A podcast on the research and experience of loneliness. In each episode, I have a conversation with a guest who has something interesting to say about loneliness, be it from an academic (and often philosophical), personal, or any other perspective.
Each episode in the current second series begins with a discussion of an object that my guest has brought and that speaks to their experience. In the first series, each episode opened with a reading of Emily Dickinson's poem "The Loneliness One dare not sound" (#777):
The Loneliness One dare not sound--
And would as soon surmise
As in its Grave go plumbing
To ascertain the size--
The Loneliness whose worst alarm
Is lest itself should see--
And perish from before itself
For just a scrutiny--
The Horror not to be surveyed--
But skirted in the Dark--
With Consciousness suspended--
And Being under Lock--
I fear me this—is Loneliness--
The Maker of the soul
Its Caverns and its Corridors
Illuminate—or seal--
The Loneliness One dare not sound--
And would as soon surmise
As in its Grave go plumbing
To ascertain the size--
The Loneliness whose worst alarm
Is lest itself should see--
And perish from before itself
For just a scrutiny--
The Horror not to be surveyed--
But skirted in the Dark--
With Consciousness suspended--
And Being under Lock--
I fear me this—is Loneliness--
The Maker of the soul
Its Caverns and its Corridors
Illuminate—or seal--
Thanks for their generous help with this project are due to Stacen Goldman for podcast production, Steve Salina for editing and technical production, Dave Meckin for sound design, and Paul Fisher-Davies for podcast art. In the first series, thanks are due to Melike Güvenc for her reading of the poem, Salvatore Favazzi for recording it, and Matt Hoffend for research. I am grateful to the Valente Center for Arts and Sciences and the Research Council at Bentley University for financial assistance, and - last not least - to my guests for their support.