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George Saunders

Mentioned in 11 analyzed podcast episodes across 9 shows

Award-winning author known for novels including *Lincoln in the Bardo* (Booker Prize winner) and *Vigil*, as well as work as a creative writing teacher. His podcast appearances focus on his distinctive approach to writing and moral philosophy, emphasizing empathy, kindness, and the relationship between writing and thinking. He is discussed across literary and creative podcasts for his contributions to contemporary fiction and his influence on creative practice and pedagogy.

Episode Appearances

The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert · Apr 30, 2026

Stephen Presents: Jack White, Nick Offerman & Jeff Tweedy (Extended)

Part of friendship group with Nick Offerman, Jeff Tweedy, and Stephen Colbert; hiking trip participant

Live Performance vs. Digital ProductionAI Impact on Creative IndustriesCross-Disciplinary Artistic Practice
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Zero to Well-Read

Zero to Well-Read · Apr 28, 2026

Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri

Named as one of few contemporary writers who principally work in short story form; included in Buford's 1999 writers-to-watch list

Short Story Collection Publishing EconomicsPulitzer Prize-Winning Debut CollectionsPaperback Original Publishing Strategy
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Zero to Well-Read

Zero to Well-Read · Apr 21, 2026

James by Percival Everett

Contemporary novelist compared to Everett for combining experimental form with humanistic depth and playful philosophical inquiry

Literary Retellings and Canonical RevisionCode-Switching and Linguistic Performance as Survival StrategyDouble Consciousness in American Literature
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The Currently Reading Podcast

The Currently Reading Podcast · Apr 13, 2026

Season 8, Episode 36: Spring Fever + The Oldest Books On Our TBR

Author of 'Vigil'; known for literary fiction; practices Tibetan Buddhism which influences his philosophical inquiries

Nordic noir and Scandinavian crime fictionHorror-romance genre mashupsMemoir and personal narrative
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Zero to Well-Read

Zero to Well-Read · Mar 24, 2026

How to Hone Your Reading Skills, What Makes a Good Reading Goal, and More from the Mailbag

Contemporary author of 'Vigil'; mentioned as example of author doing podcast circuit discussing creative process

Literary evaluation frameworks and close reading techniquesReading goal-setting and intentional book selection strategiesDiversity in reading: translated works, global authors, demographic representation
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The Ezra Klein Show

The Ezra Klein Show · Feb 10, 2026

George Saunders on Anger, Ambition and Sin

Author of Vigil and Lincoln in the Bardo; discusses his evolution from 'kindness guy' to truth-centered moral philosophy

Sin and moral judgment in contemporary literatureFree will versus determinism and conditioningTruth and alignment with reality as spiritual practice
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Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin

Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin · Feb 4, 2026

George Saunders

Author and creative writing teacher discussing his writing process, teaching methodology, and spiritual practice

Short story craft and structureRevision and editing processesTeaching creative writing
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10% Happier with Dan Harris

10% Happier with Dan Harris · Jan 30, 2026

George Saunders On: Getting Un-Stuck, Calming the Inner Critic, and Building Empathy Without Becoming a Chump

Man Booker Prize-winning novelist discussing his new novel 'Vigil' and writing philosophy

Empathy and moral imagination in fiction writingSelf-compassion and inner critic managementMortality awareness and existential acceptance
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Service95 Book Club With Dua Lipa

Service95 Book Club With Dua Lipa · Jan 26, 2026

From The Archives – Lincoln In The Bardo: George Saunders On Writing With Empathy, Listening To The Past & Finding Light In The Depths Of Grief

Author of 'Lincoln in the Bardo,' Booker Prize winner discussing his creative process and literary philosophy

Novel Structure and Literary FormCreative Writing Process and MethodologyGrief and Bereavement in Literature
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Expert Intelligence with Paul Estes

Expert Intelligence with Paul Estes · Nov 11, 2025

Writing Is Thinking: AI Slop Is Killing Your Credibility — with Joe Lazer

Author who wrote for Nerve magazine; example of notable contributors to the publication

AI Ethics in Content CreationStorytelling as Business StrategyNeuroscience of Narrative and Trust
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The New Yorker: Fiction

The New Yorker: Fiction · Nov 1, 2025

Adam Levin Reads David Foster Wallace

Contemporary writer mentioned as third major influence on Levin, alongside Wallace and Roth

David Foster Wallace's narrative techniques and posthumous publicationLiterary analysis of 'Backbone' and The Pale KingThemes of faith, discipline, and self-perfection in fiction
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