Podcast Summary: The Stacks – Ep. 352 "No Hierarchy of Legitimacy with J Wortham"
Release Date: January 1, 2025
Host: Tracy Thomas
Guest: Jenna J. Wortham
Introduction
In episode 352 of The Stacks, host Tracy Thomas welcomes Jenna J. Wortham, a writer and editor renowned for co-hosting the acclaimed podcast Still Processing and co-authoring Black Futures. The conversation delves deep into themes of identity, culture, reading habits, and Jenna's upcoming literary projects.
Exploring Identity and Names
A significant portion of the discussion centers around Jenna's journey with her name, highlighting her transition from Jennifer to Jenna, and ultimately to Jay.
Jenna J. Wortham [25:13]: "There is no hierarchy of legitimacy. It's just a thing that happens."
Jenna shares the personal struggles and societal implications of changing her name to better align with her non-binary identity. She emphasizes the importance of names in self-identification and the fluidity of identity.
Writing and Embodiment Practices
Jenna discusses her multifaceted approach to writing, blending memoir with extensive research. She is currently working on her new book, Work of Body, which explores dissociation and her personal experiences with it.
Jenna J. Wortham [20:21]: "It's about dissociation and my relationship to being a very dissociative person."
To enhance her writing's authenticity, Jenna incorporates practices like Reiki, sound healing, and trauma-informed breathwork. These practices help her tap into deeper wells of vulnerability necessary for her introspective and non-fiction projects.
Reading Habits and Literacy Crisis
Both Jenna and Tracy express concern over the current literacy crisis, attributing it to the digitization of reading and the consequent decline in reading comprehension. They lament the loss of human connection in digital communications, which hampers effective understanding and empathy.
Jenna J. Wortham [10:10]: "We're bringing all of our baggage, we're bringing all of our assumptions, and there's no checks and balances."
Book Recommendations
The episode features a vibrant segment where both hosts share their favorite reads, books that made them laugh, and even books they disliked.
Tracy's Recommendations:
- King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild
- Midnight in Chernobyl by Adam Higginbotham
- The Hundred Years War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi
Jenna's Recommendations:
- Cast by Isabel Wilkerson
- The Palestine Laboratory by Anthony Lowenstein
- Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor
- Splinter by Leslie Jamison
- An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green
Jenna also highlights the transformative power of literature, citing The Color Purple and Beloved as perennial favorites for their profound narrative depth and cultural significance.
Jenna J. Wortham [44:03]: "The Color Purple... it's such an incredibly rich text."
Upcoming Projects and Future Discussions
Jenna teases her forthcoming book, Work of Body, which intertwines memoir and research to examine dissociation in contemporary life. Additionally, Tracy hints at the next episode's focus on The Ministry of Time by Kellyanne Bradley, noting its polarizing reception in the literary community.
Conclusion
The episode wraps up with Tracy and Jenna reflecting on the importance of evolving personal identities and the role of literature in shaping cultural and personal narratives. Jenna returns on January 29th to discuss The Ministry of Time in detail.
Tracy Thomas [67:42]: "Jay is out of here for now. They'll be back on Wednesday, January 29th."
Listeners are encouraged to support the podcast through Patreon and subscribe to Tracy’s newsletter for more in-depth literary discussions.
Notable Quotes:
- Jenna J. Wortham [25:13]: "There is no hierarchy of legitimacy. It's just a thing that happens."
- Jenna J. Wortham [10:10]: "We're bringing all of our baggage, we're bringing all of our assumptions, and there's no checks and balances."
- Jenna J. Wortham [44:03]: "The Color Purple... it's such an incredibly rich text."
For more discussions and updates, visit www.thestackspodcast.com.