Shakespeare as a Self-Portrait: Who Language Was Built For

Ecopoetica & The Significance of Documenting An Earth Within Ourselves

Hey there. Today’s episode is an Earth Day special. I’ll be diving into the concept of ecopoetry and exploring two powerful ecopoems by beloved Black writers and intellectuals that go beyond the usual themes of early environmentalism: “After the Winter” by Claude McKay and “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” by Langston Hughes.  Muscle & Bone [https://muscleandbonehome.substack.com/?r=2u0kj1&utm_medium=ios] (newsletter) Muscle & Bone Literary [www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/muscle-bone-literary-a-bookstore-startup⁠ ] (crowdfunding for bookstore) Buy Me A Coffee [buymeacoffee.com/muscleandba⁠  ] x Instagram [//⁠www.instagram.com/tha.nnnnnnnnnnnn?igsh=MWE2Znp3dG1zaWc5Mg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr⁠ ] Music: Cosy-jazz-cafe-relaxing-podcast-r-background-music-202447 Artist: Denis Pavlov Music (DP Music) Artist Website: https://pixabay.com/users/denis-pavlov-music-35636692/ [https://pixabay.com/users/denis-pavlov-music-35636692/]   No part of this podcast may be used or reproduced in any manner for the purpose of training artificial intelligence technologies or systems. In accordance with Article 4(3) of the DSM Directive 2019/790, Swallow the podcast and Thando Nkosi expressly reserve this work from the text and data mining exception.

Breasts and Eggs and Existential Duty

Hey you. In this episode, I'll be dissecting Mieko Kawakami's critically acclaimed novel "Breasts and Eggs". We'll look into an exploration of asexuality and aromanticism, women's experiences in modern Japan, and a journey through the desire for children. Muscle & Bone Literary⁠ [https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/muscle-bone-literary-a-bookstore-startup] (crowdfunding for bookstore) ⁠Muscle & Bone⁠ [https://muscleandbonehome.substack.com/?utm_campaign=pub&utm_medium=web ] (newsletter) ⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠ [buymeacoffee.com/muscleandba ] x Music: Aquamarine 30 mins FX  Artist: Ambient GardenSource: www.purple-planet.com [http://www.purple-planet.com/]https://www.purple-planet.com/ [https://www.purple-planet.com/]

Shakespeare as a Self-Portrait: Who Language Was Built For

Hey you. Today's episode is about the relationship between Black and brown audiences and Shakespearean literature and language, using several written works and academic essays as part of the analysis. Let's have fun! Muscle & Bone Literary⁠ [https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/muscle-bone-literary-a-bookstore-startup] (crowdfunding for bookstore) ⁠Muscle & Bone⁠ [https://muscleandbonehome.substack.com/?utm_campaign=pub&utm_medium=web ] (newsletter) ⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠ [buymeacoffee.com/muscleandba ] x Music: Almost in F - Tranquillity Artist: Kevin MacLeod Artist Website:⁠ http://incompetech.com/⁠ [http://incompetech.com/] Source:⁠ ⁠ [http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100394]YouTube Audio Library Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International: ⁠https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/]

Desire: A Cause Inferred by Entropy (On Elizabeth Smart and the Disorder of Love)

Hey, you. On today’s episode, I will be diving into Elizabeth Smart’s most acclaimed prose, “By Grand Central Station, I Sat Down and Wept”. Desire, obsession and lyricism from the heavens are on the menu with this literary analysis. Muscle & Bone Literary [https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/muscle-bone-literary-a-bookstore-startup] (crowdfunding for bookstore) Muscle & Bone [https://muscleandbonehome.substack.com/?utm_campaign=pub&utm_medium=web ] (newsletter) Buy Me A Coffee [buymeacoffee.com/muscleandba ] x Music: Almost in F - Tranquillity Artist: Kevin MacLeod Artist Website: http://incompetech.com/ [http://incompetech.com/] Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100394YouTube Audio Library Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/]

Swallow Trailer

Welcome to Swallow—a comfortable space where I unpack the significance of written works, from novels and essays to historical texts and scripts. Whether it’s a strange play, an article on 20th-century ideologies, or your favourite film dialogue, we explore how words and literature shape societies, cultures, and even our own ways of thinking. To enhance your experience, I  incorporate soothing background ambience, adding a touch of ASMR that invites you to relax and immerse yourself fully in each episode.   No gatekeeping knowledge. Just deep dives, interesting stories, and reflections on why words matter. I’m Thando, and I’m so glad you’re here. Episodes come out whenever they come out since this is a no-pressure space, where I prioritise quality over quantity. Take a moment to settle in, get comfortable, and be present with me.