Ep 5. How Craig Got Here

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Rachel and Steph are still beyond humbled that Craig Santos Perez, who has won an American Book Award, agreed to be on their podcast. They chat with Craig, an indigenous CHamoru, about moving from his home island of Guam to California as a teenager, quitting his first job at Little Caesars, landing a teaching job, and using writing to address and cope with climate change and climate anxiety.

Rachel has the audacity to give him a writing tip; Craig teaches Steph how to improve her discussion-leading skills; and Rachel challenges Steph to a poetry-writing contest… to be judged… by an American Book Award Winner… which definitely doesn’t stress them out… at all.

Craig’s latest book, “Habitat Threshold”, is sold everywhere books are sold (but we fully recommend you supporting your local non-Bezos-owned bookstores) and be sure to check out his upcoming work “Navigating CHamoru Poetry" in 2022. You can read more about Craig and all of his work here. And you can (and should) follow him on Twitter.

Episode Notes

Stephanie would like to issue a podcast correction (particularly to her mom and aunt) and ensure that she v. much knows the Azores are a part of Portugal - and not ‘an island nation,’ like she mumbled on the podcast.

Steph’s Poem

Isn't the weather great? They ask,
on this eerily warm day
in December. 

I sit outside, sitting in all the patches of
clover, l - the only thing your dad 
can grow in these Virginia clays.

You're running, wrestling, wriggling 
with the dog, in front of our maple
that has too many leaves, too yellow,
for this time of year.

I look at you, and think,
you are the one thing I'm most certain about,
but also the most unsure.

“I love this!” - Craig Santos Perez, being unnecessarily kind.

Rachel’s Poem

Paleoclimate
Oscillations that move us
New green room to live

“Your haiku is the first time Iʻve ever seen ‘paleoclimate’ in a poem before!” - Craig Santos Perez