Sarah Ruhl

In this engaging conversation with Sarah Ruhl, an award-winning playwright and author, she shares her transformative journey with illness and creative expression. They discuss how to cultivate curiosity and gratitude for teachers, both traditional and unexpected. Sarah reflects on the importance of vulnerability in learning and how crises can open our receptivity to new lessons. The dialogue also explores the role of meditation in fostering compassionate curiosity and the magic of synchronicity in our lives.

In this engaging conversation, Sarah Ruhl, a celebrated playwright, poet, and professor, shares insights from her new essay collection, reflecting on the profound lessons learned from teachers throughout her life. She discusses the significance of authentic listening, the challenges of technology on real connections, and the transformative value of art in addressing grief. Ruhl also highlights the invaluable lessons from non-traditional teachers and the impact of loving relationships, underscoring her belief in lifelong learning and the beauty of spontaneity in human interactions.

This is an episode from a podcast we think you'll love. It's called How To! and it's from Slate Podcasts.Earlier this year, our listener, Rell, nearly failed a promotion. Not because she was unprepared or unqualified, but because she didn’t maintain enough eye contact with the interviewers. Rell’s eye hasn’t been fully receiving information since she was born, a condition that’s outwardly visible and known colloquially as a “lazy eye.” It’s beginning to affect her self-confidence and is this “ugly thing [she] can’t let go of.” On this episode of How To!, host Carvell Wallace brings on Sarah Ruhl, an award-winning playwright and author who wrote about her experience with Bell’s palsy in her recent book, "Smile: The Story of a Face." Sarah has some wonderful advice for letting go of your inner rage, making interactions with strangers less painful, and even finding people who light up your mirror neurons. If you liked this episode you can find more of Slate’s How To! podcast wherever you get your podcasts.For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Playwright Sarah Ruhl, known for acclaimed works like Eurydice, shares wisdom gathered from influential mentors in her book Lessons from My Teachers. She discusses the art of learning, revealing the essential balance between control and letting go in creativity. Sarah reflects on writing about grief, even through a dog's perspective, and emphasizes the importance of thanking educators. With humor and personal anecdotes, she dives into the impact of mentorship and the spontaneous lessons that shape artistic journeys.

Join Sarah Ruhl, a celebrated writer known for her acclaimed plays, as she candidly shares her journey with Bell's palsy following childbirth. She discusses the emotional turmoil of losing her ability to smile, reflecting on how it reshaped her identity and connections with loved ones. Sarah explores the intersection of self-image and health, emphasizing the importance of humor, connection, and storytelling in her healing process. Through poignant anecdotes, she highlights the resilience found in embracing one’s true self amid adversity.