Today on STC, I’m joined by someone I’ve had the pleasure of working with (and learning from) for years: Gregg Wilhelm, Director of Mason Creative Writing, co-founder of Watershed Lit, and long-time literary advocate and publishing pro. Gregg’s experience spans every corner of the literary world—from launching presses to running CityLit, mentoring students, and staying in the fray as the arts face new pressures and provocations.

In this conversation, we go deep on:

• The state of MFA programs and the future of English majors

• Why fewer students are reading (and how to bring them back)

• The collapse of public arts funding and what can (or can’t) replace it

• How to maintain faith and focus when AI, apathy, and anti-humanities sentiment threaten to flatten everything we care about

• The power of literary citizenship—not just as a concept, but as a lifeline for community and creative survival

I’ve always admired Gregg for his tireless advocacy, his unshakable belief in writers and teachers, and his realism that never tips into resignation. He’s someone who doesn’t just talk about “resistance,” he builds platforms, creates programs, and helps train the next generation of literary citizens.

This episode is especially relevant for:

• Writing students and aspiring educators

• Anyone navigating the literary world post-Covid / mid-AI

• Advocates trying to make sense of a shrinking public square for the arts

• Listeners who want to be reminded why stories still matter—and how we can keep telling them, even now

If you dig it, please share with a teacher, student, or friend trying to do the good work.

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CityLit Project: @citylitproject

Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression.

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