Slow Stories (Rachel Schwartzmann)

While some stories remain in your heart, others simply make you laugh out loud. Jen Spyra's storytelling oscillates between the two. You may recognize Jen's work from her roles at revered comedic havens like The Onion and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert or from her bylines in publications like The New Yorker and McSweeney's. Most recently, Jen has channeled her editorial expertise into her debut book. Enter Big Time, Jen's comedic story collection, which has received praise from industry giants like Tina Fey, Jack Handey, and Mindy Kaling. 

In Big Time, Jen lends her sharp—sometimes irreverent—comedic voice to fourteen jaw-dropping short stories. While these works may be fictitious in nature, Jen doesn't shy away from using humor to examine the facts of contemporary culture—and in turn, her own life. For Jen, comedy often stems from a place of empathy and paying attention. In this interview, Jen shared more about these ideas, along with the role of pace in her writing process, how she's defined her distinct comedic sensibility, and what instincts she had to unlearn to write Big Time.

A note from Slow Stories' own Rachel Schwartzmann regarding her new book, SLOWING! —

Order SLOWING: https://lnk.to/Slowing/ 

Subscribe to Slow Stories on Substack: https://slowstories.substack.com/ 

Read Rachel's essay in Literary Hub: https://lithub.com/against-perfectionism-and-productivity-on-embracing-flaws-as-a-writer/  Follow Rachel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelschwartzmann/  RSVP to SLOWING's New York launch event at P&T Knitwear on 10/21: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rachel-schwartzmann-presents-slowing-feat-brandon-stosuy-tickets-962252993607 

Sometimes, to affect real change, it comes down to starting over and building anew. Ali Kriegsman understands this idea in more ways than one.

As an inherently curious and creative person, Ali has been building a life and career that encompasses her varied interests, ranging from writing to music to community-building. These passions eventually culminated in her role as the co-founder and COO of Bulletin—a curated wholesale marketplace with a mission to democratize retail for brands and optimize retail for stores.

Like Ali’s journey, Bulletin’s path is also one that is built on evolution. But despite its many iterations, storytelling remains a constant for Bulletin and has provided a foundation for the business to endure with each of its exciting chapters. In fact, Ali recently chronicled this and more in her forthcoming book, How to Build a God-Damn Empire. This dual memoir-meets-guidebook outlines Ali’s experiences and features varying perspectives on the realities of modern entrepreneurship. 

In this interview, Ali shared more about her relationship with storytelling, her observations as a B2B founder, and what she’s learned about establishing boundaries both online and offline. This episode also opens with a story contributed by Alexandra Fine.

Who are you when no one is looking? This question came to mind when reading Allie Rowbottom's incisive debut novel, Aesthetica.

The story follows Anna, a former Instagram celebrity, on her path of reflection and redemption as she seeks to undergo a high-risk elective surgery called Aesthetica™, which is said to “reverse all her past plastic surgery procedures, returning her, she hopes, to a truer self.”

As readers bounce between Anna's past and present, Allie paints a nuanced portrait of a woman stepping into herself while considering her relationship with fame, family, and the trappings of a landscape predicated on image and youth. In this interview, Allie shared more about why Aesthetica is a continued conversation from her memoir JELL-O Girls, her thoughts on privacy and pace, and embracing womanhood. This episode also opens with a story by Dakota Bossard.

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Episode Transcript: https://slowstoriespodcast.com/allie-rowbottom 

Learn more about Allie's work: https://allierowbottom.com/ 

Follow Allie: https://www.instagram.com/allierowbottom/ 

Purchase Aesthetica: https://bookshop.org/p/books/aesthetica-allie-rowbottom/18180848?ean=9781641294003

Follow Dakota: https://tiktok.com/@dakotabossard 

“The best stories are created when you surrender to uncertainty.” This is a quote from Sanaë Lemoine's debut novel, The Margot Affair. While the context is a work of fiction, these words embody the fact of what it means to live, work, and create in this day and age. If recent months have shown us anything, it’s that uncertainty is in abundance. However, if you ask Sanaë, uncertainty is something that's part of the process in prose—and life.

Born in Paris, raised between France and Australia, and currently based in New York City, Sanaë's global upbringing has given her plenty of stories to tell. Coupling this with her past professional experiences as a cookbook editor and writing consultant, her editorial prowess provided ample runway for her to write The Margot Affair. The story follows Margot Louve, a Parisian teenager who exposes a family secret—shattering her world and simultaneously throwing her into another, more adult one in the process.

Much like the evolution seen within The Margot Affair, the world beyond the pages of this story also changed drastically within the seven years it took for Sanaë to complete the book. In this conversation, she shares what she's learned both personally and professionally, how she's kept a steady pace even in a world of digital distractions, and why she believes in daydreaming—even when the days themselves are uncertain. This episode also opens with a story contributed by Jennie Vite.

Design impacts every aspect of modern life, but it can also serve as a vessel for us to reconnect with time-honored traditions and stories. This duality is often at play in the work of ceramic artist Dina Nur Satti.

Dina's practice rests at the intersection of academia, artistry, and aesthetics, and these elements have informed her namesake brand, Nur Ceramics, which in Dina's words, has helped her to “explore ideas of personal purpose and growth, as well as our collective transitions, cultural storytelling, and communal rituals.”

Even with Dina's appreciation for art in all its forms, her arrival into the world of ceramics was slow-going. As she's found her footing creatively, the Brooklyn-based entrepreneur has also navigated the complexities of creating work in tandem with building a sustainable business.

While this process has been anything but linear, Dina has learned to embrace the imperfections and evolution that come with creating a business—and life—with care. In this interview, Dina spoke more about the synergy between creativity and health, how art can help us emerge from—and face—our own shadows, and what narratives she hopes to instill in the next generation of artists. This episode also opens with a reading by Carol Miltimore of Seek Collective.

What is poetry asking of us? This question was top of mind when speaking with artist Courtney Marie Andrews.

The critically acclaimed musician (and self-proclaimed “student of experience”) has translated her wisdom and storytelling prowess into her debut poetry collection, Old Monarch, which “centers around themes of longing and a desire to belong while excavating scenes from her childhood in the American Southwest.”

In Old Monarch, Courtney's lyrical poetry is reminiscent of not only earthen terrain but of more complex territories, including self-discovery and transformation. Like a monarch itself, Courtney's creative work travels far and wide. But for Courtney, poetry acts as a mechanism to go deeper. While this debut collection has come during a historic time of transformation, it is also a timeless reminder of how art can capture—and honor—the human condition. 

In this interview, Courtney shared more about creating with intention, her life as a musician and poet, and what she's learned about slowing down—and looking in. This episode also opens with a reading by Katie Yee.

An essay, Chelsea Hodson tells us, should be an attempt at clarity. That may be true for a writer, but clarity is the last thing that comes to mind when reading Chelsea's words. Instead, we are swept away by her striking prose, repetition, digressions. Chelsea's words pulse with desire, fear, and hope. Readers walk away from the page, not always knowing what to think but feeling something primal just the same.

The words, in this case, are from Chelsea's debut essay collection, Tonight I'm Someone Else, which was published in 2018 and received widespread praise. Aside from gifting us her own prose, Chelsea has made it her business to help others write their truth. Through projects like her Morning Writing Club and private coaching and editing services, community has slowly become a part of Chelsea's world. Most recently, this culminated in the launch of her latest literary endeavor. Enter Rose Books, her new press.

In this interview, Chelsea shared more about the inception of Rose Books, her process as a writer and editor, and the questions on her mind. This episode also opens with a story from musician (and Rose Books author) Geoff Rickly.

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Episode Transcript: https://slowstoriespodcast.com/chelsea-hodson/ 

Learn more about Chelsea's work: https://chelseahodson.com/ 

Follow Chelsea: https://www.instagram.com/chelseahodson_ 

Purchase Chelsea's book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/tonight-i-m-someone-else-essays-chelsea-hodson/9844494

Learn more about Rose Books: https://www.rosebooks.co/ 

Follow Rose Books: https://www.instagram.com/rosebooks.co 

Follow Geoff: https://instagram.com/geoffrickly 

Purchase Geoff's novel: https://www.rosebooks.co/store/p/someone-who-isnt-me-by-geoff-rickly-paperback-preorder 

What do we remember about our stories? In her stunning debut novel, The Shimmering State, Meredith Westgate explores the convergence of memory, art, and grief through the lens of two artists: Lucien, a grieving photographer who moves to Los Angeles to care for his grandmother, and Sophie, a dancer with the Los Angeles Ballet Company who has landed a coveted lead role in an upcoming production. On the periphery of their stories is an experimental drug called Memoroxin that "targets and delivers patients' own memories" and is intended for medical treatment. But when Lucien and Sophie meet as patients at the Center—a Memoroxin rehabilitation clinic founded by the mysterious Dr. Sloane—readers are taken on a journey between past and present to understand Lucien and Sophie's connection to one another—and the world around them.

