The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #458: Welcome Author, Painter, and Archeologist Alexandra Chan to the Show to Discuss “In the Garden Behind the Moon”

The Thirteenth Hour Podcast

The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #458: Welcome Author, Painter, and Archeologist Alexandra Chan to the Show to Discuss “In the Garden Behind the Moon”

https://archive.org/download/podcast-458/Podcast%20458.mp3

This week’s episode welcomes archeologist, painter, martial artist, mother, wife, and author (among other things) Alexka Chan on her upcoming memoir called In the Garden Behind the Moon. We actually recorded it back in the winter but decided to not release it until now to time this interview with the launch of her book, coming out 5/28/24. Though there was a preview of the book (in the form of dragon paintings in episode 444 for lunar new year), here it is in full. In addition, there is an afterparty, so to speak, over at Patreon. There was some additional audio that we recorded after the episode ended that is being released there, so if you liked this episode, go check out the part 2. Even if you are not a Patreon member, I have made the post public, so it’s available to all.

We had a great conversation about so many topics, not the least of which are some of the subjects found within her book. Though billed as a memoir, there is also a healthy dose of introspective personal narrative/exploration, self help, philosophy, and more interspersed in between family photographs, prints of Chinese silk paintings done by the author, as well as musings on the power of myth and legend in the modern era. Click on the cover of the book below to pre-order (if seeing this prior to 5/28/24).

It’s a tale about her coming to grips with the loss of her parents, especially her father, a larger than life figure, and how myth and story helped not only smooth the grieving process but also created a renewed sense of wonder in life itself. In the episode, we talk about something my wife and I call “the middle aged doldrums” – that period of time when you as an adult are grinding – career, kids, health, etc – and it’s easy to lose sight of both yourself and a sense of possibility, hope, and wonder in the world around you as you struggle to make it through the day amid all the other demands on your time and attention. If you have seen The Breakfast Club, you may recall the quote Ally Sheedy’s character delivers:

Sprinkled through the book are traditional Chinese paintings, something she started doing later in life and continued to help rekindle her sense of equanimity as her father was nearing the end of his days. Here are some of the ones she sent over to share for Chinese new year:

You can find many more such paintings on Alexka’s online painting shop, Rising Phoenix Arts:

You can find about her paintings and books on social media:

Goodreads

Instagram

Facebook

Tiktok

Thanks for coming on the show, Alexka, and thanks, all, for listening!

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Check out this collaboration with past show guest Jeff Finley on handpan:

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Check it out!

As always, thanks for listening!

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