Gregory and I discuss Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine as well as his advertising and branding career
Dr. James R. Gregory is the founder of NYLAQ Advisors. He is also chairman emeritus of Tenet Partners, a global brand innovation and marketing firm based in New York, NY. One of the key secrets to his success was his passion for writing. Over the next four decades, he wrote a series of business books that helped build not only our business brand but also my personal reputation. Some of the titles he crafted include “Marketing Corporate Image,” “Leveraging the Corporate Brand,” “Branding Across Borders,” “The Best of Branding,” and “Powerhouse, the Secrets of Corporate Branding.” After successfully exiting the business, he embarked on a new journey – writing fiction. He quickly discovered that his favorite genre was short reads in the form of novellas. Drawing upon extensive business experiences, personal life, and current events, he crafts stories that can be enjoyed in just one sitting, whether it’s an evening at home or a cross-country flight.Zephyr's War: https://www.amazon.com/Zephyrs-War-Targeted-Foremost-Capitalist/dp/1636983650/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2QADCGC4ET0RR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.DhhOxtjQqKPVyYWN1zuURUqrfHtxU9rAmpYSLqLsJjw8jz1nI5eARzYPTuchFGbRGP0CkraOEu5A_k28MdsSq-Vv1luCoriDMVlDDKxc3rKeA2o7CSBEpHQUCXOfqY8sYyJJilt63fHNEDWJwLX1XRVx5NlXdEQ3ZbBdyMOY0215ZF3LTSGNoMc602KRR8BINnd8DTrFd7_0YXJnrpleaf4vtkgiGI3Bamx8o8vILgc.0G8ELwoDzPzU37Sl21yTTSC8J97eGuSwosL_iNsdMTo&dib_tag=se&keywords=zephyr%27s+War+book&qid=1726515182&sprefix=zephyr%27s+war+boo%2Caps%2C167&sr=8-1Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine: https://www.amazon.com/Eleanor-Oliphant-Completely-Fine-Novel-ebook/dp/B01KGZVTOE/ref=sr_1_1?crid=NMMJPYP2H9XI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.pZAhWmzAkhQtMdAkYCeYfNUwNrlmdJYdJRDqdFfoEtSkLtYi4aOCGvt2ApEqKao0ytbDy-brIF9bgMZQDwqBr9nSGYMt-oU2MUzN4WrTQPKUNfs51h_Xh7VsW5QFCJVhiWFQR6KH9Dp8oofU2RGmkn4d6SdBa81kkPStLwJExZv4zUJHHUH-Awjxux_ZYLCh5pZX16H17Ts3vudsq96WeKGIlmsKxXuJ_sHTY4Abc6g.W8CQ8lAOYds8qtJ1H1MuwyYzNpw7SBt8YSquz7WKlVY&dib_tag=se&keywords=Eleanor+is+completely+fine+-+Gail+Honeyman&qid=1726514987&sprefix=eleanor+is+completely+fine+-+gail+honeyman+%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1Killer App Pre-Order: https://www.amazon.com/Killer-App-Artificial-Intelligence-Godsend/dp/1636984606/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3C9239LNBFTF9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._jZYK60AuW7LfvVC0NgYFA.c3uTiwpvyXA2gMtkimFmYcuMRaH3tzQR2RzbXXCpYKM&dib_tag=se&keywords=Killer+app+book+james+R+Gregory&qid=1726515232&sprefix=killer+app+book+james+r+gregor%2Caps%2C208&sr=8-1

