Podcast Summary: The Stacks, Ep. 418 – "I Write and Speak Unlawfully" with Mahogany L. Browne

Date: April 1, 2026
Host: Traci Thomas
Guest: Mahogany L. Browne (poet, author, educator, organizer)
Episode Theme:
A free-flowing, insightful conversation tracing Mahogany L. Browne’s journey from childhood in Oakland to her status as a celebrated poet and YA author, including her influences, attitudes toward criticism and perfectionism, the path to writing for young people, and a deep dive into her reading life and philosophy around literature.

Main Themes and Purpose

• Exploring Mahogany’s journey from her early days in Oakland to becoming a critically acclaimed writer in New York.
• Discussing the evolution of her writing, especially the shift from poetry and journalism to Young Adult (YA) fiction and the unique challenges and motivations in writing for teens.
• Reflecting on representation in literature, the importance of bringing marginalized narratives to the page, and how reading transformative books shaped her as a writer.
• Digging into criticism, perfectionism, and the role of community in the creative journey.
• Sharing book recommendations, reading habits, and the ethic of ‘notice and wonder’ as an approach to reading and writing.

Episode Breakdown

1. Mahogany’s Origin Story and Early Love of Books

[07:28 – 10:12]

• Mahogany credits a fourth-grade project for her passion for storytelling (“I made this book by hand... and I just love the practice. I loved the end result.” – 07:52, Mahogany).
• Early writing imitated Sweet Valley High and Judy Blume, but finding Toni Morrison’s "The Bluest Eye" in seventh grade was transformative:

  “It wasn’t until The Bluest Eye where I saw myself. And that was scary and amazing. And I was crying in the stacks, literally on the floor...” ([09:27] Mahogany)

• Reading Morrison made her realize she could write about her own lived experiences, including police brutality and systemic injustice:

  “I can talk about all these things that are absolutely racialized and a part of my identity... and that be worthy of a story, be worthy of the page.” ([10:20] Mahogany)

2. From Oakland to New York: Writing, Community, and Becoming a Professional Author

[15:34 – 22:45]

• Journalism as an entry point: Mahogany’s early 20s involved hip-hop journalism, but she pivoted after harmful experiences as a Black woman in those spaces.
• Found community and affirmation in the world of poetry and teaching, which evolved into writing for young people.
• Mentorship and “baby lies”: Encouragement from Jason Reynolds propelled her to write for youth:

  “Jason Reynolds... would be like, when you gonna write that book? To which I responded, I write and speak unlawfully. They don’t want this... And he said, the kids talk like that too, Mo. They need your voice.” ([20:25] Mahogany)

• Key moment: reading the poem "Blurred Vision" at Girls Right Now led two editors to ask if she had a YA novel in progress. She said, “Yes”—though she didn’t—but this sparked her actual work on YA fiction.
• Major support from Jacqueline Woodson (agent connection) and Nic Stone (editor connection) helped launch her publishing career.

3. Critical Success and Navigating Recognition vs. Perfectionism

[25:08 – 29:20]

• Despite being “Mahogany L. Browne” to the world, she’s often too busy working to internalize accolades:

  “I do see opportunities, I do see my position in the world. Right. Like, I’m known in several worlds... That feels good... Because I come from a space where it’s natural to be just a hater.” ([26:06] Mahogany)

• Traci and Mahogany discuss how criticism always lands harder than praise—a mindset tied to their athletic backgrounds and relentless drive.

  “The wins are never as good as the defeats are bad.” ([27:46] Traci quoting a family friend) “I'm wondering if it’s not just that, but also... maybe because our specific world only recognizes or highlights... the list and the winners and the accreditation and the prizes.” ([28:25] Mahogany)

• The two agree that cultural pressure around accolades vs. process can complicate authentic pride in success.

4. Attitude Toward Critique and Creative Resilience

[31:21 – 32:38]

• Mahogany shares advice from her brother:

  “What you eat don’t make me shit. That’s it. ... What they’re saying doesn’t have to impact me.” ([31:33] Mahogany)

• Emphasizes resilience in the face of criticism and feeding off constructive feedback:

  “While you’re sharing all your opinions, just remember you are the one in the audience clapping for me.” ([32:03] Mahogany)

5. Book Recommendations and Reading Habits

[36:26 – 52:01]

• Ask The Stacks segment: Mahogany and Traci recommend memoirs and essay collections for listeners who love nonfiction:
  • Mahogany: Taste of Power by Elaine Brown (“the only woman to ever run the Black Panther party”), Inciting Joy by Ross Gay, and Light of the World by Elizabeth Alexander (“so beautiful... The language is just succinct, precise, sharp” – 40:05 Mahogany).
  • Traci: London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe, Strangers by Bell Burden, Light of the World (again).
• Mahogany’s “two books I love, one I hate” ([41:53]):
  • Love: Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward, Black Girl in Paris by Shay Youngblood
  • Hate: Soft Core (“Don't recommend. If you have Luster by Raven Leilani, you don't need it.”)
• Mahogany’s reading method, informed by ADHD:

  “I just read three to four books at a time. When I’m bored, put it down. Pick up the other. I have a poetry book, short story collection, a fiction book, and then an anthology of some sort.” ([43:10] Mahogany)

• Current reads include Room Swept Home by Ramika Bingham Risher, Hala Alyan’s memoir, and If I Ruled the World by Amy Louise.

