Minda Honey on the “shamelessness” of telling your own story – Reckon

Show notes: Reckon True Stories, Episode 6, Minda Honey

In the latest episode of Reckon True Stories, Deesha Philyaw and Kiese Laymon talk with Minda Honey about her recently published memoir, The Heartbreak Years, and the role Honey’s own experiences and the stories her family told her played in shaping her work.

With her debut, Honey – who also publishes Black Joy with Reckon – was praised for her ability to dwell in the body and desires of a black woman while moving seamlessly not just through place but also through time. Kiese Laymon says, “I actually thought what Minda was doing was like a new kind of travel writing. And that’s why I was just so excited when everyone got to read it.”

Minda Honey on giving up shame and loving her younger self in her lyrics:

“Your creative work cannot bear the weight of your shame. So you have to be willing to give up that shame in order to write the best you can write. … Women are not allowed to be shameless. The fact that I am so shameless in this book and unapologetic about my younger self and giving my younger self so much grace and tenderness and forgiveness, I think is very disturbing to people who haven’t yet figured out how to give the same to their present self or their past self.”

Reading list: Mentioned authors, stories and books

Listening list:

More from Deesha Philyaw and Kiese Laymon:

Produced by Ursa Story Company in association with Reckon.

Hosts: Deesha Philyaw & Kiese Laymon

Producers of the show: Dawnie Walton and Mark Armstrong

Associate Producer: Marina Leigh

Episode Editor: Kelly Araja

Reckon Editor-in-Chief: RL Nave

Deputy Editor of Reckon: Michelle Zenarosa

Audience Leader: Katie Johnston

Creative Strategist: Abbey Crain

Senior Social Producer: Sid Espinosa