How We Live Now with Katherine May

Kaitlin Curtice, an Indigenous American, discusses living resistance and embracing indigenous identity. They explore the power of writing and storytelling, the challenges of wintering and personal growth, and the importance of compassion and rest for resistance. They also touch on Christmas preparations and the need for spaces of care and support.

Erica Berry challenges the negative symbolism of wolves in western culture and explores their tender and hunted nature. She discusses the threats to their existence and highlights the resemblance of evil qualities to humans. The podcast also delves into the origins of the author's book idea and the symbolism of wolves in different cultures. It questions the 'too much' narrative for women and reflects on societal fear and mistrust. The host shares reflections on running a nonfiction book club and expresses excitement for the upcoming season.

Researcher Dacher Keltner discusses awe's transformative effects, inducing a sense of smallness in a vast universe. Awe inspires altruism and better behavior. The episode explores seeking awe in everyday life, personal experiences, and the power of being awestruck.

Author Marjolijn van Heemstra discusses the 'overview effect' experienced by astronauts, leading to an ethical shift and a new sense of mission. She advocates for drawing on this effect to become better stewards of our environment. The conversation explores the impact of light pollution on our connection with the stars and the beauty of embracing darkness to connect with nature.

Amy Jeffs discusses the allure of folklore and retelling ancient stories. They explore the haunting landscapes of Medieval Britain and its impact on national identity. Delve into the rich world of British folklore, blending reality with fiction. Explore the challenges of writing and illustrating ancient tales. Understand the interplay of text and image in ancient manuscripts, reflecting on the significance of visual storytelling in the Middle Ages.

Author and public intellectual Báyò Akómoláfé discusses stepping out of human-centric views, creating a new language for neurodiversity, and exploring 'hushes' that disrupt narratives. They reflect on diverse cultural backgrounds, interdisciplinary studies, and the beauty of elusive ideas. Embracing opacity in narratives and challenging completion in storytelling are key themes, along with the concept of 'Hushism' and the liberating experience of swimming in the sea.

Kerri ní Dochartaigh discusses the practice of everyday mysticism and its connection to her Irish heritage. They explore the hidden political dimension of her work and how it shows a way of life that has been lost. The podcast also touches on the role of reading in contemporary life and the trend of focusing on quotes in book discussions.

Morgan Harper Nichols, a visual artist, writer, musician, speaker, and podcaster, discusses art, perception, and creativity. They explore how their work ushers a reenchantment with life, the unique connection autistic individuals have with their voice, and the influence of being autistic on their art. They also touch upon children's play shaping perception, language's impact on family history, and the interconnectedness of life and purpose.

Pico Iyer’s latest book, The Half Known Life, looks at the ways in which we seek paradise on earth, sometimes in places that are fraught with risk. In this episode, he and Katherine talk about the similarities in their work, particularly the ways in which they explore secular understandings of big spiritual questions, and they touch on the differences, too. Where Katherine is drawn to the local and the known, Pico quests after the insights that come to travellers and strangers. They are two different ways of looking at the same question: that of how to live a good and peaceful life, via the practice of enchantment.Pico can truly be called a veteran travel writer, having published his first book in 1984, and gone on to publish fourteen more, on subjects ranging from the Dalai Lama to globalism, from the Cuban Revolution to Islamic mysticism. They include such long-running sellers as Video Night in Kathmandu, The Lady and the Monk, The Global Soul, The Open Road and The Art of Stillness. His writing regularly features in Time, The New York Times, The New York Review of Books, and the Financial Times among many others, and his four talks for TED have received more than 10 million views so far.Katherine's new book, Enchantment, is available now: US/CAN and UKLinks from the episode:Pico and Katherine in conversation about The Half Known LifeKatherine and Pico in conversation about EnchantmentPico's book, The Half Known LifePico's websiteJoin Katherine's Substack to receive episodes ad-free and immersive, bonus mini-episdesFind show notes and transcripts for every episode by visiting Katherine's website.Follow Katherine on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're in between seasons of How We Live Now and Katherine is in the midst of talking about her new book Enchantment in radio and podcast interviews. We wanted to share one of these conversations with you in the How We Live Now podcast feed.In this episode of The Shift with Sam Baker, Sam and Katherine talk about Katherine’s midlife autism diagnosis, why she believes we’re living through the burnout decade and how to wrest back control of our lives from our work. Buy Katherine's new book Enchantment: US & Canada, UKSign up to receive Katherine's newsletterFollow Katherine on InstagramFind all the episodes of the The Shift with Sam Baker here: https://podfollow.com/the-shift-on-life-after-40-with-sam-baker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.