For eight years, journalist Susan Hartman followed three refugees building new lives in the old manufacturing city of Utica, New York: Sadia, a bright, spirited Somali Bantu teenager who rebels against her formidable mother; Ali, an Iraqi interpreter who creates a home with an American woman but is haunted by war; and Mersiha, a Bosnian baker who gambles everything to open a café. We talk about Susan's new book, City of Refugees, and so much more.
They are part of a remarkable migration: Over the past four decades, thousands of refugees—fleeing persecution and war—have revitalized the small upstate city. They were finding their way in a city that needed them.
For over 20 years, Susan Hartman has been writing intimate stories about people and communities. Her cover stories and profiles have appeared in The New York Times, The Christian Science Monitor, and Newsday.
She has teamed up with some of the best American photographers, profiling a Belfast boy who needed a break from summer violence; a Chinese immigrant who repairs watches on a Brooklyn street; and Ghanaian live-in home health aides—far from their homes in the Bronx—who are united through a prayer call.
On June 7, 2022, her book, City of Refugees, the Story of Three Newcomers Who Breathed Life into a Dying American Town, was published by Beacon Press.
The author of two books of poetry, Hartman was educated at Kirkland College and received an MFA from Columbia University’s School of the Arts, where she now teaches. She has taught journalism at Yale, NYU, and Barnard College.
She lives outside New York City with her husband. They have a grown son and daughter.
Help Support Future Episodes!
What Matters Most is 100% listener supported by generous pledges from people just like you.
Did this episode speak to you? Please consider pledging your support for as little as $5.00 per month... or pledge at higher levels and enjoy perks like a guided meditation audiobook, a library of Paul Samuel Dolman e-books... and more!
Your Honest Review of What Matters Most Helps the Show Reach More People!
If you enjoyed this -- or any! -- episode of the What Matters Most podcast, please leave a review of the show! Reviews help boost the show in rankings, which makes it more visible... and that means more listeners! It's a great way to spread the word about What Matters Most!
Create your review - click here!
Subscribe for Free to Never Miss an Episode
Click the appropriate link to follow the show so you get every episode of What Matters Most as soon as they're available!
Read the Book That Inspires the Show
Paul Samuel Dolman, author, podcaster, and speaker, presents What Matters Most (the book!) a series of interview transcriptions from more than twenty inspirational Nashville and Tennessee residents, including special guest the journalist and author Bill Moyers.
Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, former Governor Don Sundquist, Academy Award-winning actress Patricia Neal,
