American Reverie: Inspiration, Conversation, and Growth

Sleep Phase: Playing with Time, Language, and Truth

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 influences * Inspiration from history and culture of Cairo * Challenges in literary translation * Drawing a line between fiction and nonfiction * Deconstruction and reconstruction in urban landscapes * Navigating mass media in an age of misinformation and fake news * Inspiration from observing your surroundings Links: * Episode webpage [https://www.abenantoso.com/podcast/backlit/sleep-phase-playing-with-time-language-and-truth] with transcript * Purchase Sleep Phase [https://bookshop.org/p/books/sleep-phase-mohamed-kheir/7c9ae60255d77a17?aid=113447&ean=9781949641783&listref=backlit-featured-books&next=t] by Mohamed Kheir * Purchase Slipping [https://bookshop.org/p/books/slipping-mohamed-kheir/283fea84dd4e8ebc?aid=113447&ean=9781949641165&listref=backlit-featured-books&next=t] by Mohamed Kheir

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

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 life * Blending imagination and nonfiction * Life lessons learned through writing * Personal growth and learning to articulate yourself through writing * Human connection versus isolation * Learning to be present * Counteracting burnout culture Links: * Episode Webpage [https://www.abenantoso.com/podcast/backlit/the-book-of-kin-imagination-connection-and-learning-to-articulate] * Purchase The Book of Kin: On Absence, Love, and Being There [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-book-of-kin-on-absence-love-and-being-there-jennifer-eli-bowen/1eeeb8d21ed12d87?ean=9781571311672&next=t&aid=113447&listref=backlit-featured-books] by Jennifer Eli Bowen * Author Website: Jennifer Eli Bowen [https://www.jenniferelibowen.com/]

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

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 areas * Tension between literature/art and violence * What publishers looks for in a literary work * Complexity and tension * Complexity and simplicity * Idealism and pragmatism * Optimism and pessimism Links: * Episode Webpage [https://www.abenantoso.com/podcast/backlit/the-city-our-city-complexity-tension-and-our-moment-in-history] * Purchase The City, Our City [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-city-our-city-wayne-miller/40bb8e9d8fbebb5d?aid=113447&ean=9781571314451&listref=backlit-featured-books&next=t] by Wayne Miller * Author Website: Wayne Miller [http://waynemillerpoet.com/]

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

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 translation * What one learns from translating poetry * Paying attention to language * … and what it teaches us about paying attention * How careful attention and serendipity lead to opportunities * Documentary surreal * Using literature as a springboard for learning about history and culture * Triangle of hope — history, present, and creativity Literary Translation Publishers & Resources: * World Poetry [https://worldpoetrybooks.com/] * Open Letter Books [https://www.openletterbooks.org/] * Words Without Borders [https://wordswithoutborders.org/] * Asymptote [https://www.asymptotejournal.com/] * American Literary Translators Association [https://literarytranslators.org/] * PEN America Translation Committee [https://pen.org/translation-committee/] Links: * Episode Webpage [https://www.abenantoso.com/podcast/backlit/night-attention-serendipity-and-hope-in-language-and-life] * Purchase Night by Ennio Moltedo [https://www.amazon.com/Night-Ennio-Moltedo/dp/0999261363], translated by Marguerite Feitlowitz * Other books by Marguerite Feitlowitz * Author Website: Marguerite Feitlowitz

American Reverie: Inspiration, Conversation, and Growth

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 poetry * Exploring and shaping identity through writing * What’s next for American philosophy & culture * Tips for writing and revision * Correspondence as communication & art form * Inspiration & growth through writing and conversation * Literary practice & freedom Links: * Episode Webpage [https://www.abenantoso.com/podcast/backlit/american-reverie-inspiration-conversation-and-growth] with Transcript * Purchase books by Donnelle McGee [https://donnellemcgee.com/books], Synnika Lofton [https://iamsynnika.com/books/] * Author Website: Donnelle McGee [https://donnellemcgee.com/], Synnika Lofton [https://iamsynnika.com/]