In the fifth episode of our Earthly Reads series, we dive into heartfelt conversation with the renowned Alexis Pauline Gumbs, author of Survival Is a Promise: The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde. This episode offers a preview of the live Earthly Reads Book Study, now available for purchase.

Throughout the conversation, Alexis threads together her thoroughly-researched and deeply-felt knowledge of Audre Lorde with her own personal wit, observation, and openness. She also speaks to her understanding of Lorde’s work as “geological,” following the connection Lorde draws between Blackness and our existence at every layer of Earth’s interior. Reminding us of the value of the collective, Gumbs shares lessons for reciprocity, earthly embodiment, and the poetry of living.

Earthly Reads is a podcast series and online book study featuring conversations with some of our favorite authors including adrienne maree brown, Marcia Bjornerud, Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Prentis Hemphill, Tricia Hersey, and Céline Semaan. This episode is just a small glimpse into some of the incredible live conversations that will take place throughout the book study. To access the full 60 minute episode join us on Patreon or the Earthly Reads Book Study.

Alexis Pauline Gumbs is a Queer Black Troublemaker and Black Feminist Love Evangelist and an aspirational cousin to all sentient beings.  Her work in this lifetime is to facilitate infinite, unstoppable ancestral love in practice.  Her poetic work in response to the needs of her cherished communities has held space for multitudes in mourning and movement.  Alexis’ co-edited volume Revolutionary Mothering: Love on the Front Lines (PM Press, 2016) has shifted the conversation on mothering, parenting and queer transformation.  Alexis has transformed the scope of intellectual, creative and oracular writing with her triptych of experimental works published by Duke University Press (Spill: Scenes of Black Feminist Fugitivity in 2016, M Archive: After the End of the World  in 2018 and Dub: Finding Ceremony, 2020.)  Unlike most academic texts, Alexis’ work has inspired artists across form to create dance works, installation work, paintings, processionals, divination practices, operas, quilts and more.

A Woman is a School

Survival Is a Promise offers a stunning glimpse into the life, work, and truth of Audre Lorde. Gumbs pays homage to Lorde in a way that is incredibly human and full of wisdom from poetry, Earth, and life itself. This book stands apart from other offerings in our Earthly Reads series as the only biography, but its connection to the physicality of life and the beauty of loving dedication make it an incredible companion to what we’ve read so far.

When purchasing from this link, a small portion of each sale goes toward For The Wild Slow Media projects.

♫ The music featured in this series is is “Freshet” by Cool Maritime, “Naiad” by Matt Baldwin, and “Ghostly” by Sharada Shashidhar and Caleb Buchanan from the compilation Staying: Leaving Records Aid to Artists Impacted by the Los Angeles Wildfires courtesy of our partner Leaving Records. Compilation proceeds are directed back into the community of artists and families impacted by the fires. Learn more at staying.bandcamp.com.

Earthly Reads
Book Study

• 6 live, online salons with authors adrienne maree brown, Prentis Hemphill, Tricia Hersey, Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Céline Semaan, and Marcia Bjornerud and host Ayana Young discussing their new books. Featuring live music (courtesy of Living Earth), embodiment practices, and Q&A with the Authors

• For The Wild Study Notes for each book

• Music playlists to study and move to

• Access to the extended versions of the Authors’ new podcast episodes

• A Practice & Resource Guide to take your studies further

• Community Discussion group

• More!

Earthly Reads Episode Series

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For The Wild is a slow media organization dreaming towards a world of grounded justice and reciprocity. Our work highlights impactful storytelling and deeply-felt meaning making as balms for these times. If you want to explore our work, please become a monthly sustaining member through our Patreon or consider making a one-time donation directly to us through our website. To stay up-to-date on our work, sign up for our newsletter.