Jul 12, 2024 • 49min
Jacob Goldstein and I talk Joan Didion's "The White Album" and use it to fuel the ultimate NYC vs. LA debate
Author and podcast host, Jacob Goldstein and I talk about "The White Album" by Joan Didion. As a San Diego born, New York City journalist, Jacob and I compare and contract Los Angeles and New York as described by Didion and ourselves. We talk about our nostalgia for the past and the uncertainty of the future as we stray on and off topic of this thrilling collection of essays by Didion. Jacob's podcast, "What's your problem? Live from Chicago" Featuring me: https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/whats-your-problem/using-ai-for-creative-workJoan Didion's "The White Album" https://www.amazon.com/White-Album-Essays-FSG-Classics/dp/0374532079/ref=sr_1_1?crid=22Q2GNU6OKWHC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.wYfhcs52-wF2zEiWUY50tu24TD8EOCszh-OzXa7NSJ-TK4b8xm4TsVRNn6pnr0DWIZ87aqui_0h91nwHng_C16tBT662q7vjRr8JRSBCQkN-vBTpQEOfymlkjnFUurDSdRgoV5gn4yq7DZKwwJCPw-YQVsCY6yM8MtV1vvD3JMp_6EFxxC8D_Qd5xbKY2JQMDxC_Yz29nU8UhNSJMf6SELHMD7WQgOKQjtvXBVSG9Bw.s7-hrIzow4BSG1UA1-DZm9daYwLRkIdxyQSKBtBaBv4&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+white+album+joan+didion&qid=1720043002&sprefix=the+white+album+%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-1

Jun 14, 2024 • 54min
Poet Campbell McGrath gives advice to writers and reads some of his work from "Nouns and Verbs"
Chicago based poet, Campbell McGrath talks to me about the difference in reading verses watching a movie, gives writing advice, and reads some of his own poetry in this riveting episode. Nouns and Verbs: https://www.amazon.com/Nouns-Verbs-Campbell-McGrath-ebook/dp/B07BK5LS9Z/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3PW8A8HUNH709&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1qfSeNSYOZIt05ulFxXyn8_QiiRzB0IM1EMEF4ozu53fbgNLbjTWy4_BIKSp62x2Ra10CGwyq-zxeuIZrFSbikDsos1HvSLU-V5dDhtUwJQ.tDt4u1FECtwGzgoBPhyKtjQVULMS3tZYIylp1UJGooQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=nouns+and+verbs+campbell&qid=1717712623&sprefix=nouns+and+verbs+campbel%2Caps%2C117&sr=8-1Ministry For The Future: https://www.amazon.com/Ministry-Future-Kim-Stanley-Robinson-ebook/dp/B084FY1NXB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2V2P9SQSHKEGK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Re3SYiqyFGxiZtBOxzhisbBhZj8Hz9fPu0WeCqucDTXuqOlUaA96vPqH2JR92qcBjFCrsNmicWuypcBmmx-qu5KhNiLLbyZvQ_1HgxKFlJEJJzMCTFMWWJPxRmIwtPfh9op5p1A7UB0MSof_oesNqj5ud3Ia2mW1dr3MipgabSZoHgC4SZ8_SGOh12tAQdBa5l8vocsd3Ooo5JtL_sL_mPcYBx9Bn4qIyPa5Qrr8kvU.Sx9Yr4EHZOcyuHQDWt9rRe50S7vIat6l2tJ9SUOgKLY&dib_tag=se&keywords=ministry+for+the+future&qid=1717712638&sprefix=ministry+for+the+future%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1

