Lauren Markham discusses her book on storytelling and journalism, myths in culture, authenticity in reporting. Topics include the migrant crisis in Greece, challenges of writing about familiar subjects, injustice faced by Afghan children, and exploring ancient Greece's influence on modern-day issues.
Markham's book intertwines Greek heritage with reporting on the migrant crisis, highlighting complexities of identity and belonging.
Markham reflects on balancing writing and social work, emphasizing the challenges of managing dual roles effectively.
The podcast explores Markham's ethical reflections on storytelling, discussing the importance of maintaining objectivity while advocating for social issues.
Deep dives
Empowering Female Runners through Team Milk's Initiatives
Team Milk has organized various initiatives to empower female marathon runners. Starting with sponsoring female runners in the New York City Marathon and growing to include more than 20,000 members, they are now launching the Every Woman's Marathon, the only women's marathon in the US. Set to take place in Savannah, Georgia on November 16, 2024, this event is aimed at creating a supportive and empowering space for women runners.
Lauren Markham's Diverse Writing Journey and Latest Book
The podcast features a conversation with Lauren Markham, a writer known for her work on immigration and environmental issues. She discusses her journey into journalism, her exploration of social issues, and her latest book, 'A Map of Future Ruins on Borders and Belonging.' The book intertwines her Greek heritage and reporting on the migrant crisis in Greece, highlighting the complexities of identity, migration, and belonging.
Navigating Dual Roles at Oakland International School
Markham shares her experience working as a community school manager at Oakland International School, providing social and emotional support to students. Juggling her writing career with this role led her to eventually transition to focusing more on writing. She reflects on the challenges of balancing dual roles and the importance of engaging with social issues both in her writing and her work at the school.
Challenges Faced in Balancing Writing Assignments and Work
The podcast delves into Markham's challenges in managing writing assignments while working at the school. She recounts the demanding schedules, including writing her first book while working part-time and navigating logistical hurdles to cover stories effectively. The discussion highlights the sacrifices and complexities of balancing different roles and responsibilities.
Ethical Reflections in Journalism and Writing
Markham shares her ethical reflections on writing about sensitive topics like immigration and navigating the boundaries between journalism and activism. The podcast explores her encounters with ethical dilemmas in storytelling, such as maintaining objectivity while advocating for social issues. Markham emphasizes the importance of holding ethical questions throughout the writing process to shape impactful storytelling.
“It took me a while to figure out that this is actually a book about storytelling, about journalistic storytelling, about the kind of myths we spin culturally and politically, about history, about current events, and the role of journalism within all of that, and my role as a journalist.”