
Apology
Sprawling interviews that are mainly about books and reading.
Latest episodes

Apr 17, 2024 • 1h 14min
Kurt Vile
On this episode of Apology, host Jesse Pearson speaks with the musician Kurt Vile about his favorite biographies of fellow musical artists, his love for Denis Johnson and Flannery O'Connor, his writing process, copying vs. stealing, and more. This episode is sponsored by Sci-Fi Fantasy.

Feb 9, 2024 • 1h 14min
Jonathan Lethem
On this episode of the Apology podcast, host Jesse Pearson welcomes the author Jonathan Lethem to discuss many topics including (but not limited to): Julio Cortázar; animals in literature; paths of entry to the works of Norman Mailer, Philip K. Dick, and Stanisław Lem; Lethem's latest book, Brooklyn Crime Novel; and the class-based, Marxist underpinnings to the creation of literary genres. And more! Much more! Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Sci-Fi Fantasy.

17 snips
Jul 18, 2023 • 1h 59min
Jamieson Webster on Freud
The psychoanalyst and author Jamieson Webster returns to Apology today to go deep on Sigmund Freud and his writing. From the case histories to the Interpretation of Dreams and beyond, we touch on the libido, hysteria, transference, the death drive and more. Curious about Freud? Conflicted about Freud? Hopefully we can help you make up your mind with this episode.

Jul 13, 2023 • 1h 1min
Eileen Myles on Pathetic Literature
On this episode, Apology's first return guest, the poet Eileen Myles, talks with Jesse Pearson about Pathetic Literature (the recent anthology they edited), what is pathetic and what is not, their theyness, Moby-Dick, masculinity, and many different writers. Welcome back, Eileen!

Jul 1, 2023 • 1h 10min
Richard Hell
On this episode of Apology, Jesse Pearson speaks with the writer and former musician Richard Hell about physics, the blank page, his new book of poetry, a bad writer who writes great books, crying at his own readings, and much more.

Jun 23, 2023 • 54min
Andre Gregory
On this episode of Apology, Jesse Pearson talks with Andre Gregory, the theater director, writer, painter, actor, and co-star of the classic film My Dinner with Andre. Topics include Proust, Freud, trance states, and Andre's "iceberg" theory of acting.

Feb 15, 2023 • 50min
Angel Olsen
On this episode of the Apology podcast, Jesse Pearson welcomes Angel Olsen. The conversation goes from dating a narcissist to true crime to Emily Dickinson, with many recommendations in between. Angel is a perceptive reader who came prepared with a list, so keep a pencil and paper close at hand.

Dec 18, 2022 • 1h 3min
Jarvis Cocker
On this episode of Apology, founder and editor Jesse Pearson speaks with the musician and author Jarvis Cocker about so many things including but not limited to: J.D. Salinger, Sheffield, his new book Good Pop Bad Pop, Harold Pinter, and so much more. Thanks for listening!

Dec 5, 2022 • 1h 31min
Tom Scharpling
On this episode of Apology, the radio host/podcaster, writer, voice actor, and director Tom Scharpling speaks with Jesse Pearson about books, yes, but also mental health, New Jersey, sportswriting, and much more.

Nov 11, 2022 • 1h 6min
David Means
On this episode, Apology editor and founder Jesse Pearson speaks with the writer David Means about his process; his new collection Two Nurses, Smoking; reading while watching football, the best story in James Joyce's Dubliners; and more.
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