Unbound

Welcome Back to Unbound

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 00:45:25 GMT

Welcome back to Unbound! I'm back after a hiatus with a new perspective on the show, and I'm excited to move into a new chapter for the podacst. In this episode, I'm sharing some updates, including my engagement, the successful book events I've been hosting, and my second podcast Sylly, co-hosted with my good friend Tembe Denton-Hurst. The episode also highlights recent my reads, an exciting new book swap event, and upcoming plans for the Unbound community. Engage in enriching reading experiences and join the conversation about books, relationships, and more!

Thank you for listening! Please leave us a review so other book lovers can find us.

Follow me on Instagram

Subscribe to the Unbound Substack for weekly book reviews and more

(00:00) Introduction and Podcast Changes

(03:02) Personal Updates and Engagement

(09:46) New Podcast and Reading Updates

(13:12) Hosting In-Person Events

(14:43) Bring Your Own Book Event

(21:42) Book Swapping and Community Building

(24:06) Conclusion and Contact Information

Unbound is a Moyo Media Production

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Computer Love with Sierra Greer

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 20:46:03 GMT

I had a wonderful conversation at the top of the year with Sierra Greer, the author of Annie Bot. Annie Bot is a slim but captivating novel that explores the limits of human/robot relationships. Sierra Greer does so much with so little in this book, something we talked about in the episode. Tune in as we explore the books that shaped her, her approach to crafting novels, and the differences between writing for teenage and adult audiences.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Memorializing Black Girlhood with Kendra James

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 16:02:38 GMT

After a summer hiatus, we’re back! For our first episode back, I had the chance to speak to Kendra James, author and podcast producer at Crooked Media. We discuss Kendra's memoir 'Admissions,' which recounts her experiences as a Black girl at Taft School. Our conversation delves into our shared experiences of Black girlhood, the complexities of writing a memoir, and of course, all of the books that shaped Kendra’s reading experiences as a kid.

00:00 Welcome Back to Unbound

00:32 Introducing Kendra James

01:36 Diving into Kendra's Memoir

03:31 Kendra's Childhood Reading Influences

05:16 Exploring Historical Fiction and Girlhood

15:29 Harry Potter and Fan Fiction Beginnings

25:47 Boarding School Expectations vs. Reality

30:56 Navigating Identity and Social Dynamics at Taft

41:04 Reflecting on Early Career Challenges

41:40 Navigating DEI Work in Independent Schools

43:12 Self-Reflection and Program Issues

44:33 Subtle Racism and Personal Experiences

49:26 Writing a Memoir: Process and Boundaries

52:57 The Journey to Publication

01:03:39 Bookish Lightning Round

01:14:11 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

For a full list of books mentioned, join the Unbound community on Substack

Admissions: A Memoir of Surviving Boarding School by Kendra James

Follow Kendra James on instagram: @kendrajames_

Follow Mbiye Kasonga: @mbiye_K

Produced by Moyo Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taking Romance and Commercial Fiction Seriously with Iman Hariri-Kia

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 03:47:25 GMT

For this episode of Unbound, I’m talking to writer, editor, and author of A Hundred Other Girls, Iman Hariri-Kia!

Tune in as we discuss:

The complexities of girlhood being reflected in Young Adult fiction
The publishing industry’s relationship with the Romance genre
Book Tok as a tool for community
The disparity of sex education in America
The methodology behind writing a sex scene
Her sophomore novel, coming soon, The Most Famous Girl in The World

I am left with the thoughts of how our own familial love can be reflected in fiction writing and being a character in New York’s story rather than New York a character in mine.

For a full list of books mentioned, join the Unbound community on Substack

Follow Iman Hariri-Kia on instagram: @imanharirikia

Follow Iman Hariri-Kia on TikTok:@imanharirikia

Visit Iman Hariri-Kia website: https://www.imanharirikia.com/about

Check out Iman’s Substack: Cherry Picked

Follow Mbiye Kasonga: @mbiye_K

Produced by Moyo Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Deep Reading and Deep Writing with Tembe Denton-Hurst

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 00:37:10 GMT

For the first episode of Unbound I knew that I had to start off by talking to beauty and culture writer and author of Homebodies, Tembe Denton-Hurst!

Tune in as we discuss:

The intimacy of reading
Being both a deep reader and a deep writer
Representation in children’s fiction
The key elements of space and place within Homebodies
The promise that New York City holds

Leaving me to ruminate on books as affirmation and answering the question of do we truly have to like the protagonist in the books we cherish.

For a full list of books mentioned, join the Unbound community on Substack

Follow Tembe Denton-Hurst: @tembae

Check out Tembe’s Bookish Substack: Extracurricular Substack

Follow Mbiye Kasonga: @mbiye_K

Produced by Moyo Media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.