Behind The Stack

Behind The Stack

A book podcast with book lover Brett Benner of bretts.book.stack on instagram and youtube. Author interviews and bookish conversations to help add more to your TBR pile! Watch/Listen to Behind the Stack on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bretts.book.stack Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretts.book.stack Email: brettsbookstack@gmail.com

Episodes

March 26, 2026 65 mins

In this chock full episode, Brett and returning guest Renee from @itsbooktalk  discuss some of their top reads from the first quarter of 2026 as well as six books we're looking forward to in quarter two. Get ready to fill up your TBRs! 

Renee's substack

https://substack.com/@itsbooktalk

Renee's instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/itsbooktalk/


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In this episode Brett sits down with Wade Rouse to discuss his Golden Girls inspired book, 'That's What Friends Are For'. They talk age, queer cross pollination, the impact his Grandmother had on his life, spirituality, friendship, and a foodie walk through Palm Springs. 

Wade's website:

https://waderouse.com/

Wade's instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/authorwaderouse/

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Brett sits down with author Lori Inglis Hall to discuss her debut novel, 'The Shock of the Light'. They talk about her passion for history, the photographer Lee Miller, the inspiration for this story, spies and double agents during the second World War, strong female protagonists, and characters with secrets.


Lori's website:

https://www.loriinglishall.co.uk/

Lori's instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/loriingli...

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March 10, 2026 38 mins

In this episode Brett sits down with Jordy Rosenberg to discuss his latest novel, "Night Night Swan". The talk about writing satire and the value of it, Transphobia, Palestine and growing up with Zionist parents, writing female friendship, lesbian and trans sci fi, and how he ended up narrating the book. 

Jordy's website:

https://www.jordy-rosenberg.com/

Jordy's instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/jordyrosenberg/

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March 3, 2026 31 mins

In this epsiode Brett sits down with author Rachel Hochhauser to discuss her debut novel, 'Lady Tremaine'. They talk about the inspiration for the retelling of Cinderella, being a Mother, her approach to writing, updating Happily Ever After, and her company, Piecework. 


Rachel's website:

https://rachelhochhauser.com/

Rachel's instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/hochhauser/

Piecework Puzzles:

https://pieceworkpuz...

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February 24, 2026 33 mins

In this episode Brett sits down with Christopher Castellani to talk about his new book, 'Last Seen'. They discuss the origins for this mystery that is tinged with magical realism, the magnet and draw of youth, writing flawed characters, faith, anxiety, and the magical connection between author and reader. 

Christopher's website:

https://christophercastellani.com/

Christopher's instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/c...

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February 17, 2026 40 mins

In this episode Brett sits down with author Grant Ginder to discuss his new book, 'So Old, So Young'. They talk about the challenge of this particular book, moving from politics to prose, a Sondheim musical, the brat pack and The Big Chill, how small decisions accumulate into a life, the intensity of college friendships, and how he's personally handling being so old, so young. 

Grant's website:

https://www.grantgi...

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February 10, 2026 33 mins

In this episode Brett sits down with author Patmeena Sabit to discuss her debut novel, 'Good People'. They talk about her path from reader to writer, the unique narrative style of the book, growing up as a young woman in the Afghani community, and the expectations that community and family place on the shoulders of women. 

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January 27, 2026 41 mins

In this episode Brett sits down with author Ashley Winstead to discuss her new book, 'The Future Saints'. They talk about the book's surprising origin, her connection to music and the music industry, what she would want to be if not a writer, music documentaries, and the raw creation of music vs writing. 

Ashley's website:

https://www.ashleywinstead.com/

Ashley's instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/stories/ash...

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January 20, 2026 36 mins

In this episode Brett sits down with Jennifer Niven to discuss her book, 'Meet the Newmans'. They talk about antiquated grade school classes, her mother and how she was inspirational for the character of Dinah, working in a male dominated profession, the musicians who inspired key characters in the book, and why she made the decision to set the story in the time period she did. 


