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In this episode of Dialogue Out Loud, personal voices editor Charlotte Hansen Terry interviews authors Sarah Safsten and Ryan A. Davis about their poignant essays from the Fall 2024 issue of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. The conversation delves into the transformative power of personal metaphors in navigating struggles, growth, and spirituality.
In “Resurrection Morning,” Ryan A. Davis reflects on the bittersweet nature of family connections, loss, and nostalgia. Through evocative memories of a family cabin and his grandmother’s passing, Davis explores how distance and time shape the bonds we work to preserve.
Sarah Safsten, in her essay “On Feet Keeping,” intertwines her experiences as a ballroom dancer with her spiritual journey, drawing parallels between the nuanced act of following a dance partner’s lead and trusting in divine guidance. She shares the challenges of embracing uncertainty and the peace that comes from surrendering to faith.
Join us for this intimate discussion about how writing helps illuminate the abstract and emotional landscapes of life.
About the Authors:
Ryan A. Davis is a Hispanist at Illinois State University with a PhD from Emory University. His research spans modern Spanish narrative and Mormon cultural studies.
Sarah Safsten is a creative writing MFA graduate from BYU and a contributing editor for Wayfare. Her essays have appeared in Inscape, Exponent II, and Sky Island Journal. She currently teaches English at Utah Valley University and finds joy in dancing and cooking Korean food with her husband.