In this episode, we’re joined by the wonderfully multi-talented Laura Lee, author of Saturn’s Favorite Music. Laura’s creative path has been as eclectic as her writing: she’s the author of 21 books across biography, humorous reference, fiction, and children’s literature, and has worked as a professional mime, improvisational comic, and radio announcer. These days, she splits her time between writing and traveling with ballet master class tours alongside her partner, artistic director of the Russian Ballet Foundation.
Described by the San Francisco Chronicle as having “a dry, humorous tone” that makes her a “charming companion,” Laura brings warmth and wit to our conversation about her latest novel.
About the Book
Saturn’s Favorite Music takes us back to the summer of 1992, following Clara Jane, an alternative music-loving broadcast graduate starting her first radio job at a small station in northern Michigan. While dreaming of rock-star radio fame, Clara navigates quirky small-town life, morning show banter, and the looming threat of automation replacing the human touch in broadcasting. Brimming with 90s nostalgia, the novel explores music, friendship, and how technology changes creative careers and relationships—a theme that’s as timely today as ever.
“Saturn’s Favorite Music is a fun voyage back to the days of analog radio with all of its skipping records and clashing egos… highly relevant in the age of AI.”
In This Episode
🎧 Topics We Discuss:
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How Laura’s fascinating career led her to writing
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Behind-the-scenes stories from working in radio: splicing tape, voicing commercials, and old-school technology
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Crafting a character-driven story and ensuring cover details match the narrative
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Morning show banter
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Laura’s own experience as a morning DJ
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Music genres and how our listening habits have become more individualized
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Meeting music artists in real life
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Paul’s Saturn’s Favorite Music Spotify playlist featuring songs mentioned in the book
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The humorous chaos of being mistaken for both a pet-loss grieving author and a psychic named Laura Lee
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A nostalgic dive into one of the earliest viral audio rants: Casey Kasem’s famous meltdown
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