Fresh Air Best Of: Learning From Silence / Comic Roy Wood Jr.
22 snips
Jan 18, 2025 
Pico Iyer, an author who lost everything in a California wildfire, shares how his transformative experience in a Benedictine monastery shaped his life and writing. He reflects on the power of silence amidst chaos and modern disconnection. Meanwhile, comedian Roy Wood Jr., known for his special "Lonely Flowers," discusses the role of humor in tackling serious societal issues. He highlights the importance of authenticity and originality in comedy, drawing from personal experiences to illustrate his journey through laughter and legacy.
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Iyer's House Fire
- Pico Iyer's Santa Barbara home, where he lived with his mother, burned down in a wildfire.
- He was trapped with his mother's cat, surrounded by five-story-high flames, and rescued after three hours.
Freedom from Possessions
- Losing all possessions in the fire changed Iyer's perspective on material needs.
- He realized he could live without most of it and found freedom in this realization.
Finding the Monastery
- After the fire, Iyer stayed at a friend's place.
- Another friend, seeing his situation, suggested a Benedictine monastery as a temporary refuge.
