Fresh Air Episode Summary: "Best Of: Why Do We Itch? / Writer Richard Price"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Fresh Air
• Host: Terry Gross
• Producer: NPR
• Description: Fresh Air is a Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine that delves into contemporary arts and issues through intimate conversations with influential figures.

1. Exploring Chronic Itch with Annie Lowrey

Guest: Annie Lowrey, Staff Writer for The Atlantic

Overview: In this enlightening segment, Terry Gross interviews Annie Lowrey about her in-depth article titled "Why People Itch and How to Stop It." Lowrey delves into the often-overlooked experience of chronic itch, drawing from her personal battle with severe chronic itch resulting from a rare liver disease.

Key Discussions:

• Personal Experience with Chronic Itch:

  • Severity and Impact: Lowrey shares the debilitating nature of her condition, which is linked to primary biliary cholangitis, an autoimmune liver disease. She describes moments so intense that she considered extreme measures to alleviate the itch.
    • “At its worst, it was like having poison ivy in the acute phase of poison ivy... it was completely maddening.” [04:23]

• Understanding Itch Beyond Skin Deep:

  • Neurological Factors: The conversation explores how itch is mediated by nerve fibers and chemical messengers like histamine, affecting not just the skin but internal parts of the body.
    • “When you have a lot of itchy receptors... you’ll feel itchy.” [05:49]

• The Itch-Scratch Cycle:

  • Physiological Responses: Lowrey explains how scratching an itch can paradoxically worsen it by releasing more histamine, thus creating a vicious cycle.
    • “Scratching engenders pain in the skin, which interrupts the sensation of itch... histamine is one of the hormones that generates itch.” [10:00]

• Social Perceptions and Misunderstandings:

  • Stigma and Dismissal: She discusses how society often trivializes itch, associating it with minor annoyances like fleas, leading to a lack of empathy and understanding for those suffering from chronic conditions.
    • “I think people just kind of don't take it very seriously.” [00:29]

• Emotional and Psychological Toll:

  • Mental Health Implications: Chronic itch can dominate a person's mental landscape, making it difficult to concentrate or find relief, akin to being trapped in one's own body.
    • “It feels like being trapped inside your own body.” [07:52]

• Lack of Medical Attention and Support:

  • Underrepresentation in Medical Research: Unlike chronic pain, chronic itch hasn’t received equivalent attention in medical research, leading to limited treatment options and support systems.
    • “It’s kind of embarrassed. It’s been so nice since the piece came out...” [19:25]

• Coping Mechanisms and Acceptance:

  • Finding Peace Amidst Suffering: Lowrey reflects on her journey towards accepting her condition, emphasizing resilience and the ability to find meaning despite chronic discomfort.
    • “I have come to better terms with that... I've tried to come to a much greater place of acceptance.” [23:55]

Notable Quotes:

• “It has this kind of hallucinatorily strange quality for me. Sometimes you're feeling things that aren't there.” — Annie Lowrey [07:52]
• “It can feel completely crazy, making and obsessive and miserable.” — Annie Lowrey [25:02]
• “Despite marrying a black woman and having mixed race kids, there was no such thing as an honorary brother.” — Annie Lowrey [46:50]

2. Literary Insights with Maureen Corrigan

Segment by: Maureen Corrigan, Professor of Literature at Georgetown University

Overview: Maureen Corrigan provides thoughtful reviews of recent literary works, offering listeners a glimpse into compelling narratives and poetic expressions.

Key Discussions:

• Billy Collins' Poetry Collection "Water, Water Everywhere":

  • Themes of Aging and Reflection: Corrigan highlights Collins' exploration of aging, examining how it leads to estrangement from one's past self and others.
  • Notable Works Reviewed:
    • "When a Man Loves Something": Explores personal relationships and the passage of time.
    • "Emily Dickinson in Space": Praised as one of Collins' finest poems, blending classic poetic influences with contemporary reflections.

