writing class radio

165: A Psychiatric Hospital Nearly Ruined My Life

Oct 18, 2023

Banning Lyon, author of The Chair and The Valley, discusses his harrowing childhood experience in a psychiatric ward. He shares his writing process, the emotions writing the memoir brought up, and the cold call he made to find his agent. Lyon reflects on finding healing in nature and how sharing his past experiences helped him come to terms with his past. The chapter also explores Lyon's writing journey, including finding their voice and the emotional journey of getting their book published. The hosts express gratitude to Lyon and invite listeners to join their writing community.

29:49

Episode guests

Banning Lyon

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Writing became a means of healing and self-discovery for Banning Lyon after a traumatic experience in a psychiatric hospital, leading to a newfound connection and understanding that allowed him to confront his past and embrace his wounds as part of his journey towards healing.

Banning Lyon's story emphasizes the power of hope and human kindness in overcoming past traumas, as he finds solace and healing in nature and discovers the empathy and understanding of others, proving that even in adversity, hope and compassion can prevail.

Deep dives

The Power of Writing: Banning Lion's Journey of Healing and Self-Discovery

Banning Lion shares his powerful and moving story of how writing became a means of healing and self-discovery for him. After enduring a traumatic experience in a psychiatric hospital at the age of 15, he spent most of his adult life trying to avoid people. However, when he became a backpacking guide in Yosemite National Park, he found solace and a sense of belonging in nature. Through his work and interactions with his clients, he realized that he was not different or abnormal, but rather, he shared similar experiences and struggles with the people around him. This newfound connection and understanding provided him with the courage to confront his past and embrace his wounds as part of his journey towards healing.

Introduction

2min

Interview with Banning Lion, the Importance of Practice, and a Podcast Recommendation

2min

A Psychiatric Hospital Nearly Ruined My Life

2min

Finding Healing in Nature

13min

The Writing Process and Finding Representation

11min

Expressing Gratitude, Introduction to the Podcast, and Invitation to Join the Writing Community

3min

This episode is about how to write a near perfect essay. The story was written by Banning Lyon who writes about a harrowing childhood experience in a psychiatric ward. His essay was previously published in The Washington Post. After we discuss Banning’s story, you’ll hear an interview with the author on what his process was like, the difficult emotions writing the memoir brought up, and the cold call he made to find his agent.

Banning Lyon is the author of The Chair and The Valley, which will be available June 2024. His writing has been featured in The New York Times and The Washington Post. He currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and works as a backpacking guide in Yosemite National Park.

Writing Class Radio is hosted by Allison Langer and Andrea Askowitz. Audio production by Matt Cundill, Evan Surminski, Chloe Emond-Lane, and Aiden Glassey at the Sound Off Media Company. Theme music is by Justina Shandler.

There’s more writing class on our website including stories we study, editing resources, video classes, writing retreats, and live online classes. Join our writing community by following us on Patreon.

A Transcription can be found here.

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