“Suffering, I think, catalyzes an intimacy that couldn't happen otherwise.”  Christian Wiman, renowned poet and teacher at Yale Divinity School, does not say these words flippantly. Two decades ago, he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and given a life expectancy of five years. He has lived the past twenty years in the shadow of death and the grip of despair.  In this episode, while discussing his recent memoir “Zero at the Bone: Fifty Entries Against Despair,” Christian explores faith, doubt, joy, and sorrow in the way only a great poet can, taking the stuff of life - the mundane, confusing, chaotic, and tragic - and making meaning out of it.  Show Notes  Resources mentioned this episode: "Zero at the Bone" by Christian Wiman "My Bright Abyss" by Christian Wiman  Similar NSE episodes:  Christian Wiman: The Opposite of Faith is Certainty  Pádraig Ó Tuama: A Poet’s Work in Peace and Reconciliation  Clay Hobbs: The Wisdom of Numbering Your Days  Angela Williams Gorrell and Miroslav Volf: On Joy and Sorrow    Transcription Link   Want more NSE? JOIN NSE+ Today! Our subscriber only community with bonus episodes designed specifically to help you live a good life, ad-free listening, and discounts on live shows  Subscribe to episodes: Apple | Spotify | Amazon | Google | YouTube Follow Us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube Follow Lee: Instagram | Twitter Join our Email List: nosmallendeavor.com  See Privacy Policy: Privacy Policy  Amazon Affiliate Disclosure: Tokens Media, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.