Latest news with #MayaAngelou
The Independent
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
In new book, Ellen Burstyn reveals the secret that fueled her award-winning career: poetry
Oscar winner Ellen Burstyn has a book coming out next year that reveals how she has been shaped by the power of words. HarperOne, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, announced Wednesday that Burstyn's 'Poetry Says It Better' will be released April 28, 2026. Burstyn, 93, is known for such films as 'The Last Picture Show' and 'Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore,' for which she won an Academy Award; the TV shows 'Political Animals' and 'House of Cards' and the Broadway production 'Same Time, Next Year.' Burstyn's favorite poets include Maya Angelou, Mary Oliver and William Butler Yeats. 'I've been lucky enough to spend my professional life as an actress: I worked as a model and dancer from the day I left high school and eventually reached a pinnacle in my career and won an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and two Primetime Emmy Awards,' Burstyn said in a statement. 'Nevertheless, it is poetry that has fueled and sustained me throughout my career and has been interwoven with every major life milestone I've ever experienced.' Burstyn also is the author of 'Lessons in Becoming Myself,' a memoir published in 2006.
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
In new book, Ellen Burstyn reveals the secret that fueled her award-winning career: poetry
NEW YORK (AP) — Oscar winner Ellen Burstyn has a book coming out next year that reveals how she has been shaped by the power of words. HarperOne, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, announced Wednesday that Burstyn's 'Poetry Says It Better' will be released April 28, 2026. Burstyn, 93, is known for such films as 'The Last Picture Show' and 'Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore,' for which she won an Academy Award; the TV shows 'Political Animals' and 'House of Cards' and the Broadway production 'Same Time, Next Year.' Burstyn's favorite poets include Maya Angelou, Mary Oliver and William Butler Yeats. 'I've been lucky enough to spend my professional life as an actress: I worked as a model and dancer from the day I left high school and eventually reached a pinnacle in my career and won an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and two Primetime Emmy Awards,' Burstyn said in a statement. 'Nevertheless, it is poetry that has fueled and sustained me throughout my career and has been interwoven with every major life milestone I've ever experienced.' Burstyn also is the author of 'Lessons in Becoming Myself,' a memoir published in 2006.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Subway reads: 10 books you can carry on your commute to look cooler than you are
From a pleasurable experience to a statement, we have come to an age where reading is cool and flexible. Celebrities carry it along as an accessory, as a part of their aesthetic. But they are not the only ones who can be blamed for their vanity; everyday commuters are in on it too. They carry it for various reasons, be it to calm their social anxiety, avoid meeting eyes with people, or just try to look cool. But the phenomenon is not all for the worse; who knows, the performative reading might also inspire someone to read further. Here are a few books that will not only make you look cool but also add to your overall development. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy Genre: Historical Fiction 'If everyone fought for their own convictions there would be no war.' A grand epic set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars, War and Peace follows five Russian aristocratic families whose personal dramas unfold alongside history. With sweeping philosophical reflections on fate, war, and identity, Tolstoy blends love stories, political intrigue, and meditations on human nature. The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy Genre: Literary Fiction 'It is curious how sometimes the memory of death lives on for so much longer than the memory of the life that it purloined.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo Set in Kerala, India, this Booker Prize-winning novel tells the tragic story of fraternal twins Estha and Rahel, whose childhoods are shattered by caste politics, forbidden love, and generational trauma. . I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou Genre: Memoir / Autobiography 'There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.' Maya Angelou's landmark memoir recounts her early life, growing up as a Black girl in the segregated American South. With unflinching honesty and lyrical grace, she explores trauma, identity, racism, and the power of words in shaping her voice. It's not just a story of survival—it's a testament to reclaiming one's narrative. The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka Genre: Absurdist Fiction 'I cannot make you understand. I cannot make anyone understand what is happening inside me. I cannot even explain it to myself.' One morning, traveling salesman Gregor Samsa wakes up to find himself transformed into a giant insect. As he becomes isolated from his family and society, Kafka explores themes of alienation, guilt, and dehumanization in this surreal masterpiece. Though brief, the story's existential weight and eerie symbolism have made it a cornerstone of modern literature. