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.

In this episode, we welcome poet, performer, and writer Zulynette to discuss her journey writing and performing poetry and how rage, love, and resistance shape her work. She talks about writing and performance as community practice through workshops, curated prompts, and her storytelling space focused on grief, transformation, and healing for people of the global majority and queer people. We discuss Zulynette’s books, including her latest book, Becoming a Soft Woman with a Machete.

00:00 Welcome and Reconnect

01:17 Poetry Origins and Open Mics

04:35 Rage and Liberation Themes

07:01 Workshops and Storytelling Show

09:46 Death Grief and War Machine

12:37 Staying Grounded in Love

15:20 Upcoming Events and Hosting

16:21 Soft Woman With a Machete

20:04 Advice for Community Impact

22:11 Where to Follow and Farewell

Zulynette’s Books

Becoming a Soft Woman with a Machete

Building a Powerhouse

I Can See in the Dark

Other Books Mentioned

Falling Back in Love With Being Human: Letters to Lost Souls by Kai Cheng Thom

Where to find Zulynette

Zulynette.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 talk with sociologist Gretchen Sisson about her book Relinquished and how adoption decisions are shaped by poverty, policy, and cultural ideas about who is “worthy” to parent. We discuss pushback that adoption is inherently altruistic, noting high demand for babies and predatory market incentives. The conversation also connects adoption to foster care, racialized histories, and reproductive justice.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:41 Gretchen’s Origin Story

03:49 Teen Parenthood and Poverty

07:26 Adoption Pushback and Myths

12:19 Centering Children Over Adults

15:13 Foster Care and Repro Justice

19:13 Race and the Adoption Market

22:19 How to Get Involved

23:58 Next Projects and Wrap Up

Gretchen’s Book

Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood

(Pre-order Paperback)

Other Books Mentioned

Torn Apart: How the Child Welfare System Destroys Black Families--And How Abolition Can Build a Safer World by Dorothy Roberts

A Place Called Home by David Ambroz

Where to Find Gretchen

https://www.gretchensisson.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 sit with writer Kevin Doyle to discuss his children’s book The Worms That Saved the World. Joining from Cork, Ireland, Kevin shares his background and explains that he wanted children’s books with a political angle influenced by his left-wing interests. The book imagines a hopeful alternate ending to a real-life campaign in which earthworms organize, set ground rules, and win back their land, emphasizing collective power, solidarity, and mutual aid. He advises listeners to show solidarity, stand up for targeted community workers, practice everyday kindness, and organize together.

00:00 Welcome to Liberation is Lit + Meet Kevin Doyle

01:45 From Chemist to Writer: Why Political Kids’ Books Matter

03:31 The Real Cork Land Fight That Inspired the Story

06:34 Imagining a Win: Turning Activism Into a Hopeful Ending

08:39 Making Organizing Kid-Friendly: Mutual Aid, Conflict & Staying Positive

11:32 Why Earthworms? Tiny Creatures, Big Environmental Power

13:55 Stories as Environmental Education (Beavers, Compost & Curiosity)

17:08 Self-Publishing the Book When Publishers Said No

19:45 Staying Grounded: Writing the Stories That Aren’t Being Told

24:15 Advice for Community Impact: Solidarity, Kindness & Organizing Together

27:43 Where to Find the Book + Closing Thanks

Kevin’s Book:

The Worms That Saved the World

Other Books Mentioned

Beaver Girl

Where to Find Kevin

kevindoyle.ie

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 talk with author Eddie Dee Williams about his journey into storytelling, focusing on his superhero book series, the Affinity Saga. Eddie shares his inspirations from childhood heroes, the importance of representation in superhero narratives, and the profound impact of telling stories that resonate with and reflect the Black community. We discuss the intricacies of Eddie's literary process, his support system, and the universal human experiences that ground his fantasy works. Eddie also offers insights into his upcoming third book, Sankofa, detailing how it builds upon the series' themes of love, power, and rebellion.

00:00 Introduction to the Liberation is Lit Podcast

00:46 Meet Author Eddie Dee Williams

02:21 Eddie's Journey into Storytelling

04:32 The Inspiration Behind Affinity Saga

07:31 Exploring the World of Affinity Saga

12:09 The Role of Black Science Fiction in Liberation

19:00 Upcoming Book: Sankofa

21:59 Advice for Aspiring Writers and Community Impact

25:05 Where to Find Eddie Dee Williams and His Work

27:11 Closing Remarks and Podcast Outro

Eddie Dee’s Books

The Afinity Theory

Echoes

Where to find Eddie Dee

theaffinitysaga.com

Threads

Instagram

TikTok

Facebook

Youtube

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 converse with Renee Bracey Sherman, co-author of the book 'Liberating Abortion.' We dive deep into how Renee and her co-author, Regina, wrote their impactful book, and explore the complexities and joys of their partnership. We talk about the importance of abortion rights, comprehensive activism, and the broader implications for social justice. Don't miss this compelling dialogue packed with insightful anecdotes, actionable advice, and inspiring reflections on creating a liberated future.

00:00 Introduction to the Liberation is Lit Podcast

00:36 Meet Renee Bracy Sherman

01:10 Journey to Becoming a Writer and Scholar

03:18 The Birth of a Book Collaboration

07:31 Challenges and Triumphs of Co-Writing

18:35 The Comprehensive Nature of 'Liberating Abortion'

27:32 The Importance of Addressing Abortion Myths

28:53 Surveillance and Criminalization in Abortion Debates

31:15 The Evolution of the Book 'Liberating Abortion'

32:20 Staying Grounded and Joyful in Activism

36:57 The Power of Community and Shared Values

43:33 Advice for Making a Positive Impact

46:29 Recommended Reads and Final Thoughts

Renee and Regina’s Book

Liberating Abortion

Other Books Mentioned

Rooted: The American Legacy of Land Theft and the Modern Movement for Black Land Ownership by Brea Baker

Becoming Abolitionists: Police, Protests, and the Pursuit of Freedom by Derecka Purnell

Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood by Gretchen Sisson

These Heathens by Mia McKenzie

The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Mottley

South Carolina’s Abortion Fund

Palmetto State Abortion Fund

Where to find Renee (and Regina!)

Liberatingabortion.org

reneebraceysherman.com

Renee’s Instagram

Renee’s TikTok

byreginamahone.com

Regina’s 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.