She joined Jamilah King for a conversation in late February. For the full experience, listen to their interview on the Mother Jones Podcast or read the transcript below, which has been lightly edited and condensed.

Gay answers these questions and more in her sharp and accessible series on MasterClass called Writing for Social Change. How does she do it? How has she cultivated her voice over the years? How does she write things that make a difference? And, oh yes, she also has a podcast and is running a monthly online book club. Add to all this, a book of writing advice coming out in November called How to Be Heard, and a screenplay for Hunger and a YA novel that are works in progress. She has a New York Times advice column on work, money, and careers. Her works include a best-selling collections of essays ( Bad Feminist), a blockbuster memoir ( Hunger), the Black Panther comics, and countless essays of cultural criticism. Roxane Gay is one of the most prolific and versatile writers of our generation. Facts matter: Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily newsletter.