The consumption and curation of memory fuels so much of how we live, work, and create in our digital age. Yet as The Shimmering State comes out during a time of recalibration—both online and off—Meredith's work reminds us of the delicate threshold between the memories that make us who we are and the stories we tell ourselves.

In this interview, Meredith shared more about the origins of The Shimmering State, her thoughts on the curation and commodification of memory, and why writing fiction slows her down. This episode also opens with a reading by Kayla Maiuri.

Slow down and look around. Observe the art on the walls. Take in the colors, textures, and scents. What memories come to mind? How does it make you feel? And, perhaps more importantly, why? 

Ask Hannah Traore, and she'll tell you that these questions are integral to how we collectively engage with art. The New York-based gallerist originally got her start in the industry at renowned institutions like the Museum of Modern Art and Fotografiska. Today, she's bringing her experiences into focus with the introduction of her namesake gallery, which in her words, is “dedicated to broadening the notion of what is deemed appropriate for the gallery setting.”

While Hannah's fast-paced, high-energy nature is part of her daily life, pace plays an essential role in the gallery itself. Nestled in Manhattan's Lower East Side neighborhood, the space offers a welcoming, immersive environment that allows visitors to peruse the work at their leisure. For Hannah, art is something to be witnessed and experienced—to do so fully means slowing down.

In this interview, Hannah shared more about the implications of curation and consumption in the digital age, the responsibility of viewing art, and the practices that have changed her relationship with pace year after year.

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Episode Transcript: https://slowstoriespodcast.com/hannah-traore 

Learn more about Hannah Traore Gallery: https://hannahtraoregallery.com/  

Follow Hannah: https://www.instagram.com/hannahtraore/ 

Follow Hannah Traore Gallery: https://www.instagram.com/hannahtraoregallery/  

“What if you could change your life? Would you do it? How would you do it?” These introductory questions invite readers into the world of The Shame—Makenna Goodman’s debut novel that follows the yearning and ultimate unraveling of a woman named Alma.

While the book itself is short in length, readers become immersed in a slow buildup to a critical decision that Alma makes revolving around Celeste, a mysterious but pivotal character in Alma's life, who, at first, serves as a source of inspiration for Alma but steadily evolves into infatuation throughout the story.

While Makenna has created a riveting work of fiction, The Shame acts as a vehicle for necessary conversations around the relationship between art, identity, and commerce. For Makenna, these ideas remain top of mind, and in this conversation, she shared more about how she arrived at this transcendent story, her relationship with pace and creativity, and how she's learned to reframe an important question when examining storytelling—and life.

The catalyst for change often arises when you recognize that your days don’t feel complete. For Vanessa Barboni Hallik, this realization was two-fold.

When the former finance executive turned fashion founder made the entrepreneurial leap, she refocused her ambitions to not only reshape her individual career but to recalibrate the future of an industry that is overdue for change. Enter Another Tomorrow, which is the embodiment of Vanessa’s enduring commitment to fostering both environmental and social sustainability.

While the road to sustainability is not always clear, Vanessa contends that leading with thoughtful storytelling and tapping into technology to create more transparency are critical details in building resonance with a new generation of interconnected consumers. And as we collectively work together to build a new and more inclusive world, Another Tomorrow has arrived just in time.

In this interview, Vanessa shared more about her leap from finance to fashion, how she defines slow content, and why she believes bringing nuance back to storytelling is essential to making progress. This episode also opens with a story contributed by Liz Breuer.

As hours pass, pay attention to the way the light shifts. Notice how the afternoon sun fades into dusk. Another night has arrived: How was your day? How do you feel? And perhaps more importantly, how will you rest and replenish?

These questions drive the work of creative entrepreneur Ashley Merrill. Over the years, her company, Lunya, has grown into a category-defining sleepwear brand at the intersection of wellness, design, and, as Ashley puts it, “creative problem-solving.” But for Ashley, achieving success means nothing without building a business—and living a life—fueled by intention.

In this interview, Ashley shared more about the relationship between creativity and pace, the complicated notion of balance, how she views slow storytelling, and how dreams show up in her daily life. This episode also opens with a story by Bryn Taylor.

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Episode Transcript: https://slowstoriespodcast.com/ashley-merrill 

Learn more about Lunya: https://lunya.co/ 

Follow Ashley: https://www.instagram.com/ashley__merrill/ 

Follow Lunya: https://www.instagram.com/lunya/ 

Storytelling has always been inherent to Dianna Cohen, and now more than ever before, she’s breathing new life into the narrative around what it means to build a brand with intention.

From her varied in-house experiences at global start-ups to servicing emerging players across fashion and lifestyle through her consultancy, Levitate, Dianna eventually found herself seeking refuge in self-care rituals and, more specifically, haircare. That said, it was Dianna’s off-duty routines that ultimately caught the attention of friends and family. The culmination of her interests in brand discovery, wellness, and storytelling paved the way for Dianna to start Crown Affair—a next-generation haircare company rooted in ritual and community.

The latter has become especially important to Dianna and her team over the last few months as the world has reckoned with the effects of COVID-19, dismantling systemic racism, and enduring political tumult on all fronts. But for Dianna, this period of crisis has only strengthened her resolve to write a new and more inclusive chapter for the beauty industry.

In this interview, Dianna shared more about the people who have shaped her conscious approach to storytelling, where she plans to take Crown Affair’s narrative next, and what she’s learned about changing her pace to push important conversations forward. This episode also opens with a story contributed by Samaris Pagán.

“A lasting, conscientious change in the self is similar to one in society: it requires consistent tending. It is sometimes painful and often tedious. We must choose it over and over.” This is one of the many resonant passages readers will come across from writer Melissa Febos in her latest book, Girlhood.

In this stunning essay collection, Melissa deftly examines (and interrogates) the stories we're told as girls, how these narratives inform who we become as adults, and the ways we can transcend them to be in service of the self. Alongside Melissa's writing, each piece features a stunning illustration by Forsyth Harmon, who is also the author and artist of the novel Justine (a devastating story that also tackles the complexities of girlhood). At the beginning of each essay, Forsyth lends her signature illustration style—simple, sharp, and effortless line drawings—to create a portal inside. While these visuals are black and white on the page, Girlhood as a whole reminds us to traverse the grey area that often makes up adolescence; that liminal space between who we're told to be and ultimately owning who we really are. 

Together, Melissa and Forsyth's work renders a nuanced portrait of how our girlhoods shape us, challenge us, and stay with us. In this interview, Melissa and Forsyth shared more about how these themes informed their books, what led them to collaborate on Girlhood, and the role of pace in their creative lives.

Shared vision is at the heart of every great partnership—but a good sense of humor helps, too. Claudia Dey and Heidi Sopinka understand this sentiment.

The two creatives met as undergrads at McGill University—and later at a bush camp, cooking for tree planters—and have lived multiple lives since then. In 2012, they co-founded the conscious fashion brand HORSES, which values beauty, utility, wildness, and endurance. They've also translated their artistic prowess into writing and have crafted incisive, spellbinding novels like (Heidi's) Utopia and (Claudia's) Daughter.

In this interview, the duo shared more about balancing their creative pursuits, living and working in Toronto, their relationship with time and pace—and their relationship with each other. This episode also opens with a story from Jacqueline Suskin.

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Episode Transcript: https://slowstoriespodcast.com/claudia-dey-and-heidi-sopinka/ 

Follow Slow Stories on Substack: https://slowstories.substack.com/

Purchase Claudia's books: https://bookshop.org/search?keywords=claudia+dey/ 

Purchase Heidi's books: https://bookshop.org/contributors/heidi-sopinka/ 

Shop HORSES: https://www.horsesatelier.com/ 

Purchase Jacqueline's books: https://bookshop.org/contributors/jacqueline-suskin/ 

Follow Claudia: @claudiadeytona

Follow Heidi: @heidisopinka

Follow Jacqueline: @jsuskin

Follow Rachel: @rachelschwartzmann

Pre-order SLOWING: https://bookshop.org/p/books/slowing-discover-wonder-beauty-and-creativity-through-slow-living-rachel-schwartzmann/21201888?ean=9781797223759 

“When the darkest part of you meets the darkest part of me, it creates light.” This is one of the many incredible lines readers will find in Coco Mellors' luminous debut novel Cleopatra and Frankenstein. 

