Episode 58: Kiese Laymon

Published: June 27, 2020, 5:16 a.m.

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On studentship, using your art to heal, and becoming heavy enough to hold it all.

Kiese Laymon is the author of three books, most recently the NY Times bestselling memoir, Heavy: An American Memoir. He is a Professor of English born and raised in Jackson Mississippi.

  • The places we stay [3:26]
  • What inspired Kiese to write Heavy to his mother [5:05]
  • The consequences of masking pain [7:18]
  • How learning requires failure [11:31]
  • Parenting and secrets [14:25]
  • The importance of tender touch [18:25]
  • What does it mean to repair damage done? [21:43]
  • The overlapping problems with police [25:19]
  • Gambling addiction and recovery [29:50]
  • Kiese\'s Grandmother. Embodying love. Heavy enough [36:03]

Resources

Heavy by Kiese Laymon
Kiese Laymon on Dani Shapiro\'s podcast Family Secrets

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