On studentship, using your art to heal, and becoming heavy enough to hold it all. Kiese Laymon is the author of three books, most recently the NY Times bestselling memoir, Heavy: An American Memoir. He is a Professor of English born and raised in Jackson Mississippi. The places we stay [3:26] What inspired Kiese to write Heavy to his mother [5:05] The consequences of masking pain [7:18] How learning requires failure [11:31] Parenting and secrets [14:25] The importance of tender touch [18:25] What does it mean to repair damage done? [21:43] The overlapping problems with police [25:19] Gambling addiction and recovery [29:50] Kiese's Grandmother. Embodying love. Heavy enough [36:03] Resources Heavy by Kiese Laymon Kiese Laymon on Dani Shapiro's podcast Family Secrets