Edward Hirsch On Poetry, Comedy And “My Childhood In Pieces” The Connection With Marty Moss-Coane podcast

Over 20 million podcasts, powered by

Artwork

Fitness WHYY Podcasting Education Self-Improvement Mental Health

Content provided by WHYY. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by WHYY or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

The Connection with Marty Moss-Coane « »
Edward Hirsch on poetry, comedy and “My Childhood in Pieces”

1M ago 50:25

Share

MP3•Episode home

Content provided by WHYY. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by WHYY or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Edward Hirsch is one of the country’s most celebrated poets, which would have been a big surprise to his mother. She warned him growing up, “Poetry is fine so long as it sells products. Otherwise it’s just a hobby, and no one gets paid for a hobby.”

That’s from Hirsch’s new book, My Childhood in Pieces, which he describes as an elegy and a stand-up comedy.

He grew up in Chicago and Skokie, IL with a complicated and colorful family. His dad was a gambler, his mom had boundary issues and his stepdad had a temper. Hirsch writes that comedy was a competitive sport in the family and one could easily get hurt. The book is filled with jokes, puns and one-liners.

Edward Hirsch joins us to talk about how he navigated the emotional landmines of his childhood and how poetry has helped him manage big feelings. He wrote recently that he is losing his eyesight which, rather than being tragic, has made him “more mindful and alert, more fully present.”

… continue reading

108 episodes

#Fitness #WHYY #Podcasting Education #Self-Improvement #Mental Health

Artwork

Edward Hirsch on poetry, comedy and “My Childhood in Pieces”

The Connection with Marty Moss-Coane

published 1M ago

Share

MP3•Episode home

Content provided by WHYY. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by WHYY or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Edward Hirsch is one of the country’s most celebrated poets, which would have been a big surprise to his mother. She warned him growing up, “Poetry is fine so long as it sells products. Otherwise it’s just a hobby, and no one gets paid for a hobby.”

That’s from Hirsch’s new book, My Childhood in Pieces, which he describes as an elegy and a stand-up comedy.

He grew up in Chicago and Skokie, IL with a complicated and colorful family. His dad was a gambler, his mom had boundary issues and his stepdad had a temper. Hirsch writes that comedy was a competitive sport in the family and one could easily get hurt. The book is filled with jokes, puns and one-liners.

Edward Hirsch joins us to talk about how he navigated the emotional landmines of his childhood and how poetry has helped him manage big feelings. He wrote recently that he is losing his eyesight which, rather than being tragic, has made him “more mindful and alert, more fully present.”

… continue reading

108 episodes

#Fitness #WHYY #Podcasting Education #Self-Improvement #Mental Health

All episodes

×

Welcome to Player FM!

Player FM is scanning the web for high-quality podcasts for you to enjoy right now. It's the best podcast app and works on Android, iPhone, and the web. Signup to sync subscriptions across devices.

Listen to 500+ topics

Help/FAQ | Advertise with Us

Arts|Business|Comedy|Economics|Entertainment|News|Politics|Religion

Science|Soccer|Sports|Storytelling|Technology|True Crime

Copyright 2025 | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | | Copyright

Listen to this show while you explore