Send us a text

In this "bonus" episode, which originally aired in radio format on November 25th, 2021 (and which I've only just now converted to podcast format), I discuss Thanksgiving the holiday, as well as the practice of giving thanks. I explore the history of the holiday, which actually has very little to do with the meal shared by Pilgrims and Wampanoags in 1621. That was more of a celebration than a thanksgiving, as (at least for the Pilgrims) giving thanks typically entailed fasting and quiet contemplation. In reading about the true origins of this holiday, I realized how thoroughly Christian it is, and what a large role religion originally played in US government, and how much more willing to go without certain creature comforts the American people used to be.

Send us a text

In this episode I briefly discuss the bullshit that is war of any kind and I pay brief homage to Matthew Perry (R.I.P.) before reflecting on some favorite passages from Rainer Maria Rilke's Letters to a Young Poet and Mason Currey's Daily Rituals: How Artists Work. In reflecting on what Rilke calls "the happiness of being a beginner," I announce my intention to begin writing a novel this month—and to complete 50,000 words of it—as a first-time participant in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). And in sharing some gems from Daily Rituals, I discuss some of my own sacred routines, as well as some words of wisdom on discipline and inspiration from Gustave Flaubert, Steve Reich, Samuel Beckett, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and Bernard Malamud.

Send us a text

In this episode, I mostly talk about Luis Rubiales, whom I'd never even heard of prior to the infamous kiss he planted on the lips of Jenni Hermoso after Spain won the World Cup last month. I also talk about the books I've been reading (and listening to), and the recent epiphany I had (again) about meditation.

Send us a text

Don't be fooled by the photo for this episode! I only talk about Make Your Schools Work for a few minutes near the end, but it's the only book I say much of anything about for this installment, and I needed something to take a picture of... I thought about snapping a shot of my bare belly, because I devote a good amount of time to exploring that topic here—women's bellies in general—but that would have felt way too vulnerable in way too many ways! So here I am with my sweet boy dog Tyke and a random-as-hell recent book purchase. In this episode I also talk about my family trip to Topsail Island, my discovery of an implicit bias I carry against women philosophers, some thoughts on climate change, and my continued adversity in the realm of physical health, which has led me to get curious about menopause, and due to my resulting google searches I've been seeing lots of ads aimed at menopausal women and they are BULLSHIT. This episode's got a good long rant about what they call "meno belly"—the extra fat around their middle that many women acquire during menopause. I talk about how this fat serves a valuable, health-supporting purpose, and I denounce the ridiculous notion that menopausal women should have flat stomachs. We shall never again be as we were, y'all. And that can be a beautiful thing!

Send us a text

In this episode, I explore some more ideas from the Alain de Botton book The Consolations of Philosophy, focusing on the surly sentiments of Schopenhauer and on Nietzsche's admonition to "live dangerously!" Happiness isn't about being safe all the time; nor is it about being comfortable or...well...happy. I also talk about the Medicine Buddha and the mantra associated with that archetype: TAYATA, OM BEKADZE, BEKADZE, MAHA BEKADZE, RADZA SAMUNGATE SOHA. I've recently been invoking him/it, trying to support my own healing (the "physical inadequacy" continues!) and that of those I love. Lastly, I discuss some ideas from the book Zen Spirit, Christian Spirit, by Robert E. Kennedy, Jesuit priest and Zen roshi. This episode has bells!

Send us a text

Send us a text

In this episode I talk about my first freelance editing gig (and also my last, with this particular company); rant about ChapGPT and AI in general; rave about TOOL's 2001 album, Lateralus; and of course address some ideas from stuff I've been reading, including Pema Chödrön's Start Where You Are. 

Send us a text

In this episode I talk about my continuing interest in all things editing and my deepening passion and appreciation for books, both for the education and entertainment they provide and for the quiet and solitude implied by being able to read them. I discuss my ever-evolving relationship with writing, and the realization that just because one is good at something doesn't mean they should make it their life's focus. I also share some of my thoughts and feelings about the recent school shooting in Nashville.

Send us a text

In this episode, I reflect on the living and learning that's happened in the past month in regards to my writing practice, which, as writing practices often do, is informing the rest of my life. Thanks to a book by Philip Gerard called Creative Nonfiction: Researching and Crafting Stories of Real Life, I've decided to incorporate more research into my writing. Two topics I've researched are regret and noise pollution, so I talk about some of those search results. (Did you know that some of the loudest noises humans make, happen under water? It's hideous! People are the worst!) In this episode I also share some updates on my journey toward becoming a freelance editor. 

Send us a text

In this second-ever podcast-only installment of the program, I catch you up on what I've been reading, writing, experiencing (including my first case of COVID), pondering, and witnessing over the last month. Along with continuing to immerse myself in the personal essay as a writing genre, I've been exploring literary editing as a possible new career, so HMU if you need something edited for cheap! This episode also includes a couple of short readings from Denis Johnson's "Train Dreams," more reflections on the book "Awakening the Buddha Within" by Lama Surya Das, and a monologue on the importance of having a regular practice of connecting to one's body and breath. There's also a good long rant near the end about the news media and about why I will never watch the footage of Tyre Nichols -- or anyone -- being murdered.