Be True: Life in Literature

John reads “Ozymandias,” a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley. He also discusses the recent riots in Europe, the rise and fall of societies, how adults are failing children, and how power isn’t permanent. In each episode of Be True: Life in Literature—available on most major podcast platforms—John reads and discusses the writing he loves, and sometimes his own, inviting listeners to live more fully with...

John reads Marianne Moore’s poem, “Kay Nielsen’s Little Green Patch in the Midst of the Forest.” He also discusses the literary significance of ekphrasis and a poet’s yearning for a truth beyond fact. In each episode of Be True: Life in Literature—available on most major podcast platforms—John reads and discusses the writing he loves, and sometimes his own, inviting listeners to live more fully wi...

John reads an excerpt from Karl Popper’s book, The Open Society and its Enemies. He discusses the accumulation of power, our willingness to follow leaders, and the stakes of this historical moment. In each episode of Be True: Life in Literature—available on most major podcast platforms—John reads and discusses the writing he loves, and sometimes his own, inviting listeners to live more fully with...

John reads a section of his book American Magpie: Life and Liberal Arts. He discusses his best day as a teacher, the power of art to shape culture, and Bruce’s influence on his past and future work. In each episode of Be True—available on most major podcast platforms—John reads and discusses the writing he loves, and sometimes his own, inviting listeners to live more fully with and through literat...

John reads a passage of his new book, American Magpie: Life and Liberal Arts. He discusses threats to American education, getting society unstuck, lessons from Dostoevsky, and humanists in basements. In each episode of Be True—available on most major podcast platforms—John reads and discusses the writing he loves, and sometimes his own, inviting listeners to live more fully with and through litera...

John reads the preface to William Blake’s epic poem, Milton. He also discusses alternative paths to grace, power flooding the zone, coal and the dangers of deregulation, and crazy poetic prophesies. In each episode of Be True—available on most major podcast platforms—John reads and discusses the writing he loves, and sometimes his own, inviting listeners to live more fully with and through literat...

John reads “What is Worth Saving?” from his poem-chapbook For a Minute There, It Seemed Like Something Was Happening. He discusses the 25th anniversary of 9/11, public mourning, and optimism on-hold. In each episode of Be True—available on most major podcast platforms—John reads and discusses the writing he loves, and sometimes his own, inviting listeners to live more fully with and through litera...

John reads the opening paragraphs of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby. He also discusses effortful optimism, nostalgia for the old America-even during the Jazz Age-and perfect sentences. In each episode of Be True—available on most major podcast platforms—John reads and discusses the writing he loves, and sometimes his own, inviting listeners to live more fully with and through litera...

John reads “Chaplinesque,” a poem by Hart Crane. He discusses the art and significance of Charlie Chaplin, the importance of sentimentality in cruel times, the threat of open-heartedness, and kittens. In each episode of Be True—available on most major podcast platforms—John reads and discusses the writing he loves, and sometimes his own, inviting listeners to live more fully with and through liter...

John reads an excerpt of his forthcoming book, American Magpie: Life and Liberal Arts. He discusses education in-crisis, the literature of fragment-assembly, and drops in some ornithological trivia. In each episode of Be True—available on most major podcast platforms—John reads and discusses the writing he loves, and sometimes his own, inviting listeners to live more fully with and through literat...

John reads “A Very Short Story” by Ernest Hemingway. He discusses the writer’s cultural influence, the “masculine” in literature, American style in conflict with substance, and great Italian lovers. In each episode of Be True—available on most major podcast platforms—John reads and discusses the writing he loves, and sometimes his own, inviting listeners to live more fully with and through literat...

John reads Amy Lowell’s poem, “Fatigue.” He also discusses the persistence of the life force, the confusion of living in darkness, recognizing coping strategies, and the ultimate importance of sex. In each episode of Be True—available on most major podcast platforms—John reads and discusses the writing he loves, and sometimes his own, inviting listeners to live more fully with and through literatu...

John reads John Keats’s “Ode on a Grecian Urn.” He also discusses the alchemy of art, the pursuit of the impossible, and the problem with “perfection”...all in tribute to the late singer Glen Hansard. In each episode of Be True—available on most major podcast platforms—John reads and discusses the writing he loves, and sometimes his own, inviting listeners to live more fully with and through liter...

