The Rich Roll Podcast Survival Is A Creative Act: Suleika Jaouad’s American Symphony of Contrast—Cancer, Art, Music, & Life
37 snips
Jan 15, 2024 
In this engaging conversation, Suleika Jaouad, an Emmy award-winning columnist and author, shares her journey from leukemia diagnosis to creative empowerment. She discusses how journaling helped her navigate the challenges of illness, transforming her experience into the acclaimed column, Life, Interrupted. Suleika delves into the emotional complexities of identity post-cancer and the power of storytelling in fostering connection. She also touches on her intimate Netflix documentary, American Symphony, exploring love and resilience amid adversity.
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Wig Removal in Sicily
- Suleika felt like a "kid in a high school cafeteria" after removing her wig at a Google event in Sicily.
- It was her first trip since her cancer recurrence, highlighting her vulnerability and imposter syndrome.
Journaling as Unexpected Agency
- Suleika's initial ambition in the hospital was to read the literary canon, but her illness prevented it.
- Instead, she started a journal, which unexpectedly became a source of creative expression and agency.
Agency in Illness
- Illness creates powerlessness, emphasizing the importance of agency.
- Suleika found agency through writing, which allowed her to endure and connect with herself.