In this riveting story, readers meet Cleo and Frank, two disparate characters whose chance encounter brings them closer in ways they couldn't have expected. Throughout the book, readers also meet Cleo and Frank's closest friends and family members, whose own stories add texture to Cleo and Frank's relationship and provide a nuanced portrait of what it means to come together, grow up, and in some cases, grow apart. 

Cleopatra and Frankenstein may be a work of literary fiction, but for Coco, it also calls upon what she deems "emotional nonfiction." And her own story of transformation and curiosity is a reminder that slowing down—and looking inward—is often the only way forward.

In this interview, Coco shared more about what led her to write Cleopatra and Frankenstein, her thoughts on gratitude and faith, and the importance of spending time doing what you love most. This episode also opens with a story by Alyssa Natoci.

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Episode Transcript: https://slowstoriespodcast.com/coco-mellors 

Learn more about Coco's work: https://cocomellors.com/ 

Follow Coco: https://www.instagram.com/cocomellors 

Purchase CLEOPATRA AND FRANKENSTEIN: https://bookshop.org/p/books/cleopatra-and-frankenstein-coco-mellors/16786593 

Learn more about Alyssa's work: https://alyssanatoci.com/ 

Follow Alyssa: https://www.instagram.com/lyssssssie/ 

We can't always prepare for the unexpected, but we can pace ourselves when navigating tough moments. This is a lesson that Zak Williams has slowly learned through the years and is now translating to the masses as the co-founder of well-being brand, PYM, short for Prepare Your Mind. While PYM offers an invitation to those looking to take better care of their mental health, the brand's origins stem from Zak's personal experiences after tragically losing his father—renowned entertainer Robin Williams—to suicide in 2014.

Throughout his recovery, the redemptive power of storytelling ultimately catalyzed Zak to write a new chapter of his life. Through extensive research and an enduring commitment to bettering mental hygiene for all, PYM was born with a mission to, in their words, “support feelings of stress, anxiety, and overwhelm with all-natural, safe, and super effective Mood Chews”

Products aside, Zak's pursuits in the mental health space have also reinforced the importance of slowing down to create brands and conversations with longevity. In this interview, Zak spoke more about these ideas and shared more about the development of PYM, the power of preparation and resilience, and what he's learned about storytelling as a tool to support the mental health movement. This episode also opens with a reading by Tonya Papanikolov.

Content Note: This conversation centers on supporting mental health and fostering well-being but does allude to topics including substance use and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. Thank you for tuning in.

The creative process is exciting, messy, and in some cases, uncertain. But it illuminates the depths of our subconscious and creates a runway to tell stories that inspire a shift in pace, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the worlds conjured by some of the most creative minds. Taylor Sterling is one of them, and her multifaceted approach to creativity has come to life most notably in the form of Glitter Guide—a brand and editorial platform that publishes “lifestyle advice, reading recommendations, and tips for boosting and embracing your creative energy.”

While the site has amassed a loyal following over the years, the road to building Glitter Guide hasn't been all sparkles, and Taylor has grappled with how we collectively value—and approach—storytelling in an increasingly fast-paced environment.

As Taylor has paid attention to the big changes that have informed how she's built her business, she's also learned to pay attention to the little moments that are shaping how she's building her life. In this conversation, she shared more about those moments, along with how slowness has informed her relationship with creativity, and what she's learned about surrendering certain expectations to make space for the things that matter most. This episode also opens with a story contributed by Tania Leipold of Laine + Alliage.

From Chopped to Top Chef to restaurant dreams, Fatima Ali's star was on the rise. But after a devastating cancer diagnosis upended her plans, the young chef vowed to experience all she could with the time she had left. Yet as her illness suddenly worsened, Fatima pivoted once again, this time turning to the page as a place to reflect on her identity, food, family, and life. The result is Savor, a collection of intimate vignettes from Fatima and her mother guided by collaborator Tarajia Morrell, whose editorial prowess and shared values helped bring Fatima's story to book form. 

Like Fatima, Tarajia's appreciation for gathering around a table has informed how she moves through the world. And her own story of creativity, resilience, and love reaffirms a universal truth: There is so much to savor when we pay attention to the things that connect us most.

In this interview, Tarajia shared more about her time with Fatima, telling stories in the digital age, and what she's learned about motherhood, love, and loss. This episode also opens with a story by Jenna Matecki.

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Episode Transcript: https://slowstoriespodcast.com/tarajia-morrell 

Learn more about Tarajia's work: https://www.tarajiamorrell.com/ 

Follow Tarajia: http://www.instagram.com/tarajiamorrell 

Purchase SAVOR: https://bookshop.org/p/books/savor-a-chef-s-hunger-for-more-fatima-ali/18069623 

Learn more about Jenna's work: http://jennamatecki.com/ 

Follow Jenna: https://www.instagram.com/jennamatecki/ 

Novelist, memoirist, screenwriter, reader, mother, daughter: Stephanie Danler’s title isn’t singular, and perhaps that is what makes her such a compelling storyteller.

If you’ve read Stephanie’s work, you might already be aware of her gift for writing about the human experience in a way that captures your heart—and sometimes breaks it. Her breakout novel-turned-television show, Sweetbitter, is the embodiment of this. Although it was a runaway success, Stephanie eventually slowed down and looked inward when she realized that another prominent piece of writing she had been working on needed to be told, too. It wasn’t just any story; it was her story, and it recently came to life in her new memoir, Stray.

In this interview, Stephanie spoke more about the impetus for writing Stray, how her relationship with pace has changed, and her thoughts on slow content in our age of digital creativity. This episode also opens with a story contributed by Alessandra Angelini of The Workshop.

How do you define beauty? Where does beauty come from? Why is beauty important? For Ella Frances Sanders, these questions take center stage in her latest book, Everything, Beautiful, an artful guide that encourages readers to “find hidden beauty in the world.”

With elegant prose and calming illustrations, Everything, Beautiful provokes deeper inquiry into how we've come to understand beauty and our potential to see it anew. But off the page, Ella also understands that it can be difficult to envision where beauty fits into our demanding schedules, grief, and longing. Ultimately, Everything, Beautiful makes the case to pay attention to and embrace the little things—even when it seems impossible.

In this interview, Ella shared more about her path to making Everything, Beautiful, how beauty manifests for her online and offline, and the importance of reflecting on questions and answers. This episode also opens with a story by Tree Abraham.

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Episode Transcript: https://slowstoriespodcast.com/ella-frances-sanders 

Learn more about Ella's work: https://www.ellafrancessanders.com/ 

Purchase EVERYTHING, BEAUTIFUL: https://bookshop.org/p/books/everything-beautiful-a-guide-to-finding-hidden-beauty-in-the-world-ella-frances-sanders/17776858?ean=9780143137061 

Follow Ella: https://www.instagram.com/ellafsanders/ 

Learn more Tree's work: https://www.treeabraham.com/ 

Purchase CYCLETTES: https://bookshop.org/p/books/cyclettes-tree-abraham/18365484?ean=9781951213626 

Follow Tree: https://www.instagram.com/treexthree/ 

"Point of view has a terrible memory. I've looked at photos scrolling up and over, zooming in and out, and realize it is not love I want, just the ability to zoom back out. A woman loses herself when she can no longer zoom out." This is one of the many resonant passages readers will encounter in Victoria Chang's latest poetry collection, With My Back to the World. Across three parts, Victoria engages with the work of renowned artist Agnes Martin, who ultimately provides a portal for the writer to consider identity, existence, death, grief, depression, and time.

While these themes may be universal, Victoria's voice is singular. Page after page, her passion for language becomes all the more apparent. As she writes in "Gratitude, 2001": "What am I outside of language? Is this the solitude Agnes spoke of—standing in an auditorium without a microphone or an audience, at a podium reading wind. And where the skin that has been wound tightly around me my whole life, is also the thing that I've been writing on. To think, everyone will write one final word."

In this interview, Victoria shared more about her relationship with process and pace, the nuances of writing and publishing in this day and age, and what she's learned as an artist, educator, and mother. This episode also opens with a story from Amy Lin.

