Fresh Air: Remembering Jimmy Carter (Part II) Hosted by Terry Gross, NPR Release Date: January 9, 2025

On January 9, 2025, NPR's Fresh Air pays tribute to the late Jimmy Carter, the longest-lived former U.S. president, reflecting on his extensive public service and personal endeavors post-presidency. This detailed summary encapsulates key discussions, insights, and memorable moments from the episode titled "Remembering Jimmy Carter (Part II)."

1. Jimmy Carter’s Literary Pursuits and Poetry

Exploring a Presidential Poet (00:13 - 15:55)

Jimmy Carter, renowned for his engineering and political career, also harbored a profound love for poetry. In 1995, he became the first former president to publish a collection of poems, "Always a Reckoning." Carter delves into the challenges and inspirations behind his literary journey.

• Perceived Incompatibility: Carter addresses the skepticism surrounding a president being a poet. He reflects, “I think the general reaction would be, well, they'll be extremely amateurish or they'll just be frivolous or inspirational or calls to patriotism” (02:35).

• Poetic Themes and Personal Reflections: He shares his poem, "Of My Father's Cancer and His Dreams," which poignantly captures his father's final days and his own emotional turmoil. Carter explains the meticulous process of refining his poetry, emphasizing simplicity and personal significance over grandeur.

• Family and Personal Impact: Reading his poems to his wife Rosalynn and the influence of family losses on his work underscores the deeply personal nature of his poetry. Carter notes, “We're now approaching our 49th wedding anniversary, so yes, it did” (15:48).

2. Intersection of Faith and Politics

Navigating Religious Identity (15:55 - 25:17)

Carter candidly discusses his declaration of being "born again" during his presidential campaign, a statement that had significant repercussions.

• Impact of Being "Born Again": “It was a very negative reaction to what I had to say,” Carter admits (16:38), highlighting the misunderstanding of his religious affirmation and its negative impact on his political image.

• Separation of Church and State: Emphasizing his belief in maintaining a boundary between religion and governance, Carter states, “I believe in both of them, the science and religion. The two are completely separate” (24:31).

• Policy Conflicts: He reflects on the moral dilemmas faced during his presidency, particularly concerning abortion and the death penalty. Carter explains, “I have never believed that Jesus Christ, whom I worship, would approve abortions unless the mother's health or life was threatened...” (17:46), illustrating the tension between personal faith and public duty.

3. Family Life in the White House

Behind the Scenes with Amy Carter (25:17 - 44:37)

An intimate conversation unfolds between Jimmy Carter and his daughter, Amy Carter, shedding light on the dynamics of living in the White House.

• Collaborative Creativity: The duo discusses their joint project, "The Little Baby Snooglefleger," a children’s book blending Jimmy's storytelling with Amy’s illustrations. Amy explains, “I think there's no doubt that having an undersea creature become a startling hero came from my experiences underneath the water...” (27:35).

• Balancing Public and Private Life: Amy recounts the challenges of growing up in the public eye, including interactions with celebrities and world leaders. She shares, “Cher... she was very sweet to me, too,” highlighting memorable encounters (39:54).

• Family Time and Sacrifices: Reflecting on limited family interactions during his presidency, Jimmy notes, “This interview has helped me overcome some of my concerns,” expressing his desire for deeper familial connections (35:23). Amy counters with her own positive memories, emphasizing frequent dinners and protected family activities despite the surrounding pressures (37:24).

4. Reflections on Legacy and Personal Growth

Evolving Beliefs and Public Perception (44:37 - 47:03)

In later reflections, Carter contrasts his experiences with those of subsequent presidents, notably George W. Bush.

• Changing Political Climate: Carter observes, “the rise of fundamentalism has affected both politics... and also has affected the religious community much more than it ever did...” (21:29), critiquing the merging of religious zeal with political agendas.

• Science and Faith: Addressing debates like evolution versus creationism, Carter maintains a harmonious view between scientific inquiry and religious belief, asserting, “I think that science is just a revelation of God's creation” (23:19).

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “We're still approaching our 49th wedding anniversary, so yes, it did.” — Unnamed Interviewee (15:48)
• “I have never believed that Jesus Christ, whom I worship, would approve abortions unless the mother's health or life was threatened...” — Jimmy Carter (17:46)
• “I think that science is just a revelation of God's creation.” — Jimmy Carter (23:19)
• “We have carved out for ourselves the week after Christmas.” — Amy Carter (42:31)

5. Concluding Thoughts

Fresh Air's two-part series on Jimmy Carter offers a comprehensive look into the multifaceted life of America's 39th president. From his unexpected foray into poetry to his steadfast commitment to separating faith from governance, and the nuanced portrayal of his family's life in the White House, Carter's legacy is portrayed with depth and empathy. Through personal anecdotes and reflective discussions, the episode honors Carter's enduring influence on public service, literature, and personal integrity.

For listeners who wish to explore further, the first part of this series, "Remembering Jimmy Carter," is available on the Fresh Air podcast and streamable at freshair.npr.org.