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari Genre: Nonfiction / History ' You could never convince a monkey to give you a banana by promising him limitless bananas after death in monkey heaven.' Harari takes readers on a sweeping journey through 70,000 years of human evolution—from prehistoric tribes to modern capitalism. With bold insights and a knack for storytelling, Sapiens tackles everything from biology and sociology to religion and economics. It challenges conventional thinking and offers a thought-provoking narrative on who we are and how we got here. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini Genre: Historical Fiction 'One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs, Or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls.' Spanning three decades in war-torn Afghanistan, this moving novel tells the intertwined lives of Mariam and Laila—two women brought together by fate and suffering. Hosseini masterfully depicts resilience, love, and sacrifice amid violence and oppression. The story is both intimate and sweeping, with characters who stay with you long after the final page. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara Genre: Literary Fiction 'And so I try to be kind to everything I see, and in everything I see, I see him.' This devastating modern epic follows four college friends navigating adulthood in New York City, but it's really the harrowing story of Jude—brilliant, mysterious, and deeply wounded. Yanagihara doesn't shy away from trauma, chronic pain, or the complexities of survival, making the book as painful as it is profound. Coming of Age in Samoa by Margaret Mead Genre: Anthropology / Nonfiction 'The children must be taught how to think, not what to think. And because old errors die slowly, they must be taught tolerance, just as today they are taught intolerance.' Based on Mead's fieldwork in 1920s Samoa, this influential work challenged Western ideas about adolescence, sexuality, and culture. She documented how social norms are not biologically fixed but shaped by culture, sparking debate across anthropology and beyond. Though some of her conclusions have been contested, the book remains a foundational text. 1984 by George Orwell Genre: Dystopian Fiction 'Big Brother is Watching You.' In Orwell's dystopian future, individuality is crushed, surveillance is absolute, and even thoughts are policed. 1984 follows Winston Smith as he quietly rebels against the oppressive regime of Big Brother. With chilling relevance today, the novel explores propaganda, language manipulation, and totalitarian control. It's a sharp, compact statement piece. Holding it in public screams 'I see through the system'—and invites nods from fellow book nerds across the train car. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath Genre: Semi-Autobiographical Fiction 'I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart: I am, I am, I am.' Sylvia Plath's only novel is a semi-autobiographical account of Esther Greenwood, a young woman whose promising life unravels under the weight of depression and societal expectations. With sharp, dark humor and poetic intensity, The Bell Jar explores mental health, gender roles, and the search for identity.
Otago Daily Times
09-07-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Untold stories and meeting to tell them
For many, the student experience takes place off-campus, in the streets of North Dunedin, on Instagram stories, and within a culture of exclusivity and social capital that is often defined by who-knows-who. As a result, student politics, activism, and engagement with societies, communities, and opportunities frequently go unnoticed. This raises questions: how do we experience community, trust and support? Some of the most widely faced issues, like housing, financial stress, and wellbeing, can't be solved by information alone. They require a level of human connection: a sense of being seen, heard and supported by others facing the same challenges. Some experiences remain especially difficult to name aloud, like those involving sexual harm. For many students, these stories are held quietly, shaped by shame, fear, or uncertainty. Initiatives like Thursdays in Black offer vital support, awareness, and solidarity for those navigating these realities. They remind us of the power of being seen and believed. As poet Maya Angelou wrote: "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." Her words and her work speak to the importance