Selected Shorts
Books & Literature
About
Our greatest actors transport us through the magic of fiction, one short story at a time. Sometimes funny. Always moving. Selected Shorts connects you to the world with a rich diversity of voices from literature, film, theater, and comedy. New episodes every Thursday, from Symphony Space.
Episodes
- Fork in the Road
Host Meg Wolitzer presents two stories about characters making life-altering decisions. The episode features Ursula K. Le Guin’s "Direction of the Road," read by Nikki M. James, and Helen Schulman’s "The Shabbos Goy," read by Jessica Hecht.
- Too Hot For Radio: Jonathan Lethem "The King of Sentences"
In this episode of Selected Shorts, Brendan Hunt performs Jonathan Lethem's story "The King of Sentences," which explores youth and infatuation. Host Aparna Nancherla also interviews Lethem about his creative influences and parasocial rela…
- Elements of Nature
Host Meg Wolitzer presents four stories where nature influences plot and character. The episode features "Garden Growing Pains" by Jenny Allen, "Borders" by Thomas King, "Flying" by Alyce Miller, and "The Storm" by Kate Chopin.
- Jane Austen at 250
Host Meg Wolitzer celebrates Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary with performances of her work, personal correspondence, and inspired pieces by Ann Harada, Sophie Carmen-Jones, Wyatt Cenac, and Hugh Dancy. Featured texts include "Edgar and Emm…
- Tell Me More: Jodi Kantor
Investigative reporter Jodi Kantor discusses her experience as a journalist, covering the #MeToo movement, the Supreme Court, and how to tell compelling stories. She also reflects on her work investigating powerful institutions and gender…
- Extended Families
Host Meg Wolitzer presents tales of unique family dynamics, featuring Zadie Smith’s “Grand Union” read by Kaneza Schaal and Richard Bausch’s “What Feels Like the World” read by James Naughton.
- Remakes and Replicas
Host Meg Wolitzer presents three stories about perspective and adapting to life's scale, featuring works by Ben Loory, Kaitlyn Greenidge, and Shirley Jackson read by Santino Fontana, Nathan Hinton, and Maggie Siff.
- Selected Shorts Goes to the Movies with the Tribeca Film Festival
Host Meg Wolitzer presents a special collaboration between Selected Shorts and the Tribeca Film Festival, featuring performances of three stories influenced by or adapted into films. The episode includes works by Richard Matheson, Lewis Ca…
- Best American Short Stories
Host Meg Wolitzer presents two stories from the 2025 volume of Best American Short Stories, selected by guest editor Celeste Ng. The episode features readings of Jessica Treadway's "An Early Departure" by Cynthia Nixon and Julian Robles' "…
- Homewreckers
Host Meg Wolitzer presents two humorous stories about troubled marriages, featuring James Thurber’s "The Breaking Up of the Winships" and Louise Erdrich’s "The Big Cat." The episode includes readings by Kristine Nielsen and Keir Dullea, as…
- Meg Wolitzer Talks with Louise Erdrich
Host Meg Wolitzer interviews author Louise Erdrich about her work, including the story “The Big Cat,” her writing process, and her Native American heritage.
- Meg Wolitzer Talks with Denis O'Hare
In this bonus episode of Selected Shorts, host Meg Wolitzer discusses the craft of storytelling and performance with actor Denis O'Hare, focusing on his approach to the two stories featured on the program.
- Too Hot For Radio: Paul La Farge "Another Life"
In this archived episode of Selected Shorts, actor Josh Radnor reads the short story "Another Life" by author Paul La Farge. Host Aparna Nancherla introduces the reading, which features subtle hints that resolve the nature of the story in…
- Too Hot For Radio: Carmen Maria Machado "Persephone Rides at the End of Days"
This episode of Selected Shorts features Carmen Maria Machado's story "Persephone Rides at the End of Days," read by Cynthia Nixon. The narrative delves into the Greek goddess Persephone's struggle with her identity and the meaning of her…
- Bonus: Etgar Keret and Ira Glass
Israeli writer Etgar Keret and Ira Glass, host of This American Life, engage in a playful interview. They discuss creative and political topics, focusing on the experience of living in uncertain times.
