

Heavy Bored
Andrew Wittstadt
Heavy Bored is a writing and literature podcast hosted by poet and writer Andrew Wittstadt as he speaks with guests about all things books, poetry, art, and culture. Join Heavy Bored on Patreon or Substack to get full access to book clubs, bonus interviews, Jerkshop, and more.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 4, 2025 • 1h 9min
#91 Prep School Boys w/ Thomas Cullen
Andrew Wittstadt is joined by federal judge and author Thomas Cullen in a discussion of his debut novel, Charlie-Man. Topics include: Masculinity–male coming of age stories–prep schools–male companionship–the philosophy of a sitting judge–writing routines–and more!Recorded 7/8/2025*LINKS**Buy the Books*Charlie-Man by Thomas Cullen: https://amzn.to/450IDH5All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren: https://amzn.to/4mouh9fMore Books by Robert Penn Warren: https://amzn.to/45vTmJMLegal Writing in Plain English by Bryan Garner: https://amzn.to/46YjGO7More Books by Bryan Garner: https://amzn.to/47ewH62Join Patreon or Substack to get FULL access to Heavy Bored!Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HeavyBored Substack: https://andrewwittstadt.substack.com/Sign up for Andrew’s Newsletter for FREE! https://andrewwittstadt.substack.com/Contact us: heavyboredpodcast@gmail.comLeave a 5-Star Review on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heavy-bored/id1617156706Follow Us!Twitter: @heavyboredpod https://x.com/HeavyBoredPod@AndrewWittstadt https://x.com/AndrewWittstadtInstagram:@heavybored https://www.instagram.com/heavybored/TikTok:@heavyboredpodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@heavyboredpodcastYouTube:@heavybored https://www.youtube.com/@heavybored@heavyboredclips https://www.youtube.com/@heavyboredclips*when available, we use affiliate links*

Jul 28, 2025 • 2h 30min
#90 Louise Glück: Poems 1962-2012 w/ Damon Moore (part 1)
Andrew Wittstadt is joined by poet, writer, and friend of the pod Damon Moore in the first part of a multi-part extravaganza that covers the complete Louise Glück. Topics include: Louise Glück’s career–first books–beauty–devastating last lines–energy on the page–Glück’s Firstborn–and More!Recorded: 6/28/2025*LINKS**Buy the Books*Louise Glück: Poems 1962-2012: https://amzn.to/3IL6hi3More Books by Louise Glück: https://amzn.to/40C9iaEStag’s Leap by Sharon Olds: https://amzn.to/45mr04GMore Books by Sharon Olds: https://amzn.to/40zgdBtThe Complete Poems of Anne Sexton: https://amzn.to/3H7O5idMore Books by Anne Sexton: https://amzn.to/40C4x0KJoin Patreon or Substack to get FULL access to Heavy Bored!Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HeavyBored Substack: https://andrewwittstadt.substack.com/Sign up for Andrew’s Newsletter for FREE! https://andrewwittstadt.substack.com/Contact us: heavyboredpodcast@gmail.comLeave a 5-Star Review on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heavy-bored/id1617156706Follow Us!Twitter: @heavyboredpod https://x.com/HeavyBoredPod@AndrewWittstadt https://x.com/AndrewWittstadtInstagram:@heavybored https://www.instagram.com/heavybored/@my_banlieue https://www.instagram.com/my_banlieue/TikTok:@heavyboredpodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@heavyboredpodcastYouTube:@heavybored https://www.youtube.com/@heavybored@heavyboredclips https://www.youtube.com/@heavyboredclips*when available, we use affiliate links*

