Our episode today is an encore presentation of a conversation I had back in May of 2024 with Salika Jawad.

Sulika is one of those guests who I have never spoken to before they come on the podcast, but who feels like an old friend by the end of our conversation.

It's only happened a handful of times, but when it does, it makes the episode incredibly special

for me. And that makes it even sadder to have to say that since this episode aired,

Sir Lika's cancer has come back for a third time. Nobody's tougher, more thoughtful, or more

resilient than she is. I'm sending my thoughts in love to Seleika, and I hope you will too

after listening to our conversation.

My guest today, Suleka Jawad, was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 22.

She spent the next five years fighting the disease before receiving a successful bone marrow transplant.

Her amazing memoir between two kingdoms tells the story of her battle with cancer as well as the challenges of returning to everyday life after years of being in and out of the hospital.

A cancer diagnosis is never welcome, but it's particularly cruel to a 22-year-old.

Her memoir is one of the most powerful books I've ever read.

The fear in writing in the first person or writing about a traumatic experience like an illness

is that you're not read as a writer, you're read as a sick person.

Welcome to People I Mostly Adm admire with Steve Levitt.

Suleka brings a profound perspective on death and living to this conversation.

I enjoyed talking to her so much, not only for Selaika's emotional insights, but also for her practicality.

Yeah. like his emotional insights, but also for her practicality. Cancer has stolen so much from you.

I just want to acknowledge that up front and say, I'm so sorry that you've had to endure so much.

And I also want to say, though, that I have incredible admiration for the beautiful

and the deeply insightful way in which you've chronicled your experiences. It is such a

wonderful gift for the millions of people who've read your writing. Thank you. One of the

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