John reads a section of his long poem “My City of Yesterday.” He also discusses the challenges of navigating our individual journeys, the importance of metaphors, and feeling like we’re always at-sea. In each episode of Be True—available on most major podcast platforms—John reads and discusses the writing he loves, and sometimes his own, inviting listeners to live more fully with and through liter...

John reads Medea’s interior monologue from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. He also discusses anxious minds in anxious times; the circularity, desperation, and compulsion of anxiety; and the need for compassion. In each episode of Be True—available on most major podcast platforms—John reads and discusses the writing he loves, and sometimes his own, inviting listeners to live more fully with and through liter...

John reads “Tea at the Palaz of Hoon,” a poem by Wallace Stevens. He also discusses persistence, the self-knowledge that comes with maturity, his own late start, and the surprising rise of Vozinha. In each episode of Be True—available on most major podcast platforms—John reads and discusses the writing he loves, and sometimes his own, inviting listeners to live more fully with and through literatu...

John reads “A Prayer for Us,” a poem by Crisosto Apache. He also discusses the nation’s 250th anniversary, American ambivalence, his friendship with a U.S. Supreme Court justice, and a lifelong crush. Visit crisostoapache.com for more about the poet featured in this episode. In each episode of Be True—available on most major podcast platforms—John reads and discusses the writing he loves, and some...

John reads poems by the Japanese poet, philosopher, and founder of Sōtō Zen, Eihei Dōgen. He also discusses his struggles with autoimmune disease and stress management, and his interest in meditation. John Tessitore is a writer, poet, and liberal arts advocate. His poems have appeared in a variety of journals, he has published several chapbooks and two novellas. He has been a journalist, biographe...

John reads the opening of The Odyssey, Homer’s epic poem. He also discusses the power of literature to create community, and why he’s rooting for the success of Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film. John Tessitore is a writer, poet, and liberal arts advocate. His poems have appeared in a variety of journals, he has published several chapbooks and two novellas. He has been a journalist, biographer, an...

John reads “Invictus,” a poem by William Ernest Henley. He also discusses his need for a team, the limits of heroic individual, the importance of community, and the special courage of Nelson Mandela. John Tessitore is a writer, poet, and liberal arts advocate. His poems have appeared in a variety of journals, he has published several chapbooks and two novellas. He has been a journalist, biographer...

John reads Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken.” He also discusses a wistful graduation season, clichéd commencement addresses, the power of confidence, and the secret of his father’s success. John Tessitore is a writer, poet, and liberal arts advocate. His poems have appeared in a variety of journals, he has published several chapbooks and two novellas. He has been a journalist, biographer, a...

John reads Emily Dickinson’s poem “The Brain-is wider than the Sky.” He discusses needless fear, his evolution as a writer and person, and what he learned while being interviewed on a recent podcast. John Tessitore is a writer, poet, and liberal arts advocate. His poems have appeared in a variety of journals, he has published several chapbooks and two novellas. He has been a journalist, biographer...

John reads a passage from Michel de Montaigne’s essay “On the Education of Children.” He also champions teachers, defends humanities education, previews a new long essay, and reviews his life’s work. John Tessitore is a writer, poet, and liberal arts advocate. His poems have appeared in a variety of journals, he has published several chapbooks and two novellas. He has been a journalist, biographer...

John reads “The Second Coming,” a poem by William Butler Yeats. He also discusses the challenge of meeting this moment of historic change, fighting America’s decline, and losing unless everyone wins. John Tessitore is a writer, poet, and liberal arts advocate. His poems have appeared in a variety of journals, he has published several chapbooks and two novellas. He has been a journalist, biographer...

John reads a passage of The Souls of Black folk, by W.E.B. DuBois. He discusses the Supreme Court’s vile, racist decision in Louisiana vs. Callais, and the persistence of the color line in America. John Tessitore is a writer, poet, and liberal arts advocate. His poems have appeared in a variety of journals, he has published several chapbooks and two novellas. He has been a journalist, biographer,...