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Episode Transcript: https://slowstoriespodcast.com/victoria-chang 

Follow Slow Stories on Substack: https://slowstories.substack.com/ 

Purchase With My Back to the World: https://bookshop.org/p/books/with-my-back-to-the-world-poems-victoria-chang/19994823 

Learn more about Victoria's work: https://victoriachangpoet.com/ 

Follow Victoria: @fattery12

Follow Amy: @literaryamy

Follow Rachel: @rachelschwartzmann

Pre-order SLOWING: https://bookshop.org/p/books/slowing-discover-wonder-beauty-and-creativity-through-slow-living-rachel-schwartzmann/21201888?ean=9781797223759 

Certain moments in life leave an indelible mark on our stories. While it can sometimes be uncomfortable to navigate these moments of uncertainty, individuals like Deja Foxx remind us that moving with intention will always be a step in the right direction.

At just twenty years old, Deja has already risen to prominence as a community builder who is seamlessly bridging the gap between social justice and social media to connect and mobilize young people around the world. While you may be familiar with Deja's work as the Influencer and Surrogate Strategist for Kamala Harris' presidential campaign, Deja's impact began closer to home when, at just sixteen, a question she posed to her senator at a town hall meeting ultimately catapulted her into the spotlight as a leader to watch in the reproductive justice movement.

These days, and even as the world continues to reckon with a global health crisis, Deja has continued to scale her advocacy work—most notably with her digital community, GenZ Girl Gang. But platforms aside, asking questions has remained integral to Deja's work, especially when it comes to examining the systems and policies necessary to ensure a more equitable future.

For Deja, these life-changing experiences have reinforced the critical role that storytelling can play in creating lasting change. In this interview, Deja reflected on her own story, the role of pace in activism, and what she's learned about meeting the moment. This episode also opens with a reading by Samara Cooper.

How do we find and maintain a sense of wonder in a world that's become so unpredictable? Katherine May (author of Wintering and The Electricity of Every Living Thing) tackles this pressing question in her latest book, Enchantment, which is “an invitation to each of us to experience life in all its sensual complexity and to find the beauty waiting for us there.”

Calling upon the natural elements—earth, water, fire, and air—Katherine launches a personal and collective investigation into how we can restore ourselves and restoke imagination. Far from prescriptive, Katherine's work always invites readers to follow their curiosities. To slow down and open themselves up to a process of reflection. As she writes in Enchantment: “When we look for enchantment to give us direct, concrete revelations, we miss the point. It is too big for us to swallow all at once. It teaches us in constellations, and invites us to undertake the slow, lifelong work of assimilating a moment.”

In this interview, Katherine shared more about the process of finding Enchantment, musings on motherhood, and what she's learned about living, working, and creating—both online and off. This episode also opens with a story from Jess Dekker.

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Episode Transcript: https://slowstoriespodcast.com/katherine-may/ 

Learn more about Katherine's work: https://katherine-may.co.uk/

Follow Katherine: https://www.instagram.com/katherinemay_/ 

Purchase Katherine's books: https://bookshop.org/contributors/katherine-may 

Follow Jess: https://www.instagram.com/jessdekkerreads/

When was the last time you cried? This question is at the heart of Brandon Stosuy and Rose Lazar's illustrated anthology, Sad Happens: A Celebration of Tears. With contributions from a wide range of voices, including Phoebe Bridgers, Zeba Blay, Sloane Crosley, and many more, Sad Happens is a gentle offering that reminds us to get to the heart of our own stories—and our own humanity. 

Off the page, Brandon and Rose have lent this thoughtful sensibility to various endeavors. Brandon is the co-founder of The Creative Independent, "a growing re­source of emo­tional and prac­ti­cal guid­ance for cre­ative peo­ple." Rose is a visual artist and the founder of Cosmic Peace Studio. Together, they are friends, collaborators, and creatives who genuinely understand what it means to tell slow stories. 

In this interview, Brandon and Rose shared more about Sad Happens, their collaboration and friendship, the places they've left behind, the processes they embrace in their respective work, and why slowness is a recurring thread in all they do. This episode also opens with a story from Lexi Kent-Monning.

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Episode Transcript: https://slowstoriespodcast.com/brandon-stosuy-and-rose-lazar 

Follow Slow Stories on Substack: https://slowstories.substack.com/ 

Purchase Sad Happens: https://bookshop.org/p/books/sad-happens-brandon-stosuy/19726689?ean=9781668003459 

Learn more about The Creative Independent: https://thecreativeindependent.com/ 

Learn more about Cosmic Peace Studio: https://cosmicpeacestudio.com/ 

Follow The Creative Independent: @thecreativeindependent

Follow Brandon: @bstosuy

Follow Rose: @cosmicpeacestudio

Follow Lexi: @lexicola

Follow Rachel: @rachelschwartzmann

Pre-order SLOWING: https://bookshop.org/p/books/slowing-discover-wonder-beauty-and-creativity-through-slow-living-rachel-schwartzmann/21201888?ean=9781797223759 

What does it mean to be faithful?

This question is central to Lauren Elkin's debut novel, Scaffolding, which follows the trials and tribulations of two couples across time and space, occupying the same Paris apartment in 2019 and 1972. It is an incisive study of transformation—physical, emotional, geographical, familial. It is a question and questioning of desire: how we give it, show it, (try to) contain it, and ultimately let it shape us.

Lauren is known for nonfiction works like Flâneuse and Art Monsters, and the shape of this conversation moved in several directions, from reflecting on her previous books to global events. Lauren also shared more about her relationship with cities, her arrival at Scaffolding's central themes, and thoughts on the connection between grief, power, and time.

This episode also opens with a story from Hannah Bonner.

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Episode Transcript: https://slowstoriespodcast.com/lauren-elkin/ 

Follow Slow Stories on Substack: https://slowstories.substack.com/

Purchase Scaffolding: https://bookshop.org/p/books/scaffolding-lauren-elkin/21068842?ean=9780374615291 

Purchase Another Woman: https://bookshop.org/p/books/another-woman-hannah-bonner/21488442?ean=9781958094549 

Follow Lauren: @lauren_elkin_

Follow Hannah: @hannah__bonner

Follow Rachel: @rachelschwartzmann

Order SLOWING: https://bookshop.org/p/books/slowing-discover-wonder-beauty-and-creativity-through-slow-living-rachel-schwartzmann/21201888?ean=9781797223759 

The intersection of creativity and problem-solving has proven to be a vital combination as we collectively endure global crises. Perhaps no one understands this better than Eryn Danielle, a New York-based creative professional, movement artist, and founder.

From her enduring love of dance to spearheading social and brand initiatives for some of the most admired companies in the world, Eryn understands how stories move people. As the most recent devastating stories and actions of egregious racism ignited outrage around the United States, Eryn called upon her creative prowess and activated her love of community-building to create Allies Doing Work—a digital destination that provides a "community-driven space for intersectionality, radical accountability, and active allyship."

While social media can only yield so much change, the access platforms like Allies Doing Work provide allow people from all walks of life to work together to dismantle racist systems. But if Eryn’s work has taught us anything in recent weeks, it is that the most profound work begins far beyond the confines of our digital devices: It starts with our individual decision to create a more equitable world for all, once and for all.

In this interview, Eryn shared more about the intersection of creativity and activism, the importance of intersectional allyship, her relationship with movement, and why she thinks slow content is a critical component of community-building. This episode also opens with a story contributed by Karina Castrillo.

This is your sign to take a break. Step outside, and feel the delicate earth beneath your feet. Stretch your arms towards the sky, and put your phone in your pocket. Whether you're a city dweller or beach-goer, the great outdoors is closer than you think—but no matter where you are, one idea endures: when we disconnect from our devices, the world opens itself up to us in magical ways. For Getaway Founder and CEO Jon Staff, this idea has gradually become second nature.

Founded with the belief that "free time should be a right and a ritual for everyone," Getaway cabins offer visitors the chance to escape, replenish, and slow down. But as the leader of a business whose mission is to help others ultimately do nothing, Jon is putting everything into creating a brand that embodies its values—inside and out, online and off.

In this interview, Jon shared more about redefining escape, his relationship with writing, what technology gives and takes from us, and the magic of doing nothing. This episode also opens with a story by today's partner (Pablo Carrascal of) Ostrichpillow.