Jul 21, 2025 • 2h 38min
#89 Projecting the Universe w/ A.O. Wagner
Andrew is joined by the author known as A.O. Wagner in a wide-ranging discussion on life, addiction, philosophy, marketing, self-publishing, and more. Recorded 6/4/2025*LINKS**Buy the Books*The Karma Sequence by A. O Wagner: https://amzn.to/45aMkKiMore Books by A. O. Wagner: https://amzn.to/4f8yKL220,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne: https://amzn.to/44G5fwwMore Books by Jules Verne: https://amzn.to/4lWLpDvThe War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells: https://amzn.to/44Fw9EDThe Terminal Man by Michael Crichton: https://amzn.to/3ITyW4tSlaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut: https://amzn.to/3TPHOKYMore Books by Kurt Vonnegut: https://amzn.to/3GKpgc7Selected Stories of Philip K. Dick: https://amzn.to/4m4cpjJJoin Patreon or Substack to get FULL access to Heavy Bored!Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HeavyBored Substack: https://andrewwittstadt.substack.com/Sign up for Andrew’s Newsletter for FREE! https://andrewwittstadt.substack.com/Contact us: heavyboredpodcast@gmail.comLeave a 5-Star Review on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heavy-bored/id1617156706Follow Us!Twitter: @heavyboredpod https://x.com/HeavyBoredPod@AndrewWittstadt https://x.com/AndrewWittstadtInstagram:@heavybored https://www.instagram.com/heavybored/TikTok:@heavyboredpodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@heavyboredpodcastYouTube:@heavybored https://www.youtube.com/@heavybored@heavyboredclips https://www.youtube.com/@heavyboredclips*when available, we use affiliate links*

Jul 7, 2025 • 2h 12min
#88 Eroding Masculinity w/ Gary E Smith
Andrew Wittstadt is joined by author and entrepreneur Gary Smith in a discussion of his latest installment of the Warren Steelgrave series of novels. Topics include: masculine role models–growing up in 1950s America–family roots–Italian living–self-publishing–and more!Recorded 5/27/2025*LINKS**Buy the Books*More than You Know by Gary E. Smith: https://amzn.to/4eV0t1LMore Books by Gary Smith: https://amzn.to/4nyhSkwThe Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler: https://amzn.to/3GbYM33The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler: https://amzn.to/4lp44Y7More Books by Raymond Chandler: https://amzn.to/4lffEowJoin Patreon or Substack to get FULL access to Heavy Bored!Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HeavyBored Substack: https://andrewwittstadt.substack.com/Sign up for Andrew’s Newsletter for FREE! https://andrewwittstadt.substack.com/Contact us: heavyboredpodcast@gmail.comLeave a 5-Star Review on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heavy-bored/id1617156706Follow Us!Twitter: @heavyboredpod https://x.com/HeavyBoredPod@AndrewWittstadt https://x.com/AndrewWittstadtInstagram:@heavybored https://www.instagram.com/heavybored/TikTok:@heavyboredpodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@heavyboredpodcastYouTube:@heavybored https://www.youtube.com/@heavybored@heavyboredclips https://www.youtube.com/@heavyboredclips*when available, we use affiliate links*

Jun 23, 2025 • 1h 27min
#87 Monitoring the Dream Situation w/ Ron Richard
Andrew Wittstadt is joined by author, inventor, and entrepreneur Ron Richard. Recorded 5/14/2025*LINKS**Buy the Books*The Zenith Project by Ron Richard: https://amzn.to/3ZGLphHThe Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis: https://amzn.to/3ZIjjTnThe Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien: https://amzn.to/44rBBe5Bellevue by Robin Cook: https://amzn.to/4lbrIH8More Books by Robin Cook: https://amzn.to/4jZWdPeJurassic Park by Michael Crichton: https://amzn.to/4jVTAxLMore Books by Michael Crichton: https://amzn.to/3Gb4Mc0Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell: https://amzn.to/4kUY7SAMore Books by Malcolm Gladwell: https://amzn.to/4loWQDfJoin Patreon or Substack to get FULL access to Heavy Bored!Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HeavyBored Substack: https://andrewwittstadt.substack.com/Sign up for Andrew’s Newsletter for FREE! https://andrewwittstadt.substack.com/Contact us: heavyboredpodcast@gmail.comLeave a 5-Star Review on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heavy-bored/id1617156706Follow Us!Twitter: @heavyboredpod https://x.com/HeavyBoredPod@AndrewWittstadt https://x.com/AndrewWittstadtInstagram:@heavybored https://www.instagram.com/heavybored/TikTok:@heavyboredpodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@heavyboredpodcastYouTube:@heavybored https://www.youtube.com/@heavybored@heavyboredclips https://www.youtube.com/@heavyboredclips*when available, we use affiliate links*