6. The Philosophy of “Notice & Wonder” in Reading and Art

[48:27 – 50:30]

• Discussion of using the kindergarten practice of “notice and wonder” as a liberating way to engage with poetry and books.

  “All analysis is not this is correct or this is wrong... we absolutely have the words to speak about our humanity.” ([48:13] Mahogany) “Notice and wonder—that’s the crux of poetry building.” ([49:13] Mahogany)

• Both believe this lens applies beyond poetry—to all art and even to podcasting and interviews.

7. Lighthearted Rapid Fire – Reading Setups, Favorite Snacks, and More

[56:16 – 57:22]

• Ideal reading setup: “Beach cabana. The ocean, I can smell it. The heat of the sun, I can feel it... My cup is never empty—pina coladas... Snacks: jalapeno kettle chips, chicken tender, lightly breaded, lemon pepper, a proper fry, and a ranch ketchup, Caesar salad.” ([56:25] Mahogany)

8. Quick Takes: Books and Authors

[58:23 – 62:26]

• Last book that made her laugh: Little Rot
• Last book that made her cry: Salvage the Bones
• Book that made her angry: Push by Sapphire
• Book she feels embarrassed for not having read: “I haven’t read any Joan Didion.” ([59:10] Mahogany)
• Problematic faves: “Iceberg Slim... Urban lit. Love it. Lived it.”
• High school assignment: “Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings... It also centers the child in these like, really painful situations. But to know that she survived it and became so much, I think that is extremely helpful for young people who are constantly surviving.” ([60:27] Mahogany)
• Who should write the book of her life: “Imani Perry. Or Kimon Felix.” ([61:27] Mahogany)
• Book for the President: “Probably a banned book. Roots by Alex Haley.” ([62:04] Mahogany)

9. Closing Community and Oakland Love

[63:13 – End]

• Mahogany credits Traci as “one of the best things that Oakland, California has produced." ([63:19] Mahogany)
• The episode closes with mutual admiration and jokes about Oakland and Puerto Rico being overproducers of greatness.

Notable Quotes by Timestamp

• On representation in books:

  “It wasn’t until The Bluest Eye where I saw myself. And that was scary and amazing. And I was crying in the stacks, literally on the floor…”
  – Mahogany, [09:27]

• On being pushed into YA by Jason Reynolds:

  “I write and speak unlawfully. They don’t want this. They’re not gonna teach this in schools.”
  – Mahogany, [20:27]
  “The kids talk like that too, Mo. They need your voice.”
  – Jason Reynolds (via Mahogany), [20:30]

• On the tension between praise and criticism:

  “The wins are never as good as the defeats are bad.”
  – Traci, [27:46]

• On reading philosophy:

  “Notice and wonder—that’s the crux of poetry building.”
  – Mahogany, [49:13]

• On the joy of snacks and reading:

  “Beach cabana. The ocean, I can smell it. The heat of the sun... Pina coladas... jalapeno kettle chips, chicken tender, lightly breaded, lemon pepper, a proper fry, and a ranch ketchup.”
  – Mahogany, [56:25]

• On Oakland:

  "You're one of the best things that Oakland, California has produced."
  – Mahogany, [63:19]

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [07:28] – Mahogany’s early relationship to reading and writing
• [09:27] – The impact of finding "The Bluest Eye"
• [15:34] – Transition to writing professionally and journalism days
• [20:25] – Jason Reynolds’ influence (“write and speak unlawfully”)
• [25:08] – Critical acclaim, recognition, and perfectionist mindset
• [31:33] – Resilience in the face of criticism
• [36:26] – Book recommendations and Ask the Stacks
• [43:10] – Mahogany’s multi-book reading habit & ADHD experience
• [48:13] – The “notice and wonder” approach
• [56:16] – Ideal reading setup and snacks
• [58:23] – Last book that made her laugh, cry, angry, etc.
• [60:27] – Book she’d assign if teaching HS – I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
• [62:04] – Book she’d assign to the President – Roots by Alex Haley
• [63:19] – Oakland pride and closing camaraderie

Tone and Takeaways

The tone throughout is warm, candid, celebratory, and community-oriented, balancing serious inquiry (race, reading, creative work) with humor, personal anecdotes, and genuine admiration between host and guest. Mahogany is introspective, gracious, and unapologetically honest about the complexities of striving for excellence and truth in creative and educational spaces.

Essential Takeaways:

• Mahogany L. Browne’s story is one of community, perseverance, and the urgent need for authentic stories reflecting Black life in all its complexity.
• Representation—being both seen and heard—is an engine for young readers and writers alike.
• A career can thrive through creative pivots and community mentorship.
• “Notice and wonder” is a powerful (and liberating) practice for all forms of reading and creativity.

Next Book Club Pick:
Room Swept Home by Ramika Bingham Risher (to be discussed with Mahogany L. Browne, April 29)

For more:
Subscribe to The Stacks, join the Patreon, and check out www.thestackspodcast.com.