Behind the Read

Big Read Lakeshore of Hope College is proud to present Behind the Read, a podcast series that offers listeners insights and perspectives on all what goes into, around and behind the act of reading. Our host and program director Dr. Deb Van Duinen will talk all things reading, literacy and books with friends of the Big Read Lakeshore.Behind the Read is a production of Hope College’s Big Read Lakeshore program. Through Big Read events and programming, we promote and foster a culture along the West Michigan Lakeshore where reading matters.Learn more at bigreadlakeshore.com!

Behind the Read is a arts podcast hosted by The NEA Big Read Lakeshore, with 23 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

The NEA Big Read Lakeshore hosts Behind the Read, a arts show with 23 episodes published.

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  Behind the Read

  The Great Gatsby is a Really Good Lesson in Great Storytelling | Kelsey Sivertson

  Jan 21, 202529 minS0

  <p>Today we are joined by Kelsey Sivertson, a recent graduate of Hope College. Kelsey is a dear friend of mine, and truly one of the most intelligent people I have ever met. While at Hope College, Kelsey majored in Creative Writing. She also was very involved in the Theater department, with her most recent role as Gloria Mitchell in the play, By The Way, Meet Vera Stark. In 2022, Kelsey was the recipient of the distinguished award, the Trustee Scholar for Hope College’s English Department in Creative Writing. In 2023, Kelsey received the Lotz Prize in Creative Writing. In 2024, Kelsey re...

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  Behind the Read

  The Great Gatsby is a Basic Document of the Human Imagination Part 2 | Dr. Micheal Van Dyke

  Jan 19, 202526 minS0

  <p>In part two of this podcast episode, we are joined by Dr. Michael Van Dyke, an English professor at Hope College. Dr. Van Dyke joined the Hope faculty in August 2023, but he taught at several universities and colleges before coming to Hope College. When asked about his favorite part of teaching, he responded by saying that he finds it most rewarding when students discover books they might not have initially chosen but end up loving. Dr. Van Dyke received his PhD from Michigan State University. His scholarly interests include 20th-century American literature, film studies, and the intersection of faith...

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  Behind the Read

  The Great Gatsby is a Basic Document of the Human Imagination Part 1 | Dr. Michael Van Dyke

  Dec 2, 202423 minS0

  <p>In part one of today’s podcast episode, we are joined by Dr. Michael Van Dyke, an English professor at Hope College. Dr. Van Dyke joined the Hope faculty in August of 2023, but he taught at several universities and colleges before coming to Hope College. When asked about his favorite part of teaching, he responded by saying that he find it most rewarding when student discover books they might not have initially chosen but end up loving. Dr. Van Dyke received his PhD from Michigan State University. His scholarly interests include 20th-century American literature, film studies, and the intersection of...

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  Behind the Read

  The Great Gatsby Provides Insight into the Economics of the 1920s | Dr. Steven McMullen

  Nov 4, 202433 minS0

  <p>Today we are joined by Dr. Steven McMullen, an economics professor at Hope College. In this episode he discusses the economics of the 1920s and how it pertains to The Great Gatsby. One of Dr. McMullen’s academic passions is to explore Christian thinking about economics. He is the host of the podcast Faithful Economy and executive editor of the journal Faith & Economics, both associated with the Association of Christian Economists. Dr. McMullen is also a published author, and you can check out his multiple publications on his website: https://stevenmcmullen.com/</p>

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  Behind the Read

  The Great Gatsby Delights and Instructs | Dr. Mike Owens

  Oct 27, 202422 minS0

  <p>In this first episode of season three, the host for this season, Addie Wilcox, talks with Dr. David “Mike” Owens. Dr. Owens is a retired professor of American Literature. He taught at Hope College starting in 2017, and before he taught at Valparaiso University in Indiana. While at Hope, Dr. Owens also served as the founding/interim director of college writing. Dr. Owens received his PhD in American Literature from Purdue University in 2001, and since then he has published a book titled The Devil's Topographer: Ambrose Bierce and the American War Story, and multiple articles including “Where the Ground was the En...

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