Jun 7, 2024 • 54min
Parapsychologist Loyd Auerbach and I Talk Skeptics, Mediums, and How The Ghostbusters Helped His Career
Director of the Office of Paranormal Investigations and President of the Forever Family Foundation, has been in the field for over 40 years focusing on education and field investigation. He is the author or co-author of 10 nonfiction books and one novel, and teaches online Parapsychology courses through the Rhine Education Center. He is on the Board of the Rhine Research Center and the advisory boards of the Windbridge Reseearch Center and the Forever Family Foundation. We talk about The Medium Explosion by Robert Ginsberg: https://www.amazon.com/Medium-Explosion-Guide-Navigating-Communicate/dp/1951805488/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2FI1X7G921V9H&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1sKl3pXRSs9O3xFiIX0RoE3UQPR2sLj09SUu3P-ENdTdF3X4GZE8NH1kywCw_jBuaQop1DXO_Z36xxPxIlkIPnr36nTiNLl6FtKZQMktBgNKJXWrPCeceKEb5UypXlAJT7Aez1Gk3BCmQez_7_DV0ocvCeBuSBUw20aHD3Sz58BbehXGMtO4JTDdzpI0j6lOyvhPYTp0Ztu_L0B-q9o372MKPCsJG_PulnKhEbYI3J8.TDYJS5uj2p7pyYHvgQGsPhv5ynqQlMBzuzg513Ydr0w&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+medium+explosion&qid=1717710877&sprefix=the+medium+explosion+%2Caps%2C132&sr=8-1Ghost Hunting: How to Investigate the Paranormal: https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Hunting-How-Investigate-Paranormal/dp/1579510671/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3LXDCBGEFNO18&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fB2mb3tiIQAnqObOAjwGQLN0Fdqe-P0wWggOD7HHTQPH-bU3h7hBW5l7EgidaziFqcIlqUjnXbPZY4JBah6kAYQ8UQfi2A3AAIijnIbcoFyqrnWgZ30t6et3cPD2mRGKwpXiMvJ8pHD0RxsxhUXIan7ikReJYIJpLZFszunSGd-9dXEyqvUoQhrEzZjvIF_nAqByXZhOyk0B2wjLax72YXaz7T-R8pId_HnMFnxH9rU.2yaWGbV-mQg2ycuJ4sWxkc8aIZgr7X0ILmPHPhAhYOE&dib_tag=se&keywords=lloyd+auerbach&qid=1717710952&sprefix=lloyd+auer%2Caps%2C117&sr=8-1

May 31, 2024 • 51min
Why We Should Actually Be Optimistic About The Environment with Environmentalist Adam Dorr
Adam Dorr is the Director of Research at the independent think tank RethinkX. He is an environmental social scientist and technology theorist whose recent RethinkX publications have focused on the disruption of the global energy sector by new energy generation and storage technologies, as well as the implications of the energy, transportation, and food disruptions for climate change. Adam regularly presents on stage, radio, podcasts, and television. He completed his MS at the University of Michigan's School for the Environment and Sustainability and his PhD at UCLA's Luskin School of Public Affairs. Hear us talk about "Factufullness: Ten Reasons Why We're Wrong About The World -- and Why Things Are Better Than You Think" by Hans Rosling. As well as his own book, "Brighter".Factfulness: https://www.amazon.com/Factfulness-Reasons-World-Things-Better/dp/1250123828/ref=sr_1_1?crid=LSU8KBBNAV0S&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zsOKnFT01I7tAXHASDhpuvgbl9RnVX7PwJF1iUBv9jqtcD5G7cUpoZgiMa3JresubImm-7SjrxgqAeD4BH1xHzJ4vLkuaepykSj8f9CIRikWPIjMtvSVNFBD7rGdk_FRuMxs7zizmKH8noGjYxgz3eEapLsTwHyZlL2pP7fGZxtJrgrFWvRxkWsDqAP1nZUifdchobitxugeTEa072Yn_sIyzT0fg4azKwqOuNpBFi4.lr3WRR7tfsPaEXzyD7MdGj4YKuqApgMzxYn8turioNA&dib_tag=se&keywords=factfulness+hans+rosling&qid=1716430263&sprefix=factful%2Caps%2C499&sr=8-1Brighter: https://www.amazon.com/Brighter-Optimism-Progress-Future-Environmentalism-ebook/dp/B0BNYC1GWY/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3R2A4AVUJ5DKJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.p5ZtEaccdvTvyquL4S3RzQ.ZhQKzQZG5lPScWLwdyA0y9w8UCLVpoRj9G33GpTx97E&dib_tag=se&keywords=brighter+adam+dorr&qid=1716430394&sprefix=brighter+%2Caps%2C242&sr=8-1

