In Part 1 of this conversation on The CARTI Hopecast, Adam Head sits down with bestselling author, professor and writer, Harrison Scott Key, whose work explores some of life’s most painful realities through the unexpected lens of comedy.

Harrison is the author of The World’s Largest Man, winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor, and How to Stay Married, a deeply personal memoir about betrayal and forgiveness. Known for blending raw honesty with sharp humor, Harrison has built a career telling stories that reveal the strange intersection of heartbreak and laughter.

In this conversation, Harrison reflects on the complicated relationship with his father that inspired his first book, and how writing became a way to confront both love and resentment. He shares how grief and reconciliation shaped the emotional core of his work and why the stories we tell repeatedly often reveal the truths we are still trying to understand.

The episode also explores the difficult decision to write How to Stay Married, a book born out of one of the most painful chapters of Harrison’s life. With remarkable candor, he discusses the role of humor in surviving trauma, why forgiveness remains one of the most misunderstood human choices, and how storytelling can become both confession and healing.

Takeaways:

1. Natural law exhibits remarkable consistency across various cultures, underscoring our shared human values.
2. A pervasive belief in the importance of truth and promise-keeping exists among most societies.
3. Forgiveness is not universally accepted as a virtue within all worldviews, leading to varied emotional consequences.
4. Individuals who reject the concept of forgiveness often experience profound sadness and anger as a result.
5. The podcast emphasizes the significance of storytelling in understanding personal journeys and resilience.
6. The conversation highlights the therapeutic power of writing and humor in addressing life's challenges.

Referenced in this episode:

1. Harrison Scott Key
2. The World's Largest Man
3. How to Stay Married

Founded in 1976, CARTI delivers leading-edge cancer care in a compassionate, patient-centered environment. Our mission is to make trusted cancer care accessible for every patient we serve through compassion, innovation, and purpose.

The CARTI Hopecast shares authentic, meaningful stories that focus on human experiences. Every day, we see patients and families navigating unimaginable hardships, sometimes feeling alone in their journey. Through The Hopecast, listeners hear stories of resilience and transformation, fostering a sense of connection and hope.