S6 Ep. 28: An American Experiment: Jeff Boyd on Race, Music, Religion, and Love in Contemporary Portland - a podcast by fiction/non/fiction

Fiction writer Jeff Boyd joins co-hosts V.V. Ganeshananthan and Whitney Terrell to discuss his debut novel, The Weight, a coming-of-age story about a young Black musician who struggles with romance, religion, and racism in predominantly white Portland. Boyd talks about his personal struggles with and admiration of faith, the difficulties of developing an identity, and his own experiences as a Black man living in Oregon. He reflects on the dynamics of bands, as well as his protagonist’s romantic relationships and ability to forgive. He reads an excerpt from the book. 
To hear the full episode, subscribe through iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app (include the forward slashes when searching). You can also listen by streaming from the player below. Check out video versions of our interviews on the Fiction/Non/Fiction Instagram account, the Fiction/Non/Fiction YouTube Channel, and our show website: https://www.fnfpodcast.net/This episode of the podcast was produced by Amanda Trout and Anne Kniggendorf.

Jeff BoydThe Weight

Others:Ghostbusters (1984)


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Revival Season by Monica WestThe Fire Next Time by James Baldwin



“On Becoming an American Writer,” by James Alan McPherson from The Washington PostFiction/Non/Fiction Season 6 Episode 20: “Remembering an American Writer: Anthony Walton on James Alan McPherson’s Essays and Legacy” 

“A Region Not Home: Reflections From Exile,” by James Alan McPherson from Publisher’s WeeklyRalph Ellison

Association of Writers&Writing Programs (AWP)

Black Lives MatterThe King of Kings County by Whitney Terrell

“In 2021, 10 Hate Groups were Tracked in Oregon,” from the Southern Poverty Law Center “Why Iowa Has Become Such a Heartbreaker for Democrats,” by Trip Gabriel from the New York Times


Mutual Musicians FoundationPortlandia (2011-2018)


“The Geometry of Love,” by John Cheever from Journal of Humanistic MathematicsLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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