Poet Sabrina Benaim on being “that depression girl,” breaking expectations and her new audio-exclusive poetry collection, “Chaotic Good.”
Plus, director Ravi Jain (26:37) on adapting a 4,000-year-old Sanskrit poem for the stage, pushing the boundaries of theatre and the pressures of making an ancient story speak to modern life.
Dec 2023
Richard Thomas: To Kill a Mockingbird, why it’s still radical as ever, and the legacy of his role as John-boy on The Waltons
Richard Thomas is best known for playing John-Boy in the ‘70s drama series “The Waltons.” Now, he’s taking on one of literature and film’s most beloved characters, Atticus Finch, in Aaron Sorkin’s touring production of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Richard talks to Tom about taking on ... Show More
5m 39s
Sep 2023
Marcia Griffiths: The early days of reggae, creating the electric slide, and almost getting killed touring with Bob Marley
For 60 years, Marcia Griffiths has left an indelible mark on Jamaican music, often being called the Queen of Reggae. She sat down with Tom to talk about her incredible career in music, being one of Bob Marley’s I-Threes, and how she’s feeling about being honoured with the Order o ... Show More
34m 10s
Sep 2023
Bahamas: Making a “country” record, staying off your phone, and the problem with perfection
Afie Jurvanen, also known as Bahamas, talks to Tom about his new album, “Bootcut,” how he makes time to be creative, and the story behind his song, “Nothing Blows My Mind.”
17m 7s
Oct 2019
Vijay Seshadri Reads Sylvia Plath
Vijay Seshadri joins Kevin Young to read “The Moon and the Yew Tree,” by Sylvia Plath, and his own poem “Cliffhanging.” Seshadri is a poet whose work has been honored with the James Laughlin Award and the Pulitzer Prize for poetry. His latest book is “3 Sections,” and he recently ... Show More
36m 59s
Nov 2021
In a powerful memoir, poet Joy Harjo talks about finding her voice and using it
Poet Laureate Joy Harjo says she loved poetry as a kid, but didn't feel like it belonged to her. "It wasn't until I heard Native poets," she tells NPR's Michel Martin, "that I realized that, wow, this is a powerful tool of understanding and affirmation. And I don't know, I just s ... Show More
8m 41s
Mar 2024
Suleika Jaouad
New York Times bestselling author and journalist Suleika Jaouad began writing her Emmy Award-winning column, “Life, Interrupted,” from her hospital room, chronicling her experiences as a young adult with cancer. She joins to discuss her remarkable life, career, and bestselling me ... Show More
1h 23m
Jun 2024
Amrita Sher-Gil | Bride's Toilet
Amrita Sher-Gil, born in 1913 to a Sikh aristocrat and a Hungarian-Jewish opera singer, was a trailblazing artist who blended European and Indian influences. After studying art in Paris and achieving early success at the Grand Salon, she returned to India in 1934. Though initiall ... Show More
10m 38s
Sep 2013
Hommage à Salah Stétié – La poésie de l'Étranger par Michael Edwards
Conférence du 4 avril 2013. Salah Stétié, né à Beyrouth en 1929, est l'un des principaux poètes et essayistes contemporains de langue française. Auteur d'une cinquantaine de livres, poésie et prose, il a également collaboré avec de nombreux artistes à la création de livres d'arti ... Show More
16 m
Sep 2023
Jane Hirshfield, "The Asking: New and Selected Poems" (Knopf, 2023)
When poet Jane Hirshfield first arrived at Tassajara Monastery nearly fifty years ago, a Zen teacher told her that it was a good idea to have a question to practice with. She’s been asking questions ever since. Both in her Zen practice and in her poetry, Hirshfield is guided by q ... Show More
55 m
Sep 2020
Joy Harjo Reads Sandra Cisneros
Joy Harjo joins Kevin Young to read “Still-Life with Potatoes, Pearls, Raw Meat, Rhinestones, Lard, and Horse Hooves,” by Sandra Cisneros, and her own poem “Running.” Harjo is the current Poet Laureate of the United States, as well as a chancellor of the Academy of American Poets ... Show More
34m 44s