

Nerdette
Greta Johnsen
Nerdette is a interview show that helps you unwind with fun conversations, inspiring ideas, and delightful recommendations.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 4, 2022 • 31min
What would you do with a billion bucks?
This week, host of NPR’s ‘It’s Been A Minute,’ Brittany Luse, and host of NPR’s ‘Embedded,’ Kelly McEvers, drop in to talk about the $1.5 billion Powerball jackpot, Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover, and “pandemic amnesty.”
Then, if you need TV recommendations for this cozy fall weather, The New Yorker’s Inkoo Kang has got you covered. You can find Inkoo’s list of shows at our website: https://www.wbez.org/stories/what-would-you-do-with-a-billion-bucks/1d9a7529-65bd-4ada-929e-1ec8b9c8fbed
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Nov 1, 2022 • 22min
Nerdette Book Club: Laura Warrell on ‘Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm’
This November, Nerdette Book Club is reading Laura Warrell’s debut novel, ‘Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm.’ It’s about Circus Palmer, a struggling 40-something jazz trumpeter in Boston and the women he admires and disappoints. Laura Warrell joins us for a spoiler-free conversation about her jazz-filled, debut novel and the joys of becoming a published author later in life. Read along with us and tell us what you think! Record a voice memo on your phone and email us at nerdettepodcast@gmail.com to be featured in our final book club discussion on the final Tuesday of the month. Happy reading!
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Oct 28, 2022 • 26min
We made it to the Halloweekend!
We discuss candy, tombstones and television recommendations with two fun Halloween freaks. Delia Cai is a correspondent for Vanity Fair and Nick Quah is a podcast critic for Vulture.
Then, Michelin star chef Sarah Grueneberg stops by to chat about her new cookbook ‘Listen to Your Vegetables.’
Plus, Utah State University English professor Joyce Kinkead tells us about the history of writer’s block.
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Oct 25, 2022 • 35min
Nerdette Book Club: 'Our Missing Hearts'
Nerdette Book Club is wrapping up October with this spoilery and delightful conversation on Celeste Ng’s newest novel, ‘Our Missing Hearts.’ Our panelists are Dessa, rapper and author of the new poetry collection ‘Tits on the Moon,’ and Elise Hu, ‘Ted Talks Daily’ host and NPR host-at-large. Thank you to all of the listeners who joined the conversation!
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Oct 21, 2022 • 27min
A very bookish episode
We chat about life as a professional reader with book influencer Lupita Aquino and ‘Missing Pages’ podcast host Bethanne Patrick.
Plus, we talk to Veronica Roth, author of the 'Divergent' series, about her new dystopian novel for adults called 'Poster Girl.' You can find a list of the books mentioned in today’s episode at our website: https://www.wbez.org/stories/a-very-bookish-episode/5eef5d33-23eb-4227-8ee0-437db7db7429
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Oct 14, 2022 • 26min
The cookbooks you need this fall
Lauren Chooljian, Senior Producer at New Hampshire Public Radio, and Jonquilyn Hill, Senior Producer at Vox and host of The Weeds podcast, join us for a cozy, good time. We discuss record-setting pumpkins, gift-giving ethics, and butter boards.Then, Bon Appetit contributor and food writer Alex Beggs shares her five favorite cookbooks coming out this fall.You can find Alex’s list at our website.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 7, 2022 • 28min
Five frightening books to read this fall
Axios Today host Niala Boodhoo and Homemade Stories host Shannon Cason join us to dish on the latest pop culture news, from the rom-com ‘Bros’ to the new purple M&M.
Then, Liberty Hardy, host of Book Riot’s 'ALL THE BOOKS!’ podcast and writer of the Patreon newsletter ‘What’s my page again?,’ gives us her list of favorite books out this fall. Plus, the Nerdette team and some of our listeners share their own reading recommendations. You can find the full list at our website: https://www.wbez.org/nerdette
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Oct 4, 2022 • 21min
Nerdette Book Club: Celeste Ng on ‘Our Missing Hearts’
This October, Nerdette Book Club is reading Celeste Ng’s new novel, ‘Our Missing Hearts.’ It follows Bird, a 12-year-old boy living with his father in an alternate version of the United States, which has undergone a “crisis.” Anti-Asian hate is rampant, children are quietly being taken from their families, and books that are seen as unpatriotic are disappearing from library shelves. Celeste Ng joined us for a spoiler-free conversation on the historical influences behind the novel, the power of myth, and the paradoxes of motherhood. Listen, read, then tell us what you think! Send a voice memo to nerdettepodcast@gmail.com to participate in our panel discussion on the book at the end of the month. Happy reading!
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Sep 30, 2022 • 33min
One less thing to worry about
This week, the hosts of NPR’s Invisiblia, Yowei Shaw and Kia Miakka Natisse, stop by to discuss NASA’s asteroid mission, the CIA’s new podcast and a child art prodigy.
Then, we dive into the history of literary pseudonyms with Carmela Ciuraru, author of ‘Nom de Plume.’
Plus, Autostraddle CEO Riese Bernard explores why so many queer TV shows have been canceled after one season with Nerdette producer Anna Bauman.
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Sep 27, 2022 • 39min
Nerdette Book Club: ‘Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow’
Nerdette Book Club is back to discuss our September book, ‘Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow’ by Gabrielle Zevin. Our panelists are Jason Concepcion, co-host of ‘The Official Game of Thrones Podcast: House of the Dragon’ with Nerdette’s Greta Johnsen, and Amber Sparks, author of ‘And I Do Not Forgive You.’
Special thanks to all of the listeners who contributed your voices to this chat! We love y’all.
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