How to Survive the End of the World I am a Funeral Pyre with Nnenna and Pierce Freelon
Jan 30, 2026
Pierce Freelon, Grammy-nominated artist and children’s author creating Afrofuturist work. Nnenna Freelon, Grammy-nominated jazz singer and grief sojourner with a book on mourning. They trade stories about family and Phil Freelon, ancestral inspiration, improvisation in grief, puppet performances, Afrofuturist kids’ projects, and turning loss into creative practice.
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Episode notes
Use Small Rituals To Stay Grounded
- Play small, grounding rituals to preserve aliveness during overwhelming political trauma.
- Autumn uses Mario Kart and nightly family play to stay connected and resilient.
Endings Create Space For New Beginnings
- Grief can be an opening for new beginnings if you trust endings will make space.
- Nnenna frames daily trust and seeking small beauties as ongoing survival practice.
Limit Media To Protect Your Inner Life
- Fast from news and social media when overwhelmed and trust intuition for needed information.
- Nnenna practices information fasting and listens patiently for what she truly needs to know.
