Ep. 12: Sadia Hassan on what we carry forward — and leave behind

Writing Forward episode 12 features poet and essayist Sadia Hassan, author of "Enumeration" (Akashic Books, 2020), a chapbook selected by acclaimed poets Kwame Dawes and Chris Abani for the African Poetry Fund series. The conversation centers on Hassan's relationship with place and belonging, specifically her experience of coming to and leaving Wisconsin. The episode explores what constitutes home, examining the people and places that anchor us, and investigates what gets carried across generations—both literally and metaphorically. A central theme is poetry's role as a form of witness-bearing, preserving what might otherwise be forgotten or lost to time. Hassan discusses the intersection of personal memory, family legacy, and literary craft. The show is hosted by Jeff Oloizia and produced by Anya van Wagtendonk, with theme music by The Lola Hombre. This episode is part of Writing Forward's ongoing series exploring what motivates Wisconsin writers. The podcast is sponsored by Leopold's Books Bar Caffè in Madison, a bookstore-bar-café hybrid that offers listeners a 20% discount on books in their local section.

Verdict: A thoughtfully curated conversation with an accomplished poet that explores meaningful themes of place and legacy, likely to resonate with poetry readers and those interested in Wisconsin literary culture, though the show notes don't reveal whether the discussion achieves genuine depth or remains conversational.

Arts rubric

• Insight into the work 3/5 20%

  Show notes indicate discussion of Hassan's poetry and its themes of witness-bearing and legacy, but lack specific textual examples or craft analysis that would reveal deeper understanding.

• Expertise and access 4/5 20%

  Hassan is an accomplished poet with published work selected by major figures (Dawes, Abani); host Jeff Oloizia appears to specialize in Wisconsin writers, suggesting informed curation and access.

• Sparks curiosity 4/5 15%

  The thematic focus on place, memory, and what poetry preserves is compelling; Hassan's background and the chapbook's prestigious selection would likely intrigue readers interested in contemporary poetry.

• Substance 3/5 15%

  Show notes suggest meaningful thematic exploration (home, generational inheritance, witness) but provide no evidence of specific stories, examples, or dense content that would indicate substantive depth.

• Delivers on its title 4/5 15%

  Title "what we carry forward — and leave behind" directly aligns with described topics of generational legacy, place, and memory; episode appears to deliver on this promise.

• Value for time 3/5 15%

  38 minutes is reasonable for a focused conversation interview; without hearing the episode, pacing cannot be fully assessed, but length seems appropriate for the format.

How we score Arts

Worth it if you're interested in contemporary poetry, questions of home and belonging, or Wisconsin's literary scene.

Based on the episode description. AI-generated; it can be wrong.