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Episode Transcript: https://slowstoriespodcast.com/jon-staff 

Learn more about Getaway: https://getaway.house/ 

Purchase Jon's book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/getting-away-75-everyday-practices-for-finding-balance-in-our-always-on-world-jon-staff/13584980 

Follow Getaway: https://www.instagram.com/getawayhouse/ 

Learn more about Ostrichpillow: https://ostrichpillow.com/ 

Follow Ostrichpillow: https://www.instagram.com/ostrichpillowofficial/  

What does it mean to belong? And what responsibilities come with belonging? These questions were top of mind while reading Katie Kitamura's stunning novel, Intimacies. 

In Intimacies, readers are presented with a rich examination of language, power, and identity seen through the lens of an unnamed narrator who has arrived in The Hague to interpret at the international court. As the narrator's story unfolds, readers witness the manipulation of language—and self—as the narrator tries to reconcile her role as an interpreter—and participant—in the stories shaping the spaces around her.

For Katie, distance and perspective are often top of mind in her writing process. But in the case of Intimacies, Katie's work also provokes deeper reflection about the relationship between time and choices—and how the decisions we make ultimately inform how we interpret and navigate the complicated landscapes of our personal, professional, and romantic lives.

In this interview, Katie shared more about the research and writing process behind Intimacies, her thoughts on the relationship between grief and power, and how pace has evolved in her creative practice. This episode also opens with a story by Sara Harowitz.

The world can learn a lot from Tembe Denton-Hurst—like how to tell a story and, perhaps more importantly, how to tell the truth. She does this and more in her stunning debut novel, Homebodies, which “is a testament to those trying to be heard and loved in a world that refuses to make space.”

In this electric story, readers follow Mickey Hayward, a writer in New York navigating the crossroads of personal, professional, and romantic tumult. After an unjust, devastating job loss, Mickey takes the reigns by crafting a letter detailing the racism and sexism she's faced as a Black woman in media. But when the letter goes unanswered, in tandem with rising tensions in her relationship, Mickey finds herself paralyzed with doubt and uncertainty. Seeking reprieve, the mounting pressure culminates in Mickey's return to her hometown.

Page after page, Tembe takes us through Mickey's past and present milestones, and as we get to know Mickey's world, readers can't help but wonder: What does it mean to truly feel at home in our lives—and ourselves? 

In this interview, Tembe shared more about her life as a writer, her evolving definition of ambition, and the idea of legacy on and off the page. This episode also opens with a story by Emma Leokadia of Girls on the Page.

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Episode Transcript: https://slowstoriespodcast.com/tembe-denton-hurst 

Learn more about Tembe's work: https://tembedentonhurst.com/ 

Follow Tembe: https://instagram.com/tembae/ 

Purchase Homebodies: https://bookshop.org/p/books/homebodies-tembe-denton-hurst/19218543?ean=9780063274280/  

Learn more about Emma's work: https://www.girlsonthepage.com/ 

Follow Emma: https://www.instagram.com/girlsonthepage/ 

With an inherent talent—and love—for all things business, Julia Hunter's tenure as the CEO of Jenni Kayne has poised the brand to become a leading fashion-lifestyle destination.

In this role, Julia has been able to channel her past experiences at other global companies to guide Jenni Kayne on its journey. And while the industry itself is on the precipice of (necessary change), Jenni Kayne continues to champion its quality over quantity mentality under Julia's leadership.

Storytelling has also endured as a critical vehicle for inspiring connections around these topics. In fact, some of these stories have even inspired Julia to rethink her perspective when it comes to approaching both business and life.

Like many other leaders, Julia was forced to fully lean into Jenni Kayne's penchant for conscious living as the world came to a standstill due to COVID-19. In this interview, she shared more about the important role slow content has played in facilitating mindful conversations and why valuing kindness above performance has been one of her most transformative career takeaways. This episode also opens with a story contributed by Eleanor Turner.

NOTE: This interview was recorded in April 2020. We are conscious of the current state of the world, but we hope this episode gives you a bit of respite and inspiration. Thank you for listening!

Emily Schildt’s appetite for life has created the foundation for a life well-lived—and well-traveled. Emily is the founder of Pop Up Grocer, a traveling grocery store that showcases hundreds of products from over 150 innovative food, beverage, home, pet, and body care brands.

Since the shop’s inception, Emily has brought Pop Up Grocer around the country and, in turn, has been able to fuse her love for food, discovery, and storytelling to create a one-of-a-kind destination. But as the world was upended by COVID-19, Emily was forced to assess her relationship with food and the important role Pop Up Grocer can play in bringing value to her community—both online and off. 

Naturally, storytelling has played a role in this shift. In this interview, Emily kindly shared more of her own story, what living and working on the road has been like, and the questions she hopes people ask her more often. This episode also opens with a story contributed by Olivia Gossett Cooper.

NOTE: This interview was recorded in April 2020. We are conscious of the current state of the world, but we hope this episode gives you a bit of respite and inspiration. Thank you for listening!

Business is more creative than we give it credit for. Sophia Amoruso understands this sentiment—and while many of us have witnessed the intimate details that have gone into building her past ventures, Sophia is looking forward as she launches her latest endeavor to help fellow entrepreneurs take flight. Enter Business Class, a newly launched course, which is “a one-way ticket for entrepreneurs that covers the fundamentals of starting and scaling your own business to achieve long-term success.”

Sophia's accidental foray into entrepreneurship has informed her current purpose-driven approach to creating content and resources that resonate in our digital age. This same approach is true for Business Class, as students have access to Sophia's extensive knowledge. While she has many lessons to teach—and stories to share—in this conversation, Sophia shared her thoughts on the role of creativity in conscious business, how her relationship with pace has changed, and what she's learned about slowing down—and starting again. This episode also opens with a story contributed by Tayler Carraway of Happy Medium.

Art imitates life; it also inspires new ways of looking at the world. The advent of the digital age has created a new palette for artists to make their mark on a scale unlike ever before. Lindsay Adams is among these boundary-pushing creatives, and she has captivated the digital landscape with her work—and her story.

For Lindsay, art is both a respite and a runway to inspire introspection and conversation. In this conversation, she shared more about how creativity has catalyzed her work as a disability advocate and what she’s learned about the power of [slow] storytelling. This episode also opens with a story contributed by Alicia Puig of PxP Contemporary.

Don’t judge a book by its cover—instead, look closely and let it take you deeper into the story. Nicole Caputo understands how to make this sentiment a reality. She is translating her dual passion for art and writing into her roles as Creative Director at Catapult and Counterpoint Press and Co-Founder of She Designs Books.

While the relationship between design and storytelling becomes increasingly important in our crowded, often visually-heavy, digital landscape, Nicole has risen to the occasion in making cover art that is in service of the larger story. Part of this approach stems from Nicole’s resolve to lead with empathy—for the writer, for the reader, and for the process itself.

Empathy, coupled with acceptance, has also played a role in Nicole’s own process—and pace—both online and off. As she continues to navigate how to show up for her professional community online, a recent personal health challenge has also influenced Nicole to make space to live, work, and create away from her devices and closer to the people who matter most.

Nicole’s story of creativity and courage is a powerful reminder to live with intention. In this interview, she spoke more about the opportunity that comes when pursuing quiet moments offline, how slow content has inspired her creative process, and what stories she hopes will come out of this transformational period. This episode also opens with a reading by Jennie Edgar.

What makes a day? Is it the routine of brewing morning coffee or walking through the neighborhood? Is it more meaningful if it's spent in the company of others? And if we do find ourselves alone, what are we able to see in our solitude?

Ayşegül Savaş's affinity for the details brings these questions to the forefront. She has a talent for transforming mundane moments into compelling prose that lingers long after a story ends. Her latest books—The Anthropologists, a slim novel following a young couple's search for an apartment, and The Wilderness, her debut work of nonfiction chronicling her first 40 days after giving birth—are no exception. They are elegant studies of time and place—of growing up and growing older, kinship and family, home and language, and life's small pains and pleasures. And while Ayşegül considers many of her books to be "quiet stories," it's in the silence that readers hear the heartbeat of her sentences—each a compelling reminder of what makes life worth living.

In this interview, Ayşegül shared more about the connection between mothering and writing, thoughts on creative lineage and family, and what it means to be in the present moment—in art and life. This episode also opens with a story by Cara Blue Adams.

