Wild Precious Life Evergreen Podcasts

Today, we have something new. This past spring, Annmarie gathered with eight local writers to try a podcasting project. Over the course of six weeks together, they wrote side-by-side, saying YES to whatever stories arose. About friendship and loss, dreams and possibility, parents and belief. These sessions were sometimes tearful and painful, but they were always beautiful. And powerful. Because something important happens when we create in community. In this episode, we share eight short essays. Some folks have been writing for decades. Others are just getting started. All of them have stories to tell.


Episode Sponsors:

Literary Cleveland – Developing writers, amplifying voices, and transforming our community through storytelling. You can explore other voices and discover your own. Search for classes and find your creative community at litcleveland.org.

Mac’s Backs – A proud Cleveland indie bookstore with three floors for browsing, great online service, and chocolate milkshakes right next door. Find your next great read and shop online at macsbacks.com.


Writers Showcased in this Episode:

Alvis Pettker
Tamar Cloyd
Jackie Sliva
T. Lee Peters
Deborah Taddeo
Emily Jaster
L.P.
Amy Alspach


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Crystal Wilkinson is the award-winning author of several books including Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks. She was Poet Laureate of Kentucky from 2021 to 2023, and currently teaches creative writing at the University of Kentucky where she is a Bush-Holbrook Endowed Professor. In today’s episode, Crystal and Annmarie discuss kitchen ghosts, family recipes – including how biscuits need to “kiss,” and the blessings and self-awareness we find in the stories of our ancestors.


Episode Sponsor:

Charis Books and More – An independent feminist bookstore. Charis fosters sustainable feminist communities, works for social justice, and encourages the expression of diverse and marginalized voices. When you spend your money or your time at Charis Books and More, you are investing in the radical belief that multi-racial organizing and movement- building centered in a Southern, queer, feminist, anti-racist practice can
shift culture and change lives and we appreciate your support. Stop by our
Decatur, Georgia store or find us online at charisbooksandmore.com.

BEM | books and more – BEM is a bookstore specializing in food literature of the African Diaspora, inspired by a line of dynamic and brilliant Black women who season with love and spin tales with the best of them. Honoring that legacy and those of Black folks and families across time and place is at the heart of what they do. Food opens a door to life, to sustenance, to love, to politics, and BEM | books and more is thrilled to welcome you into their community to explore it all together. Discover more online at bembrooklyn.com or on their Instagram @bembrooklyn.

Wild Precious Life listeners receive 10% off their orders at BEM | books and more. Just type in the code WILDPRECIOUSLIFE (all one word) when you check out.


Titles Discussed in this Episode:

Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks, by Crystal Wilkinson

Perfect Black, by Crystal Wilkinson

The Birds of Opulence, by Crystal Wilkinson

Other conversations with Crystal Wilkinson:

PRAISESONG FOR THE KITCHEN GHOSTS: STORIES AND RECIPES FROM FIVE GENERATIONS OF BLACK COUNTRY COOKS

PERFECT BLACK: CRYSTAL WILKINSON IN CONVERSATION WITH KIESE LAYMON

BREATH BETTER SPENT: LIVING BLACK GIRLHOOD--DAMARIS B. HILL IN CONVERSATION WITH CRYSTAL WILKINSON



Follow Crystal Wilkinson:
Instagram: @crystalwilki
Twitter: @crystalwilki
Facebook: @wilkinsoncrystal
crystalewilkinson.net









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Christina Cooke was born in Jamaica and is now a Canadian citizen who lives and writes in New York City. BROUGHTUPSY is her debut novel. In today’s episode, Annmarie and Christina discuss cultural upbringings, the cruelty of children, the joys of weightlifting, and how all humans are complex and contradictory and deserving of love. 


Episode Sponsor:

Zora’s Den – Dedicated to empowering the lives of Black women writers. At Zora’s Den, we host a monthly reading series, conduct workshops, and invite writers to share their work-in-progress for feedback and constructive criticism. Our hope is to build a sisterhood of writers at every level of accomplishment and to strengthen the voices of the unheard and unacknowledged. If you’re a Black woman writer, you’re welcome to join us. Learn more at zorasden.com.

Brain Lair Books – A black-owned, woman-owned children's bookstore located in South Bend, Indiana. At Brain Lair, we partner with local schools and universities to help build an inclusive, welcoming community. We specialize in juvenile and young adult literature written by and for Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQIA+, and Disabled communities, as well as adult nonfiction about ending white supremacy, promoting anti-racism, and becoming a social activist. We can help you find the books you need. Drop by or browse online at brainlairbooks.com.


Titles Discussed in this Episode:

BROUGHTUPSY, by Christina Cooke

IMAGINARY HOMELANDS, by Salman Rushdie

WHITE TEETH, by Zadie Smith

It’s All Coming Back to Me Now, by Celine Dion.

Learn more about Louise Bennett, a Jamaican folklorist and poet. 



