Sugar Calling

By The New York Times

Society & Culture Arts

What's Sugar Calling about?

Cheryl Strayed, also known as Sugar, says writing taught her how to give advice. In this moment of uncertainty, she’s setting aside advice-giving in favor of wisdom-seeking and turning to the writers who have long inspired her for courage and insight.

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Sugar Calling episodes:

05.20.2020
'I Release You, Fear'
Cheryl Strayed talks with the poet Joy Harjo about beauty, prophecies and listening to your spiritual council. Joy tells the story of being named the 23rd poet laureate of the United States, and opens up about leaving home to attend...
05.13.2020
‘There’s a Quiet All Over the World’
Cheryl calls Billy Collins, a former poet laureate of the United States, at his home in Florida. The two reflect on the collective silence — and slowness — that has befallen the world, and they discuss the unexpected comfort in...
05.06.2020
'Whatever We Have, We Have to Work With It.'
Cheryl calls Alice Walker, the poet and novelist, at her home in Mendocino, California. They talk about ancestors, solitude and the time it takes to heal. Cheryl asks Alice about remembering her dreams, and the two discuss suffering and resilience —...
04.29.2020
‘This Terrible Thing Is Happening, but the World Goes On.’
Cheryl calls Judy Blume, the beloved young-adult novelist, at her home in the Florida Keys. The two talk about raising teens, losing religion and decades of writing it all down.
04.22.2020
‘You Don’t Take Dictation. You Find the Truth.’
Note: This episode contains descriptions of suicide and sexual violence. Cheryl phones Amy Tan at her home overlooking Sausalito Bay in California. The two compare notes on family, grief and the long arc of resilience.
04.15.2020
'Joyful Participation in a World of Sorrows'
Cheryl calls Pico Iyer, the travel writer and novelist, at his apartment in Japan. Pico tells the story of losing his home to a forest fire in the early ’90s, and the unexpected lessons in that loss. Cheryl asks Pico about...
04.08.2020
'Roll Up Your Sleeves, Girls’
Today, Cheryl calls up one of the most prolific writers of our generation, the environmentalist and octogenarian Margaret Atwood. Margaret shares how she’s spending her time in isolation, including sewing masks and fending off squirrels. Cheryl asks Margaret whether she’s...
04.03.2020
'Everything is Always Keep Changing'
On the first episode of “Sugar Calling,” Cheryl calls author George Saunders, her old friend and mentor from graduate school, to chat through the uncertainties of this moment. Today, we listen in on their conversation.
04.01.2020
Introducing 'Sugar Calling'
In this moment of uncertainty, Cheryl Strayed turns to the writers who inspire her for courage and insight.