Backlit

Abena Ntoso
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Society & Culture
  • Monthly

Backlit is a series of groundbreaking conversations with emerging authors. Hosted by Abena Ntoso, each empowering discussion goes behind the literature and beyond it, inspiring intellectual and creative engagement around social issues. Built on authentic curiosity and camaraderie, Backlit transcends literary discourse to become a generative space documenting the emergence of new perspectives and new possibilities for life and work.

Episodes

  1. Oct 11

    Smoke Drifts: Literary Empowerment and the Resilience of Afghan Women

    I'd love to hear your thoughts! Use the record button below to send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! How do literature and poetry help sustain individuals and society through times of oppression? What can we learn from the literary work of Afghan women writers and poets? In this episode of Backlit, scholars Diana Arterian and Marina Omar join me in exploring literature's role in developing humanity and resilience, inspired by their translation of Nadia Anjuman's poetry collection, Smoke Drifts, winner of the Northern California Book Award in Translation. Illuminating and empowering, Arterian's and Omar's work introduces us to the beauty and power of Afghan women's poetry and invites us to imagine new possibilities for advocacy in literature and life. Topics discussed: Afghan women writers as voices of resistanceFamily support for engaging with literatureThe role of literature in sustaining individuals and societyThe tradition of poetry in Persian culturesLiterary translation and bringing Anjuman's poetry to a global audienceSticking with a long-term projectLiterary and intellectual activismFinding the words and voice to express frustration and angerHumanity, agency and advocacy in contemporary societyLinks: Episode webpagePurchase Smoke Drifts by Nadia Anjuman, translated by Diana Arterian and Marina OmarAuthor Website: Diana ArterianOther literature by Afghan women: My Dear Kabul: A Year in the Life of An Afghan Women’s Writing GroupHair on Fire: Afghan Women PoetsMy Pen is the Wing of a Bird: New Fiction by Afghan WomenDancing in the Mosque by Homeira QaderiThe Mirror of My Heart: A Thousand Years of Persian Poetry by WomenMore information on women's literary activism in Afghanistan: “Daughters of Afghanistan, Literary Voices of Change” by Aria Fani on PBS"The Last Torch: The Sisters Who Defied the Taliban by Singing" from BBC (26 minutes)Ways to advocate: Sahar Education nonprofit

    Smoke Drifts: Literary Empowerment and the Resilience of Afghan Women

  2. Aug 10

    Hybrid Heaven: Bricolage, Global Mixture, and Crafting a Third Thing

    I'd love to hear your thoughts! Use the record button below to send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! How does hybridity shape identity and culture? What new possibilities arise when we connect across languages, cultures, time and space? In this episode of Backlit, poet and scholar Andrew Geoffrey Kwabena Moss joins me in imagining possibilities for the future, inspired by his latest poetry collection Hybrid Heaven and Other(ed) Poems. Imaginative and liberating, Moss’s work examines how the blending of cultures, languages, ideas, time, and space creates new possibilities for literature and life. Topics discussed: Hybridity and literary influencesAfropean influences in music, fashion, and literatureBricolage and growing up with a hybridity of culturesAfrofuturism in contemporary cultureGlobal and extraplanetary explorationBuilding your own “library for liberation”Connecting with people across languages and culturesCrafting a third thingLinks: Episode WebpagePurchase Hybrid Heaven by Andrew Geoffrey Kwabena MossPurchase Japanapandon by Andrew Geoffrey Kwabena MossAuthor Website: Andrew Geoffrey Kwabena Moss

    Hybrid Heaven: Bricolage, Global Mixture, and Crafting a Third Thing

  3. May 3

    Sleep Phase: Playing with Time, Language, and Truth

    I'd love to hear your thoughts! Use the record button below to send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! What happens when reality becomes surreal? How do we draw the line between fiction and nonfiction? In this episode of Backlit, Egyptian novelist and poet Mohamed Kheir joins me in exploring surreal situations, inspired by the English translation of Sleep Phase. Blending past, present, and future in scenes that evoke the chaotic beauty of a changing city, Mohamed’s work examines how monumental shifts influence our understanding of ourselves and our world. Topics discussed: Surrealism and artistic influencesInspiration from history and culture of CairoChallenges in literary translationDrawing a line between fiction and nonfictionDeconstruction and reconstruction in urban landscapesNavigating mass media in an age of misinformation and fake newsInspiration from observing your surroundingsLinks: Episode webpage with transcriptPurchase Sleep Phase by Mohamed KheirPurchase Slipping by Mohamed Kheir

    Sleep Phase: Playing with Time, Language, and Truth

  4. Feb 24

    The Book of Kin: Imagination, Connection, and Learning to Articulate

    I'd love to hear your thoughts! Use the record button below to send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! How can we turn gaps into opportunities for imagination and creativity? What does it take to have meaningful human connection? How can writing help us articulate our ideas and values? In this episode of Backlit, writer and visionary Jennifer Eli Bowen joins me in exploring personal growth through literary writing and human connection, inspired by her essay collection, The Book of Kin. Examining love and absence through both personal and social lenses, Jen’s work honors both the beauty and difficulty of being present. Topics discussed: Embracing gaps and fragmentation in writing and lifeBlending imagination and nonfictionLife lessons learned through writingPersonal growth and learning to articulate yourself through writingHuman connection versus isolationLearning to be presentCounteracting burnout cultureLinks: Episode WebpagePurchase The Book of Kin: On Absence, Love, and Being There by Jennifer Eli BowenAuthor Website: Jennifer Eli Bowen

