"If Clothes Make the Man" (w/ Vanessa Hsia)

Nov 4, 2025
16 mins

Episode Description

Writer and Conversationalist contributor Vanessa Hsia reads her essay, "If Clothes Make the Man", about how her grandmother dressed her grandfather throughout their marriage, and how this seemingly small act of domestic labor functioned as both a point of pride and an expression of love. You can read Vanessa's original essay on the site here: https://conversationalist.org/2024/06/12/clothing-nainai-yeye-grandparents-spouse-gender-roles-husband-wife-marriage-death-grief-funeral/

Brought to you by The Anti-Nihilist Foundation, a 501(c)3 and publisher of The Conversationalist

Host and Founder: Anna Lind-Guzik

Executive Editor: Gina Mei

Executive Director: Erin Zimmer Strenio

Audio Engineer: Dan Thorn

Cover Art: María Medem

Produced by: Cosmic Standard

Producers: Aja Simpson and Jessica Glazer 

Technical Director: Jacob Winik 

Creative Lead: Eliza Smith

conversationalist.org

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