Episode 418

with Ross Gay, Casey Cep, and Colin Hay

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello tell us about their simple delights; poet Ross Gay ponders his fascination with the themes of joy and gratitude; Casey Cep, staff writer for The New Yorker, discusses her debut book about a mysterious Alabama murder case that captivated beloved author Harper Lee; and Colin Hay, formerly of Men at Work, performs "Come Tumblin' Down" off his album "Fierce Mercy."

Ross Gay
Philosophical Poet and Author

Ross Gay is coming to delight and dazzle, challenge and provoke you with his poetic new work, “The Book of Delights: Essays.” Gay is also the author of three books of poetry, including “Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude,” winner of the 2015 National Books Critics Circle Award. His 2015 poem, “A Small Needful Fact,” about the death of Eric Garner in New York, has crisscrossed the internet, causing people to stop and read - and moving them to tears with just fifteen lines of poetry. In his new book, Gay expands this power of his to create emotion and feeling in the reader to the form of short lyric essays (or “essayettes”) that celebrate the simple and profound joys of daily living. His positive, yet complex writing illuminates the world we live in funny, poetic, and philosophical ways that will stay with you. Website • Twitter

Casey Cep
Author

Casey Cep pulls back the curtain and shows you the true story behind a beloved author’s struggle to follow up her first book in her captivating read, “Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee.” Cep’s New York Times-bestselling book tracks “To Kill a Mockingbird” author Harper Lee as she attempts to write a true-crime account of the complicated Alabama case of Reverend Willie Maxwell. A writer from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, the Harvard grad and Rhodes Scholar has written for The New Yorker, The New York Times, and The New Republic, among others. “Furious Hours” may be her first book, but Cep’s jaw-dropping talent for writing a hybrid courtroom reporting-thriller-bio-commentary about one of our most beloved authors will make you eagerly await her next one. Website • Twitter

Colin Hay
Renowned Singer/Songwriter, Musician and Philanthropist

Distinguished Singer/Songwriter and Philanthropist Colin Hay is widely known for his intimate live shows and natural gift for expressing struggle in a style that resonates with a wide variety of people. He rose to fame as the lead vocalist of his former band Men at Work, which had five top hits in 1982 including the single Down Under. Hay has been cited as an influence by various artists including James Hetfield of Metallica, Jeremiah Fraites from The Lumineers, Troy Sanders of Mastodon, and The Infamous Stringdusters, and he has performed on several shows including The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and ABC’s Greatest. Additionally, he has shared the stage with various musical groups including Of Monsters and Men, Milk Carton Kids, Choir Choir Choir!, Kings of Leon, and more. But that's not all! Hay has a knack for giving back and his most recent philanthropic efforts have helped raise funds to aid Australia in its fight against the devastating bushfires. Website • Twitter