Ross Gay, a poet and essayist, discusses the paradox of joy in a world of suffering, emphasizing the importance of advocating for what we love. He explores the practice of delight as a spiritual discipline and the power of finding joy in small moments. The conversation delves into fostering community through kindness, the significance of gardening, and resisting societal norms. Ross shares insights on redefining justice as uplifting what we cherish, focusing on love, joy, and tenderness as essential components of a more compassionate world.

Ross Gay, author of four books of poetry and three collections of essays, discusses the importance of delight as a counterprogramming tool against negativity bias. He explores the ethical component of delight, the benefits of writing by hand, and how smartphones and rushing can block delight. He also distinguishes between delight and joy, and discusses the connection between grief and joy.

Poet Ross Gay knows a thing or two about finding joy in life's most difficult moments. He talks with It's Been a Minute host Brittany Luse about his new book of essays, "Inciting Joy" — which covers the complexity of joy, the beauty of grace, and meaning in life.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Ross Gay, an acclaimed poet and professor, shares his profound insights on finding joy in everyday life. He discusses practical ways to revitalize our 'delight muscle' and emphasizes the healing power of community connections. Ross encourages listeners to 'unknow' loved ones to rediscover delight in them, advocating for spontaneous acts of kindness. He explores the interplay between joy and shared sorrow, illustrating how these experiences strengthen our bonds and enhance our collective happiness.

Ross Gay teaches us how to notice delight and joy in our everyday lives. We discuss: concrete ways to rediscover and capture joy every day; how to rebuild your “delight muscle”; how to dissolve the myth of disconnection between us; and how to “unknow” our people so we can delight in them.About Ross: Ross Gay is an American poet, essayist, and professor committed to healing the world through observing and articulating joy, delight and gratitude. He won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Poetry and the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award for his 2014 book, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, which was also a finalist for the National Book Award for Poetry. A devoted community gardener, Ross is a founding board member of the Bloomington Community Orchard, a non-profit, free-fruit-for-all food justice and joy project. A college football player, he is a founding editor of the online sports magazine Some Call it Ballin'. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Award-winning poet and bestselling author Ross Gay discusses the necessity of joy and delight in life, especially during times of grief. He explores the interconnectedness of joy, gratitude, and kindness, emphasizing the importance of practicing joy and embracing impermanence for human connection.

Poet Ross Gay sees joy all around him. In infinity scarves, orchards, pawpaws, even weeds. He explains the subtle mindset shift that allows him to let in more self-compassion and more joy.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Poet Ross Gay talks with Brittany Luse about the complexity of joy and finding delight in the midst of sorrow. They discuss how joy and sorrow can coexist, the importance of connection and sharing sorrows, and finding joy as a form of resistance and incitement to joy. They emphasize the significance of staying connected to one another and seeking help, and reflect on the power of writing about joy in troubling times.

In this captivating discussion, poet Ross Gay, renowned for his explorations of everyday life and human connection, reflects on his poem "Ode to Buttoning and Unbuttoning My Shirt." He uses this mundane act to explore deeper themes of intimacy, identity, and our connection to daily rituals. Gay invites listeners to consider how seemingly trivial gestures can hold profound emotional significance. The conversation encourages mindfulness, asking what we are opening or closing in our lives, reminding us to pay attention to the stories our hands tell.

How can we feel more moments of joy? We explore the science of joy and how we can cultivate it in our everyday lives, with poet Ross Gay and psychologist Philip Watkins. Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/mu89jbyu Episode summary: Are joy and happiness the same thing? Can you feel joy even in moments of sorrow? This week, we’ve set out to explore the unique qualities of joy, why it's so beneficial for us to experience, and how we can find more of it. We first hear from Ross Gay, an award-winning poet and author who dedicated his last book to the topic of joy, and how we usually find it through closeness with others. Later, we hear from psychologist Philip Watkins about what sets joy apart from other emotions, whether joy can be produced or must be happened upon, and practical steps we can take to amplify joy within our own lives. Today’s guests: Ross Gay is an award-winning American poet and author. His latest book explores the complexities of joy and its connection to feelings like gratitude and sorrow. Learn more about Ross: https://www.rossgay.net/about Read Ross’ book, Inciting Joy: https://www.rossgay.net/inciting-joy Follow Ross on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RossGay18 Philip Watkins is a psychology professor at Eastern Washington University. He conducts research on different aspects of well-being including gratitude, happiness and joy. Learn more about Philip and his work: https://tinyurl.com/3zwested Find Philip on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philip.watkins.338/ Resources from The Greater Good Science Center: How to Overcome Stress by Seeing Other People’s Joy: https://tinyurl.com/4csukyd5 How to Awaken Joy in Kids: https://tinyurl.com/5xr3t9vf What is Sympathetic Joy and How Can You Feel More of It? https://tinyurl.com/yuzmykct Joy and Grace: https://tinyurl.com/yaxp48xd Why Experiencing Joy and Pain in a Group is so Powerful: https://tinyurl.com/3trjtzfm More Resources on Joy: Harvard Business Review - Making Joy a Priority at Work: https://tinyurl.com/3z8mejum Harvard Health -  How can you find joy (or at least peace) during difficult times? https://tinyurl.com/2s35wffy TED - Where joy hides and how to find it: https://tinyurl.com/3d2fbfbv How do you define joy? When was the last time you felt it? We want to hear from you! Email us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod. Help us share The Science of Happiness! Rate and follow us on Spotify, and share this episode with a friend: https://tinyurl.com/4uyr2w35