Host Greta Johnsen talks with Sarah Wilson about her new book, I Eat the Stars: How to Live Fully and Beautifully in a Collapsing World. As the title suggests, Sarah's book explores the idea of sysrem collapse, a metacrisis we're already experiencing through climate crises, political upheaval, cultural isolationism, and fossil fuel consumption.

This book isn't necessarily easy to read -- after all, it presents a pretty grim future for our current way of life. But Sarah also points out that many of the systems that are currently collapsing have been oppressing us from the beginning. And to that end, this book is an invitation to consider what to prioritize as humanity moves forward.

SHOW CREDITS

Creator and host: Greta Johnsen

Senior Producer: Ben Goldberg

Composers: Ross Bellenoit and Jeremy Thal

Tile art: Mac Maclean

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today’s episode is about public television, classic literature, and an extremely charismatic Jack Russell Terrier.

Yes, we are talking about Wishbone, the iconic children’s PBS show that aired from 1995 to 1998.

It was about Wishbone the dog, who imagined himself as the star of many canonical texts such as The Odyssey, Romeo and Juliet, Oliver Twist, and Cyrano de Bergerac. The shoe aired for 50 episodes, and won 5 Daytime Emmys.

There’s a new documentary out about the show -- it’s called What’s the Story, Wishbone?. Host Greta Johnsen talks to two of the documentary’s producers, who also worked on the original show -- Betty Buckley, who also produced Wishbone, and Larry Brantley, who played the voice of Wishbone himself.

As the documentary explores, the show wasn’t easy to make. The adaptations were ambitious, the production schedule was intense, and nothing like it had really been made before. But at the same time, there’s a tangible sense of curiosity and joy.

And of course, a charming dog in pantaloons is always a delight.

SHOW CREDITS

Creator and host: Greta Johnsen

Senior Producer: Ben Goldberg

Composers: Ross Bellenoit and Jeremy Thal

Tile art: Mac Maclean

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Host Greta Johnsen talks to author and poet Paige Lewis. Their novel Canon is the GRETAGRAM book club selection for July. Canon is difficult to describe -- it pays homage to many classic epics and is deeply rooted in the Bible, But it’s also extremely irreverent, funny, and weird. Ultimately, it’s a nonbinary hero’s journey with Good Guys and Bad Guys and a wonderful talking whale.

Greta and Paige talk about OCD, the nature of evil, the sensationalism of violence, and FUN ANIMAL FACTS!

There are three ways you can participate in book club:

• Listen to this spoiler-free conversation with Paige, then read the book, then sit back and relax!
• Do the first two things above, but leave Greta a voicemail with your thoughts by Monday, July 27! Just record yourself on your smartphone and email the tile to greta m johnsen at gmail dot com.
• Listen to the podcast, read the book, and come to the Zoom discussion on Sunday, August 2 at noon Central Time! Email Greta for the link.

UPCOMING BOOK CLUB BOOKS:

• August: Land, Maggie O’Farrell (out now)
• September: Pool House, Mary H.K. Choi (out now)
• October: Exit Party, Emily St. John Mandel (out Sept. 14)
• November: Ply, Hernan Diaz (out Sept. 29)
• December: The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman, Deesha Philyaw (out Sept. 29)

SHOW CREDITS

Creator and host: Greta Johnsen

Senior Producer: Ben Goldberg

Composers: Ross Bellenoit and Jeremy Thal

Show art: Mac Maclean

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.