The Story of Writing Podcast
1) Story of Writing January 15, 2026
It is the birthday of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. Today's episode remembers his work and includes two of Dr. King's lesser-known writings.
2) Story of Writing January 14, 2026
Three well-known writers were born on this day: Albert Schweitzer, Martin Niemoller, and Maureen Dowd - with a reading from Dowd's "Are Men Necessary?"
3) Story of Writing January 13, 2026
Emile Zola's "J'Accuse!" is published and it is Shonda Rhimes birthday - with a reading from "J'Accuse!"
4) Story of Writing January 12, 2026
The birthday club includes Laura Adams Armer, Jack London, Haruki Murakami, and Issa Rae - with a reading from London's "Call of the Wild."
5) Story of Writing January 11, 2026
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is founded, the U.S. Surgeon General publishes "Smoking and Health," which linked smoking and dire health conditions, and it is the birthday of Aldo Leo...Show More
6) Story of Writing January 10, 2026
Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" turns 250, The New England Journal of Medicine published the letter "Addiction Rare in Patients Treated with Narcotics," and the birthday club includes Jim Croce, Donald ...Show More
7) Story of Writing January 9, 2026
Philosopher Simone de Beauvoir, author Judith Krantz, and musician Joan Baez were all born on this day. This episode includes a reading from Beauvoir's landmark book "The Second Sex."
8) Story of Writing January 8, 2026
President George Washington delivers the first State of the Union Address and the birthday club includes Gypsy Rose Lee and Graham Chapman - with a reading from Willa Cather's "O Pioneers!"
9) Story of Writing January 7, 2026
Marian Anderson becomes the first person of color to perform at Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Comic-book founder Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson and novelist Zora Neale Hurston were born on this day....Show More
10) Story of Writing January 6, 2026
The birthday club includes Charles Sumner, Alan Watts, E. L. Doctorow, and Elizabeth Strout - with a reading from Doctorow's novel "Ragtime."