Follow Christina Cooke:
Instagram: @christina.j.cooke
Twitter: @christinajcooke
www.christinajcooke.com
Photo credit: Eli Jules Photography 


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Sarah Kain Gutowski is the author of Fabulous Beast and along with interdisciplinary artist Meredith Starr, she’s co-creator of Every Second Feels Like Theft, a conversation in cyanotypes and poems, and It's All Too Much, a limited edition podcast and art project. She’s out now with a new book of narrative poetry, The Familiar. In today’s episode, Sarah and Annmarie discuss the ache of literary ambition, how parenthood divides us from ourselves, and how Moonstruck is one of the best movies of all time.

Episode Sponsor:

Zora’s Den – Dedicated to empowering the lives of Black women writers. At Zora’s Den, we host a monthly reading series, conduct workshops, and invite writers to share their work-in-progress for feedback and constructive criticism. Our hope is to build a sisterhood of writers at every level of accomplishment and to strengthen the voices of the unheard and unacknowledged. If you’re a Black woman writer, you’re welcome to join us. Learn more at zorasden.com.

Split Rock Books – A locally-owned, independently-minded neighborhood bookstore located in the heart of the Hudson Valley. Split Rock carries a curated selection of new books with a focus on literary fiction and non-fiction, small presses, local interest, and children's books. We host a variety of family programming, book clubs, readings, signings and discussions. And we’re located steps from the Cold Spring train station, which is just over an hour from New York City. Learn more or shop online at splitrockbks.com.


Titles Discussed in this Episode:

The Familiar, by Sarah Kain Gutowski

Fabulous Beast, by Sarah Kain Gutowski 
Kate Bush's album 50 Words for Snow

One of Annmarie and Sarah’s favorite scenes from the movie Moonstruck.

Hills Like White Elephants, a short story by Ernest Hemingway.

​
Follow Sarah Kain Gutowski:
Instagram: @sarahkaingutowski
Twitter: @skgutowski
Facebook: /sarahkaingutowskiauthor
TikTok: @sarahkaingutowski
Email: sarah.kain.gutowski [at] gmail.com
Website: https://www.sarahkaingutowski.com

Photo credit: Priyanca Rao



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Originally from Argentina, Cecilia Gentili came to the U.S. pursuing a safer life as a transgender woman. She lived undocumented for 10 years. After surviving arrests and an immigration detention, she accessed recovery services and won asylum. Cecilia founded Transgender Equity Consulting, which works to ensure all people living on the margins receive dignity and respect. In today’s episode, Annmarie and Cecilia talk about growing up on the margins, emigrating to the United States, and how to love and forgive people who struggle to offer dignity or understanding in return.  

Cecilia Gentili passed away on Feb. 6, 2024. She was 52 years old.

Episode Sponsor:

The Word Is Change – A neighborhood bookstore in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, selling used and new books, hosting readings and meetings, buying books for resale, and supporting visual artists. Come into the store and find the perfect book you were looking for, or the perfect book you didn’t even know you were looking for. And shop online at thewordischange.com.


Titles Discussed in this Episode:

FALTAS, by Cecilia Gentili

Here are links to some of Cecilia’s favorite songs:

Isabel Pantoja singing “Abrásame Muy Fuerte,” (or Hug Me Really Hard.

Gilda singing “No me Arrepiento de este Amor,” (or I Don't Regret This Love). 

Laura Branigan singing “Gloria.” 

Here’s a clip from Cecilia Gentili appearing as Ms. Orlando in POSE.





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Leslie Jamison has written two essay collections, The Empathy Exams and Make It Scream, Make It Burn. She also gained prominence for her critical memoir, The Recovering: Intoxication and Its Aftermath. She’s out now with a new book, Splinters, about raising a child during the end of a relationship and the beginning of the pandemic. In today’s episode, Annmarie and Leslie talk about motherhood and how it’s both a mad transformative mystery and a boring daily slog. It’s both the Cheerios ground into the carpet and the love etched into your heart. 

Episode Sponsors:

Greenlight Bookstore – Through knowledgeable staff, curated book selection, community partnerships, and a robust e-commerce website, Greenlight combines the best traditions of the neighborhood bookstore with a forward-looking sensibility, and welcomes readers of every kind to the heart of Brooklyn. Learn more and shop online at greenlightbookstore.com.

Flourish After Forty – A women’s retreat cultivating growth and contentment in midlife. Join facilitators Dr. Shannon Sherfey and Holly Stencil for a weekend of nourishing your body, mind, and spirit. We’ll examine struggles, let go of narratives that do not serve us, and shift our mindset toward blooming in midlife. If you’re looking to step away from stagnation and move into joy and gratitude, check out the Flourish After 40 Women’s Retreat today. Go to tinyurl.com/FlourishAfterForty to learn more.


Titles by Leslie Jamison:

SPLINTERS: ANOTHER KIND OF LOVE STORY
THE EMPATHY EXAMS
MAKE IT SCREAM, MAKE IT BURN
THE RECOVERING: INTOXICATION AND ITS AFTERMATH
THE GIN CLOSET: A NOVEL

Other Titles and Authors Discussed in this Episode:

Easy Beauty, by Chloé Cooper Jones
Flight, by Lynn Steger Strong

Here’s a trailer for the latest season of Love Island.


Follow Leslie Jamison:

Twitter: @lsjamison
www.lesliejamison.com
Photo credit: Beowulf Sheehan


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