In this episode, I reunite with Jonaki Ray (who I met in 2019 as a co-recipient of the Iceland Writers Retreat Alumni Award) to explore the themes of home, belonging, and the delicate dance between art and science in her poetry collection, Firefly Memories.

Part memoir and travelogue, Firefly Memories is a poignant collection that speaks to the struggles of belonging, blending beauty, food, and memory to confront hardship and heartache and redefining home and the search for safe places.

Whether you’re at home or in search of one, you’ll be inspired by Jonaki’s take on telling the truth and telling it slant.

Show highlights

0:00 – Introduction

2:47 – From scientist to artist: Jonaki’s journey

11:25 – Introduction to Firefly Memories

12:45 – Verdigris: Excerpt from Firefly Memories

15:06 – The goal and complexities of creating the collection

20:12 – Juxtaposing beauty and rejection

25:28 – Blending science and art in poetry

29:25 – Telling the truth with sensitivity

34:11 – Writing about the past and the present

38:42 – What writing from home looks like

41:35 – Appreciation and end

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Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/A-4pqaWn2E4

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Guest’s links

Buy Firefly Memories: https://www.coppercoin.co.in/product-page/firefly-memories

Follow Jonaki on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonaki_stories/

Follow Jonaki on X: https://x.com/jona_writes

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Host’s links

Find out more about the show: https://www.journeyoftheart.com/

Follow Journey of the Art on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/journeyoftheartpod/

Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/