LitWar Podcast

LW29: Ocean Vuong

In this episode, we sit down with writer, professor, and photographer Ocean Vuong. Born in Saigon, Vietnam and raised in Hartford, Connecticut in a working class family of nail salon and factory laborers, he was educated at nearby Manchester Community College before transferring to Pace University to study International Marketing. Without completing his first term, he dropped out and enrolled at Brooklyn College, where he graduated with a BA in Nineteenth Century American Literature. He subsequently received his MFA in Poetry from NYU.
 
Join us as we talk about everything from the lives we live after we walk away from the wreckage of our past to the heightened awareness of the world that comes after you finish writing a book. We each consider our own relationship with regret and we attempt to see what is left in our writing once the author has been erased.

LW28: Kevin Powers

In this episode, we sit down with poet and novelist Kevin Powers to reflect on his body of work and the experiences that shaped it—from his deployment in Iraq to his emergence as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary war literature. Acclaimed for The Yellow Birds, Powers explores the emotional toll of combat and the enduring struggle to make meaning of violence, memory, and return.
We delve into his literary origins, tracing his path from soldier to celebrated author, and discuss the tension between truth and fiction in war writing. Powers shares insights into his writing process, the responsibility of bearing witness, and why the novel remains a vital space for exploring the intimate, often invisible aftermath of war. Join us as we explore questions of morality, memory, and the enduring power of language in the face of loss.

LW27: Ross Barkan

In this episode, we sit down with novelist Ross Barkan to discuss his latest novel, Glass Century. Set against the shifting backdrop of New York City from the gritty 1970s through the disorienting days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Barkan’s novel captures the shifting landscape of New York through the life of Mona Glass, a one-time tennis player turned photojournalist. We explore the origins of Glass Century, delving into how Barkan masterfully intertwines intimate human drama with major historical events, crafting a narrative that speaks to both private loss and collective memory.
Join us as we talk about his journey as a writer—from his work as a columnist for New York Magazine and contributor to The New York Times Magazine, to his role as editor-in-chief of The Metropolitan Review. Barkan also shares insights into his creative process, the enduring power of the novel form in a digital age, and how he captures the complexities of trauma, identity, and resilience amidst historical upheaval.
 

LW 26: Shelby Hinte

In this episode, we sit down with novelist Shelby Hinte to discuss her searing debut, Howling Women. Set in the desert town of Yu, New Mexico, the novel follows Sabine—a woman fleeing the wreckage of her past—who returns home only to find herself drawn into a vortex of memory, confession, and reckoning. What begins as a story of escape becomes a fierce examination of trauma, justice, and the impossible task of telling the truth when no one wants to hear it.
We explore the genesis of Howling Women, from its nonlinear structure and unforgettable voice to its refusal to offer neat moral answers. Shelby shares how her writing engages with the messiness of survival, the power of female rage, and the magnetic pull of the desert landscape. Along the way, we discuss the role of memory, the myth of closure, and what it means to write a character who steps out of silence and into fire.

LW25: Sheila Williams

In this episode, hosts Michael Jerome Plunkett and Emily Kinard from the LitWar Team sit down with acclaimed novelist Sheila Williams to discuss her latest historical novel, No Better Time. Set against the compelling backdrop of World War II, Williams’s novel sheds light on the remarkable yet overlooked story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion—the only Black Women's Army Corps (WACs) unit to serve overseas during the war.
We explore Sheila’s inspiration behind No Better Time, delving into how she vividly brings to life the experiences of Dorothy Thom and her fellow WACs, who navigated the challenges of military service and racial segregation while handling millions of undelivered letters meant for American soldiers. Sheila shares insights into her creative process, highlighting how she captures the profound resilience and transformative power of these extraordinary women.
Join us as we discuss Sheila’s literary journey, her transition from the corporate world to becoming a celebrated author, and the deep significance of storytelling in illuminating forgotten histories and fostering greater understanding across communities.

LW24: Ian Brown

In this episode, we sit down with author Ian T. Brown to discuss his groundbreaking book, A New Conception of War: John Boyd, the U.S. Marines, and Maneuver Warfare. Brown’s work offers a deep dive into the revolutionary ideas of John Boyd and their profound influence on modern Marine Corps doctrine. Combining rigorous historical research with a sharp analysis of military strategy, A New Conception of War explores how Boyd’s theories reshaped the concept of maneuver warfare and continue to guide the U.S. military today.
We trace the origins of Brown’s interest in military history, from his time as a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter pilot and forward air controller to his academic pursuits in military scholarship. Drawing on his deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Pacific, Brown shares how his operational experiences informed his perspective on warfare and his desire to create a definitive work on John Boyd’s legacy.
Join us as we discuss Brown’s creative process, the challenges of bridging scholarly research and practical application, and the relevance of Boyd’s ideas in today’s evolving battlespace. We also explore Brown’s role at the Brute Krulak Center for Innovation and Future Warfare, his passion for wargaming, and his insights into how military strategy continues to adapt to emerging threats. Whether you’re a student of military history, a practitioner of strategy, or simply someone fascinated by the intersection of innovation and conflict, this conversation is not to be missed.

