a friend reminded me that almost 20 years ago, on Aug 8, I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. i was pleased to notice that this date had ceased to have any special meaning for me. if you're in it right now, enjoy imagining a day when it will all be waved off as another lifetime.

53 Perfect Back-to-School Books To Read Aloud on the First Day...
weareteachers.com/14-perfect-pic…

Talking sexual ethics with Christine Emba.

Watch her #aspenideas conversation with Dan Savage and Kelly Corrigan ➡️ bit.ly/3Qf1hnR

I had a joyous time talking with Kelly Corrigan on her Wonders podcast. We talked about moral imagination – in Kelly’s beautiful words “immersive empathy” – and we explored failure and the cost of not daring. Please take a listen below. go.acumen.org/44VQjr6

'Humans need fantasy to be human. To be the place where the falling angel meets the rising ape.' Terry Pratchett

Favorite episode of the spring season...

I love Eubanks. Anyone who smiles that much under pressure has my heart.

Daily public gratitude: access to the thoughts of Caitlin Flanagan, a writer I have admired, followed and shared for many years now.

Daily public gratitude: licorice mint tea. always get a charge from niche products, knowing there are enough of us who love them to merit continued production. in a similar way, I am grateful for Lars & The Real Girl, a peculiar movie i loved and can never quit believe got made.

daily public gratitude: i asked a question on the subway yesterday (afraid i was on an express train that was about to skip my stop) and 3 teenagers answered me at once. they couldn't wait to help me.

Daily public gratitude: old episodes of West Wing, a place to hide from the vitriol at the end of long media days.

Daily public gratitude: someone (other than me) put peppercorns in the grinder thingy.

Daily public gratitude: wrapped Season 6 of the PBS show (pbs.org/kelly) and spent a few key minutes after the last shoot raising a glass to each other and saying nice things. Also there was mezcal.

Daily public gratitude: thank you to the friends who immediately understand why you had to cancel and never bring it up again.

Daily public gratitude: thank you to the farmers, pickers, packers and truckers who make it possible for my family to damn near fight over a bowl of perfect summer cherries.

Chicago! Joliet! Come on out and let's talk it all through. June 20 at 7pm. Tickets here: ticketmaster.com/.../event/0700…

A graduation speech about keeping an open honest conversation going with yourself at all times...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/at-…

.Lightways is hosting “An Evening with Kelly Corrigan” on Tuesday, June 20! This is a fundraiser for Lightways and their way of having a healthy conversation about grief. Get your tickets now: bit.ly/3qdO8QD

Tickets are now on sale for “An Evening with Kelly Corrigan” on June 20 at the beautiful Rialto Square Theatre! Author, podcaster and TV host Kelly Corrigan will have an enriching conversation as one of the most relatable speakers working today! bit.ly/427xy26 Lightways

Even if they're not here, you can still make your parents proud.