A Writer's Life: Goats, God and the Deep South with Literary Soulmates K. Hank Jost and Bonnie Hall

People at the Core

Ever wondered what magic brews when the lives of literary soulmates intertwine?*
Hank and Bonnie, the literary power couple who've journeyed from the Deep South to the vibrant streets of Brooklyn, sit down with us to unravel their story. They share their voyage through life and literature, offering glimpses into their existence as a couple that breathes words and wisdom. We peel back the layers of our podcast's creation, a tale of neighbors turned co-creators, transforming casual discussions into a symphony of storytelling and camaraderie.
Through our discourse, we confront the emotional whirlwinds and the risks of desensitization that tales of intensity can stir within us. We discuss the delicate art of balancing the shocking with the sublime, digging into works like "My Little Life," "Hogg," and Flannery O'Connor's unflinching exploration of humanity's dark side. Prepare to be enveloped in a conversation that probes the heart of storytelling, where the power of the pen is revealed in its capacity to both disturb and captivate.
Our chat follows Bonnie's experience working at a dairy farm and Hank's quest for truth as he deconstructed biblical texts and argued with church figureheads. Bonnie and Hank were both raised in religions that left them desiring a different relationship to faith; here in New York, they found what they were looking for at the Brooklyn Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, a Quaker form of worship that is centered on gathering as a community without a formal service.
*Please be patient with us as we improve our recording and editing techniques and equipment. Every conversation we have had with our guests have been too rich and wonderful to not share. We appreciate you all hanging in there as we continue to learn and grow.
**Bonnie Hall and K. Hank Jost bonus episode reading excerpt will be available May 31st.*
K. Hank Jost Links:
Website
Instagram
Bonnie Hall Links:
Instagram

Books by K. Hank Jost
Deselections
MadStone

Mentions:

• A Common Well Journal
• Brooklyn Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
• Flannery O'Conner's A Good Man is Hard to Find and Other Stories
• Sam Delany's Hogg: A Novel
• John McPhee
• Harry Crews

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Kapitel

1. A Writer's Life: Goats, God and the Deep South with Literary Soulmates K. Hank Jost and Bonnie Hall (00:00:00)

2. People at the Core (00:00:01)

3. Creative Collaboration and Critique (00:13:34)

4. Exploring Writing Practices and Influences (00:22:49)

5. Discussion on Disturbing and Graphic Literature (00:31:58)