The Thoughtful Bro

The Thoughtful Bro, hosted by Mark Cecil, is a podcast for writers, readers, and anyone interested in a tale well told. Each episode features an author who's recently published a book, and we unpack how and why they wrote it. It's "Inside the Actors Studio"...but for storytellers.

The Thoughtful Bro is a arts podcast hosted by Mark Cecil, with 96 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Mark Cecil hosts The Thoughtful Bro, a arts show with 96 episodes published.

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  The Thoughtful Bro

  Episode 95: Alma Katsu

  Sep 17, 20261h 3m

  My interview with one of my favorite speculative/horror authors, Alma Katsu , whose latest book, Incarnate , is a cross between Rumpelstiltskin, Oscar Wilde's Picture Of Dorian Gray , and digital urban legend. We discussed, (1) the rapidly growing online contemporary folklore / horror scene, a.k.a. "creepy-pastas," (2) how AI won't ever replace real art, and (3) why the golden age of horror storytelling is NOW. Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm and Writer's Bone .

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  The Thoughtful Bro

  Episode 94: Ron Charles

  Sep 3, 20261 hour

  My exploration of the American publishing landscape with one of our great book critics, Ron Charles . We discussed (1) the cardinal sin of novels—sentimentality, (2) whether readers will soon care if their books are mass-produced AI slop rather than the expression of flesh-and-blood humans; and (3) how Toni Morrison gave him the most astonishing reading experience of his life. Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm and Writer's Bone .

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  The Thoughtful Bro

  Episode 93: Irvine Welsh

  Aug 28, 202656 min

  My chat with Scottish literary punk icon Irvine Welsh, who came on to discuss his sequel to Trainspotting , Men In Love . We covered, (1) the impact of his iconic, generational film thirty years later, (2) how AI is trying to make us all redundant, and how creative expression is how to strike back, and (3) why you don't have to choose between your hooligan and artsy sides of your personality. Just be both. Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm and Writer's Bone .

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  The Thoughtful Bro

  Episode 92: Teddy Wayne

  Aug 21, 20261h 6m

  My chat with Teddy Wayne about his latest literary thriller, The Au Pair . We covered (1) techniques for writing a bingeable book that can beat prestige TV at its own game; (2) the unexpected way he figured out the devilish final twist for his ending, and (3) why ambition and sex are the inexhaustible engines of delectable storytelling. Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm and Writer's Bone .

  ListenShow Notes
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  The Thoughtful Bro

  Episode 91: Matthew Quick

  Jul 30, 20261h 5m

  My talk with Silver Linings Playbook author Matthew Quick , discussing his poignant memoir, Dad, Love, Me . We covered, (1) his effort to end the cycle of generational abuse by caring for his father who now has dementia, (2) how trauma served as both a blessing and a curse, fueling a creative outpouring that carried Matthew to global fame, but also driving him to alcoholism, and (3) how true forgiveness is not a one-and-done conversation, but a lifelong, daily practice. Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry . All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze . The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm and Writer's Bone .

  ListenShow Notes

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