LARB Radio Hour Special Show: Jenny Slate and Sarah Manguso
Dec 26, 2025
Join writer and comedian Jenny Slate, known for her dynamic roles in film and stand-up, as she shares insights into motherhood and creativity with author Sarah Manguso. They explore the transformative nature of parenthood and its impact on truth-telling in her writing. Slate reflects on her creative journey, the necessity of failure, and the importance of diverse female voices in literature. She also unveils a favorite excised piece from her book and discusses the aesthetic joy found in ordinary objects. It's an enlightening conversation on art, identity, and motherhood!
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Form Follows Truth
- Jenny Slate resists strict genre labels and follows the vessel that fits what she needs to say.
- That freedom to cross forms comes from pushing past embarrassment and formal limits.
Childhood Dream Of Being On Stage
- Jenny Slate knew from childhood she wanted to be an actor and idolized musical and comedic performers.
- She stumbled into improv and stand-up after college with few references, which kept her uninhibited and un-intimidated.
Failure Is Painful But Instructive
- Slate frames failure as inevitable and painful but essential to creative risk.
- She says repeated failure teaches you whether you can love enough to get back up and try again.