In this episode, we interview author and retired university criminologist James B. Wells about his investigative memoir, Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew. James recounts learning that his father supposedly died as the only passenger on a civilian plane shot down in Vietnam, then discovering more than 400 letters in 1991 that revealed his father as a truth-driven whistleblower who criticized corruption and war practices. We talk about standing up for marginalized people, speaking truth to power, and the belief that peace requires forgiveness and forgiveness requires truth.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:49 Origin of the Memoir

02:08 Father the Whistleblower

03:40 Investigating the Crash

05:51 Healing Through Story

08:11 Truth and Forgiveness

09:39 Vision for Change

11:32 Whistleblowing as Practice

14:02 New Writing Projects

16:04 Reading Inspiration

17:33 Advice for Impact

19:04 Where to Find James

20:32 Closing and Farewell

James’ Book

Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew

Other Books Mentioned

Precious Freedom by James Bradly

Flyboys by James Bradly

Flag of Our Fathers by James Bradly

Rules for Whistleblowers: A Handbook for Doing What's Right by Stephen M. Kohn

Where to Find James

Jamesbwells.com

Thank you for being part of the Liberation is Lit podcast! If you have stories to share, want to suggest topics, or just want to connect, find us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok @liberationislit or visit our website at liberationislit.com. If you enjoyed the episode, please consider leaving a review! Remember, your voice matters, and together, through the lens of stories, we're making a difference in the world.

In this episode, we interview author Bsrat Mezghebe about her debut novel, I Hope You Find What You’re Looking For. Bsrat describes her approach to connecting the 10,000-foot view of society with everyday human life and explains the novel as a story about Eritrean women seeking freedom in the DC suburbs on the eve of Eritrean independence in 1991. We discuss the Eritrean War for Independence, diaspora, and the moral complexity of revolutionary choices. Bsrat reflects on writing about liberation across shifting American politics.

00:00 Welcome to the Podcast

00:35 Meet Bsrat Mezghebe

02:07 Debut Novel Overview

03:05 Characters and Structure

04:25 What Readers Take Away

05:37 Writing Liberation in America

12:06 Staying Grounded

13:50 What She Reads Now

14:50 Next Projects and Nonfiction

15:52 Fiction Versus Nonfiction

17:21 Advice for Community Impact

19:08 Social Media and Focus

20:31 Where to Find Bsrat

21:09 Closing and Call to Action

Bsrat’s Book

I Hope You Find What You’re Looking For

Other Books Mentioned

Toni at Random: The Iconic Writer’s Legendary Editorship by Dana A. Williams

The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson

Where to find Bsrat

bmezghebe.com

Instagram

Thank you for being part of the Liberation is Lit podcast! If you have stories to share, want to suggest topics, or just want to connect, find us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok @liberationislit or visit our website at liberationislit.com. If you enjoyed the episode, please consider leaving a review! Remember, your voice matters, and together, through the lens of stories, we're making a difference in the world.

In this episode, we interview author Jill Tew about how she got into writing dystopian romance and middle-grade stories. Jill shares how her love of sci-fi and nerdy Black kids and discusses her new climate-justice dystopian romance, An Ocean Apart, centered on wealthy elites escaping environmental collapse on luxurious sea ships while land communities suffer.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:36 Jill Tew Origin Story

01:16 From Corporate to Divergent

02:37 Middle Grade Breakthrough

03:49 Representation in Dystopia

04:47 Ocean Apart Climate Plot

07:22 Social Justice in Sci Fi

10:28 Staying Grounded as Writer

12:52 Upcoming Books and Headspace

15:19 What Jill Is Reading

16:32 Community Impact Advice

17:59 Where to Find Jill Closing

18:49 Podcast Sign Off

Jill’s Books

An Ocean Apart

Rayana Johnson's Giant Leap

Kaya Morgan's Crowning Achievement

The Dividing Sky

Other Books Mentioned

The Genie Game by Jordan Ifueko

Where to find Jill

jilltew.com

Instagram

Threads

TikTok

Thank you for being part of the Liberation is Lit podcast! If you have stories to share, want to suggest topics, or just want to connect, find us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok @liberationislit or visit our website at liberationislit.com. If you enjoyed the episode, please consider leaving a review! Remember, your voice matters, and together, through the lens of stories, we're making a difference in the world.