Susan Orlean: Joyride

Watch acclaimed writer Susan Orlean as she reflect on a remarkable career of curiosity and storytelling, with host, Jaclyn Crupi. Originally presented on Thursday 15 October 2026 by The Wheeler Centre. Susan Orlean is widely regarded as one of the great narrative non-fiction writers of her generation. Best known for The Orchid Thief – turned into the popular 2002 film Adaptation – and The Library Book, she has also spent decades as a beloved writer for The New Yorker. Guided by an insatiable curiosity, she has built a remarkable career finding extraordinary stories in unexpected places. In Joyride, Orlean turns her keen eye towards her own life, reflecting on a body of work shaped by curiosity, observation and an enduring fascination with the people and world around her. Hailed by David Sedaris as ‘wise and exuberant’, the book is both a celebration of a life in writing and a testament to the wonder that comes from paying close attention. ----- The Wheeler Centre acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which the Centre stands, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people, the neighbouring Boonwurrung/Bunurong people, and other Kulin Nation groups on whose lands we also present programs and events. We acknowledge and pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their Elders, past and present as the custodians of the world’s oldest continuous living culture. 🔔 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐓𝐮𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭-𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬    / @wheelercentre   𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 The Wheeler Centre is where writers, storytellers, thinkers and readers connect through live events, insightful conversations and compelling stories in Melbourne. 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 Live and digital conversations, debates, readings, podcasts and discussions at The Wheeler Centre. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 👇 🔗 Website: https://www.wheelercentre.com/ 🔗 Instagram:   / wheelercentre   🔗 Facebook:   / wheelercentre   🔗Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wheelercentr... 🔗 LISTEN wherever you get your podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/TWCLISTEN