This conversation focuses on how Laymon thinks about revision. But it also considers how he navigates a publishing world that often puts pressure on minority-group artists to suppress their full identities to appeal to white audiences, the way his writing pushes the boundaries of conventional genre and canon, why Americans have such a hard time reassessing ourselves and what we can gain from trying to change. 

As he started to gain a name as a New York fashion designer in the 2010s, Telfar Clemens often joked that he was "constantly emerging." At least, that's how the establishment fashion press saw him: a child of Liberian immigrants, building a small but devoted following with his deconstructed T-shirts and sandals made from hollowed-out Converse. 

Soleil Henry has always known her daughter, Tamar, was special. As a child she learned “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” on the violin in just 20 minutes, and at 17 she’s an accomplished singer and pianist as well. Tamar also has autism. Her mom brought her to StoryCorps in Charlotte, North Carolina, to reflect on the importance of knowing and being yourself. 

Ira talks with lexicographer about the origin of the word "frenemy." Explores the idea of how and when new words take off and become a part of everyday speech. 

In this episode of The Limits, Carter—the CEO of SpringHill—sat down with Jay Williams to share how he and LeBron James succeeded on their own terms, why LeBron's mother initially doubted their vision, and what Carter really thought about LeBron's decision to return to Cleveland.