Welcome to Walking and Talking with Henry — a space where I talk with interesting people about writing, ideas, and life.
There are a few conversations you’ll hear regularly here.
The first is The Writer’s Room, a monthly conversation with a creative collective that includes Alison McBain, B. Marcus Walker, Debra K. Every, and me. We talk about the real challenges writers face—things like building a brand, book marketing, social media—and often wander into conversations about AI, time, and life in general.
The second is my ongoing conversation with Kristine Madera, author of God In Drag. We go live every other Friday at 3 pm Eastern, streaming across Substack, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. One of us brings an idea, and we explore it together.
And then there’s the walking.
I bring a microphone with me while I walk and think through my writing. It’s part of my daily process, and a way to share ideas as they’re forming.
If you enjoy thoughtful conversation—or want to be part of one—you’re always welcome to reach out on Substack.
Glad you’re here.
henrylsullivaniii.substack.com (https://henrylsullivaniii.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)
Can People Tell The Difference Between Story and BS?
Major publishers are quietly using AI to write jacket copy, design covers, and pitch literary agents, mostly without telling readers or authors. Optimists like urbanist Richard Florida argue that AI will make human judgment, taste, and imagination more valuable, not less. But that argument assumes readers are buying quality. Are they? Some of the bestselling books of all time go largely unread. Derek Thompson’s Hit Makers found that audiences don’t want something new; they want “familiar surprises”: the same worlds, characters, and plots with just enough of a twist. Researchers have built an algorithm that predicts New York Times bestsellers from the text alone. And readers often buy the author as much as the book. Philosopher Harry Frankfurt drew a useful line: a liar cares about the truth enough to hide it, but a bullshitter cares only about the effect on the audience. Story is invented, but it’s true to something. AI can now produce story-shaped text at almost no cost, with no stake in whether it’s true to anything. So if readers can’t tell the difference, or don’t care, what is a writer for? And what is fiction for? Join Henry Sullivan and Kristine Madera as they dig in.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit henrylsullivaniii.substack.com/subscribe (https://henrylsullivaniii.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)
5 Oct 2026
America’s Cultural Explosion (video version)
Why are Americans deconstructing faith, politics, and the American Dream? Three books reveal the hidden artifacts shaping our inner landscape.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit henrylsullivaniii.substack.com/subscribe (https://henrylsullivaniii.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)
2 Oct 2026
The sudden disruptions of inner landscapes all over the country
Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit henrylsullivaniii.substack.com/subscribe (https://henrylsullivaniii.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)
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