Playwright Michael Ross Albert joins Chris Tolley to discuss his acclaimed play The Bidding War and the personal experience that helped inspire it. Michael shares what it was like to buy his first home through an affordable housing program — a moment that felt like winning the lottery, but also brought intense financial fear and uncertainty. Despite finally finding a place to call his own, Michael opens up about the pressure of speculative real estate and how that anxiety found its way into his writing. He and Chris dive into why plays that make us laugh can also leave the deepest mark.

The Bidding War is by Michael Ross Albert.