- Meg Wolitzer Talks to Author Michael Cunningham
Meg Wolitzer interviews author Michael Cunningham, discussing his story "Jacked," the semicolon, and Scrabble. Cunningham is known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel
- Tell Me More: Kathryn Nicolai
Meg Wolitzer starts the spin-off podcast 'Tell Me More' with Kathryn Nicolai, creator of 'Nothing Much Happens.' They explore the power of stories and sleep, and discuss a condition where individuals cannot visualize things.
- Bonus: A.M. Homes interviews Margaret Atwood
In this bonus episode of Selected Shorts, host A.M. Homes interviews Margaret Atwood on stage at Symphony Space. This interview was part of a live event.
- Bonus: Meg Wolitzer Talks with Judy Blume
In this bonus episode of Selected Shorts, Meg Wolitzer interviews author Judy Blume. They discuss Blume's life, her writing, and the ongoing challenges related to book banning.
- A Conversation with Andy Borowitz
Host Meg Wolitzer interviews political satirist and author Andy Borowitz in this bonus episode of Selected Shorts.
- Too Hot For Radio: Ottessa Moshfegh "The Weirdos"
Ottessa Moshfegh
- Picture Perfect
Selected Shorts presents three stories about idealized lives: Jen Kim's "Boy Meets Girl," John Cheever's "The Worm in the Apple," and Vanessa Cuti's "Our Children." The episode features readings by Tony Hale, Anne Meara, and Claire Danes,…
- Bonus: A Conversation with Elizabeth Strout
Host Meg Wolitzer talks with author Elizabeth Strout about her story “Home” and the fictional family Strout has created.
- Meg Wolitzer interviews Louise Erdrich
Meg Wolitzer interviews author Louise Erdrich about her story, writing career, and her unique approach to using leftover index cards. The conversation was recorded for the Selected Shorts podcast.
- Bonus: Meg Wolitzer Talks to Denis O’Hare
Host Meg Wolitzer and actor Denis O’Hare discuss acting techniques and approaches to reading stories in this bonus episode of Selected Shorts.
- Bonus: Meg Wolitzer Visits Her Favorite Indie Bookstore
In this bonus episode of Selected Shorts, host Meg Wolitzer visits her favorite indie bookstore, Three Lives & Company. She reflects on her formative years as a writer and reader within its walls and gains insight into the bookstore's trad…
- Bonus: Margaret Atwood and A.M. Homes
This bonus episode features writers Margaret Atwood and A.M. Homes discussing various topics including feminism, time, writing, and dystopian fiction. They also touch upon Atwood’s latest short story collection, “Old Babes in the Wood.”
- Bonus: Meg Wolitzer Talks to Alison Stewart
Author Meg Wolitzer speaks with host Alison Stewart about the secrets to great writing and the significance of fiction. They also share their personal reading habits.
- Bonus: Meg Wolitzer Talks to Patricia Marx
In this bonus episode of Selected Shorts, host Meg Wolitzer interviews humorist Patricia Marx about her story “Singin’ in the Acid Rain” and the process of writing funny.
- Bonus: Meg Wolitzer Talks with George Saunders
In this bonus episode of Selected Shorts, Meg Wolitzer interviews author George Saunders. They discuss the process of writing short stories, sourcing ideas, and the evolution of Saunders' work.
- Bonus: Meg Wolitzer Talks to Elizabeth Strout
Meg Wolitzer interviews author Elizabeth Strout about her writing process, focusing on short stories and the use of recurring characters in her work.
- Host Meg Wolitzer Talks to Comedian Michael Ian Black
In this bonus episode, host Meg Wolitzer speaks with comedian and writer Michael Ian Black about his current reading material and the complexities of humor.
- Bonus: Meg Wolitzer and Mona Eltahawy Talk Being a Dangerous Woman
In this bonus episode of Selected Shorts, host Meg Wolitzer speaks with journalist and writer Mona Eltahawy. They discuss Eltahawy's life, her literary work, and the concept of being a "dangerous woman."
- Bonus: Meg Wolitzer and Alison Stewart Talk Fiction
In this bonus episode of Selected Shorts, best-selling author Meg Wolitzer and WNYC host Alison Stewart discuss the secrets to great writing and share their personal reading habits and views on the importance of fiction.