In this episode we talk about elephants (a lot) and wonder if animals are psychopathic. For the main discussion we share the four books that have been most influential in leading us to our current research. We also discuss the merits of eating dessert first. Haley’s own recommendation disappoints her and she tells the story of talking to her favourite author on Instagram. Aparna loves listicles and changes her mind about the colour brown. She also discovers why some pubs have arms and Haley discovers the beauty of pronouncing the “h” in whale. We introduce you to our imaginary friend, Foxtrot Oscar, with no context.
Haley spotlights Rachel Jackson (@banyanbridges on Instagram).
Aparna spotlights photographer Levon Biss (@levonbiss on Instagram)
Mentions:
Little Green God of Agony by Stephen King
If You Were an Elephant by Charles Foster
Quilting by Lucille Clifton
Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkein
Go Tell It On the Mountain by James Baldwin
The Lost Words: A Spell Book by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Whose Story Is This? Old Conflicts, New Chapters by Rebecca Solnit
Goat Song: A Seasonal Life, A Short History of Herding, and the Art of Making Cheese by Brad Kessler
Last Chance to See by Douglas Adams
Did You Hear? by Sejal Mehta and Rohan Chakravarty
Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan
Thank you to Pádraig Ó Tuama whose poem “The Facts of Life” inspired the title of this podcast.
Cover image by Sanjana Kapur
