Words by Winter

Send us a textA listener named Ellen, originally from the U.S. but living in the Czech Republic, writes in to share what's on her mind and heart, thoughts and feelings so specific to this time but also so universal, Words by Winter: Conversations, reflections, and poems about the passages of life. Because it’s rough out there, and we have to help each other through. "If You Knew," by Ellen Bass, is from her beautiful book The Human Line, published by Copper Canyon Press in 2007 and used with permission of the author and press. It was read by Matthew Colfax and Devon O'Brien. Ellen's letter was read by Devon O'Brien. Original theme music composed and performed by Dylan Perese, who can be found on Instagram at @dylan.field.perese. Additional music composed and performed by Kelly Krebs, who can be reached at kellykrebsmusic@gmail.com and soundcloud.com/kellykrebs. Artwork by Mark Garry. Words by Winter can be reached at wordsbywinterpodcast@gmail.com. For more information, go to alisonmcghee.com and click on the Words by Winter podcast page.

Send us a textA couple of weeks ago I asked readers to tell me what they were struggling with, and responses came rolling in. Then I asked them to tell me what they're thankful for, and the floodgates opened. Sorrow and thanks, in equal measure, both of which make me think of one of my favorite poems, by David Hernandez.Words by Winter: Conversations, reflections, and poems about the passages of life. Because it’s rough out there, and we have to help each other through. "Anyone Who Is Still Trying," by David Hernandez, is from his beautiful book Dear, Sincerely, published by the University of Pittsburg Press in 2016 and used with permission of the author. It was read by writer and voice artist Luke O'Brien, who can be reached at lukeobrien3216@gmail.com. Reader contributions were read by Matthew Colfax and Devon O'Brien. Original theme music composed and performed by Dylan Perese, who can be found on Instagram at @dylan.field.perese. Additional music composed and performed by Kelly Krebs, who can be reached at kellykrebsmusic@gmail.com and soundcloud.com/kellykrebs. Artwork by Mark Garry. Words by Winter can be reached at wordsbywinterpodcast@gmail.com. For more information, go to alisonmcghee.com and click on the Words by Winter podcast page.

Send us a textDo you ever wish you could go back in time? Undo things? Make someone's life better? Today I’m back in third grade, thinking about a boy I grew up with, a boy who sat a few desks away from me, a boy I was scared of my entire childhood. Words by Winter: Conversations, reflections, and poems about the passages of life. Because it’s rough out there, and we have to help each other through. "With that Moon Language," by Hafiz, translated by Daniel Ladinsky, is in the public domain. It was read by writer and voice artist Luke O'Brien, who can be reached at lukeobrien3216@gmail.com. Original music composed and performed by Dylan Perese, who can be found on Instagram at @dylan.field.perese. Artwork by Mark Garry. Words by Winter can be reached at wordsbywinterpodcast@gmail.com. For more information, go to alisonmcghee.com. 

Send us a textLong ago, on a night full of stars, I was alone and terrified. My cell phone was in the back pocket of my jeans and I reached for it and punched in a number I had memorized, then sat with my heart pounding as someone picked up. Words by Winter: Conversations, reflections, and poems about the passages of life. Because it’s rough out there, and we have to help each other through. "Suicide Hotline Hold Music," by Jessy Randall, is used with permission of Red Hen Press, and read by writer and voice artist Luke O'Brien, who can be reached at lukeobrien3216@gmail.com. Original music composed and performed by Dylan Perese, who can be found on Instagram at @dylan.field.perese. Words by Winter can be reached at wordsbywinterpodcast@gmail.com. For more information, go to alisonmcghee.com.