Unbound is a bookish podcast focused on highlighting the culture and craft of books. Join me, Mbiye Kasonga for genre-spanning, in-depth, and thoughtful conversations that will inspire listeners to read more books.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Welcome back to Unbound! I'm back after a hiatus with a new perspective on the show, and I'm excited to move into a new chapter for the podacst. In this episode, I'm sharing some updates, including my engagement, the successful book events I've been hosting, and my second podcast Sylly, co-hosted with my good friend Tembe Denton-Hurst. The episode also highlights recent my reads, an exciting new book swap event, and upcoming plans for the Unbound community. Engage in enriching reading experiences and join the conversation about books, relationships, and more!
Thank you for listening! Please leave us a review so other book lovers can find us.
Follow me on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/unboundwithmbiye/?hl=en)
Subscribe to the Unbound Substack for weekly book reviews and more (https://unboundpodcast.substack.com/)
(00:00) Introduction and Podcast Changes
(03:02) Personal Updates and Engagement
(09:46) New Podcast and Reading Updates
(13:12) Hosting In-Person Events
(14:43) Bring Your Own Book Event
(21:42) Book Swapping and Community Building
(24:06) Conclusion and Contact Information
Unbound is a Moyo Media Production (https://www.moyomedia.me/)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
7 Aug 2025
Computer Love with Sierra Greer
I had a wonderful conversation at the top of the year with Sierra Greer, the author of Annie Bot. Annie Bot is a slim but captivating novel that explores the limits of human/robot relationships. Sierra Greer does so much with so little in this book, something we talked about in the episode. Tune in as we explore the books that shaped her, her approach to crafting novels, and the differences between writing for teenage and adult audiences.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
24 Sept 2024
Memorializing Black Girlhood with Kendra James
After a summer hiatus, we’re back! For our first episode back, I had the chance to speak to Kendra James, author and podcast producer at Crooked Media. We discuss Kendra's memoir 'Admissions,' which recounts her experiences as a Black girl at Taft School. Our conversation delves into our shared experiences of Black girlhood, the complexities of writing a memoir, and of course, all of the books that shaped Kendra’s reading experiences as a kid.
00:00 Welcome Back to Unbound
00:32 Introducing Kendra James
01:36 Diving into Kendra's Memoir
03:31 Kendra's Childhood Reading Influences
05:16 Exploring Historical Fiction and Girlhood
15:29 Harry Potter and Fan Fiction Beginnings
25:47 Boarding School Expectations vs. Reality
30:56 Navigating Identity and Social Dynamics at Taft
41:04 Reflecting on Early Career Challenges
41:40 Navigating DEI Work in Independent Schools
43:12 Self-Reflection and Program Issues
44:33 Subtle Racism and Personal Experiences
49:26 Writing a Memoir: Process and Boundaries
52:57 The Journey to Publication
01:03:39 Bookish Lightning Round
01:14:11 Final Thoughts and Future Plans
For a full list of books mentioned, join the Unbound community on Substack (https://unboundpodcast.substack.com/)
Admissions: A Memoir of Surviving Boarding School by Kendra James (https://rep.club/products/admissions?_pos=1&_sid=83027ceb4&_ss=r)
Follow Kendra James on instagram: @kendrajames_ (https://www.instagram.com/kendrajames_/)
Follow Mbiye Kasonga: @mbiye_K (https://www.instagram.com/mbiye_k?igsh=MXQ0emYwYWx2M2E5MA==)
Produced by Moyo Media. (https://www.moyomedia.me)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
20 Jun 2024
Taking Romance and Commercial Fiction Seriously with Iman Hariri-Kia
For this episode of Unbound, I’m talking to writer, editor, and author of A Hundred Other Girls, Iman Hariri-Kia!
Tune in as we discuss:
The complexities of girlhood being reflected in Young Adult fiction
The publishing industry’s relationship with the Romance genre
Book Tok as a tool for community
The disparity of sex education in America
The methodology behind writing a sex scene
Her sophomore novel, coming soon, The Most Famous Girl in The World
I am left with the thoughts of how our own familial love can be reflected in fiction writing and being a character in New York’s story rather than New York a character in mine.
For a full list of books mentioned, join the Unbound community on Substack (https://unboundpodcast.substack.com/)
Follow Iman Hariri-Kia on instagram: @imanharirikia (https://www.instagram.com/imanharirikia?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==)
Follow Iman Hariri-Kia on TikTok:@imanharirikia (https://www.tiktok.com/@imanharirikia?lang=en)
Visit Iman Hariri-Kia (mailto:imanharirikia.inquiries@gmail.com) website: https://www.imanharirikia.com/about (https://www.imanharirikia.com/about)
Check out Iman’s Substack: Cherry Picked (https://imanharirikia.substack.com)
Follow Mbiye Kasonga: @mbiye_K (https://www.instagram.com/mbiye_k?igsh=MXQ0emYwYWx2M2E5MA==)
Produced by Moyo Media. (https://www.moyomedia.me)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
4 Jun 2024
Deep Reading and Deep Writing with Tembe Denton-Hurst
For the first episode of Unbound I knew that I had to start off by talking to beauty and culture writer and author of Homebodies, Tembe Denton-Hurst!
Tune in as we discuss:
The intimacy of reading
Being both a deep reader and a deep writer
Representation in children’s fiction
The key elements of space and place within Homebodies
The promise that New York City holds
Leaving me to ruminate on books as affirmation and answering the question of do we truly have to like the protagonist in the books we cherish.
For a full list of books mentioned, join the Unbound community on Substack (https://unboundpodcast.substack.com/)
Follow Tembe Denton-Hurst: @tembae (https://www.instagram.com/tembae?igsh=OWxwbzV2cG8zczA0)
Check out Tembe’s Bookish Substack: Extracurricular Substack (https://tembe.substack.com)
Follow Mbiye Kasonga: @mbiye_K (https://www.instagram.com/mbiye_k?igsh=MXQ0emYwYWx2M2E5MA==)
Produced by Moyo Media. (https://www.moyomedia.me)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
71,014
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 32 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
14
Social presence
0
YouTube
92
Engagement
32
Contact Unbound
Guest appearances
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