Jun 9, 2025 • 1h 58min
#86 In the Fires of Joy w/ Tara Heaton
Andrew Wittstadt is joined by author and public speaker Tara Heaton, in a discussion about her debut memoir, Life Minutes: Igniting Joy from the Fire of Heartache. Topics include: Sales and marketing–messaging and advertising–the art of storytelling–the art of sales–neuroscience as self empowerment–the craft of memoir–grief–motherhood–trauma–and more!Recorded 5/6/2025*LINKS**Buy the Books*Life Minutes: Igniting Joy from the Fire of Heartache by Tara Heaton: https://amzn.to/45909tgA Place Called Home by David Ambroz: https://amzn.to/3HKXbBmJoin Patreon or Substack to get FULL access to Heavy Bored!Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HeavyBored Substack: https://andrewwittstadt.substack.com/Sign up for Andrew’s Newsletter for FREE! https://andrewwittstadt.substack.com/Contact us: heavyboredpodcast@gmail.comLeave a 5-Star Review on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heavy-bored/id1617156706En Pointe Communication: https://enpointeglobal.com/lifeminutes/Follow Us!Twitter: @heavyboredpod https://x.com/HeavyBoredPod@AndrewWittstadt https://x.com/AndrewWittstadt@TaraHeatonEPC https://x.com/TaraHeatonEPCInstagram:@heavybored https://www.instagram.com/heavybored/@taraheatonauthor https://www.instagram.com/taraheatonauthor/TikTok:@heavyboredpodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@heavyboredpodcast@talktothebrain https://www.tiktok.com/@talktothebrainYouTube:@heavybored https://www.youtube.com/@heavybored@heavyboredclips https://www.youtube.com/@heavyboredclips*when available, we use affiliate links*

Jun 3, 2025 • 8min
Heavy Bonus: Ghost Craft w/ Meg Hamand (preview)
Meg Hamand joins Andrew Wittstadt for an extended bonus interview for subscribers only. Topics include: dogs vs cats–ghost stories and technique–pov in fiction writing–adoption journeys–and more!Recorded 5/1/2025*LINKS**Buy the Books*Diamonds in Auschwitz by Meg Hamand: https://amzn.to/43sRhw2Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: https://amzn.to/43HrvFDMore Books by Jane Austen: https://amzn.to/43xGGQyGone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell: https://amzn.to/4mw0yfBJoin Patreon or Substack to get FULL access to Heavy Bored!Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HeavyBored Substack: https://andrewwittstadt.substack.com/Sign up for Andrew’s Newsletter for FREE! https://andrewwittstadt.substack.com/Contact us: heavyboredpodcast@gmail.comLeave a 5-Star Review on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heavy-bored/id1617156706Read Meg Hamand: https://www.meghamandauthor.com/Follow Us!Twitter: @heavyboredpod https://x.com/HeavyBoredPod@AndrewWittstadt https://x.com/AndrewWittstadtInstagram:@heavybored https://www.instagram.com/heavybored/@meghamand https://www.instagram.com/meghamand/TikTok:@heavyboredpodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@heavyboredpodcastYouTube:@heavybored https://www.youtube.com/@heavybored@heavyboredclips https://www.youtube.com/@heavyboredclips*when available, we use affiliate links*

May 26, 2025 • 1h 48min
#85 Midwestern Romanticism w/ Meg Hamand
Andrew Wittstadt is joined by author Meg Hamand in a discussion of her debut novel, Diamonds in Auschwitz. Topics include: historical fiction–Millennial childhoods–Pride and Prejudice–Jane Austen–Wishbone stories–romanticism in writing–earning a living as a writer–and more!Recorded 5/1/2025*LINKS**Buy the Books*Diamonds in Auschwitz by Meg Hamand: https://amzn.to/43sRhw2Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: https://amzn.to/43HrvFDMore Books by Jane Austen: https://amzn.to/43xGGQyGone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell: https://amzn.to/4mw0yfBJoin Patreon or Substack to get FULL access to Heavy Bored!Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HeavyBored Substack: https://andrewwittstadt.substack.com/Sign up for Andrew’s Newsletter for FREE! https://andrewwittstadt.substack.com/Contact us: heavyboredpodcast@gmail.comLeave a 5-Star Review on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heavy-bored/id1617156706Read Meg Hamand: https://www.meghamandauthor.com/Follow Us!Twitter: @heavyboredpod https://x.com/HeavyBoredPod@AndrewWittstadt https://x.com/AndrewWittstadtInstagram:@heavybored https://www.instagram.com/heavybored/@meghamand https://www.instagram.com/meghamand/TikTok:@heavyboredpodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@heavyboredpodcastYouTube:@heavybored https://www.youtube.com/@heavybored@heavyboredclips https://www.youtube.com/@heavyboredclips*when available, we use affiliate links*

