In this virtual book talk, Peter Geye, author of A Lesser Light, joins moderator Kjersti Armstrong for a conversation exploring how place, heritage, and family history shape identity and storytelling. Drawing from his novels set along Minnesota’s North Shore, Geye reflects on the influence of Norwegian immigrant experience, the ways memory is carried and reshaped across generations, and how landscape acts as a force within his work. The discussion considers the tension between inherited and lived experience, the role of family dynamics, and how fiction preserves and reimagines the stories that define belonging. Recorded on March 31, 2026.

C.J. Wynn, author of Miles of Destruction, joins Jonah Lantto of the Midwest Murder podcast for a probing true crime conversation examining how greed, power, and ambition fueled a murder-for-hire plot connected to the North Dakota oil boom. Drawing from Wynn’s extensive investigative research, the discussion traces the human consequences of the Bakken-era oil economy, the ripple effects on families and communities, and the ethical questions that emerge when crime intersects with industry, accountability, and place. Recorded on January 18, 2026.

Niki Kapsambelis, author of The Inheritance: A Family on the Front Lines of the Battle Against Alzheimer’s Disease, joins Robin McIntyre for a deeply personal conversation moderated by Vanessa Hoines. The event explores an inherited early-onset Alzheimer’s mutation, the emotional and ethical weight of genetic testing and clinical trials, and how family resilience and research can point toward future treatments. Recorded on November 9, 2025.

Mona Gable discusses Searching for Savanna and the broader crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in this urgent and moving conversation moderated by Prairie Rose Seminole. The event highlights systemic injustices faced by Indigenous communities. Recorded on March 9, 2025.

Lara Love Hardin shares the story behind her memoir The Many Lives of Mama Love in this candid conversation moderated by Jenna Mueller. The event explores addiction, shame, incarceration, and the transformative power of storytelling. Recorded on February 16, 2025.

Jamieson Ridenhour brings Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol to life in this dynamic solo performance blending theatrical storytelling with literary analysis. The event explores the novella’s social critique and enduring message of redemption. Recorded on December 15, 2024.

Naomi Shihab Nye shares poetry and stories that celebrate kindness, cultural memory, and the beauty of everyday life in this intimate event moderated by Deb Marquart. The discussion explores how language fosters empathy and connection. Recorded on December 1, 2024.

Louise Erdrich reflects on storytelling, identity, and her creative process in this thoughtful conversation moderated by John Lamb. She also discusses her novel The Mighty Red, offering personal insight into the cultural and creative influences that shape her work. Recorded on November 25, 2024.

William Kent Krueger joins moderator Ann Alquist for a wide-ranging conversation about his novel The River We Remember, his storytelling roots, and his connection to the Midwest. The event touches on memory, character, and community, offering a look into Krueger’s creative process and reflections on writing stories grounded in place and empathy. Recorded on November 3, 2024.

Rebecca Clarren discusses The Cost of Free Land in this powerful conversation moderated by Chuck Hudson. The event explores settler colonialism, historical accountability, and the personal reckoning that comes with examining inherited privilege. Recorded on September 8, 2024.

Edward F. O’Keefe explores the emotional and relational life of Theodore Roosevelt in this engaging conversation moderated by Joe Wiegand. Drawing from his book The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt, the event offers a personal perspective on a larger-than-life leader. Recorded on May 5, 2024.

Mona Susan Power discusses her novel A Council of Dolls in a moving conversation with Dr. Randi Tanglen. The event explores intergenerational trauma, healing, and the enduring strength of Indigenous women. Recorded on April 14, 2024.