Don P Hooper is a WGA-union screenwriter, an actor, and an author, whose new book True True hits bookstores on Tuesday, August 1.

Previously he contributed a story to Black Boy Joy: 17 Stories Celebrating Black Manhood.

CONTENT WARNING: trauma, racism, labor, explicit language, hate-based violence

We talk about:

The WGA/SAG-AFTRA strike

Shutting down productions across the country

How you can support writers and actors on strike

The importance of good mentors and collaborators

Tenacity and resistance as quintessential parts of black/African-American life

The novel writing process

Don’s first novel, True True

Questions of goodness, identity, and morality of AI

The through line of social uprising since 2016

survival, belonging, and community in a post-Trump world

Follow Don on instagram: www.instagram.com/madclownetry

Buy True True on Bookshop to support Don, the podcast, and your local bookstore: bookshop.org/a/95818/9780593462102

Buy Black Boy Joy on Bookshop to support Don, the podcast, and your local bookstore: bookshop.org/a/95818/9780593379936

Donate Aid for Striking Writers and Actors AND Learn More about Entertainment Community Fund Resources: https://entertainmentcommunity.org/how-get-help-and-give-help-during-work-stoppage

Donate Unrestricted Funds to the WGA East picket lines: https://venmo.com/steph_deluca

Donate Supplies in kind to the WGA East picket lines: https://www.target.com/gift-registry/gift/wgaestrike

This program is produced in south west philadelphia, in the unceded neighborhood of the black bottom community and on the ancestral land of the Lenape nation, who remain here in the era of the fourth crow and fight for official recognition by the commonwealth of Pennsylvania to this day. You can find out more about the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania and how you can support the revitalization of their culture by going to https://lenape-nation.org.

Visit this episode’s sponsor, BVP Coffee, roasting high quality coffee that benefits HBCU students: https://bvp.coffee/uncommongoodpod

Visit this episode's sponsor, Poi Dog, chef Kiki Aranita creating sauces inspired by Hawaiian Cuisine: https://poidogphilly.com

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