Stay Lit

In this episode of Stay Lit , hosts Miles Ellison and Cambria Shaw explore the life and poetry of A.E. Housman, one of England's most beloved poets. After a look at Housman's fascinating biography, they turn to two of his most enduring poems, " When I Was One-and-Twenty" and " Loveliest of Trees, The Cherry Now ." Through these works, Housman reflects on the wisdom we...

Season two of Stay Lit begins with a discussion of Frankenstein , the groundbreaking Gothic novel that continues to captivate readers more than two centuries after its publication. In this episode, Miles Ellison and Cambria Shaw explore how Frankenstein is far more than a simple horror story, examining themes of ambition, isolation, grief, and the dangerous pursuit of knowledge without responsibil...

In this fourth edition of Stay Lit , hosts Miles Ellison and Cambria Shaw step into the shadowy world of Trifles , Susan Glaspell’s groundbreaking 1916 one-act play. Set in the aftermath of a mysterious murder, Trifles reveals how seemingly insignificant details—the things men overlook—become the key to understanding a woman’s silent, stifled life. Is justice served, or simply understood? Join us...

In this edition of Stay Lit , Miles Ellison and Cambria Shaw explore two of Robert Frost’s most beloved poems: “The Road Not Taken” and “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” Though often quoted and widely taught, these poems offer more than meets the eye. What do they really say about choice, solitude, and the tension between action and reflection? Are they as hopeful as we remember—or is there...

In this episode of Stay Lit , Miles Ellison and Cambria Shaw explore Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s haunting short story The Yellow Wallpaper . Published in 1892, this psychological tale follows a woman’s slow descent into obsession as she fixates on the strange pattern in her room’s wallpaper. What begins as a quiet retreat turns into something far more disturbing. Is the narrator unraveling—or revea...

In this episode of Stay Lit , hosts Miles Ellison and Cambria Shaw turn their attention to Kate Chopin’s provocative short story “The Story of an Hour.” First published in the 1890s, this brief but powerful tale rattled readers with its portrayal of marriage, independence, and personal awakening. Over a century later, its final twist still sparks debate. Was it liberation or tragedy? Subversion or...

In this third edition of Stay Lit , Miles Ellison and Cambria Shaw explore Edwin Arlington Robinson’s classic poem “Richard Cory.” First published in 1897, this deceptively simple narrative captures the quiet tragedy behind appearances. Richard Cory is admired, envied—even idealized—as he moves among the townspeople with wealth, charm, and grace. But beneath the surface lies a deeper, darker reali...

Welcome to the debut episode of Stay Lit with hosts Miles Ellison and Cambria Shaw. This first edition centers on Rudyard Kipling’s iconic poem “If—,” a timeless meditation on resilience, character, and self-mastery. Why has this poem resonated so deeply across generations? What relevance does it still hold in today’s world? Join us as we reflect on Kipling’s verses, share personal responses, and...