of creating spaces where individuals can feel strong enough to speak and safe enough to seek support. Despite being more connected than ever through digital channels, student life can feel fragmented. The digital connection might be the reason for this. There is a culture of popularity and following that almost breeds an underbelly of nervousness to step out of your comfort zone and push yourself into new spaces. Reflecting on this, I've decided that I miss school assemblies. Assemblies serve as a venue where the entire student body can receive messages simultaneously. Notices were shared like announcements about other students' achievements, speakers came and shared stories, choirs and kapa haka performed, and we sang the school song. It was symbolic, perhaps boring at times, often moving, and always unifying. My friends and I frequently discuss how this nervousness to engage and put oneself out there was largely absent at school, where everyone knew each other and largely supported one another. Now at university, though the stakes are higher, we no longer gather as a whole unified group, or even large parts of a group, aside from open days and lectures. The assemblies are gone, and with them a sense of collective orientation and responsibility, as well as a unity of vision and purpose. For many, the prospect of joining a new group or entering a room of strangers is daunting. I know it is infeasible to expect the entire population of Otago University to gather in one space or hold one shared purpose, but I can't help but feel that there is a disconnect between groups of people who have the potential to engage but seem lost in the day-to-day slog of university life, where the need for connection is being met on social media rather than in that room of strangers who share an issue, or a passion. Universities still have centralised communication: emails, notices, and social media posts. But it feels disjointed at times, or impersonal. Messages arrive daily but disappear just as fast: in the inbox, into the camera roll, on to the walls of bathroom stalls. It is communication without encounter. Centralisation without connection. I am currently at Hui-a-Tauira, the National Māori Law Students' conference, organised by Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa, the Māori Law Society. This brings together law students from campuses across the motu. I attended last year and made many new connections. Here I am reminded of how powerful it is to be in a space where messages are shared not just to you, but with you. Due to the nature of this conference, there are obvious points in common with other attendees, creating implicit starting points for conversations and connection building. We are then able to hear about the current legal issues Māori are facing, developments in the law, and listen to talks from a wide range of speakers. We then leave equipped with strategies to deal with these issues and with meaningful points to share with our friends and whānau when we get home. The aforementioned nervousness that comes with putting yourself out there is eased once something is shared between people. However, some students may not realise that the university itself offers opportunities to help them overcome these initial barriers. Although we don't have university assemblies, we could create something similar, especially when it comes to major, widespread issues like student housing. The common points of connection that I share with the other tauira at Hui are being Māori and studying law. What if we had an annual or biannual hui to discuss housing? The commonality would be having some noteworthy experiences while flatting. This could be a space to hear stories, meet people going through similar things, learn about your rights, options, and the support available. Not a web page or a post, but a room and people. Space to sit, listen and know that your issue is shared and solutions are possible. These stories aren't just anecdotes — they are patterns, and the stories get reported on and spoken about, not so much the systemic nature of these issues. I am not trying to undermine the services already available. The poster for SOULS' tenancy programme, in which legal students offer free tenancy advice, is excellent and engages many. However, I am sure that some kind of hui, where you could bring your flat to, would serve a purpose. Admittedly, this may not always be feasible due to constraints such as space, funding, or levels of interest — but perhaps there are imaginative ways to work around these realities. A unifying issue, such as student housing, could demonstrate that there is something valuable to be found in engaging with the on-campus student experience. Sometimes, all it takes is a room, a story, and a shared meal to begin building something whole — a positive experience born from the bravery of putting oneself out there. Kind regards, Grace. • Dunedin resident Grace Togneri is a fourth-year law student.
