Mind over Manner: Explorations in Neuroscience, Current Events and Philosophy

With the release of the novel Just Willa set for April, I had the pleasure to email with author Heleh Sheehy to discuss her fascinating foray into fiction. After a successful career writing biographies of theater icons and authoring her own theater textbook, All About Theater (1981), this novel shifts Sheehy’s focus onto her own mother, a resilient farm woman who defies expectations with her determination to survive during the Dust Bowl. Equal parts homage to her mother and exploration of universal themes like strength and resilience, Just Willa is, as Sheehy describes it, “all fiction and all true.” Here, Sheehy reflects on what she learned about Wilma posthumously, how her background in nonfiction informed her approach, and how the creative process affected her perception of her childhood. You worked on this novel for 20+ years. Throughout that process, what changed the most? Did your perspective on the story change drastically, or were you set on the path of this book from the sta...

     For geeks everywhere, The Lord of the Rings franchise is a monolith in fantasy literature and film, originating from J. R. R. Tolkien's richly imagined Middle-earth. Ever since the universe’s conception in The Silmarillion , Tolkien's works have transformed into a globally recognized tale of primordial evil and countless generations of heroism. Peter Jackson’s film adaptations of the original trilogy have established a high bar for the level of immersion and worldbuilding of Middle-earth, telling powerful stories of loss and hope that resonate with all types of fans. With its booming success, the Lord of the Rings franchise has enjoyed an expansion into a variety of formats, like video games, movies, and now an animated film. The latest addition, The War of the Rohirrim, explores the history of Rohan and the legendary battle of Helm's Deep, offering fans another look at ancient stories written in the all-encompassing Silmarillion.  As a child, I read all of Tolk...

The music industry has tended into predictable structures and lyrics lacking in deeper meaning. The genre of metal is no exception to this shift, yet the UK-based band Sleep Token has carved out their own niche. The combination of their heavy metal with softer lyrical tones, combined with the mystery of the anonymous members, has created a devoted fanbase. The band integrates progressive metal with mythology, almost pop-like singing, and richly detailed lore about the titular deity named “Sleep”. The value of this branding strategy is the allure of their anonymity, the power of a narrative, and empathy, all enhanced by the transcendent performances the band gives. These influences have allowed Sleep Token to skyrocket into fame, primarily with their viral songs “Take Me Back to Eden” and “The Summoning”, selling out a 10,000-strong Wembley Arena concert in just ten minutes. This band can teach others valuable lessons about standing out in favor of marketability, as well as the creation...