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Episode Transcript: https://slowstoriespodcast.com/aysegul-savas 

Follow Slow Stories on Substack: https://slowstories.substack.com/

Purchase The Anthropologists: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-anthropologists-aysegul-savas/20328495?ean=9781639733064 

Purchase The Wilderness: https://www.transitbooks.org/books/thewilderness 

Purchase You Never Get It Back: https://bookshop.org/p/books/you-never-get-it-back-cara-blue-adams/16910017?ean=9781609388133 

Purchase Slowing: https://bookshop.org/p/books/slowing-discover-wonder-beauty-and-creativity-through-slow-living-rachel-schwartzmann/21201888?ean=9781797223759 

Follow Ayşegül: https://www.instagram.com/__aysegulsavas__/ 

Follow Cara: https://www.instagram.com/carablueadams/ 

Follow Rachel: @rachelschwartzmann

“When you move half as fast, you notice twice as much.” These words make up the foundation that Jenn Tardif has built for her life and work. With the latter in mind, this sentiment is also one of the pillars that makes up 3rd Ritual—a collective founded by Jenn that, in her words, “creates mindful objects, botanical blends, and esoteric content that make meaning from the ordinary.”

In those ordinary moments of juggling the demands of modern life—and a committed mindfulness practice—Jenn recognized just how disjointed these two aspects had become. So, she decided to take a leap of faith by translating her personal rituals into professional transformation, in turn, breathing new life into what it means to connect today.

While Jenn has created tools to explore, as she mentions in our conversation, “a third way,” she's also created infinite opportunities for people to show up wholeheartedly for one another—and for themselves. In this conversation, Jenn shared more about the origin story behind 3rd Ritual, the importance of creating moments of connectivity both online and offline, and what she's learned about the power of setting intentions. This episode also opens with a story contributed by Stephanie Harrison of The New Happy.

What does it mean to grieve? What does it look and feel like? Why is it still so hard for us to understand? These are just a few questions Amy Lin tackles in her astounding memoir Here After. In a series of crystalline vignettes, Amy recounts the unexpected death of her husband Kurtis, her subsequent medical crisis—and the winding journey to live after inconceivable loss.

In many ways, Here After is a story of falling—in love, apart, out of time. It's a story that alerts us to our hearts and heartbreaks. It's a story that asks the big, unanswerable questions, but perhaps most poignantly, it asks readers to be here—to bear witness. As Amy writes in the book: "I do not say: Everyone is so afraid of grief, and this fear is dangerous to the grieving. I do not tell him the painful lesson I am learning: Enduring the thing itself—he is not coming back—is unbearable but denying it is worse, is an even greater, even more insidious, threat to living, if that is what you want to do."

In this interview, Amy shared more about the value of seriousness in life, her thoughts on slow storytelling and creativity, and what time means to her now. This episode also opens with a story from Julie Chavez.

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Episode Transcript: https://slowstoriespodcast.com/amy-lin/ 

Follow Slow Stories on Substack: https://slowstories.substack.com/

Purchase Here After: https://bookshop.org/p/books/here-after-a-memoir-amy-lin/20214421?ean=9781958506325/ 

Purchase Everyone But Myself: https://bookshop.org/p/books/everyone-but-myself-a-memoir-julie-chavez/19726158?ean=9781958506059/ 

Follow Amy: @literaryamy

Follow Julie: @juliewriteswords

Follow Rachel: @rachelschwartzmann

Pre-order SLOWING: https://bookshop.org/p/books/slowing-discover-wonder-beauty-and-creativity-through-slow-living-rachel-schwartzmann/21201888?ean=9781797223759 

To hold joy in your hand means to honor sadness in your heart, for the two are inextricable. This sentiment is one that many of us will recognize after a prolonged period of chaos and transformation. But for poet and author Ross Gay, studying these modes has paved the way for art that will stand the test of time. Enter Inciting Joy, Ross's latest essay collection, which “considers the joy we incite when we care for each other, especially during life's inevitable hardships.”

Through lenses like gardening and grief, Ross charts a loving exploration into what it means to connect in a world that challenges our time, attention, and hope. In this interview, Ross shared more about writing and re-encountering his life, the joys and lessons of aging, and the importance of change and curiosity. This episode also opens with a story from Caro, a multidisciplinary craft artist based in Los Angeles, California.

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Episode Transcript: https://slowstoriespodcast.com/ross-gay 

Learn more about Ross's work: https://www.rossgay.net/ 

Purchase Ross's books: https://bookshop.org/contributors/ross-gay 

Learn more about Caro's work: http://carolinerosoff.com/ 

Follow Caro: https://www.instagram.com/carolinerosoff 

From jewelry design to content creation, Brandy Pham's elevated eye for design and passion for storytelling have both played an immense role in the success of her career. The culmination of her creative passions ultimately led to the inception of PLANOLY, the premier visual management and planning tool for modern marketers.

With a growing suite of products, PLANOLY has quickly risen to prominence as an industry-leading resource for its 2m+ community of businesses and content creators. In this interview, Brandy shared more about balancing parenthood and PLANOLY and the importance of leading with passion and empathy. This episode also opens with a story contributed by Jeanette Getrost.

Picture this: a vast expanse of Texas road and sky, two best friends, and a world of possibility. It was here that Laura Cramer and Starr Hout came together and conceived Apiece Apart—a brand revered for design-forward staples that, in their words, “act as witnesses to our lives... and never go out of style.”

While the duo's shared love for beauty has culminated in timeless clothing, style is just one part of their story. For Laura and Starr, community-building anchors everything at Apiece Apart, and this notion has become even more vital as the world continues to change at warp speed. And though they may not always know what's ahead, Laura and Starr are still looking forward, moving slower, and are sure of one thing: Their best work is yet to come.

In this interview, Laura and Starr shared more about their enduring friendship, what it means to tell slow stories, and what they've learned about building support systems in business—and life. This episode also opens with a story by Arlena Armstrong-Petock of Marvin Ruby.

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Episode Transcript: https://slowstoriespodcast.com/laura-cramer-and-starr-hout 

Learn more about Apiece Apart: https://www.apieceapart.com/ 

Follow Apiece Apart: https://www.instagram.com/apieceapart 

Follow Marvin Ruby: https://www.instagram.com/shopmarvinruby/?hl=en 

The art of life requires empathy, resilience, and a laugh or two—especially now. But after all that we've been through over the last few years, one question endures: How do we deal? This idea is at the core of artist Grace Miceli's book, How to Deal. 

Billed as “a weird but honest roadmap from a friend who wants to make it just that much easier for us to navigate our own journey,” How to Deal provides a creative respite from the "daily dreads" that pervade modern life. With thoughtful prose and a collection of original comic strips, illustrated lists, and diary entries, Grace renders a compassionate exploration of what it means to deal with—and embrace—the messier parts of life, both online and off.

In this interview, Grace shared more about the evolution of her creative practice, the process of working on How to Deal in a period of isolation, and what she's learned about slowing down—and trusting herself. This episode also opens with a story by Emily Freidenrich.

Our perspectives are shaped by the experiences we collect while writing the many chapters of our lives. However, as we go through life, we brace for the plot twists that have the power to rewrite our stories in ways we could have never expected. Suleika Jaouad understands this sentiment—and has created an extraordinary story of her own rooted in strength and transcendence.

When she was just 22 years old, Suleika was thrown off course with a devastating Leukemia diagnosis. With dreams of becoming a foreign correspondent, she instead found herself, as she says, “reporting from the front lines of her hospital bed.” Today, Suleika is a highly-regarded speaker, writer, and creative professional. But when COVID-19 upended the world earlier this year, Suleika found herself revisiting the notion of what it means to be isolated as a result of illness. Enter her latest project, The Isolation Journals, which has given rise to a vibrant community around the world who are looking to “transform life's interruptions into creative grist.”

While there's something to be said for there being strength in numbers, Suleika has made a compelling case for the creativity—and unexpected sense of connection—that can arise even when we find ourselves in solitude. In this interview, Suleika shared more about the inception of The Isolation Journals, how she indulges in slow storytelling, and why cultivating a lifelong creative practice has brought meaning to her life. This episode also opens with a story contributed by Echo Hopkins of Ordinary Habit.

Conscious connection with others has taken on a whole new level of importance after a year of isolation and recalibration. But if you ask changemakers like Jen Batchelor, lasting connection comes from within—and begins with fueling the body and mind, the heart and soul. Enter Kin, co-founded in 2018 by Jen as “the first packaged Euphoric beverage—a non-alcoholic spirit made of adaptogens, nootropics, and Botanics—designed to give you that unique alcohol-fueled buzz, but without any of the negative effects.”

