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Hesitation Media with Brian NuckolsHesitation Media with Brian Nuckols is a Substack about slow journalism that waits for the dust to settle, then verifies what happened: with receipts. Author: Brian Nuckols, writer and pioneer of empathic journalism, explores the intersections of mental health, addiction, and cultural transformation through storytelling that values depth, accuracy, and the power of empathy.
About Hesitation Media Inspired by Stanton Marlans Hesitation and Slowness: Gateway to Psyche's Depth, Hesitation Media is rooted in the belief that being right matters more than being first. Like the Slow Food and Slow Travel movements, we prioritize doing things properly. Instead of racing social media to breaking news, we focus on accuracy, depth, context, analysis, and expert opinionthe timeless values of quality journalism. About Brian Nuckols Brian Nuckols is a writer and empathic journalist whose work explores the intersection of empathy, mental health, and societal transformation. As one of the pioneers of empathic journalism, Brian combines the immersive storytelling of gonzo journalism with the depth and reflection of narrative non-fiction. His approach is informed by years of experience as a Jungian psychoanalyst working with heroin addiction, trauma, and the complexities of human connection. Brians primary research project examines empathy as a weapon against self-hatred and social conformity. His writing invites readers to meet across divideswhether political, cultural, or personaland to confront the parts of themselves they find ugly, difficult, or even hateful. By fostering self-acceptance, Brian advocates for deeper compassion toward others and a more connected world. Research Interests Mental Health and Addiction: Investigating systemic issues behind the overdose crisis and deaths of despair, blending policy insights with human stories and innovative solutions like psychedelics. Psychedelics and Innovation: Writing about the intersection of culture, neuroscience, and geopolitics in the rapidly evolving psychedelics industry. Philosophy and Society: Exploring the role of meaning, connection, and self-acceptance in the face of social pressures and cultural disconnection. Media and Entertainment: Analyzing how media shapes empathy, polarization, and cultural values. Geopolitics of Human Flourishing: Investigating how global systems influence mental hea Language: en Genres: News, Philosophy, Politics, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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The Rain That Never Stops: Poetry as Sacred Ceremony
Episode 1
Thursday, 7 August, 2025
"It has been raining for as many hours as we have been married."That single line stopped me in my tracks. Today, you'll meet the person who wrote it and how her art opens up an entire universe of meaning about presence, promise-keeping, and the sacred nature of ordinary moments.I'm Brian Nuckols, and this is Season 3 of Hesitation Media, where we slow down with poets to explore how poetry actually gets made.What We ExploreThe craft behind the magic: We dive deep into Nkateko's theater-inspired approach to revision—"every word must audition for its place"—and how she uses strategic vulnerability and white space to create sacred intimacy on the page. You'll hear exactly how she layers time, builds contrapuntal structure, and transforms cultural traditions into universal poetry.Cultural bridge-building: Nkateko explains pula tsa mahlohonolo the South African tradition where wedding rain signals eternal blessing. This cultural context completely transforms how we read love poetry, showing how specificity enhances rather than limits accessibility.Poetry as healing: From her journey leaving medicine for poetry to processing intergenerational trauma through the "Daughter Wound" collection, we explore how art becomes a tool for understanding abandonment, family wounds, and the courage required for deep vulnerability.Key Moments* [15:30] The cultural explanation of rain as wedding blessing that changes everything* [34:45] "Every word must audition for its place" - the craft insight that will transform how you revise* [52:20] Why vulnerability requires safety first, and how that shows up in intimate poetry* [1:18:15] Strategic minimalism: how white space lets readers fill in what you're unwilling to say* [1:25:40] Creating conversation through poetry when real dialogue becomes impossiblePoems we analyze:* "portrait with stained bed sheets" - Close reading with cultural context* "my lover pulls me off the train tracks too late" - Exploring metaphysical trauma and dual consciousness* Selections from the "Daughter Wound" collectionAbout Nkateko MasingaNkateko is a South African writer, performance poet, and scholar whose work sits at the intersection of narrative medicine, life writing, and social justice. Her latest collection, Daughter Wound (Hazel Press, 2024), was Book of the Week at London Review Bookshop upon release.A 2018 Mandela Washington Fellow and 2019 Brittle Paper Anniversary Award winner, her poetry has been translated into French, Bengali, Tamil, Kannada, and Romanian. She was shortlisted for the 2024 Evaristo Prize for African Poetry and named one of South Africa's "100 Shining Stars" in Arts & Culture by The Inside Education Foundation.Beyond her writing, Nkateko founded NSUKU Publishing Consultancy, supporting emerging African writers, and teaches poetry workshops internationally through Lolwe Academy. Find Nkateko's WorkBooks:* Daughter Wound - Available at Hazel Press* The Heart is a Caged Animal - Digital chapbook via Praxis Magazine* Psalm for Chrysanthemums - African Poetry Book Fund collectionOnline:* Official website: nkatekomasinga.com* NSUKU Publishing Consultancy: nsukupublishing.wordpress.com* Poetry workshops: Lolwe Academy* Instagram: @nkateko_masinga Join the ConversationThis episode demonstrates what happens when we slow down to dig deeper into poetry that matters. Whether you write, teach, or simply love literature that helps you understand yourself and others, this conversation offers tools and insights you'll carry forward.Questions for reflection:* What does this episode make you think about your own capacity for presence?* How do you create sacred space in ordinary moments?* Where have you seen cultural specificity enhance universal understanding?About Hesitation Media: We reject the breakneck pace of social media-driven content and instead embrace thoughtful, empathic conversations that value depth over speed. Season 3 is dedicated entirely to poetry—not just talking about it, but doing close readings that reveal how the magic actually works.Subscribe wherever you get podcasts, and join us as we prove that slowing down reveals more than speeding up ever could. Get full access to Hesitation Media with Brian Nuckols at briannuckols.substack.com/subscribe
