I think the solve for humanity, if there is a solve, is empathy. If there was a way to put an empathy chip in every single human, so many of our problems would go away.
It was my treat and my indulgence! I'm a huge fan of your work and the complex themes your wrestle. If you ever run for president, you have my vote. ;)
Oh my goodness, you guys. I'm trying to hold back from gushing, but I am genuinely brimming with adoration for the both of you. What a beautiful conversation, so elegantly speaking to the heart of the human experience, in all it's complexity, and to the creative act, and to love. All my favourite things, by two of my favourite people. Bliss.
Thank you Chloe! I must admit, your essays inspire us all to speak more from the heart of the human experience. Your deep listening to this world is a profoundly creative act. So thank you for listening to us! Ben's brain is a dream. ;)
Isn’t Kim great? I just showed up, she’s the one who made this such a great conversation by bringing her insatiable curiosity and thoughtful questions. I hope you and Troy and Adam and Nathan and so many more writers get the same opportunity with her.
A beautiful and enriching conversation between the two of you. Before this I had not yet read, Ben’s novel here on Substack but this conversation certainly sold me on it. Thank you both :)
I actually let out a sound of glee when the notification for this conversation hit my inbox.
As a lifelong lover of story and the written word, I’ve clung since youth to this belief, which sometimes makes me feel naive and overly earnest, that writing can transform, can move us toward collective solutions. You two, Kimberly and Ben, are writers who validate my faith in story.
Thank you for sharing this conversation. What a joy to listen in.
Bring on more naïveté and overly earnest humans. (Though I don't think your belief is either... it's simply true.) I especially love how story offers a guide and invites personal reflection but doesn't demand or assume absolutes.
Fantastic interview, Kim and Ben! So wide-ranging, especially loved the discussion of gun violence and the Columbine mother's journey - that first scene in MoMS was devastating. Did not know that Ben's daughter came out after he wrote it, I think there really must have been something percolating beneath the surface. Thanks for the link to Lamb, too, Kim, much appreciated!
Isn't that incredible? I'm endlessly fascinated by the guidance of the subconscious. Creativity bubbling up from the unseen and the unknown is, to me, always the most powerful. So happy to share Lamb here... an appetizer to readers for a forth-coming interview with you, if you're up for it? I'd really love to dig more into your story, its origins, how it lives in you today. x
I love this about Substack! There's something so fun about becoming intimate with a writer through their words and then all of a sudden they feel real time, in real conversation. We're 3D!
Thank you for introducing me to Ben’s work. I don’t normally tend to read fiction here, so I was surprised by how much I enjoyed getting into Ben’s fictional world. And I enjoyed listening in on your conversation.
It's funny you say that Kim. I had no intention of reading fiction over here either. And now over half of my weekly favorite reads are fiction! It's adding such rich and equally psychological layers to my explorations here.
This was such a lovely and insightful listen/watch. I already feel like I know you both well from reading your work, but this made this connection stronger. Thank you both for taking the time to do this.
Ah that'd be lovely indeed, though I worry I wouldn't be able to articulate myself like you. I nodded at the moment you said "I will not answer with any level of perfection. That's why I'm a writer, I have time to edit." because that's exactly me 😆 but then you proceeded to answer with perfection 😉
Right? I thought the same thing Nathan! I barely edited his transcription. :) Mine however, I speak in messy, looping thoughts. I'd absolutely love to interview you, whether you join me in the mess or not. ;)
All my answers were written in advance and rehearsed with a coach. The hardest part was memorizing the little quirks and imperfections necessary to make it feel completely spontaneous. In all seriousness, if my answers seem coherent, it was only because Kim provided such great questions in advance and she brings such good energy and openness I felt very relaxed and comfortable.
I can't wait to get to this. I just wanted to leave this note to say sorry that I haven't gotten to this yet. But rest assured it is on my to-listen list for this weekend 😊
So happy you took the time to listen/read! Your essays and reflections are always so insightful, it means a lot that you found this interview enjoyable.
Yes, Ben, she has been a lovely discovery in my life. I have a question for you that I will send to your substack email, if I may and from my personal email--so do check your spam, if you might.
Thank you so much, Kim for indulging this conversation and coming with so thought-provoking questions. I so appreciate you and the work you do.
It was my treat and my indulgence! I'm a huge fan of your work and the complex themes your wrestle. If you ever run for president, you have my vote. ;)
Oh my goodness, you guys. I'm trying to hold back from gushing, but I am genuinely brimming with adoration for the both of you. What a beautiful conversation, so elegantly speaking to the heart of the human experience, in all it's complexity, and to the creative act, and to love. All my favourite things, by two of my favourite people. Bliss.
Thank you Chloe! I must admit, your essays inspire us all to speak more from the heart of the human experience. Your deep listening to this world is a profoundly creative act. So thank you for listening to us! Ben's brain is a dream. ;)
Isn’t Kim great? I just showed up, she’s the one who made this such a great conversation by bringing her insatiable curiosity and thoughtful questions. I hope you and Troy and Adam and Nathan and so many more writers get the same opportunity with her.