Jen has risen to prominence as a leader in Euphorics, and her category-defining work has created new avenues for those looking to engage in the time-honored ritual of gathering around a table. In this interview, Jen shared more about how pivotal moments in her childhood informed her perspective on community and hosting, the storytelling and science of Kin, and what she hopes to bring to the ritual of gathering today. This episode also opens with a reading by Sophie Roche Conti.

Some stories stay with us, and the ones that do often shape our lives in ways that we never thought were possible. This is the case for Becky Cooper, whose chance encounter with a harrowing collegiate tale ignited her ten-year exploration into the unsolved murder of Jane Britton—an archaeology graduate student at Harvard who takes center stage in Becky's sophomore book, We Keep the Dead Close: A Murder at Harvard and a Half Century of Silence.

In this compelling mystery-meets-memoir, Becky creates a rich tapestry of Jane's life as she attempts to unearth details around the tangled investigation of her death. But as someone who is no stranger to the allure of storytelling, Becky's immersion into Jane's world ultimately provoked a deeper inquiry into the systems that shape—and at times compromise—a narrative. For Becky, giving a voice to Jane's life (while also sharing snippets of her own experiences throughout the book) ultimately served as a critical reminder about the power and responsibility that comes with telling stories about the past, especially as we navigate a complicated present. 

In this interview, Becky shared more about these ideas, what initially led her to Jane, how slowing down informed her writing process, and what she's learned about the delicate balance of reconstructing and reflecting on a person's story.

What is the role of beauty in this day and age? For some, it’s an aesthetic pursuit; for others, it’s simply a state of mind. If we’re talking about the global, multibillion-dollar industry, it’s something else entirely. But for Gloria Noto, beauty is more than meets the eye. As the founder of NOTO Botanics, a multi-use, gender-inclusive, clean cosmetic line, Gloria and her team are committed to “championing ferocious individuality while cultivating a creative and mindful community along the way.”

Gloria’s extensive experience as a celebrity makeup artist, contributor, and former founder of THE WORK, an arts and culture publication, lends itself well to this mission: In many ways, NOTO’s true beauty lies in its ability to push the narrative of how we can all relate to beauty and identity more seamlessly. Gloria’s personal commitment to storytelling has also contributed to NOTO’s longevity in our rapidly changing world—and helped her reimagine what life looks like outside the pressures of entrepreneurship. Enter her Substack, Studio Noto, a personal journal featuring essays, musings, and prompts.

In this interview, Gloria shared more about her evolving relationship with work and creativity, what qualities are present in her visual “toolkit,” and how time, grief, and solitude have changed throughout her life. This episode also opens with a story by Maggie Featherstone.

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Episode Transcript: https://slowstoriespodcast.com/gloria-noto/ 

Subscribe to Slow Stories on Substack: https://slowstories.substack.com/ 

Purchase SLOWING: https://bookshop.org/p/books/slowing-discover-wonder-beauty-and-creativity-through-slow-living-rachel-schwartzmann/21201888?ean=9781797223759  

Discover NOTO Botanics: https://notobotanics.com/ 

Follow Gloria: @glorianoto

Follow Maggie: @maggiefeathers

Follow Rachel: @rachelschwartzmann

“Tell me the whole story from the beginning.” This line has impacted Dr. Suzanne Koven in more ways than one. The revered doctor and writer in residence at Massachusetts General Hospital has cultivated a career that uniquely rests at the intersection of medicine and storytelling. She recently illuminated these experiences in her debut essay collection, Letter to a Young Female Physician.

In Letter to a Young Female Physician, Suzanne reflects on her expansive medical life through lenses including identity, family, and literature. The latter was especially pertinent to this conversation. In this interview, Suzanne shared more about the rituals that have informed medical and writing practice, her thoughts on slow storytelling, and how reading and writing have brought meaning to her community—and life. This episode also opens with a reading by Gia Salvaggio.

What we leave behind can still shape what moves us forward. This idea is at the core of Kayla Maiuri's poignant debut novel, Mother in the Dark. 

In this quietly captivating story, readers follow Anna, a young woman who finds herself at a crossroads as her complicated past converges with the present. As Anna's family life unfurls, we meet various characters who inspire deeper reflection about what it means to be a daughter, sister, and friend. 

For Kayla, fiction is a lens to understand reality, and her book is a powerful reminder not to turn away from the people we love. In this interview, Kayla shared more about the origins of this story, her relationship with nature, and what she's learned about family, leaving, and time. This episode also opens with a story by Kate Litterer.

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Episode Transcript: https://slowstoriespodcast.com/kayla-maiuri 

Learn more about Kayla's work: https://www.kaylamaiuri.com/ 

Purchase MOTHER IN THE DARK: https://bookshop.org/p/books/mother-in-the-dark-kayla-maiuri/20078457?ean=9780593083291 

Follow Kayla: https://www.instagram.com/kaylajosefine/ 

Learn more Kate's work: https://katehenry.com/ 

Purchase TEND TO IT: https://bookshop.org/p/books/tend-to-it-a-holistic-guide-to-intentional-productivity-kate-litterer/16072031?ean=9781735802206 

Follow Kate: https://www.instagram.com/thetendingyear/ 

Let's start with a simple truth: Lisa Taddeo's work is anything but slow. Time and time again, her readers are pulled into honest—devastating—examinations of rage, grief, and what it means to be a person in the world. From her acclaimed work of nonfiction, Three Women, to her unforgettable debut novel Animal, Lisa's writing is not merely an invitation into a story but a rallying cry to recognize the full scope of the human experience. The same can be said for her latest book, Ghost Lover, a collection of stories that “brings to life the fever of obsession, the blindness of love, and the mania of grief.”

For Lisa, life moves quickly, especially now. But her enduring exploration of grief creates space to talk about the (often) slow process of overcoming heartbreak or pain. And because of this, her stories stay with you long after the last page. In this interview, Lisa shared more about the pace that drives her practice, why she's drawn to short stories, and what she's learned from writing about people. This episode also opens with a reading by Francesca Giacco.

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Episode Transcript: https://slowstoriespodcast.com/lisa-taddeo 

Learn more about Lisa's work: https://www.lisataddeo.com/ 

Purchase Lisa's books: https://bookshop.org/search?keywords=lisa+taddeo 

Follow Lisa: https://www.instagram.com/lisadtaddeo/ 

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Art creates space for understanding, introspection, and intimacy. These themes are especially at play in the work of artist and writer Larissa Pham. You may recognize Larissa’s work from her bylines in esteemed publications, including The Paris Review Daily, or in the case of this episode, from her brilliant work of creative nonfiction, Pop Song, which is described as “a book about distances, near and far. The miles we travel to get away from ourselves, or those who hurt us, and the impossible gaps that can exist between two people sharing a bed.”

In this vibrant essay collection—at once vulnerable and incisive—Larissa examines modern intimacy through analysis and personal reflection against the backdrop of an increasingly digital-first world. With a critic’s eye and an artist’s heart, Larissa also draws connections between works of art and acts of life as she navigates heartbreak and searches for meaning.

During a time when connection has taken on a whole new level of importance, Larissa’s genre-defying work reminds us to honor the power of art, intimacy, and self. In this interview, she shared more about the role of pace and paying attention in her writing practice, her thoughts on consumption in our digital age, and the distances she’s overcome creatively—and beyond. This episode opens with a reading by poet Devon Walker-Figueroa.

Think about the places you frequent most. What’s the experience like? How does it make you feel? How are you connecting? And who are you connecting with? Whether online or offline, Naj Austin has been exploring these questions through her visionary endeavors, which include Ethel’s Club and, most recently, Somewhere Good, an “audio platform for intimate community conversations.”

With its distinct, design-driven app and a growing suite of partnerships and offline offerings, Somewhere Good is poised to become a leader in how we can authentically connect in our complex digital age. For Naj, shifting away from scrolling our feed and moving towards feeding our relationships remains a through-line. And with that mission comes recalibrating how we pay attention to ourselves—and each other.

In this interview, Naj shared more about the role of slowness and solitude in her work, her relationship with listening, and the importance of community participation. This episode also opens with a story from Amy Snook.

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Episode Transcript: https://slowstoriespodcast.com/naj-austin 

Learn more about Naj's work: https://najaustin.com/ 

Follow Naj: https://www.instagram.com/najaustin/?hl=en 

Learn more Amy's work: https://www.pareastudios.com/parea-books 

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Rituals transform how we live, work, and create—but closer to home, they can do something much greater: encourage self-love. For conscious creators like Matthew Herman, this idea is especially prevalent. Enter Boy Smells.