LW 23: Mark Treanor

In this episode, we sit down with novelist Mark Treanor to discuss his award-winning debut novel, A Quiet Cadence. Drawing on his experiences as a Marine rifle platoon leader in Vietnam, Treanor delivers a powerful and haunting narrative that explores both the horrors of combat and the lifelong struggles of those who return home. Set in Vietnam’s treacherous Arizona Territory and extending into the aftermath of war, A Quiet Cadence plumbs the depths of terror, survival, and the unshakable weight of memory.
We delve into the origins of the novel and Treanor’s decision to tell this story through fiction, examining how his firsthand experiences shaped the visceral authenticity of the book while allowing room for the universal truths of young men at war. Treanor also reflects on the unique structure of the novel, which dedicates significant time to life after combat, capturing the challenges of healing, reckoning, and the quiet endurance of veterans long after the battles have ended.
Join us as we explore Treanor’s journey from the Marine Corps to becoming a novelist, the years of dedication it took to bring A Quiet Cadence to life, and the themes of courage, trauma, and hope that resonate so deeply in his work. We also discuss Treanor’s broader leadership experiences—from his time at the Naval Academy to his roles in corporate leadership and national security—and how those experiences inform his writing and understanding of resilience and humanity.
We are in the midst of our first Platoon Book Club Initiative in which we are funding and facilitating platoon-sized book clubs for active duty and reserve platoons in every branch of the military. Click here to learn more.

LW22: Anuradha Bhagwati

In this episode, we sit down with Anuradha Bhagwati, former Marine Corps officer and author of the raw and revolutionary memoir, Unbecoming. Bhagwati’s deeply personal narrative chronicles her journey from the daughter of strict Indian immigrants to a trailblazing activist who fought for historic policy reforms in the military. After leaving behind an Ivy League education to join the Marines, Bhagwati confronted sexism, racism, and injustice within one of the most masculine institutions in the world. As a bisexual woman of color, her time in the Corps challenged her in ways she never anticipated.
Join us as we discuss Bhagwati’s experience in the military, her courageous fight to dismantle the misogyny and discrimination she witnessed, and the resilience it took to pursue such transformative change, including her role in lifting the ban on women in combat roles. We explore her journey of self-discovery, activism, and the inner conflict of balancing duty with personal values. 

LW21: Michael Ramos

In this episode, we sit down with author Michael Ramos to discuss his powerful memoir, The After: A Veteran's Notes on Coming Home. Ramos, an Iraq War veteran, offers a raw and compelling look at the complexities of returning to civilian life after serving in combat. In his essay collection, Ramos delves into his decade-long military career, the challenges of transitioning back into a society that often misunderstands veterans, and the personal struggles he faced through divorce, remarriage, and the loss of comrades.
Join us as we explore his journey from serving as a Navy chaplain's bodyguard to becoming a writer, teacher, and advocate for bridging the gap between military and civilian communities. We discuss the deeply personal stories that shaped his memoir, the nonlinear approach to storytelling, and his reflections on what it means to be a warrior, veteran, and father.

LW20: Chris Knapp

In this episode, we sit down with novelist Chris Knapp to discuss his debut novel, States of Emergency. Set against the sweltering backdrop of Paris in 2015, Knapp’s novel captures the fragility of a marriage and the existential weight of a world in crisis. We explore the origins of States of Emergency, delving into how Knapp masterfully intertwines personal and global turmoil, creating a narrative that speaks to both the intimate cracks in a relationship and the larger, looming uncertainties of our time.
Join us as we talk about his journey as a writer, from his experiences at MFA at the University of Virginia to his success in renowned publications like The Paris Review and Granta. Knapp also shares insights into his creative process, exploring the delicate balance between hope and despair, and how he captures the nuances of human connection amidst chaos.
We are in the midst of our first Platoon Book Club Initiative in which we are funding and facilitating platoon-sized book clubs for active duty and reserve platoons in every branch of the military. Click here to learn more.