Hi, I'm Cheryl Strade, but people call me sugar.

It was writing that taught me how to give advice.

In this moment of uncertainty, I'm turning to writers who inspire me

for courage and insight.

George. Hello?

Hi, it's Cheryl.

I know.

My plan is to call up writers I admire for a conversation about this moment we're in, but more deeply about how we collectively and individually face difficulty or uncertainty.

Imagine a person that you love very much drowning just beyond your reach.

With grace, courage, heart.

That feeling that comes up when you do that is compassion.

Perhaps even some humor.

Even if it's not going to be okay, like it might be.

And honestly, how we overcome adversity, how we stay calm when everything is rattling, how we accept

circumstances that are not of our choosing.

The challenge of this moment is similar to the fictional challenge, which is can you extrapolate

from someone else's experience to your own viscerally?

Writing is how I work through everything, and it's books that have offered me guidance and hope when I've been the most lost or despairing

So it makes sense to me that I turn to writers now for this show

George. Thank you so much for talking to me.

Thank you.

I carry you in my heart all the time.

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