Backlit
Claim This Podcastby Abena Ntoso
Podcast Authority
Beta
Podcast Overview
<p>Backlit is a series of groundbreaking conversations with emerging authors. Hosted by Abena Ntoso, each empowering discussion goes behind the literature and beyond it, inspiring intellectual and creative engagement around social issues. Built on authentic curiosity and camaraderie, Backlit transcends literary discourse to become a generative space documenting the emergence of new perspectives and new possibilities for life and work.</p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
6/1/2025
Unlock The Full Podcast Authority Score Report
See how your podcast performs across key metrics
Podcast Authority
BetaRecommendations available
Unlock the full report to see detailed tips
Recommendations available
Unlock the full report to see detailed tips
Unlock comprehensive insights including:
- • YouTube presence analysis
- • Social media reach metrics
- • RSS compliance scoring
- • Podcast 2.0 features
- • Technical standards
Detailed Analytics
- Complete breakdown of all 19 authority metrics
- Personalized recommendations for each metric
- Industry benchmarks and comparisons
- Technical RSS feed analysis and compliance scoring
Growth Strategies
- Step-by-step action plans for improvement
- Quick wins to boost your score immediately
- Pro tips from successful podcasters
See how your show performs across every key metric
High authority scores make your podcast more attractive to industry leaders and influencers who want to appear on credible shows.
Sponsors look for podcasts with proven authority and engagement. Your score demonstrates your podcast's value to potential partners.
Understanding your strengths and weaknesses helps you make data-driven decisions to expand your listener base effectively.
1 verified contact email on file for Backlit
Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.
Recent Episodes
May 3, 2026
Sleep Phase: Playing with Time, Language, and Truth
<p>What happens when reality becomes surreal? How do we draw the line between fiction and nonfiction? In this episode of Backlit, Egyptian novelist and poet Mohamed Kheir joins me in exploring surreal situations, inspired by the English translation of Sleep Phase. Blending past, present, and future in scenes that evoke the chaotic beauty of a changing city, Mohamed’s work examines how monumental shifts influence our understanding of ourselves and our world.</p><p>Topics discussed:</p><ul><li>Surrealism and artistic influences</li><li>Inspiration from history and culture of Cairo</li><li>Challenges in literary translation</li><li>Drawing a line between fiction and nonfiction</li><li>Deconstruction and reconstruction in urban landscapes</li><li>Navigating mass media in an age of misinformation and fake news</li><li>Inspiration from observing your surroundings</li></ul><p>Links:</p><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.abenantoso.com/podcast/backlit/sleep-phase-playing-with-time-language-and-truth">Episode webpage</a> with transcript</li><li>Purchase <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/sleep-phase-mohamed-kheir/7c9ae60255d77a17?aid=113447&ean=9781949641783&listref=backlit-featured-books&next=t">Sleep Phase</a> by Mohamed Kheir</li><li>Purchase <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/slipping-mohamed-kheir/283fea84dd4e8ebc?aid=113447&ean=9781949641165&listref=backlit-featured-books&next=t">Slipping</a> by Mohamed Kheir</li></ul>
February 24, 2026
The Book of Kin: Imagination, Connection, and Learning to Articulate
<p>How can we turn gaps into opportunities for imagination and creativity? What does it take to have meaningful human connection? How can writing help us articulate our ideas and values? In this episode of Backlit, writer and visionary Jennifer Eli Bowen joins me in exploring personal growth through literary writing and human connection, inspired by her essay collection, The Book of Kin. Examining love and absence through both personal and social lenses, Jen’s work honors both the beauty and difficulty of being present. Topics discussed:</p><ul><li>Embracing gaps and fragmentation in writing and life</li><li>Blending imagination and nonfiction</li><li>Life lessons learned through writing</li><li>Personal growth and learning to articulate yourself through writing</li><li>Human connection versus isolation</li><li>Learning to be present</li><li>Counteracting burnout culture</li></ul><p>Links:</p><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.abenantoso.com/podcast/backlit/the-book-of-kin-imagination-connection-and-learning-to-articulate">Episode Webpage</a></li><li>Purchase <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-book-of-kin-on-absence-love-and-being-there-jennifer-eli-bowen/1eeeb8d21ed12d87?ean=9781571311672&next=t&aid=113447&listref=backlit-featured-books">The Book of Kin: On Absence, Love, and Being There</a> by Jennifer Eli Bowen</li><li>Author Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.jenniferelibowen.com/">Jennifer Eli Bowen</a></li></ul><p></p>
November 24, 2025
The City, Our City: Complexity, Tension, and Our Moment in History
<p>How do we navigate complexity and tension in our daily lives? What happens when we hold complexity, rather than resolution, at the center of our understanding of cities, people, and art itself? In this episode of Backlit, poet and editor Wayne Miller joins me in exploring the city’s impact on individuals and society, inspired by his poetry collection The City, Our City. Balancing history and modernity, Wayne’s work examines how the city—real or imagined—shapes not only where we live, but who we become as individuals and as a society.</p><p>Topics discussed:</p><ul><li>Tension between city and small town/rural areas</li><li>Tension between literature/art and violence</li><li>What publishers looks for in a literary work</li><li>Complexity and tension</li><li>Complexity and simplicity</li><li>Idealism and pragmatism</li><li>Optimism and pessimism</li></ul><p>Links:</p><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.abenantoso.com/podcast/backlit/the-city-our-city-complexity-tension-and-our-moment-in-history">Episode Webpage</a></li><li>Purchase <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-city-our-city-wayne-miller/40bb8e9d8fbebb5d?aid=113447&ean=9781571314451&listref=backlit-featured-books&next=t">The City, Our City</a> by Wayne Miller</li><li>Author Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://waynemillerpoet.com/">Wayne Miller</a></li></ul>
6 total episodes available
Recent guests on Backlit
Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.
Laura-Gray Street
Guest
Deep-dive analytics for Backlit
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is Backlit?
<p>Backlit is a series of groundbreaking conversations with emerging authors. Hosted by Abena Ntoso, each empowering discussion goes behind the literature and beyond it, inspiring intellectual and creative engagement around social issues. Built on authentic curiosity and camaraderie, Backlit transcends literary discourse to become a generative space documenting the emergence of new perspectives and new possibilities for life and work.</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
Legal Disclaimer
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.