Cheryl Strayed talks with the poet Joy Harjo about beauty, prophecies and listening to your spiritual council. Joy tells the story of being named the 23rd poet laureate of the United States, and opens up about leaving home to attend a Bureau of

‘There’s a Quiet All Over the World’

May 13th, 2020 36m 32s

Cheryl calls Billy Collins, a former poet laureate of the United States, at his home in Florida. The two reflect on the collective silence — and slowness — that has befallen the world, and they discuss the unexpected comfort in memorizing poetr

'Whatever We Have, We Have to Work With It.'

May 6th, 2020 28m 7s

Cheryl calls Alice Walker, the poet and novelist, at her home in Mendocino, California. They talk about ancestors, solitude and the time it takes to heal.Cheryl asks Alice about remembering her dreams, and the two discuss suffering and resilien

‘This Terrible Thing Is Happening, but the World Goes On.’

Apr 29th, 2020 33m 4s

Cheryl calls Judy Blume, the beloved young-adult novelist, at her home in the Florida Keys. The two talk about raising teens, losing religion and decades of writing it all down.

‘You Don’t Take Dictation. You Find the Truth.’

Apr 22nd, 2020 38m 48s

Note: This episode contains descriptions of suicide and sexual violence. Cheryl phones Amy Tan at her home overlooking Sausalito Bay in California. The two compare notes on family, grief and the long arc of resilience.

'Joyful Participation in a World of Sorrows'

Apr 15th, 2020 34m 54s

Cheryl calls Pico Iyer, the travel writer and novelist, at his apartment in Japan. Pico tells the story of losing his home to a forest fire in the early ’90s, and the unexpected lessons in that loss.Cheryl asks Pico about his travels with the D

'Roll Up Your Sleeves, Girls’

2 Apr 8th, 2020 33m 40s

Today, Cheryl calls up one of the most prolific writers of our generation, the environmentalist and octogenarian Margaret Atwood. Margaret shares how she’s spending her time in isolation, including sewing masks and fending off squirrels. Cheryl

'Everything is Always Keep Changing'

Apr 3rd, 2020 41m 16s

On the first episode of “Sugar Calling,” Cheryl calls author George Saunders, her old friend and mentor from graduate school, to chat through the uncertainties of this moment. Today, we listen in on their conversation.

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Introducing 'Sugar Calling'

Apr 1st, 2020 1m 48s

Cheryl Strayed, who is also known as Sugar, says writing taught her how to give advice. In this moment of uncertainty, she’s turning to the writers who inspire her for courage and insight.

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