Author Lynn Melnick on Surviving Loss and Trauma and How the Music of Dolly Parton Helped Her Reclaim Her Voice

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [e-mail] or @townsquaretalk.

For the full hour, we talk with author Lynn Melnick about her memoir I've Had to Think Up a Way to Survive: On Trauma, Persistence, and Dolly Parton, which details her journey of survival and recovery in the wake of loss and trauma guided by the songs of country music icon Dolly Parton.

Melnick explains what motivated her to write the book, how she found inspiration in the music of Dolly Parton to overcome the struggles in her own life, and how every chapter explores the cultural issues at the heart of Parton’s songs and how they relate to Melnick’s life.

Plus, Melnick weighs in on the issues plaguing women today, how she views healing from trauma, and how creativity and storytelling can be pivotal to our survival and growth.

I've Had to Think Up a Way to Survive: On Trauma, Persistence, and Dolly Parton is available now in paperback wherever books are sold.

Guest:

Lynn Melnick

• Author, I've Had to Think Up a Way to Survive: On Trauma, Persistence, and Dolly Parton
• Assistant Professor of Poetry, Columbia University

Town Square with Ernie Manouse is a gathering space for the community to come together and discuss the day's most important and pressing issues.

We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, and other apps