Light and Shadow (Narrative)
A Narrative “Story of the Week” about my quest to understand the dissolution of my parents’ marriage and the disintegration of our family. The story opens in Spain and is intertwined with The Spirit of the Beehive (El espíritu de la colmena), a masterpiece of Spanish cinema that’s celebrating its 50th anniversary.
A Talk with Malcolm Gladwell: Why Change Shouldn’t Surprise Us
I talked with best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell about why shifts in ideas and behavior shouldn’t surprise us, how to deal with uncertainty, and ways in which we can work towards positive change in our communities. This is the latest in my Tricycle interview series about Tibetan bardo and the art of living, Between-States: Conversations About Bardo and Life. The conversations look at acceptance, interconnectedness, and impermanence in relation to children and parents, marriage and friendship, and work and creativity. Guests include Julia Alvarez, Yiyun Li, Isabel Allende, David Sedaris, Dani Shapiro, Edwidge Danticat, Sylvia Boorstein, Melissa Febos, John McPhee, and Mohsin Hamid.
The Penguin Book of Modern Tibetan Essays
I contributed two pieces to The Penguin Book of Modern Tibetan Essays: "Traveling in Bardo" (an illness I experienced as a bardo) and "Calcutta Evening" (a journey to reconnect with my Tibetan roots.) I’m honored to be in the company of so many wonderful writers.
“I have been waiting over the years for a collection of groundbreaking and current Tibetan essays, and this book delivers and then some. Vital and mind-blowing at the same time.” — Gary Shteyngart
A Talk with Isabel Allende: “Saying Yes to Life”
“I have had no control over the most important losses that I’ve experienced,” Isabel Allende says. “The only thing I can control is how I react, so I just plunge into whatever comes and say yes to life.” I talked with Allende about displacement and exile for the latest in my Tricycle interview series about Tibetan bardo and the art of living, Between-States: Conversations About Bardo and Life. The conversations look at acceptance, interconnectedness, and impermanence in relation to children and parents, marriage and friendship, and work and creativity. Other guests include Dani Shapiro, Edwidge Danticat, Melissa Febos, Gish Jen, David Sedaris, John McPhee, and Mohsin Hamid.
A Talk with Edwidge Danticat: “Storytelling, Death, and Putting Flesh Back on Bones”
The latest in my Tricycle interview series about Tibetan bardo and the art of living. The conversations look at acceptance, interconnectedness, and impermanence in relation to children and parents, marriage and friendship, and work and creativity. I spoke with author Edwidge Danticat about storytelling and how she finds meaning in the face of impermanence.