"Today’s poem reminds me to feel tenderness toward the earlier versions of me," Maggie (@maggiesmithpoet ) writes in episode 1507. "It reminds me that we should acknowledge our past selves more. Just think of what earlier versions of you were able to endure. Bless them for that."
Read "How to Dress a Star" by Nicholas Goodly (@nicholasgoodly ), from STAR POWER (@scribnerbooks ), and our full episode transcript at the link in our bio.
You can find episodes of The Slowdown every weekday in your favorite podcast app.
"There is no one writing with such a once-in-a-lifetime Black mad genius." —Danez Smith
In Star Power, a jubilant testimony to the joys and hardships of the Black queer experience, poet Nicholas Goodly explores language that venerates the saints of their life—those people in cultures and communities who are not often seen as the powerful, brave, and heroic figures that they are.
An ode to endurance, love, and play, this collection carves out a place of pleasure and solace, a personal pantheon of legends from the Wonder Twins, Thundercat, Grace Jones, and so much more.
Available 6/2/26. Preorder at the link in bio!
