Creating Our Own Lives

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[S2] Lindy West: Comedy Helps Us Love Our Bodies Jun 08, 2017

Show notes

“When everything feels horrible, what tiny detail can we seize on and laugh about.”

Writer Lindy West talks about being fat and being a feminist with an honesty and vulnerability infused with humor. Titles of her essays and books — “My wedding was perfect — and I was fat as hell the whole time” or Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman — get at both the laughter and pain of her journey to body positivity, with poignant insights into the destructive power of comedy.

[S2] Derrick Clements: Humor Can Break Down Barriers of Pride Jun 08, 2017

Show notes

“The real Book of Mormon is on my shelf, and next to it, the Book of Mormon Musical. And I’m spiritually enriched by both.”

Ask anyone who isn’t a Mormon what they know about the faith — chances are, they’ll cite something they learned from South Park or The Book of Mormon. They’ll also probably say that Mormons are the nicest people you’ll ever meet. Derrick Clements has humor and infinite patience for being associated with this stereotype, and he doesn’t let it undermine the thoughtfulness or depth of his faith.

[S2] Margaret Cho: The Deep Connection Between Anger and Humor Jun 08, 2017

Show notes

“The best expression of humor is something that comes out of suffering and comes out of a sense of alienation.”

Margaret Cho opens difficult conversations about rape, abuse, addiction, failure, and anger through her work as a comedian and writer. Anger and humor, she says, are deeply connected. And she sees talking and joking about her pain as a way to help people heal.

[S2] Jonny Sun: Jokes Make the World a Little Less Lonely Jun 08, 2017

Show notes

“Humor is a tool for inclusion and for making everyone realize: we’re all together on this.”

Jonny Sun has formed a devoted community of almost half a million followers on Twitter — tweeting through his alter ego, a lonely alien who views the world as an outsider, with curiosity and wonder. His tweets alternate between silly jokes and insightful, almost Zen-like, poetry. Through his words, he makes the world feel a little less lonely.

Season 2 Preview — Humor as a Tool for Survival May 18, 2017

Show notes

Humor as a tool for survival. That’s the theme of our second season of Creating Our Own Lives. Host Lily Percy speaks with 15 different voices on the surprising ways humor shapes them and brings meaning to their lives. Including insights from writers, comedians, political and financial reporters, a sex educator and a rabbi — and starring voices like Margaret Cho, Hari Kondabolu, Terry McMillan, Sam Sanders, and Lindy West.

[S1] Mike Stavlund: Running is an Inherent Good Jul 29, 2016

Show notes

“When I’m running, I’m in my body, with all of its limitations but with all of its capabilities at the same time.” Mike Stavlund is the author of “A Force of Will” a memoir about the death of his 4-month-old son.

[S1] Justin Whitaker: ChiRunning: A Sitting Meditation Jul 22, 2016

Show notes

“If you watched me run, you wouldn’t think I was sitting or thinking about sitting.” Justin Whitaker is a writer, a ChiRunner and a Buddhist. For Justin, running is a part of his spiritual practice.

[S1] Sarah Khasawinah: Active Freedom Jul 15, 2016

Show notes

“When I’m running, I feel like I’m actively expressing gratitude.” Sarah Khasawinah works in the Senate to improve policies for older Americans. Her work requires focus and discipline, something that she also finds in her spiritual practice of running.

[S1] Roger Joslin: Preparing for Both the Run and the Prayer Jul 08, 2016

Show notes

“I began to notice that my running life and my meditating life were beginning to merge.” Roger Joslin is an Episcopal priest and the author of “Running the Spiritual Path,” a how-to guide on running as meditation and prayer.

[S1] Mallary Tenore: I Always Think of My Mom When I'm Running Jul 01, 2016

Show notes

“My love for running started with me running towards my mom.” Mallary Tenore’s mother, Robin Jo, introduced her to one of the defining practices in her life: running — which has been equal parts destructive, spiritual, and healing.

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