After the publication of the “World According to Garp” and numerous other bestsellers, John Irving does not really have to worry about his career. But, for those looking to break […]

The tension between John Irving, John Updike and Tom Wolfe was overplayed and misguided, says the novelist. The real sparks would fly, he says, if he ran into a few […]

With their richly textured characters, intensely visible milieux and wondrous storylines, no novels, says John Irving, have surpassed the splendor and sense of eminence of the nineteenth century novelists.

While John Irving may have never won a major championship as a wrestler, his experience in the sport has equipped him with the stamina and discipline necessary to struggle through […]

For John Irving, whose sprawling novels can take years to complete, one of the most significant challenges of writing is creating the sense that the words on the page are […]

The famed novelist explains why even considering the act strikes many with a sense of anxiety and impending doom.

For John Irving, the need for a daily ration of solitude was his strongest “pre-writing” moment as a child.

For the novelist, obsessions, by definition, control you. Thus, try as he may to control the plot of his stories, a variety of recurring fixations inevitably work themselves in.

When not interrupted by family and travel, the writer begins his work early, keeps at it for hours at a time, and does it every day.

For even our best writers, penning that final sentence can be a difficult and tortuous affair. For John Irving, who never begins a novel without knowing its concluding words, this […]

Big Think sits down with the author of twelve novels, including “Last Night in Twisted River.”

John Irving’s novels have earned him a National Book Award, sold tens of millions of copies and have been translated into over thirty languages. Yet, far from affording him a […]

Men have a goal-oriented approach to sex, Beverly Whipple says, while women are directed simply by pleasure.

Beverly Whipple, the scientist who is famous for popularizing the G-Spot, offers tips for achieving sexual pleasure.

A conversation with the sexuality researcher famous for popularizing the G-Spot.

Psychosexual therapist Sara Nasserzadeh tackles the age-old question by dissecting its terminology.

The psychosexual therapist doesn’t believe in sexual chemistry for a successful relationship, or that males and females are very different when it comes to emotional patterns related to sex.

Chair of the Middle-Eastern Sexual Health Committee at WAS, Sara Nasserzadeh hosted an award-winning radio program on BBC for a Farsi-speaking audience. She remembers the questions that came from Iran […]

Couples counselor Sara Nasserzadeh has helped clients who don’t want, or can’t have, a life in the bedroom find happiness elsewhere.

A conversation with the sex therapist and chairperson for the Middle Eastern Sexual Health Committee at the World Association for Sexual Health.

For the hip-hop mogul, it’s a pre-bedtime ritual.

Russell Simmons is still the only African-American in the jewelry business. He talks about whether President Obama has prompted a post-racial consciousness.

Between Jay-Z, LL Cool J and Ice-T, no signs point downwards.

Hip hop mogul Russell Simmons on why he won’t run scared from the economy, and why the best hires love getting everyone’s coffee.

Why Russell Simmons’ family members joke about his artistic talents.

Duke University Chapel Dean Sam Wells says Jesus’ way of leading puts devotion and service ahead of prominence and power.

The owner of Magnolia Bakery in New York City doesn’t stay up at night for business reasons anymore.

A conversation with the owner of Magnolia Bakery in New York City.

Sometimes adding more locations to a famous hole-in-the-wall spot isn’t the best idea. Steve Abrams, owner of Magnolia Bakery, describes the push-pull.

Steve Abrams, owner of Magnolia Bakery, dropped out of college one semester in. Would his life be different with a degree?