By Adam Katz Playing piano is one of the main reasons I am surviving the pandemic. If we recognize (and if you don’t, I have some news for you) that the mind is part of the body, and so emotional health is physical health, then it shouldn’t be surprising that within a few weeks ofContinue reading “London Letters #6: A Tale of Two Pianos”
Tag Archives: self-care
Big Think: I’m Going to Use the R-Word (and it’s ok if you do, too)
Editor’s Note(s):1. You may be wondering why Erika is writing another Big Think in October. Andrew and Mary have been stepping back from the Big Think this month because of other duties, and Erika has been especially prolific lately, so we decided to just make the switch.2. The “writing mentor” mentioned in this piece is,Continue reading “Big Think: I’m Going to Use the R-Word (and it’s ok if you do, too)”
In a Coronavirus Classroom…
Last week concluded the first installment of our Creative Writer’s Showcase. We are so thankful to all of our participants! This week, we are embarking on a one-of-a-kind view into the life of a classroom teacher during the Coronavirus pandemic. We are lucky to have these dispatches from Josi’s classroom, which we will be printingContinue reading “In a Coronavirus Classroom…”
Erika’s Big Think #6: The Story I Never Told my Grandmother
By Erika Grumet My grandmother was known for entertaining guests; in fact, the stone at her grave makes note of her skill as a hostess. I recall standing in the kitchen with my mother, while we were preparing the house to sit shiva* for her. I was busy getting the table organized, setting up coffee,Continue reading “Erika’s Big Think #6: The Story I Never Told my Grandmother”
London Letters #1: I’m Having a Great Trip
By Adam Katz It is strange being in the city that, for over three hundred years, was the political and economic center of the world… and not really caring. I arrived in London on October 1. The reason I’m here has nothing to do with the Globe Theater or the tailors on Savile RowContinue reading “London Letters #1: I’m Having a Great Trip”
What it Means to Ban a Book
“Censorship reflects a society’s lack of confidence in itself.” Potter Stewart, Associate Justice, US Supreme Court By Erika Grumet The only book my parents ever took away from me was Catcher in the Rye. There are a lot of reasons someone might want to take that book away from a child, but none of thoseContinue reading “What it Means to Ban a Book”
Midweek Teaser: The Professor is In!
In the last year and a half, we’ve all gotten used to wearing masks… and seeing the faces of those around us covered by masks. That kind of opacity is the opposite of what we need in academia. This week’s episode of The Ivory Tower Boiler Room invites Kel Weinhold and Dr. Karen Kelsky toContinue reading “Midweek Teaser: The Professor is In!”
Midweek Teaser: Renee Liciaga Redux
The Ivory Tower Boiler Room team has been working hard–celebrating our birthday, getting ready to begin our second year of podcasting, and welcoming a fifth member, Ceren Usta, to our team. We’ll give you an opportunity to get to know Ceren very soon. We all deserve a little break this weekend, and we don’t mindContinue reading “Midweek Teaser: Renee Liciaga Redux”
Andrew’s Big Think #4
What is the Passion that Fuels the Ivory Tower Boiler Room? Enter Plato! By Andrew Rimby “I propose that each of us should make the finest speech he can in praise of Love, and then pass the topic on to the one on his right.” from Plato’s Symposium (translated by Christopher Gill) “I propose thatContinue reading “Andrew’s Big Think #4”
Erika’s Big Think #4: Dismantling Writer’s Block with Friends
By Erika Grumet My younger kid has always been a big fan of Snoopy. When she was six months old, my sister gave her a stuffed Snoopy puppet, who became known as Puppy, and became her lovie. Puppy is Real to us, just like the Velveteen Rabbit is Real to his boy. Asking Puppy toContinue reading “Erika’s Big Think #4: Dismantling Writer’s Block with Friends”