In this engaging discussion, Allison Sweet Grant, author of the debut novel 'I Am the Cage,' shares her journey of overcoming a congenital limb discrepancy. She explores deep themes of identity, shame, and resilience drawn from her personal experiences. Allison and her husband reflect on parenting and managing anxiety, emphasizing the power of storytelling in fostering connection. They also dive into the metaphor of the 'junk drawer,' representing unresolved memories, highlighting how embracing vulnerability can lead to personal growth and hope.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Inspiration for "I Am the Cage"
Allison Sweet Grant's novel, I Am the Cage, is a fictionalized account of her experience with a limb discrepancy.
It focuses on the emotional impact of the Elizarov procedure she underwent at age 11.
insights INSIGHT
The Junk Drawer
The "junk drawer" concept represents a hidden part of us where we store negative thoughts and experiences.
It's a visual metaphor for the things we don't want others, or even ourselves, to see.
question_answer ANECDOTE
The Hallway Fall
Allison recalls falling in middle school and feeling humiliated as classmates watched without helping.
The experience highlighted her lack of control over her body and others' perceptions.
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Set in the 1980s, 'Call Me By Your Name' is a poignant and intimate story of first love. The novel follows Elio Perlman, a precocious and educated 17-year-old, as he develops a powerful and complex relationship with Oliver, his father's visiting student. The story explores themes of love, loss, and the enduring impact of first love, even as the characters move on with their lives. The novel is known for its vivid descriptions, profound quotes, and the realistic portrayal of youthful emotions and philosophical introspections[1][3][5].
I Am the Cage
Allison Sweet Grant
In this searing own-voices story, Allison Sweet Grant portrays a young woman's journey to confront the medical trauma inflicted to 'fix' her and heal her heart. The story follows nineteen-year-old Elisabeth, who is hiding from her memories in a tiny cabin in Fish Creek, Wisconsin. When a massive snowstorm forces her to accept help from her neighbor, Noah, the town's young sheriff, Elisabeth must face her childhood scars and the darkness that has haunted her. The book is an emotional coming-of-age story about running away from oneself and finding a way back, deeply moving, authentically raw, and humming with the possibility of new love.
Allison Sweet Grant is the author of the debut novel I Am the Cage — and also Adam’s wife. In this special episode, Allison and Adam dive into Allison’s book, inspired by her experience growing up with a congenital limb discrepancy and undergoing a complicated medical procedure at a formative age. They explore the lessons for identity, shame, trust, and agency. They also reflect on what they’ve taught each other about parenting, share practices that have helped them in their marriage, and discuss strategies for managing anxiety and staying grounded.
ReThinking 
