Crystal Wilkinson is the award-winning author of several books including Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks. She was Poet Laureate of Kentucky from 2021 to 2023, and currently teaches creative writing at the University of Kentucky where she is a Bush-Holbrook Endowed Professor. In today’s episode, Crystal and Annmarie discuss kitchen ghosts, family recipes – including how biscuits need to “kiss,” and the blessings and self-awareness we find in the stories of our ancestors. Episode Sponsor: Charis Books and More – An independent feminist bookstore. Charis fosters sustainable feminist communities, works for social justice, and encourages the expression of diverse and marginalized voices. When you spend your money or your time at Charis Books and More, you are investing in the radical belief that multi-racial organizing and movement- building centered in a Southern, queer, feminist, anti-racist practice can shift culture and change lives and we appreciate your support. Stop by our Decatur, Georgia store or find us online at charisbooksandmore.com. BEM | books and more – BEM is a bookstore specializing in food literature of the African Diaspora, inspired by a line of dynamic and brilliant Black women who season with love and spin tales with the best of them. Honoring that legacy and those of Black folks and families across time and place is at the heart of what they do. Food opens a door to life, to sustenance, to love, to politics, and BEM | books and more is thrilled to welcome you into their community to explore it all together. Discover more online at bembrooklyn.com or on their Instagram @bembrooklyn. Wild Precious Life listeners receive 10% off their orders at BEM | books and more. Just type in the code WILDPRECIOUSLIFE (all one word) when you check out. Titles Discussed in this Episode: Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks, by Crystal Wilkinson Perfect Black, by Crystal Wilkinson The Birds of Opulence, by Crystal Wilkinson Other conversations with Crystal Wilkinson: PRAISESONG FOR THE KITCHEN GHOSTS: STORIES AND RECIPES FROM FIVE GENERATIONS OF BLACK COUNTRY COOKS PERFECT BLACK: CRYSTAL WILKINSON IN CONVERSATION WITH KIESE LAYMON BREATH BETTER SPENT: LIVING BLACK GIRLHOOD--DAMARIS B. HILL IN CONVERSATION WITH CRYSTAL WILKINSON Follow Crystal Wilkinson: Instagram: @crystalwilki Twitter: @crystalwilki Facebook: @wilkinsoncrystal crystalewilkinson.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices