Desideratum

Feb 08 2025 105 ep. 28 mins 44

Desideratum Podcast artwork

A desideratum is an essential thing. This pod celebrates storytelling as essential. Join Emmy Award winning journalist Theresa Bakken for scenes from intriguing audiobooks and in depth (no spoiler) conversations with the authors and narrators making waves in today's audiobook world.

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No Place to Bury the Dead with narrator Maria McCann

Feb 08 2025 38 mins

This is a story set in an inhospitable land, where the characters are struggling to find a home for the living and a place to bury their dead.We're talking about the novel No Place to Bury the Dead with audiobook narrator Maria McCann.Maria is a Los Angeles native, a graduate of the UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television, who’s appeared in dozens of films and televisio

When the World Fell Silent with Donna Alward

Oct 18 2024 37 mins

Step into the world of 1917 with author Donna Alward's debut historical fiction, "When the World Fell Silent." This gripping tale explores the lives of two distinct women, Nora and Charlotte, against the backdrop of the Halifax explosion—an event that reshaped a city and its people. Known for her success in romance, Donna takes on the challenge of weaving historical facts with c

The Codger And The Sparrow

Sep 20 2024 35 mins

The Codger And The Sparrow is a story about an old man, a teenage boy and the trouble they get into. It's a friendship that at first you will not quite understand and yet totally be cheering for! Author Scott Semegran shares the inspiration behind the novel, which stemmed from a vivid image he had during the stressful days of the pandemic. He envisioned an older man and a teen

All the Flowers of the Mountain with Christina Holbrook

Jun 28 2024 30 mins

In this episode, we delve into a poignant summer romance that transcends time and societal boundaries. Join us as we explore the intricate layers of "All the Flowers of the Mountain" with author Christina Holbrook. Set against the backdrop of a picturesque lake, this story follows the love between a local boy and a girl from an affluent family, unraveling the secrets and

Across Seward Park with Gail Lehrman

Feb 22 2024 29 mins

This is a story about a family on the Lower East Side of Manhattan a hundred years ago. Their lives in the densely populated tenements offer a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of immigrant life in early 20th-century America. We’re talking to author Gail Lehrman about her novel Across Seward Park. I found so many essential things in this conversation. For me this is not ju

Emergency Contact with Lauren Layne and Anthony LeDonne

Feb 15 2024 36 mins

Ever wondered what makes a story both romantic and riotously funny? This episode invites you into the minds of a creative couple who turned a series of "what ifs" into a comedic and heartfelt narrative. Learn how they intertwined their personal experiences with a fictional couple's chaotic journey, reflecting on the deep connections and empathy that arise from shared

The First Bright Thing with JR Dawson and Petrea Burchard

Feb 08 2024 34 mins

This is a mystical story about a magical circus. Not the kind of magic that involves pulling rabbits out of hats, but the kind where individuals' inner talents manifest into genuine magical abilities—known as sparks. These sparks choose to use their gifts not for conquest but to inspire and bring joy to those who need it most. But, this story is not all whimsy and light. This

The Duke in Question

Oct 19 2023 38 mins

This is a story about a woman using all her abilities to complete a spy mission and also get exactly what she wants. We’re talking to Helen Day about the sexy and determined characters she narrated as Hedra Knight for the Regency Romance The Duke in Question by Amalie Howard. I loved learning how Helen physically gets into character, how she performed so many different action an

The Wrong Woman with Leanne Kale Sparks and Erin deWard

Oct 12 2023 41 mins

This is a thriller. It’s the story of an FBI agent and a homicide detective working together to catch a serial killer with a chilling perspective on killing. You'll hear narrator Erin deWard bringing all the chills and characters to life in your ear. We'll talk about why and how she does it, and you'll hear author Leanne Kale Sparks talk about how she maps out and fi

An American Beauty with Shana Abè

Oct 06 2023 23 mins

This is a story about a beautiful, powerful woman who captured the imagination of historical fiction author Shana Abè. We’re talking about Arabella Huntington, the intriguing woman at the heart of An American Beauty: A Novel of the Gilded Age Inspired by the True Story of Arabella Huntington Who Became the Richest Woman in the Country. This week we return to a favorite author of