Co-founded in late 2015 with his partner David Kien, Matthew and the team have worked diligently to create a gender-inclusive lifestyle brand that, in their words, encourages people to “make loving your identity a daily ritual.” With products ranging from candles to fragrances to intimates, Boy Smells aptly puts the personal back in personal care routine. 

While much of Boy Smells’ journey is reminiscent of Matthew’s personal experiences, the brand has embraced its community every step of the way. In this interview, Matthew shared more about his journey from fashion to fragrance, the ins and outs of building a genderful brand, and what he’s learned about slowing down—and living an abundant life. This episode also opens with a story by Julianne Fraser.

Finding strength in numbers has taken on a whole new meaning as it’s shaped how we navigate a tumultuous time—one that’s called much of how we live and work into question. However, if you ask Jordan Taylor, the question of what comes next ultimately ignites us to look inward and seek to learn things about ourselves—and others. This is the root of what Jordan is exploring with her new company, Medley, which, put simply, “is a membership for curious, growth-minded people who want a structured, social, and accessible way to invest in themselves.”

Medley's mission draws on Jordan's experiences navigating modern life and recognizing that something was missing in an age of individual pursuit. Coupling this with the experiences of her co-founder and mother, Edith Cooper, the duo put their heads together and eventually tapped into the potential that comes when creating space for people from all walks of life to gather and engage in holistic growth. 

In this conversation, Jordan shared more about the people who inspired Medley's inception, the importance of diversity in storytelling, and what she's learned about embracing process over outcome. This episode also opens with a story contributed by Naomi Shah of Meet Cute.

What does it mean to gather? This is a question that

While Ghia's roots are inspired by the Mediterranean, closer to home, Mélanie has grappled with building a company rooted in connection in a time of increased isolation. For Mélanie, a shift in perspective—and pace—has become a guiding light during this turbulent time. In this conversation, she shared more about the importance of fostering hospitality even while at home, why she characterizes Ghia as being a “slow” company, and what she's learned about the power of slowing down and setting a new, more inclusive table.

Industry luminaries like Lesley Thornton prove that with a little extra care, beauty can offer something much greater than aesthetics—it can leave an imprint on someone's heart.

Lesley's work in the cosmetics industry is far-reaching, and her past roles have ranged from [retired] esthetician to makeup for The Estée Lauder Companies to on-air beauty and skincare expert for Discovery Networks. But most recently, Lesley has channeled her passion and expertise into building Klur—an eco-inclusive botanicals brand made in California.

Industry insights aside, Lesley's journey in building Klur has been a slow and ever-evolving process. Despite the brand's ups and downs, Lesley's careful balance of science-led formulations and refined storytelling has created a business foundation for Klur to endure—and thrive.

For Lesley, inclusivity, sustainability, and community all transcend Klur's mission statement, and her own story is living proof of the holistic impact that comes when we prioritize people over products. In this interview, she shared more about the life experiences that have shaped her approach to building Klur, the importance of visual storytelling—both online and offline—and what she's learned about the inextricable link between self-care and community care. This episode also opens with a story contributed by Stephanie Tam.

Think about the last time you felt connected to night: the moon’s luminous glow, the rhythms of a house party, the pulsing of the music, the heartbeat of a community. Caleb Femi’s modern epic, The Wickedest, offers a way back to those feelings—and asks us to consider what lies beneath the surface. From 10:45 PM to 4:45 AM, readers attend the longest-running house party in South London’s shoob scene, always held at an undisclosed inner-city spot. Rendered in minute-by-minute poetry, photographs, and other visual ephemera, we encounter intimacies, conversations, and perspectives from the party’s attendees, organizers, and the like. In this way, The Wickedest is a singular book that captures time—and a particular moment in time—where the need to gather comes at the height of a loneliness crisis, and we grapple with what it means to truly cultivate communal space. For Caleb, though, the latter is inherent. He continues to lead with humanity, curiosity, love—all of which engender creative work that transcends mediums—and time and place.

In this interview, Caleb shared more about navigating life as a multidisciplinary artist, the private aspects of poetry, the singularity of visual storytelling, and how he honors time both on and off the page. This episode also opens with a story from https://slowstoriespodcast.com/caleb-femi/ 

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Time and time again, we've witnessed how storytelling can transcend barriers and ignite our senses. The latter has become especially important in our interconnected age. Artists like Jessica Manning are living proof of how the digital landscape can be a powerful vehicle for people to create—and tell stories—that remain in our hearts.

For Jessica, this has notably come to life through music. The singer-songwriter's rich vocals and poignant lyrics are just a few details that have shaped her thoughtful perspective and presence. Most recently, Jessica showcased this musical prowess in her newly-released EP titled "You Are Here." Yet even with this milestone, Jessica is no stranger to the importance of slowing down. This has become even more apparent as she's navigated working in a space predicated on output and performance.

For Jessica, pivots have become part of her process, and the result has enabled her to broaden her creative approach so that she can tell stories in new and exciting ways. In this interview, Jessica shared more about her ongoing professional evolution, the origins of "You Are Here" and her musical journey as a whole, and what she's learned about changing her pace to cultivate a more considered creative practice. This episode also opens with a reading by Erika Veurink.

We look to the past to inform our futures, but as we continue writing the chapters of our stories, we often forget to bask in the events unfolding in real time. Creative people have a unique ability to capture the nuances of these particular experiences. Poet and tastemaker Orion Carloto is one of these individuals. 

As she's grown in her creative practice, Orion learned how to look for—and celebrate—the magic in the otherwise mundane moments. For Orion, this appreciation for the little things stems from lived experiences and the growth that's shaped her perspective since writing her first book, Flux. 

Today, Orion is celebrating the release of her highly-anticipated sophomore, Film for Her, which in her words, “is a reflection of all of the instances in my life where I found beauty and poetry in the most ordinary places.” This introspection has allowed Orion to write from a place of acceptance.

As she's grown into her personal, professional, and creative identity, Orion is slowly changing the narrative around what it means to tell stories with meaning and grace. In this conversation, Orion shared more about the inspiration behind Film for Her, her thoughts on language as a tool for beauty beyond aesthetics, and what she's learned about growing up—and slowing down. This episode also opens with a story contributed by Nikki Barnhart.

Authenticity has never been more critical in a world that celebrates fleeting trends. In an industry like fashion, and for entrepreneur Mason Spector, discerning design is just a small part of creating long-term impact and connection. As the co-founder of the Los Angeles-based clothing brand Madhappy, Spector and his team are committed to "using apparel, events, and experimental retail spaces to explore a personal expression as a means to an improved state of mind."

Words like "optimism" and "community" are often associated with the brand—and for Mason, in particular, that's no happy accident. His personal experiences have culminated in building an intentional business that confronts one of the most pressing issues of our time: mental health. 

In this interview, Mason shared more about his dynamic upbringing, his relationship with pace, and what he's learned about the mental health journey. This episode also opens with a story from writer and podcast host Sam Cohen. — Episode Transcript: https://slowstoriespodcast.com/mason-spector  Follow Slow Stories on Substack: https://slowstories.substack.com/  Learn more about Madhappy: https://madhappy.com/  Follow Madhappy: https://instagram.com/madhappy/    Follow Mason: https://instagram.com/masonspec/ Follow Sam: https://instagram.com/samcohenwriting/ Follow Rachel: https://instagram.com/rachelschwartzmann/  Pre-order SLOWING: https://bookshop.org/p/books/slowing-discover-wonder-beauty-and-creativity-through-slow-living-rachel-schwartzmann/21201888?ean=9781797223759 

The business world is changing for the better thanks to visionaries like Fran Hauser. The long-time media executive has seen the storytelling landscape evolve drastically throughout her career and in her roles at iconic digital media businesses, including Time Inc. and AOL. But as she transitioned into investing and advising mostly women-led startups, while taking into account her past experiences at work, Fran identified a singular problem that most modern professional women face: How do you own your niceness in the workplace? Enter her new book, The Myth of the Nice Girl. 

In this interview, Fran spoke about her writing experience and process, the importance of building sustainable connections, and why slowing down our relationship to content ultimately makes us nicer all around. The episode also opens with a story contributed by Isadora Sales.

What does it mean to build a better tomorrow? Nichole Powell of Kinfield has been crafting the answer to this question throughout her entire career. In this interview, Nichole unpacked the importance of reinvigorating Kinfield's product category, how sustainability drives everything she does both on and off duty, and why slow content is a critical component in the modern storyteller's playbook. This episode also opens with a story contributed by writer Adeline Hocine.