EPISODE · Jun 3, 2026 · 27 MIN
David Owen on Where the Water Goes
from Origin Stories
David Owen is a longtime staff writer at The New Yorker and the author of numerous books about technology, infrastructure, and the hidden systems that shape everyday life. In Where the Water Goes, he follows the Colorado River from its headwaters in the Rocky Mountains to its overburdened terminus, using the river's journey to explore how water, politics, engineering, and geography have shaped the modern American West.In this episode, he talks to Matthew about the New Yorker article that inspired the book, the challenge of turning water law and infrastructure into narrative, and why following the river gave him the perfect structure for telling a much larger story. Along the way, he reflects on the value of curiosity, the art of explaining complicated subjects, and the practical realities of making a living as a freelance writer.“The freelancer's rule is: use every part of the buffalo,” he says. “Write a story, and if there are leftovers, you try to turn that into a story.”To connect with the team and gain access to behind the scenes content, join our community at joincampside.com. You can also find us on Instagram, TikTok & Youtube. Have a question, guest recommendation or just want to say hi? Email us at [email protected] Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
What this episode covers
David Owen is a longtime staff writer at The New Yorker and the author of numerous books about technology, infrastructure, and the hidden systems that shape everyday life. In Where the Water Goes, he follows the Colorado River from its headwaters in the Rocky Mountains to its overburdened terminus, using the river's journey to explore how water, politics, engineering, and geography have shaped the modern American West. In this episode, he talks to Matthew about the New Yorker article that inspired the book, the challenge of turning water law and infrastructure into narrative, and why following the river gave him the perfect structure for telling a much larger story. Along the way, he reflects on the value of curiosity, the art of explaining complicated subjects, and the practical realities of making a living as a freelance writer. “The freelancer's rule is: use every part of the buffalo,” he says. “Write a story, and if there are leftovers, you try to turn that into a story.” To connect with the team and gain access to behind the scenes content, join our community at joincampside.com. You can also find us on Instagram, TikTok & Youtube. Have a question, guest recommendation or just want to say hi? Email us at [email protected]. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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David Owen on Where the Water Goes
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