Poet Nikki Giovanni / Writer Adam Valen Levinson

Guests: Nikki Giovanni, Adam Valen Levinson

We begin today’s show listening to Marty’s conversation with poet NIKKI GIOVANNI.  In her newest book, A Good Cry: What We Learn from Tears and Laughter, Giovanni recalls the violence she saw growing up, describes the joy of aging and celebrates her friendship with Maya Angelou. Giovanni has spent over 30 years as a poet, activist, and educator with a focus on  race, class and gender. Then, we’ll hear Marty’s interview with ADAM VALEN LEVINSON. The writer is on a mission to bridge the world’s cultural and ideological divisions through humor. His new travel memoir, The Abu Dhabi Bar Mitzvah Levinson writes about his decision to travel throughout the Middle East as a Jew in order to counter the fear that 9/11 provoked in so many Americans. Levinson joins us on the show today to talk about his laugh filled adventures and why Americans shouldn’t be scared of the world.