John’s Substack

John’s Substack

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Be True, Episode 99: "During the Dread Reign of the Cholera"
In this ghastly episode, John rediscovers and reads Edgar Allan Poe’s short story, “The Sphinx,” a Gothic tale of paranoia, privilege, and pandemic…
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John Tessitore
13:59
Stay Cool
On Media Distractions, Political Manipulations, Corporate Exploitations, and the Deadly American Heatwave
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John Tessitore
Be True, Episode 98: Most People are Good People
John speaks with Claire Thom, founding editor-in-chief of The Wee Sparrow Poetry Press, about creating an international literary community, the power of…
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John Tessitore
2
19:21
Two Ladies Go to a Protest
Some thoughts about Boston's extraordinary Pride/No Kings parade/protest
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John Tessitore
4
Be True, Episode 97: No Kings
In a time of unrest, John reads a speech from William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. He also discusses the fatal flaws of tyrants and what Milton…
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John Tessitore
13:39
Be True, Episode 96: Letting the Cat Out of the Bag
John reads William Shakespeare's Sonnet 129, "Th'expense of spirit in a waste of shame." He also discusses orgasmic poetry, Texas stupidity, Euripides…
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John Tessitore
2
8:41
Be True, Episode 95: Let’s Give ‘Em Somethin’ To Talk About
John reads Amy Lowell’s poem “The Weather-Cock Points South.” He also discusses the recent wave of book-banning and repression, the universality of sex…
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John Tessitore
6:35

May 2025

Be True, Episode 94: Full Disclosure
In this special episode, John reveals a bit of his origin story and describes why the government fears universities, why universities are defined by…
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John Tessitore
2
10:52
Be True, Episode 93: It's Alright, Ma
John reads a section of his poem/chapbook "For a minute there, it seemed like something was happening." He also discusses graduation season, balancing…
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John Tessitore
2
6:13
Be True, Episode 92: Literature at the Crossroads
In this special episode, John examines the role of poetry and fiction in our era, discusses new challenges for independent creators, and asks how his…
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John Tessitore
2
9:49
Be True, Episode 91: Responsible Humans in a Meatpacking Culture
John reads a passage of The Jungle, a novel by Upton Sinclair. He also discusses the importance of muckraking fiction, the hazards of government…
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John Tessitore
10:25
The Writing I Do
Notes from the Desk of a Working Writer
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John Tessitore
4:43
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