362. Susan Wise Bauer and The Great Shadow

What if the way we think about sickness has been shaping our lives for thousands of years?
Historian and author Susan Wise Bauer joins us to discuss her new book, The Great Shadow, and the surprising ways illness has influenced everything from religion and medicine to consumer culture and politics.
We explore why ancient beliefs about sickness persist, how historical pandemics mirror our experience with COVID-19, and why we so often associate good health with personal virtue.
Susan also shares how understanding history can help us question our assumptions, navigate medical decisions, and approach illness with greater compassion.
Join us for a fascinating look at the history we carry into the present!
Resources:
Connect with Susan at ​​susanwisebauer.com, welltrainedmind.com, and on Instagram @@susanwisebauer
Check out her podcast and Substack
Here’s the article Susan mentioned: “What I Got Wrong as as New Pediatrician Talking to Parents” (gift link)
Find Susan’s new book, The Great Shadow, in the Brave Writer Book Shop
Registration is open now for Movie Discussion Club: Aquatic Adventures and many other Brave Writer classes!
Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!)
Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing
Melissa’s books make great readalouds—and there are Darts for The Prairie Thief and The Nerviest Girl in the World.
Find community at the Brave Learner Home
Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms
Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684
Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to [email protected]
Connect with Julie:
Instagram: @juliebravewriter
Threads: @juliebravewriter
Bluesky: @bravewriter.com
Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter
Connect with Melissa:
Website: melissawiley.com
Substack: melissawiley.substack.com
Instagram: @melissawileybooks
Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social
Produced by NOVA