Tapestry

In a society that values thinness, writer Anshuman Iddamsetty said the anger fat people recieve is as much about his rejection of social norms and expectations, as it is about being fat.

Adam Smith, a writer and podcaster, decided to perform naked not once, but twice. He said he wanted to test his comfort level with his body, and so partook in a regular event called Naked Boys Reading.

Author Gemma Hartley spent years managing her household. All that extra work - the emotional labour needed to keep her husband and three kids comfortable - was going unacknowledged and undervalued ... till she hit her breaking point. Writer Stephen Marche shares the male perspective on emotional labour from a household where his wife is the chief breadwinner.

This week on Tapestry, Mary Hynes speaks with world-renowned philosopher Martha Nussbaum about anger - how it's used and abused, what it's for, and how human beings might learn to 'do' anger with a little more skill. Nussbaum's book on the subject is called "Anger and Forgiveness: Resentment, Generosity, Justice."

Martha Nussbaum was the winner of the 2018 Berggruen Prize for Philosophy and Culture, a one million dollar award given to a thinker whose ideas have profoundly shaped the world. She is a professor of Law and Ethics at the University of Chicago.

Rabbi David Rosen has worked in some very heated conflict zones - Ireland during "The Troubles", apartheid South Africa, and present-day Israel. Tahil Sharma draws on his dual faith background to build relationships across political and religious divides. Both men share their stories and perspectives on how to create meaningful relationships, especially when you don't see eye to eye.

One in three Canadians do not belong to a faith community. But we all seek meaning and a sense of purpose. In this episode, we explore some of the unorthodox places where people find fulfilment.

Michael Schur has given a lot of thought to the meaning of life. He's the creator of NBC's The Good Place, a sitcom that is equal parts escapism and ethics lesson. Schur also co-created Parks and Rec and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, two TV shows with an unmistakable optimism and a certain affection for the human race.

Novelist Margaret Atwood and ecological activist Vandana Shiva have been outspoken advocates for the environment for decades. They don't sugarcoat the enormity of the climate crisis humanity faces, but they do manage to find hope.

David Cain proposes a new tradition - "The Depth Year" - where you don't start anything new, but focus instead on what you've already begun. Martin Worthy shares memories about his life-long friend, writer and musician Paul Quarrington. And you'll hear an extraordinary performance of Quarrington's story "The Conversion", recorded just five months before he died.

Season greetings from the team at Tapestry

Religion scholar Elaine Pagels describes spiritual experiences she has had that defy explanation. Steven Newcomb explains why the Catholic Church needs to revoke a series of 15th century papal bulls. And Rignam Wangkhang brings you the art of kora, a Tibetan walking practice, from Kathmandu.