left-handed writer... of books CORRECTION & HIGH-RISERS…for NYT Magazine and lots more. Co-host of SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS ARE podcast
Chicago
Joined August 2011
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@SecretaryCarson in #Chi holding a copy of #HighRisers, blithely unaware that his worldview about to be changed. @HarperCollins @harperbooks
Ben Austen retweeted
As a once bullied kid—who could also bully—I was duly moved by "The Bully Pulpit" from @ben_austen @ThisAmerLife. Honest, complicated, and real. thisamericanlife.org/878/new…
Ben Austen retweeted
Who said convicts can't go on book tour? Excited to be joining these bookstores by phone to talk about THE TRAGEDY OF TRUE CRIME with all these writers I admire.
More info here: celadonbooks.com/book/the-tr…
Ben Austen retweeted
News, personal: @chicagotribune has eliminated the post of film critic. This left me two options: wait for a newsroom reassignment or take the buyout. I took the buyout. Time for something new, somewhere else. Exit column later this week. (1/3)
Ben Austen retweeted
Did YOU vote for this? Are YOU currently rejoicing that YOU personally are ensuring the American working class cannot find employment and American small town economies are being destroyed?
@ben_austen @nytimes is a must-read - gift link: nytimes.com/2025/08/04/magaz…
Ben Austen retweeted
Read @ben_austen on community colleges “As Gavin put it, “We are situated more than any other institution in America to deliver on the promises in our original founding documents that everybody deserves a good life.” nytimes.com/2025/08/04/magaz… via @NYTimes
Ben Austen retweeted
Two people died at Sing Sing yesterday amid a crisis created by prison guards. One, Mr. Douglas, survived 50 years in prison until yesterday. Enough is enough. The Governor must use all available means to safely release people, including clemency and enacting parole justice.
Ben Austen retweeted
This is really worth a listen - great work by @ben_austen
How Cabrini-Green changed American public housing wbez.org/reset-with-sasha-an… On @WBEZ w @natalieymoore taking about new podcast The Last Days of Cabrini-Green out on @audible_com
Ben Austen retweeted
Fantastic "theater of the mind" great work to all that put this together on @audible_com @leyla_a audible.com/pd/The-Last-Days…
How Cabrini-Green changed American public housing wbez.org/reset-with-sasha-an… On @WBEZ w @natalieymoore taking about new podcast The Last Days of Cabrini-Green out on @audible_com
Ben Austen retweeted
Pleased to include books from: @ben_austen @Sj_Fennell @rgay @yrfatfriend @JonHaidt @KasleyKillam @NaomiAKlein @pappe54 @Prof_MPastor @zoeschlanger @ImTiffanyYu @abe_verghese and @IdanBenBarak
Ben Austen retweeted
A new documentary, "In Their Hands", examines Illinois's parole system through one man's story. Read Ben Austen's (@ben_austen) interview with documentarian Dan Protess. trib.al/6SUOaDZ
Great friend Adam Ross new novel PLAYWORLD. Set NYC '80s. Rave @latimes. "Line for line...a revelation." "Entire review could be made up of sentences I underlined for their beauty." I read advanced copy--all true, and more. @AAKnopf latimes.com/opinion/story/20…
Ben Austen retweeted
At HealthBegins we're often asked for reading recommendations for those on the journey #upstream, so here is our annual list of great material for you and your loved ones.
Great Books to Gift Upstreamists: HealthBegins Staff Picks for 2024 buff.ly/49H7znG
Ben Austen retweeted
A groundbreaking and honest investigation into the crisis of the American #criminaljustice system–through the lens of #parole. @Ben_Austen @FlatironBooks amzn.to/3Zzv5OG #ad #StevosNovelIdeas #jail
Ben Austen retweeted
If you work in the criminal justice system in Illinois, “The Parole Room” is a must listen. Great reporting and storytelling from @ben_austen paroleillinois.org/news/new-…
Ben Austen retweeted
New Life’s “heartbeat,” according to CEO Matt DeMateo, is mentoring local youths. But it has also with helped new migrants, violence intervention, and running a food pantry. Read @ben_austen's profile of this Chicagoan of the Year trib.al/0K0HyCq
How Cabrini-Green changed American public housing wbez.org/reset-with-sasha-an… On @WBEZ w @natalieymoore taking about new podcast The Last Days of Cabrini-Green out on @audible_com
Ben Austen retweeted
I was truly moved by this story, the work of @ben_austen, and in complete admiration of all the actors.
I definitely recommend checking it out in this politically sensitive time.
Thanks to @campsidemedia and Marisa @sassy_composer @HemCreekProd
We are incredibly proud to have worked on audio post-production for this show. Dialogue editing, archival audio clean up, mixing and mastering was done by @sassy_composer, and sound design by @MelissaPons1.
audible.com/pd/The-Last-Days…
Ben Austen retweeted
Don’t know which judicial candidates to vote for in the November election? @injusticewatch has researched all of the candidates for their 2024 Cook County judicial election guide. interactives.injusticewatch.…
