Sheila Heti

Maria Konnikova, a psychologist and author, joins Sheila Heti, a celebrated writer, to delve into the complexities of mistakes and regret. They explore how inaction often stings more than bold choices, revealing insights from poker about decision-making under pressure. Sheila shares her own blunders, including a costly mishap with a grant and an unexpected encounter with ketamine. Together, they reflect on the nuances of regret and its role in personal growth, underscoring how both momentous and minor errors shape our lives.

In this engaging conversation, guests Sarah Manguso, a sharp poet and memoirist known for her insightful essays, and Sheila Heti, a Canadian novelist who explores the intricacies of womanhood, dive into the complexities of motherhood. They share candid reflections on the emotional struggles tied to parenting and identity, particularly the societal pressures surrounding motherhood and personal choices. Their discussion also touches on the challenges of literary creation and the vulnerability of sharing unfinished work, revealing how these experiences define their art and friendships.

Novelist Sheila Heti and critic Parul Sehgal discuss Heti's experimental book 'Alphabetical Diaries' where she alphabetizes sentences from her own diaries. They explore the balance between experiment and narrative, patterns in relationships, and the inclination towards formal experimentation in novels.

Sheila Heti, a Toronto-based novelist known for her exploration of inner voices and channeling, discusses her investigation into 'A Course in Miracles.' She delves into the complexities of its origins, questioning the mental state of its scribe, Helen Schucman, and her ties to influential figures. Heti shares her journey from intrigue to skepticism about the book's teachings, particularly concerning grief and the allure of spiritual ideologies. The conversation reveals the tension between personal agency and external influences in the realm of spirituality.

In this episode, psychologist Maria Konnikova and writer Sheila Heti delve into the weight of mistakes and regrets. Maria explores how fear of regret affects decision-making in poker and life, while Sheila shares a hilarious mishap involving a lost grant and an accidental ketamine experience. They discuss the emotional aftermath of errors and how some situations leave little room for mistakes. With engaging anecdotes and thought-provoking insights, they unwrap the complexity of regret and the human experience.