Author Bonnie Tsui discusses her book 'Why We Swim' and the transformative power of swimming. They explore the allure and universal attraction of water, the time machine-like freedom swimming provides, and the profound significance of water in her life as a writer.

What does water mean to you? In this feature, author Bonnie Tsui (Why We Swim), actress Joy Bryant, submarine pilot Erika Bergman, figure skater Elladj Baldé, 85-year-old synchronized swimmer Barbara Eison-White, professional mermaid Olivia Gonzales, and others share stories about the many ways water influences our lives.From Pop-Up Magazine, creators of this Field Guide series: "We recommend listening outside, near water if you can. Head to the ocean if you’re on the coast. Or walk to a nearby pond or creek. Sit by a fountain at a park. Or just pour yourself a glass of water."Plus, an excerpt of Roman Mars On The Anatomy Of A Good Story (w/ Michelle Fournet, Roman Mars, Pedro Pascal), part of the Periodic Talks podcast. It's a show about what gets people curious, from virtual experiences to celestial bodies, with Gillian Jacobs (Community, Netflix's LOVE) and Diona Reasonover (NCIS)A Field Guide to Water Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to ad-free new episodes and get exclusive access to bonus content.

Bonnie Tsui, an author renowned for her insights on travel and swimming, and Julie Wernersbach, who specializes in Texas swimming holes, join Ryan Holiday to discuss the transformative power of water immersion. They reflect on how swimming serves as both exercise and meditation, fostering mental clarity and creativity. The trio shares nostalgic stories of iconic swimming spots, emphasizing how these experiences can enhance personal connections and family traditions. Dive into this engaging conversation about the joys and life-changing essence of swimming!

Bonnie Tsui, an acclaimed author known for her works on cultural history and memoirs, shares her deep love for swimming and its transformative power. She discusses how water serve as a catalyst for creativity and emphasizes the therapeutic and meditative benefits of swimming. The conversation also explores the historical significance of public swimming spaces and their impact on community inclusivity. Tsui reflects on her own experiences in diverse aquatic environments, highlighting swimming as a means of personal growth and freedom.

If you've been swimming since you were a child, you probably don't think too much about it anymore. But when you take a step back, the human act of swimming is a pretty interesting thing. You weren't born knowing how to swim; it's not instinctual. So why are people so naturally drawn to water? And what do we get out of paddling around in it?My guest today explores these questions in her book Why We Swim. Her name is Bonnie Tsui, and we begin our conversation today with how humans are some of the few land animals that have to be taught how to swim, and when our ancestors first took to the water. We then discuss how peoples who have made swimming a primary part of their culture, have evolved adaptations that have made them better at it. We discuss how swimming can be both psychically and physically restorative and how it can also bring people together, using as an example a unique community of swimmers which developed during the Iraq War inside one of Saddam Hussein's palaces. We also talk about the competitive element of swimming, and how for thousands of years it was in fact a combat skill, and even took the form of a martial art, called samurai swimming, in Japan. We end our conversation with how swimming can facilitate flow, and some of the famous philosophers and thinkers who tuned the currents of their thoughts while gliding through currents of water. Get the show notes at aom.is/whyweswim.