The news is full of stories of political crisis, and these stories are fed to us with speed and intensity through social media. The threats to democracy are real, but this media environment can leave us anxious, depressed, and helpless. In this episode, Joy Harjo joins host Alex Lovit to discuss how art can help nourish our souls, build our communities, and envision a more equitable and democratic society.

Joy Harjo served three terms as the first Native American poet laureate of the United States and has received a National Humanities Medal, among many other awards. She’s written eleven acclaimed volumes of poetry, alongside music albums, memoirs, plays, and children’s books. She serves as the Ruth Yellowhawk Fellow at the Charles F. Kettering Foundation.

https://www.joyharjo.com/

https://www.loc.gov/programs/poetry-and-literature/poet-laureate/poet-laureate-projects/living-nations-living-words/