In this episode of Desideratum, host Theresa Bakken sits down with author Jennifer Oko to discuss her latest novel, "Just Emilia." Set in a Washington, DC elevator, the story brings together three women (ages 17, 47, and 77) at pivotal moments in their lives, forcing them to confront a shared trauma and unravel the threads connecting their past, present, and future.
Jennifer shares the inspiration behind the novel, the challenges of writing across generations, and the personal connections that shaped her characters. The conversation explores themes of memory, responsibility, aging, and the enduring impact of trauma, as well as the unique setting of DC and the symbolism of the ginkgo tree.
Listeners will enjoy insights into the writing process, the realities of publishing with an independent press, and the essential role of storytelling and art in our lives. Whether you're a fan of literary fiction, stories about family and self-discovery, or simply love hearing from passionate storytellers, this episode offers a thoughtful and heartfelt look at what it means to grow, heal, and embrace each new chapter.
Connect with Jennifer Oko at www.JenniferOko.com and get the rest of the story in "Just Emilia" from www.Regal House Publishing.com
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.