Oh they will!!!!! (If they want, that is...;)
A beautiful and enriching conversation between the two of you. Before this I had not yet read, Ben’s novel here on Substack but this conversation certainly sold me on it. Thank you both :)
Thanks Michael. I’m so glad you enjoyed the interview and even happier to know it’s made you curious about the novel.
Prepare to be engrossed!
I actually let out a sound of glee when the notification for this conversation hit my inbox.
As a lifelong lover of story and the written word, I’ve clung since youth to this belief, which sometimes makes me feel naive and overly earnest, that writing can transform, can move us toward collective solutions. You two, Kimberly and Ben, are writers who validate my faith in story.
Thank you for sharing this conversation. What a joy to listen in.
Bring on more naïveté and overly earnest humans. (Though I don't think your belief is either... it's simply true.) I especially love how story offers a guide and invites personal reflection but doesn't demand or assume absolutes.
Aw, thank you so much Holly. I feel the same way about the power of the stories we tell to each other.
Fantastic interview, Kim and Ben! So wide-ranging, especially loved the discussion of gun violence and the Columbine mother's journey - that first scene in MoMS was devastating. Did not know that Ben's daughter came out after he wrote it, I think there really must have been something percolating beneath the surface. Thanks for the link to Lamb, too, Kim, much appreciated!
Isn't that incredible? I'm endlessly fascinated by the guidance of the subconscious. Creativity bubbling up from the unseen and the unknown is, to me, always the most powerful. So happy to share Lamb here... an appetizer to readers for a forth-coming interview with you, if you're up for it? I'd really love to dig more into your story, its origins, how it lives in you today. x
Yes! Would love to hear an interview with MTF.
Oh! I would be honored! 🥲
Done and done. I'll email you soon.
Thank you, Troy.
Wonderful, to hear two people that fascinate me and who I know a little bit get to know each other better.... that's a first...
I love this about Substack! There's something so fun about becoming intimate with a writer through their words and then all of a sudden they feel real time, in real conversation. We're 3D!
Thanks for watching Bertus. It was great to have this time with Kim.
This is the most beautiful conversation. Thank you to both of you for sharing 🙏
I'm so glad it was meaningful to you!
Thanks for watching Linnhe
Thank you for introducing me to Ben’s work. I don’t normally tend to read fiction here, so I was surprised by how much I enjoyed getting into Ben’s fictional world. And I enjoyed listening in on your conversation.
It's funny you say that Kim. I had no intention of reading fiction over here either. And now over half of my weekly favorite reads are fiction! It's adding such rich and equally psychological layers to my explorations here.
This was such a lovely and insightful listen/watch. I already feel like I know you both well from reading your work, but this made this connection stronger. Thank you both for taking the time to do this.
Thanks so much, Nathan. I hope you’ll sit down and have a chat with Kimberly sometime soon.
Ah that'd be lovely indeed, though I worry I wouldn't be able to articulate myself like you. I nodded at the moment you said "I will not answer with any level of perfection. That's why I'm a writer, I have time to edit." because that's exactly me 😆 but then you proceeded to answer with perfection 😉
Right? I thought the same thing Nathan! I barely edited his transcription. :) Mine however, I speak in messy, looping thoughts. I'd absolutely love to interview you, whether you join me in the mess or not. ;)
I would be truly honoured, but I would absolutely be joining you in messy, looping thoughts! 😅
All my answers were written in advance and rehearsed with a coach. The hardest part was memorizing the little quirks and imperfections necessary to make it feel completely spontaneous. In all seriousness, if my answers seem coherent, it was only because Kim provided such great questions in advance and she brings such good energy and openness I felt very relaxed and comfortable.
Unbeknownst to your conscious self, and perhaps in a parallel dimension, I think you may've actually done this Ben!
Hehehe.
But aw, I'm sure you're right.
I can't wait to get to this. I just wanted to leave this note to say sorry that I haven't gotten to this yet. But rest assured it is on my to-listen list for this weekend 😊
You’re such a dear. Hope you enjoy the listen!!
A beautiful interview. It was lovely getting to know you, Ben. And Kimberly, you're such a gracious, welcoming interviewer. Thank you both so much!
Thanks, Nadia! I'm glad you enjoyed the conversation. Kim is kind of a amazing. Everyone should be lucky enough to be asked such thoughtful questions.
150% agree!!!
Thank you for sharing your meeting, in two formats as well! I really enjoy discovering more personal experiences about writers I admire.
So happy you took the time to listen/read! Your essays and reflections are always so insightful, it means a lot that you found this interview enjoyable.
Thanks, Mya. I'm glad you enjoyed the conversation. It was a lot of fun for us to have.
My heart warmed on reading and listening to this interview.
Thanks, Mary. Kim's great, isn't she? Such a joy to talk with her.
Yes, Ben, she has been a lovely discovery in my life. I have a question for you that I will send to your substack email, if I may and from my personal email--so do check your spam, if you might.
Other countries didn't need AI to solve gun violence.
Most mentally unwell people, even in America, never pick up a gun, and are a greater danger to themselves than to others.
Still, an interesting interview.