Jennifer's website:

https://www.jen...

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January 14, 2026 31 mins

In the season three premiere Brett sits down with author Rosie Storey to discuss her debut novel, "Dandelion is Dead". They talk about growing up on a farm and later when she began to write. Trying to understand the 'cataclysm of death', the yin and yang of the central sisters, writing men vs women, and her eclectic taste in music. 

Rosie's instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/rosiestorey/



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Brett is joined once agin with Renee from itsbooktalk where they discuss their fourth quarter favs as well as giving up one book each they know will be on their best of the year lists. 

Books discussed:

-Running Man by Charlie Engle

-Life & Death & Giants by Ron Rindo

-Grace & Henry's Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman

-The Director by Daniel Kehlmann

-Just Mercy by Brian Stevenson

-Baldwin: A Love Story by Nicolas ...

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November 25, 2025 37 mins

In this episode Brett sits down with author Justinian Huang to talk about his new book, Lucky Seed.They discuss his travel life, his hero growing up, writing Asian LA, Hungry Ghost, why a twist needs to be earned, Chinese Palace Dramas and Jackie Collins. 

Justinian's instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/justinianhuang/

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November 18, 2025 35 mins

In this episode Brett sits down with Quiara Alegria Hudes to discuss her fiction debut, 'The White Hot'. They discuss childhood imagination and when writing started for her. Why Daphne Rubin Vega was the best choice for the audio recording, Siddhartha and story book archetypes, Jagged Little Pill, and the differences between being a novelist vs a playright.

Quiara's website:
https://www.quiara.com/
<...

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November 13, 2025 41 mins

In this episode Brett sits down with Lance Garland to discuss his new memoir, 'Out There'. They talk about growing up gay in an ultra conservative home, the Navy SEALS and the physical demands of both that and being a firefighter, why firefighting as a profession, and embracing risk in ones job and in life. 

Lance's website:
https://www.lancegarland.com/

Lance's instagram:
https://www.i...

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November 11, 2025 41 mins

In this episode Brett sits down with author Brian Schaefer to discuss his debut novel 'Town & Country'. They delve into his dance history and how that transitioned into writing, what inspired the story, removing outside political influences while writing about politics, and perhaps a favorite musical or two.

Brian's website:

https://www.brian-schaefer.com/about

Brian's instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/itsbri...

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November 4, 2025 39 mins

In this episode Brett sits down with author Catherine Newman to discuss her latest book, 'Wreck'. They talk about writing as therapy, kids, empty nesting, growing old, anxiety, long term relationships, and a small casting session on who could play Rocky. 

Catherine's website:

https://www.catherinenewmanwriter.com/

Catherine's instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/catherinewman/


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October 28, 2025 44 mins

In this episode Brett sits down with writer Max Delsohn to talk about his debut collection of short stories, 'Crawl'. They discuss, trans masculine life in Seattle, what dream profession he wished for, a love for music, a dive into Stephen Sondheim, and his stand up past. 

Max's website:

https://www.maxdelsohn.com/

Max's instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/maxdelsohn/

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October 21, 2025 40 mins

In this episode Brett sits down with author Ron Rindo to talk about his new novel 'Life, & Death, & Giants'. They discuss where the giant idea sprang from, the Amish community, his favorite character in the book, and who was the inspiration for that character, the poetry of Emily Dickinson, and they take a run at which actresses could be right for the character of Hannah. 

Ron's website:

https://ronrindo.com/

ro...

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October 14, 2025 36 mins

In this episode Brett sits down with Kirsten Miller to discuss her new book, 'The Women of Wild Hill'. They talk about her early work in advertising, the things that are passed on through generations, the collective power of women, what she would choose as her magical ability, and the advice she'd give to young women today. 

Kirsten's website:

https://www.kirstenmillerbooks.com

Kirsten's instagram:

https://www....

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