Topic Guide

What Is Memoir writing?

Memoir writing is a subject covered in depth across 3 podcast episodes in our database. Below you'll find key concepts, expert insights, and the top episodes to listen to — all distilled from hours of conversation by leading experts.

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Key Concepts in Memoir writing

Vacation vs. trip

This concept explores the differing definitions of leisure travel. Abby Wambach suggests a "trip" might involve depriving oneself of modern luxuries (like camping) to appreciate them more, while Glennon Doyle defines a "vacation" as indulging in comforts (like air conditioning and hotels) as humanity's "far greater works." The episode presents this as important for understanding personal preferences and challenging preconceived notions of what constitutes rest.

Arrogance of memoir

This framework critiques the notion that writing a memoir is inherently self-centered or egotistical. Glennon Doyle argues that using one's own life as a "specimen" to explore the human condition is a humble act that fosters universal connection. The episode highlights how this criticism is often gendered, used to dismiss women's narratives while men's self-explorations are lauded as profound.

Putting down the burden

Inspired by Buddhist master Huji U Kennet, this concept shifts the goal from endlessly holding up life's burdens to recognizing when the burden is so heavy that the appropriate action is to put it down. Amanda Doyle's personal journey illustrates this, moving from a paradigm where not "doing all the things" felt like defeat, to understanding that releasing control and shedding unnecessary responsibilities is the true achievement and path to peace.

Horizon living

Coined during the episode, 'horizon living' describes the practice of sacrificing present peace and well-being for the promise of future peace. The hosts argue that this approach is problematic, emphasizing that if peace is the ultimate goal, then peace must also be the means to achieve it, rather than something to be earned or perpetually delayed.

Daytime energy in late night

Arsenio Hall discusses consciously bringing the "daytime energy" [08:35] of hosts like Merv Griffin and Mike Douglas to his late-night show. This meant a more informal, dynamic, and desk-free environment, making his show revolutionary at the time by breaking from traditional late-night formats [08:50, 09:15].

Opening up the house

Conan references Hall's approach to his show as having the "idea of let's open up the house, invite everybody in and see what happens" [58:12]. This concept reflects Hall's inclusive booking policy, featuring diverse guests from various communities and backgrounds, including those not typically seen on mainstream television, like early hip-hop artists or the first openly gay standup comic [08:18, 10:15, 58:40].

What Experts Say About Memoir writing

1.Glennon Doyle humorously reinterprets a Bible story to argue that human innovations like air conditioning and hotels are "far greater works" than natural elements, justifying indulgence in modern luxuries over activities like camping.
2.Writing one's own memoir is not inherently arrogant; rather, using one's own life as a "specimen" to explore the human condition can be a humble act, contrasted with the arrogance of critically analyzing others' lives.
3.Criticism of women writers as "naval-gazing" or "confessional" is often a gendered dismissal, whereas men writing about themselves are typically perceived as exploring universal ideas.
4.Amanda Doyle's post-cancer diagnosis realization was that her "highest goal" of "doing all the things" had not changed, causing her to feel sadness and an inability to let go of control.
5.A key insight from Buddhist master Huji U Kennet suggests that the ultimate goal is not to lighten one's burden, but to make it so heavy that one chooses to put it down, fundamentally shifting the paradigm of control.
6.The concept of "horizon living"—sacrificing present peace for a promised future peace—is suspicious because peace must be the means if it is to be the end.