Who’s the B.O.S.S.?
At Books of Some Substance (or B.O.S.S.), our mission is to inspire listeners to deepen their love of reading and expand their understanding of the world through engaging conversations about books of substance.
Nick and Nathan co-founded B.O.S.S. as a book club in 2014. The original purpose was to goad Nathan into reading more literature and fewer self-help books. For years, we met regularly with a group of friends on the patio of El Rio in the Mission District in San Francisco.
When David joined the book club, he suggested we start a podcast to spread the B.O.S.S. mission to a broader audience. By sharing diverse perspectives, analyzing literary techniques, and uncovering the underlying messages of great works of literature, we aim to spark curiosity, foster critical thinking, and promote a lifelong love of learning.
Whether you’re a seasoned book lover or just starting your reading journey, we invite you to join us in exploring the power of books of some substance.
-
David Southard
CO-HOST, PRODUCTION
David is the craftsman. His rich understanding of the writing craft is a stabilizing voice on the podcast. He is also the audio wizard behind the scenes, snipping out all the ‘ummms’ and awkward pauses. David is the author of the novella, K at Liberation. His favorite book is Collected Fictions by Jorge Luis Borges’.
-
Nick Scandy
CO-FOUNDER
Nick is the collector. His love of reading has taken him far beyond the outer reaches of the literary canon. His vision got B.O.S.S. off the ground and for years he kept the machine ticking. In 2023, he took a break from the podcast to focus on other pursuits. He is the author of two novellas on the absurdity of office work. His favorite book is the next one.
-
Nathan Sharp
CO-HOST, DESIGN
Nathan is the seeker. He reads to uncover universal truths and connect philosophies. He is the creator of much of the artwork that B.O.S.S. releases. He has not authored a book, but blogs occasionally about motorcycling. His favorite book is Steppenwolf by Hermann Hesse.