    The Book of Kin: Imagination, Connection, and Learning to Articulate

  5. 11/24/2025

    The City, Our City: Complexity, Tension, and Our Moment in History

    I'd love to hear your thoughts! Use the record button below to send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! How do we navigate complexity and tension in our daily lives? What happens when we hold complexity, rather than resolution, at the center of our understanding of cities, people, and art itself? In this episode of Backlit, poet and editor Wayne Miller joins me in exploring the city’s impact on individuals and society, inspired by his poetry collection The City, Our City. Balancing history and modernity, Wayne’s work examines how the city—real or imagined—shapes not only where we live, but who we become as individuals and as a society. Topics discussed: Tension between city and small town/rural areasTension between literature/art and violenceWhat publishers looks for in a literary workComplexity and tensionComplexity and simplicityIdealism and pragmatismOptimism and pessimismLinks: Episode WebpagePurchase The City, Our City by Wayne MillerAuthor Website: Wayne Miller

    The City, Our City: Complexity, Tension, and Our Moment in History

  6. 09/07/2025

    Night: Attention, Serendipity, and Hope in Language and Life

    I'd love to hear your thoughts! Use the record button below to send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! What can literary translation teach us about life? How does our attention to language generate hope and lead to new opportunities? In this episode of Backlit, writer and translator Marguerite Feitlowitz joins me in generating ideas for deepening understanding and stimulating creativity, inspired by her translation of Ennio Moltedo’s groundbreaking collection, Night. Brimming with imagination, humanity, and hope, Marguerite’s work embodies the creative potential present in our use of language as a way to connect with one another across cultures. Topics discussed: Challenges of literary translationWhat one learns from translating poetryPaying attention to language… and what it teaches us about paying attentionHow careful attention and serendipity lead to opportunitiesDocumentary surrealUsing literature as a springboard for learning about history and cultureTriangle of hope — history, present, and creativityLiterary Translation Publishers & Resources: World PoetryOpen Letter BooksWords Without BordersAsymptoteAmerican Literary Translators AssociationPEN America Translation CommitteeLinks: Episode WebpagePurchase Night by Ennio Moltedo, translated by Marguerite FeitlowitzOther books by Marguerite FeitlowitzAuthor Website: Marguerite Feitlowitz

    Night: Attention, Serendipity, and Hope in Language and Life

  7. 07/17/2025

    American Reverie: Inspiration, Conversation, and Growth

    I'd love to hear your thoughts! Use the record button below to send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! How do we define and redefine ourselves as individuals? As a society? How do dialogue and correspondence move us toward real freedom and growth? In this episode of Backlit, poets Donnelle McGee and Synnika Lofton join me in generating ideas for exploring and revising ourselves and our world, inspired by their poetry collection, American Reverie. Topics discussed: Inspiration from music and poetryExploring and shaping identity through writingWhat’s next for American philosophy & culture Tips for writing and revisionCorrespondence as communication & art formInspiration & growth through writing and conversation Literary practice & freedomLinks: Episode Webpage with TranscriptPurchase books by Donnelle McGee, Synnika LoftonAuthor Website: Donnelle McGee, Synnika Lofton

    American Reverie: Inspiration, Conversation, and Growth

  8. 06/01/2025

    Just Labor: Work, Gender, and Writing in the Modern Age

    I'd love to hear your thoughts! Use the record button below to send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! The Industrial Age has come to a close, and we are now in the midst of the Information Age—or are we past it? In this episode of Backlit, poet Laura-Gray Street joins us in a brainstorming conversation inspired by her recent poetry collection, Just Labor. Weaving together gender, industrialization, ecology and work, Laura-Gray’s work sparks new insights as we approach literature and life as an opportunity for discovery. Topics discussed: Writing as a journey of discoveryImpact of AI & gender issues on workThe silence of privilegeWriting ecopoetry & addressing environmental justiceTeaching writing & the case for small classesHumanity & the work of caring for one anotherWriting inspiration & weaving together ideasLinks: Episode Webpage with TranscriptPurchase books by Laura-Gray StreetAuthor Website: Laura-Gray Street

    Just Labor: Work, Gender, and Writing in the Modern Age
  • 8 Episodes

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Backlit is a series of groundbreaking conversations with emerging authors. Hosted by Abena Ntoso, each empowering discussion goes behind the literature and beyond it, inspiring intellectual and creative engagement around social issues. Built on authentic curiosity and camaraderie, Backlit transcends literary discourse to become a generative space documenting the emergence of new perspectives and new possibilities for life and work.

Information

  • Creator
    Abena Ntoso
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Abena Ntoso
  • Show Website
    Backlit