May 24, 2024 • 30min
Environmental Scientist Adam Dorr and I discuss 10 Reasons Why We're Wrong About the World and Why Things Are Better Than We Think in Hans Rosling's "Factfulness"
Adam Dorr is the Director of Research at the independent think tank RethinkX. He is an environmental social scientist and technology theorist whose recent RethinkX publications have focused on the disruption of the global energy sector by new energy generation and storage technologies, as well as the implications of the energy, transportation, and food disruptions for climate change. Adam regularly presents on stage, radio, podcasts, and television. He completed his MS at the University of Michigan's School for the Environment and Sustainability and his PhD at UCLA's Luskin School of Public Affairs. Hear us talk about "Factufullness: Ten Reasons Why We're Wrong About The World -- and Why Things Are Better Than You Think" by Hans Rosling. As well as his own book, "Brighter".Factfulness: https://www.amazon.com/Factfulness-Reasons-World-Things-Better/dp/1250123828/ref=sr_1_1?crid=LSU8KBBNAV0S&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zsOKnFT01I7tAXHASDhpuvgbl9RnVX7PwJF1iUBv9jqtcD5G7cUpoZgiMa3JresubImm-7SjrxgqAeD4BH1xHzJ4vLkuaepykSj8f9CIRikWPIjMtvSVNFBD7rGdk_FRuMxs7zizmKH8noGjYxgz3eEapLsTwHyZlL2pP7fGZxtJrgrFWvRxkWsDqAP1nZUifdchobitxugeTEa072Yn_sIyzT0fg4azKwqOuNpBFi4.lr3WRR7tfsPaEXzyD7MdGj4YKuqApgMzxYn8turioNA&dib_tag=se&keywords=factfulness+hans+rosling&qid=1716430263&sprefix=factful%2Caps%2C499&sr=8-1Brighter: https://www.amazon.com/Brighter-Optimism-Progress-Future-Environmentalism-ebook/dp/B0BNYC1GWY/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3R2A4AVUJ5DKJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.p5ZtEaccdvTvyquL4S3RzQ.ZhQKzQZG5lPScWLwdyA0y9w8UCLVpoRj9G33GpTx97E&dib_tag=se&keywords=brighter+adam+dorr&qid=1716430394&sprefix=brighter+%2Caps%2C242&sr=8-1

May 17, 2024 • 51min
The Beatles Interesting Tie to Florida with Bob Kealing, the Sunshine State's Specialist
Siix time Emmy award winning, Bob Kealing, talks with me about "Good Day Sunshine State" and the Beatles history in Florida. Why does this state hold a special place in the hearts of those four lads from LIverpool? Hear us discuss this and "Once Upon A Time in Florida" by Jacki Levine. Good Day Sunshine State https://www.amazon.com/Good-Day-Sunshine-State-Beatles/dp/0813068932Once Upon A Time In Florida: https://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Time-Florida-Promises/dp/B0BVYZPTRL/ref=sr_1_1?crid=M9ELUOMY0FAI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MAMCVBqTg7b5TJfIemAWLmHgQdiosBTvQ9AcBDfIt_F9U3_rLoIA1X2nknTsHCNLjYV9Pzd1Z78o7PybCDCBmdV9d08kOmjkjnXMnmUUF1-dQeoPcQ9MfE7NfYCV9K9f.NqxaZEMQPndiVRhznjZKKMEqltjSoPgmFKRbyLTTe_s&dib_tag=se&keywords=once+upon+a+time+in+florida+book&qid=1715881463&sprefix=Once+upon+a+time+in+Florida+%2Caps%2C323&sr=8-1

May 10, 2024 • 53min
"The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read" and "Parenting On Earth" with moral and political philosopher Elizabeth Cripps
Moral and Political philosopher Elizabeth Cripps discusses parental duties and climate change, referencing 'Parenting on Earth' and 'The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read'. Topics include empathizing with children, activism, power dynamics, youth-led climate activism, and book recommendations for raising empathetic kids.

May 3, 2024 • 49min
Should We Settle Outer Space? Rocket Scientist Erika Nesvold and I talk about capitalism and prison in space, mining astroids, and "The Sparrow" by Mary Doria Russell
Rocket Scientist Erika Nesvold and I talk about Mary Doria Russell's The Sparrow all while she answers some of my dumb space questions. We touch on mining astroids, prison and capitalism in space, and whether we should even settle space? The Sparrow: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+sparrow+book&crid=27WWOJ6JYAAQH&sprefix=the+sparrow+book%2Caps%2C163&ref=nb_sb_noss_1