• James Norbury's Illustrated Fable "The Dog Who Followed the Moon":

  • Visual and Philosophical Narrative: Norbury’s work is commended for its beautiful watercolor illustrations and profound themes that align with his Buddhist practices.
  • Plot Synopsis: Follows a puppy named Amaya who, after being separated from her parents, embarks on a fantastical journey seeking the moon, symbolizing hope and perseverance.
  • Inspirational Message: Emphasizes resilience and the pursuit of dreams despite hardships.

Notable Quotes:

• “Its inspirational and gorgeous... an inspirational and gorgeous book about not giving up.” — Maureen Corrigan [32:31]

3. In-Depth Conversation with Writer Richard Price

Guest: Richard Price, Screenwriter and Novelist

Overview: Terry Gross sits down with Richard Price to discuss his highly anticipated new novel, "Lazarus Man." Price, renowned for his work on The Wire, The Night Of, and The Outsider, delves into the novel's themes of community, resilience, and the human spirit amidst urban challenges.

Key Discussions:

• Plot and Setting of "Lazarus Man":

  • Harlem as a Backdrop: The novel is set in Harlem, capturing the essence of the community and its diverse characters.
  • Central Event: A five-story building collapses, profoundly affecting the lives of residents, including a street photographer, a police community officer, a funeral director, and a man named Anthony Carter who miraculously survives after being buried for 36 hours.
    • “It's remarkable that he's still alive, which is why the novel's called Lazarus Man.” [35:53]

• Themes of Survival and Gratitude:

  • Miraculous Survival: The character Anthony Carter embodies themes of survival against the odds and the subsequent emotional and psychological transformations.
    • “When I was pulled out of that rubble and I could take my first un dirt caked breath, all I want to do was to live and live and live.” — Richard Price [43:44]

• Race and Representation:

  • Authentic Portrayal: Price discusses his approach to writing biracial and African American characters, emphasizing authenticity and depth without resorting to stereotypes.
    • “Just do the best you can. Make everybody equally human and then let it go.” — Richard Price [47:38]

• Personal Reflections and Growth:

  • Impact of Parenthood: He reflects on how becoming a father transformed his perspective, fostering empathy and a deeper connection to his characters.
    • “Having children molded me, remolded me... they changed me.” — Richard Price [48:54]

• Writing During the COVID-19 Pandemic:

  • Challenges of Isolation: Price shares how the pandemic hindered his usual routine of interacting with people, forcing him to adapt his writing process and find new sources of inspiration.
    • “I love to go out on the street, talk to people... I couldn’t do that. It sort of messed me up.” — Richard Price [38:13]

• Philosophical and Religious Undertones:

  • Message of Hope: Through Anthony Carter’s character, Price conveys a message of gratitude and finding peace amidst chaos, even to someone who doesn’t identify as religious.
    • “Whatever befalls you, no matter how heartbreaking or onerous, will turn out to be the best thing.” — Richard Price [43:17]

Notable Quotes:

• “You can survive it. You can just keep on breathing through it.” — Annie Lowrey [25:02]
• “I feel like I am the person I was when I talked to you the last time. But I’m not the person I was when I talked to you the last time.” — Richard Price [43:44]
• “I never met a person who hasn’t come up, at least with one thunderbolt of offhand observation or commentary.” — Richard Price [39:57]

Excerpt from "Lazarus Man":

“It was one of those nights for Anthony Carter, 42, two years unemployed, two years separated from his wife and stepdaughter... Maybe this time is a drug, you never know is a drug.” [35:53]

Conclusion

This Fresh Air episode masterfully combines personal narratives with literary insights and profound storytelling. Through Annie Lowrey's candid discussion on chronic itch and Richard Price's exploration of community and resilience in "Lazarus Man," listeners gain a deeper understanding of both physical and emotional struggles. Maureen Corrigan's literary reviews further enrich the episode, offering thoughtful perspectives on contemporary works.

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