May 12, 2025 • 3h 30min
#84 Thomas Mann's The Magic Mountain w/ Maggie Zhu
Andrew Wittstadt is joined by writer, Maggie Zhu, in an hours long discussion of Thomas Mann’s masterpiece, The Magic Mountain. Topic Include: stuck in the sanatorium–Hans Castorp as a coward–intellectuals–twitter discourse repeating itself–the trad cath movement–AWP–German modernism–and more!Recorded 4/16/2025*Buy the Books*The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann: https://amzn.to/3YBRWK3Doctor Faustus by Thomas Mann: https://amzn.to/3EZ4IM6BuddenBrooks by Thomas Mann: https://amzn.to/3H4LaX5More books by Thomas Mann: https://amzn.to/44B2BskMy Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh: https://amzn.to/43aLjjjJoin Patreon or Substack to get FULL access to Heavy Bored!Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HeavyBored Substack: https://andrewwittstadt.substack.com/Sign up for Andrew’s Newsletter for FREE! https://andrewwittstadt.substack.com/Contact us: heavyboredpodcast@gmail.comLeave a 5-Star Review on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heavy-bored/id1617156706Follow Us!Twitter: @heavyboredpod https://x.com/HeavyBoredPod@AndrewWittstadt https://x.com/AndrewWittstadt@zhuphilia https://x.com/zhuphiliaInstagram:@heavybored https://www.instagram.com/heavybored/@zhuphilia https://www.instagram.com/zhuphilia/TikTok:@heavyboredpodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@heavyboredpodcastYouTube:@heavybored https://www.youtube.com/@heavybored@heavyboredclips https://www.youtube.com/@heavyboredclips*when available, we use affiliate links*

Apr 28, 2025 • 3h
#83 The Great Poetry Hoax w/ Jasper Ceylon
Andrew Wittstadt is joined by the poet and author known as Jasper Ceylon, in a wide-ranging discussion about his latest project, Echolalia Review: An Anti-Poetry Collection. Jasper’s latest project spans over two years and involves the publication of over 47 fake poems in 30 poetry journals. These fake poems are collected, along with detailed notes about the process, in Ceylon’s latest book. Topics Include: Is poetry dead?--is poetry foundation a captured institution–Allen Ginsberg and the beat writers–identity politics in poetry–literary journals–and more!Recorded 4/12/2025*Buy the Books*Echolalia Review: An Anti-Poetry Collection by Jasper Ceylon: https://amzn.to/4darIEFHowl and Other Poems by Allen Ginsberg: https://amzn.to/4d0Nt9OThe Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac: https://amzn.to/42PWtcWThe Wynona Stone Poems by Kaki Wilkinson: https://amzn.to/3EuawwWWhatever by Michel Houellebecq: https://amzn.to/44dyBT1Serotonin by Michel Houellebecq: https://amzn.to/4iCDwR1Annihilation by Michel Houellebecq: https://amzn.to/4iwzHN7Join Patreon or Substack to get FULL access to Heavy Bored!Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HeavyBored Substack: https://andrewwittstadt.substack.com/Sign up for Andrew’s Newsletter for FREE! https://andrewwittstadt.substack.com/Contact us: heavyboredpodcast@gmail.comLeave a 5-Star Review on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heavy-bored/id1617156706Follow Us!Twitter: @heavyboredpod https://x.com/HeavyBoredPod@AndrewWittstadt https://x.com/AndrewWittstadt@jceylon2 https://x.com/jceylon2Instagram:@heavybored https://www.instagram.com/heavybored/TikTok:@heavyboredpodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@heavyboredpodcastYouTube:@heavybored https://www.youtube.com/@heavybored@heavyboredclips https://www.youtube.com/@heavyboredclips*when available, we use affiliate links*