In this episode of Road Gang Radio, hosts Jimmy Mac and Lindsay Lawler sit down with debut author and former attorney Helena Haywoode Henry to discuss her explosive new young adult novel, Last Chance Live!, coming October 7, 2025 from HarperCollins.

Set in a near-future America obsessed with reality TV, the book follows eighteen-year-old death row inmate Eternity Price, who competes on the nation’s most popular show for the chance to win her freedom—or face execution. Helena explores themes of systemic injustice, media exploitation, and public perception, asking readers to critically examine American society and human nature.

Topics covered include:

The social commentary and justice themes in Last Chance Live!

How screens shape Eternity’s life—and ours

Reality TV as a lens to examine society’s fascinati ...