Michial Farmer
Michial Farmer is a poet, essayist, and history teacher. He is the author of Imagination and Idealism in John Updike’s Fiction (Camden House, 2017) and the translator of Gabriel Marcel’s Thirst (Cluny, 2021). He lives in Atlanta.
Articles by Michial Farmer
Dwight MacDonald’s Self-Critical Integrity
What am I willing to lose to preserve the humanity of my neighbor?
The City of the Saints and Fools: Songs About New Orleans
This week on A Symposium of Popular Songs, we’re listening to songs about New Orleans—Dixieland and rhythm and blues, of course, but also everything else I can think of. I…
J’ai repris mon arme: Songs About War
It’s songs about war this week on A Symposium of Popular Songs—plus, I play some listener suggestions. Send your suggestions to symposiumofsongs@gmail.com!
Watch That Dark Lake Rise: Songs About Self-Destruction
Art about self-destruction always reminds me of Truffaut’s Dictum: “You can’t make an anti-war film,” since putting it on screen makes it glorious somehow. We’ll try to avoid that trap…
Must You Keep Rolling?: Songs About Rivers
We’re listening to songs about rivers this week—mostly American rivers, though we do make a brief detour into the Thames. Send your song suggestions to symposiumofsongs@gmail.com!
Eagles Were Born to Fly: Songs of Dolly Parton
As everyone in the universe knows, Dolly Parton died last week, and I thought I’d take a shot at a tribute to her work as a songwriter. Send your song…
Anything Is Full of Everything: Songs About Spiritual Vision
We’re listening to songs about spiritual vision this week, so get ready for some psychedelia and some songs that stretch out past the time you’re inclined to give them! Send…
Slashed and Torn: Songs About Anxiety
Take an Ativan and listen to some songs about anxiety with me! Send your song suggestions to symposiumofsongs@gmail.com.
I’ve Been There, I Know the Way: Songs About Distance
We’re listening to songs about distance this week, and I managed to make it not just long-distance love songs. Send your song recommendations to symposiumofsongs@gmail.com!
In the Distance, Something Bright: Songs About Perseverance
I’m back from my vacation and ready to play songs about perseverance. Hot funk, cool punk--we've got it all. Send your song suggestions to symposiumofsongs@gmail.com!
Encore Presentation: Songs of Laurel Canyon
I'm taking the month of July off from making new episodes of A Symposium of Popular Songs and taking the opportunity to replay some of my favorite episodes from last…
Encore Presentation: Songs About Change
I'm taking the month of July off from making new episodes of A Symposium of Popular Songs and using the opportunity to share some older ones you might have missed.…