John T. Edge

John T. Edge

From Hear-Tell by heartell

May 15, 2026 · 35 min · Episode 27

About this episode

Diana Keough interviews John T. Edge about his memoir 'House of Smoke' and its exploration of Southern identity and culture.

In this episode of Hear Tell, Diana Keough talks with author and University of Georgia MFA Distinguished Professor of Practice John T. Edge about his new memoir, House of Smoke. Known for helping shape the national conversation around Southern food and culture, Edge turns inward in this deeply personal book, examining the complicated inheritance of family, race, violence, memory, and Southern identity. Edge explains how he turned his house, hometown — and the South itself — into characters in his book: living, complicated presences that shape identity, memory, and the stories people tell themselves about who they are. He also reflects on reckoning with the stories we inherit, and the complicated work of loving a place enough to tell the truth about it. House of Smoke is available wherever books are sold. For more information about John T. Edge and his work, visit his website at johntedge.com.

People in this episode

Host: Diana Keough

Guest: John T. Edge

Topics covered

  • Southern food
  • memoir
  • identity
  • family
  • race
  • culture

Keywords

  • John T. Edge
  • House of Smoke
  • Southern food
  • memoir
  • identity
  • family
  • race
  • culture

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Georgia

Books & works: House of Smoke

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