The Russell Moore Show

A Conversation with Pulitzer-Winning Poet Natasha Trethewey

Jan 1, 2025

Natasha Trethewey, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and former U.S. Poet Laureate, shares her powerful insights on identity and belonging. She reflects on her ties to Mississippi and experiences of Hurricane Katrina. Trethewey discusses the emotional journeys explored in her work, particularly grief and faith, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in healing. Their conversation touches on the significance of reclaiming marginalized narratives and the role of poetry in connecting with deeper truths about life and loss.

43:12

Episode guests

Natasha Trethewey

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Natasha Trethewey highlights the importance of storytelling in reclaiming personal narratives and understanding erased histories of racial violence.

Creative expression through writing allows individuals to navigate grief and celebrate resilience, acknowledging both sorrow and joy in their lives.

Deep dives

The Legacy of the Satanic Panic

Between 1991 and 1993, over 12,000 cases of alleged satanic ritual abuse were reported across the U.S., creating a national hysteria commonly known as the satanic panic. This movement was marked by widespread fear and triggered moral campaigns, influencing several notorious criminal cases, including the West Memphis Three. An audit conducted by the FBI in 1995 found no evidence linking these cases to any cult activities, highlighting a significant disconnection between the reported fears and actual evidence. The episode critically examines this period and its enduring impact on societal perceptions of crime, morality, and culture.

Intro

3min

Literary Legacy and Identity

11min

Rediscovering Hidden Histories

7min

Faith and Creativity: A Personal Journey

4min

Seeking Signs: A Journey Through Loss and Superstition

3min

Navigating Grief and Connection

12min

Emotional Journeys Through Poetry and Personal Literature Choices

4min

“Being able to be here and to tell this story—to weep about it occasionally—that is uplifting because what the story says is: ‘I'm still here. I have survived it. I have joy in my life because I have known such depths of despair.’ That is uplifting.”

So says Natasha Trethewey, a Pulitzer Prize winner who has authored several books and served two terms as the Poet Laureate of the United States. Trethewey and Moore discuss their respective familial connections to the state of Mississippi, Hurricane Katrina, and the Gulf Coast. They talk about Trethewey’s lifelong desire to write, her experience as a mixed-race person, and her thoughts on belonging, grief, and faith.

Their conversation welcomes all who long for community, creativity, and clarity.

Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include: