Episode · Modern Wisdom · 2026-09-12
Chris Williamson & Matt McCusker: books mentioned on Modern Wisdom #1149
Raccoon Wars, Lindsay Clancy, NFL Scammers & Past Crimes - Matt McCusker #1149
Matt McCusker is a comedian, writer, author and podcaster.
Chris Williamson discussed A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Matt McCusker discussed Orthodoxy by G. K. Chesterton.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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A Swim in a Pond in the Rain
A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders is a critically acclaimed book in which the celebrated author and teacher analyzes classic Russian short stories by writers like Chekhov and Tolstoy to explore both the craft of writing and the nature of human thought.
Discussed“It's called "A Swim and a Pond in the Rain." And it's basically nine short stories, Russian short stories.”
Where to get it
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Orthodoxy
Discussed“he's has this book I'm reading right now called Orthodoxy, where he started out being like, I'm about to come up there.”
Where to get it
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The Alchemist
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a celebrated philosophical novel that follows a young Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago on his journey across the desert in search of treasure, ultimately discovering a message about listening to one's heart and pursuing personal destiny.
Discussed“The, um, The Alchemist by Paula Quello. Uh, that was like the first book I read. I went so long without reading a book.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (1) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“I asked a literally an expert who wrote a book called dad brain.”