A Poet’s Wild Past w/ Edward Hirsch

from Reasonably Happy with Paul Ollinger · host Paul Ollinger

Acclaimed poet and Guggenheim Foundation president Edward Hirsch joins us in an unforgettable episode to discuss his powerful memoir My Childhood in Pieces: A Stand-Up Comedy and a Skokie Elegy. Hirsch reflects on his chaotic upbringing in 1950s Jewish Chicago, his complicated relationships with his parents, and the wild characters who shaped his life. He opens up about the tragic loss of his son Gabriel, how grief became poetry, and why humor and heartbreak often walk hand in hand. From poetic craft and emotional truth to the role of art in a distracted world, this is a raw, funny, and deeply moving conversation about identity, creativity, and resilience.Follow Paul on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paul_ollinger/?hl=enCheck out "My Childhood" in Pieces: https://edwardhirsch.com/Audio excerpted with permission of Penguin Random House Audio from MY CHILDHOOD IN PIECES by Edward Hirsch, read by the author. © Edward Hirsch ℗ 2025 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved. Get full access to Reasonably Happy at words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

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This episode is 50 minutes long.

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This episode was published on June 11, 2025.

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