Words matter. They have power and carry weight. How we describe the lived experiences of others or our own experiences can have immense impact. Some stories can let the reader know they’re not alone. Some authors can make readers feel seen and understood. 

In this episode, you’ll hear a conversation between two writers: John Green and Kasey in the last interview she recorded before she passed. John is the author of the emotional New York Times bestselling novel, The Fault in Our Stars, which describes the lives and relationship between two young people living with cancer. He writes with love and gives life to experiences that are almost impossible to describe. He’s humble, thoughtful, and their conversation brought Kasey comfort. Listen in for a look behind the scenes, behind the dust jacket, and behind the man.

You’ll hear: 

• John’s experience on the set of The Fault in Our Stars and the new adaptation film based on his novel, Turtles All the Way Down (filming now!)
• His time as a student chaplain at a children's hospital in Ohio and what made him walk away from it
• The friendship that inspired The Fault in Our Stars and what struck Kasey most about the book and the film
• What they would each change about the healthcare paradigm 
• The language used to describe the lives of those living with cancer and which words are doing a disservice to the community
• Kasey and John’s take on the big question: What is the meaning of life? 
• And much more

Books mentioned: The Fault in Our Stars, Turtles All the Way Down, and his newest, The Anthropocene Reviewed 

Follow John on Instagram @johngreenwritesbooks 

Subscribe to his Youtube channels CrashCourse and Vlogbrothers

Listen to his podcasts The Anthropocene Reviewed and Dear Hank and John

We’d be honored if you’d consider donating to the Kasey Altman Research Fund through Rein in Sarcoma and help continue to legacy Kasey started: https://www.reininsarcoma.org/sarcoma-story-kasey-altman/ A donation size of any amount can make a difference in further ARMS treatment research! Thank you!