Episode Summary

Bestselling author Lisa See joins Jeniffer and Chad Thompson to discuss her powerful new novel, Daughters of the Sun and Moon. Inspired by real women who lived in Los Angeles during the 1870s, the novel explores friendship, resilience, identity, racism, and survival against the backdrop of the largely forgotten Chinese Massacre of 1871.

Lisa discusses how her deeply researched historical fiction emerged from personal questions and themes she was grappling with in her own life. She explores why Los Angeles' violent early history has largely disappeared from public memory and how court records, photographs, and other historical documents helped shape the novel. Throughout the conversation, Lisa reflects on the importance of confronting difficult histories and what can be lost when we choose to forget them.

In This Episode:

Lisa See's Literary Brand

• How friendship, family, and women's relationships became recurring themes across Lisa's novels
• Why authentic storytelling creates a lasting author brand
• The importance of writing from personal curiosity rather than market trends

The Inspiration Behind Daughters of the Sun and Moon

• The true stories that inspired the novel's three main characters:
  • Dove, a young bride brought to Los Angeles in an arranged marriage
  • Moon, wife of a prominent Chinese physician
  • Petal, inspired by women sold into prostitution who fought relentlessly for freedom
• Why Lisa wanted to tell this story through the eyes of women

The Chinese Massacre of 1871

• The little-known tragedy that serves as the novel's historical centerpiece
• How 10% of Los Angeles' Chinese population was murdered during one night of violence
• Why historians consider it one of the largest mass lynchings in American history

A Different Los Angeles

• Why 1870s Los Angeles was considered one of the most violent towns in the American West
• How the city's leaders later worked to erase this history
• Lisa's theory about why Hollywood's rise contributed to the public forgetting Los Angeles' violent past

Researching the Novel

• Examining original court documents at the Huntington Library
• Discovering handwritten maps, trial transcripts, and historical records
• Testing whether Chinese medicinal herbs could actually be grown on a windowsill, just as they are in the novel

Chinese Medicine and Cultural Traditions

• The role of traditional Chinese medicine in the story
• Lisa's personal connection to Chinese medicine and acupuncture
• The symbolic importance of immigrants carrying soil from their homeland

Lisa See's Writing Process

• Why she writes the final line of every novel before beginning chapter one
• How the ending rarely changes, even when the journey does
• Her unusual reading habit: reading the first chapter and the last chapter before continuing a book

Themes of Memory and History

• The importance of remembering difficult chapters of history
• Connections between historical anti-Chinese violence and modern anti-Asian hate
• Why societies continue to repeat patterns when history is forgotten

Aphorisms, Wisdom, and Structure

• How a poem by Lao Tzu shaped the structure of the novel
• Lisa's lifelong fascination with aphorisms
• The timeless wisdom that transcends culture and generations

In this episode of The Premise, Jeniffer and Chad Thompson sit down with bestselling author Stephen P. Kiernan to discuss his forthcoming novel, Pollock’s Last Lover—a layered story about art, deception, power, and the women surrounding legendary painter Jackson Pollock.

Stephen shares the surprising inspiration behind the novel, why he abandoned an early draft after 180 pages, and how the story ultimately became less about Pollock himself and more about the women navigating power, ambition, sexuality, and survival across two different eras.

The conversation explores:

• The real-life inspiration behind Ruth Kligman
• Writing complex female characters as a male author
• The emotional intensity of Pollock’s art and legacy
• Researching the New York art world and auction houses
• How symbolism (including watch advertisements set to 10:10) found its way into the novel
• Stephen’s writing process, revision philosophy, and life as a former journalist turned novelist

This episode is a deep dive into creativity, historical fiction, gender dynamics, and the mysteries of artistic genius.

The Premise Podcast — Episode Show Notes

Guest: Sasha Abramsky
Hosts: Jeniffer Thompson & Chad Thompson
Topic: Power, propaganda, and the human cost of political systems

Episode Overview

In this powerful and wide-ranging conversation, Jeniffer and Chad sit down with journalist and author Sasha Abramsky to unpack the political, emotional, and human realities shaping America today.

The discussion centers on Abramsky’s latest book, American Carnage, which explores how systemic government disruption impacts real lives—and what it reveals about power, democracy, and accountability.

From the illusion of normalcy in everyday life to the dismantling of institutions behind the scenes, this episode connects the big-picture political landscape with deeply personal stories.

Featured Book
American Carnage: How Trump, Musk, and Doge Butchered the U.S. Government

Episode Overview

What does it really mean to be present—and why does it feel so hard?

In this episode, Jeniffer and Chad Thompson sit down with author and mindfulness coach Marijke McCandless to explore her book Naked in the Now: Juicy Practices for Getting Present. Marijke shares how we can gently reconnect with ourselves, release pressure and expectations, and rediscover the small, meaningful moments that make life feel alive.

Through storytelling, humor, and practical insights, this conversation reframes mindfulness as something approachable, playful, and deeply human—not another task on your to-do list.

About the Guest

Marijke McCandless is a writer, mindfulness coach, and “playfulness instigator.” She leads the popular online writing practice Right Now Mind and is the author of multiple works, including her memoir More: Journey to Mystical Union Through the Sacred and the Profane. Her work helps people reconnect with themselves through presence, curiosity, and authentic expression.

In this episode, Jeniffer and Chad Thompson sit down with the inspiring Kelly Conroy, a writer and matrescens educator, to discuss her debut book, Your Mom Races Rally. Kelly shares her journey of navigating motherhood, grappling with societal expectations, and ultimately embracing her passion for rally racing. Through vulnerability and humor, she recounts her experiences of overcoming shame and fear, and how they fueled her desire to pursue something uniquely her own. This episode explores the intersections of motherhood, personal growth, and the unexpected joys found in the thrill of motorsports. Join us for a heartfelt conversation that celebrates resilience, community, and the transformative power of fun.

In this episode, Jeniffer and Chad Thompson welcome author Emma Gray, whose latest book, Start at the End, delves into the complexities of grief, love, and the beauty of life. Emma shares her personal experiences that inspired her writing, including the profound impact of losing her husband. Join us as we explore the themes of vulnerability, resilience, and the 'what if' scenarios that shape our lives. This heartfelt conversation is a journey through the messiness of life and the hope that can emerge from it.

In this episode, Jeniffer and Chad talk to author, activist, and former Dinner and a Movie host, Annabelle Gurwitch about her latest book, The End Of My Life Is Killing Me. It’s a cancer memoir, and—spoiler alert—she lives.

The End Of My Life Is Killing Me is not your typical cancer survivor story, and though there is abundant humor, she doesn’t attribute her survival to the power of positive thinking.

Instead of dramatically seizing the day, Annabelle decided to approach life by examining the small moments and taking opportunities as they came. One such opportunity, which they discuss in detail, was going on a European tour as a merch girl for a heavy metal band. They also discuss the wellness industry, and magical thinking, her volunteer work, and how her book cover, which she imagined having a Daphne and Apollo theme, ended up featuring a baby chick doing yoga.

You don’t want to miss this delightfully funny and insightful episode. There’s even a Muppet-y bonus at the outro.

You can find out more about Annabelle and buy The End Of My Life is Kiling Me, and her other books on her website. www.annabellegurwitch.com