NonFicPod

Today on Nonfic pod we’re talking about how words get good - and if you enjoy a good word, you’ll love wild words festival. From the 3rd-5th June in Cuffley, hertfordshire. A brand new celebration of the written and spoken word for avid writers and readers alike. Get 10 % off with the code NonFicPodRebecca Lee is an editorial manager at Penguin Random House. She's spent twenty years managing hundreds of high-profile books from delivery of manuscript to finished copies, signing off millions of words as fit to go to print with only the occasional regret.The transcript of this episode is available here

The Unusual Suspect reads like a thriller, with a complex protagonist who just happens to be a real human being. Stephen Jackley was deeply affected by the poverty and inequality he saw in the world. There was only one thing he could think of to do. Rob a bank.To tell us about Stephen Jackley is Ben Machell. Ben is a feature writer for The Times and The Times Magazine and a contributor to publications including VICE and Esquire. He has been shortlisted for Feature Writer of the Year at the British Press Awards.The transcript can be found hereWe're proud to be supporting Wild Words Festival - a brand new literary festival for the whole family. Find out more at wildwordsfest.com and get 10% off with the code NonFicPod. Wild Words Fest is for everyone who enjoys the written or spoken word with performances, panels, workshops, and author talks. If Hay Festival is the Fortnum and Mason of literary festivals then Wild Words is your local farmers’ market. Book now for the best prices!

On this episode of NonFicPod we’re talking bees vs wasps, the ethical case for genetic modification, and why large herbivores are ecological engineers.My guest Rebecca Nesbit studies ecology, conservation ethics, food security, crop biotechnology, climate change, science policy and citizen science. In her previous book, is that fish in your tomato, she explored the science and ethics of genetic modification.  In her latest book, out on the 17th of February, Rebecca looks at what we choose to save in this age of extinction, and how we should decide. And don't forget, you can get 10% off Wild Words Festival by using the code NONFICPOD at wildwordsfestival.eventbrite.comHost: Emma ByrneMix and Tech: Mike WyerGuest: Rebecca NesbitTranscripts for this season's episodes can be found here

In which we muse upon which humans get to go to space, how to stay human in space, and the banality of Elon Musk's intergallactic Tinder profile!Kate Greene was the crew writer and second-in-command on the first simulated Mars mission for the NASA-funded HI-SEAS project. A poet, essayist, and former laser physicist, her work has appeared in multiple publications and radio shows. She’s taught writing at Columbia University, San Francisco State University, and the Tennessee Prison for Women. She joins us from New York City to talk about her moving and fascinating memoir Once Upon a Time I Lived on Mars.You can find Kate on Instagram at kate_greene and on Twitter at kgreene - you can also find her at kategreene.netYou can find out more about the upcoming Wild Words Festival here and use the code NONFICPOD for a 10% discount on tickets!And you can find transcripts for all this season's episodes here

What are your expectations for the year ahead? A depressing slog through a series of stressful situations or an exciting opportunity to tackle inspiring challenges?We're excited and inspired to welcome award-winning science journalist David Robson to today's episode of NonFicPod. His latest book, The Expectation Effect offers an illuminating insight into the power of the prediction machine between our ears.In this podcast we talk aboutthe placebo effect,the connection between the way we describe food and how much we eatthe ways to take the sting out of exercise, tricky mental problems, and even agingAnd we also reveal the authors who inspired us.A transcript is available here - please report any issues to nonficpod@gmail.comDon't forget that reviewing the show on apple podcasts, or sharing it with a friend, will really help us!

On this episode we are joined by historians Dr Mary Wellesley and Dr Amy Jeffs talking about their new books "Hidden Hands" and "Storyland." We talk about the myth of individual greatness, the way stories shape our view of the world, and imagine Gerald of Wales having a Kanye moment. Please subscribe and share if you enjoy hearing about great new nonfiction. Look for the button in your podcasting app of choice.You can follow NonFicPod on Twitter @NonFicPod amd you can follow @amy_historia and @marywellesley too!The transcript of this episode can be found here