Fast Company
24-06-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
10 mistakes leaders make in crisis that break team trust
The most frequently used word to describe the last few months is 'uncertainty.' Our heads have been spinning as we get word almost daily of major policy shifts, market turmoil, new advances in AI, and on and on. Many leaders are feeling a little lost in the wilderness as they navigate the rough terrain. As you ruminate on these heady problems and how to move forward, how you respond to uncertainty is as important as what you do. To quote Maya Angelou, 'People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.' There is no doubt that periods of uncertainty call for leaders to make tough decisions and make unpopular choices, but the leader's behavior in doing so may be remembered long after the crisis has passed. Here are 10 mistakes leaders make that break their team's trust and erode loyalty during uncertain times. Panicking Nothing destroys a team's confidence in a leader more quickly than panic. Leaders project their energy and emotion onto the rest of the team, and when a leader panics, so does everyone else. You don't have to be a stoic, but don't catastrophize either. Be authentic in your level of concern and focus. Be honest that you don't have all the answers. Then set the tone for the team to keep calm and carry on. Withholding Information Bad news doesn't get better with age. It's painful to communicate bad news to your team, especially when you may not have the solutions worked out. But it's important to realize that your team can't help to solve the problem until or unless they understand what's going on. Trust your team with information so that they can effectively help. Making Unilateral Decisions It's lonely at the top. Leaders often feel the full weight of their role in a crisis. With the mantra 'the buck stops here' ringing in your ears, it's tempting to be the hero—to move forward with haste and make a decision without consulting your team. Why consult your team? Decisions are better when they have the benefit of a team's wisdom. Your team provides ideas, helps to kick the tires on solutions, and identifies blind spots. Further, it's likely they'll have to carry out the decision, so getting their input on the front-end preserves trust and creates buy-in. Suspending Accountability Structures & Rigor In moments of uncertainty, it may be tempting to suspend processes, checks and balances, or the established rules of engagement to move forward quickly. If you feel pressure to transgress your culture or bypass your policies to move forward, think twice. If you do conclude that the situation warrants overriding business as usual, make sure your team understands the rationale and be aware that you'll be setting a precedent, which may come back to haunt you later. Burying Your Head in the Sand Are you fiddling while Rome burns? Confronting a crisis may involve working through the stages of grief—grief for something lost and a future not yet visible. Leaders who get stuck in denial are paralyzed by inaction. Not identifying and addressing challenges head on causes the team to lose faith in a leader. If you're feeling overwhelmed and unable to act, use the Boy Scout acronym STOP: Stop, Think, Observe, Plan. And if you find yourself stuck in the thinking stage, engage your team to form a plan. Whatever you do, take steps to move forward. Be a hero, not a Nero! Playing the Blame Game Sadly, some leaders are known for their emotionally volatile outbursts and blaming others for their circumstances. These behaviors can be very unsettling to the team and culture of fear, which is never productive. Spending time revisiting the past isn't healthy and will only serve to slow you down, stifle results, and create a toxic culture. It's important for leaders to soberly accept the situation, take responsibility, and move quickly to solutions. Shutting Down Ideas Many leaders trying to move quickly—especially those making unilateral decisions—will shut down the team's brainstorming and discussion that are necessary to get to the best solution. Even if the solution you came into the meeting with is the one the team ultimately accepts, the time spent ideating and discussing will serve to both improve it and align everyone around your plan. Flip-Flopping Nothing is more frustrating than an uncommitted leader who steers the team in one direction then quickly pivots when he hears another better idea. Frequent pivots erode confidence and present to the team like you don't know what you're doing. Do your diligence on the front end, pick a direction, and commit to seeing it through. Build in incremental goals and check-ins to monitor progress. If you must pivot, do so with data and a defensible rationale. Your team will give you grace if they understand the 'why' behind your decisions. Forgetting to Listen Sometimes the most important thing a leader can do is not act, but listen. Listening helps us to process challenges and source ideas for the path ahead. For leaders in crisis situations, prepare to do a lot of listening. In fact, get out of your office and go on a listening tour to see how others are experiencing the turmoil. Get their input. But don't stop there. If you take the time to listen, you must circle back to the team to say, 'This is what I heard, and this is what I'm going to do with that information.' If you don't take that last step, the team is less likely to provide feedback the next time you ask. Make sure they can see how they added value to the direction. Tolerating Bad Behavior In periods of uncertainty, leaders aren't the only ones under stress. Others may act out inappropriately as well (see all of the negative behaviors above). It's not enough to keep yourself in check, you must keep the rest of the team in check, too. When negative, trust-behaviors surface, be quick to pull the perpetrator aside for some one-on-one coaching. Uncertainty is inevitable. How leaders navigate a critical moment can make all the difference. Successful leaders turn toward their teams in times of crisis—humbly realizing that they alone do not have all the answers. If you trust your team to help you handle the turbulence, they'll trust you in return.
