Write of Passage by Vanessa Riley
Write of Passage is where history, culture, and creativity meet. Hosted by author Vanessa Riley, this weekly essay podcast unpacks the news and moods of today through the long lens of history.From Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime symbolism to the politics of representation, from lessons on writing resilience to meditations on empathy, each episode blends cultural critique with storytelling and a reverence for history.Part personal reflection, part cultural commentary, Write of Passage is written in love: a place to wrestle with wrong takes, dig into symbolism, and celebrate the power of words to make sense of the world.🎧 What you’ll find here: Cultural & Historical Commentary — current events examined with historical depth. Encouragement for Writers — reflections on the craft, resilience, and community of writing. Booklists & Recommendations — curated reads that expand each week’s themes. Storytelling with Heart — opinionated, thoughtful essays written to inspire dialogue, not just hot takes. If you’re a writer, reader, or thinker who loves connecting dots between past and present, Write of Passage is your table. Pull up a chair. vanessariley.substack.com VanessaRiley.com
Episodes
Professor Jason Arday became the center of an extraordinary media storm following plagiarism allegations at the University of Cambridge. An analysis by NewsCord counted 188 articles about Arday in the final nine days before his death—nearly 21 articles per day.Vanessa Riley examines the media pile-on, race and academia, digital cruelty, social-media amplification, accountability, and...
Did you write your book… and can you prove it?
In this episode of Write of Passage, bestselling historical novelist Vanessa Riley examines the growing wave of AI authorship accusations sweeping the publishing industry. From the controversies surrounding Mia Ballard, Jerry Falade, Olga Tokarczuk, and H.M. Wolfe to the very different treatment of authors ...
Stop chasing perfection. Learn why getting your first draft done beats getting it perfect, and how finishing unlocks stronger revisions and publishing success.
Every writer knows the feeling: staring at a blank page, convinced the first chapter has to be perfect before moving on. But what if the real obstacle isn’t writer’s block—it’s perfectionism? In this episode, bestselling author Vanessa Rile...
More than 55% of the year is already behind us—but your goals don’t have to be. In this episode of Write of Passage, Vanessa Riley shares practical, research-backed strategies to help you reset your New Year’s resolutions, reconnect with your purpose, break overwhelming goals into manageable steps, and create a plan that leads to lasting success. Drawing on the work of psychologists Kennon Sheldon, Andrew Elli...
Southern hospitality is more than sweet tea. Vanessa Riley...
When does fandom become entitlement? In this episode of Write of Passage, bestselling author Vanessa Riley explores the hidden cost of parasocial relationships, author privacy, and doxxing in the age of social media. Using the recent conversation surrounding romance author Kennedy Ryan’s pen name as a starting point, Vanessa examines why revealing someone’s private identity—even wh...
Vanessa and Dawn TrippHello, friends. I’m Vanessa Riley, coming to you from beautiful Nantucket. Join me as I ...
Everybody Loves Justice Until It Costs Them Something
In a world where silence is profitable and outrage is performative, character still matters. This week on Write of Passage, Vanessa Riley reflects on veteran journalist Scott Pelley’s emotional response after being accused of not loving his country and asks a difficult question: What do we still believe in enough to risk something for? From journalism and free speec...
What is the rock standing in your way?
In this episode of Write of Passage, Vanessa Riley reflects on the extraordinary success of the Black Romance Book Fest and the vision of indie author Lauren Lacey, who built one of the nation’s largest gatherings of Black readers despite bei...
America’s reckoning is here—linking civil rights history, racial injustice, and e...
A pattern is emerging—and it is costing Black women their lives. Not just in the streets, but in their homes, in their relationships, and even in childbirth. In this powerful essay, Vanessa Riley confronts the crisis of intimate partner violence and the maternal health disparities that continue to endanger Black women. Naming the lives lost in April 2026, she calls for accountability, protection, and truth—within ou...
An essay on social media lies, misinformation, and lost integr...
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