In this episode of Journey of the Art, I’m joined by poet, scholar, and renowned translator Radha Chakravarty for a powerful conversation on the crossroads between translation and literature, feminism in writing, and the inner work of creating across languages.

We explore Radha’s life as a multilingual writer in India, her deep relationship with Tagore’s work, and what it means to be a translator of emotion, memory, and resistance. From pandemic poetry to the importance of community, we unpack the responsibility—and courage—of those who carry words across borders.

If you care about women in literature, literary translation, and writing that honors both heritage and innovation, this episode is for you.

Show highlights

0:00 – Intro & guest introduction

2:48 – Growing up multilingual and her early inspiration.

5:58 – On the mental work of translation: Inhabiting another writer’s voice.

8:16 – Handling criticism in translation

10:28 – Writing with the echoes of great voices in your head.

13:44 – A distinguishing factor among the greats

16:02 – Radha reads from Subliminal

18:24 – Pandemic poetry & global connection

22:02 – Seeing with new eyes

24:40 – The disconnect between writers' intent and market realities.

30:20 – Translating women, teaching women’s literature, and confronting erasure.

35:29 – On Starlight: The cosmic humility behind poetry

42:12 – Final reflections & thoughts on retirement43:54 – A heartfelt close to one of the show’s most poetic conversations.

📚 About the guest:
Radha Chakravarty is a professor, poet, editor, and translator of over 23 books, including The Essential Tagore and Subliminal, a poetry collection named one of the best South Asian books of 2024.

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Guest’s links

Buy Subliminal: https://www.amazon.ca/Subliminal-poems-Radha-Chakravarty/dp/811985831X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=26GJBMTQNSY4E&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6Ts5_6VwGqB5XNucDUxrmQ.3781xbWJzj9ZI1dY--72C6QuKWOoFHkYqMXyrlkdIe0&dib_tag=se&keywords=radha+chakravarty+subliminal&qid=1747826724&sprefix=radha+chakravarty+sublimina%2Caps%2C147&sr=8-1#detailBullets_feature_div

Connect with Radha on X: https://x.com/radhachakravar2

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Host’s links

Find out more about the show: https://www.journeyoftheart.com/

Follow Journey of the Art on Instagram: ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/journeyoftheartpod/

Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/

“Whatever my life story is, the last line cannot be: ‘And then he died in Texas.’” — Alex R Johnson

In this episode, I’m joined by filmmaker and debut author Alex R Johnson to unpack the story behind his debut novel, how screenwriters are robbed of creative ownership, and what it takes to push past imposter syndrome—even at 50.

Show Highlights

00:00 – Introduction

3:11 – Leaving Brooklyn for Texas and the problem with copyright laws for screenwriters in Hollywood

5:41 – What inspired Brooklyn Motto?

12:04 – What Brooklyn in the '90s still teaches us today

13:39 – Exploring the father-son relationship

17:44 – Unearthing the works of forgotten artists and New York reinventing itself

20:04 – Aging artists and forgotten dreams

24:04 – How race, memory, addiction, and family shaped the world of Brooklyn Motto

30:39 – The impact of drug addiction on romantic relationships

34:43 – The role of illegal systems on the infrastructure of Brooklyn

39:26 – How gentrification contributes to the high housing costs in Brooklyn

44:00 – Advice to writers trying to overcome imposter syndrome

47:11 – Appreciation and end

🎙️ Journey of the Art is a podcast about the messy truth of creative work — hosted by Lola. Subscribe for honest conversations with artists, authors, and filmmakers making their mark.

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Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9yCLVeo-0S0

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Guest’s links

📚 Brooklyn Motto is available now — a gripping literary mystery set in 1990s Brooklyn. Get it here: https://www.brooklynmotto.com

Follow Alex on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DIzYcweSAKj/?img_index=1

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Host’s links

Find out more about the show: https://www.journeyoftheart.com/

Follow the show on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/journeyoftheartpod/

Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/

In this episode, children’s book author and illustrator Thao Lam opens up about her latest picture book, Everybelly—a joyful celebration of body diversity and inclusion for young readers.

We discuss:

• How her daughter’s first comments on her body sparked the book’s creation

• The power of bellies as a storytelling lens

• Raising kids to love their bodies in a judgmental world

• Cultural identity, food, and body image

• Her creative process, artistic challenges, and how she overcame imposter syndrome

Thao also shares her journey from illustrator to writer, what it’s like to write when you don’t feel qualified, and why she wants readers to walk away from Every Belly feeling one thing: hungry.

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Guest’s links

Buy Everybelly: https://houseofanansi.com/products/shadow-price?srsltid=AfmBOoqFp33iii1uLDQAzAJ7OxJvoKH3nrLcwuVyh21QhpBSqcIVc3lW

Connect with Thao on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thaohlam/

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Host’s links

Find out more about the show: https://www.journeyoftheart.com/

Follow Journey of the Art on Instagram: ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/journeyoftheartpod/

Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/